Where are the best beaches in Dubai?

There's no shortage of beaches in Dubai and most of them are free to visit. There are however some private beach clubs you can pay to enter and some are well worth the expense.

La Mer

La Mer is without a doubt one of the best beachside neighbourhoods in Dubai, especially for families. There's dining, shopping, an inflatable play park, a cinema and a water park. There's really no need to go anywhere else in the day!

Kite Beach

This used to be a hidden gem amongst expats but now it's a very popular and well known place to hang out, with great beach side amenities, including free wifi and food trucks. The beach offers loads of different watersports for you to try, including kite boarding which gives the beach its name! There are fantastic views of the Burj al Arab and a beach front running track, if you like to keep fit even when on holiday!

Important things to know before you visit Dubai

UAE laws and customs are very different to those in the UK. Before you visit it's important to familiarise yourself with what is and what's not appropriate, to avoid offending anyone or inadvertently breaking the law.

• Check your prescriptions. There is a strict, zero-tolerance drug policy and this can extend to a number of prescription medicines. Be sure to check UAE's official website to see which medicines that are allowed.
• Avoid PDA. Public displays of affection, including holding hands and kissing, are considered offensive and could lead to arrest, so it's best to wait until you're back in your accommodation before snuggling up with your partner.
• Unmarried couples cohabiting is illegal in Dubai. And this applies to hotel rooms too, so please bear this in mind when deciding room arrangements. In reality, this is not strictly enforced and it's unlikely you'll be challenged on it. We recommend researching hotels that are known for being more accommodating to unmarried couples.
• Dress conservatively in public spaces. At the beaches and resorts it's fine to wear swimwear and shorts etc, however it's best to keep shoulders and knees covered when in public spaces.
• Avoid swearing in public . Swearing, arguments and fighting in public areas are all offences that could see you getting in trouble with the law.
• No being drunk in public spaces. It's illegal to drink in public or be tipsy in public, so if you've had a boozy evening enjoying the clubs and bars, once you're done be sure to take a taxi straight back to your hotel.
• Don't take photos of people without permission. As you're snapping away, be cautious of people in your frame. Taking pictures of people, especially women and children, without permission is illegal. Taking pictures of government and military buildings is also prohibited.
• Abide by the rules of Ramadan. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. If you visit during this time, it's important to know that eating, drinking, and smoking is strictly forbidden during daylight hours. Dining in your hotel room or restaurants where there's designated areas screened off, is allowed.

Is Dubai safe for LGBTQ+ travellers?

Homosexuality is illegal in Dubai and is punishable by prison sentence and/or fines. Many LGBTQ+ related websites, including dating apps, are blocked and not accessible from inside the UAE. If you do decide to travel there you must avoid all public displays of affection. This rule applies to heterosexual people too. Being trans or gender diverse is punishable too, with people facing up to a year in prison and a large fine.

The UAE ranks at 142 out of 150 for safest destinations for LGBTQ travellers. That being said, there is a large expat community in Dubai, many with more liberal beliefs - it is probably more tolerant than other places in the UAE. Whether you wish to boycott countries that have poor human rights for LGBTQ+ communities is your choice, we just advise as always please be safe and do your research.

Is Dubai an accessible tourist destination?

Dubai had ambitions to become the most accessible city by 2020 and to showcase this at the 2020 World Expo, however that expo has now been delayed until October 2021.

That being said, the city is already well set up for travellers with accessibility needs. Dubai is famous for being an ultra-modern city, which means that many of the buildings, sites and attractions have been built with accessibility in mind.

The Dubai Metro has dedicated spaces for wheelchair users on each train, and the ticket machines are set up with audio-visual accessibility options too. The metro doesn't cover the entirety of the city though, so there may be some distance to cover between the stations and sites you are visiting. There are accessible taxis available - but these must be booked in advance.

Most of the sites are accessible, including the Burj Khalifa. There are also accessible beaches throughout the city - at Al Mamzar Creek, Al Mamzar Corniche, Jumeirah 2 and 3, as well as at Umm Suqeim Beach.

Dubai FAQs