Dubai in October

Published: July 18, 2024
dubai in october

Dubai is pretty warm all year round, but you may be surprised just how warm it can be during months you usually find colder. Take October, for example. Heading there then can feel like a summer holiday all on its own, so check out our guide to Dubai in October and see if it's the month for you!

Including:

  • Dubai weather in October
  • Cool off at Dubai's water parks
  • Dubai's brilliant beaches
  • Relax at Dubai's beach clubs
  • and more!
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Dubai in October: What to Expect

While for many of us, October is the final nail in the summer coffin as we prep for the cold and wet of the coming winter, that's not the case in Dubai. You can expect highs of around 97°F and lows of around 75°F. That's...peak summer weather in many parts of the world. As such, dress and prep for a summer holiday! Light clothes, giant hats, and liters of sunscreen should do the trick.

Dubai in October: What to Do

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Water parks

With temperatures that high, you'll want to make the most of the sun while staying as cool as possible. And what's the best way to do all that? Well, at a water park, of course! Lather up with your factor 1000, put on your best beachwear, and get sliding. Unsurprisingly, Dubai has some great water parks, such as Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm. There, you'll find plenty of rides that cater to both the young and old. Aquaconda - nice wordplay - throws you down a head-spinning snake of a ride, with twists and turns around every scaly corner. There's Poisiden's Revenge, which drops you down at 60mph into a massive pool. And to cool off, they even have their own beach where you can relax or hop in a kayak!

For little ones, there's LEGOLAND® Water Park, where the wonderful world of colorful building blocks comes to life. With 20 LEGO®-themed rides featuring some recognizable faces, your kids will love it. The Joker Soaker pits you against Batman's worst enemy as you splash around his playground. And at LEGO® Slide Racers, you'll board your mat and bomb your way down this white knuckle ride. Thrills, chills, and hopefully, no spills await you. Perfect for kids and big kids alike.

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Beaches

The brave among you may wish to forgo the pleasures of the splash and instead embrace the heat in all its glory. Well, where better to do that than at the beach? With enough sun, sand, and sea to make your head spin, just be sure to pack the aforementioned sunscreen and hat!

Jumeirah Beach Residence - or JBR, is one of the city's biggest and best beaches, if relaxation is your aim. This massive beach has everything you could ever want - clean white sand, warm blue water, and enough space to stretch out and make the most of it. You can't swim after sundown due to the lack of light in the water, but you can certainly pitch your tent on its shores all night long.

Or, if you want to make a day of it, check out La Mer. There, you'll find stunning seaside views, watersports, shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities you won't find anywhere else. There's a cinema on-site, if you like the talkies, and you can even rent your own private beach house for the day. Nice.

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Beach clubs

If you're looking for beach vibes but need a little shade on a warm October day, then hit up a beach club instead. Part beach, part pool club, part restaurant, they pack a relaxing punch you won't find anywhere else in Dubai.

For ultimate relaxation, hit up the Mediterranean stylings at Twiggy by La Cantine. Named after the famous model that embodied the spirit of the swinging sixties, you'll find this beach club laden with white silk, white lounge chairs, and white, well, everything else. Alongside the massive infinity pool, you'll enjoy a welcoming menu of European bites.

Alternatively, a livelier option is Surf Club, which features resident DJs, dancing through the day, and a stacked bar.

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A cool night's travel

Fancy seeing all of Dubai's sights, sounds, and highlights in one chilled night? Then you'll fancy the hell out of a Dubai Magical Night Tour.

Joined by a knowledgeable yet humorous guide, you'll be transported around the city, see the most recognizable Dubai landmarks, and do it all under the comforting coolness of Dubai's October night sky.

You'll cruise by the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, the Burj Al Arab, Dubai Harbor and more. Make sure you have space on your phone camera to capture the stunning sights of the city's night lights.

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An evening stroll in the desert

If you're less about sightseeing and more about sight visiting, then how does a desert safari that culminates in a relaxing BBQ dinner sound? Pretty great, right?

From your hotel, a 4x4 will whisk you away to the amazing dunes in Dubai's surrounding desert. And yes, you'll still have plenty of time to snap pics of the mesmerizing scenery before you reach the desert camp. Then, you'll be treated to a traditional BBQ meal of grilled meats, veg, and other delights. But that's not all; there are also activities and entertainment for you to enjoy long into the night. Watch a belly dancing show, smoke some authentic shisha, ride a camel, and even get some henna painted on you! Then, when the night is over, you'll be taken right back to your hotel.

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Night boat

And finally, we'll end our guide to Dubai in October with another cool night activity. Take to the waters around Dubai Marina and tour the shoreline, the highlight being the towering Ain Dubai.

Your one-hour tour will take you past Jumeriah Beach and Bluewaters Island, before you set eyes on Ain Dubai- the tallest observation wheel on the planet!

You can set off at 6:30PM to see the sunset, or at 9PM to see Dubai's lights shimmering off the water. Either is beautiful, so choose whichever suits you and get sailing!

