Dubai travel guide

Dubai is famous for superlatives: the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), man made islands like the Palm Jumeirah, gold and spice souks, luxury shopping malls, desert safaris, and a skyline that went from desert to futuristic megacity in 50 years. It's the Middle East's tourism, business and aviation hub.

Three to four days covers the icons, Burj Khalifa, a desert safari, old Dubai and a cruise. Five to seven days lets you add Abu Dhabi, theme parks, beaches and the northern Emirates without rushing. Under three days feels tight but works for a stopover.

Avoid public displays of affection, eating or drinking in public during Ramadan daylight hours, drinking alcohol outside licensed venues, photographing people without permission (especially local women and government buildings), and rude gestures, some carry legal penalties. Dress modestly at religious sites and traditional areas.

Yes, shorts, t shirts and swimwear are fine at beaches, pools, hotels, malls and most tourist areas. Just cover shoulders and knees at mosques and in traditional neighbourhoods like Deira and Bur Dubai. Dubai is far more relaxed on dress than many expect, but modest is respectful in cultural settings.

It can be, but it doesn't have to be. Luxury is everywhere if you want it, but you can eat superb Indian, Pakistani and Filipino food for AED 15 to 30, ride the metro for a few dirhams, enjoy free beaches and the fountain show, and find 3 star hotels from AED 150. Alcohol and taxis are where costs climb.

Very, Dubai consistently ranks among the world's safest cities, with extremely low crime, heavy CCTV, and safe streets day and night, including for solo female travellers. Standard travel sense applies, but violent crime and petty theft are rare. The main risks are summer heat and road traffic.

Downtown for first timers (walkable to Burj Khalifa and the mall), Dubai Marina/JBR for beach and buzz, Palm Jumeirah for resort luxury, Deira/Bur Dubai for heritage and budget value, and Business Bay for value near Downtown. Your neighbourhood shapes your trip more than the star rating.

Atlantis The Palm (aquarium, waterpark), Jumeirah Beach Hotel (Wild Wadi access), and Hilton Al Habtoor City (huge pools) lead for families. For value, Rove hotels and Premier Inn are clean, central and kid friendly. See our family hotels guide for the full list.

For honeymoons: Burj Al Arab (iconic), One&Only Royal Mirage (romantic beachfront), Bulgari Resort (secluded island), and Atlantis The Royal (spectacular new build). Palm Jumeirah resorts pair privacy with beach. Our honeymoon packages bundle these with private experiences.

The Burj Al Arab defines Dubai luxury; Atlantis The Royal, One&Only, Bulgari, Armani Hotel (inside the Burj Khalifa) and the Ritz Carlton are all world class. Choice depends on setting, beach, Downtown or private island. Our luxury hotels guide compares them.

JBR (The Beach) and Kite Beach are the liveliest with food and watersports; La Mer is trendy; Jumeirah Public Beach has the Burj Al Arab backdrop; Black Palace (Al Sufouh) is the quiet local favourite. All are free, clean and have showers, Kite Beach also has a running track.

The Dubai Mall (biggest, with the aquarium and fountain) and Mall of the Emirates (with Ski Dubai) top the list. Ibn Battuta Mall is themed and beautiful, City Walk is open air, and for bargains, Dubai Outlet Mall and the traditional souks deliver. Malls here are attractions, not just shopping.

Dubai's food scene spans everything: fine dining at Ossiano, Zuma and Nobu; authentic Emirati at Al Fanar; legendary cheap eats like Ravi (Pakistani) and Bu Qtair (seafood); and brunches that are a cultural event. Time Out Market gathers many top names under one roof.

Many nationalities get a free visa on arrival (UK, EU, US, and others); some need a pre arranged e visa, which we can arrange. Check our visa pages for your country, processing is usually 3 to 5 days.

The UAE dirham (AED), pegged to the US dollar at ~3.67. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; keep some cash for souks, abras and small cafeterias.

Arabic is official, but English is spoken virtually everywhere, menus, signs, taxis and hotels all operate in English. You'll have no language barrier as a tourist.

The metro is cheap, clean and driverless (get a Nol card); taxis and ride hailing (Careem/Uber) are affordable; and most tours include hotel pickup. A rental car helps for day trips but isn't needed within the city.

Yes, in licensed venues, hotels, bars and restaurants. Drinking in public or being drunk in public is illegal. Tourists can drink freely in the right settings; just not on the street or beach.

Light, breathable clothing, sunscreen and sunglasses year round; a light layer for fierce air conditioning and winter evenings; modest options for cultural sites; and comfortable shoes. Swimwear for beaches and pools.