The desert reinvented as a 21st-century city-state. Dubai is superlatives made concrete: the world's tallest building, vast malls, man-made islands and a skyline that didn't exist a generation ago. But scratch the surface and there's an older Dubai too — trading creeks, spice souks and desert just beyond the towers.
Egypt is one of the driest, sunniest countries on earth. Expect hot summers, mild winters and rain so rare it makes the news — but conditions shift by region.
Hot, dry summers and mild, sunny winters. Rain is rare — pack for sun and cool evenings from December to February.
Warm and bright all year with sea temperatures of 22–28°C. Prime diving visibility in spring and autumn.
Extreme daytime heat in summer but crisp, cold nights in winter. Best explored October to March.
April–October is intensely hot and humid, regularly 40–45°C, with warm nights. Life moves indoors to air-conditioned malls; the upside is lower hotel prices.
November–March is glorious: 24–30°C, low humidity, blue skies. Perfect for the beach, the desert and rooftop everything — and the reason this is peak season.
From record-breaking towers to the old trading creek — the places worth building a trip around.
Burj Khalifa
The world's tallest building at 828m, with observation decks over the city and the choreographed Dubai Fountain at its feet.
Old Dubai
Cross the water by traditional abra to the gold and spice souks — the trading heart the modern city grew from.
Dubai Aquarium
Less a mall than a city block of shops, an ice rink, an aquarium and the fountain — retail as spectacle.
A desert safari
Dune-bashing, camel rides and dinner under the stars in the Arabian desert, an easy half-day from the towers.
Palm Jumeirah
The famous man-made palm-shaped island, lined with resorts and beach clubs and crowned by the Atlantis waterpark.
Al Fahidi Historical District
Restored wind-tower houses, courtyard cafés and small museums — a quiet, low-rise counterpoint to the skyline.
Dubai rewards very different travellers. Pick the trip that matches your Travel DNA.
Mega-malls, gold souks and five-star everything.
Dune safaris, camel rides and desert camps.
Aquariums, waterparks and headline attractions.
Palm Jumeirah, beach clubs and the coastline.
The Creek, Al Fahidi and the heritage souks.
Getting there, getting around and getting the most from your trip.
DXB connects to virtually everywhere; visa-free or visa-on-arrival for many nationalities.
A clean, driverless Metro runs the main spine; taxis and ride-hailing are cheap and plentiful.
The desert, Abu Dhabi and the east-coast beaches are all easy day trips by car.
Dress is relaxed but modest away from the beach; Friday is the traditional weekend day.
Glorious 24–30°C, low humidity and blue skies — perfect for the beach, the desert and rooftop everything. Highest prices.
The shoulder weeks are a good compromise between weather and price before and after the peak.
Intensely hot and humid, 40–45°C — life moves indoors to the malls, but hotel prices are at their lowest.
