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United Arab Emirates · December

Dubai

Old creek-side souqs beside the world’s tallest towers.
December is peak season: perfect weather, UAE National Day on 2 December and the Dubai Shopping Festival, which usually starts mid-month (2026–27 dates still to be announced at time of writing).
Currency
UAE dirham (AED)
Language
Arabic; English widely used
Airport
Dubai International (DXB), metro to centre
Getting around
Metro, tram, taxis; Nol card
Contents
01
4 places

Neighbourhoods

Old Dubai around the creek, new Dubai along the coast.
01
Al Fahidi & Bur Dubai
Neighbourhood · Creek
Wind-tower houses, small museums and the textile souq.
02
Deira
Neighbourhood · Creek
The gold and spice souqs and busy wooden dhows across the water.
03
Downtown
Neighbourhood · Centre
Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the fountain shows.
04
Jumeirah
Neighbourhood · Coast
Beach walks, low-rise villas and La Mer’s waterfront.
02
4 places

See

From abra rides to the 148th floor.
01
Burj Khalifa
Viewpoint · Downtown
The world’s tallest building, with observation decks on levels 124–125 and 148.
02
Dubai Creek abra
Experience · Bur Dubai–Deira
Cross the creek on a wooden water taxi for a single dirham — the best-value ride in the city.
03
Dubai Frame
Viewpoint · Zabeel Park
A 150-metre picture frame looking at old Dubai on one side and new Dubai on the other.
04
Gold & Spice Souqs
Market · Deira
Glittering gold shopfronts and sacks of saffron, frankincense and dried limes.
03
4 places

Eat

Emirati breakfasts, long-running kebab houses and karak everywhere.
01
Al Ustad Special Kabab
Iranian · Bur Dubai
A family kebab house running since the 1970s, walls covered in photos.
02
Arabian Tea House
Emirati · Al Fahidi
Breakfasts and tea in a shaded courtyard of the historic district.
03
Ravi Restaurant
Pakistani · Satwa
A cheap, cheerful institution for curries, daal and fresh naan.
04
Logma
Khaleeji · Several branches
Modern Khaleeji comfort food — try the luqaimat.
04
4 places

Architecture & Design

Bold new landmarks and a serious art scene.
01
Museum of the Future
Architecture · Sheikh Zayed Road
A torus clad in Arabic calligraphy windows, designed by Killa Design (2022).
02
Alserkal Avenue
Creative hub · Al Quoz
Warehouses turned galleries, studios and concept cafés.
03
Jameel Arts Centre
Museum · Jaddaf Waterfront
A contemporary art centre around desert gardens on the creek.
04
Etihad Museum
Museum · Jumeirah
Where the UAE’s union was signed in 1971, with a pavilion shaped like the founding document.
05
2 places

Day Trips

The capital and the mountains.
01
Abu Dhabi
Day trip · ~1.5 hrs
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Jean Nouvel’s Louvre Abu Dhabi under its lace-like dome.
02
Hatta
Day trip · ~1.5 hrs east
Kayaking on the turquoise dam and a heritage village in the Hajar Mountains.
06
Notes

Practical

Small things that make the trip easier.
01
Buy a Nol card for the metro, tram and buses; some carriages are women and children only.
02
Dress modestly in malls, souqs and mosques.
03
Check visitdubai.com for Dubai Shopping Festival dates and events.
04
Book Burj Khalifa and popular restaurants ahead — December is the busiest month.
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Lisbon
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