Why Would You Travel To Dubai?
That’s a good question! When I arrived in the country in 2004, I had no idea what to expect. I knew it would be hot, I knew it would be tax-free, and I knew there would be lots of opportunities. So to travel to Dubai had good reasons, but it was still very much an adventure. In other words, if you want to see something different, enjoy new cultures, and above all, have a great time, then do travel to Dubai.
Today the city is a fantastic vacation spot because of the weather, facilities, attractions, food, and culture, and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. It has evolved beyond all recognition to the city I knew when I arrived.
Welcome to this Dubai Travel Blog. Let’s take a look at the city and introduce ourselves to it.
Table Of Contents
Where Is Dubai?
Dubai is a city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country located in the Gulf. Confusingly, Dubai is also an Emirate (State), one of seven in the United Arab Emirates listed as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain.
The UAE borders Saudi Arabia and Oman and is part of the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council). The Emirate of Dubai is the second largest and has strong aviation, shipping, and overland transport links connecting to the world. Dubai , the city, is the main urban area and the main focus of this travel blog at this time. In addition, I will cover surrounding areas such as the other Emirates to show the variety of available activities a short drive away.
The Population Of Dubai
According to government figures, Dubai has approximately 3.5 million people as of 2023, of which around 12% are Emirati. If we look at the figures for the UAE, generally, we can see the breakdown by nationality:
| Nationality | Population | Percentage |
| India | 2.80 million | 27.49% |
| Pakistan | 1.29 million | 12.69% |
| Bangladesh | 0.75 million | 7.40% |
| Philippines | 0.57 million | 5.56% |
| Iran | 0.48 million | 4.76% |
| Egypt | 0.43 million | 4.23% |
| Nepal | 0.32 million | 3.17% |
| Sri Lanka | 0.32 million | 3.17% |
| China | 0.22 million | 2.11% |
| All other countries | 1.82 million | 17.94% |
| Total Expat Population UAE | 9.0 million | 88.52% |
The rest of the countries include the British, and Europeans. Canadians, Americans. Australians, and so forth.
The History Of Dubai
Traces of human population have been found as far back as 7,000 BCE, where dates, pearls, and cattle were the main income for the nomadic groups that passed through the region. As time passed, various empires had control of the area, and it became an increasingly important port of call due to its strategic location and growing wealth.
In the 19th century, groups from the Bani Yas tribe located in Abu Dhabi came to Dubai and established themselves. They signed a security treaty with the British Empire and continued to grow. In 1833, the Al Maktoum dynasty moved from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and took control peacefully.
The Formation Of The United Arab Emirates
The seven Emirates formed the Trucial States, a British protectorate until 1971 when the British moved out of the region; then, each emirate joined together over time, becoming the United Arab Emirates.
The discovery of oil in the emirate of Dubai also had a tremendous impact, allowing the leadership to invest heavily in the economic development of Dubai and collaborate with the other emirates in the growth of the United Arab Emirates.
Despite geopolitical challenges, Dubai has grown from strength to strength via key developments such as Emirates Airlines, Dubai Airport, Jebel Ali Port and Freezone, Business Bay, Dubai Marina, The Palm Jumeirah, The Downtown, and many more exciting and dynamic projects. Real estate, trade, and tourism booms initially drove the economy forward as Dubai’s oil and gas reserves began to run out. In the last few years, there has been a stronger emphasis on manufacturing, high technology, and medical businesses to take the economy to higher levels of growth.
The Government Of Dubai
The government of Dubai is led by the ruler of Dubai as an absolute monarch who has sole authority to establish any new laws or amend existing ones which are then executed by various government departments. There is, in addition, the Dubai Executive Council, which supervises government departments, manages budgets, issuing new laws under the guidance of the ruler of Dubai.
The current ruler of Dubai is also the vice president, prime minister, and minister of defense of the United Arab Emirates. The Emirate of Dubai works closely with the UAE government to coordinate defense, infrastructure, economics, trade, health, and many other aspects of life that affect the whole of the UAE.
The Currency In Dubai
The currency of Dubai is the United Arab Emirates dirham or AED, which was adopted in 1973 as the official currency. The currency consists of several coins and notes. The dirham is further subdivided into ‘fils,’ which are coins.
| Type | Currency | Value |
| Coin | fils | 25 (1/4 of a dirham) |
| Coin | fils | 50 (1/2 of a dirham) |
| Coin | Dh | 1 |
| Note | Dh | 5 |
| Note | Dh | 10 |
| Note | Dh | 20 |
| Note | Dh | 50 |
| Note | Dh | 100 |
| Note | Dh | 200 |
| Note | Dh | 500 |
| Note | Dh | 1,000 |
The notes, in particular, are regularly updated with the latest generation made of a polymer instead of paper.
Since 1997 the dirham exchange rate was fixed (or pegged) to the USD at a rate of US$1 = Dhs 3.6725 or conversely, Dh 1 = US$ 0.272294
The Weather In Dubai
The weather in Dubai varies in temperature from around 20’C / 68’F in the winter to 35’C / 95’F in the summer. Having lived here for 18 years, I have experienced icy conditions in the winter and above 50’C / 122’C in the summer!
