Dubai Overview

Dubai is situated in an arid subtropical climate zone that ensures year-round sunny days and low levels of rainfall. The hottest time of year to visit is between June and September, when temperatures regularly reach 45˚C and the humidity is very high, while the hours of sunshine around this time of year average more than 11 hours a day. The most popular time to visit Dubai is between the months of December and March, when temperatures average a pleasant 25˚C and humidity is lower, while the country's small amount of annual rainfall also falls mainly during these months. From the end of May until early July, the city is regularly hit by sandstorms that are whipped up by the desert winds known as 'shamal'. During this time, the city's buildings are shuttered tight in the battle against the fine dust that seemingly penetrates every inch of the city. more...

Dubai Activities

Sheikh Saeed's House is one of the most architecturally significant buildings in the city and dates back to 1896. The building was previously the home of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, who ruled Dubai between 1912 and 1958, while the beautifully restored building is now home to a rare collection of coins, stamps, photographs and documents that detail much of the city's colourful history. The house is located close to the creek in the Shindagha district. Phone: +971 4 393 7139. more...

Dubai Events and Festivals

Dubai Shopping Festival: although Dubai is well known as a shopper's paradise at anytime of the year, the month of January is particularly good for bargain hunters. Throughout January, over two million visitors flock to Dubai for the month-long Shopping Festival, which seems to involve every shop in the city, with concerts, street theatre, firework shows and other events offering a welcome break from the city-wide shopping frenzy. more...

Dubai Sightseeing

The Grand Mosque was rebuilt in the 1990s in order to recreate the style of the city's original Grand Mosque, which was demolished in 1960. The visually striking building contains nine large domes and 45 smaller ones as well as the city's tallest minaret (230 feet high), while the massive complex is capable of holding up to 1,200 worshippers at any one time. Although the interior of the building is off limits to non-Muslims, it is still worth visiting to see the fascinating exterior. You will find the Grand Mosque located on Ali Ibin Ali Talib street. more...

Dubai Transport

Although Dubai is not famed for its public transport system, there are still several ways of navigating the city without your own vehicle, with a combination of buses, mini vans, boats and taxis providing access to every part of the metropolitan area. The point of entry for most visitors to the Emirates is the internationally-acclaimed Dubai International Airport. more...

Dubai Travel Tips

As Dubai is a Muslim state, it has several culturally important points of etiquette that should be observed by all visitors in order to avoid embarrassing or offending the local residents. The sale and consumption of alcohol has long been a contentious issue in the region, with drinking or drunkenness in public an offence that carries stiff penalties; however, Dubai does allow the sale of alcoholic drinks, with venues providing these beverages limited to clubs, bars and restaurants that are located in hotels. more...