Where to Stay in Dubai – Complete Guide 2023

Choosing where to stay in Dubai is vital if you want to visit the city and have a few days, given that the city is gigantic and moving between side and the other could take up to 2 hours by (efficient) means.

In the space of a couple of decades, Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, has transformed from a village of fishermen and pearl farmers into one of the most modern metropolis on earth. Stretching for approximately 40 km along the narrow, flat and arid land that runs from the airport to the Marina di Dubai – despite being well connected by an excellent metro – choosing where to sleep in Dubai is a matter of take seriously. the city is full of places to stay in all price ranges.

The best hotels in Dubai are modern, of a high standard and good value, but you can also find some with considerable charm and history in Arabic style as well as numerous charming and characteristic boutique hotels at affordable prices.

Dubai offers a little of Arab charm between the deserts and the souks, hot climate (which as I write in the post about the best time to go to Dubai, it is hot and pleasant from May to October), Western-style shopping centres, a range of activities to choose from and modern areas as you can find few in the world.

All these things together make Dubai a city full of things to do every day, also perfect for families with children. The hotels in Dubai are for all types of travelers and for all budgets but I realize that you could find yourself in enormous difficulty when you have to choose and which neighborhood to stay in.where to sleep in Dubai

In this post I will help you choose the neighborhood to stay in Dubai and the best selection for all budgets and types of travellers.

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Read also: 20 highly rated tourist attractions in Dubai

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All about Dubai
If you are planning a trip to Dubai also read: what to see in Dubai ( the 20 places to visit the first time you go) and the best tours in Dubai.
You would certainly like to climb to the upper floors of the tallest skyscraper in the world, don’t miss checking out the best tickets to the Burj Khalifa where I recommend the cheapest tickets to save money.

Dubai neighborhoods where to sleep

Dubai is the city of extremes, it may be very luxurious but it has no shortage of hidden historical areas that take you back to Arabia in the mid-19th century.

In Dubai there is no real center. The choice of the area where to sleep in Dubai will mainly depend on the type of trip you want to do. Dubai is certainly not the cheapest vacation spot in the world but it doesn’t force you to sleep in hotels costing €2000 a night either.

There are many more mid-range and luxury hotels than budget. This doesn’t mean that you can’t find something that’s right for you if, like me, you prefer to spend money on tours and visits rather than sleeping.

Dubai ranges from luxurious areas, generally near the beach (in Jumeirah or The Palm) and Downtown, to the more cultural and ancient ones which they also tend to be the cheapest (Deira and Bur Dubai).

The most important thing, regardless of where you stay in Dubai, is to look for hotels near the subways to move around easily since going from Marina to Bur Dubai takes about 1 hour despite the exceptional transport system , in this regard I recommend reading the post on how to get around Dubai.

Dubai is huge, and after long days walking the proximity of your accommodation to the Metro stop will be providential, so when you book the hotel make sure you are close to the main metro stations , trams or buses (which however are less frequent than the metro).

The neighborhoods that we will discover in this post are the most popular among tourists and each has something special. We will discover the most traditional and economical ones (Bur Dubai, Al Fahidi and Dubai Marina. Dubai downtown or a stone’s throw from the Burj Khalifa or Jumeirah or) up to the luxury ones with a prevalence of 5-star hotels and a stone’s throw from the sea, such as Deira

Deira – Dubai’s historic district and budget hotels

Deira is the neighborhood you wouldn’t expect from Dubai: dusty, chaotic and colourful, it is also a multicultural neighborhood as here you will find lots of people, 24 hours a day, coming from all over the world.

By Deira and the nearby Al Muraqqabat I like it much, beyond the constant vitality that never goes to sleep, the exceptional variety of Middle Eastern – Iraqi, Afghan, Iranian, Palestinian – and Indian restaurants.

Deira is located across the creek looking at Bur Dubai which can be easily reached with the Abra . One of the most important places in Deira is the souk, here you will find the famous Gold souk and the spice souk.

Despite being opposite Dubai Marina, Deira is well connected to all the neighborhoods of Dubai thanks to public transport, so in addition to being very vital and particular, it is also excellent as a base if you plan to move every day.

Deira is one of the cheapest areas to stay in Dubai. Remember that many budget hotels have In establishments that can play music until late, bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper.