In my experience, the best months to visit are October/November and February/March as the temperatures are just about perfect. The rainfall is minimal, but when it does rain, it can come down very heavily in a short amount of time. Dubai does apply cloud seeding techniques when it can, as it needs more rain for agricultural purposed. Most of Dubai has been built without drainage facilities and is prone to street flooding, so care must be taken.
As Dubai is located next to the coast, it experiences high humidity levels, exceeding 90% at the time, even in the summer.
Therefore, the summer months are tricky and considered extreme weather, and precautions must be taken when traveling outside for extended periods.
Dubai’s Weather Over The Year
Below is some data on the weather around the year in Dubai.
| Month | Temp °C High/Low |
Temp °F High/Low |
Rain mm | Humidity | Daylight Hours |
| Jan | 24 / 14 | 75 / 57 | 11.9 | 62 | 11 |
| Feb | 25 / 16 | 77 / 61 | 5.4 | 62 | 11.5 |
| Mar | 29 / 18 | 84 / 64 | 9.7 | 61 | 12 |
| Apr | 33 / 21 | 91 / 70 | 3.9 | 55 | 12.5 |
| May | 38 / 25 | 100 / 77 | 0.1 | 53 | 13.5 |
| Jun | 40 / 28 | 104 / 82 | 0 | 60 | 13.5 |
| Jul | 41 / 30 | 106 / 86 | 0.1 | 58 | 13.5 |
| Aug | 41 / 31 | 106 / 88 | 6.9 | 59 | 13 |
| Sep | 39 / 28 | 102 / 83 | 0.1 | 60 | 12.5 |
| Oct | 35 / 24 | 97 / 24 | 0.1 | 61 | 11.5 |
| Nov | 31 / 20 | 88 / 68 | 4.6 | 61 | 11 |
| Dec | 26 / 16 | 79 / 61 | 12.8 | 63 | 10.5 |
The Attractions In Dubai
Dubai has so many attractions that it is difficult to know where to begin. We have the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), the Burj Al Arab (the most luxurious hotel in the world), the Palm Jumeirah (an artificial island packed with hotels, beaches, malls, water sports, apartments, and so much more. Downtown Dubai surrounds the Burj Khalifa with the Dubai Mall (the largest in the world), and the Dubai Opera House. Then there are malls such as the Mall of the Emirates (with an indoor ski slope), Ibn Battuta, and so many more.
For those more interested in history and culture, we have the Dubai Creek, with the Dubai Museum, Bastakiya (the oldest part of Dubai), and the traditional markets such as the Gold, Textile, Spice, and Perfume souks. Take an Abra (traditional boat) across Dubai Creek. There is a lot of history in Dubai if you know where to look for it, and we will explore it in other posts in the future.
For the beach/nightlife, there are locations like Jumeirah Beach Residences / Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Downtown Dubai, Jumeirah Beach, Kite Beach, Deira, Bur Dubai, Festival City, and so much more.
Accommodation In Dubai
Dubai supports a wide range of accommodation types covering budget to 7-Star hotels like the Burj Al Arab. Many hotels are in the main tourist areas, including Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residences, Downtown Dubai, Jumeirah Lake Towers, and Palm Jumeirah. All the major urban areas are well supplied with hotels to support every taste.
In addition, the city is well supplied with serviced apartments for longer term stays and services such as Air B n B and others.
Transport Links To Travel To Dubai
Dubai has a strong transport infrastructure across aviation, shipping, metro, buses, cycling, taxis, and water buses/Abras. Dubai’s Road And Transport Authority (RTA) manages this infrastructure with other departments, such as the Department of Economy & Tourism. To travel to Dubai is very easy, and there are many ways of getting around the city once you arrive.
The Dubai Metro
The Dubai Metro has been the largest investment in public infrastructure for Dubai in recent memory. The metro was commissioned on the 9th of September 2009 with the Red line, with the Green line following shortly afterward. Since then, an extension has been added to the Red line to
the city for the Expo exhibition that was held in 2021. There are plans for future expansions to bring the metro to all parts of the city. The metro line is driverless, fully automated, and travels underground in the heart of Dubai and overhead on elevated support structures for the rest of Dubai. The metro also provided direct links to all the terminals in Dubai International Airport. The metro also integrates with the Dubai tram network and the Palm Jumeirah monorail.
Tickets can be bought at the metro stations across the city for individual journeys, or you can purchase a Nol card which allows you to travel as much as you like as long as there is credit on the card. The metro is divided into zones determining how much you will pay for a trip.
The Dubai Airports
The Dubai International Airport is one of the largest airports in the world that services Europe, Africa, Asia, North And South America, and the Pacific. It is also the home of Emirates Airline, which has dedicated terminals at the airport.
In 2022 the airport saw just over 66 million passengers pass through as it recovered from the drop in traffic due to the Covid pandemic. The airport has 2 runways and is connected to Dubai via the Dubai Metro and taxis from multiple companies.
In 2010 Dubai opened a new airport, the Al Maktoum Internation Airport, to complement the existing one and ultimately replace it. Designed with an eventual capacity of 5 runways and to handle over 160 million passengers a year, the airport currently has one runway and passenger terminal. It also handles large volumes of cargo for Emirates Sky Cargo.
