Dubai
Temperature
33°
Time
1:37 AM
Dubai
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.Find your trip
Head off-road with top tour operators like Dune Buggy Dubai to discover the thrills of the desert. You can find activities to suit whatever level of adventure you crave. The Morning Dune Buggy Safari features an early bird hour-long ride in your own open buggy. If you're looking for more, try the Evening Desert Safari. Here, you'll go dune driving in a brand new Land Rover. After the drive, you'll sit down for live entertainment consisting of a traditional dance show. Food, beverages and henna painting enhance the experience with sand boarding and camel riding available to keep the excitement going until late at night.
The city offers plenty of alternative thrills. Freefall from 13,000 feet through the skies of Dubai and take in views of the iconic Palm Jumeirah or Arabian desert with Skydive Dubai. For more extreme fun combined with unique perspectives, book XLine – the world's longest urban zipline that's in the heart of Dubai Marina. The brave can also try the fastest human slingshot in the region at Kite Beach, where you'll be propelled at speeds of up to 100 km/hr.
Thrill-seekers can get their kicks at sea at Jumeirah Beach, where Dubai’s latest toys are getting hearts racing. Flyboarding, also known as water jet-packing, sees adventure lovers fitted into a small board and strapped to a specially-made backpack that sucks up seawater, before spitting it back out, propelling the rider into the air. If you have never tried it before, no worries. Even beginners will be able to manoeuvre themselves around the marina – just be prepared to make a splash crash-landing the first few attempts.
Have fun on the water and at the same time take in some of Dubai’s famous landmarks with a jet-ski session. With its pristine coastline and azure blue waters, it's the perfect place to master new moves. Most watersports tour operators offer a range of options, accompanied by a qualified instructor.
Direct your taxi driver to Dubai's most famous sand dune, Big Red, where you can hop on a quad bike and navigate the sandy landscape yourself. Available to hire by the half hour, the quad bikes are speedy with a helmet provided for safety. Follow the natural trail of the dunes, kicking sand in the face of your fellow riders as you hurtle and bounce over Dubai’s most iconic patch of sand. Big Red is easy to spot along the Dubai-Hatta (E44) highway. Ask your driver to wait, or hire one for the day.
This is one for true adrenaline-seekers. Strap this snowboard-like contraption to your feet and glide down the dunes, just like you would at the slopes of Ski Dubai. While it's possible to rent a sandboard at Big Red, there are a number of tour companies that offer the full experience including Dream Explorer Dubai, Desert Rangers and Lama Dubai. It may look tricky but you'll soon learn all the tips and tricks to make it down the dunes smoothly.
Take in the rugged landscape of Hatta, nestled in the rocky Hajar Mountains. Explore the centuries-old attractions or simply take in views of the striking scenes from your own camping tent. Hatta has been enjoying a renaissance of late thanks to an array of new hotspots including a dedicated adventure centre, luxe lodges and a trailer-park themed resort. For more overnight thrills, try glamping in the serene sands of the Arabian desert. Leading operators including Platinum Heritage and Arabian Adventures offer their own unique take on glamping in Dubai, complete with astronomy sessions, private majlis areas and after-dark wildlife spotting.
Featuring the largest and most diverse number of wildlife species in the UAE, Al Warqa’s Dubai Safari is home to 2,500 animals. Adventurers can encounter monkeys, lions, giraffes, crocodiles and a whole lot more as they explore the park's four themed sections: the Arabian, Asian, African and Safari Village. The eco-friendly park, which is primarily powered by solar energy, now aims to be one of the top 10 zoos in the world, thanks to its commitment to animal conservation, protection and education.
Head off-road with top tour operators like Dune Buggy Dubai to discover the thrills of the desert. You can find activities to suit whatever level of adventure you crave. The Morning Dune Buggy Safari features an early bird hour-long ride in your own open buggy. If you're looking for more, try the Evening Desert Safari. Here, you'll go dune driving in a brand new Land Rover. After the drive, you'll sit down for live entertainment consisting of a traditional dance show. Food, beverages and henna painting enhance the experience with sand boarding and camel riding available to keep the excitement going until late at night.
