Dubai has become an incredibly popular holiday destination over the past decade. Thanks to its impressive skyline and warm weather, it’s a favourite of social media influencers, leaving some wondering if it’s all it’s hyped up to be.
Keep scrolling for our guide to travelling to Dubai to learn more about this up-and-coming destination.
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Dubai’s Surge in Popularity Among Travellers
Dubai saw 1.33 million British tourists in 2024, a 14% rise from the previous year. However, it’s not just Brits flocking to the city; 18.72 million international tourists visited in 2024, a 9% year-over-year increase.
Dubai’s growing accessibility to British tourists plays a significant role in these numbers. Major airlines, including British Airways and Emirates, offer direct flights to the city from airports across the UK. Travellers can take advantage of London Heathrow’s multiple daily nonstop flights.
Attractions Elevating Dubai’s Appeal
The city is perhaps best known for being home to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building at 830 m. The view from the 148th-floor observation deck is unparalleled, and you’ll be treated to pressed juices and plump dates as you soak it in.
If you’re in the mood for a shopping spree, check out the Dubai Mall. It’s the world’s largest indoor shopping centre, with seemingly endless designer and tech stores. There are plenty of restaurants and an aquarium in the middle with over 140 species, including sand tiger sharks and a 48-metre walk-through tunnel.
Cultural and Recreational Experiences Beyond the Glitz
Dubai holidays aren’t complete without visiting its markets in Bur Dubai. There, you’ll get a feel for traditional Emirati life, with alleyways lined with fabric traders and florists. You’ll join locals aboard wooden abra boats at the Dubai Creek before visiting Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Al Fahidi was almost demolished in the 1980s, but residents and an architect, Rayner Otter, campaigned to preserve it and save it from destruction. Since the mid-2000s, it has been promoted as a tourist destination for exploring the traditional architecture of the UAE. There, you’ll find covered walkways, or porticoes, that provide shade and protection from the sun and sand, an essential design element for the area’s climate.
Practical Considerations: Climate and Etiquette
Dubai is incredibly hot, with daily temperatures well above 30 °c for much of the year. Summer begins at the end of April and ends at the start of October, and it features extremely warm weather and high humidity. Due to strong north-westerly winds, there are frequent dust storms and thunderstorms.
To escape the scorching sun, avoid going out during midday and wait until later in the afternoon. When you’re exploring the city, remember the strong culture of modesty. Holding hands and kissing in public are frowned upon and should be avoided, and being visibly drunk in public could get you locked up. When eating and drinking, you must use your right hand.
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