This article was last updated in November 2021.
Dubai has become over the years one of the most visited destinations in the world. In case you're planning to visit Dubai soon (these incredible Dubai travel videos will certainly inspire you to it) and are not very familiar with all Dubai areas, you're probably wondering where to stay. We will try to help.
Firstly, it’s important to understand that Dubai is one of the seven Emirates of the United Arab Emirates and its most populous one. It is located between the Persian Gulf and the Desert. During the summer (June to September) the temperatures can rise severely therefore, in case you really don't appreciate hot summers, visiting from October to May might be the best option.
We have identified four main areas in Dubai that could potentially be the best place for you to stay: near Burj Khalifa (Dubai's Downtown), Jumeirah Beach, Dubai Marina, and The Palm Jumeirah. We left a surprise to the end - keep on reading...
Dubai Map with the
4 Key Areas to Stay In
Staying near
Burj Khalifa Area
(Dubai Map, Area 1)
Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and is located at the heart of Downtown Dubai’s area (also known as Downtown Burj Dubai), which is adjacent to ever-busy Sheikh Zayed Road. Here’s a tip: to skip the long lines and get the best value for money upon visiting Burj Khalifa, we suggest getting your tickets in advance.
In the vicinity of Burj Khalifa you'll find several luxury hotels, all with a spectacular view. Most of the hotels here boast jaw-dropping views of Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain, an enormous fountain with unmissable water shows. This area is also where the world's largest shopping centre is located - Dubai Mall. Souk Al Bahar, an outdoor commercial area with several restaurants, is also one of the highlights near Burj Khalifa. The Burj Khalifa area is ideal for everyone who wants to feel at the center of the action with easy on-foot access to nearby attractions. A curious fact: the total cost for building this area from scratch reached the staggering amount of US$20 Billion.
Between Downtown Dubai and Jumeirah Beach is where the modern City Walk complex is located. This is a great option for those wishing to stay close to the action without surrounding themselves with hordes of tourists. The well-planned neighborhood is also home to upscale shops and trendy eateries.
A Burj Khalifa
Hotel View
A Hotel View in Downtown Dubai
captured from The Oberoi, Dubai
by @markmyworldblog
Staying in
Jumeirah Beach Area
(Dubai Map, Area 2)
You are certainly familiar with the image of Burj Al Arab kind of floating over the water, most probably the most well-known Dubai postcard image. Burj Al Arab, also dubbed as “the 7-star hotel”, soon captured the attention of discerned travelers as one of the best and most famous hotels in the world with killer sea views (even if you’re not a guest, you can still visit the Burj Al Arab). That familiar image is from the Jumeirah Beach area.
Jumeirah Beach is a white sand beach with warm turquoise waters that stretches from north Deira (Old Town) to Dubai Marina district in the south. This is a great location to stay in case your primary goal is to be by the beach. Should that be the case, the beachfront complex of La Mer will probably be your best bet as it features a nice beach, kids playing area, and several sea-facing restaurants.
Alternatively, you may stay between Burj Al Arab and Madinat Jumeirah complex, which has been a preferred choice for some years. Madinat Jumeirah Souk is where you can shop for local, traditional products. Al Wadi Wadi, a popular waterpark, is perfect for families with kids and usually complimentary for guests staying in Jumeirah group hotels.
Burj Khalifa area is a 20-minute drive away from Jumeirah beach.
A Burj Al Arab
Hotel View
A Hotel View in Jumeirah Beach
captured from Jumeirah Beach Hotel
by @tamarababukhadia
Staying in
Dubai Marina Area
(Dubai Map, Area 4)
Dubai Marina district, south of Jumeirah Beach and established in 2003, is a man-built canal, densely populated by high-rise buildings. The second tallest building in Dubai and one of the tallest buildings in the world is residential-only Princess Tower (while there just look for the building that has a top-crown and you'll know you've identified it). At Dubai Marina, we’ll find Dubai Media City (a state-of-the-art regional media hub) and Dubai Internet City (a technological park operating under the rules of a free economic zone).
Should you enjoy night strolls, we suggest a visit to Dubai Marina Walk, an outdoor venue where restaurants and bars are abundant. Hotels in the Dubai Marina area are housed in skyscrapers with fascinating views (especially as the night falls and the lights start to light up) or near Marina Beach (sea views in the front, skyline view on the back). It wouldn't be Dubai if there wasn't a large shopping Mall in the district - in this case, Dubai Marina Mall, one of the largest malls in Dubai.
Also worth a mention is the man-made Bluewaters Island, one of Dubai’s most recent real estate projects and home to Ain Dubai, the world’s largest observation wheel that made its first spin back in October 2021. This area also features an open-air shopping mall with several water-facing restaurants.
Both Jumeirah Beach and The Palm are a short drive away. Further south, and a 20-minute drive away, is where the newest District 2020 is found. For those not paying much attention, that’s where Dubai Expo 2020 was installed.
A Marina Skyline Hotel View
A Hotel View in Dubai Marina
captured from Address Dubai Marina
by @ikarosm
Staying in
The Palm Area
(Dubai Map, Area 3)
A floating palm in the Persian Gulf that you can actually sail around. What started to be a dream soon became a real project and, by the end of 2014, The Palm Jumeirah artificial island was finally completed. Would you rather be away from it all and relax next to a perfect private white sand beach? In that case, you have found the right place to stay in Dubai. Luckily for you, there are many luxury hotels at The Palm to stay in. For sea views, this is most probably the best place to stay in Dubai. Dubai's skyscrapers will be distantly on the horizon so you never forget there is an exciting metropolis ready to be explored.
Know that by staying in The Palm you will always need car transportation to reach Dubai Downtown, Jumeirah Beach or Dubai Marina. Again, this is the place to stay sufficiently far from the city to rest your body and soul but at the same time only a 20-minute drive to Dubai's major attractions.
A Dubai Sunset
Hotel View
A Hotel View in The Palm
captured from Waldorf Astoria Dubai
by @nishamansurali
The Perfect Surprise:
A Trip to Dubai Desert
We left to the end what we consider to be the ultimate Dubai experience: a trip to the desert. It would be a shame not to visit such a remarkable place while your next visit to Dubai - here are a few exciting things to do in Dubai Desert. Staying in the desert for a couple of nights is like travelling back in time: from the urban and cosmopolitan city of Dubai to a destination where everything is so different from what you're used to.
Ideally, you can go straight from Dubai Airport to one of the desert luxury hotels. After a 45-minute drive, you'll find yourself arriving at your hotel, surrounded by immense golden dunes. Spend a few nights there and then head to one of Dubai's top luxury hotels. Alternatively, leave the desert to the end and surprise your loved one - this will surely be a life-lasting memory.
A Stunning Desert
Hotel View
A Hotel View in Dubai Desert
captured from Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa
by @hamda_12