By Alex Carrington, Travel Editor at 247 Packing List · Last updated: ·

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Dubai Holiday Packing List

Dubai combines ultramodern architecture, desert adventures, luxury shopping and year-round sunshine in a compact emirate. The heat between May and September is extreme and packing for modesty in public spaces is important, even though beach and resort clothing is fully accepted in those contexts.

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✅ Essentials Checklist

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⭐ Nice to Have

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Frequently Asked Questions

What can you not bring to Dubai?

Strict rules apply: no pork products (though available in licensed restaurants), no pornography, no drugs including some prescription medications — check your medication against the UAE's controlled substances list before travelling. CBD products and some codeine-based painkillers that are legal in the UK are illegal in the UAE. Carry a GP letter for any regular prescription medication.

Is Dubai too hot to visit in summer?

July and August temperatures exceed 40–45°C with high humidity. Outdoor activities are very limited and uncomfortable. However, indoor Dubai (malls, museums, restaurants) is extremely heavily air-conditioned. Hotel prices drop dramatically in summer and all attractions are open. If you plan to spend most time indoors or at the beach at dawn/dusk, summer works — but outdoor sightseeing is genuinely uncomfortable.

Do I need to cover up in Dubai?

In public spaces — malls, souks, streets — modest dress is expected and legally required. Shoulders and knees should be covered. Swimwear and bikinis are fully acceptable on beaches and at hotel pools. Many malls have signs requesting modest dress. Tourists are rarely confronted but respectful dress avoids awkward situations.

Alex Carrington is the travel editor at 247 Packing List, building destination and trip-type packing guides from flight-delay experience, family trips and a lot of over-packed suitcases. Every list on this site is cross-checked against the destination's actual climate and airline baggage rules before publishing.