For couples · Dubai · United Arab Emirates
Romantic things to do in Dubai
Ideas for a couples' trip, from small moments to a special day out.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Philosographer, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Dubai does glamour well: sunset over the Gulf, dinner with fountain views, a dhow cruise along the creek or marina and a quiet night under the stars in the desert. Couples tend to stay in Dubai Marina.
Key facts
- Romantic ideas
- 6
- Couple-friendly sights
- 3
- Area for couples
- Dubai Marina
- Best months
- November–March
Romantic ideas
1.Dhow dinner cruise
Sail along Dubai Creek past the old souks, or around the Marina's lit towers, on a traditional wooden dhow.
2.Fountain-view dinner
Book a terrace table at Souk Al Bahar or around the lake to watch the Dubai Fountain shows.
3.Desert dinner under the stars
Choose a small-group or private desert camp away from the big safari camps for a quiet evening.
4.Sunset by the Burj Al Arab
Walk on Sunset Beach as the sail-shaped hotel catches the evening light.
5.Burj Khalifa at dusk
Time an At the Top visit for sunset and watch the city lights come on below.
6.Abra and Al Seef at night
Cross the creek by abra after dark, then stroll along Al Seef's lantern-lit waterfront.
Sights couples love
Landmark · Downtown Dubai
Dubai Fountain
Watch from the Souk Al Bahar bridge, or take a short boat ride on the lake for a closer view.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
- Kids
- Couples
Waterfront · Dubai Marina
Dubai Marina and JBR Walk
Walk the marina at dusk, then take a dhow dinner cruise or eat at one of the JBR beachfront restaurants.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Couples
- Views
- Outdoors
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Viewpoint · Palm Jumeirah
The View at The Palm
Visit near sunset, then ride the monorail to Atlantis and walk the boardwalk.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Couples
- Kids
Where couples should stay
$$$$ · Best for nightlife, couples and beach
Dubai Marina
Around a man-made marina lined with skyscrapers, Marina Walk is a long promenade of cafés and restaurants, and dhow dinner cruises and yacht charters leave from its quays. The Dubai Tram links it to JBR beach and to the Metro's Red Line, though Downtown is 30–40 minutes away.
- Good
- Lively waterfront dining; Close to the beach; Tram and Metro links
- Watch out
- Far from old Dubai; Busy traffic at rush hour
- Nearby
- Marina Walk, JBR Beach, Bluewaters Island, Palm Jumeirah
Romantic day trips
- Hatta (About 1 hour 30 minutes by car) — Dubai's mountain enclave in the Hajar Mountains offers kayaking on the turquoise Hatta Dam, mountain-bike trails, a heritage village and lodges for overnight stays, with cooler air than the coast in winter.
- Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Jais (About 1 hour 30 minutes by car) — The northernmost emirate has quieter beaches and the mountain road up Jebel Jais, where a long zipline sends riders soaring above the valleys and temperatures are noticeably cooler than on the coast.
For dinner
Share local specialities such as Machboos, Harees and Biryani and South Asian food. Tap water is desalinated and treated, but most people drink bottled or filtered water.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Dubai romantic?
Dubai does glamour well: sunset over the Gulf, dinner with fountain views, a dhow cruise along the creek or marina and a quiet night under the stars in the desert.
+What is the most romantic thing to do in Dubai?
Dhow dinner cruise: Sail along Dubai Creek past the old souks, or around the Marina's lit towers, on a traditional wooden dhow.
+Where should couples stay in Dubai?
Dubai Marina: Waterfront towers, Marina Walk and yacht-lined promenades.