The United Arab Emirates is the easiest winter sun from the UK: about seven hours’ flight, guaranteed blue skies from November to March and a range of holidays that few places can match. Dubai has the beaches, skyline and restaurants, Abu Dhabi the culture and theme parks, and Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah the value all-inclusives and quieter bays.
Use this guide to choose your base and plan your days. For more ideas and our hand-picked trips, see our Dubai and UAE holidays page.
The quick answer
- For a beach-first Dubai stay, choose Palm Jumeirah.
- For a lively seafront with restaurants on the doorstep, pick Dubai Marina or JBR.
- For the classic Burj Al Arab beach, stay in Jumeirah.
- For culture, Saadiyat beaches or the Yas theme parks, go to Abu Dhabi.
- For value all-inclusive, look at Ras Al Khaimah. Go between November and March.
Where to stay
| Area | Best for | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Jumeirah | Beach resorts, families, couples | Private beaches, big pools, skyline views |
| Dubai Marina & JBR | Restaurants, nightlife, getting around | Busy seafront, public beach, tram and metro |
| Jumeirah & Umm Suqeim | Classic Dubai, lower-rise resorts | Calm beach by the Burj Al Arab |
| Downtown Dubai | City breaks, shopping | Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the Fountain |
| Abu Dhabi (Saadiyat, Yas) | Culture, theme parks | Natural beaches, the Louvre, Ferrari World |
| Ras Al Khaimah & Fujairah | All-inclusive value, diving | Quieter beaches, mountains, Indian Ocean coast |
Many travellers split the stay: a few nights in Dubai for the city, the souks and a desert evening, then a beach resort in Abu Dhabi or Ras Al Khaimah to slow down. Dubai is also the classic stopover on the way to the Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius or Asia.
Things to do
- Old Dubai — abra boats across the Creek, the gold and spice souks and the Al Fahidi historic district.
- A desert evening — dune driving, a camel ride and dinner under the stars, or a sunrise balloon flight.
- The Burj Khalifa and the Museum of the Future — the viewpoints are best booked for sunset.
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — Abu Dhabi’s white marble masterpiece; dress modestly.
- The Louvre Abu Dhabi — under its famous lattice dome on Saadiyat Island.
- Yas Island theme parks — Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld.
- Jebel Jais — the UAE’s highest mountain in Ras Al Khaimah, with the world’s longest zipline.
When to go
November to March is the best time, with sunny days of 24–30°C and pleasant evenings. October and April are hotter but still good for the beach. From May to September temperatures pass 40°C — hotels are cheaper and life moves indoors and into the pool. Ramadan dates change each year; hotels stay open, with some daytime restrictions on eating and drinking in public.
Getting there and entry
Direct flights take about 7 hours from London and from several regional UK airports. Dubai is 4 hours ahead of the UK in winter. UK passport holders currently receive a free visit visa on arrival, and passports must be valid for at least six months. UAE laws differ from the UK’s on alcohol, dress and behaviour in public — check the FCDO travel advice for the UAE before you go.
Money and local charges
The UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar and cards are accepted almost everywhere. Hotels charge a tourism fee per room per night, paid locally at check-out — in Dubai from about AED 7 to AED 20 depending on the hotel category, with similar fees in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. We show it before you book.
Food and drink
Dubai has one of the world’s great restaurant scenes, from celebrity-chef dining to street food in Deira and Karama. Try Emirati dishes such as machboos (spiced rice with meat or fish) and luqaimat dumplings with date syrup, and finish with Arabic coffee and dates.
Ask us to plan your Dubai trip →
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to go to Dubai?
November to March, with sunny days of 24–30°C. October and April are hotter but still good beach months.
Which area of Dubai is best for a beach holiday?
Palm Jumeirah for resort beaches, Dubai Marina and JBR for a lively seafront, and Jumeirah for the classic beach by the Burj Al Arab.
Do I need a visa for Dubai?
UK passport holders currently get a free visit visa on arrival. Check the FCDO advice before you travel.
Are there extra hotel charges in the UAE?
Yes, a tourism fee per room per night, paid at check-out — from about AED 7 to AED 20 in Dubai depending on the hotel category.
Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
Dubai for the widest choice of hotels, restaurants and sights; Abu Dhabi for culture, natural beaches and the Yas Island theme parks. Many people do both.
Planning a Dubai or UAE holiday?
Tell us your dates and what you want from the trip, and a Travel Designer will suggest the right base — or the perfect stopover.
