Dubai is the largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf, it is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, one of the UAE's seven emirates. Along with Abu Dhabi, Dubai has veto power over critical national matters.
Dubai is a major global city and business hub in the Middle East, as well as a key transport hub for passengers and cargo. In the 1960s, its economy relied on trade and oil exploration concessions, though significant oil revenue began only in 1969. Today, less than 5% of Dubai's revenue comes from oil, with the economy driven by tourism, aviation, real estate, and financial services.
Dubai has gained international attention for its innovative construction projects and sports events, becoming iconic for its skyscrapers, including the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. In 2020, Dubai hosted the World Expo and was named the best destination for Muslim travellers by Salam Standard.
Less than 20 minutes from the modernist streets of Downtown Dubai, you can experience the wonders of the Arabian Desert, Dubai's original tourist attraction. Enjoy a desert safari Dubai-style with off-roading, quad biking, and sandboarding, followed by traditional barbecues, henna, and camel rides.
Standing 828 metres high, the Burj Khalifa is hard to miss. The world's tallest tower naturally dominates the Dubai skyline, but the true majesty of the building is best appreciated up close or, even better, from inside. On a clear day, the view from the observation deck on level 124 is absolutely stunning.
Right next to the Burj Khalifa is The Dubai Mall, where even an entire day isn't enough to see it all. This majestic mall features over 1,200 shops and 150 restaurants. It also houses an indoor theme park, an ice rink, a massive indoor waterfall, a choreographed outdoor fountain, and the giant Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.
The Dubai Fountain, located at the base of the iconic Burj Khalifa and just outside the famous Dubai Mall, features the world's largest choreographed fountain system. It showcases a popular dancing water show, with jets of water reaching as high as 150 meters in the air.
Palm Jumeirah is one of the largest artificial islands in the world and a triumph of human ingenuity. Locals and tourists alike enjoy the Palm's vast array of high-end hotels, including the Waldorf Astoria, Fairmont, One&Only, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and, perhaps most notably, the iconic Atlantis, The Palm.Dubai
Desert Safari
See the city from above
The Dubai Mall
The Dubai Fountain
Palm Jumeirah
Useful information
In the United Arab Emirates the power sockets are of type C, D and G. The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
GCC nationals are granted entry upon arrival to the UAE with passports or national IDs. Non-GCC passport holders travelling with GCC nationals should check visa requirements for their respective countries.
Dubai is a buzzing metropolis which offers many transportation options. Safe and efficient choices include taxis, metro trains, and buses. Dubai is also home to an international airport that serves as a major hub.
Arabic is the national and official language of the United Arab Emirates. English is widely used as a second language. Other major languages spoken in Dubai due to immigration include Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Tamil, and Persian.
