Where to stay in Dubai: best areas and neighborhoods

Dubai, the city of records and contrasts: endless beaches and desert, futuristic skyscrapers and ancient bazaars, modern neighbourhoods and more traditional neighbourhoods. Definitely one of those cities to visit at least once in a lifetime, a city that will always surprise you, for example with a ski slope in a shopping centre!

Choosing where to stay is essential for enjoying a holiday in Dubai. Here's everything you need to know about where to sleep in Dubai, the best neighbourhoods and recommended hotels.

Useful tips: the best neighbourhoods to stay in Dubai

Dubai is a very big city! Whichever neighbourhood you choose, you will have to travel by metro or taxi, comfortable and fast. The attractions are scattered throughout the neighbourhoods and are often many kilometres away from each other.
If this is your first time visiting the city or you want to be in a central area, the best neighbourhoods to stay are Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai. The first is located on the sea, the second is home to the famous Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.

If you prefer a beach holiday, we recommend the Jumeirah district, which develops along the coast, with wonderful beaches. If, on the other hand, you want to experience the unbridled luxury of Dubai and opt for an all-inclusive resort, then we recommend The Palm Jumeirah, the large artificial island where the famous Hotel Atlantis is located.

Finally, the best neighbourhoods to stay on a budget are Deira and Bur Dubai in the north of the city, separated by Dubai Creek. These represent the ancient and historical heart of Dubai, where it is still possible to immerse yourself in a more authentic atmosphere, away from the modernity that distinguishes this city.

• Recommended areas to stay on a budget: Deira, Bur Dubai
• Recommended areas for families with children: Dubai Marina, Jumeirah, The Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai
• Recommended areas for young people: Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Jumeraih
• Best accommodation: we have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Dubai. Check out our recommendations and make your reservation on Booking

If you are in Dubai for business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on booking.com

Guide to the areas of Dubai

Dubai is the most important emirate of the United Arab Emirates. The city is very large, about 3,885 sq. km and has over 3 million inhabitants. To move from one attraction to another you will have to take into account a lot of travel time, so it is important to understand how the city is structured.

The city is divided into 9 sectors, which in turn are divided into neighbourhoods called communities. There are currently more than 130 communities in Dubai. To better understand these subdivisions, Dubai can be more easily divided into two large parts, naturally divided by Dubai Creek:

• Deira and eastern sectors: this includes all the communities located north and east of Dubai Creek such as the historic part of Deira or the area where Dubai International Airport is located
• Bur Dubai and western sectors: all the communities to the south and west of the Dubai Creek are here, including Bur Dubai, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah and The Palm Jumeirah

Not recommended areas: Dubai is a very safe city with a very low crime rate. The only advice is not to venture into the desert independently, but to always rely on expert guides. For accommodation, it is better to avoid districts that are too peripheral, but only for a matter of distance and transport.

Downtown Dubai

Downtown Dubai is the heart of the city, one of the best neighbourhoods to stay. In fact, here you will be at the centre of everything: not far away are Bur Dubai and Deira, further south you can reach Dubai Marina. In addition, Sheikh Zayed Road passes close to the district. It is the most important road in Dubai, and in some places, it reaches up to 8 lanes. But that's not all: here you can find the famous Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, and the wonderful Dubai Mall, which houses the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo and even an ice skating rink! Here, you can also watch the spectacle of the marvellous Dubai Fountains.

It is a neighbourhood that is suitable for everyone, but it is also one of the most expensive areas of Dubai, where some hotels easily exceed €1,000.00 per night per room! Here you can find luxury hotels, such as the Armani Hotel inside the Burj Khalifa, as well as numerous apartments with incredible views across the city!

Average prices in the neighbourhood range from about €60,00 for low-cost accommodation to €1.500,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Dubai Marina

The second most popular area to stay is Dubai Marina, one of the last districts built in Dubai. Overlooking the sea and the path on the innermost side from Sheikh Zayed Road, the famous Dubai Marina Mall and the Cayan Tower, the tallest 90° torsion tower in the world, are here!

