About Dubai

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Dubai: Dubai

Best Time to Visit Dubai: November to March

Peak Season: December to January

At a distance of 24 km from Sharjah, 127 km from Abu Dhabi, and 664 km from Qatar, Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai. Dubai is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and also a major global transport hub for passengers and cargo.

One of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, the luxurious city of Dubai sits in the middle of the Arabian Desert, surrounded on one side by dry sand and the beautiful Persian Gulf on another side. Dubai is the business hub of the Middle East and also the fourth most visited tourist destination in the world. Flaunting its glittering infrastructure amid the extensive sand dunes, the city of Dubai was once known to be barren land, today, this man-made miracle is filled with shimmering skyscrapers, fancy hotels, shopping malls, and restaurants.

Dubai has a long past of being one of the most significant trading centers as well as a business and economic hub in the Middle East. Dubai was only a sleepy fishing village and became a separate Sheikhdom in 1833. It was later established as an important trade location with its geographical proximity to Iran. However, the significant growth in the economy of the emirate was observed in the 1960s with the discovery of oil. The then ruler of Dubai Emirates, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, transformed the city into a bustling and ever-growing megapolis and one of the best cities in the world. Today, the city is considered a great center of free trade, entertainment, and tourism.

A city of many faces, Dubai attracts tourists from around the world as this global city is mainly known for its lavish architecture, incredible skylines and a plethora of tourist attractions that break records to be the tallest, longest and biggest. Burj Khalifa- the tallest manmade building, Dubai Fountain, Burj Al Arab Hotel, Al Bastakia, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai Frame, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai Museum, Palm Jumeirah Atlantis and Palm Islands are the popular places to visit as part of Dubai Tour Packages. Dubai is also known for its adventure opportunities when it comes to Desert Safari, Sky-diving, Reef and wreck diving, kite surfing, wakeboarding, etc. The nightlife of Dubai is equally vibrant with various options for travelers to choose right from popular clubs to bars.

The place is a paradise for shopping lovers, especially with the established trading culture and tax-free open market policy. From air-conditioned malls selling top-notch designer labels to vibrant local souks featuring handicrafts by local artisans, Dubai has it all. Today, the emirate is also a world-renowned hub of gold and thus, is often tagged as the City of Gold. The Mall of Emirates, Dubai Mall and Dubai Gold Souk and Spice Souks are the places to go for shopping in Dubai. Though sales happen in Dubai every month, the one-month-long Dubai Shopping Festival held in the first quarter of the year annually gives you the best offers where much-loved fashion brands, electronics, jewellery, and perfumes are available at exceptional discounts. The festival is a paradise for shoppers, food fiesta for foodies and a horizon for art lovers.

Dubai celebrates various festivals and events throughout the year in order to attract tourists. Eid Al Fitr also called Ramadan and Eid Al Adha are the two major religious festivals celebrated in Dubai. Besides, the city hosts many sports, music & shopping events like Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Marathon, National Day Festival, Dubai International Jazz Festival, Art Dubai, Dubai International Film Festival, Dubai World Cup, etc.

Dubai has 2 major international airports, Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the primary international airport serving Dubai and receives flights from all over the world. It is the world's busiest airport by international passenger traffic, the fifth-busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic, and the sixth-busiest cargo airport in the world. It connects Dubai and UAE with many cities located in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and other parts of the world. Local transport in Dubai is well-planned and offers a number of options to move around locally in the city such as buses, metros, taxis, trams and water buses.

Dubai experiences a desert climate with largely year-round sunshine and hot temperatures, and very little rain. However, the best time to visit Dubai is from November to March when the weather is quite pleasant suitable for sightseeing, swimming, sunbathing, and shopping. The summer season lasts in Dubai from April- September while June, July, and August are the hottest months with high temperatures combined with unpleasant humidity. But, one can find great deals on accommodation and flights except for Ramadan month (which depends on the lunar calendar).

