Burj Khalifa
The view from the tallest building in the world, floors 124 and 148.
Skyscrapers by day dunes by dusk
A local's guide to Dubai from the top of the Burj to the gold souk and every rooftop pool in between
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My trip
This is one real day from a schedule our planner builds. Yours will look different, because it is built around your answers.
Day 2 · Downtown Dubai
Every hour worked out, every place open
09:00 Angelina Paris about 1 hour
10:30 Burj Khalifa 6 min walk · about 1.5 hours
12:30 Third Avenue Boutique 4 min walk · about 1.5 hours
The rest is already waiting, it just needs a few answers
Build me a day like this A minute of questions A full day hours and distances Yours to edit and share
The in-demand attractions in Dubai
The experiences you should not miss, with tickets booked ahead to save time and money.
Desert safari
Golden dunes, a camel ride and a Bedouin camp under the stars.
The perfect 3-day route
A day-by-day plan with everything worth booking ahead.
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Where to stay?
Compare prices on hotels and rentals across the city.
Dubai real estate investment
Why investors choose Dubai
A property market open to foreign investors, with near-zero taxation and high yields. We have gathered everything you need to know before you start, and you are welcome to leave your details and connect with leading brokers who know the market inside out.
0%
tax on rent and capital gains
8-12%
gross rental yield a year
- 0% tax on rent and capital gains
- Gross rental yields of 8 to 12 percent
- Full ownership for foreign buyers too
- Dirham pegged to the dollar, a stable currency
The Dubai map
Every destination, neighborhood and attraction from our guides, on one map.
More than 100 of the best places in Dubai, in one guide with photos and tips.
Latest
All guides
Attractions & tickets Updated 16 September 2026
Visiting Jumeirah Mosque: How It Works and What to Wear
Jumeirah Mosque is one of the few mosques in Dubai open to non-Muslim visitors, through a guided visit built around questions. How the visit runs, what the dress code actually requires, and what to ask.
Practical & planning Updated 12 September 2026
What Dubai Actually Costs
The city has two price levels running in parallel. Where the metro, the souks and the beaches keep costs down, where alcohol and attractions push them up, and how to plan a realistic daily budget.
Attractions & tickets Updated 9 September 2026
The Abra: Dubai's Cheapest and Best Boat Ride
A wooden abra crosses Dubai Creek for a coin, and it is the most genuine thing left in the city. Where the stations are, what a shared crossing costs against a private charter, and how to fit it around the souks.
Practical & planning Updated 5 September 2026
Alcohol in Dubai: the rules, the licence and where you can legally drink
Dubai is not dry, but the rules are specific and the penalties are real. Here is how the tourist liquor permit works, where drinking is legal, and the lines you genuinely should not cross.
Ready-made itineraries Updated 2 September 2026
Hatta Day Trip: Mountains, a Turquoise Dam and Cooler Air
Hatta is a mountain enclave of Dubai on the Oman border, built around a turquoise reservoir, kayaking, a heritage village and genuinely cooler air than the city. Here is how to plan a day trip.
Attractions & tickets Updated 29 August 2026
Dubai Opera: What to See, and the District Around It
Dubai Opera is a dhow shaped venue in Downtown Dubai that hosts opera, ballet, concerts and theatre. Here is what the building actually is, what kind of shows to expect, and how it fits into a Downtown day.
Must reads
The core guides to start from.
Food & dining Updated 29 July 2026
Dubai Food Guide: What to Eat and Where
What to eat in Dubai: Emirati dishes most visitors never find, the shawarma and karak habit, the old-city food streets, how brunch works, and where the value actually is.
Practical & planning Updated 29 July 2026
Dubai Visa and Entry Rules, Passport by Passport
How entering Dubai works: who gets a visa on arrival, who applies in advance, passport validity, what customs actually restricts, and the rules that surprise first-time visitors.
Beaches & resorts Updated 28 July 2026
The Best Beaches in Dubai, Public and Private
My honest guide to the best beaches in Dubai, public and private: free beaches with facilities, day-pass hotel beaches, water temperature by season, and calm spots for kids.
Ready-made itineraries Updated 28 July 2026
Three Days in Dubai, a Complete Itinerary
My tried and tested three days in Dubai itinerary, mixing the Burj Khalifa and Downtown with the old creek souks, a desert evening and a beach morning, travel times included.
Practical & planning Updated 7 July 2026
Best Time to Visit Dubai: Season by Season Guide
When to visit Dubai: the cool winter high season, the scorching summer, the shoulder months, and how heat, crowds, prices, Ramadan and big events should shape your dates.
Real estate & investment Updated 11 June 2026
Dubai Property Guide: Buying and Investing as a Foreigner
A clear, factual guide to buying property in Dubai as a foreigner: freehold areas, the purchase process, fees, rental yields, the Golden Visa, and the risks to weigh before you invest.
By topic
Common questions
Do I need a visa for Dubai?
Many nationalities get visa-free entry or a visa on arrival for stays of up to 30 to 90 days in the United Arab Emirates, and you just need a passport valid for at least six months. Check the current rules for your own passport before you fly.
When is the best time to visit Dubai?
November to March are the most pleasant months, with comfortable weather for the beach, the desert and time outdoors. Summer (June to September) is very hot, often above 40C, and suits air-conditioned activities and lower hotel rates.
How much does Dubai cost and how do I pay?
The currency is the dirham (AED), pegged to the US dollar at about 3.67 to one. Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Dubai is a luxury destination but a flexible one: there is street food and malls alongside five-star hotels. Budget ahead for attractions, which are the priciest part.
Can foreign buyers invest in Dubai real estate?
Yes. A foreign investor can take full freehold ownership in designated areas, with 0% tax on rent and capital gains and gross rental yields of roughly 8 to 12 percent. We cover it in detail in our real estate guide.
Is Dubai good for a family trip?
Very. Dubai is safe and clean, with water parks, an aquarium, beaches and air-conditioned malls. Distances are large, so it helps to plan each day by area and lean on taxis or the Careem app to save travel time.
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