From a humble village to a cosmopolitan city and a travel hub.
Dubai has transformed from a humble fishing village to one of the most cosmopolitan and innovative cities in the world today. Tracing its origins back to 3,000 BC, Dubai's inhabitants made their livelihood from fishing, pearl diving, boat building and sea trading, before the discovery of oil in the late 1960s. In 1971, Dubai joined its neighbours to form the United Arab Emirates, safeguarding the area's prosperity.
1 Dirham (AED) = 100 fils
The currency in Dubai is the dirham (AED or Arab Emirate Dirham). One dirham is divided into 100 fils.
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The National – www.thenationalnews.com/uae
The Gulf Today – www.gulftoday.ae
The Gulf News – gulfnews.com
Khaleej Times – www.khaleejtimes.com
Thanks to split-shift staffing systems, several shops are open 24 hours a day while most others stay open until 9pm or 10pm. On Fridays many shops close from 11:30am–12:30pm for Muslim holy day prayers. Times are revised during Ramadan (in 2022 it is expected to be 2 April – 2 May).
Around 3 million
Department of Economy & Tourism
One Central, Building 2, 4th floor, PO Box 594
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971 600 55 55 59
Website: visitdubai.com
Email: info@visitdubai.com
www.visitdubai.com
Dubai is a city that must be seen to be believed. Record-breaking architecture stands alongside traditional quarters, while man-made islands jut out of the coastline. Here are the top places to tick off your sightseeing list when you’re in town.
Burj Khalifa
The Palm Fountain
The View at The Palm
Ain Dubai
Madame Tussauds Dubai
Sky Views Dubai
Dubai Harbour
Museum of the Future
Deep Dive Dubai
Mohammed Bin Rashid Library
Palm Jumeirah
Dubai Opera
The Dubai Mall
Dubai Historical District
Dubai Parks and Resorts
Madinat Jumeirah
The Dubai Fountain
Bluewaters Island
Ski Dubai
City Walk
Etihad Museum
Jumeirah Mosque
The Lost Chambers Aquarium
Burj Al Arab
Dubai Water Canal
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Dubai Creek
Dubai Frame
Wondering where to find the best restaurants, family-friendly activities or hottest art galleries? Here's a handy guide to the Dubai’s hottest neighbourhoods, packed with plenty to suit all travellers. Add these easy-to-explore districts to your Dubai holiday itinerary and experience the city like a local.
Downtown Dubai & Sheikh Zayed Road
Old Dubai
Business Bay & Dubai Canal
Dubai Design District
Palm Jumeirah
Al Quoz
Dubai Marina
Jumeirah Lakes Towers
Dubai is one of the few places to enjoy a beach vacation within a thriving city. Experience a holiday Dubai-style, combining high-energy city action with the beauty of the Arabian Gulf. With a vibrant atmosphere and beachside shopping scene, luxury resorts and watersports, Dubai offers the best of the city and the sea. Kite Beach, La Mer and The Beach next to JBR are popular seaside spots where you can take in the waves after a leisurely stroll or jog along the water. Alternatively, Dubai's hotels offer amazing pool experiences, including infinity pools, jacuzzis, water play areas for kids, and much more.
JBR Beach
Kite Beach
Beach Clubs
Beachside Dining
Watersports
Family Beach Clubs
Beachside Cafes
La Mer
Palm West Beach
AURA Skypool
With year-round sun and a dramatic combination of both the desert and beach, Dubai is the perfect setting to be swept away by high-adrenaline activities. Rocket across the Arabian Gulf in a speedboat or roar along the circuit in a race car, skydive over Palm Jumeirah, ski around the World Islands, paddleboard along the coast or swim with dolphins and sharks, explore the depths of the open waters, or go diving in the deepest pool in the world. You can even leave the city and try dune driving in the desert or soar above the sand in a hot air balloon. Fasten your seatbelt, harness or helmet – it’s going to be an exciting ride.
Buggy Safaris
Extreme fun
Flyboarding
Jet-Ski
Quad Biking
Sandboarding
Camping
Dubai Safari
Hot Air Balloon
Hatta Wadi Hub
Safaris, sunsets and star-gazing
When it comes to Dubai's majestic desert, visitors have many options to discover its beautiful landscape. Beyond the popular off-roading or desert safaris, there’s much to do amid the dunes. Whether you're taking in some history with a traditional Bedouin meal, cycling through Al Qudra or watching for wildlife, don't miss the opportunity to experience the desert. Visit a resort or conservation reserve, or simply watch the sunset before some stargazing.
Desert Safaris
Desert Hotels
Desert Activities
Al Marmoom
Desert Dining
Desert Conservation
Between Dubai’s grandiose malls including The Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates to traditional souks such as the Gold Souk and Perfume Souk, you’re practically guaranteed to find a souvenir to treasure from your holiday to Dubai. Plus, with massive citywide shopping celebrations like Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) and Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), you could snag the deal of a lifetime during your visit to this global shopping destination.
Malls
Souks
Beachside Shopping
Luxury Shopping
Boutiques
Markets
Homegrown Labels
There’s nothing the people of Dubai love more than to dress up and dine out. You can choose from a glittering array of celebrity restaurants and a huge variety of Middle Eastern food, plenty of them family-friendly and almost all in Instagram-worthy locations.
