Dubai
Welcome to the playground of the rich and famous, a mysterious city full of paradoxes. Once just a remote desert oasis, Dubai has transformed before our eyes into a glittering modern metropolis. The flowing dunes collide seamlessly with towering skyscrapers. Step back in time as you wander the ancient treasures of the Dubai Museum and ride along Dubai Creek, admiring the city's futuristic skyline. This fascinating country has rapidly become a luxurious destination for the world's wealthy, famous, and everyday contemporary travelers.
Highlights
- Burj Khalifa
Standing high above the city at over 2,700 feet, the Burj Khalifa is a 7-star hotel in Dubai that holds the world record for the tallest building! This incredible structure is three times the height of the Eiffel Tower and almost twice that of the Empire State Building. In addition to holding the record for the world's tallest building, it is the world's tallest free-standing structure and has the highest number of stories (over 160!) and occupied floors. Look out in awe from the observation deck after riding the tallest service elevator in the world. This hotel is incredibly eye-catching from the inside out. Its interior is covered in 24 gold leaf, illustrating the city and the hotel's luxury.
- Souks
From shining gold jewelry and eye-catching textiles to exotic spices and aromatic perfumes, Dubai's bustling souks have it all. Packed within the alleyways, travelers and locals come from all over to browse through the goods that fill these traditional Arabian markets. The best-known and most popular souk is the Gold Souk. Symbolizing Dubai's reputation as "the city of gold," this souk is full of luxurious gold pieces, especially breathtaking jewelry. Travel to Dubai's exotic Spice Souk, and let your scent do the shopping for you! This market is packed with flavors and a plethora of spices, herbs, and dried fruits. Let your nose lead the way up to the Perfume Souk, home to essential oils, incense sticks, and traditional perfumes. Be sure to stop at the vibrant Textile Souk. Here you will find colorful rolls of fabric, and visitors can be measured for traditional clothing right then and there! No matter what treasures you find, Dubai's souks offer travelers an incredibly authentic experience.
- Dubai Creek
Once referred to as the "River Zara" by the Ancient Greeks, Dubai Creek is a saltwater creek that serves as a busy waterway in modern-day Dubai. The Bani Yas tribe first settled along its banks, and the river later served as a port for ships that had traveled from as far as India and Africa. The creek flows through the heart of Dubai, dividing the country into two main parts: Deira on the north and Bur Dubai to the south. In the early 1900s, the ruler of Dubai created a free-trade zone, resulting in Dubai Creek becoming part of a central trading hub. Two primary industries that were based along its waterways were fishing and pearling. Before Al Maktoum Bridge was constructed, the only way to transport across the creek was by taking an abra. Today, the Abra water taxi is still one of Dubai's most reliable and inexpensive forms of transportation, allowing visitors to hop in and absorb the city's breathtaking skyline.
- Dubai Museum
Situated in the massive, restored Al Fahidi Fort, the Dubai Museum was opened in 1971 to showcase a traditional way of life in Dubai. The Al Fahidi Fort was built in 1787, the oldest building in Dubai. The museum's patrons can wander through its halls and galleries, soaking in the rich history and gaining a solid perspective of life in Dubai before the discovery of oil. The museum is separated into different wings, showcasing a unique part of Dubai's past. In the monuments wing, visitors will find and learn about a variety of antiques, from weapons and pottery to ancient tombs and communities. There's also a wing that illustrates the markets in Dubai and displays the plethora of goods popularly sold amongst the locals throughout the years. Learn about the fishing and pearl-diving process in Dubai Creek, how boats were constructed, and the diverse marine life in the Arabian Gulf in the sea wing of the museum. There is something fascinating at every corner of this massive museum, waiting to be discovered by the curious traveler.
- Ski Dubai
Snow in Dubai? That's right! Covering over 22,000 square meters, Ski Dubai is the Middle East's first indoor ski resort! Located in the Mall of the Emirates, one of the largest shopping malls in the world, Ski Dubai has a unique activity that suits everyone. This indoor ski fanatic's dream maintains a steady temperature of 30-35 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, making it the perfect winter wonderland -- even in the middle of summer! The experiences here are endless: from taking a ride on a toboggan and ascending a chairlift up the snowy incline or encountering colonies of Gentoo and King penguins and gliding along a 150-meter-long zip line. Ski Dubai also offers incredible ski lessons for those willing to learn and get on the slopes!
Standing high above the city at over 2,700 feet, the Burj Khalifa is a 7-star hotel in Dubai that holds the world record for the tallest building! This incredible structure is three times the height of the Eiffel Tower and almost twice that of the Empire State Building. In addition to holding the record for the world's tallest building, it is the world's tallest free-standing structure and has the highest number of stories (over 160!) and occupied floors. Look out in awe from the observation deck after riding the tallest service elevator in the world. This hotel is incredibly eye-catching from the inside out. Its interior is covered in 24 gold leaf, illustrating the city and the hotel's luxury.
From shining gold jewelry and eye-catching textiles to exotic spices and aromatic perfumes, Dubai's bustling souks have it all. Packed within the alleyways, travelers and locals come from all over to browse through the goods that fill these traditional Arabian markets. The best-known and most popular souk is the Gold Souk. Symbolizing Dubai's reputation as "the city of gold," this souk is full of luxurious gold pieces, especially breathtaking jewelry. Travel to Dubai's exotic Spice Souk, and let your scent do the shopping for you! This market is packed with flavors and a plethora of spices, herbs, and dried fruits. Let your nose lead the way up to the Perfume Souk, home to essential oils, incense sticks, and traditional perfumes. Be sure to stop at the vibrant Textile Souk. Here you will find colorful rolls of fabric, and visitors can be measured for traditional clothing right then and there! No matter what treasures you find, Dubai's souks offer travelers an incredibly authentic experience. 
