Palm Jumeirah is the icon — the palm-shaped island of blockbuster resorts, beach clubs and destination restaurants strung along the fronds and the crescent. It is Dubai at its most postcard-perfect, and one of the city’s great days out even if you are not staying over.
From world-famous water parks to sunset dining over the Gulf, the Palm packs a lot onto one island. Here is how to make the most of it, as part of our complete Dubai guide.
Getting your bearings
The trunk holds the Golden Mile and Nakheel Mall and connects to the mainland; the fronds are lined with villas; and the crescent curves around the top with Atlantis, the big resorts and the beach-club scene at The Pointe and West Beach. The Palm Monorail runs the length of the trunk to Atlantis.
Where to eat
The Palm is destination-dining central, from beach-club restaurants to resort fine dining with the skyline as a backdrop. Browse the best restaurants in Dubai and, for a special occasion, our guide to fine dining and Michelin picks.
Beach clubs and pools
This is the home of the Dubai beach-club day — loungers, pools and DJs with a sea view. See the best beach clubs in Dubai for where to book.
Things to do
Atlantis and its Aquaventure Waterpark headline, alongside The View at The Palm observation deck, the boardwalk and the dining-and-shopping at The Pointe. Our roundup of things to do in Dubai has more.
Where to stay
The Palm is home to some of Dubai’s most famous resorts — Atlantis, Fairmont, Anantara, W and more — making it a destination stay in its own right.
Getting there and around
The Palm Monorail runs the trunk to Atlantis; otherwise it is taxi or car, as the Metro does not reach the island itself (the tram at the gateway is the nearest link). Traffic on the single access road can build at weekends.
Best time to visit
Come by day for the beach clubs and water parks, and stay into the evening for dining with the sunset over the Gulf. October to April is peak, but the resorts stay busy year-round.
Explore more of Dubai
Nearby: Dubai Marina and JBR. Or back to the main Dubai guide.