With its lavish architecture, incredible skylines, and massive shopping malls, Dubai has become one of the world’s most recognisable destinations. Dubai, one of the most progressive destinations in the Middle East, is also home to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest man-made structure. While Abu Dhabi is the UAE’s capital, Dubai is its most popular and populous city. Dubai is an excellent choice for a short vacation because it has the best shopping, fine dining, and sporting events.

Dubai, which boasts a glamorous infrastructure amid the Arabian desert, was once known as a barren land. This man-made marvel is now filled with gleaming skyscrapers, opulent hotels, shopping malls, and restaurants. Dubai’s top tourist attractions include the Dubai Fountain, which features jets and lights choreographed to music, Atlantis the Palm, and an aquarium resort. Dubai will astound you with its blend of futuristic wonders and ancient Arabian aura.

Old Dubai, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Jumeirah are the main areas in Dubai. Old Dubai is the city’s historic heart, and it includes the districts of Dubai Creek, Deira, Bur Dubai, and Al Fahidi. Deira (the souqs) is located on the northern side of Dubai Creek, while Bur Dubai is located on the southern side. For crossing the creek, abras (traditional wooden ferries) are available. Downtown Dubai is the most iconic area, home to the Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa, and the Dubai Fountain, while Dubai Marina and JBR are ideal for a waterfront stroll and sizzling nightlife.

What You Should Know Before Visiting Dubai
In Dubai, the weekends are Friday and Saturday.
The Dubai Pass includes access to over 40 attractions and activities. They can be selected based on the attractions you wish to see.
For travel within the city, use local taxis or Careem. They are usually less expensive than Uber. The Dubai Metro is another option for getting around the city.
Bicycles and motorised scooters are available and can be reserved through various apps such as Careem, Trek Bikes, Nextbike, and others.
Tickets for Museum of the Future should be purchased at least a month in advance, as last-minute bookings are usually unavailable.
Purchase Burj Khalifa and Desert Safari tickets/packages at least 1-2 days in advance.
Visit both Global Village and Miracle Garden on the same day to save money on taxis. They are quite close to one another.
To visit Bur Dubai and Deira, take a taxi to Bur Dubai and then an abra ride to Deira.
The Dubai Mall serves as the entrance to the Dubai Fountain and At the Top Burj Khalifa. All three attractions are accessible on the same day.
On arrival at Dubai Airport, you will be given a prepaid SIM card by the local operator DU. It is activated and ready for use via plug and play. You get 1 GB of free data for 24 hours, after which you must top up.
Pay in your local currency rather than AED when using a credit card anywhere to avoid the extra conversion cost.

More on Dubai
Legal Drinking Recommendations In Dubai, the legal drinking age is 21.

Drinking in Public Places is prohibited and is punishable by hefty fines and jail time.

No drinking and driving: The penalty is fines, jail time, or even having your visa cancelled.

Carry Prescriptions for Your Medicines When Visiting: If you are bringing medicines into the country, bring all prescriptions with you to show at immigration. This is also true in Dubai, where drug laws are strictly enforced.

No PDA: Dubai remains conservative in many ways, and it is best not to offend any locals or other tourists of different cultures.
In Public, Dress Modestly: There are rules about what is appropriate to wear in which areas. You can, for example, wear whatever you want on the hotel grounds or the nearby beaches. When visiting malls and other traditional areas, it is best to cover your knees and shoulders.

Even if they’re just in your frame, always ask for permission when photographing people. It is considered impolite and offensive to take photographs of people without their permission. This is especially true if there are women or children in the frame.

Traveling During Ramadan: As an Islamic country, it is considered extremely disrespectful to the locals to drink or eat in public during the holy months of Ramadan.

There will be no physical contact with locals: When greeting or acknowledging locals, never be the first to make physical contact, unless it is a handshake. However, it is best to greet local women from a safe distance and avoid any physical contact.

Avoid purchasing souvenirs at the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame, and the View at Palm Jumeirah. Souvenirs can be found at lower prices at any of the local markets.

Where to Stay: For less expensive hotels, stay in Downtown or Bur Dubai. For luxury stays, consider the Marina and Jumeirah. Stay away from Deira. Make a reservation in advance.

