If Dubai struts its stuff anywhere, it’s on this artificial, palm-shaped archipelago. Spreading into the Persian Gulf from the mainland, the residential and recreational playground of Palm Jumeirah boasts villa-fringed fronds, a monorail-lined trunk of glossy malls and restaurants, and an outer crescent of deluxe resorts like Atlantis, The Palm. Cruises and road tours that showcase the archipelago’s vast scale and landmarks top the best things to do here, with Aquaventure Waterpark, The View at The Palm observatory, monorail, beaches, boardwalks, and exploits like skydiving not far behind.
Dubai’s sweltering summers last from April–October, with the milder November–March season the most comfortable for exploring Palm Jumeirah. That said, the archipelago’s offshore breezes make it slightly cooler than the mainland, making summertime visits a bit more palatable, especially when factoring in the season’s fewer crowds. However, winter, spring, and fall promise extra fun, with events like The Palm’s celebrated New Year’s Eve fireworks and April’s Palm Jumeirah Food and Music Festival always popular.
Palm Jumeirah isn’t walkable: It’s bigger than you might think and has little shade. Consequently, the best transport options are car, cab, or the Palm Monorail, an elevated line with four stations along the archipelago trunk and a fifth at the Aquaventure Waterpark. If you’re driving, follow the Palm Jumeirah signposts from Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road and navigate the archipelago from there. Alternatively, park at the Palm Gateway monorail station and use the scenic monorail or cabs.
With most restaurants run by, or inside, its plush hotels, Palm Jumeirah isn’t exactly overrun with budget-friendly eateries. Don’t fret: There are still a few places where you can fill up for less. One is Ella’s Eatery at Palm Views West. Hit its outdoor terrace to enjoy your choice of a drink and six dishes—eggs quesadilla and blueberry pancakes, anyone?—for one purse-pleasing set price, all with the bonus of marina views on top.
