Ultimate Dubai Honeymoon Guide

Temperatures reach well over 40° C / 100° F in July and August. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do a stopover but plan plenty of indoor activities – see our things to do for ideas.

In December, January & February, temperatures are more mild at around 20° C / 70° F. Even in winter, you’re very unlikely to experience a long spell of rain.

Part of the appeal of a Dubai honeymoon is the incredibly luxurious hotels, so if your budget can stretch, we definitely recommend a night or two in a lavish hotel.

We’ve got the lowdown below on the best areas of Dubai, the most luxurious Dubai honeymoon hotels, plus some of our favourite hotels for couples who are planning a budget honeymoon escape.

Jump to:
Jumeirah Beach & Dubai Marina
Dubai Downtown
The Palm Jumeirah
Dubai Creek/Deira
Beyond Dubai

Jumeirah Beach is packed full of fun activities like Wild Wadi Waterpark and Kite Beach. The Marina has ‘ The Walk’ area along the city coastline plus Ain Dubai. It’s a lovely spot for dining and beach time.

If you’re passing through Dubai on a stopover to a beach, you may want a more urban / city feel and an alternative to a beach stay.

This is why we love the Dubai Downtown area for a Dubai honeymoon stopover. 

A stay on the Palm for your Dubai honeymoon will feel have a more resort feel. You’re at least 15 minutes to the Dubai Marina area on the ‘mainland’.

It’s the location of one of our favourites of all time, Atlantis The Palm, but it’s dotted with other luxury resorts. 

Dubai Frame is between here and Dubai Downtown. Many of the top sights are still only 20 minutes’ drive down the Sheikh Zayed Road (Dubai’s primary thoroughfare) and as you can see, some luxury resorts are dotted around here too.

If you’re not choosing to stay in one of the luxury resorts, stay around here if you’re on a tight budget and/or on a shorter stay as you’re so close to the airport.

You’ll find beautiful luxury resorts like the Intercontinental Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa, Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah and The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah and with overwater villas, the new, Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort.

Consider popping over the border to Oman and the wonderful Six Senses Zighy Bay. We love this unique hotel so much.

Get picked up by a luxury car at your Dubai hotel or from Dubai International Airport for the 120km journey. You then have a choice of how to arrive in this heavenly resort on Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, designed in a traditional Omani village style.

Arrive in a 4×4 through the breathtaking arid desert over the Hajar mountains or arrive by speedboat.

The third, and without a doubt our favourite way to arrive at a hotel ever, is to paraglide into the resort from the top of the mountain – 007 style. Just magic. The food is incredible too and the Pool Villas and peaceful setting are an absolute dream. 

Anantara World Islands is just 4kms offshore from Jumeirah Beach. These reclaimed islands are perfect for a Dubai honeymoon stay, with a difference.

We’re kind of obsessed with the romantic desert landscapes of the Middle East and there are some stunning desert hotels close to Dubai, like Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Magic Camps.

The fascinating city, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, is around 90 minutes’ drive/140 kilometres away.

Abu Dhabi is worth the trip alone to visit the beautiful Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. While the consensus is that Dubai has more glitz, Abu Dhabi is not short of opulence and fun.

With hotels like The St. Regis Abu Dhabi or Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island and the world’s fastest roller coaster at Ferrari World.

You can also explore the romantic desert landscapes at the beautiful Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort or Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa.

Traverse the empty quarter (the world’s largest sand desert) by camelback. Dine under starry skies. Unwind with hammam and desert rose ritual in the spa.

Aquaventure Waterpark – Yes, Aquaventure is one of our favourite recommendations for a Dubai honeymoon. We love a romantic day out, but we equally love fun days too. This is the world’s best waterpark. Entry is complimentary when you stay at the Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis Royal.

Burj Khalifa – The world’s tallest building is an incredible feat of architecture. Take a trip up before sunset and look down on Dubai in all its glory by day and night. Spend a romantic evening having dinner overlooking the Dubai fountains.

Desert Safari – There are many options for a trip to the desert in Dubai. It’s up to you whether you want to include sand dune bashing, quad biking, a camel ride or a fun BBQ buffet dinner with Emirati entertainment.

Yacht around Dubai Marina – Spend a sophisticated afternoon on your Dubai honeymoon sailing the coastline past icons like the Burj Al Arab, the Atlantis and the Burj Khalifa towering high over the cityscape.

Zip line across Dubai Marina – The world longest urban zip line is not for the fainthearted, but you can definitely feel like a superhero sliding past the skyscrapers.

