The towers of Dubai in the morning fogs of winter

What to do in Dubai in January

By Ian Packham

Dubai in January combines Goldilocks weather with the calming lull that comes after the Christmas rush. A reduction in visitor numbers means no fight for the best spots on the beaches or in the city’s museums, whilst the emirate’s surprising range of wild spaces are also at their best in the cooler climate of this time of year. To experience the very best of Dubai in January, check out our recommendations for what to do!

Set your sights on the crystal clear waters

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Taking a new year’s dip in many other parts of the world requires a layer of goose fat and a good amount of foolhardiness, but not so with the weather in Dubai in January. Sea temperatures at this time of year remain above 22°C, peaking at 26°C. Take advantage of this by joining a stand-up paddleboard lesson & tour or experiencing the man-made islands of Palm Jumeirah by kayak.

Slip on a wetsuit and you can disappear beneath the waves too. Snorkeling and diving sites can be found off the UAE’s sleepy and little developed east coast on the Indian Ocean at Fujairah, an easy drive from downtown Dubai. The clear waters here are home to a huge number of species, from resident fish to visiting shark and sea turtles.

Guaranteed sightings of many of the coast’s species can be enjoyed without having to get wet at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Containing a 10 million liter tank with 400 sharks and rays, as well as enclosures with crocodiles, otters and penguins, crowd pleasers don’t get much better than this.

It’s also worth having the aquarium tucked up your sleeve in case of rain. Though rare, with skies darkening just once or twice in the month, showers can be heavy. They are short lived however, with just 10 mm of precipitation recorded overall during the month.

Dust off your shades

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Even if you’ve got no plans to hit the waves, your swimwear is still going to be a vital addition to your packing list for Dubai in January, with the beaches that line the city’s Arabian Sea coastline ripe for a visit. With average daily temperatures of 24°C and highs of 32°C, there’s plenty of opportunity for some time on a sun lounger.

Should you prefer your sands untamed, the desert dunes at Dubai’s edges are probably the top adrenaline adventure going, especially since many amusement parks shut down for annual maintenance and improvements around this time of year. Head out in the comfort of an air-conditioned 4WD on a morning safari, with the chance to sand ski and ride a camel, or really get the blood flowing through your veins with a 4x4 quad bike ride through the desert.

Save any trip to the At the Top observation decks of the Burj Khalifa for the afternoon – or better yet, sunset. Though one of the top things to do in Dubai in January, chilly (for Dubai) nights of 16°C often lead to blankets of fog rolling in off the coast and masking views that usually stretch for miles during the first hours of the day.

Take a walk on the wild side

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Within sight of the Burj Khalifa’s panoramic windows sits the Ras Al Khor wetland reserve. Occupying the western end of the basin in Dubai Creek, it has become an important stopover for migratory birds since its creation in 2007, and one of the top places in the emirate to explore its natural side. You may even see an Ethiopian hedgehog, although the main drawer has to be its flock of 500 greater flamingos.

However, when it comes to wetlands, few can compete with Al Marmoon Desert Conservation Reserve in the Saih Al Salam desert, since it makes up almost 10% of the emirate’s total area. As well as hides where it’s possible to catch sight of Egyptian nightjars, reptiles and mammals, it has one of the world’s largest cycle trails, stretching 84 kilometers.

Alternatively, head for the similarly named Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve on the border with Sharjah. The UAE’s first national park, this is the place to seek out Arabian oryx on game drives before discovering traditional arts such as falconry and archery.

Check out the special events in Dubai in January

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With the world’s largest shopping mall – the Dubai Mall – ancient marketplaces and outlet villages, Dubai has a reputation as one of the best shopping destinations in the world. Attracting lovers of retail therapy from as far afield as North America and Asia, the thousands of stores have something for every budget, whether you’re a hard nosed backpacker or staying at the ‘seven star’ Burj Al Arab.

Even more incentive to refresh your wardrobe or splash out on jewelry, electronics and books is January’s Dubai Shopping Festival thanks to a wealth of discounts. Held since the earliest days of tourism in the emirate, the festival has its allure to those less absorbed in the world of retail too. Food events, concerts and firework displays are all part of the fun.

