Dubai travel blog
Stories, tips and honest observations from Dubai and the UAE
The perfect 2-day Dubai weekend, hour by hour
A realistic 2-day Dubai weekend plan, hour by hour — landmarks, Old Dubai, the Marina, and a desert evening without feeling rushed.
A realistic Dubai long weekend: 3 days done right
Three days in Dubai is enough for the headline sights if you plan tightly — here's a realistic, honest long-weekend itinerary.
The Dubai beach day guide: where to go and what to know
Planning a Dubai beach day — public versus private beaches, dress norms, water sports, and which stretch of coast actually suits your trip.
Dubai's best day trips, ranked
Every major Dubai day trip ranked by what it actually delivers — Abu Dhabi, Hatta, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah, and Al Ain compared.
The best sunset spots in Dubai
Marina Walk, The View at The Palm, JBR Beach, and more — where sunset in Dubai actually looks best, and which spots are overrated.
The Dubai bucket list: what's actually worth doing
An honest Dubai bucket list — which big-ticket experiences earn their price and queue, and which ones you can skip without regret.
Desert or city: which should you prioritise in Dubai
Short on time in Dubai? Here's an honest comparison of desert safari versus city landmarks to help you decide which to prioritise.
Visiting Dubai during Ramadan: what actually changes
Ramadan changes Dubai's hours, dining, and public etiquette — here's an honest guide to what actually shifts and how to plan around it.
Dubai after dark: the best things to do once the sun goes down
Dubai's best evening plans once the heat breaks — fountain shows, dhow cruises, rooftop bars, and night tours, honestly ranked.
Expo City Dubai today: what's left, and is it worth visiting
Expo 2020's site is now Expo City Dubai — a permanent district. Here's honestly what remains, what's changed, and whether it's worth the trip.
Planning a family weekend in Dubai
A realistic Dubai weekend plan for families — theme parks, beaches, and heat management, without overpacking the schedule.
What actually surprises first-time visitors to Dubai
The heat, the scale, the rules, the diversity — what genuinely surprises first-time visitors to Dubai, beyond the skyline photos.
What's actually free to do in Dubai (more than you'd think)
Dubai has a real free-things-to-do list beyond window shopping — the Fountain, JBR Beach, the souks, and more, honestly assessed.
Dubai's lesser-known spots worth seeking out
Al Fahidi's alleys, the Dubai Canal, Hatta's mountains, and more — Dubai spots that don't make the standard checklist but should.
Dubai for honeymooners: an honest planning guide
Dubai works well for honeymoons if you plan around it deliberately — here's an honest guide to where to stay, splurge, and skip.
Dubai's most photographed spots, and how to actually get the shot
The real logistics behind Dubai's most photographed spots — timing, tickets, and crowds — from the Burj Khalifa to Old Dubai's souks.
Feeling luxe in Dubai without the luxury price tag
Dubai's luxury experiences don't all require a luxury budget. Here's how to get the feel without the seven-star price everywhere else.
Dubai's modern architecture: what the buildings are actually saying
Dubai's skyline explained beyond the photo ops — what its landmark buildings were designed to prove, and how they actually hold up.
New Year's Eve in Dubai: fireworks, crowds, and how to actually enjoy it
Dubai's NYE fireworks at Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah draw huge crowds — here's honest advice on where to watch and how to plan around it.
Making the most of a Dubai layover
A DXB layover can fit real Dubai sightseeing if you're honest about the hours — what fits in 6, 10, and 24 hours, and what to skip.
Where and when to shoot Dubai's best photos
Dubai's best photo spots and the timing that actually matters — skyline, souks, and the light that makes or breaks each shot.
It's actually raining in Dubai: what to do on a rare wet day
Rain in Dubai is rare but real, mostly in winter — here's an honest plan for a wet or unusually cloudy day without wasting it.
A Dubai Shopping Festival diary: what a week there actually looks like
A day-by-day look at visiting during the Dubai Shopping Festival — the raffles, the malls, Global Village, and whether it's worth timing a trip around.
Souks or malls: where to shop in Dubai
Gold Souk haggling versus Dubai Mall's air conditioning — an honest comparison of Dubai's two very different shopping worlds.
Surviving Dubai in the extreme summer heat
Dubai's June-September heat hits 40-48C. Here's how to actually plan a visit around it, and what indoor options make it work.
Things nobody tells you about visiting Dubai
The practical, unglamorous Dubai realities travel brochures skip — from tipping norms to why your first taxi fare will surprise you.
Dubai vs Abu Dhabi: which one should you actually visit
Dubai and Abu Dhabi aren't interchangeable — here's an honest comparison of both, and why most trips are better with both on the itinerary.
Dubai with a baby: what actually works (and what doesn't)
Traveling to Dubai with an infant — heat, stroller logistics, feeding, sleep, and which attractions genuinely work with a baby in tow.
Dubai with teenagers: what actually keeps them interested
Skip the toddler-focused attractions — here's what genuinely works for teens in Dubai, from ziplines and dune buggies to theme parks and skate parks.
Is Dubai worth the hype? Attraction by attraction
Dubai's most hyped attractions, judged individually — which ones earn the marketing and which ones are style over substance.