Dubai - The heart of the Emirates
A quick guide to Dubai.
Cosmopolitan Dubai is unquestionably the entertainment, shopping, sports and culinary capital of the Middle East. Hotels rank amongst the world's finest, and sporting facilities, from golf to game fishing, sand-skiing to scuba diving, are available in abundance.
Entertainment ranges from traditional celebrations to trendy discotheques, and the shopping features the best of the world's goods at low duty free prices. Food is excellent - both the intriguing local dishes and the dozens of other national cuisine. Street crime is unknown, and the climate is close to perfect. Add to this the clean uncrowded beaches, the spectacular mountain scenery and the timeless landscapes of the desert, and it is easy to see why Dubai is an increasingly popular destination amongst discerning travellers from around the globe.
Having established an international reputation as a great place to combine both business and pleasure, Dubai, with its extensive modern conference facilities, also hosts an extensive calendar of international trade fairs.
Places of interest
Visit the magnificent Jumeira Mosque; modern beach-side palaces; the 150-year-old Al Fahidi Fort housing Dubai's Museum; explore the rugged Hajar Mountains and the vast emptiness of the Arabian desert by four-wheel drive vehicles; relax on a moonlight cruise, a panorama of traditional and modern Dubai.
For the family
Dubai is a great destination for everyone, and there is plenty to do for all the family. Fantastic theme and water parks such as Wonderland and Wild Wadi offer great entertainment for children and adults alike. Dubai's splendid malls offer entertainment facilities to keep the youngsters happy whilst you indulge in some of the world's finest shopping.
Best buys
Shoppers, will soon see why Dubai has such a well-deserved international reputation for variety and value. Whether you choose to shop in one of the many elegant, air-conditioned malls (Deira City Centre, Mercato, Wafi City, BurJuman and Al Ghurair City are amongst the best known), or in the traditional atmosphere . of the souks, you'll find bargains everywhere at some of the lowest prices in the world. Dubai is a vast emporium where electronic goods, watches, cameras, computers, and domestic equipment are amazingly inexpensive. The Gold Souk is renowned for its exquisite workmanship and range of styles, whilst in other souks you can buy just about anything from silks and spices to perfumes and pearls.
During the annual month-long Dubai Shopping Festival there are even more amazing discounts, raffles and bonus vouchers, as well as a comprehensive programme of cultural activities, street entertainment, art and musical extravaganzas. Dubai Summer Surprises, which runs from June to September, features activities for children as well as imaginative weekly themes, competitions, displays, entertainment and activities.
Out and about
When the sun goes down the lights come up in the city's restaurants, nightclubs, bars and discotheques. Dubai's nightlife is legendary, ranging from elegant dining in chic hotels to casual snacks at busy street stalls; lively pubs to cosy cocktail lounges; modern discotheques to traditional entertainment featuring Arab singers, dancers and musicians; open-air dancing by the sea to gathering around a campfire deep in the desert.
Sporting attractions
For lovers of sport there is enormous variety. Dubai is the venue of a succession of world-class events including the Dubai Desert Classic Golf tournament, international power boat races, Dubai Tennis ATP & WTA, Dubai Rugby Sevens, Dubai Rally and Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race. The spectacular local sport of camel racing has a loyal following. For those who like to participate rather than observe, the choice is huge - from sand-skiing to shooting, go-karting to croquet, ice skating to archery -and, of course, golf.