Top 10 Best Areas to Stay in Dubai

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Boats in Dubai Marina

When you think about Dubai, it’s probably the image of a busy city with tall skyscrapers, the Burj Khalifa at one end, smooth roads and highways crisscrossing each other, and the dazzling lights that stay on all night long.

The city is one of the seven Emirates of the United Arab Emirates and has the highest population.

Dubai is located on the Persian Gulf and is known for its year-round sunshine, Arabian-styled charm, and modern skyscrapers. If you plan to visit this emirate, you must research before choosing where to stay in Dubai.

Lucky for you, I’m here to help you out! In this article, you will find an in-depth guide about the best areas to stay in Dubai.

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Overview of the Best Areas to Stay in Dubai

Unlike its compatriots – Singapore and Hong Kong, Dubai is not a walkable city. The distance between different places to visit is enormous. The public transportation in Dubai is also not very comprehensive and will eat up a lot of your sightseeing time.

Hence, depending on what you want to do as a tourist and your budget, you will have to decide which area would be best for you to stay in Dubai.

First, let’s understand the Dubai city layout. The city stretches long and is spread out in a 40-kilometer (25 miles) shoreline area with 14 main districts. Lining the Persian Gulf creek are the oldest buildings in Dubai.

The new city center is, however, the areas lining the Sheikh Zayed road. The Emirates Tower, Burj Khalifa, and Dubai International Financial Centre are notable attractions here.

On their periphery lies the Burj al-Arab that houses a luxurious hotel. Further south is the human-made marina and several human-made lakes.

Here’s a quick overview of the best areas to stay in Dubai with hotel recommendations for each area.

AreaRecommended Hotel
Dubai Marina (nightlife, beaches,water sports)Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina
Downtown Dubai (sightseeing, shopping)Sofitel Dubai Downtown
Palm Jumeirah Island (beaches,water sports, romantic getaways)Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel
Bur Dubai (culture, museums, family friendly)Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf Dubai
Deira (affordable accommodation, traditional markets)Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek
Al Barsha (restaurants, bars, shopping)Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel
Al Seef and Al Fahidi (culture, traditional restaurants)Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai
Dubai Media City (beaches, quiet)The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
Dubai Creek (museums, water taxis,floating restaurants)Al Bandar Rotana – Dubai Creek
Dubai Desert (adventure, quiet, beduin culture)Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa

Best Areas to Stay in Dubai

Wondering where to stay in Dubai? Don’t worry, I got you covered! In this article, you will find all the best areas to stay in Dubai, together with a bunch of useful information about each area, pros and cons, and some hotel recommendations.

If you’re a visual type, you can use the below map for getting familiar with each area mentioned in this article. Let’s dive right in!

1. Dubai Marina and Jumeriah Beach Residence – Best for nightlife and fun lovers

Dubai Marina is the only properly walkable part of the city, which makes it one of the best areas to stay in Dubai. Jumeriah Beach Residence refers to the beach, the promenade, and all the buildings along the impressive 1.7 kilometers (1 mile) long beach-line.

In contrast, the Marina area is everything behind it, including the canal and the tallest skyscrapers.

Here, you can visit the Dubai Marina Walk for midnight strolls, go jet-skiing, parasailing or skydiving, and enjoy your time eating at the upscale bistros, nightclubs, and bars. Also, both Palm Jumeriah and the Jumeriah beach are a short ride away from Dubai Marina.

You can book your stay in hotels housed in skyscrapers that offer fascinating views of the sea as well as the skyline.

Pros and cons of staying in Dubai Marina

PROS

  • This area does not have any restrictions on the way women dress at the beach
  • Massive variety of hotels available in every price range
  • Famous tourist destinations are located within walking distance

CONS

  • Overcrowded by tourists
  • Pretty expensive area to stay in and alcoholic drinks are served at very high prices
  • Far from top attractions like Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall

Best places to stay in Dubai Marina

2. Downtown Dubai – Best for shopping and major sightseeing

View of the Burj Khalifa from Shangri-La Dubai

Located between old and new Dubai, Downtown Dubai houses the Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building) and the Dubai Mall (the world’s largest mall).

Other highlights in Downtown Dubai include Dubai Opera, Dubai Fountain (a vast fountain with incredible water shows), and Souk al Bahar (an outdoor area with several restaurants and bars).

The most luxurious boutique shops, fancy boulevards, and fine-dining restaurants are located in Downtown Dubai, making it the best area to stay in Dubai for shopaholics.