Bur Dubai and Al Fahidi – Dubai’s old neighborhoods and quaint hotels

Bur Dubai is absolutely my favorite neighborhood. After staying in Deira I decided to move beyond the creek because I liked the idea of ​​being a stone’s throw from the neighborhood a>.Al Fahidi

Regardless of the fact that hotels here continue to be quite cheap, I recommend Bur Dubai as a neighborhood to sleep in Dubai if you want to live in the heart of the ancient city in an authentic neighborhood of old Dubai.

Bur Dubai is the site of the city’soriginal settlement. It may not be as sophisticated as Downtown but here you can live halfway between modern skyscrapers and Dubai’s past.

In Bur Dubai there are many things to visit, such as the Dubai Museum, the historic district of Al Fahidi and Shindagha, many souk , the Indian neighborhood (you will feel like you are really in India), the Iranian Mosque and you will find plenty of exceptional ethnic restaurants, including an excellent Egyptian restaurant overlooking the creek.

Bur Dubai is located on the southern side of Dubai Creek opposite Deira. The neighborhood is similar to the nearby historic neighborhood of Al Fahidi. Here you will find traditional sand-colored architecture and buildings where the wind towers stand out. This area is perfect for people who want to see a more traditional lifestyle in Dubai, but still be relatively close to the action.

Curiosity – The wind towers of Dubai

Walking in Bur Dubai and Al Fahidi keep your eyes to the sky and you will see that many houses have particular towers emerging from the roofs of the houses , are the famous wind towers of Dubai.

Al Bastakiya, known as the historical and cultural district of Al Fahidi, is full of them. The towers are structures similar to chimneys, with openings that rise from the roofs of the houses and we can define them as the ancestors of air conditioners.

These wind towers function as excellent sustainable and energy-efficient ventilation systems.
The operation is simple and is based on the concept of air pressure difference. The towers have dividing openings on all four sides, a roof and a wind shaft to allow warm interior air to escape from the vents capturing cooler air and directing it through the channel into the interior. Wet canvas dividers are hoisted on bamboo poles around the openings to cool incoming air.

Most houses with wind towers are found in the older parts of Dubai. However, you can see an example of it in Dalma, Abu Dhabi, in Bayt al-Muraykhi, which was the home of a rich pearl merchant, the most oldest in the city, and today it has become a museum.

Downtown Dubai and Business Bay – In the heart of contemporary Dubai

Let’s get to the heart of the most conventional and perhaps most famous Dubai: the vibrant and urban center of Dubai where the is located Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world. But the area is dotted with futuristic and gigantic structures including the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain, known as the dancing fountains of Dubai, the Dubai Opera , the Dubai Canal.

A short distance from here you will find Al Quoz whose main artery, Alserkal Avenue, is considered the artistic and creative center of Dubai.You in the center of Dubai, which means that you are halfway between Dubai Marina and the beaches of Jumeirah and Ancient Dubai (Bur Dubai and Deira).

Here you will find many luxury hotels, particularly suitable for those who want nightlife or travel with family and children. The main metro is Mall. There is no shortage of attractions, entertainment and activities, you are in the center of the action in Dubai and you will have the chance to sleep in beautiful hotels some with the most incredible views in Dubai.

Jumeirah beach – Beach access and beautiful luxury hotels

Before Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina were born, Jumeirah was the most famous place in Dubai. Jumeirah stretches along the coast from Etihad Museum to Burj Al Arab, Dubai sailing. In between there are excellentpublic beaches, urban shopping centers, boutiques and beautiful private villas. Artificial islands are located off the coast of Jumeirah and new ones are expected to emerge over time.

Jumeirah Beach is suitable for those looking for a luxury escape on one of the most famous artificial islands in the world, those who want to live by the sea and love experiences in luxury hotels . The limitation is that there are no good public transport connections, but you will not have difficulty finding taxis to reach the nearest metro station (if you want to use the means).

Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) and The Palm Jumeirah – Vita notturna e mare

Dubai’s southernmost neighborhoods are popular upscale residential areas and luxury beach resorts. The neighborhood is beautiful, you will find yourself a stone’s throw from the Dubai Marina seafront surrounded by numerous places to visit such as the The Walk at JBR and The Beach at JBR, and the Dubai Ferris Wheel.

From Dubai Marina you can reach the Palm Jumeirah, the smallest of Dubai’s three artificial islands, where there are mainly luxury resorts and of the Aquaventure water park where entry is free if you stay at theAtlantis hotel.

