There is no place in the world quite like Dubai and year-on-year people travel to this incredible destination to discover what makes this the ultimate travel destination. Whether you’re looking to stay at the world’s most luxurious hotels, attend world class events, dine at award-winning restaurants and unforgettable cultural and adventure activities, Dubai offers endless reasons to visit. Whether it’s a first-time visit, or a return trip we highlight ten reasons to choose Dubai as your holiday destination for 2025.
Dubai has established itself as a global sporting hub, hosting major events, championships and festivals and offering numerous activities for sports travellers to enjoy. The city’s biggest sporting events include the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (16 February to 1 March 2025); and the Emirates Dubai 7s (November-December 2025). A highlight of Dubai’s social and sporting calendar, the 2024-2025 Dubai Racing Carnival season at Meydan Racecourse will conclude with the 29th edition of the prestigious Dubai World Cup (5 April 2025).
Aside from the above, Dubai has become and international hub for some of the greatest golf action in the world. Daniel Van Otterdijk, Chief Communications Officer at DP World, invited us to experience the culmination of the professional golfing season, which is also a highlight of the Dubai Social season, the DP World Tour Championship. This flagship golf tournament on the European Tour – is the climax of the Race to Dubai – whose title sponsor is DP World one of the world’s largest logistics companies.
The event takes place at the Jumeirah Golf Estates, a luxury residential golf community that consists of over 1,500 villas, town houses and apartments arranged into more than a dozen distinct communities, set alongside two Greg Norman designed 18-hole golf-courses named Fire and Earth. The Earth Course is the host venue for the DP World Tour Championship, the season ending tournament on the European Tour.
First held in 2009, the event is contested by the leading 50 players in the DP World Tour Rankings at the start of the tournament. Past winners include Matt Fitzpatrick, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Henrik Stenson.
We watched on as Irishman Rory McIlroy claimed victory and Rasmund Hojgaard came runner-up. The event has a $10m prize pool with the winner claiming $3m.The Top 10 players in the Race To Dubai also earned status to play on the 2025 PGA Tour.
Having seen the pros in action, we indulged in a round at the Emirates Golf Club – the first and most iconic golf club in the UAE. Playing the Faldo course under spotlights with the iconic skyline of Dubai as a backdrop is one for the bucket-list.
The following day we took a short drive away from town to the JA The Resort Golf Course which is spread over 50 acres. The champion-standard 9-hole Par 35 golf course, designed by the famous Peter Harradine, provides a challenging but fun round against a fabulous backdrop of the desert.
Dubai is an architects dream and a city where if you can imagine it they will build it. The city’s modern marvels include the world’s tallest tower Burj Khalifa and the iconic Jumeirah Burj Al Arab. But the array of incredible buildings is endless and includes; the Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai Frame, The Museum of the Future, the Dubai Fountain, the Miracle Garden, Dubai Marina, Ain Dubai, Cayan Tower and so much more.
STAY IN NEW LUXURY HOTELS
With more than 152,500 rooms across 827 establishments, Dubai’s hotel sector is always evolving. In 2025, new openings include the ultra-luxury Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Ciel, Vignette Collection in Dubai Marina, Six Senses The Palm and Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai.
DINE AT NEW OR AWARD-WINNING RESTAURANTS
Dubai is already home to more than 13,000 restaurants and cafés, and every year more dining outlets open in the city. New restaurants opening in 2025 include celebrity hotspot Carbone at Atlantis, The Royal and Kira at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab.
With galleries, museums and events located across the city, Dubai has a unique arts scene which has developed to include more independent artists and promote home-grown works. Major events taking place in Dubai in 2025 include World Art Dubai (17-20 April) and Art Dubai (18-20 April).
To develop a greater understanding of Dubai’s traditions, visit the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. At SMCCU, visitors can get to know the local culture, its history, its people and try Emirati cuisine. The Al Shindagha Museum guides visitors through the city’s dramatic development over centuries with a state-of-the-art multimedia experience and a museum ticket will also give entry to Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, the former home of Dubai’s ruling family. Another popular way to embrace Dubai culture is to go on a desert adventure. The Al Marmoom Bedouin Experience allows visitors to step back in time and follow in the footsteps of Dubai’s earliest inhabitants.
Old Dubai is one of the city’s most important historical landmarks. Here, you can see what life in Dubai was like during the time of trade, when the Dubai Creek was the lifeline of the whole city. Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, located in Bur Dubai, is one of the oldest heritage sites in the city. Offering a glimpse into Dubai’s past, it’s known for its traditional wind-tower houses, narrow alleyways, and courtyards, which visitors are free to explore. In 2025, the city’s oldest building, Al Fahidi Fort, will reopen after renovations, along with the Dubai Museum. Dubai’s traditional souk markets – the Textile Souk, Spice Souk, Gold Souk and Perfume Souk – offer a quintessential Arabian shopping experience, blending history and modernity.
Ramadan is the most important month of the Islamic calendar for Muslims and in Dubai it is a time of reflection, spirituality, family bonding and festivities. Ramadan begins 10 to 12 days earlier each year, this is because it is based on the Islamic lunar calendar, and in 2025 it is estimated to begin on 28 February. The Holy Month is a great time to visit Dubai, everything is open and there are a range of activities which cater to people of all ages. Marking the end of Ramadan, the city unites with a sense of generosity and sharing to celebrate Eid Al Fitr.
A popular destination for families, Dubai offers a diverse range of accommodation, activities and events that cater to all interests and ages, from grandparents to small children. Families can enjoy day trips to theme parks such as IMG Worlds of Adventure and Dubai Parks and Resorts, water parks including Aquaventure, Wild Wadi and Legoland Water Park, and adventures in Dubai’s desert.
Home to more than 100 shopping malls, Dubai is an A to Z of retail, with traditional markets, flagship stores and many of the world’s biggest brands found in the city. Shopping in Dubai is so much more than just retail therapy – it’s a sightseeing, cultural, gastronomic and entertaining experience. Located next to Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall has 1,200 stores, hundreds of dining outlets, and a range of popular attractions.
