By air
Dubai International (DXB), ~5 km; Al Maktoum (DWC) ~45 km
Middle East · UAE
Dubai, UAE
Skyscrapers, souks and desert dunes
Getting there
Best time to visit
November to March — warm, not scorching
Don't miss
The Burj Khalifa
The Dubai Fountain
The Museum of the Future
The Al Fahidi district
Things to do
The Burj Khalifa's observation deck
A desert safari
The Dubai Fountain
The gold and spice souks
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Tim.Reckmann · CC BY-SA 3.0
What to pack
Light clothes, a cover-up for malls and mosques, sunscreen
A quieter corner
The abra ride across Dubai Creek
Questions travellers ask
When should I go to Dubai, and what should I pack?
November to March, when it's warm but not scorching. Pack light clothes, sunscreen and a cover-up for malls and mosques.
What are the top things to do in Dubai?
Ride up to the Burj Khalifa's observation deck, watch the Dubai Fountain, explore the Museum of the Future and the Al Fahidi district, wander the gold and spice souks, and head out on a desert safari.
Where should I eat in Dubai?
Shawarma, Emirati machboos and snacks in the Deira souks. Fit in the abra ride across Dubai Creek too — it's the city's hidden gem.
Which airport is closest to Dubai's centre?
Dubai International (DXB) is about 5 km away; Al Maktoum (DWC) is about 45 km out.
About Dubai
- Coastal
- Desert
Where it is
Dubai is the most populous city of the United Arab Emirates and the capital of the emirate of Dubai, on the southern shore of the Gulf, with the dunes of the Arabian Desert stretching inland behind it.
History
Dubai grew as a fishing and pearling village on Dubai Creek and came under the Al Maktoum family in 1833. It was one of the Trucial States under British protection, and its free port drew merchants from across the Gulf and the Indian Ocean. Oil was found in 1966, and in 1971 Dubai became a founding member of the United Arab Emirates, later turning itself into a hub of trade, aviation and tourism.
People
Most of Dubai's residents come from abroad, above all from South Asia, alongside Emiratis and communities from the Arab world, the Philippines and Europe. Arabic is the official language and English the everyday language of business, while Emirati traditions live on in falconry, dhow building and dishes such as machboos and luqaimat.
Known for
- The Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain
- The gold and spice souks of Deira
- Dubai Creek and its wooden abras
- Desert safaris in the dunes
- Palm Jumeirah and the beach resorts
Did you know?
The wind towers, or barjeel, of the old Al Fahidi district were an early form of air conditioning, catching the breeze and funnelling it down into the houses below.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.