Remember that if you choose to sleep at The Palm, you could certainly find wonderful, very expensive hotels with private access to the beaches but you will also be very far from everything and to get around you will have to resort to taxis as there is no other type of transport, apart from the monorail that runs along the “trunk” of the palm.

Choose to sleep in La Palma if you mainly want to enjoy sea life and relaxation. Further south, near Jebel Ali, are Dubai’s theme parks.

The best neighborhoods to stay in Dubai by traveler type

We have reached the end. Before leaving you, I thought it might be useful to provide you with a sort of ranking of neighborhoods to stay in Dubai that suit different types of travellers.

• Best area in Dubai for sightseeing – Bur Dubai
  Traveling to Dubai attractions will take a lot of time especially if you use public transport. The old suburb of Bur Dubai, the ancient Dubai, as well as being very characteristic, offers its notable attractions, such as the authentic souks, the Dubai Creek and the historic districts of Al Fahidi and Al Seef. The neighborhood is well supplied by public transport, making movement rather agile and simple given that you can get practically anywhere with the subway. It is also the cheapest neighborhood in Dubai where to sleep.
• The best area in Dubai for atmosphere and culture – Bur Dubai, Deira and Dubai Creek
  Both sides of Dubai Creek – which resembles a river but is actually an outlet to the sea – pleasantly combines ancient Arabia with modern Dubai and a skyline wonderful.historical charm of Dubai. The passage between the two neighborhoods can be done easily on board the abras, the ancient boats of Dubai. By staying here you will enjoy the
• Best area in Dubai for atmosphere and culture: Dubai Creek
  Both sides of Dubai Creek – which looks like a river but is actually an outlet of the sea ​​- nicely combine ancient Arabia with modern Dubai. Luxury hotels, as well as a golf course and expansive parkland, vie for precious water frontage with piers for traditional dhow boats and terminals for abra water taxis – all offering historic charm and a fascinating skyline.
• The best area in Dubai for history lovers – Al Fahidi
  Al Fahidi is the oldest neighborhood in Dubai has been totally renovated and today still retains its old charm. Characterized by a labyrinth of pedestrian alleys, here you will feel light years away from the skyscrapers of modern Dubai. Many ancient buildings have been converted into inviting galleries, museums, boutique hotels and restaurants.
• The best area in Dubai for nightlife – Dubai Marina
  Some of the hottest bars and trendiest nightclubs in the city are located on the rooftops of the high rises Dubai Marina skyscrapers. In this neighborhood you will be close to the beach, surrounded by tons of restaurants and most yacht and boat tours depart from here.
  Ideal if you are traveling with children and want to live by the sea while limiting the use of public transport.
• The best area in Dubai for food lovers – Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), Bur Dubai and Deira
  Many of the most popular bistros and restaurants are located in hotels and resorts where the menus are long, the prices high and the service first class. You will find everything: Thai, Indian, Japanese and Middle Eastern restaurants. But if instead of starred restaurants you want to eat more local and try cuisines from the Middle Eastern and Indian world Bur Dubai and Deira they won’t disappoint you, you can try many different cuisines and take a tour of the Middle East without having to travel too many kilometres.
• Where to stay in Dubai with children – Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)
  Dubai offers an extraordinary range of activities for families with children, many theme parks, from amusement parks to water parks , such as LEGOLAND and the water park Aquaventure. These parks are a short taxi ride from JBR Beach.
  Most hotels and resorts in JBR offer family-friendly amenities including a children’s pool, mini club or a playground. If you sleep in Marina you can reach the metro with the plot that follows a circular route on the peninsula.
• The best area in Dubai for beaches – Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) and The Palm
  Dubai’s extensive coastline called Jumeirah includes several public beaches, the most famous is Kite beach, plus a variety of resorts, some of which are super luxurious. If you want to stay in luxury hotels then look to The Pam Jumeirah where the resorts all have access to private beaches but remember that to get around you will always have to resort to taxis . If you want to stay a stone’s throw from the sea, look no further.
• The best area in Dubai for markets – Deira
  Deira is one of the oldest and most evocative neighborhoods in Dubai and is home to several souks where almost everything is sold – although others, seemingly hidden along narrow alleys, specialize in spices and gold. Bargaining is mandatory, be careful who offers you branded bags or watches, they are most likely not original.

Where to sleep in Dubai – Frequently Asked Questions