Emirati Cuisine
Brunch
Cafes & Bakeries
Fine Dining
Celebrity Chefs
Kid-Friendly Restaurants
Beachside Dining
Outdoor Dining
Vegan & Healthy Eating
Street Food
Experiential Dining
Business Restaurants
Private Dining
With big ambitions and the expertise to make even the wildest dreams a reality, Dubai is becoming the most exciting adventure playground in the world. Whether it's family fun or hair-raising thrills you're after, there are laughs in store for all.
IMG Worlds of Adventure
Legoland Dubai
Wild Wadi Waterpark
Bollywood Parks Dubai
Motiongate Dubai
The Green Planet
Global Village
Dubai Miracle Garden
Legoland Water Park
Laguna Waterpark
Aquaventure Waterpark
With Dubai Opera, the arts district Al Quoz and the discovery of relics from the Iron Age, Dubai is fast evolving into a cultural hotspot. The city’s highlights range from the ancient past to stark modernity, and there is no better time to see its evolution than now.
Museums
Art Galleries
Historical Neighbourhood
La Perle
Mosques
Infinity des Lumières
Theatre of Digital Art
Dubai Opera
Dubai’s world-class tennis courts, golf courses and sports clubs are here to help you achieve your personal best. Whether you're looking to tee off at an iconic golf course or challenge friends to a game of football, there's plenty to pursue. Plus, the fun carries on throughout the year with cool indoor facilities hosting all the action during the summer months.
Golf
Horse & Camel Racing
Running
Cycling
Motorsports & Offroading
Tennis & Squash
Cricket
Football
Watersports
Hiking
There are literally hundreds of spas in all shapes and sizes, from five-star options like the Talise Ottoman Spa at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray to internationally-acclaimed centres and neighbourhood wellness spots. Common to all are great service and value.
Spas
Beauty Salons
Hammams
Arabian Beauty
Yoga
Take a break from the stunning Dubai skyline and explore the natural wonders that make the city come alive. There are enormous green spaces with picturesque lakes and lawns right in the heart of the emirate. Discover on your own, or take advantage of tour guides who specialise in the region’s diverse flora and fauna.
Parks
Ecotourism
Animal Experiences
Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary
Desert Wildlife
Horse Riding
Birds
Marine Life
Hatta
Dubai has it all. From world-class performances and revered art exhibitions to award-winning fairs and concerts by global superstars, we've got just the ticket. Here are just a few of the many events currently taking place in the city:
Rugby 7s
Dubai Shopping Festival
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
Dubai World Cup
Dubai Fitness Challenge
New Year's Eve
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship
Dubai International Boat Show
Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic
Dubai Food Festival
Art Dubai
Sikka Art and Design Festival
World Art Dubai
Al Gaffal Long Distance Race
Ramadan
Eid in Dubai
Dubai Summer Surprises
Experience the magic of Dubai with our handy itineraries. Whether you're in the city for 8 hours or the weekend, we've packed in all the highlights but with plenty of time to let you discover some hidden gems along the way.
One Day in Dubai
Three Days in Dubai
Five Days in Dubai
Get ready for a night to remember in Dubai. The city boasts rooftop lounges with skyscraper views, iconic venues for a glamorous evening with friends and chic speakeasys that combine the best in food, music and entertainment.
Shopping
Lounges
Live Music
Cinema
Dynamic Nightspots
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Dubai International (DXB) is located four kilometres (2.5 miles) southeast of Dubai. One of the world's busiest travel hubs, Dubai's primary airport boasts three sprawling terminals and two huge runways that operate around the clock, serving both passenger and cargo planes. Transportation from the airport is possible by taxi, bus or metro.
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Website: www.dubaiairports.ae
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Currency
The currency in Dubai is the Dirham (AED or Arab Emirate Dirham). One dirham is divided into 100 fils and has been pegged to the US dollar since the end of 1997.
US$1 = AED3.67
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Getting around
Upon arriving at Dubai International Airport, you're connected to every major neighbourhood in the city via the Dubai Metro. Most of the city's main attractions, including The Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and Dubai Marina can be reached directly via the metro or tram. Simply purchase a prepaid Nol card from any metro station, to use on the metro, tram and buses. The city's ubiquitous yellow and red topped taxis are available streetside. For those with data services, a cab from Uber, or the local ride-hailing equivalent Careem, is just a tap away.
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Website: www.visitdubai.com/en/plan-your-trip/getting-to-and-around-dubai
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Climate
Dubai enjoys a warm climate year-round. The winter months from October through to April are the coolest, with temperatures ranging from around 20 degrees centigrade to the mid-30s. During the months of May through September, the weather heats up significantly, with average temperatures ranging from high-30s to mid-40s. Luckily, Dubai offers plenty of attractions for all seasons.
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Travel practicalities
When you visit a new country, it can be helpful to know some basic details to keep your stay safe, enjoyable, and hassle-free. That's why we've put together some useful information about Dubai to help you on your stay. Please click the link below to find out more.
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Website: www.visitdubai.com/en/plan-your-trip/practical-information
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