Rough Guides - Pocket Rough Guide Dubai (Travel Guide eBook)

Dubai is like nowhere else on the planet. Often claimed to be the worlds fastest-growing city, in the past four decades it has metamorphosed from a small Gulf trading centre to become one of the worlds most glamorous, spectacular and futuristic urban destinations, fuelled by a heady cocktail of petrodollars, visionary commercial acumen and naked ambition. Dubais ability to dream and then achieve the impossible has ripped up expectations and rewritten the record books, as evidenced by stunning developments such as the soaring Burj Khalifa, the beautiful Burj al Arab and the vast Palm Jumeirah island. Each is a remarkable testament to the ruling sheikhs determination to make this one of the worlds essential destinations for the twenty-first century.

Sheikh Zayed Road

PhotoFVG/AWL Images

Modern Dubai is often seen as a panegyric to consumerist luxury: a self-indulgent haven of magical hotels, superlative restaurants and extravagantly themed shopping malls. Perhaps not surprisingly the city is often stereotyped as a vacuous consumerist fleshpot, appealing only to those with more cash than culture, although this one-eyed clich does absolutely no justice to Dubais beguiling contrasts and rich cultural make-up. The citys headline-grabbing mega-projects have also deflected attention from Dubais massive but largely unappreciated role in providing the Islamic world with a model of political stability, religious tolerance and business acumen in action. In one of the worlds most troubled regions this peaceful and progressive pan-Arabian global city serves as the ultimate symbol of what can be achieved. Dubai also ranks among the worlds most multicultural cities, featuring a cosmopolitan cast of Emiratis, Arabs, Iranians, Indians, Filipinos and Europeans a fascinating patchwork of peoples and languages which gives the city its uniquely varied cultural appeal.

Antique Bazaar restaurant

Neil Corder/Four Points by Sheraton

For the visitor, theres far more to Dubai than designer boutiques and five-star hotels although of course if all youre looking for is a luxurious dose of sun, sand and shopping, the city takes some beating. If you want to step beyond the tourist clichs, however, youll find that Dubai has much more to offer than you might think. The old city centre serves up many fascinating reminders of Dubais past, including the grand old wind-towered mansions of Bastakiya and Shindagha; the stately wooden dhows, which still moor up alongside the breezy Creek; and, of course, the helter-skelter souks of Bur Dubai and Deira, piled high with traditional Arabian jewellery, scents and spices frankincense from Somalia, bedouin necklaces from Oman, rose leaves from Iran, and much more. The citys modern attractions are equally memorable, ranging from world-famous contemporary icons like the futuristic Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building, and the iconic, sail-shaped Burj al Arab through to myriad quirkier attractions kitsch faux-Arabian bazaars, ersatz pyramids, zany themed shopping malls and a string of other wonderful, wacky and sometimes downright weird modern developments. In addition, Dubai is within easy striking distance of a number of other rewarding day-trip destinations, including Sharjah, home to some fine museums, the laidback inland oasis city of Al Ain and the vibrant megalopolis of Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE.

Best places for a Dubai view

Dubai is the worlds tallest city and getting your head in the clouds is all part of the experience. The At the Top tour to the stunning observation deck of the .

The 2008 credit crunch hit Dubai hard, pushing the city to the verge of bankruptcy and signalling the end of some of the more extravagant mega-projects (including, for example, an artificial archipelago in the shape of the solar system and the worlds biggest theme park, complete with animatronic dinosaurs and a life-sized replica of the Taj Mahal, to mention just two). Pronouncements of the citys demise proved somewhat premature, however, and Dubai remains one of the twenty-first centurys most fascinating and vibrant urban experiments in progress. Visit now to see history, literally, in the making.

Spice Souk

Tim Draper/Rough Guides

When to visit

The best time to visit Dubai is in the cooler winter months from December through to February, with average daily temperatures in the mid-20s C. Temperatures rise significantly from March through to April, and in October and November, when the thermometer regularly nudges up into the 30s. From May to September the city boils July and August are especially suffocating with average temperatures in the high 30s to low 40s (and frequently higher). Room rates at most of the top hotels fall during this period, sometimes dramatically, making the summer an excellent time to enjoy some authentic Dubaian luxury at relatively affordable prices. Rainfall is rare for most of the year, although there are usually a few wet days during January and February.

Shopping in Dubai takes two forms. First, there are the old-fashioned souks of Bur Dubai, Karama and especially Deira, for traditional items like gold and spices (not to mention designer fakes). In the souks, bargaining is the norm. Then theres the citys spectacular collection of supersized malls, packed with every consumer desirable imaginable. Head to the gargantuan Dubai Mall for the ultimate retail experience, while the sprawling Mall of the Emirates is another must-shop. More manageable retail spots are the BurJuman, Mercato and Marina malls and the Wafi/Khan Murjan complex.

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Its almost impossible not to eat well in Dubai, whatever your budget. Theres inexpensive food galore in the curry houses of Bur Dubai and Karama and at the shwarma stands and Lebanese-style cafs of Deira, Satwa and elsewhere, while both home-grown and international cafs citywide provide further affordable options. Most of the more upscale restaurants are located in hotels many of the best can be found in Sheikh Zayed Road/Downtown Dubai, or along the Dubai Marina or around the Burj al Arab.

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You wont go thirsty in Dubai, although alcohol is generally only served in hotel bars, pubs and restaurants. Many hotel bars tend to (vaguely) resemble British-style pubs, with pints and inexpensive counter food served, though cocktail bars are the norm in more upmarket places, including a number of spectacular high-rise venues in flashy skyscrapers, and more chilled-out, Arabian-style places, especially around the