Why I love Dubai

“Ever since first setting foot in this tiny powerhouse emirate back in 2007, Dubai has fascinated me with its energy, optimism and openness towards people from all over the world. I'm a die-hard foodie, so the staggering variety of authentic global fare is exhilarating, and even the shopping here – which I normally consider a chore – is actually a joy. Dubai is a place that's constantly in flux and it's been exciting...” Read More

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Andrea Schulte
Lonely Planet Writer

Top experiences in Dubai

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Recent articles

Daredevil Dubai: top adventure sports

It might be tempting to spend your Dubai break sprawled on a sun lounger, but this corner of the world is packed with high-octane, adrenaline-charged activities. There are outdoors adventures to be had in the sand, sea and snow (yes, you read that right), and all are within a short taxi ride of each other. Got a need for speed? Go wakeboarding, skiing, sliding or racing F1-style – Dubai's got it all.

Dubai delivers on adrenaline kicks. Image by Rich Joseph Facun / ArabiaEye / Getty Images
Jade Bremner
Lonely Planet Writer

Dubai's hottest new nightlife

From glamorous bars to off-the-hook clubs and a spread of fashionable restaurants, Dubai, as always, has a whole host of brand new nightlife openings. So if you're planning a wild night out, a celebratory meal, or just want to revel in Dubai's unique brand of glitz during your holidays, look no further – these are the newest places to party right now.

Get ready to hit the town on one of Dubai's many rooftop terraces. Image by Franckreporter / E+ / Getty
Jamie Lafferty
Lonely Planet Writer

Top tips for travelling during Ramadan

Ramadan Mubarak! The Islamic holy month of Ramadan runs from the end of June to the end of July this year – and if you're planning on travelling to a Muslim-majority region during this time, you’re in for an utterly fascinating experience. In many places, including the UAE, Morocco, Tunisia, Indonesia and Egypt, daily life changes dramatically this month, giving visitors a chance to see a whole new side to these regions.

Ramadan is a lunar month dedicated to sawm, or fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam. From sun-up to sun-down, the faithful abstain from food, drink, tobacco and sex to concentrate on spiritual renewal. After sunset, there's a euphoric iftar (sunset meal that breaks the fast), followed by a very late-night suhoor (the pre-dawn meal). Yet Ramadan isn't all daytime discipline and nightly parties: it's a time of generosity and zakat, or charity, another of the five pillars of Islam. Fasting isn't easy, so everyone slows down during the day – but you'll also notice people going out of their way to extend small kindnesses.
Alison Bing
Lonely Planet Writer
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Travel guides

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Dubai adventures

$85.37 Adventure

4x4 Dubai Desert Safari with Dune Bashing, Sandboarding, Camel Riding and BBQ Dinner

Travel by 4x4 across the deserts of Dubai on this exhilarating 6-hour excursion! Enjoy an adrenaline rush sandboarding down Dubai’s desert dunes, take a camel ride and get a henna tattoo! Complete your experience with a delicious barbecue dinner under the twinkling Arabian stars while watching a traditional tanoura dance performance. It's a must-do experience when visiting Dubai!After a pickup from your centrally located Dubai hotel, relax in an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle as you head to the desert that surrounds the city. Admire views of the barren yet enchanting landscape on the way, and listen to your guide’s tales about the region and its fascinating geology. First stop on your desert rendezvous is a traditional camel farm to see herds of the magnificent hump-backed herbivores. After showing off your balancing skills on a camel ride around the enclosures, learn about the different types of camels that are commonly seen in the desert around Dubai.Continue by 4x4 across the desert plains to the campsite in the desert and try your hand at a popular local pastime: sandboarding! Learn to master the art of 'surfing on sand' and race your friends and fellow travelers down the sand dunes during in an adrenaline-rushing experience. Show off your balance skills on a camel ride or relax and take a seat outside to watch your show as the sun sets over the craggy canyons and sun-baked plains. Get a henna tattoo design on your hands or feet, watch a traditional tanoura folk dance, and feast on a delicious barbecue dinner. Why not upgrade to a Exclusive Dubai Desert Safari by enjoying the delicious barbecue dinner at your exclusive table with a bottle of sparkling wine & fruit basket.After dinner, smoke a shisha (Arabic water pipe), if you wish, and watch a live belly-dance performance around the campfire. Relax under a canopy of twinkling stars and enjoy an experience that could be straight out of One Thousand and One Nights! Your tour then finishes with a drop-off at your Dubai hotel.Sample MenuFirst course(choose from following selection):Hummus, green salad with tomatoes and cucumbers, olives, coleslaw and Arabic breadSecond course(choose from following selection):Lamb chops, marinated chicken, beef burgers, barbequed potatoes, sauteed onions, steamed rice and lentil curryThird course:Arabic coffee and dates
$261 Scenic flight