The city offers plenty of alternative thrills. Freefall from 13,000 feet through the skies of Dubai and take in views of the iconic Palm Jumeirah or Arabian desert with Skydive Dubai. For more extreme fun combined with unique perspectives, book XLine – the world's longest urban zipline that's in the heart of Dubai Marina. The brave can also try the fastest human slingshot in the region at Kite Beach, where you'll be propelled at speeds of up to 100 km/hr.
From chic outdoor shopping precincts to super-sized city malls, there’s no better place to indulge in retail therapy than Dubai. And it’s not just the shopping that attracts; there’s also ice rinks, ski slopes, fabulous cinemas, spas and restaurant districts to keep you entertained. Take in the attractions of The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, City Walk, Nakheel Mall and The Beach opposite JBR as a starting point.
Lavish gold jewellery, hand-woven fabrics, oud fragrances and bargain knick-knacks — you'll find it all in our bustling souks, or Arabian markets. While the emirate lives up to its reputation as a thriving modern city, the souks have been a crucial part of daily life and trade for centuries. For an immersive cultural experience, visit the gold, spice, perfume and textile souks in Dubai's historical neighbourhoods of Deira and Bur Dubai and, for a modern take, visit Souk Madinat Jumeirah or Souk Al Bahar.
If you're looking for stylish boutiques, al fresco dining or simply a leisurely promenade along the waterfront, head to The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR). Along this buzzing boulevard, there are plenty of opportunities to satisfy your retail cravings with an array of fashion, home and handicraft shops and boutiques. For more laidback fun, head to La Mer in Jumeirah 1. This vibrant precinct reflects a marine theme, with plenty of bustling beachside attractions including a free-jumping inflatable playground for little ones and fun-fuelled water sports at Sea Breeze.
There’s no place like Dubai for shopping. From The Dubai Mall's Level Shoes store to the glorious Fashion Dome at the Mall of the Emirates, Dubai offers a glamorous and indulgent retail experience. Excellent locations are matched with superb in-store service, immersive brand activations and beautiful store designs to create an unforgettable experience. For a more exclusive touch, the city's best malls also offer personal shopping and styling services, chauffeurs so you can save your energy for shopping, and even at-home delivery of all your purchases. Ready, set, shop.
Go off the beaten track to one of Dubai’s emerging boutique shopping districts such as d3 (Dubai Design District), which showcases an array of quirky and contemporary products, or Al Quoz, which features cutting-edge galleries and contemporary Arabian interiors. There’s also excellent boutique shopping at City Walk, BoxPark, JBR, La Mer and Jumeirah. Check out Urbanist, Comptoir 102, and keep an eye out for pop-up markets with local designers. There are also plenty of homegrown fashion labels including All Things Mochi, L’Afshar, Taller Marmo and Bil Arabi to choose from.
From organic produce and local design markets like Police Academy Park's Ripe Market to seasonal events like the Ramadan Night Markets, Market OTB and Beach Canteen, Dubai loves a good market. Don't miss the chance to take home treasures from Dubai's oldest markets like the gold, spice, perfume and textile souks, or a sample the best of modern Arabia at a seasonal pop-up.
Take a walk in the edgier precincts including Dubai Design District (d3) and Alserkal Avenue for a look at Dubai's homegrown favourites. The city boasts its own boutique chocolatiers, Mirzam, that crafts indulgent sweet treats from their factory in Al Quoz. Meanwhile The Lighthouse at d3 has a curated selection of travel accessories and lifestyle products. There are also plenty of homegrown fashion labels including All Things Mochi, L’Afshar, Taller Marmo and Bil Arabi to name a few.
From chic outdoor shopping precincts to super-sized city malls, there’s no better place to indulge in retail therapy than Dubai. And it’s not just the shopping that attracts; there’s also ice rinks, ski slopes, fabulous cinemas, spas and restaurant districts to keep you entertained. Take in the attractions of The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, City Walk, Nakheel Mall and The Beach opposite JBR as a starting point.
Lavish gold jewellery, hand-woven fabrics, oud fragrances and bargain knick-knacks — you'll find it all in our bustling souks, or Arabian markets. While the emirate lives up to its reputation as a thriving modern city, the souks have been a crucial part of daily life and trade for centuries. For an immersive cultural experience, visit the gold, spice, perfume and textile souks in Dubai's historical neighbourhoods of Deira and Bur Dubai and, for a modern take, visit Souk Madinat Jumeirah or Souk Al Bahar.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