So to travel to Dubai is very easy with a wide variety of choices.
Emirates Airline – Traveling To/From Dubai
A special mention must be made about Emirates Airlines, which has been at the forefront of promoting Dubai as a destination for tourists, business people, and new residents. Founded in 1985, it has become an absolute giant in the world aviation industry. It now has a fleet of 262 aircraft and serves 152 destinations, and continues to grow strongly.
The Dubai Taxis
The city of Dubai is served well by a large fleet of taxis managed by the Dubai Taxi Corporation that can be hailed from the street or booked using smart apps. Additional companies such as Uber, Hala, and Careem also operate in the city, allowing you to book with their apps found in the Apple and Google app stores.
Do’s and Don’ts Of Staying In Dubai
Do’s
- Do enjoy yourself. Dubai is a wonderful city, full of cool and exciting things to do and see.
- Explore all the sides of the city, from the ultra-modern to the traditional side.
- Enjoy the Emariti culture, like the food, music, architecture, and lifestyle.
- Be respectful to everyone.
Don’t
- Don’t misbehave. Do not be rude. Do not get drunk. Bad behavior can lead to a lot of trouble, including jail time.
- Don’t wear inappropriate clothing in urban areas such as malls etc. Swimsuits are for the beach. You may be refused entry to places if you are not wearing something respectable.
Safety In Dubai
Dubai is a very safe city to live and work in. In 18 years of living here, I have not experienced any theft or violence towards me. Indeed whenever I have left something behind in a cinema, mall, etc., I have always been able to retrieve it. You should, of course, use common sense like everywhere else, but I have felt much safer here compared to Europe or America, for example. Crimes exist in Dubai but are more related to other areas than street safety.
The country is family-friendly and excellent for bringing your children for a holiday. So to travel to Dubai is very safe.
Religion In Dubai
Dubai (as part of the United Arab Emirates) is a Muslim city and is well-served, with mosques all over the city. In addition, the UAE allows other religions to practice in the country, such as Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and more. The leaders of the UAE have always practiced tolerance and religious freedom, and this has created a multi-cultural hub ( a mini-United Nations) of peace and stability.
Alcohol In Dubai
Alcohol is freely available in Dubai through restaurants and bars in the city. If you are a resident, you can purchase alcohol through various retail outlets. Like anything in Dubai, you can enjoy it, but if you misbehave, then there can be severe consequences. Don’t get drunk, drink, or drive under any circumstances. The same must be said for drugs. There is a zero-tolerance attitude to drugs, and the punishments are severe.
Useful Links
- More information about Dubai can be found HERE
- The History Of Dubai is shown HERE
- The entry requirements for visiting Dubai can be found HERE
- Check out the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel
- Some of the historical places in Dubai are here and here
- More information about the amazing Palm Jumeirah.
- Golf in Dubai is very popular.
- One of the most spectacular places to stay or visit is The Atlantis Dubai
- For more info about economy check out our article about the Dubai Economy.
- There are many different events during the year. The Dubai Shopping Festival is one.
- Looking to start a business in Dubai. Check out the Dubai Startup scene.
- If you are interested in Real Estate then check out Dubai Homes.
- Here is a list of the Top 10 Dubai Resorts for you to enjoy.
- Rent a car or a luxury car whilst in Dubai.
- Check out this article about Banking In Dubai.
- Dubai hosts many top exhibitions around the year such as GITEX.
- Another famous annual event is Global Village Dubai.
- Looking for groceries, check out supermarket in Dubai.
- Check out this article about Dubai Culture.
- Fancy some Italian food in Dubai? Read this post.
- Worried if Dubai is safe?
- This is a great Dubai Travel Itinerary for different time periods visiting Dubai.
- The impressive Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is ready to visit.
- Check out the dhow-making shipyards in Dubai.
- Try out the Dubai Festival City for a great experience.
- Where does Dubai come from? Check out the History of Dubai.
- Check out the Dubai Airports, a key success story for Dubai.
- Moving you children to Dubai? Check out the Dubai Schools.
- Travelling on a budget? Read this for a cheap holiday to Dubai.
- A guide to healthcare in Dubai for your family.
- Fancy a dune bashing trip with dinner afterwards?
- If you love Gold, then try the Gold Souq in Deira.
- Check out the Jumeirah Beach Hotel for a cool place to stay.
- Do you like horse racing? Check out the Dubai World Cup.
Key Takeaways
- Dubai is a fantastic place for a holiday, full of interesting people, food, culture, and fun activities for all the family. To travel to Dubai is a must for everyone that love adventure.
- Dubai is a very safe city to walk around and very family-friendly.
- A wide range of accommodations is available, ranging from budget to 5 Star Hotels. Serviced apartments and services such as Air B and B are also here.
- Dubai is politically stable and welcoming to people of all nations, races, and colors.
- Transport links are excellent, with multiple airlines from all over the world visiting the country.
- Be respectful to everyone and enjoy yourself.
- I highly recommend to travel to Dubai and see this city for yourself.
