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Home Events & City Guides Dubai City Guide: A Step by Step Guide to the ‘City of Gold’

Dubai City Guide: A Step by Step Guide to the ‘City of Gold’

Dubai City Guide is our next step in the City Guides series of articles. Dubai is one of the wealthiest of the seven emirates that make up the federation of the United Arab Emirates. Established in the 18th century as a fishing village, the city quickly grew in the early 21st century into a cosmopolitan metropolis with a focus on tourism and hospitality, becoming one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.

See Also: CITY GUIDE: DISCOVER THE INVICTUS PORTO CITY AND ALL ITS WONDER

Dubai City Guide
The City of Gold

The city of Dubai is full of contrasts. There’s the glittering cityscape, with buildings that defy conception; the modern array of boutiques and cafes, with everything a tourist could want; and the opulent hotels, ready to welcome even the most discerning traveler in style and excess. Then there’s the desert, with its rolling hills of sand imprinted with the footprints of Arabian oryx and gazelles; the souks, with their maze of booths and bins filled with a rainbow of spices, the aroma filling the air; and the classic abra boats ferrying riders over the Dubai Creek.

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Dubai City Guide
Coming of Age

In the last few decades, the city has grown from its desert port roots to become a large metropolis with bustling neighborhoods, world-record-breaking towers, and extravagant shopping malls (excavation work on the famed Burj Khalifa didn’t even begin until January 2004). Today, Dubai can be both fast and slow—a place to eat avocado toast and relax on the beach, a place to appreciate a desert conservation reserve, and a place to shop ’til you drop or party the night away all in the same day. These contrasts are what make the city as dynamic and interesting as it is, and what makes it so much fun to explore.

Dubai City Guide
Exploration

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Which is the best time to go?

Dubai is hot all year, but with average temperatures in December, winter is one of the best times to visit. Those who enjoy packing a sweater will be pleased to know that early mornings and evenings in the desert are much cooler, and air conditioning is widely available throughout Dubai. Another reason to visit during the winter is the Dubai Shopping Festival, which takes place every January and features great deals, live entertainment, and raffles.

Things You Need to Know, Before You Visit

In many ways, Dubai is a modern city, but there are certain rules that everyone, including tourists, must follow. When it comes to clothing, modesty is preferred, and while you may see people wearing almost anything, it’s best to cover your shoulders and knees to be respectful (think a t-shirt and a midi skirt or jeans for women). Visitors who venture outside of the city to visit a mosque, such as the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in nearby Abu Dhabi, must dress even more modestly. Even for solo female travelers, Dubai is a very safe city, and there is a separate police department dedicated to tourists. Nonetheless, Dubai is a major city, and all visitors should exercise normal safety precautions.

Where to Stay

  • Armani Hotel Dubai
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This opulent hotel is housed in one of Dubai’s and the world’s most recognizable structures, the Burj Khalifa. The hotel occupies the first eight floors of the world’s tallest building, as well as the 38th and 39th floors, providing breathtaking views of the city and the Arabian Gulf below. The hotel’s namesake, Giorgio Armani, designed the rooms, which feature muted colors that will relax any guest after a long day of shopping at nearby The Dubai Mall.

  • Burj Al Arab
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The Burj Al Arab is a close second to the Burj Khalifa as the most recognizable building in Dubai. And one of the city’s most stunning hotels is housed within this iconic sail-shaped building floating in the middle of the gulf. Each brightly colored room includes Hermès amenities and butler service, as well as access to the hotel’s private beach and admission to the Arabian-themed Wild Wadi Waterpark.

  • Atlantis, The Palm
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This hotel and waterpark is a fantastic playground for both kids and adults, with rooms overlooking the Arabian Gulf and underwater suites where guests can see sharks and rays right from their bathtub. Atlantis Aquaventure, the resort’s waterpark, has over 30 slides and attractions, and visitors can even go on an underwater walk to see the sharks. Each stay includes access to the park.

Where to Eat

  • Brasserie 2.0 
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There are plenty of ultra-luxurious restaurants in Dubai, but nothing says grand like an extravagant brunch buffet. With over ten live cooking stations (think: seafood on the outdoor grill and paella) and a juice and smoothie bar that guests can enjoy from the outdoor garden terrace, this one certainly fits the bill. On Fridays, brunch is served, and reservations are recommended.

  • Comptoir 102
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When you settle into the shaded courtyard of this organic cafe, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in California or Tulum. Order an avocado crostini, a halloumi salad, or gluten-free buckwheat pancakes, and then refresh with a chai latte made with homemade almond milk. After you’ve finished your meal, head over to the attached concept store, where you’ll find boho dresses, one-of-a-kind glassware, jewelry, and more.

  • Al Hadheerah at Bab Al Shams
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Dinner at Al Hadheerah is an experience, not just a meal. Ten live cooking stations delight guests as they dine under the stars in the desert, serving classic dishes like shawarma and lamb ouzi cooked underground, as well as salads like hummus and tabbouleh. Don’t forget to save room for dessert, where you can sample favorites like kunafa cheese and baklawa. Reservations are strongly advised.

See Also: FEBRUARY EVENTS: FIVE ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN EVENTS YOU CANNOT MISS

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