Your Travel-Good Guide to Dubai in 2021

Dubai remains one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. Once part of a busy hub terminal in the United Arab Emirates, the desert city continues to expand, upwards and outwards. Ideal for a sunny getaway at any time of year, here’s our guide to Dubai and why you need to start planning your trip right now.

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Dubai is one of the most convenient holiday destinations in the world. 2021 is set to be an exciting year for the city, with some incredible new attractions and revamped favourites looking to draw in crowds again. We’ve picked an incredible selection of hotels that offer affordable luxury to every visitor.

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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.

CentralAmerica

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

CentralAmerica

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.

CentralAmerica

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.

SouthAmerica

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

SouthAmerica

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.

Europe

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Europe

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.

Europe

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.

Asia

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Asia

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.

Asia

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price

Africa

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Africa

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.

Africa

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.

Impressive views of the city on a calm day near the dancing fountain of Dubai

Why visit Dubai in 2021

With a combination of relaxing resorts, desert-adventure experiences and high-end shopping malls, Dubai is the perfect destination for a long-overdue getaway later this year. Many people pass through the city on flights to long-haul destinations, but we think that Dubai itself should be one of the places you plan to visit for the ultimate sunny escape. Temperatures are consistently good, so a lot of people come here in winter, but we think some of the best deals are to be found in summer.

There are also a few cultural highlights this year to plan your trip around. Here are some of our favourites, with the full list available here.

Escape to Hatta

Not many visitors travel away from the centre of Dubai, which is a shame, as there are many great places to explore in the region, such as nearby Hatta. When you’re surrounded by tall buildings and tarmac roads, it’s easy to forget that this is a desert region, but only a 90-minute drive away you’ll find the majesty of the Hajar Mountains, which will quickly remind you where you are. Adventurers have already discovered the Hatta enclave, so the area is also now a base for a variety of extreme sports.

Get away from the city with a hike through a wadi in the Hajar Mountains, near Hatta

Museum of the Future

One of the most anticipated new museum openings this year, the Museum of the Future, dedicated to innovation and science, is set to become one of the most recognisable buildings in Dubai, if not the world. The exciting design, by Shaun Killa, is in the shape of a torus: the round part represents the earth and sky, while the empty middle signifies the unknown. Already one of the world’s most complex buildings, it is complemented by the curated exhibitions inside. The precise opening date is yet to be finalised, but construction is in the final stages.

Expo 2020 Dubai

This six-month-long event was scheduled to start in October 2020 but will now take place from 1 October, 2021 to 31 March, 2022. Connecting Minds, Creating the Future will be the theme at the core of the event, and the place of Dubai itself on the global stage will be examined.
This World Expo will be the first in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, and the largest event ever staged in the Arab world.

Expo 2020’s Thematic Districts have been designed to reflect the subthemes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability

Places to stay

Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai

Resort

With branches around the world, including glamorous locations such as St Tropez, Barbados and Miami, this trendy beach club has built up a reputation as the luxury party destination. But Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai is more than just a place to live it up. On the waterfront of Pearl Jumeirah, this blissful retreat offers the ultimate in relaxation. Feel the breeze of the Arabian Gulf while marvelling at Dubai’s distinctive skyline.

Rove Marina

Hotel, Chain Hotel

One of the best features of the Rove Dubai Marina is its central location near the Jumeirah Islands – the perfect base to get out and explore everything the ultramodern United Arab Emirates city has to offer. There are endless leisure, dining and entertainment options on your doorstep, along with Dubai’s pristine beaches and views of the spectacular skyline. Relax in the casual, laid-back atmosphere of the hotel to prepare yourself for a day packed with urban exploration.

Vida Creek Harbour

Boutique Hotel

Vida Creek Harbour is a glamorous, modern complex overlooking a pristine quay. It has two top restaurants: Stage2 is a laid-back lounge and terrace with a tranquil ambience, while the Courtyard is a breathtaking spot with views of the Dubai skyline in an al fresco setting. Most of the modern, ultra-spacious rooms include a terrace with a view of the city, and the hotel has a cutting-edge gym and infinity pool. Local attractions include Creek Marina and the Dubai Creek Tower development. Take a boat trip from the Creek Marina Yacht Club, just in front of the hotel. In the evenings, stroll along the promenade where you’ll find restaurants, retail outlets and live entertainment venues.

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points

See Our Culture Trips

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KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.