Dubai is a wonderful city for families to travel to, with plenty of kid-friendly attractions and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Whether your family loves a jam-packed outdoor adventure, prefers a quiet slow day of learning at museums or everything in between, you can find it on your family holiday to Dubai. Check out our guide to help build the perfect itinerary for your family.
Where to stay during family holidays to Dubai
You’ll find most hotels in Dubai are family friendly and welcome kids of all ages. One excellent place to stay is Atlantis, The Palm, a man-made island with beautiful beaches; Aquaventure is located here along with many luxury hotels. If you’re looking to explore lots of the city over visiting the beaches, then the downtown area may be better suited, with many hotels close to attractions like Dubai Aquarium and the Burj Khalifa. If you want a blend of city and beach, Jumeirah Beach is a great balanced option that’s in between the city attractions of the downtown area and the beaches and resorts of The Palm.
Family holidays to Dubai: best time to visit
Dubai is in the desert, which means the summer months are especially hot and sunny. The most comfortable time to visit is usually between October and March, when the weather is still warm but more tolerable and you can comfortably spend time outside. However, the intense heat means there are plenty of indoor activities as well as attractions geared towards staying cool. Whichever time of year you visit, remember to pack plenty of sunscreen and sun-smart clothing for you and your family.
Theme parks
Dubai has a host of theme parks and resorts that are perfect for families of all ages. If you’re travelling in the busier months, be sure to book your tickets in advance – these locations are some of Dubai’s most popular. You might also want to consider choosing ticket options that help you skip queues, especially if you’re going to be waiting in hot summer weather.
Aquaventure
Atlantis, The Palm resort consistently tops lists of the best places for families in Dubai, and one of the main reasons is the Aquaventure theme park located in the resort. With 500 metres of private beach, thrilling water slides and Dubai’s longest lazy river, every member of your family will find something they love to do. If you’re planning on heading here, be sure to book your tickets well in advance, as availability is limited. If you’re staying at Atlantis, The Palm, entry is free; if not, a day pass is about AED 299 for adults and AED 249 for kids under eight years old.
IMG Worlds of Adventure
IMG Worlds of Adventure is one of Dubai’s most popular theme parks, with rides and zones dedicated to some of pop culture’s most beloved film and television icons. There are opportunities for meet and greets with popular superheroes and other characters, live performances and exciting rides. For families with older kids (15 and up) who are fans of a good fright, the Haunted Hotel is not to be missed. Ticket prices range roughly between AED 120 and AED 350 depending on your ticket choices. Annual passes for around AED 625 are also available and VIP packages are available for about AED 7,350.
Ski Dubai
Even in winter, Dubai doesn’t usually get cold, and after a while of enjoying the warmth and sun, you might find yourself craving some cold-weather adventures. That’s where Ski Dubai comes in. The park is located inside Dubai Mall of the Emirates and is the third-largest indoor ski slope in the world. There are excellent instructors available to help, so whether your family are familiar with skiing or you’re looking to introduce your kids to the sport, Ski Dubai is an excellent place to check out. Passes to the park cost roughly between AED 175 and AED 490, and all options include equipment hire.
Legoland Dubai
Legoland Dubai is an excellent theme park/museum, particularly for families with younger children. There are interactive rides and impressive Lego structures that will capture the imagination of children and adults alike. Handily, there are both indoor and outdoor areas as well as shaded areas outdoors, so the weather doesn’t have to get in the way of an enjoyable outing. Day passes cost about AED 295 if you order online and around AED 330 if you buy them at the gate (kids under three years old enter for free).
Unmissable attractions in Dubai the whole family will enjoy
The Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is the tallest tower in the world, at 828 metres (around 2,717 ft) and over 200 storeys. Considered a must-visit attraction for anyone visiting Dubai, families visiting the city won’t want to miss the chance to take the elevator ride up the tower. To spend a little longer in the tower, consider booking the afternoon tea on the 123rd floor. Tickets start at around 389 AED for a trip to the top of the tower – you should definitely book in advance, as the building is hugely popular.
Desert Conservation Reserve
The Desert Conservation Reserve in Dubai is a brilliant way to get away from the metropolitan glamour of the city and out into the Arabian Desert surrounding Dubai. It was the UAE’s very first national park, and while its primary purpose is research, it hosts tours for visitors to explore the area. You can ride through the reserve on camels or horses, take falconry lessons or go for a drive in a four-wheeler. Note that you need to book tours in advance, as you can’t explore the area on your own. Ticket prices will vary depending on the company and package you choose.
Jumeira Mosque
The Jumeira Mosque is a beautiful mosque constructed in 1976. It’s the only mosque in Dubai that is open to non-Muslims, as part of the Open Doors Open Minds initiative by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe prayer and learn about worship customs from tour guides. Tours run every day except Fridays, starting at 10:00 and taking roughly an hour. Entry costs about AED 20 and children under 12 can enter for free.
Coins Museum
The Coins Museum is a lovely hidden gem in the historic Bur Dubai district, which is focused entirely on coins and their history. With around 470 coins to see, particularly from the old Arab period, families with children who have an interest in history will love this quiet attraction. The Coins Museum is open from 08:00-15:00 Monday to Thursday and 08:00-11:30 on Fridays (it’s also free on Fridays).
Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall is the second-largest shopping centre in the world by total land area, with over 1,200 retail outlets and hundreds of dining experiences and entertainment options that families will love. Dubai Aquarium is located within, with over 300 species of marine animals. One of the best attractions is completely free: Dubai Dino, an incredible dinosaur fossil of a Diplodocus longus that’s over 7 metres tall and 24 metres long.
Dubai Miracle Garden
The Dubai Miracle Garden is a beautiful place for families to take a stroll, with over 150 million flowers in bloom. Contrary to other gardens, the Dubai Miracle Garden is best visited during Dubai’s winter season. You’ll find restaurants and juice stands throughout the garden to sit and take a break. The garden is very popular with families, and tickets cost roughly AED 55 for adults and AED 40 for children aged 3 to 12, while kids under 3 enter for free.
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