And that's our guide to Dubai in October! Looking for other suggestions? Why not check out Go City? With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want. There's so much to do, see, and experience that no matter what you decide to do, you'll love your time in the city!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Sunset over Dubai Creek
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Things to do in Bur Dubai

Contradictorily meaning ‘mainland Dubai’, Bur Dubai is an island separated from the rest of the emirate by Dubai Creek. The term can be used to describe the entire island that results – stretching across to the At the Top observation decks of the Burj Khalifa in downtown. However, it’s more generally used to describe the area immediately opposite the Deira neighborhood around the Al Fahidi Historic District. You’re sure to find yourself here at some point, so what are the main things to do in Bur Dubai? Site of the original settlement that developed into the modern day city, Bur Dubai has plenty of history and atmosphere. Still an important hub for everything from culture to commerce, you won’t want to miss this neighborhood when visiting the region. Grab a bird’s eye view Whilst Dubai as a whole isn’t short of lofty panoramas, the historic nature of Bur Dubai means most of its structures only rise to three or four stories. One way to take in the mix of old and new is at Dubai Frame, whose upper reaches stand 150 meters over Zabeel Park. Forming a physical link between the historic and the contemporary, the frame’s interior contains a museum detailing the city’s past, and features suggesting how it may develop in future. Its upper levels have the expansive vistas you would expect alongside glass-bottomed floors so that visitors can look roughly 40 stories directly down. Described as the world’s largest picture frame, it may be better to think of it as a magical door between one world and another... Explore the quiet streets of Al Fahidi The Al Fahidi Historic District, lining the northernmost parts of Dubai Creek, takes visitors back to Dubai’s humble origins as a trading post between the sea routes of the Middle East and the home of pearl divers. An unofficial living museum, its alleyways are a huge contrast to the thoroughfares of downtown Dubai, whilst many of its structures date back to the nineteenth century when barjeel wind towers provided cooling air currents in homes long before the advent of modern air conditioning. Although home to important historic documents and photographs, it’s the structure itself of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House which holds our fascination, being the residence of one of Dubai’s most important rulers from 1912 until his death in 1958. However, the district’s oldest structure is Al Fahidi Fort, now Dubai Museum. Perhaps best reached as part of a Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus tour, it is Dubai’s oldest surviving structure, dating from 1787. As well as slightly twee dioramas of everyday life before the oil boom, there are some real treasures worthy of any museum in the world. Delve into the culture of Bur Dubai If your visit to Dubai Museum has you yearning to discover more about Emirati culture consider making your next stop the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU). Established in 1998 to foster cross-cultural comprehension, it organizes a range of events designed to bridge the gap between Dubai’s traditions and visitors’ understanding of them. There are regular visits to Jumeirah Mosque whatever your religious beliefs, as well as the chance to take part in a traditional tea ceremony or Emirati meal, with a host of dishes laid out on the floor in the time-honored manner. For dining with a view, we’d instead recommend a dhow dinner cruise of Dubai Creek. Taking place as the sun sets and the lights flicker on over landmarks including the National Bank of Dubai building, you can tuck in to an all-inclusive buffet dinner of international scope. Hit the shops For shopping in Bur Dubai with a touch of the OTT it’s difficult to beat the ancient Egyptian theme of WAFI Mall. Its name means trustworthy in Arabic, and there are few more trustworthy places to laden your arms with shopping bags than here. Passing the ranks of Anubis sculptures, obelisks and giant pharaonic statues you’ll enter a space that’s home to 350 stores and stained glass pyramids decorating the interior with splashes of color. If money’s no object, check out the designer stores, which include Burberry. They stand beside a range of smaller independent boutiques with just as much to recommend them. The same can be said for the Textile Souk back beside Dubai Museum. Each trader’s wealth of silks, cottons, damasks and colorful linens are ideal for anyone planning some interior design or looking for the next viral post on Instagram – in which case why not share them with @GoCity? Pay a visit to Dubai’s ‘Little India’ Bur Dubai has long been a bastion of the emirate’s Indian diaspora. Al Nahdha Street’s Meena Bazaar will whisk you away to the subcontinent, with a blend of wedding jewelry, ceramics and spices forming the stock of the hundreds of merchants eager to sell their wares. Shopping aside, there’s a choice of spots to satisfy your hunger, from stalls selling takeaway samosas for a few dirham to restaurants serving up authentic curries originating as far afield as Kathmandu in Nepal and Karachi in Pakistan. Keep a look out for the too-good-to-be-true prices of some goods, and thanks to its ambience, there’s a good chance you’ll consider it one of the best places to visit in Bur Dubai! How to visit Bur Dubai When it comes to things to do in Bur Dubai visitors aren’t limited in choice. Though it may not offer the beach vibes of other neighborhoods, it’s one of the easiest places to discover Dubai’s often forgotten history, as well as the culture of the emirate and the people who call Dubai their home. Remember too that the rest of Dubai is only a short metro, boat or taxi journey from Bur Dubai, and there’s no reason you can’t explore Bur Dubai one morning or afternoon before heading to Deira, downtown or Dubai Marina. But whatever you decide to do with your time in Dubai, be sure to do it with Go City. That way you’ll get reduced admission to many of the region’s top attractions, meaning more cash for shopping at WAFI Mall or dining at Meena Bazaar!
Ian Packham
New Years Eve in Dubai
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New Years Eve in Dubai

