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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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
Palm Jumeirah
Dubai Opera
Dubai Historical District
Madinat Jumeirah
The Dubai Fountain
Bluewaters Island
Ski Dubai
City Walk
Bur Dubai Abra Dock
Etihad Museum
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
Ski Dubai
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 rich culture ranges from the Iron Age to stark modernity and there is no better time to see its evolution than now.
Museums
Art Galleries
Historical Neighbourhood
National Heritage
La Perle
Dubai Opera
Dubai Historical District
Etihad Museum
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
Running
Rugby 7s
Cycling
Motorsports & Off-roading
Tennis & Squash
Cricket
Football
Watersports
Boating & Fishing
Polo
Horse Riding
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
Hammams
Signature Spas
Destination Spas
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
Horseback Riding
Birds
Turtle Rehabilitation
Sea Life
Al Marmoom
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:
Dubai Shopping Festival
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
Dubai World Cup
Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC)
New Year in Dubai
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship
Dubai International Boat Show
Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Dubai Food Festival
Art Dubai
Sikka Art Fair
World Art Dubai
Middle East Film and Comic Con
Al Gaffal Long Distance Race
Ramadan
Eid al Fitr
Dubai Summer Surprises
Dubai Sports World
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.
Layover in Dubai
Dubai in 24 Hours
Dubai in 48 Hours
Dubai in 72-Hours
Five Days in Dubai
Dubai for Business
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
Interactive Dining
Where Dining Meets Fun
Live Music Venues
Cinema
Dynamic Nightspots
Armani/Prive
Library Bar
Rock Bottom Cafe
Cin Cin
Blue Bar
Skyview Bar & Restaurant
Atmosphere Grill & Lounge
Biggles Pub
Bar 44
Chillout Ice Lounge
White Club Dubai
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Dubai International (DXB) is located four kilometres (2.5 miles) southeast of Dubai. Transportation from the airport is possible by taxi, bus or metro. The airport consists of three passenger terminals.
Taxis are provided by the government-run Dubai Transport airport taxi, where each cab is meter-run.
Buses arrive and leave from stands opposite Terminal 1, 2 and 3. For up-to-date routes and times, and to plan your journey, please visit the Roads and Transport Authority(RTA). You will need to buy a Nol transit card in advance, since you can’t pay cash to the driver.
You can also take the metro to and from the airport. The metro runs at ten-minute intervals and stops at various stations located across the city.
Address: The Dubai International Airport, Dubai
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Website: www.dubaiairports.ae
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Dress code and customs
Dressing in public
Dubai is a cosmopolitan city that is a melting pot of diverse cultures and religious faiths. All attires and cultural preferences are generally acceptable. Swimwear is permissible on beaches, pool and spa areas and for water-based entertainment, but is not considered appropriate in areas such as business districts and shopping malls. It is pertinent to note that in the more historical quarters of the city and places of religious worship, dressing conservatively is appreciated. In mosques, clothing that covers shoulders, arms and legs and head scarves for women, are required.
Displays of affection
Local tradition provides that handshakes should be initiated by women as a sign of respect, and that public displays of affection are kept to a minimum. Holding hands is acceptable; but kissing and hugging in public areas is not permitted.
Drinking alcohol
Alcohol is served in licensed establishments such as hotels, bars and specialised shops to those over 21 years of age. However, drunk and disorderly conduct, as well as drunk driving are not acceptable. Use or possession of illegal drugs is also strictly prohibited.
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Currency
1 Dirham (AED) = 100 fils
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 at an average rate of AED3.67.
1 U.S. dollar = 3.6725 dirhams and
1 dirham = 0.272294 dollar.
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Buses
The bus service in Dubai is an easy, quick and inexpensive way to get around in the city, operated by the Dubai Municipality Transport Section. Fares are low, and a pre-purchased Nol Card is the most convenient payment option. There are special 24-hour passes available for visitors; these work on all forms of transport and allow visitors to easily reach most tourist sites.
You can purchase a Nol Card from ticket offices located in all Dubai Metro stations and some Dubai Bus stations. Dubai's Nol Silver Cards and Nol Red Tickets can be purchased from some Ticket Vending Machines.
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Metro
There are two metro lines in Dubai, red line and green line. The Red Line runs every 3-4 minutes during peak time and 7 minutes during off-peak hours. Every metro station will have bus connections and taxis ready to be hailed.
To travel on the Dubai Metro you need to buy a Nol Card or Nol Ticket. You can buy these at ticket vending machines or at the ticket office inside the station, or through RTA authorised sales agents across the city. Each time you travel, tap your Nol Card / Ticket at the card reader on the fare gates.
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Taxi
Taxis are the most convenient way of getting around in Dubai. Beware of uninsured illegal taxis. The four government franchised official operators have strictly controlled fares. Cabs can be hailed at the roadside or booked via telephone by calling +971 4 208 0808.
For those with data services, Uber and Careem apps are handy and easily available. Driver knowledge is sometimes lacking, so use a major landmark to hone in on the vicinity.
Address:
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Phone: +971 4 208 0808
Website: www.nationaltaxi.ae
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