Emirate of Dubai
Dubai
State
Country
United Arab Emirates
Continent
Asia
Size
4,114 KM2
Population
3,330,000
Spending Budget
$198 - $27,798
Famous For
- Dubai is famous for sightseeing attractions such as the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building) and shopping malls that come complete with mammoth aquariums and indoor ski slopes. But this city has many cultural highlights and things to do, as well as all the glamorous modern add-ons.
Best Time to Visit
- January
- February
- March
- April
- November
- December
History
Dubai’s roots reach all the way back to the early Minoan period. The site where Dubai now lies used to be a vast mangrove swamp. By 3000BCE that swamp had dried up and become inhabitable. It is believed that Bronze Age nomadic cattle herders were the first to settle in the area. Come 2500BCE, they had established a thriving date palm plantation and it was the first time that the site was successfully used for agriculture. Skip a couple of millennia ahead of quiet farming. During the fifth century CE, the area we now know as Jumeirah, home to beautiful beachside restaurants, was a caravan station along the trade route linking Oman to what is now Iraq. Records show that Dubai was a walled city in the early 1800s. The Al Fahidi Fort was built around the same time Dubai became a dependency. The wall on the Bur Dubai side extended from Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood through Al Fahidi Fort, ending at the Old Souk. On the Deira side, Al Ras area was walled as well. However, in 1820, Britain negotiated a maritime truce with local rulers, meaning that the trade routes would be open and business could thrive. With this began a consistent interaction with countries from around the world, making Dubai a center for crucial activity. With the discovery of oil, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum began the development of Dubai. Leadership and vision allowed the UAE to push ahead with ambitious building and social projects. In the space of just half a century, Dubai exploded in growth, building modern wonders such as the Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa, which are now very closely associated with the metropolis.
Present Day
Dubai, also spelled Dubayy, city and capital of the emirate of Dubai, one of the wealthiest of the seven emirates that constitute the federation of the United Arab Emirates, which was created in 1971 following independence from Great Britain. Dubai is a city of skyscrapers, ports, and beaches, where big business takes place alongside sun-seeking tourism. Because of its large expatriate population, it feels like a Middle Eastern melting pot, and the atmosphere is generally tolerant. Religious affiliations are not a prominent aspect of city life. Islam is the majority religion, but churches and Hindu temples coexist with Dubai’s mosques. Dubai is a relatively crime-free place where administrative efficiency and openness to business have encouraged astounding growth. However, criticism of Dubai’s authoritarian government and ruling elite is not tolerated, and there persists an atmosphere of discreet corruption. Dubai is the fourth most visited places in the world that is famous for the high-rising architectural wonders and excellent collection of resorts and spas. Certainly, it is a holiday experience taken to another level, where there exist world’s largest gardens and markets; an entertaining venue filled with cultural shows; indoor aquatic world and lots more. The western area of Dubai benefits from small stretches of sandy beaches, which have helped to catalyze the city’s tourism industry. Dubai’s rulers have sought to increase the city’s limited seafronts, and, in the absence of natural offshore islands, developers were encouraged to construct giant man-made islands off the coast of the city. The most famous of these is Palm Jumeirah, which has the shape of a palm tree. Others include the “World” islands, a cluster of small islands positioned to resemble a world map when viewed from above.
Future
The Executive Council of Dubai chaired by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has given the go-ahead for developing the Dubai Strategic Plan 2030, a roadmap for Dubai’s innovation-driven growth in the current decade. Building on the successful implementation of Dubai Plan 2021, the new Strategic Plan will seek to consolidate Dubai’s stellar growth and global accomplishments over the last five decades, in addition to further improving its business environment and enhancing people’s happiness and prosperity. Goals for the Dubai Strategic Plan 2030 will be created with reference to global competitiveness indexes and benchmarks for cities. The Plan will have the flexibility to incorporate new opportunities and changes that may arise over the coming years. Strong mechanisms for efficient implementation, monitoring, evaluation and accountability will be built into the Plan. Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy aims to convert 25 per cent of the total transportation in Dubai to autonomous methods by 2030. The strategy is expected to bring AED 22 billion in economic revenue per year by reducing transportation costs, carbon emissions and accidents, and raising the productivity of individuals as well as saving hundreds of millions of hours wasted in conventional transportation. The use of driverless transportation makes up a wider mission of Dubai to be a totally smart city, not only having vehicles drive themselves, but having them communicate with one another and the infrastucture of the entire city to make Dubai as smooth a city as it can be.
Dubai Miracle Garden
After all, this is the world’s largest flower garden that offers a visual treat to your eye with around 109 million flowers to witness, where you may take the whole day to admire and perhaps sniff the bubbly scent of the garden. The Miracle Garden is without a doubt one of the most popular places to visit and is widely visited by nature lovers.
