Dubai
United Arab Emirates · Country profile
Dubai has grown from a quiet pearl-diving port into one of the world’s most futuristic cities, where the Burj Khalifa pierces the sky beside man-made archipelagos and glittering shopping malls. Beneath the skyscrapers you’ll find an old town built around the Dubai Creek, spice and gold souks, and neighbourhoods like Al Fahidi that cling onto the city’s heritage. Golden beaches, world-class stays, dune-bashing desert trips and a dining scene that spans every cuisine keep visitors busy year-round. With a year like no other on the calendar, Dubai rewards a mix of modern landmarks and old souk wandering.
About Dubai
Dubai is a city in United Arab Emirates. The city's documented population is around 4,580,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the UAE Dirham (AED) and Arabic is spoken; the dialling code is +971. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Dubai International Airport.
A Desert Resort Built on a Winter Calendar
Dubai runs on a winter tourism calendar. The city is essentially a desert resort complex: nearly every hotel, mall and attraction is built to be impressive, and the pace is set by big events rather than an old-town rhythm. You will fly into a single enormous hub terminal, then ride a driverless metro past endless tower blocks before the skyline even makes sense. Tourists dominate downtown and the marina, and you can pay a premium or chase value depending on where you sleep. The city answers to no single season: your plans simply shift indoors when the sun turns hostile.
Timing the Cool Season, Ramadan and High-Season Bookings
Between November and March the weather is genuinely pleasant, so outdoor plans make sense; from May the heat becomes the number one planning constraint and you will live inside malls, aquariums and indoor ski slopes. Summer hotel rates fall sharply, which is a real saving if you can handle the temperature. If Ramadan overlaps your dates, expect quieter days, shorter daytime opening hours and a different social rhythm — this affects restaurants and some attractions. Friday is the weekend anchor here, so weekday availability can differ from what you are used to. Book major sights like the Burj Khalifa and desert tours in advance in high season.
Riding the Metro and Navigating Souk Versus Skyline
The metro is efficient, cheap and air-conditioned, and it reaches the airport, downtown, the marina and the main malls — a taxi is not essential. Nol cards work across the network. Uber and Careem are common, but surge pricing appears around events and after evening prayers. The souks and old district are on the Deira side, a deliberate contrast to the new city, and worth the crossing. Dress is lenient on beaches and in resorts but more modest in old quarters and the mosque areas, and public behaviour is expected to stay discreet. Tipping is common in restaurants. Rain is rare, but when it comes traffic struggles.
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- Country
- United Arab Emirates
- Population
- 4,580,000
- Coordinates
- 25.2532, 55.3657
- Capital
- Abu Dhabi
- Region
- Asia
- Currency
- UAE Dirham (AED)
- Languages
- Arabic
- Calling code
- +971
- Country code
- AE
Entry requirements for United Arab Emirates
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting United Arab Emirates for tourism.
Getting to Dubai
Airports we list for Dubai:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in United Arab Emirates
Other cities we cover in United Arab Emirates:
Frequently asked questions
Is Dubai the capital of United Arab Emirates?
No — the capital of United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi.
What currency do I need in Dubai?
The local currency is the UAE Dirham (AED). Languages spoken in United Arab Emirates include Arabic.
What is the dialling code for United Arab Emirates?
The international dialling code for United Arab Emirates is +971.
Which airport should I fly into for Dubai?
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the airport we list for Dubai.
How far is Dubai from the nearest airport?
Dubai is about 116 km from Zayed International Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit United Arab Emirates?
It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Australia (visa on arrival), Canada (visa on arrival), France (visa on arrival), Germany (visa on arrival) and India (visa required). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.
Flying out of Dubai? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.