You might even find a new pair of running shoes, which would come in handy given the timing of the Dubai Marathon in January. The biggest mass participation sporting event in the Middle East, its 26-and-a-bit mile course is tackled each year by roughly 30,000 participants, including the greats of long distance running. Be prepared for an early start though, with the race gun firing about 7AM to avoid the heat of later in the day!

Experience Dubai in January with Go City

Beyond the discounts of the Dubai Shopping Festival there are other ways to make incredible savings when visiting Dubai in January. Travel with Go City and immediately gain huge reductions on many of the city’s top attractions and things to do. They range from the observation decks of the Burj Khalifa to desert adventures and even tours of the opera house. So if you’re considering a trip to Dubai during January, be sure to add Go City to your list of vacation musts.

Ian Packham
Go City Travel Expert

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The waterfront at Dubai Creek in Deira
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Cool things to do in Deira Dubai

Only a short hop from the international airport, Deira still manages to be one of the most charismatic of Dubai’s neighborhoods. Forming a part of Old Dubai, its port continues to be a place for traditional dhow trading vessels to be loaded and unloaded by hand, sailing their small cargoes between Dubai, the Middle East and even India. Its streets are dominated by souks – dedicated to gold, spices and perfumes – where Arabic is still more likely to be heard than English. When it comes to things to do in Deira Dubai there’s also a smattering of small museums and even a beachfront park. Plenty of reasons to take a turn in Dubai’s original downtown district! Enjoy the creek-side setting Long before the observation decks at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, existed and long before Dubai came together with its neighbors to form the United Arab Emirates, there was Deira. As the historic location for mooring dhows, it was the obvious place for the young city’s souks to develop. The simplest of ports, just mooring bollards lining the northern entrance to Dubai Creek, Deira’s ageless waterfront provides a contrast to the usual image of Dubai. Its handcrafted and wooden built ships haven’t changed much in centuries – except for the fact they now contain engines as well as sails. Still dodging the piracy of the high seas, there’s nowhere in Deira with more atmosphere and no better way to discover it than with a creek sightseeing cruise. However, even staying on dry land there are lots of ways to take in the neighborhood’s traditional way of living and working. For instance, Deira’s multitude of souks are a world away from the polished floors and mood music of Dubai’s malls, providing a much more visceral shopping – or window shopping – experience. Choose between the gold, spice and perfume souks depending on what interests you most. Delve into Deira’s history A one minute walk from the Gold Souk is the Dubai Municipality Museum. Fully restored and opened to the public in 2006, it was from this simple building that Dubai was administered for many years. As a result, the museum’s collection uses four main sections to focus on the development of the city and state. An old-school museum with plenty of glass cabinets to gaze into, its upper floor balcony is also a nice place to enjoy life on the street below. The nearby Bait Al Banat – or Women’s Museum – does an important job in highlighting the role of women in a society which historically expected