...read more

Other Info
Internet Availability: Good
STD Code: 00-971-4
Languages Spoken: Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, & Chinese
Major Festivals: Eid Al Fitr & Eid Al Adha
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Dubai

By Air

Nearest Airport: Dubai - Dubai International Airport (1 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Dubai (10 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Al Ghubaiba Bus Station (13 Kms)

Top 13 Places to Visit in Dubai

Miscellaneous

#1 of 26 Places to Visit in Dubai

At a distance of 13 km from Dubai International Airport, Burj Khalifa, also known as the Burj Dubai, is a skyscraper located in the heart of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the tallest building in the world and among the prime places to visit as part of the Dubai Tour Packages.

Standing 828 m high, the sky-piercing Burj Khalifa is the tallest man-made structure in the world and one of the most prominent attractions in all of the Middle-East. A headlining accomplishment by Emaar, the construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004 and was opened in 2010 as part of a new development called Downtown Dubai. The building is constructed on the government's decision to diversify money from an oil-based economy, and for Dubai to gain international recognition. The building was originally named Burj Dubai but was renamed in honor of the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who provide .....

...read more

Adventure

#2 of 26 Places to Visit in Dubai

At a distance of 61 km from Dubai International Airport, Desert Safari is the most popular and must experience things to do in Dubai.

Renowned for its great infrastructure, Dubai is also known for its adventurous streak, especially Desert Safari held in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. The Desert Safari in Dubai is a mix of adventure, cultural entertainment, and sumptuous dinner under the stars. The city presents various Desert Safari options like Day Safari and Evening Safari. Visitors can experience desert camping with a delicious Arabian dinner, belly dancers and other traditional performers. Day safaris hold you in for an adventure as you get to try out Dune Bashing, sandboarding, quad biking, camel rides and more.

The real highlight of the tour is Dune bashing, an exciting, adrenaline-pumping 4x4 drive deep into the desert to explore the vast stretch of the golden dunes by plummeting low in the deep ditches and escalating high on the summit of the dunes. The experience .....

...read more

Backwaters

#3 of 26 Places to Visit in Dubai

At a distance of 2 km from Al Bastakia and 7 km from Dubai International Airport, Dubai Creek is a saltwater creek that separates Bur Dhabi and Deira. Located in the heart of Dubai, it is one of the popular places to experience Dubai Tourism.

Also known as Khor Dubai, Dubai Creek was historically known for being between Deira and Bur Dubai and ending at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. After the creek was extended into the Dubai Water Canal, its waters now also flow through the Business Bay and Jumeirah areas. The creek was considered a free trade zone in 1902 under Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher. During the same period, the creek became a major trading hub. Due to its limited depth, large vessels were not able to enter the creek. However, in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the creek was dredged to make it wider and deeper in order to anchor the ships of up to 500 tons.

This mighty creek divides the iconic city of Dubai into two halves - Bur Dubai which lies to the southwest .....

...read more

Shopping

#4 of 26 Places to Visit in Dubai

At a distance of 13 km from Dubai International Airport, the Dubai Mall is a shopping mall located in the heart of the prestigious Downtown Dubai. Situated next to the iconic Burj Khalifa, it is the biggest shopping mall in Dubai and among the must-visit places for shopaholics while holidaying in Dubai.

Situated next to Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall is the most-visited retail and entertainment destination, which welcomes more than 80 million visitors annually. It is the 2nd largest shopping mall in the world which covers more than 1 million square meters. The mall features around 1200 stores, two anchor department stores and hundreds of food and beverage outlets. It also has a 250-room luxury hotel, 22 cinema screens plus 120 restaurants and cafes. The Mall has over 14,000 parking spaces across 3 car parks, with valet services and a car locator ticketing system. The mall was voted the best shopping experience in the world by Grazia Magazine in 2010.

Serving as the entryway to Burj .....

...read more

Wildlife

#5 of 26 Places to Visit in Dubai

At a distance of 13 km from Dubai International Airport, the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is located inside Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai. It is one of the largest and most stunning aquariums in the world and among the top tourist attractions in Dubai.

