About

About ULTIMATE Dubai City Guide

ULTIMATE Dubai City Guide is an independent guide for visitors to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. We publish 14 curated lists: restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels, sights, art & culture, parks & beaches, walks, shopping, health, property, developments, luxury cars and getting around. We cover Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and JBR, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah, Old Dubai (Deira, Bur Dubai and Al Fahidi), DIFC, Business Bay, Dubai Creek Harbour and Expo City, with day trips to Abu Dhabi, Hatta, Sharjah and the desert.

Our editor

Jai Michael is Editor-in-Chief of the ULTIMATE City Guides. With more than 25 years in the media industry, he founded ABSOLUTE brighton and London TV, and has worked with leading luxury brands around the world.

How we choose

Every place in our lists has been checked against its own website or an official source such as visitdubai.com, the Government of Dubai Media Office, the RTA, Dubai Airports, Etihad Rail, the Dubai Land Department, the UAE government portal (u.ae), Dubai Municipality, UNESCO or The MICHELIN Guide Dubai. MICHELIN stars are quoted only from the 2026 guide, published on 6 October 2026. We use no ratings, and we leave out anything we can’t confirm.

Before you go

Opening hours, entry rules and timetables change often. Please check directly with each place, and with official sources, before you travel. Prices are in UAE dirhams (AED).

For venues

Run a venue in Dubai and spotted something to update? We review our lists regularly and welcome corrections.

