Jumeirah

Jumeirah is a long stretch of coast south of the centre, from the old quarter around Jumeirah Mosque to the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab and the Madinat Jumeirah resort in Umm Suqeim. Instead of skyscrapers there are villas, low-rise hotels and Dubai's best city beaches.

Why go

The beaches are the main reason to come. There are the free Sunset Beach (Jumeirah Public Beach) with its view of the Burj Al Arab, sporty Kite Beach, quiet Mercato Beach and Jumeirah Beach 1, renovated in 2026; Sunset Beach and Kite Beach are open around the clock. Nearby is J1 Beach with restaurants and beach clubs, and for a day with service, Summersalt and Nikki Beach.

The Burj Al Arab is a symbol of Dubai; the hotel has been closed for restoration since April 2026, but the view of it from the beaches is still there. Next door are the Wild Wadi water park and Souk Madinat Jumeirah with its canals and abra boats. In the north of the district are Jumeirah Mosque, one of the few in Dubai open to tourists, and the Etihad Museum about the founding of the UAE.

Where to stay and who it suits

Jumeirah is for a beach holiday without the bustle of the Marina: resort hotels with private beaches in Umm Suqeim and small, quiet hotels inland. It suits families with children. The downside is that there is no metro along the coast, so you will get around by taxi.

How to get there

The metro Red Line runs along Sheikh Zayed Road, 2–3 km from the sea; from the stations to the beaches is a few minutes by taxi. From DXB airport, a taxi takes about 25–35 minutes.