Very much a city of the future, Dubai is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Middle East. With first-class hotels, spectacular resorts, artificial palm-shaped islands, a variety of different attractions, beautiful mosques to explore and a sunny climate, Dubai makes a great holiday destination.
This "shopping capital of the Middle East" is home to retailers with a variety of merchandise, from high-fashion and gold and jewellery to carpets, handicrafts, electronics and more. Visitors can shop at any number of places throughout the city, such as shopping malls, huge outdoor markets or at duty-free outlets.
Getting in and around Dubai
Dubai Airport
Dubai Airport (DXB) is situated off Airport Road, around five kilometres south-east of Dubai city. The airport has plenty to do including world-class shopping, dining and lounges to relax in. Shuttles connect the terminals and there are various ground transportation options linking to the city centre, Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach.
Dubai Transport
While many accommodation providers can arrange complimentary hotel shuttle airport pick-up and drop-off services, bus stations are located opposite airport terminals for public buses, and Dubai International Airport also has its own special buses that provide services to the most popular corridors in the city centre. Alternatively, limousines can be booked if you want to travel in style, and pre-paid taxis run to the city centre 24 hours a day.
The main way for tourists to get around relatively cheaply is by taxi. Although Dubai has a large bus system, it is not large enough to accommodate the volume of people who use it. Try to avoid busy areas at the end of the day as you may be faced with wait times of more than an hour to board a bus. There is a Water Bus service on Dubai Creek, or for a more traditional method of getting across from Bur Dubai to Deira, an Abra can be rented along with the operator for a nominal charge.
Dubai Car Hire
There are many places to hire a car in Dubai, including Avis, Hertz and Europcar as well as other local companies.
^ Back to top
Dubai accommodation
A wide variety of accommodation types to suit all budgets and preferences are on offer in Dubai, ranging from backpacker to boutique and luxury hotels.
Luxury
The Burj Al Arab Hotel is the world's only seven-star hotel and was designed to resemble a billowing sail. You can't find a more luxurious hotel in the world.
Al Maha Desert Resort. Experience the true beauty of the desert and observe indigenous wildlife while staying just 45 minutes from Dubai City. Burj Al Arab Hotel Designed to resemble a billowing sail, this 7 star hotel is located in the Jumeirah Beach area of Dubai, 15 kilometres from Dubai International Airport.
Al Maha Desert Resort Experience the true beauty of the desert and observe indigenous wildlife while staying just 45 minutes from Dubai City and five kilometres from the airport.
Mid-range
The Marco Polo Hotel is centrally located in the Deira District of Dubai, close to shopping malls and main cultural attractions.
Arabian Park Hotel. A mid-market business and leisure hotel, meeting high demand for short-stay and leisure accommodation. This property is set in a quiet city neighbourhood. Marco Polo Centrally located in the Deira District of Dubai, close to Dubai shopping malls and main cultural attractions, this hotel also offers excellent conference room facilities for business travellers.
Arabian Park Hotel A mid-market business and leisure hotel, meeting high demand for short-stay and leisure accommodation, this property is set in a quiet city neighbourhood, just 10 minutes away from the Dubai World Trade Centre and is also five minutes from the central business district as well as leading shopping and entertainment complexes.
Budget
Queens Hotel Dubai offers pleasant accommodation, located in the centre of Dubai in the Deira district close to numerous attractions.Queens Hotel Dubai Offering pleasant accommodation, located in the centre of Dubai in the Deira district close to the Gold Souk, Spice market and other attractions.
Backpackers
Dubai Backpackers Hostel. Centrally located, this hostel offers comfortable, budget-friendly accommodation where you'll feel at home. Youth Hostel Located approximately fifteen minutes drive from the airport this Hostel offers internet access for a small fee in addition to a tennis court and swimming pool and is only five minutes walk from a supermarket mall.
^ Back to top
Things to do in Dubai
The old Bastakiya district with its narrow lanes and tall wind towers gives a tantalizing glimpse of old Dubai. Immediately to the east of Al Fahidi Fort is the largest concentration of traditional courtyard houses with wind towers. In the past, the city was famous for a mass of wind towers that were not merely decorative - they were the only means of cooling houses in the days before electricity.
Burj Khalifa is a super-tall skyscraper and the tallest building in the world. With a breathtaking design which encompasses the makings of a small city in its interior, the Burj Khalifa is the centre piece of downtown Dubai.
Al Fahidi Fort. Once a fortified residence, this splendid fort is now Dubai Museum, allowing visitors insight into the rich culture and heritage of Dubai.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has 82 domes boasting stained glass panels, making it a distinguished landmark and important place of worship.
^ Back to top
Day trips in and around Dubai
Al Marmoom Bedouin Experience. For those who are adventurous by nature, a trip to Bedouin Village is quite exciting. Experience the traditional way of living in a desert and enjoy the camel riding lessons from the inhabitants of Bedouin Village. Looking for more excitement? Then plan for accommodation at Al Maha. It's one of the most popular and unique luxury resorts set amongst sun kissed dunes. Staying here would enable you to experience the thrill of desert safari.
Heritage and Diving Village. A traditional heritage village located in the Shindagha area has been created where potters and weavers display their crafts. Located near the mouth of the creek, this area is also popular in the evenings as a venue for its open-air cafeterias and live entertainment. Several shops also sell handicrafts.
Spice Souk. The narrow lanes of the spice souk are redolent with cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, incense, dried fruit and nuts. Imported from all over the Middle East, they are sold straight out of open sacks that surround the shop keepers.
li>
Archaeological Sites. There are three main archaeological sites in Dubai. They are located in
Al Qusais, Al Sufouh and
Jumeirah. You can visit the excavation sites at Al Qusais, Al Sufouh and Jumeirah where you will find artefacts from the 9th to the 11th century.
Al Boom Tourist Village. Adjacent to Creek Park, the village consists of several banquet halls, a coffee shop, restaurants, amusement park, ornamental lake and a marina with cruise boats.
^ Back to top