wives, mothers and sisters to stay at home and out of sight. Using historical examples to inspire future generations, gallery one hosts temporary exhibitions and gallery two a semi-permanent collection of archive photographs and contemporary artworks. Dating to 1890, Deira’s self-proclaimed Heritage House has the traditional form of buildings of coral stone and gypsum enclosing a central courtyard. It once belonged to an affluent pearl merchant called Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmouk, who also financed the next-door Al Ahmadiya School – one of Dubai’s most prestigious. Step within, and you’ll learn about life behind closed doors, from the majlis meeting place on the ground floor to the kitchens and bathrooms. Relax in Deira’s green spaces A short distance further along the creek from Deira’s wharves, and edged by three of the most luxurious hotels in Deira is Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. A ribbon of verdant green dotted with lakes, bunkers and palms, there are three difficult golf courses to choose between. The average traveler will probably have the most fun at the insta-ready #minigolfdubai course. Although there aren’t any rotating windmills or crazy angles to contend with, there are a series of challenging holes as perfectly manicured as the club’s beginner-friendly nine-hole course or the 7000 yard 18-hole championship course. Greenery without the golf cart can be enjoyed at Al Mamzar Beach Park on a peninsula facing off against Sharjah, Dubai’s neighboring (border-free) emirate. Containing basketball courts, climbing walls and beach volleyball as well as barbecues and plenty of places to sit, swimming is an option from its pools or its multiple beaches. It’s worth noting that Mondays and Wednesdays are women-only days. Together, the golf club and Al Mamzar Beach Park form the main green spaces in Deira. Explore Deira’s newest and oldest structures Because of its status as the second oldest neighborhood in Dubai, new developments are largely reserved for other parts of the city. However, architecture fans won’t be left disappointed. Start at Burj Nahar, a round defensive watchtower constructed in the 1870s. The last of its kind to remain, it’s well worth climbing its steps to add it to your list of places to visit in Deira. Then continue to the contemporary doughnut shaped Chamber of Commerce building on the waterfront. Beside it stands the headquarters of the National Bank of Dubai, whose curved frontage is meant to replicate the sails of the creek’s boats. On the other side of Deira you’ll also find Deira Islands. Made by reclaiming land from the Persian Gulf, the original intention was to create a third Palm. This plan was ruined by the financial crisis of 2008, and it’s only now that these islands are coming to life. For the moment there’s only a handful of hotel’s operating, meaning you’ll have the promised eight kilometers of new beachfront pretty much all to yourself! Go City’s top things to do in Deira It may be just one of Dubai’s districts, but there are still several must see attractions in Deira. Its souks cement it as one of the region’s most important trading areas, whilst its small but interesting museum collections help to reveal its two centuries of culture. Deira is an unmissable part of any trip to Dubai. When looking for the top things to do in Deira and Dubai more widely don’t forget to check out our pre-pay passes. Travel with Go City and you’ll make huge savings on many of the emirate’s top attractions.
Ian Packham
Two girls mess about on a Dubai beach
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How to enjoy 5 days in Dubai

