Dubai
This cosmopolitan city of diversity is at the crossroad of the globe and has transformed itself into a buzzing international metropolis. With easy accessibility, state-of-the-art infrastructure and modern venues, Dubai is the place to be when it comes to business and leisure.Dubai’s central location makes it one of the busiest travel hubs in the world. Dubai International airport is ranked as the number one hub for international passengers with annual traffic over 83.6 million passengers in 2016. The airport serves 90 airlines flying to more than 240 destinations across six continents. Meanwhile, work continues to expand Dubai’s second airport, Dubai World Central, with the aim to make it the world’s biggest airport with a capacity to handle more than 200 million passengers each year.
The city boasts a world-class infrastructure, well-maintained roads, excellent public transport and connectivity. But great infrastructure is just one reason why Dubai is a global trade centre. Sitting at the crossroads of East and West, Dubai is a switching point for trade with a region of 2.2 billion people in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the CIS, Central Asia and India.
Dubai has a diverse range of premium, standard and budget hotels offering services that cater to all needs and budgets. There are close to 700 hotels in the emirate, together offering more than 100,000 rooms. Current estimates show that a total of 134,000 rooms are expected by the end of 2018.
Adrenaline-pumping desert safaris, luxurious spa breaks, relaxing dhow cruises, Arabian culture, high-octane skydives and exhilarating water park rides — just some of the experiences Dubai offers its guests, including business travellers who manage to mix business with pleasure or incorporate team-building experiences into their schedule.
From Arabic to Asian, French to Mexican and everything in between, Dubai offers food lovers a tantalising array of mouth-watering options to treat your taste buds. And the city is known for its vibrant entertainment scene, where you can relax at blissful beach clubs or watch the world’s most exciting horse race.
Highlights in Dubai
Dubai Downtown
A centre for tourism, Downtown Dubai has several world-class hotels including the world’s first Armani Hotel and Emaar’s flagship Address, Vida and Manzil hotels. Described as ’The Centre of Now,’ Downtown Dubai is the flagship mega-development by Emaar Properties. At its heart is Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, and The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain, add to development’s list of must-see attractions while Souk Al Bahar, an Arabian luxury shopping and dining destination, further broadens its appeal to visitors. A monument to global retail, The Dubai Mall holds the title of the world's most-visited shopping destination with over 80 million visitors in a single year in 2014. In less than five years, the mall attracted a record-setting number of over 265 million visitors.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, the vibrant thoroughfare dotted with cafes and retail outlets, also hosts colourful events that bring together the broader community. Burj Park boasts an 11,300 square metre lawn specially designed for a wide array of family-focused activities, while Burj Plaza is another multi-purpose outdoor space with exquisite views of The Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa.
Dubai Opera
Dubai Mall
Burj Khalifa
Jumeirah
A centre for tourism, Downtown Dubai has several world-class hotels including the world’s first Armani Hotel and Emaar’s flagship Address, Vida and Manzil hotels. Described as ’The Centre of Now,’ Downtown Dubai is the flagship mega-development by Emaar Properties. At its heart is Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, and The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain, add to development’s list of must-see attractions while Souk Al Bahar, an Arabian luxury shopping and dining destination, further broadens its appeal to visitors. A monument to global retail, The Dubai Mall holds the title of the world's most-visited shopping destination with over 80 million visitors in a single year in 2014. In less than five years, the mall attracted a record-setting number of over 265 million visitors.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, the vibrant thoroughfare dotted with cafes and retail outlets, also hosts colourful events that bring together the broader community. Burj Park boasts an 11,300 square metre lawn specially designed for a wide array of family-focused activities, while Burj Plaza is another multi-purpose outdoor space with exquisite views of The Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa.
Madinat Jumeirah
Burj Al Arab
Palm Jumeirah
Viewed from above, the manmade island resembles a stylised palm tree, which was built from reclaimed land mass and a series of artificial archipelagos. Palm Jumeirah is home to some of Dubai's most luxurious resorts, including Atlantis The Palm, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, the One&Only The Palm and many more. It is also packed with fantastic dining options worth visiting, such as Nobu and 101 Dining Lounge even if you’re not staying at one of the many resorts. The Palm is well developed – with roads, tunnels and public transport. So you can easily access the various hotels, restaurants and attractions on the island. You can also hop aboard the Palm Monorail that runs to Atlantis that sits at the helm. Sailing around Palm Jumeirah in a yacht or speedboat is also a popular option, with many private touring companies to choose from. Thrill-seekers can even skydive above the island for a truly unique experience.
Atlantis the Palm
Palm Monorail
Deira & Bur Dubai
One of Dubai’s oldest neighbourhoods, a commercial district flanked by Dubai’s busy saline creek and an area where traditions remain unchanged from the significant changes that took place in the city from the ‘oil boom.’ What was once a sleepy fishing village, formed when members of the Bani Yas tribe (led by the Maktoum family) settled at the mouth of the creek in 1883, at that time the main industries were fishing and pearling. Over time the fishing village expanded and by the early twentieth century, the creek was home to a busy port, where ships would come from as far as Africa and India to trade. It is this melting pot of cultures, traditions and global influences that show just how multifaceted a city Dubai is.
Dubai Creek
The Souks
Dubai Marina
In a city that’s full of awe-striking buildings, Dubai Marina stands out as the home to some of Dubai’s newest and most fascinating buildings and attractions where visitors can relax in comfort and luxury along the waterfront. Dubai Marina is a relatively new attraction in Dubai. It’s characterised by a dramatic skyline of skyscrapers and residential apartment blocks, and looks particularly impressive when illuminated at night. With many constructions still in development, Dubai Marina is changing all the time but there’s always something for visitors to explore and enjoy. One of the best ways to see Dubai Marina is simply to walk around it. The marina area has been built with several kilometres of walkways, ideal for an afternoon stroll or a moonlight walk after a romantic meal. Throughout the day and night, visitors flock to Dubai Marina for its world-beating selection of restaurants, cafes and shops. There are occasional markets in Dubai Marina as well and it is also popular to hire a yacht to enjoy a cruise around the area.
The Beach & The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residences
Cayan Tower
Bluewaters Dubai
Pier 7