If you’re planning to visit Dubai for the first time, you will surely visit the Downtown area to see the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall. Hence, you should arrange your stay at this place itself.

Pros and cons of staying in Downtown Dubai

PROS

  • Important landmarks are close-by
  • Well-connected by metro rail line, hence easy to get to other parts of Dubai
  • The best location to stay in Dubai for shoppers

CONS

  • Accommodations are quite expensive
  • The beaches of Dubai Marina are quite far away

Best places to stay in Downtown Dubai

3. Palm Jumeirah Island – Best for honeymooners and luxury seekers

Private beach at Fairmont the Palm

Palm Jumeirah is a man-made palm-shaped island on the western coast of Dubai city. There are many luxurious resorts located on this island to stay in. Most offer romantic dining, suites with jacuzzis, and waterfront views that make it the best area to stay in Dubai for honeymooners.

Palm Jumeirah is also one of the best areas to stay in Dubai for tourists looking for incredible sea views. From here, you can see Dubai’s skyscrapers covering the horizon.

Best viewed from a height, you can also hire a seaplane to reach your hotel at the Palm. You can visit the Atlantis on the island – the most luxurious property in Dubai, and the Pointe – a waterfront destination with the best dining restaurants and cafes.

Pros and cons of staying in Palm Jumeirah

PROS

  • Houses incredible powdery white beaches
  • As it is away from the bustling mainland, it is the best place to stay in Dubai for privacy seekers
  • Ample outdoor and water activities

CONS

  • Quite far from the major sightseeing attractions in Dubai
  • Requires private car transportation to reach Downtown Dubai
  • Heavy on pockets – not for budget travellers

Best places to stay in Palm Jumeirah

4. Bur Dubai – Best for tourists looking for the real soul of Dubai

Bur Dubai is located in the center of the old city of Dubai. It houses the city’s most exquisite old buildings, religious sites, and museums.

The top attractions in Bur Dubai include the Dubai Museum, the Iranian mosque, several authentic souks, and historical neighborhoods like Al Fahidi, Al Seef, and Al Jaddaf.

Bur Dubai is also one of the best areas to stay in Dubai for tourists traveling with family or friends, as it is filled with a lot of culture and friendliness. The area lies close to Dubai Creek, where you can find floating restaurants and local eateries.

Pros and cons of staying in Bur Dubai

PROS

  • Very well connected by metro stations, hence you can easily venture out to the rest of Dubai
  • The accommodations, as well as food, are quite affordable
  • Not very far from Dubai International Airport

CONS

  • Not the best area to stay in Dubai for foodies, as there are limited options for fine-dining
  • The area is full of noise, crowd, and traffic

Best places to stay in Bur Dubai

5. Deira – Best for budget travellers

Deira is the best area to stay in Dubai for tourists who are traveling to the city for a short stay or for the ones who have a day or two to spend in Dubai between connecting flights.

Deira is located very close to the Dubai international airport and it has several metro stations that connect it well with the tourist attractions in Dubai.

It is located on the periphery of Dubai Creek, with Bur Dubai on the other side of the creek. The area is a bit more modern than Bur Dubai. Deira houses Dubai’s largest traditional souk and spice market.

If you choose this area to stay in, you can walk up to the waterfront restaurants to enjoy traditional food.

Pros and cons of staying in Deira

PROS

  • Extremely close to the airport
  • Accommodations and food are really cheap
  • The best area to stay in Dubai for bargain shoppers

CONS

  • Located far from the main attractions in Dubai
  • Some hotels are quite dated, hence choose wisely

Best places to stay in Deira

6. Al Barsha – Best for food-lovers

Al Barsha is an area that is close to both Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai. It is connected by metro to all the major attractions in Dubai. Al Barsha houses the Mall of Emirates, which is filled with high-end boutiques and fashion shops. Hence, it is often called a shopper’s paradise.

The sightseeing places in Al Barsha include Tranquil Al Barsha Pond Park and Dubai Miracle Garden. It also houses world-class restaurants serving global cuisines, including Arabic, Indian, and Pakistani food.

If you don’t want to spend a fortune staying in the Marina and Downtown area but still want to stay connected to these areas, Al Barsha is the best area to stay in Dubai for you.

Pros and cons of staying in Al Barsha

PROS

  • Located close to the Mall of Emirates, the second largest mall in Dubai
  • Cheaper than the Marina and Downtown areas but pretty well connected
  • Houses plenty of restaurants and bars for every type of traveller

CONS

  • Not the best area to stay in Dubai for people who want to stay near landmarks

Best places to stay in Al Barsha

7. Al Seef and Al Fahidi – Best area for history lovers

Both these areas beside Dubai Creek are the city’s oldest neighborhoods. The buildings are constructed out of traditional materials like stone and wood.

