Introduction
With Dubai relatively unshaken by the Arab Spring, this liberal, tax-free transit lounge between Europe and Asia is back in business, and attracts visitors as diverse as Lebanese entrepreneurs, moneyed Saudi princes and sunburnt British tourists with a penchant for partying. The first GCC city to build an urban rail network, Dubai is home to some of the Gulf's finest hotels, including the landmark Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa. The best time to visit is between October and May, unless you enjoy 40C heat.
More from Dubai PDF VersionEssentials
- It is prohibited to chew gum or carry take-away food or drinks on the metro.
- Don’t photograph local women unless you have permission.
- Friday/Saturday is the weekend. Don’t plan on doing any business on a Friday, it’s a day for rest and prayer.
- When introduced to a Muslim woman, wait for her to offer her hand. Some prefer not to.
- Don’t reject an offer of tea or coffee and always have more than one cup.
Two-hour tour
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Bastakiya Historical District — Old Courtyard houses and windtowers.
Bur Dubai
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Gate Village
DIFC, The Gate
+ 971 4 362 2222
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Aerial city tour Seawings, Jebel Ali — The only way to get your head around Dubai is from the sky.
+ 971 4 883 2999
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Hotels
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Bonnington
Jumeirah Lakes Towers
+ 971 4 356 0000
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Shangri-La
Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 343 8888
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Desert Palm
Al Awir Road
+ 971 4 323 8888
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Dining
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More Cafe
Mall of Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 395 0967
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The Glasshouse
Hilton Dubai Creek
+ 971 4 212 7551
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Al Nafoorah
Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 3198088
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Almaz by Momo
Harvey Nichols, Mall of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 409 8877
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Sahn Eddar — (advance reservations essential)
Burj Al Arab
+ 971 4 301 7777
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Teatro
Towers Rotana Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 343 8000
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Rivington Grill
Souk Al Bahar, Old Town Downtown Burj Khalifa
+ 971 4 423 0903
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Asado
The Palace Hotel, Old Town, Downtown Burj Dubai
+ 971 4 428 7971
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360°
Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Umm Suqeim
+ 971 4 406 8769
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RED Lounge Terrace
Raffles Dubai, Sheikh Rashid Road, Wafi
+ 971 4 324 8888
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Armani Privé Club
Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall
+ 971 4 888 3308
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XVA Cafe
Bastakiya Historical District
+ 971 4 3535383
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Zuma
Building 8 DIFC, Gate Village
+ 971 4 425 5660
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RED Lounge Terrace
Raffles Dubai, Sheikh Rashid Road, Wafi
+971 4324 8888
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Shopping
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Mosque alarm clock — Mosque alarm clock
Classic City, Satwa
+ 971 4 349 1012
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Paul Smith
Burjuman, Bur Dubai
+ 971 4 359 0099
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Gourmet Lafayette — Artisan foodie supplies and fresh treats from the deli counter
The Dubai Mall
+ 971 50 339 9933
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Bespoke — Suit up with the help of Dubai’s oldest tailoring dynasty, the Parmar family
DIFC, The Gate
+ 971 4 363 7237
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Camel dolls by The Camel Company
Shop 137, Souk Madinat, Jumeirah
+ 971 4 368 6048
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Alternative diversion
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Dolphin Bay
Atlantis Hotel, The Palm
+ 971 4 426 1030
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Transport
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Taxis — Opt for taxis rather than renting a car (though Hertz has branches across the city, hertzuae.com, +971 800 43789). Some hotels provide guests with airport transfers in addition to their own services. When taking a taxi to destinations outside of mainstream malls, it makes good sense to jot down the telephone number of where you're headed to give to the driver for directions. The cheap and clean Metro now has two lines, servicing the downtown area and stretching to the major malls, Dubai Marina and Jebel Ali. Use whenever possible, as Sheikh Zayed Road is often reduced to a crawl during rush hour.
Fitness
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Quantum Health Club
The H Hotel Dubai, One Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 334 2966
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