Once referred to as the "River Zara" by the Ancient Greeks, Dubai Creek is a saltwater creek that serves as a busy waterway in modern-day Dubai. The Bani Yas tribe first settled along its banks, and the river later served as a port for ships that had traveled from as far as India and Africa. The creek flows through the heart of Dubai, dividing the country into two main parts: Deira on the north and Bur Dubai to the south. In the early 1900s, the ruler of Dubai created a free-trade zone, resulting in Dubai Creek becoming part of a central trading hub. Two primary industries that were based along its waterways were fishing and pearling. Before Al Maktoum Bridge was constructed, the only way to transport across the creek was by taking an abra. Today, the Abra water taxi is still one of Dubai's most reliable and inexpensive forms of transportation, allowing visitors to hop in and absorb the city's breathtaking skyline. 
Situated in the massive, restored Al Fahidi Fort, the Dubai Museum was opened in 1971 to showcase a traditional way of life in Dubai. The Al Fahidi Fort was built in 1787, the oldest building in Dubai. The museum's patrons can wander through its halls and galleries, soaking in the rich history and gaining a solid perspective of life in Dubai before the discovery of oil. The museum is separated into different wings, showcasing a unique part of Dubai's past. In the monuments wing, visitors will find and learn about a variety of antiques, from weapons and pottery to ancient tombs and communities. There's also a wing that illustrates the markets in Dubai and displays the plethora of goods popularly sold amongst the locals throughout the years. Learn about the fishing and pearl-diving process in Dubai Creek, how boats were constructed, and the diverse marine life in the Arabian Gulf in the sea wing of the museum. There is something fascinating at every corner of this massive museum, waiting to be discovered by the curious traveler.
Snow in Dubai? That's right! Covering over 22,000 square meters, Ski Dubai is the Middle East's first indoor ski resort! Located in the Mall of the Emirates, one of the largest shopping malls in the world, Ski Dubai has a unique activity that suits everyone. This indoor ski fanatic's dream maintains a steady temperature of 30-35 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, making it the perfect winter wonderland -- even in the middle of summer! The experiences here are endless: from taking a ride on a toboggan and ascending a chairlift up the snowy incline or encountering colonies of Gentoo and King penguins and gliding along a 150-meter-long zip line. Ski Dubai also offers incredible ski lessons for those willing to learn and get on the slopes!Fast Facts
Already booked on one of our packages to Dubai? See everything you need to know before you go.
| Overview | Population: 2.789 million |
| Entry requirements | Please see our Entry Requirements page. |
| Staying Healthy | While there are no required vaccinations for entry into the UAE, consult your doctor about vaccinations and other preventative medicine recommended by the Center for Disease Control. Make sure your food and drinking water are safe as food and waterborne diseases are the primary cause of illness in travelers. There is no risk of malaria or yellow fever in the UAE. |
| Weather | Dubai enjoys almost year-round sunshine and what little rainfall there is usually occurs during the months of December through April. Temperatures from October to May make Dubai a popular winter sun resort for European visitors. Average temperatures will be in the 80’s and 90’s during this period. |
| Tipping | Where service charges are not included in a bill, a 10% tip for hotel bellhops and restaurant waitstaff is adequate. It is also appropriate to tip taxi drivers a few dirhams. |
| Money & Credit Cards | ATMs are found all over the city. Always notify your bank prior to departure to avoid any problems using your credit or debit card while traveling. |
| Shopping | As the shopping capital of the Middle East, Dubai is a true shopper's paradise. Low customs duties make luxury goods less expensive than in most countries. In fact, the Dubai Duty Free is renowned as one of the best duty-free operations in the world. In the city, there are three main places: shopping malls, souks and the shopping streets or areas. Souks are very common in the Emirates and tend to be good places to buy gold, fabrics, electronics, and traditional Arabic art. Other items to shop for include clothes and fabrics, Persian carpets and rugs, Arabic coffee pots, silver and brass swords and khanjars (curved daggers), ancient rifles, shisha pipes, porcelain prayer beads, antique silver jewelry, brass trinkets, and silver and wooden miniature dhows. Bargaining is acceptable everywhere, even in the malls. You will have ample opportunity during your tour to shop for souvenirs, including artwork, handicrafts and even jewelry. If you purchase such items, do so with the understanding that these items may not have the same high value you were led to believe. And you may be unable to return these items later for a refund. A good rule of thumb when shopping abroad is to choose items that you love and that will remind you of the destination. If you want to shop for high value items, better do so from a trusted merchant at home unless the pleasure of the happy memory of your trip will keep you from regretting your purchase. While we take great care in arranging the components of your tour, we have no relationship with the shopping venues you’ll encounter, and we cannot be liable for any purchases you make. Your guides will no doubt have some favorite shopping places, where the vendors are known, provide good quality merchandise and probably pay some sort of commission from sales to the guide. This should not surprise or offend you. This is how business is done throughout the Middle East and other regions around the world. Please keep in mind that many, if not most stores outside the U.S. will not allow exchanges or refunds for your purchased items. You, as the buyer, assume the full risk in the purchases you make. |
| Electricity & Power Adapters | 220/240 volts. You will most likely need a voltage converter and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances, even though some outlets will correspond to American plug types and voltages. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit. Learn more about electrical standards around the world. |
| Cell Phones & Internet | Want to take your cell phone, tablet or laptop, but not sure how to get cell service or wifi? Read up on using your cell phone abroad and the top 5 ways to get Internet abroad. |
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