Dubai Hot Air Balloon Flight

Glide up, up and away in a hot air balloon over Dubai Desert Conservation Revservation! After traveling from your central Dubai hotel to Margham by minibus, take to the morning skies and glide over the tranquil desert as the sun starts to rise. Gaze in awe at some spectacular desert vistas while enjoying an hour in the air, and then return to ground to celebrate the flight with a refreshing drink before returning to Dubai.Rise early to start your hot air balloon experience with a hotel pickup from central Dubai, and then travel out of the city toward Dubai Desert Conservation Reservation, roughly 30 minutes away. Stop at the launch field in Margham, and hop out of your minibus to watch your brightly colorful balloon inflate. After listening to a safety briefing, step inside your balloon’s basket and take to the skies with your pilot. Each basket holds a maximum of 24 people and there’s plenty of room for you to sightsee comfortably as you soar up and away.Have your camera ready to capture bird’s-eye views of the desert that stretches out as far as the eye can see. As you watch the sun rise over the red-tinged sand dunes, listen to your pilot talking about the barren landscape mapped out beneath you, and learn about the wildlife —think camels and gazelles — that prosper in the harsh desert conditions.After an hour in the air, it’s time to return to ground level, so, follow your pilot’s instructions for a smooth landing. Once back on the ground, head inside the launch center to celebrate your flight by receiving your personalized flight certificate and enjoying a cool drink. A professional video of your experience is available should you want to purchase it.Finish your drink, and then return to your minibus to end your Dubai hot air balloon experience with a hotel drop-off.
$109.45 Sightseeing tours

Dubai Super Saver: City Sightseeing Tour and Desert Safari

See the highlights of Dubai and its surrounding desert on this Super Saver that combines two best-selling tours over two days! Enjoy a city sightseeing tour by air-conditioned coach, seeing top Dubai attractions like the Burj Al Arab hotel and Al Fahidi Fort. Then head into the Arabian Desert on a 4x4 safari to visit a camel farm, try sandboarding, and enjoy a sunset barbeque meal with live music and dancing. Each tour takes place on a separate day, and it’s your choice whether you do the Dubai City Half-Day Sightseeing Tour on Day 1 and the Dubai Desert Safari on Day 2, or vice versa.
$143.18 Small group tours

Private Overnight Safari: Sandboarding, Camel Ride, BBQ Dinner and Belly Dancing

Sleep under the starry desert sky on an action-packed Dubai desert experience, led by a private guide! After venturing into the desert by 4x4 vehicle, enjoy a camel ride and race down the desert dunes on a sandboard. If adventurous activities are your thing, upgrade to include a 30- or 60-minute quad biking session before continuing to an Arabic campsite nestled deep in the desert. Feast on a BBQ dinner, watch a folk- and belly-dancing show, get a henna tattoo, and then sleep overnight in a tent. Breakfast and transport back to Dubai the next day is included.
$530 Small group tours

5 Days Dubai Package

Dubai is a city in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline. At its foot lies Dubai Fountain, with jets and lights choreographed to music. On man-made islands just offshore is Atlantis, the Palm, a resort with water and marine-animal parks.
$225 History & culture

2-Day Afternoon Desert Safari, Dubai Dolphinarium and Half-Day City Tour From Dubai

Discover the beautiful desert landscape on the outskirts of Dubai in evening along with combine entertainment, education and quality family time in this trip to the Dubai Dolphinarium and a City Tour of Dubai.
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