Dubai Marina is the most suitable district for socialising and nightlife. Most of the clubs are located along The Walk, a promenade of about 1.6 km full of lively clubs and fine restaurants. It is therefore an area recommended for young people, but also for families, who will be able to find numerous accommodations on the beach. Alternatively, families can opt for Jumeirah Lake Towers, a small neighbourhood that runs alongside Dubai Marina.

Average prices in the neighbourhood range from about €50,00 for low-cost accommodation to €900,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Jumeirah

If you want to stay in a more central location than Dubai Marina, but still want to be near the sea, then we recommend the Jumeirah district. This area runs along the entire coast, it is crossed by the famous Sheikh Zayed Road from the inside, along which you can find lots of accommodation and services. In the Jumeirah district are some of the most beautiful beaches in Dubai, including Kite Beach, but above all the iconic sailing hotel, symbol of the city, the Burj al-Arab is here, one of the most expensive hotels in all of Dubai!

Jumeirah is a neighbourhood suitable for families and those who want to enjoy the sea, but at the same time not be too far from Downtown Dubai. In addition to incredible beaches and numerous services, there are many fun areas, such as the Laguna Waterpark by Meraas.

Average prices in the neighbourhood range from about €80,00 for low-cost accommodation to €2.000,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

The Palm Jumeirah

Among the neighbourhoods to stay, one cannot fail to mention The Palm Jumeirah, the very famous artificial island shaped like a palm tree, known for its opulent and luxurious hotels and resorts, and its elegant apartment buildings and international restaurants. Be warned though, this is the most expensive area in Dubai! A night at the famous Atlantis The Palm, one of the city's iconic hotels along with the Burj Al-Arab, is really expensive!

It is a neighbourhood suitable for those traveling on a high budget, whether they are young or older, travelling with friends or family. In fact, here you will find all the services imaginable, from resorts with private beaches to wonderful restaurants, up to water parks such as the famous Aquaventure Dubai with The Lost Chambers Aquarium.

Average prices in the neighbourhood range from about €130,00 for low-cost accommodation to €1.500,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Deira

After seeing the best neighbourhoods in the southern part, we move north of Downtown, where the neighbourhoods of Deira and Bur Dubai are located. Here you can discover the most authentic and ancient Dubai, the one away from the big skyscrapers and luxury resorts. In Deira there is the characteristic Gold Market, as well as the Spice Bazaar. You can also discover the history of the city by visiting the many museums here, such as the Heritage Museum.

If you are travelling on a budget, you will be interested to know that this is the cheapest area of Dubai, where you can find hotels and apartments for as little as €30,00 per night. The services and quality are perhaps slightly less than in the other areas seen so far, but here you can immerse yourself in the culture and tradition of the city. On the other hand, it is an area less recommended for families, as it can be quite chaotic in the evening.

Average prices in the neighbourhood range from about €30,00 for low-cost accommodation to €400,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Bur Dubai

Finally, the Deira district is naturally separated by the Dubai Creek from the Bur Dubai district, the heart of ancient Dubai. Here too you can stroll through the Bazaar, surrounded by scents and colours, and visit important pieces of the city's history such as the Al Fahidi Historical District and the Dubai Museum! In addition, you can move between Bur Dubai and Deira by boarding a boat that crosses the river.

As with Deira, this area is ideal for travellers on a budget and those who want to discover the history of the city. Staying here can be more comfortable than Deira as you don't have to cross the river and you'll be within easy reach of Downtown Dubai. Again, if you are traveling with your family, you may find the neighbourhood a bit chaotic and noisy, especially in the evening.

Average prices in the neighbourhood range from about €30,00 for low-cost accommodation to €250,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Places to stay near Dubai

Dubai is a very big city; you could even find yourself driving more than an hour to reach two points far from each other. It is suffice to say that from the Burj Khalifa to Dubai Marina it is 22 km, 20/30 min by taxi depending on traffic or 50 min by metro! For this reason, the best solution is to stay in the city and not go further! As we have seen, there are so many options, including neighbourhoods and accommodation suitable for all budgets.

Dubai accommodation price map

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