Dubai, shopping.
With its plethora of lively souks and massive air-conditioned malls, Dubai has a well-deserved reputation as a shopper’s paradise. There are several souks, each specialising in a different type of product. Gold Souks, Textile Souks, and Spice Souks sell high-quality gold and diamond jewellery, beautiful fabric in a variety of colours, and aromatic herbs and spices. While in Dubai, practise your bargaining skills, which will come in handy when shopping. The majority of shops in malls accept credit and debit cards; however, cash is required at local souks. Souk Al Bahar in Downtown Burj Khalifa is one of the most recent modern souks built in the ancient Arabian style.
Wafi’s Souk Madinat Jumeirah Khan Murjan.

Dubai’s Top Shopping Malls:

1. Dubai Mall, the world’s largest mall, features top brands of clothing, jewellery, and other products, as well as a variety of entertainment options such as an aquarium where visitors can swim with sharks, an ice rink, and an amusement park with thrilling rides.

2. Mall of the Emirates, which has the world’s largest indoor ski slope, is another major name on the list of malls. Traditional jewellery, Oudh (a fragranced piece of wood burned to perfume clothes and homes), wood carving products, Persian carpets, traditional headscarves, and small boxes crafted from camel bone are all available as souvenirs.

Dubai Nightlife
Dubai has an incredible nightlife, with many innovative drinks and excellent music. There are numerous bars and nightclubs to choose from; however, with a few exceptions, most licenced bars are part of hotels. However, all nightclubs close at 3:00 a.m. Although the legal drinking age is 21, some clubs may refuse entry to those under the age of 25.

Few places for nightlife in Dubai:
Apartment Lounge + Club (Jumeirah Beach Hotel)
Barasti Bar (Le Meridian Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina)
Boudoir Nightclub (Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa)
Carter’s (Wafi City)

Dubai currency
The United Arab Emirates Dirham, also known as Emirati Dirham, is the currency in Dubai. It is widely used in the UAE. When abbreviated, the currency is known as the “AED” (officially) or the “DHs” (unofficially). Currency notes are available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000, each with an enticing yet similar colour scheme that can be confusing at times. 1 Dirham is made up of 100 Fils (a Dirham subdivision).

Money Exchange in Dubai
Currency exchange in Dubai is simple and can be done at the airport, banks, or one of the many money exchanges (head to the nearest shopping mall for one) that are spread throughout the city. The exchange rate at the airport and banks, however, is less competitive than money exchanges. You can also withdraw money from ATMs located in shopping malls, hotels, metro stations, and other public areas.

1. Al Ansari Trade
Al Ansari Exchange has the most currency exchange counters in Dubai, with over 73 branches spread across the city. You’re bound to come across one while exploring the city. It has the most affordable rates and is completely secure. It has also received a number of awards, including Forbes Middle East’s Top Companies in the Arab World in 2015. They send money, exchange currencies, and accept traveler’s checks. You can visit one of their branches or conduct business through their website or mobile app.
Best exchange rates: USD, EUR, INR, and JPY

2. Western Union is the second option
Western Union is another excellent currency exchange service. In addition to the basic services, they offer members additional benefits and rewards. You could also enter their frequent lucky draws to win large sums of money. There are numerous outlets in all of the city’s major tourist areas.
Best exchange rates: USD, INR, EUR

3. International Exchange Al Rostamani
Al Rostamani International Exchange (ARIE) provides foreign exchange, retail remittance, and other services. ARIE is one of the most dependable foreign exchange providers in Dubai, with over 16 branches located in malls, high streets, and airport terminals. Over the years, their customer-centric approach has helped them build loyalty and grow their business. Since its inception in 1998, it has received over ten awards.
Best exchange rates: USD, AUD, INR, NZD, JPY

4.UAE Exchange
UAE Exchange is the country’s largest money exchange chain, with 60 branches in Dubai (17 at metro stations) and 150 throughout the country. Furthermore, they have a presence in 31 other countries. This company, founded in 1980, is known for its low exchange fee and emphasis on customer loyalty. It has also received a number of Business Excellence awards for its extensive network.
Best Exchange Rates: CAD, USD, AUD

Best Time To Visit Dubai
The winter months of November to March are ideal for visiting Dubai. With temperatures averaging around 25 degrees Celsius, these months are quite pleasant. The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is the season’s highlight, where you can find the best shopping deals. Summer begins in April-May, with temperatures ranging from 23 to 36 degrees Celsius. June, July, and August are Dubai’s hottest months, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius and oppressive humidity. Except for the month of Ramadan, this season offers great deals on lodging and flights (which depends on the lunar calendar). During the autumn season (September-October), the temperature begins to fall slightly, and the weather averages around 29 degrees Celsius.