Photo credits

• An abra crossing Dubai Creek, by Alberto-g-rovi, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Abras moored on Dubai Creek at sunset, by Phil6007, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A lane of traditional-style buildings at Al Seef on Dubai Creek, by Alan & Flora Botting, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Shaded lanes between the warehouse galleries of Alserkal Avenue, by Fuzheado, licensed CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Shaded lanes between the warehouse galleries of Alserkal Avenue, by Fuzheado, licensed CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Atlantis The Palm and the monorail, seen from The Pointe, by Aidan-dubai2024, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Burj Khalifa and the towers of Business Bay reflected in the water at blue hour, by Robert Bock, licensed CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The towers of Dubai Marina lit up at night around the yacht basin, by Gfilip, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Dubai Water Canal and the towers of Business Bay at sunset, by Iwona Rege, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Dubai Water Canal and the towers of Business Bay at sunset, by Iwona Rege, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A lane of traditional-style buildings at Al Seef on Dubai Creek, by Alan & Flora Botting, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Downtown Dubai and Sheikh Zayed Road at night, with Burj Khalifa on the left, by https://pixabay.com/users/bulletrain743-3598825/, licensed CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Downtown skyline and Burj Khalifa at sunset, seen across the water from Dubai Creek Harbour, by SHARON VISHAKHAM, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Sunset over the marina at Dubai Creek Harbour, with the Downtown skyline beyond, by Yousrafayed, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The green water of Hatta Dam between the Hajar Mountains, by Robert Haandrikman, licensed CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Sunset over the dunes in the desert outside Dubai, by iMahesh, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Downtown skyline and Burj Khalifa at sunset, seen across the water from Dubai Creek Harbour, by SHARON VISHAKHAM, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Downtown Dubai and Sheikh Zayed Road at night, with Burj Khalifa on the left, by https://pixabay.com/users/bulletrain743-3598825/, licensed CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Burj Khalifa and the towers of Business Bay reflected in the water at blue hour, by Robert Bock, licensed CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Downtown Dubai and Sheikh Zayed Road at night, with Burj Khalifa on the left, by https://pixabay.com/users/bulletrain743-3598825/, licensed CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Three levels of shops inside The Dubai Mall, by Ravi Dwivedi, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The arrivals hall at Dubai International Airport, by ProtoplasmaKid, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The gilded lobby of Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, by Davide Mauro, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A Dubai Metro Red Line train beside Sheikh Zayed Road, by Stefan Wisselink, licensed CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The watchtower and walls of Al Fahidi Fort, with a minaret behind, by Photopank, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Al Fahidi Fort in Bur Dubai, by Nasser Ali Alkhlaifi, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A greater flamingo feeding at Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, by Chuck202, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Dubai Fountain at dusk in front of The Dubai Mall, by Donaldytong, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The domed entrance of Global Village at dusk, by Abil Ahamed, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Calligraphy, tile panels and gilded palm capitals in the arcades of the Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, by Francesco Bini, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The green water of Hatta Dam between the Hajar Mountains, by Robert Haandrikman, licensed CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The canals and wind-tower buildings of Madinat Jumeirah, by Donaldytong, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Burj Khalifa and the towers of Business Bay reflected in the water at blue hour, by Robert Bock, licensed CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Atlantis The Royal across the water from The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, by Francesco Bini, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Atlantis The Royal across the water from The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, by Francesco Bini, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), by pe-sa, licensed CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Madinat Jumeirah’s waterways, with Burj Al Arab beyond, by Diego Delso, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Jumeirah Mosque in the late-afternoon light, by trolvag, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Kites over Kite Beach, with Burj Al Arab on the horizon, by MaryJaneB, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The “rain of light” falling through the dome at Louvre Abu Dhabi, by Francesco Bini, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Madinat Jumeirah’s waterways, with Burj Al Arab beyond, by Diego Delso, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Madinat Jumeirah’s waterways, with Burj Al Arab beyond, by Diego Delso, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The canals and wind-tower buildings of Madinat Jumeirah, by Donaldytong, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Palm-lined galleries inside The Dubai Mall, by Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) Photo portfolio, licensed CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The waterfall with its sculpted divers inside The Dubai Mall, by Dakstor, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The towers of Dubai Marina lit up at night around the yacht basin, by Gfilip, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The towers of Dubai Marina lit up at night around the yacht basin, by Gfilip, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Yachts and towers along Dubai Marina, by PA, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A Dubai Metro Red Line train beside Sheikh Zayed Road, by Stefan Wisselink, licensed CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Arabic calligraphy façade of the Museum of the Future, lit at night, by Александр Сигачёв, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Acropolis of Athens by day, seen from Philopappos Hill, by A.Savin, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Goat Cay and the turquoise shallows of the Exumas, by DrGvago, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Grand Palace reflected at dawn, by Nawit science, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The golden sand and calm water of Paynes Bay, St. James, by Barry haynes, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The old town of Belgrade above the Sava, with the spire of the Cathedral Church of St Michael, by Tatil Dükkanı, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Romanian Athenaeum in its garden, by Jorge Franganillo, licensed CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Hungarian Parliament lit up at night on the Danube, by Tom Ek, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Bixby Creek Bridge on the Big Sur coast, by Diliff, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Burj Khalifa and Business Bay at blue hour, by Robert Bock, licensed CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The beach at Rosemary Beach on the Gulf of Mexico, by Miamireader, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Blue domes of Oia above the Santorini caldera, by Norbert Nagel, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Helsinki Cathedral above the South Harbour, by Ввласенко, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Golden Horn and the mosques of the old city, Istanbul, by Diego Delso, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Las Vegas Strip at dusk, by Dietmar Rabich, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Triple Bridge over the Ljubljanica, by Fred Romero from Paris, France, licensed CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Palace of Westminster and the Elizabeth Tower, by Domob, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Griffith Observatory with downtown Los Angeles beyond, by The Fun Chronicles, licensed CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• An aerial view of a small island ringed by reef in the Maldives, by Luka Peternel, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Yachts in Puerto Banús, by kallerna, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Art Deco hotels on Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, by Robbschultz69, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Monaco from above, Port Hercule and Monte-Carlo below the mountains, by Spike, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Taj Mahal Palace and the Gateway of India from the harbour, by iMahesh, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Sunset at the Naples Pier, by pmarkham, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The New York City skyline from Top of the Rock, by Dillan Payne, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Millennium Bridge over the Morača, by Desemeus, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Golden Gate Bridge seen from Battery Spencer, by Christoph Strässler, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Sebilj fountain and the square of Baščaršija, by Yukof, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Lujiazui skyline and the Oriental Pearl Tower lit up at night across the Huangpu River, by King of Hearts, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Stone Bridge over the Vardar, by kallerna, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The gilded domes of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia, by Plamen Agov (user:MrPanyGoff), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Nine Arch Bridge near Ella, in the hill country, by Knthabrew, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Gros Piton and Petit Piton, the twin volcanic spires of the UNESCO-listed Pitons, by xiquinhosilva, licensed CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Skanderbeg Square with the Et’hem Bey Mosque, by Andrew Milligan sumo, licensed CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The tiled roof of St Mark’s Church in Zagreb’s Upper Town, by Bernard Gagnon, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Abras moored on Dubai Creek at sunset, by Phil6007, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• An Arabian oryx on the red dunes, by Charles J. Sharp, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Atlantis The Palm and the monorail, seen from The Pointe, by Aidan-dubai2024, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A greater flamingo feeding at Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, by Chuck202, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Downtown skyline and Burj Khalifa at sunset, seen across the water from Dubai Creek Harbour, by SHARON VISHAKHAM, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A display of crafted gifts in one of the halls of Qasr Al Watan, by Matti Blume, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Sunset over the Al Qudra Lakes in the desert, by Carlo Père, licensed CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Trees reflected in an Al Qudra lake at golden hour, by Zoozkyn, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The towers of Dubai Marina lit up at night around the yacht basin, by Gfilip, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Dried rosebuds, herbs and spices for sale in the Spice Souk, Deira, by Frodlekis, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Atlantis The Royal across the water from The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, by Francesco Bini, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Restored coral-stone buildings in the Heart of Sharjah, by Wael Mohammed Al-Masri, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Three levels of shops inside The Dubai Mall, by Ravi Dwivedi, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Downtown skyline and Burj Khalifa at sunset, seen across the water from Dubai Creek Harbour, by SHARON VISHAKHAM, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Dried rosebuds, herbs and spices for sale in the Spice Souk, Deira, by Frodlekis, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A Dubai Metro Red Line train beside Sheikh Zayed Road, by Stefan Wisselink, licensed CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Yachts and towers along Dubai Marina, by PA, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.