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Palm Jumeirah

From high-end hotels and beach clubs to decadent dining, there's plenty for Dubai's sun-seekers to enjoy on this magnificent island.

Whether you see it from a plane, when skydiving, or while researching your dream trip online, Dubai’s iconic palm-shaped island is extraordinary.

This engineering marvel is synonymous with Dubai’s efforts to consistently evolve and make dreams come true. The neighbourhood offers an urban mix of island residences, glamorous five-star resorts, on-trend restaurants and chic beach clubs.

Palm Jumeirah is also home to one of Dubai's landmarks – Atlantis, The Palm – as well as its sister property, Atlantis The Royal, which has become an instant architectural icon. Between them these resorts offer some of the best accommodation, dining and experiences in the city, and represent the quintessential Palm experience.

Most of the “fronds” on Palm Jumeirah are for private residences – the main public areas are the “trunk”, which houses parks, malls, shops, hotels and restaurants, and the outer crescent, which features luxury resorts and hotels. Take some time to explore the Palm, and along with the iconic beaches and resorts you'll discover plenty of hidden facets on this jewel of Dubai's coastline.

See Palm Jumeirah’s best attractions

An introduction to the most interesting sights on Palm Jumeirah

A great first stop on Palm Jumeirah is Atlantis, The Palm – located on the outer crescent, it’s one of Palm Jumeirah’s landmarks. Even if you’re not a guest at the resort, you can enjoy its striking architecture, along with world-class dining options – for more on this, see below.

Atlantis Aquaventure, the resort’s attached waterpark, is also one of the most deservedly popular attractions on Palm Jumeirah. With dozens of exciting rides and slides, its own beautiful beach, and access to the Lost Chambers aquarium, it’s a great day out for the whole family.

While you’re at Atlantis Aquaventure, you could also try heading up in The Dubai Balloon – a tethered helium balloon which takes you 300 metres into the sky, giving you a stunning view of Palm Jumeirah and Dubai as a whole. For a more luxurious experience, book a sun bed at AURA SkyPool for a pool day above the clouds.

Another great observation point is The View at The Palm, which offers a 240m-high viewing platform above Palm Jumeirah’s trunk. And after your trip into the sky, have a wander round Nakheel Mall’s shops and restaurants.

You can also charter a luxury yacht and cruise along the vast coastline, or rev up the excitement with a speedboat ride and wakeboarding trips. In between the island's fronds, and along the trunk, the waters are calmer, making it a popular choice for kayaking and paddle-boarding.

Things to do on Palm Jumeirah

A selection of the best things to see and do on Palm Jumeirah

Explore Palm Jumeirah’s beaches

Palm Jumeirah has some of Dubai's most exclusive beaches

Palm West Beach is the most accessible beach for casual visitors to Palm Jumeirah; with its 1.6km of pristine sand, and plenty of dining and leisure options, it’s a great place to spend an afternoon. And if you’re paying a visit to Atlantis Aquaventure, you can also make use of its beaches – a perfect way to take a break in between waterslides.

There are also many private hotel beaches along The Palm that can be accessed with a day pass, though its waters offer aquatic adventures for everyone. For a family-friendly beach day, get sun-soaked at the Riva Beach Club or W Dubai’s WET Deck while enjoying top tunes, refreshing poolside dining and five-star facilities.

And while it isn’t a beach, it’s worth stepping out to the Palm Jumeirah boardwalk, which comes alive at dusk with tourists and residents all vying for the perfect selfie. Sit by the rocks or grab a bite at a nearby food truck, and watch the sky ablaze with colour. Bicycles are also available to rent, allowing you to pedal along the shoreline and take in panoramic vistas of the Arabian Gulf.

Dine at Palm Jumeirah’s restaurants

Palm Jumeirah's restaurants offer Michelin-starred dining

Palm Jumeirah has a significant number of Dubai’s very best restaurants, including plenty of Michelin-starred venues, along with plenty of choice when it comes to beachside eats or casual dining.

The Atlantis resorts on the tip of the crescent offer so many dining choices you could easily eat at different restaurants for lunch and dinner every day for a week, and not come close to trying all of them. Most notably Ossiano and Hakkasan at Atlantis, The Palm both earned Michelin stars, while at Atlantis The Royal Dinner by Heston Blumenthal has one Michelin star, and Ariana’s Persian Kitchen is a Michelin Guide selection.

There’s plenty more culinary competition on Palm Jumeirah, with two of Dubai’s three two-Michelin-starred restaurants on the island: STAY by Yannick Alléno at One&Only The Palm, and Trésind Studio at Nakheel Mall. Other Michelin-recognised Palm venues include Lebanese seafood restaurant Ibn AlBahr at Club Vista Mare, which received Michelin's Bib Gourmand award.

Palm West Beach is another foodie hotspot, featuring Italian cuisine from Loren and Cucina, Greek from Kyma and Ula, and laid-back beach lounges with great food at Surf Club and February 30 – along with plenty of other choices.

Additionally, head to The St. Regis Gardens where you'll find notable restaurants such as Leña by Dani Garcia, Signor Sassi, Tresind Studio, Chez Wam and more.

Other great beachside dining options include the Byron Bather’s Club, Laguna Beach, Peaches and Cream, Riva Beach Club, Piatti by the Beach – and rather grandly, Nobu by the Beach at Atlantis The Royal, which extends the celebrity Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant to its first pool and beach club.

Map of Palm Jumeirah

Explore Palm Jumeirah with our interactive map

Find your ideal Palm Jumeirah hotel

Palm Jumeirah hotels are ideal for sun-seekers

Palm Jumeirah is home to some of Dubai’s most exclusive resorts, including One&Only The Palm, Rixos The Palm, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah – and the stunning architectural feat that is Atlantis, The Royal.

The Palm’s crescent also has dozens of fantastic five-star hotels and resorts, including Atlantis, The Palm, W Dubai The Palm, Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa and Anantara The Palm. These properties offer fantastic beachside accommodation, along with terrific views of Dubai's legendary skyline.

If you want to be closer to shopping and transport links, then consider a five-star hotel on the trunk of the island, such as Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, or Hotel Fairmont The Palm. These offer the best of both worlds, with easy access to both beaches and the rest of Dubai.

There are also some more affordable four-star Palm Jumeirah hotel options, including Adagio Premium The Palm, Radisson Beach Resort Palm Jumeirah, voco Dubai The Palm and Aloft Palm Jumeirah.

How to get to Palm Jumeirah

Learn the best ways to get to Palm Jumeirah

By public transport: If using the Dubai Metro, alight at either the DMCC or Dubai Marina station and then take the Dubai Tram to the Palm Jumeirah stop. A short walk leads you to the Palm Gateway station, which is the starting point for the Palm Jumeirah Monorail that runs along the main trunk of the island, with stops at Al Ittihad Park, Nakheel Mall, The Pointe and Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark. Alternatively, take a water taxi to the Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeirah.

By car: Palm Jumeirah is easily accessible from Sheikh Zayed Road coming from either north or south, and also from King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street – Palm Jumeirah is clearly signposted from both. Once on Palm Jumeirah, there are highways the length of the trunk, and a tunnel via which you can reach Crescent Road, home to Atlantis, The Palm and many other resorts. Alternatively, you can park at the Palm Gateway monorail station, which offers 1,600 spaces, and catch the monorail to your destination on Palm Jumeirah.

By taxi: Taxi drivers will know all the popular destinations on Palm Jumeirah, and are a convenient way to get both to and around the Palm.

Common Palm Jumeirah questions

All your Palm Jumeirah questions, answered

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