Bastakiya
Discover the other side of Dubai by visiting Bastakiya which is also known as Al Fahidi Historic District or Al Bastakia. It is located alongside Al Fahidi Fort and Dubai Creek and is an ideal spot to take a heritage walk tour sightseeing the neighborhood of Dubai. Here, the place offers an interesting insight into the Arabian culture. It is here you can explore the architectural wonder of the old houses, brown wooden doors, wind towers and white mosque making it is a worthy place to visit. This historical place, Bastakiya may even offer a tizzy feeling to the culture lovers and a soothing balm to the city’s otherwise modern silhouette. The old town of Dubai is open on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 to 12:00 and 9:00 to 10:30 on Saturdays.
Deira Souk
The city of Dubai has a lot of souks (markets) but Deira is one ideal destination that every tourist enjoy visiting. Conveniently located close to Dubai Creek, it is said to have been established during 1830s, in fact, when you come here, you can still witness the old architecture style and the wooden archways in the market. Besides the gold, the tourists and locals also come and take-home varieties of other spices like cumin, saffron, frankincense, rose water and incense from the separate market situated adjacent to the Gold Souk.
Dubai Aquarium
If you have seen enough of Dubai attractions, you can head to one of the shopping centers, Dubai Mall and awe at the different marine species in the aquarium situated inside it. This tourist attraction is featured to be the largest aquarium in the world and it has approximately 140 variety of aquatic species. You can witness a few as you toddle the 48-meter long walk-through tunnel. However, to have even better experience, why not be a little adventurous and opt for a cage snorkeling and shark diving activities, it would create a life-long memorable experience. Other activities that may suit leisure travelers or elders is taking a glass bottom boat tours.
Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
A bit of a city break is much needed even if you came solely for a city tour because there are a couple of nature tourist sites you just have to go explore in Dubai. One such fabulous place, a popular wildlife destination where you can find indigenous species of animals is Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Species like sand gazelles, mountain gazelles and Arabian oryx are introduced to tourists in this reserve. Covering a land of 225-sq-km, here you can get access to one of the four zones, via travel guides or tour operators, i.e. if you plan a quick day tour. However, if you decide to stay in their luxurious wildlife resort, the remaining three are accessible to the resort guests.
Bur Dubai Grand Mosque
You may find a blend of nationalities in Dubai with a mix of pilgrimage places to visit but one most popular shrine in Dubai is none other than the Grand Mosque. This architectural marvel comes under the eight biggest mosques in the world and the biggest in UAE, it was here the first ever function of the memorial service of Sheikh Zayed, the former president of UAE was held. It is unlikely that the visitors would not adore this place, even from afar, this prestigious treasure of Dubai glows in bright royal blue light at night. And it is probably one of the most photographed tourist attractions in the world. The corridors of the mosque are surrounded by the biggest lights in the world with 24 carat gold glazed on the pillars designed like a leaf facing earthward.
Global Village
One of Dubai’s most popular tourist destinations, Global Village is the best place to be with friends and family. As the night falls, the entire village lights up in colourful and decorative bulbs offering an exciting ambience. With a variety of different pavilions each offering a cultural attraction of varied countries, this place is certainly a must visit. Visit the Egypt pavilion to buy some antiquities and (Jalabiyia) their traditional dresses; Oman to buy Omani fashion accessories, China for their colourful floral clothes and Africa pavilion for hand-carved artifacts. You can also get exquisite carpets from Iran and ethnic clothing from India and Pakistan’s pavilions.
Alserkal Art District
One of the best places to visit in Dubai for art connoisseurs and lovers, Alserkal Art District is becoming a popular hub. Plan a visit here and visit a number of contemporary art galleries, while some are smaller start-ups, there are a few well established galleries like the Ayyam Gallery, Green Art Gallery and The Third Line. This district plays like a platform for new talents and helps in highlighting beautiful art works. In fact, Alserkal Art District also has a mishmash of restaurants and fashion boutiques opened by local designers. For certain, you can feel a livelier vibe, completely different from the other tourist spots, more artsy with a feel-good ambience.
Dubai Opera
When we speak of entertainment, the city of Dubai is not short of it but one popular tourist attraction that can’t be missed is the Dubai Opera located in downtown Dubai. For a night activity in Dubai, this is one of the places worth visiting for music entertainment where you can find muse in their opera shows, ballet, comedy nights, concerts and even classical instrument plays. Dubai Opera is one of a kind, an astonishing architectural beauty that can seat up to 2000 cultural aficionados. Visit it anytime of the year, and find various plays performed in the different musical theater here. There is also a rooftop eatery serving lip-smacking multiple cuisines.
Dubai Museum
The oldest structure in the city, Al Fahidi Fort is probably one of the go-to-destinations in Dubai and if you happen to be a history buff, Dubai Museum is conveniently located inside the premises. Here, you can learn about the evolution of Dubai right from being a tiny deserted fishing village to becoming one of the futuristic states. Inside, there are images and artifacts of the Bedouin life and the importance of sea before the discovery of oil. There are also a number of archaeological findings displayed in Dubai Museum.