Dubai is a city of excess, where tradition meets modernity. Capital of the Emirate of the same name, Dubai will never cease to amaze, astonish and surprise you. This flagship city on the Persian Gulf has a futuristic feel, with dizzying towers that rival each other in architectural prowess. Dubai is also a disproportionately large city with a plethora of tourist attractions. In Dubai, each hotel has its own unique architecture and decor: a guaranteed change of scenery!
In this guide, we'll tell you all about the different neighborhoods in Dubai and what makes them special. Your choice of hotel will be different if you prefer the beach to the city, or if you're going with family, friends or lovers, so follow the guide as we give you the best advice for your trip to Dubai!
Choose the right neighborhood for your stay in Dubai.
Dubai Express
If you're visiting Dubai for a stopover or short stay, Deira or Downtown Dubai are the best places to stay. Both are ideally located in the heart of the city. Even if you don't have much time to explore Dubai, staying in Deira or Downtown Dubai will put you right in the heart of the city's bustling, dynamic life. You can easily visit the main attractions and monuments, on foot or by metro. For a quick visit, don't miss the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping mall, the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper at 848 meters, and the JW Marriot Marquis... the world's tallest hotel! These 3 major attractions are located in Downtown Dubai.
Bubbling Dubai
If your main reason for visiting Dubai is to discover the city's architectural treasures, it's advisable to stay in a hotel located in the Dubai Marina or Sheikh Zayed Road districts. These lively areas are ideal for exploring the city on foot. Bring good shoes and a camera, and set off to discover the many skyscrapers... Watch out for a stiff neck! If all those buildings don't make you dizzy, we recommend a meal at ABd El Wahad in Souk Al Bahar. This excellent restaurant not only serves some of the best Lebanese cuisine in Dubai, but also boasts a breathtaking view of the Burj Khalifa and its many fountains.
Dubai beach
If for you vacation means beach, then Jumeirah Beach is the place to be. This long avenue runs parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road, and is lined with hotels, each more photogenic than the last - including the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab. If you're staying in this area, don't miss the Palace Beach, with its breathtaking view of the Burj Al Arab. Take the time to stroll through Madinat Jumeirah, an authentic souk recreated to the delight of tourists! It's the ideal place to pick up gifts and souvenirs to bring back from your trip to Dubai.
Dubai culture
If you appreciate art galleries more than shopping malls, then you should visit the Al Quoz district. This up-and-coming neighborhood, far from the bling and glitz, is a must-see for lovers of art, paintings and photography. Don't miss Alserkal Avenue, the district's liveliest street, where new artistic influences are born. The nearest hotels are in the Al Barsha district.
Authentic Dubai
Although Dubai is a relatively young metropolis, it is nonetheless home to an old city center: Old Dubai. This historic center actually encompasses two major districts bordering Dubai Creek. These are Deira and Bur Dubai. In Deira, you'll enjoy the colorful souk of gold and spices. It's also the ideal place to sample traditional Lebanese, Emirati, Persian and Moroccan dishes. A festival of flavors!
Stay in a luxury hotel in Dubai
Dubai is renowned as a luxury oasis. This futuristic city of 2 million inhabitants has risen from the desert in less than 30 years and is poised to become the tourist and economic beacon of the Middle East. Dubai is in a race to the spectacular, welcoming stars, businessmen and wealthy tourists. Would you like to take advantage of your stay in Dubai to indulge in a luxurious interlude? Well, the metropolis is bursting with hotels, each more attractive and oversized than the last. Among the most renowned hotels, we recommend the Anantara, located on the Palm Jumeirah - which is actually an island in the shape of a palm tree. Here you'll find mainly luxury hotels!
Staying in Dubai on a budget
Don't have the urge to splurge or want to stay in Dubai on a budget? It's possible! For example, you'll find attractive offers in the Deira and Bur Dubai districts. Rest assured, these areas are well located and offer many attractions. For example, the Eureka Hotel or the Grand Square Hotel are pleasant places to relax after a day's sightseeing without breaking the bank!
You should also know that an effective way to stay in Dubai at a lower cost is to leave during the off-peak tourist season... i.e. in summer!
However, this is not a choice to be taken lightly, as the ambient temperature approaches 45° - which explains why hotel room and air ticket prices are almost halved when the subtropical climate becomes truly arid. So, if you're more interested in air-conditioned shopping malls than beaches, this is a feasible solution, even if many swimming pools are refrigerated!
Family-friendly neighborhoods
If you're looking for a luxury family trip to Dubai, we can't recommend enough the Burj Al Arab, a world-renowned luxury hotel that will delight young and old alike! Another benchmark Dubai hotel for families is the Atlantlis. Located on the artificial island of The Palm Jumeirah, this hotel boasts not only a huge water park, but also a giant aquarium where you can dive and swim with the fish...
Neighborhoods for a romantic getaway
Travelling to Dubai as a couple? Dubai is ideal for a romantic getaway! You'll find many romantic hotels that immerse you in a voluptuous, intimate atmosphere. If you want to enjoy your romance far from the hustle and bustle of the city, we recommend staying in Madinat Jumeirah or Downtown. If, on the other hand, you want to be immersed in the madness of Dubai, choose a hotel in the Dubai Marina area or around Sheikh Zayed Road. Located in the heart of Dubai, these areas are ideal for partying!
Neighborhoods for a getaway with friends
Taking a trip to Dubai with friends? Your program: beach and offbeat activities by day, cocktails and dance floors by night! To stick to this program to the letter, we recommend staying in the Media City or Sheikh Zayed Road districts. In these areas, you'll find numerous offbeat hotels, trendy nightclubs and festivals of all kinds.
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