Want to celebrate new year's eve somewhere exotic? Why not try the exciting entertainment found in Dubai? From extravagant galas to boat trips under the stars, whatever you do, it won't be a new year you'll soon forget! Here are our picks of the very best entertainment in Dubai this new year's eve! Including: Clubbing Fireworks Dinner cruises Desert adventures QE2 and more! Check out Dubai's club scene If you're feeling funky and need your new year's backed by a banging beat, then Dubai's got you more than covered. You'll find plenty of popping parties throughout the city, ensuring you'll ring in the new year with aplomb. Perhaps the biggest is at Atlantis, The Palm, where Aussie mega-star Kylie Minogue will take to the stage for a new year's bonanza. You can try and get her music out of your head, but you'll fail. Minogue'll be backed by a 30-piece band, and your night will be backed up by unlimited drinks and a buffet of caviar, lobster, and sushi. You know, the good stuff. Another alternative is Ce La Vi - the internationally renowned rooftop bar franchise. Their Dubai spot will have new year's shenanigans to rival any you'll find at sea level. Think DJs, live music, great drinks, and great views. Catch Dubai's NYE fireworks at Burj Khalifa Fireworks on new year's eve are traditional to many cultures across the globe, and in Dubai, it's no different. Every year, a stunning display of colorful gunpowder erupts across the city's skyline. And where better to watch it than at Burj Khalifa. But you needn't go to the top to make the most of it. Instead, thousands of tourists and locals alike accumulate around the base of the tower and the surrounding area to see in the new year. You'll find people congregated at Dubai Fountain, Umm Suqeim Park, and even Jumeira beach to see the show. Do turn up early, in case you struggle to find a spot. It's arguably Dubai's most popular new year's experience, so get there an hour or two before midnight. Ring in the new year on a luxury dinner cruise Of course, if you want to get the best views of the fireworks without shoulder-barging through crowds of people, why not wine, dine, and party on the water? You can do just that on some of Dubai's NYE luxury dinner cruises. You'll have plenty to choose from, each offering varying levels of luxury, added benefits, and even locations. But no matter which you choose to ride, you'll be in for a fun-filled New Year's Eve in Dubai! Sip drinks on the top deck as the fireworks shimmer on the water, then head below to dance the night away until the sun rises. The perfect way to tick off 'act like you're in a rap video' from your bucket list. Image courtesy of Pit Stock/Shutterstock Try a remote new year's eve on a desert safari experience If you want to forego crowds entirely, and fireworks aren't really your thing, how about an all-inclusive trip to Dubai's diamond desert for a more laid-back affair? Embark on an adventure in the dunes for one of the most unique new year's eve experiences in Dubai. Whether you want a laid-back evening of BBQ and entertainment or a more adrenaline-fuelled romp across the sand, you're sure to find one that's perfect for you. Then, when the midnight bell tolls and the new year is upon us, feel free to venture back into town and catch some of the post-fireworks fun. Or just go to bed; it's completely up to you. Get swanky at Madinat Jumeirah If you're looking to upscale your new year's eve experience in Dubai, dress to the nines and book a ticket to the gala dinner at the famous Madinat Jumeirah resort. With live entertainment featuring fire dancers and musicians, and with unlimited bubbly to fill your glass, you'll feel like royalty. And, given the resort's location, you'll have first-class seats to the firework spectacle going on above! Rub shoulders with royalty at the QE2's Gala Dinner If you thought feeling like royalty was fun, wait until you board a vessel/hotel named after an actual monarch. That's right, the QE2, named after the late, great Queen Elizabeth II, is hosting an exclusive gala dinner on new year's eve. It's hardly surprising that this first-class vessel offers a first-class dining experience. Seven courses of the finest food and drink you'll find are followed by live music and dancing to ring in the new year. If that all sounds too opulent, they're hosting a tea party on the upper deck - just like Elizabeth would want. Either way, you'll have front-row seats to the fireworks. And fireworks are fun. Take it easy at La Mer Want to keep things low-key? Try visiting La Mer beach and check out the beachfront NYE festival. Perfect for kids - and bigger kids alike - you'll find tons of child-friendly entertainment to please the little ones. We're talking pettings zoos, carnival rides, live music, and a festive market, to name but a few. So you'll have plenty of choices when it comes to food and drink as well. And, as with many of the other choices here, you'll have a great spot to view the fireworks too. Go international at Global Dubai Village If you want to see how many cultures celebrate the new year under one roof, then Global Dubai Village is the perfect place to celebrate. Featuring New Year's Eve themes from over 70 countries, you'll need plenty of time to do the rounds. You'll find bargains at the market stalls, plenty of food and drink to keep the night going, and also entertainment from across the globe. There's really nothing quite like it, so if you want to experience something different this new year's eve in Dubai, then stop on by. And that's everything you need to know about new year's eve in Dubai! Want to make the most of your trip? Check out the very best of Dubai's entertainment with Go City. Pick an Explorer Pass or All-Inclusive Pass, and get everything for one low price!
Dom Bewley

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