One of the world’s top stopover destinations, it’s easy to add a sojourn in Dubai to a long haul trip. Breaking your journey for a few days rarely adds much to the overall price of your flight, and many nationalities are able to visit as tourists without having to worry about visas. What’s more, Dubai has attractions other destinations would cry out for. Not only does it feature the world’s tallest building, but top museums, prestigious beaches and one of the world’s largest gatherings of amusement parks. There’s easily enough to fill 5 days in Dubai to brimming. Not convinced? Take a look at the following 5 day Dubai itinerary and we think it will change your mind completely. Day 1 Start your exploration of all that glitters at Dubai Marina. Grab some brunch – an especially popular pastime with expat workers on the weekend but possible any day of the week – at one of the café-bars which line this man made harbor filled with yachts from around the world. Having absorbed some of the genteel ambience of this part of town, follow the marina promenade towards Ain Dubai, the city’s giant coastal observation wheel. Reaching a height of 250 meters above the Persian Gulf, or twice the reach of the London Eye, rides take around 40 minutes and provide a constantly changing view of many of Dubai’s top sights, including the Burj Al Arab luxury hotel and the fronds of the Palm. Time it right and you can then take advantage of the passenger craft that connect Dubai Marina with Dubai Creek further north several times a day. Skirting the Palm and sailing along Dubai’s long waterfront, it’s just one way to take in your first glimpses of the emirate as a whole and much more fun than the metro system too. If the metro has a benefit – beyond cleanliness, air conditioning and excellent service – it’s that it has its own stop at the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. The mall contains around 1200 stores and 200 places to eat and drink, as well as Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Views from its western exits take in Dubai Fountain and the Burj Khalifa, with sunset the perfect time to visit At The Top – the name given to its observation decks. Day 2 If the Burj Khalifa represents the future of the region, Old Dubai remains its gateway into the past. Roughly delineated as the area at the northern entrance of Dubai Creek, it’s here you’ll find the oldest parts of the city. Dubai Museum occupies the oldest structure in Dubai, the Al Fahidi Fort. Constructed in 1787, and used for everything from a defensive post to a prison, it became a museum in 1971. Its open courtyard and mix of old and new architecture display a collection detailing the culture and traditions of its people. Then cross the creek on an abra, a vessel that has been making the same journey since the Bur Dubai neighborhood was first settled. It will see you arrive at Deira, a district known for souks sweeping inland from wharfs where dhow trading boats continue to be unloaded with all a city could need: spices, fridges and huge sacks of rice amongst them. Despite their maze-like reputation the souks – marketplaces for gold, spices and fabrics – are relatively easy to navigate. A stop at a tea or coffee house makes people watching a cinch before ending the day amid the quiet streets and historic homes of Al Shindagha back across the creek. Day 3 If – somehow – you’re still wondering what to do in Dubai for 5 days we’d recommend adding one or two of its theme parks to your bucket list. Families with younger kids can do much worse than LEGOLAND Dubai. With more than 60 million individual bricks used in its creation, it is made up of six different lands or zones, with attractions both indoors and outdoors. You won’t want to miss the miniland of Middle Eastern landmarks, nor the 40-plus rides suitable for those aged two to 12. Recreating the razzamatazz of Indian cinema, BOLLYWOOD PARKS is the first theme park of its kind in the region. Visitors are able to go behind the scenes of the movie making process in between taking a seat on rides including the world’s tallest swing ride. But for a full-on adrenaline rush, save your afternoon for IMG Worlds of Adventure. The five worlds in question include the Jurassic setting of Lost Valley, with one of Dubai’s fastest and tallest roller coasters, The Velociraptor. Another zone is based around some of Marvel’s best loved comic book superheroes, including Thor Thunder Spin and Spider-man Doc Ock’s Revenge. Day 4 The adventures can continue on day 4 in Dubai’s desert regions. Just a short drive from downtown and Old Dubai, the desert inland is far from being the barren landscape of our imaginations. Begin the day with a sunrise flight in a hot air balloon to take in the majesty of the area. You might even witness the solitary figures of rare Arabian oryx in the dunes. For the chance of a close up encounter with these animals, join one of the handful of operators permitted to run safaris to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. It’s an area which has helped bring the species back from the brink of extinction, with no animals remaining in the wild at the creation of the United Arab Emirates in 1972. Additional ways to discover the desert aren’t hard to find. The ultimate in desert adventures is perhaps the opportunity to roar over the dunes on top of a 4x4 quad bike. Including hotel pickup, you’ll be taken to a part of the desert reserved for quad bike rides and will also have the chance to jump on the back of a camel and sandboard! Day 5 After a hectic 96 hours, use the last of your 5 days in Dubai to take things easy. Dubai’s climate means that even in the winter months when Emirati’s are wrapped up in thicker fabrics most visitors won’t need much more than a T-shirt. Opt for a few hours on one of the beaches and you won’t even need that. The closest to most accommodation is Jumeirah Public Beach. Sometimes known as Sunset Beach – for obvious westward facing reasons – it’s a broad expanse of clean sand with a full range of facilities, from showers to WiFi. The waves are gentle enough for swimmers, with floodlights allowing nighttime dips, but also suitable for those looking to get onto a surfboard for the first time. Whilst a day by the beach is relaxing enough, a treatment or two at one of Dubai’s spas is sure to bring your heart rate down even further. All the top hotels have their own inhouse spas and treatment rooms, with plenty of traditional style hammams brought to new audiences too. Making the most of 5 days in Dubai Few other destinations can offer the range of attractions as 5 days in Dubai. Make your trip with Go City and you can experience many of them whilst making significant savings on advertised admission costs. For the very latest, check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook!
Ian Packham
Abra boats waiting to cross Dubai Creek
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Things to do in Old Dubai

