✅ Essentials Checklist
- Passport valid 6+ months (UAE grants visa on arrival to UK, US, EU, AU nationals)
- Travel insurance
- Conservative clothing for malls, souks and public spaces (shoulders and knees covered)
- Swimwear for beaches and hotel pools
- Sunscreen SPF50+ — UV is extreme
- Sunglasses and sun hat
- Comfortable walking shoes (malls are vast — you walk more than expected)
- Light layers for heavily air-conditioned interiors
- Power adapter (Type G — same as UK, UAE uses UK-style sockets)
- Credit card — Dubai is almost entirely cashless but some UAE Dirhams useful for souks
👕 Clothing Checklist
- Conservative daywear for public spaces and malls (long trousers, covered shoulders)
- Swimwear for pool and beach
- Smart evening wear — Dubai's restaurants and rooftop bars have dress codes
- Light cardigan or layer for extreme AC in malls and restaurants
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sandals for pool and beach
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
⭐ Nice to Have
- Desert safari appropriate clothing (long sleeves for sunburn and sand)
- Waterproof phone case for water park visits (Wild Wadi, Atlantis Aquaventure)
- Foldable bag for gold souk and spice souk shopping
- Lip balm (humidity is very low — lips dry out fast in the desert air)
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.