The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is a walk-through aquarium that houses more than 33,000 aquatic animals. Located on the ground level of the Dubai Mall, the 10-million liters Dubai Aquarium tank measures 51 m in length, 20 m in width and 11 m in height and is one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world. It houses 140 species of aquatic animals including over 300 Sharks and Rays along with the largest collection of Sand Tiger Sharks in the world.

Located on Level Two above the Aquarium tank, Underwater Zoo leads you through three ecological zones namely Rainforest, Rocky Shore and Living Ocean. Visitors can mesmerized by the spectacular displays of animals with 40 different shelters holding a wide variety of animal .....

...read more

Miscellaneous

#6 of 26 Places to Visit in Dubai

At a distance of 13 km from Dubai International Airport, the Dubai Fountain is a dancing fountain situated at the base of the iconic Burj Khalifa, Dubai. It is the largest dancing fountain in the world and among the must-see things in Dubai.

Submerged within the 30-acre Burj Lake in front of Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain features the tallest and the most well-choreographed fountain system in the world. Built at a cost of AED. 800 million, this fountain was designed by California-based WET, the creators of the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas. Testing of the fountain began in February 2009, and the fountain was officially inaugurated in May 2009 along with the official opening ceremony of The Dubai Mall.

The Dubai Fountain can spray 22,000 gallons (83,000 liters) of water in the air at any moment. More than 6,600 lights and 25 color projectors have been installed. It consists of five circles of different sizes and two arcs of jets. The Dubai Fountains project water in the .....

...read more

Museum

#7 of 26 Places to Visit in Dubai

At a distance of 8 km from Dubai International Airport, Dubai Museum is a museum situated in the historic Al Fahidi Neighborhood in Bur Dubai. It is the main museum in Dubai and among the prime places to visit as part of Dubai Packages.

The Dubai Museum is housed in the Al Fahidi Fort, a stunning desert fort and architectural marvel built-in 1787 to defend Dubai Creek. It is the oldest building in the Emirate. As per the history, the fort has served as a residence for the ruling family, a seat of government, garrison, and prison. This fort was renovated during the reign of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The museum was opened by the Ruler of Dubai in 1971, with the aim of presenting the traditional way of life in the Emirate of Dubai. In 1995, another underground museum was established and added to the old fort.

Al Fahidi Fort is square-shaped with towers occupying three of its corners. It was built of coral rock and mortar in several phases. Just off the southern .....

...read more

Pilgrimage

#8 of 26 Places to Visit in Dubai

At a distance of 6 km from Dubai Museum and 12 km from Dubai International Airport, Jumeirah Mosque is a stunning mosque situated at the Jumeirah 1 area of Dubai. It is one of the beautiful mosques in UAE and among the must-visit places during your Dubai Tour.

Built exactly on lines of Cairo's Al Azhar Mosque, the Jumeirah Mosque is one of the most attractive and biggest mosques in Dubai. The construction of the mosque began in 1976 and was completed in 1979. The Jumeirah Grand Mosque was a gift from the Late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the former Ruler of Dubai and father of the current Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It is said that the Jumeirah Mosque is the most photographed mosque in all of Dubai.

Jumeirah Mosque is an excellent example of the medieval Fatimid style of architecture. Made of carved white stone, the mosque is adorned with two minarets displaying intricate stonework. The .....

...read more

Miscellaneous

#9 of 26 Places to Visit in Dubai

At a distance of 16 km from Burj Khalifa and 27 km from Dubai International Airport, the Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is one of the tallest hotels in the world and among the prime places to visit in Dubai.

Established in the year 1999, Burj Al Arab is one of the premium hotels in Dubai. Burj Al Arab stands 280 m on an artificial island off Jumeirah Road and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It is the 7th tallest hotels in the world, although 39% of its total height is made up of non-occupiable space. The shape of the structure is designed to resemble the sail of a ship. It has a helipad near the roof at a height of 210 m (689 feet) above ground.