‘Old’ and ‘Dubai’ aren’t necessarily words that fit together comfortably with our image of the emirate as a new city rising out of the sands of the desert. However, there is an Old Dubai, and it’s one of the richest areas for atmosphere and authenticity. Straddling both sides of Dubai Creek’s northernmost portions, things to do in Old Dubai aren’t difficult to find. Top attractions are found dotted throughout the neighborhoods which form the district. Running clockwise these are Deira, Al Seef, Al Fahidi and Al Shindagha. From museum spaces to historic marketplaces, here’s our guide to the wonders of Old Dubai. Get your taste buds popping When hunger beckons, quick and tasty eats appear to lie on every street corner of Old Dubai. The most popular spots are busy from mid-morning onwards, with shawarma wraps feeding the neighborhood’s hungry alongside Indian snack foods such as samosas – the best are found around the Indian enclave of Meena Bazaar. But if you can, it’s worth lingering over the flavors of Old Dubai to appreciate them fully. Take a walk through Deira’s traditional Spice Souk, where spices are piled in great mounds, and your senses will be opened to a world of colors, smells, sounds and tastes. The market’s teas make particularly good souvenirs, just don’t forget to haggle! An often overlooked aspect of Emirati culture is its tea drinking ceremonies, which can be explored at the Arabian Tea House a block away from the Dubai Museum. A visitor-friendly space combining authenticity with comfy cushions, the tea house has 150 different brews to choose between, as well as platters of delicious local sweets including syrup-soaked khabisah. Getting about Old Dubai you’ll probably find yourself crossing Dubai Creek at one point or another, whether by bridge, tunnel or abra small boat. However, to discover the importance of this waterway to the development of Dubai, a dedicated tour – such as a dhow dinner cruise – is a better option. Delve into the history of Old Dubai As the site of the emirate’s earliest settlement, much of Old Dubai has been preserved and restored to create districts very different from those around the Burj Khalifa. The low-slung buildings made of gypsum and coral stone hint at a proud if humbler past. For a quick-fire guide through culture, seafaring and heritage, slip through the grand entranceway of the Dubai Museum, housed within its oldest building, the Al Fahidi Fort. Constructed in the late 1700s to defend the growing settlement from attack from the sea, it contains a collection of artifacts that show off the skill of artisans hundreds of years before it became known internationally. The Al Shindagha Museum has a similar role to play, with plenty of multimedia additions to bring it all to life. If there’s no time on your itinerary to head out into the Rub Al-Khali desert in the emirate’s far east on a 4x4 quad bike ride or desert safari and BBQ dinner you can still explore some of its archeological wonders at Saruq Al-Hadid Museum. Meaning ‘the way of iron’, it displays iron age objects discovered in the desert by none other than Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Explore your artistic side Although Old Dubai is awash with the past, that doesn’t mean it isn’t also a destination for the culture of the present too. A leading light in contemporary Arab art, XVA Gallery is proud of its location on the creek between Al Fahidi and Al Seef. Along with its café and hotel, it aims to provide a space where the art of the Middle East as well as India can be enjoyed. It hosts regular exhibitions of established and emerging artists to ensure its walls are never the same for long. The nearby Majlis Gallery was once the residence of an interior designer and still has the feel of a home first and foremost. Hosting the works of local and international artists, it continues its ethos of being a ‘majlis’ or meeting place, where people are able to gather to share their common interests. Best of the rest By now you’ll be wanting to give your feet a well earned rest, so make your way to the nearest stop of the city’s Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus. A way of seeing those parts of Old Dubai that extend away from Dubai Creek, its route includes Al Shindagha Heritage Village – a living museum of craftsmen, fishermen and pearl divers – and the souks of Deira. If its Spice Souk impressed, the warren of narrow covered paths that make up the Gold Souk will also be high on your list. One of Dubai’s oldest trading places, there’s enough gold (and silver, platinum and pearls) to support the budget of a small country. Look out for merchants including the producers of the Guinness World Record holder for the longest handmade gold chain. Stretching for 5.5 km of 22 carat gold, it weighed 240 kilos and had four million individual links. For thrills which won’t break the bank, indoor amusement park Magic Planet has some physical rides and arcade-style video games. Children of all ages will find something that suits them, from soft play to a ten pin bowling alley. But for the biggest adrenaline rushes you’ll have to travel out of Old Dubai. Do that, and there’s suddenly a huge range of amusement parks to choose between. For instance, MOTIONGATE contains over 25 different rides and experiences, including roller coasters set around the Hunger Games and Ghostbusters, whilst LEGOLAND Dubai brings the charm of these tiny plastic bricks to the region for the first time. Checking out all the things to do in Old Dubai Having seen millions spent on its restoration and preservation, Old Dubai provides a fascinating insight into the traditions and origins of the modern multicultural city home to around 200 different nationalities. From its restaurants to its museums and its souks, there’s good reason to consider the quick metro ride from other parts of the city to explore. Head for the things to do in Old Dubai with Go City and you’ve also got the chance of reduced admission to many of them!
Ian Packham

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