Al Seef houses Dubai’s oldest Arab village souk, whereas Al Fahidi houses the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, where you can learn about UAE’s culture.

The areas have, however, been modernized and have several elite hotels and trendy restaurants. The old buildings are converted into quaint cafes and artists’ workshops. Both Al Seef and Al Fahidi are some of the best places to stay in Dubai for history lovers.

Pros and cons of staying in Al Seef and Al Fahidi

PROS

  • The old city remains are retained in these areas even after renovations
  • Chance to try the local delicacies from the traditional restaurants

CONS

  • If you are looking for a thoroughly modernized area, this won’t be the best place to stay in Dubai for you
  • Far from the major tourist spots of Dubai

Best places to stay in Al Seef and Al Fahidi

8. Dubai Media City – Best for keeping away from crowds

If you love being in a less overbuilt and less crowded place, Dubai Media City is the best area to stay in Dubai for you. Dubai Media City is connected to both Jumeirah Beach Residence and Dubai Marina by metro.

The Mina Seyahi beach next to this area is a beautiful beach with a vast white-sand shoreline expanse.

The International Cricket Council that governs cricket around the world is headquartered in Dubai Media City. The area is also famous for outdoor concerts, exhibitions, award shows, and gourmet festivals.

There are several cafes and eateries in Dubai Media City where you can enjoy a delicious meal on an outdoor terrace.

Pros and cons of staying in Dubai Media City

PROS

  • Well connected to other areas of Dubai by the metro rail line
  • A less crowded area with less traffic, best for calming your mind
  • World-class resorts are here offering the best services to the visitors

CONS

  • Far from the major tourist spots of Dubai
  • Not the best area to stay in Dubai for shoppers, as this area is more of a business hub

Best places to stay in Dubai Media City

9. Dubai Creek – Best area for vibe and culture

Dubai Creek is an outlet of the sea that flawlessly combines old Arabia with modernized Dubai. This is a place where you can find the traditional water taxis and floating restaurants lined up offering the best delicacies.

Dubai Creek area is well connected with the transportation system (metro) for tourists’ convenience.

Popular areas like Bur Dubai and Deira lie on either periphery of the Dubai Creek. You can have a fantastic view of Dubai city, go for a dinner cruise, or walk along the creekside while staying here.

Ras al Khor bird Sanctuary is the mighty Dubai Creek’s endpoint, where you can spot rare bird species. Hence, to soak in the city’s vibe and culture, Dubai Creek is the best location to stay in Dubai.

Pros and cons of staying in Dubai Creek

PROS

  • Water taxis, culture centres, museums, and floating restaurants are close by
  • Transportation is easy and you can conveniently reach other parts of Dubai

CONS

  • The commute from Dubai Creek to other sight-seeing spots is a bit of a stretch

Best places to stay in Dubai Creek

10. Dubai Desert – Best for the adventure seekers

Beduin camp in Dubai Desert at sunset

There’s more to Dubai than the huge skyscrapers and the gleaming lights. Beyond Dubai’s towering landmark buildings and high-end hotels lie vast rustic dunes that stretch towards the Arabian desert.

These sweeping desert landscapes house some of the finest hotels and safari camps. These properties offer adventure activities like quad biking, sandboarding, hot air ballooning, or a simple desert safari from glamping style villa tents to full-scale luxury resorts.

If you’re interested in taking a desert tour while in Dubai, check out my post about the best desert safaris in Dubai!

By staying in the Dubai Desert, you can experience a chance to be close to the wilder side of the Arabian Peninsula with camels, falcons, and oryx.

The Dubai desert is the best area to stay in Dubai for people who have already been to Dubai’s landmark sightseeing destinations, have extra time in hand, and looking for something more unique and adventurous.

Pros and cons of staying in the Dubai Desert

PROS

  • Away from packs of tourists and crowds
  • Best location to stay in Dubai for some visitors seeking calm and peacefulness
  • Opportunity to understand the Bedouin culture

CONS

  • Dubai deserts will not please first-time travellers to Dubai who want to do the usual sightseeing

Best places to stay in the Dubai Desert

Planning a trip to the UAE?

Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about the United Arab Emirates. I promise, they are just as awesome as this article was!

Dubai:

Abu Dhabi:

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Best areas to stay in Dubai
Best areas to stay in Dubai

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