As the UK turns to the damp gray of autumn and winter, the weather in Dubai comes into its own – making it a great place for families to get some winter sun. For all its glamor, Dubai is incredibly child-friendly: there is not much to do, but children of all ages are welcome at most establishments across the city.
When to go
From the end of October, halfway through, Dubai is warm – at the end of December, the city’s weather is comparable to a cozy day in May in the UK, but the likelihood of rain is minimal.
The festive season is a big thing in Dubai and your family can enjoy all the usual trappings except good weather. The Dubai Shopping Festival in January and all the events that accompany it.
Under the Sea: The whole family will love the Dubai Mall Aquarium.
There are over 700 hotels and hotels in Dubai that range from inexpensive and delightful to luxurious. While most hotels are happy to accommodate families, some may not offer enough for children, as most take care of business travelers.
Most beach hotels are ideal for families, offering many dedicated activities. pick Hotel Jumeirah Beach offers a combination of family-friendly heart features, easy beach access and value for money.
For extra special family getaways, hotels like Atlantis The Palm, Attached Aquaventure Water Park, or Lupada, Dubai Parks & Resorts in the middle of Dubai’s theme park district are ideal. Or if there’s something unique, consider Queen Elizabeth 2: The former cruise liner is now a permanently docked hotel and an attraction in Dubai.
What to do
Dubai has a beautiful beach setting. But with the simple pleasure of playing at the beach or in the hotel pool, there are plenty of activities for families to do in the city. In fact, there are so many, take some time to plan at least one line trip and book in advance for some popular attractions.
For family-friendly excitement, Legoland Dubai, IMG Worlds of Adventure (includes Marvel, Cartoon Network and Dinosaur Zones), Hollywood-themed Motiongate Dubai theme parks, Aquaventure water park, Ski Dubai indoor ski resort in the Mall of Emirates, Dubai Along with adult attractions, the shopping malls take care of the children, the snowy slopes of Ski Dubai, the Kidzania Activity Center and the underwater wonders of the Dubai Aquarium.
Views: Make sure you check out the Dubai Fountains Display.
For more traditional shopping, city souks (markets) full of color, foreign smells and sounds are exciting – especially when traveling in Abra, a traditional wooden boat across the creek.
Outside the city, for a Dubai-only experience, you can take a desert safari, bouncy ride through dirt, camel riding, sand surfing and much more.
For the most adventurous families, Dubai is a great place to try water sports, paragliding, parachute jumping, hot-air ballooning, go-karting and more. For adventurous families (or just a break), there are plenty of movie theaters in the city – Reader Cinemas has programmed in Dubai Mall for kids, parents of very young children can go to Vox Cinemas for parents and infants screening (sometimes known as crying sessions). The other indoor focus on completing the offer for younger visitors is Games Arcades.
How to get there
From the UK, Emirates offers direct flights to Dubai from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow – and officially the world’s best in-flight entertainment and hundreds of hours of children’s entertainment. There are plenty of other low direct flight options too but allow for connection time.
Expand your horizons in Dubai
In Dubai, you will find all the ingredients for a sun-soaked trip. From the tranquil safaris of the desert to dining in the world’s tallest building, the sea’s modern metropolis offers unforgettable experiences. Take your horizon on a journey that combines record-breaking architecture, traditional neighborhoods, and white sand beaches.
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