Hot-air balloon ride – Watch the colours of the desert change on a romantic Dubai honeymoon highlight. You can also opt for a hot air balloon ride over The Palm at Dubai Balloon at the Atlantis.

Cocktails at the Burj Al Arab – You can have afternoon tea at Sahn Eddar on the 1st floor but cocktails at the Burj Al Arab Skyview Lounge is a chic way to spend a night of your Dubai honeymoon.

Skydive Dubai – So many iconic buildings, this is one of our favourite places to skydive in the world.

Dubai Old Town – Explore the heritage quarter to get an insight into Arabic culture. Visit the coffee museum and perfume, gold and spice souks.

Dinner in the Sky – One of the most unique places you’ll ever eat. Enjoy a 3 course meal suspended 50 metres above ground with skyscraper views.

Jet ski Dubai – Jet ski (or flyboard or parasail) in the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf. Don’t forget to get a photo with the backdrop of the Burj Al Arab.

Dubai Opera – you can go on a tour of the building or check the listings to catch some world class shows.

Ski Dubai – Because where else can you ski when it’s 40 degrees outside?

Museum of the Future The building alone is incredible. Explore the latest innovations from around the world.

Shopping – We mentioned the souks of the old town above but for a more modern experience, head for the Dubai Mall (the largest shopping mall in the world) and Mall of the Emirates.

There is somewhere to eat for every budget and a cuisine for every taste – Italian, Lebanese, Peruvian, Japanese, Iranian, French or Mexican. Budget eats in the malls to Michelin starred restaurants in the luxury hotels.

In fact, you can find most of the top restaurants and lounges within the hotels. You don’t have to be staying in a hotel to dine there, but prior reservation is recommended.

The concierge at your hotel can sometimes work some magic too. We love the Michelin Guide and Time Out Dubai, but here are some of our recommendations:

• Thiptara – Find the best Thai food at the Palace Hotel with amazing views of the Dubai Fountains. A big favourite.
• Ossiano – Michelin star with aquarium surrounds of Atlantis The Palm
• Ling Ling Dubai – If Atlantis the Royal is not an option, the next best thing is dinner at this stunning location.
• ZETA Seventy Seven – Asian Fusion with beautiful skyscraper views from the Address Beach Resort
• The Noodle House JBR – Delicious Asian soul food in the Dubai Marina
• Gia – Lovely Italian food and cool cocktails in the Dubai Mall, book a table outside for Dubai Fountain views.
• Ayamna – Incredible Lebanese food in beautiful surrounds, one of our favourites in Atlantis The Palm
• Asil – Have the best Arabian night in this cool Turkish, Moroccan & Lebanese fashion in Rixos Premium
• Hakkasan – Michelin-star Cantonese food in the Atlantis. Perfect treat on your Dubai honeymoon.
• Karma Kafe – For fans of Buddha Bar in Souk Al Bahar with views of the dancing Dubai Fountains
• Armani/Hashi – High end Japanese recommended by Michelin at Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa
• Bussola – Italian in a lovely location in Westin Mina Seyahi on Jumeirah
• Treehouse Dubai – urban garden lounge at Taj Dubai
• CÉ LA VI Dubai – Contemporary Asian with stunning views at Address Skyview
• Flair 5 – Urban jungle vibes at the Ritz-Carlton
• Eve Penthouse & Lounge – Penthouse views from Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek
• Tong Thai – Red lights and authentic Thai street food
• STAY by Yannick Alleno – Ultra lux food in ultra lux surrounds of One&Only

Dubai, once a modest fishing village, has transformed into a dazzling metropolis known for its skyscrapers, luxury shopping, and ambitious projects like the Palm Islands.

Rich in oil wealth, Dubai is part of the UAE and has become a global hub for finance, tourism, and real estate.

While Dubai is a honeymoon destination in its own right, it is also one of our favourite destinations for a honeymoon city stopover.

As a major hub between the Middle East and Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Africa & Europe – if you’re thinking about planning a honeymoon on any of these incredibly diverse continents you often fly through Dubai so why not take at least a few days to explore this exciting metropolis!

• Weather: Dubai gets extremely hot from May to September. The intense heat may limit outdoor activities during the day.
  
  
• Cost: A honeymoon in Dubai can be costly. The city is known for its luxury and extravagance. High quality accommodations, dining, and activities often come with a high price tag.
  
  
• Cultural Differences: Dubai is different in many ways to US & European cities. Dubai is relatively new so doesn’t have the extensive historical sites of other cities. It also has stricter laws and cultural norms, especially regarding dress, alcohol and public behaviour. While we don’t see this as a negative, you may prefer a more liberal environment.