Offering the ultimate in luxury, this 7-star hotel is an architectural and engineering marvel and is unmatched by any other building in the world as it's founded on sand, not on rock. It's standing tall on 250 concrete columns of 1.5 m in diameter each that goes 45 .....

...read more

Beach

#10 of 26 Places to Visit in Dubai

At a distance of 2 km from Burj Al Arab and 25 km from Dubai International Airport, Jumeirah Beach is a public beach in Dubai. Stretched along the coast of the Persian Gulf, this sandy white strip of sand is among the top beach destinations for the visitors of Dubai.

Jumeirah Beach is a white sand beach that is located and named after the Jumeirah district of Dubai. It stretches along the coast south of the Al Fahidi historic district to the junction with The Palm Jumeirah and terminates between the southern end of the Jumeirah Beach Residence (adjacent to the Dubai Marina district) and the port facilities at Jebel Ali. Sun-seekers come to this lively shoreline to revel in Dubai's bright rays, while water sports enthusiasts take advantage of the calm, turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf.

The Jumeirah Beach is lined with exotic luxury hotels, restaurants, clubs and other recreation points. The famous Burj Al Arab (Arab Tower) hotel, Wild Wadi Water Park, Jumeirah Beach Hotel .....

...read more

Park

#11 of 26 Places to Visit in Dubai

At a distance of 14 km from Burj Al Arab and 30 km from Dubai International Airport, Miracle Garden is a flower garden located in the district of Dubailand, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the biggest natural flower garden in Dubai and among the prime places to visit during your Dubai Trip.

The Miracle Garden was launched on Valentine's Day in 2013. The garden occupies over 72,000 sq. m, making it the largest natural flower garden in the world featuring over 50 million flowers and 250 million plants. The flowers are maintained by re-use of treated wastewater through a drip irrigation method with an average amount of 757,082 liters of water per day. Seeing the garden in full bloom with its 150 million flowers arranged in colorful arches and patterns, and the myriad shapes they form, are truly magnificent.

The place includes distinctive models of some of the most popular establishments around in Dubai. The models change shape and even have suitable lighting to make them even .....

...read more

Beach

#12 of 26 Places to Visit in Dubai

At a distance of 5 km from Burj Al Arab and 21 km from Dubai International Airport, Kite Beach is a clean beach off Jumeirah Road in Dubai. It is one of the popular beaches in Dubai and among the prime places to visit as part of Dubai Packages.

Kite Beach is a long, pristine stretch of white sand situated south of Jumeirah Beach. This super clean beach is renowned as Dubai's premier destination for kite surfers and a regular spot for water sports enthusiasts. One can find all the water sports equipment on the beach. Wakeboarding, kite surfing, and paddle boarding are a few things that visitors try out when visiting Kite Beach. Visitors can try their hand at volleyball too with the net set upright on the beach.

If you are more of a sand lover than water activities, you can simply engage in beach sports such as volleyball or football else just help your child in building a small castle out of the sand. In addition, Kite Beach .....

...read more

Shopping

#13 of 26 Places to Visit in Dubai

At a distance of 5 km from Dubai Museum and 8 km from Dubai International Airport, Dubai Gold Souk or Gold Souk is a traditional market (or souk) located in Al Dhagaya locality of Deira district in Dubai. It happens to be the world's largest gold market and one of the oldest and most fascinating traditional markets in the emirate.

Situated in Deira, this golden souk is the most famous and highly visited tourist spot in Dubai because of its excellent quality and designs of gold. The souk consists of over 380 retailers, most of whom are jewelry traders. With more than 350 jewellery traders and retailers, Gold Souk is restocked with at least 10 tons of gold daily. The gold souk is famous worldwide and has a mention in the Guinness World Record Book as it was host to the world's largest and heaviest ring weighing 64 kilograms with a 5.1-kilogram stone resting on it. The piece is owned by Dubai-based Taiba.

Besides gold, the souk has a lot to offer like silver, diamond, emeralds, .....

...read more