Dubai Travel Guide

If there is one city in the Middle East built for tourism, it is Dubai. It is the commercial hub of the region and the largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, on the northern coast of the Dubai Emirate. Its wealth does not come from oil as many people assume, but from real estate, financial services and tourism.

It is home to the tallest man-made structure in the world, the Burj Khalifa, and for engineering and architecture fans the tower up close is reason enough to go. But the city is also well suited to families, and it sits on the coast of the Persian Gulf with a few well-maintained public beaches. It is one of the easiest places to get a taste of Arabian history and lifestyle, thanks to its tourist infrastructure and openness to visitors.

Start by booking a flight. Dubai is a huge flight hub, so this is not difficult. Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the main airport and, by international passenger traffic, the busiest in the world, handling about 80 million passengers a year.

Dubai is also an ideal place for a layover of a couple of days before you carry on to another destination.

Dubai is a foodie’s paradise, known for its long list of restaurants. Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina have some of the best, but you do not always need to pay a lot: mid-range and budget eateries are in most neighborhoods, and the portions are large.

International chains like Nando’s, Applebee’s and Tim Hortons tend to be pricey. On a budget, stick with Arabian meals from local chains, which are often worth every penny.