DUBAI

Why is Dubai worth a visit?

Dubai is a city of superlatives. Here are the tallest building, the largest shopping center and the largest Ferris wheel in the world (to name just three of many records). Here artificial island landscapes are created in the form of palm trees or even the entire world. Skyscrapers are being built here every month. There are more luxury hotels here than anywhere else in the world. And new attractions, some of them unique, are constantly being invented here for young and old alike. No city in the world is designed to offer its visitors maximum luxury, choice, modernity and uniqueness like Dubai. No wonder that every year millions and millions of tourists from all over the world visit this metropolis of superlatives on the Persian Gulf. There is something new to discover in Dubai every year.

Here are our top 10 reasons to travel to Dubai:

1. Bigger, higher, more luxurious. Dubai is a city of superlatives and not exactly known to set its sights low. You don’t settle for second place here.

2. Dubai is world-famous for its gigantomania. Whether it’s a skyscraper almost a kilometer high or an artificial group of islands as a replica of the world map – Dubai doesn’t shy away from any project, no matter how “crazy”.

3. Dubai is a city in constant change. Here the wheel turns a little faster than in most other metropolises of the world. Month after month, the face of the metropolis on the Persian Gulf changes.

4. The Dubai skyline is one of the most impressive panoramas in the world. This is not only because of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, but also because of the many other extraordinary buildings of the city.

5. Despite all the modernity, Dubai makes a point of not completely drowning its history and traditions. There are also a number of interesting historical sights in the city.

6. Hardly any other major city in the world has such long and beautiful sandy beaches in its center as Dubai. For beach vacationers and sun worshippers it’s the purest paradise.

7. You can shop fantastically in Dubai. With the Dubai Mall, the city has not only the largest shopping center in the world, but also countless other phenomenal shopping temples. And then, of course, there are the world-famous markets, such as the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk.

8. When it comes to luxury hotels, there is hardly any other world city that can compete with Dubai. The Burj Al Arab is not only probably the most luxurious hotel in the world, but also a whole armada of beautiful 5-star hotels.

9. When it comes to amusement parks, Dubai is unrivaled in the world. IMG Worlds of Adventure, KidZania Dubai, Legoland Dubai, Motiongate Dubai, Wild Wadi Water Park – no other city has so many, so big, so modern and so unique fun parks with different themes and for different age groups as Dubai.

10. Dubai is a paradise for children. From beautiful beaches, to spectacular aquariums, to thrill-packed theme parks, there is everything here to make kids’ hearts beat faster.

For whom is Dubai worth a visit?

Fans of superlatives:

The (still) tallest building in the world, the largest shopping mall in the world, the largest Ferris wheel in the world, the largest residential complex in the world, the only 7-star hotel in the world – the list of world records of Dubai could be continued for a long time. Second place has no value here.

Skyscraper fans:

Fans of skyscrapers get their money’s worth here, because the Dubai skyline is one of the most impressive in the world. And this is not only due to the Burj Khalifa, the (still) tallest building in the world.

Lovers of artificial island worlds:

If the mainland is too boring for you, you will enjoy Dubai. The Palm Jumeirah, the artificial sand island in the shape of a palm tree, is one of the most spectacular land reclamation and urban development projects in the world. And the 50% larger Palm Jebel Ali is still to come. Not to mention The World – the world in miniature island format.

Luxury addicts:

In Dubai, pretty much everything is a little fancier and shinier than anywhere else in the world. Here you can stay at the Burj Al Arab, the only 7-star hotel in the world, stock up on jewelry at the world-famous Gold Souk, buy luxury goods of all kinds in the many glamorous shopping malls, and dine luxuriously at one of the fabulous Michelin-starred restaurants.

Shopaholics:

One is well advised to leave a little free space in the suitcase when traveling to Dubai. Or you can buy a new one on the spot. In the Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping center or one of the many other gigantic shopping temples, the suitcase is quickly filled.

Beach lovers:

City and beach are usually mutually exclusive. Not so in Dubai. The metropolis on the Persian Gulf has so many great sandy beaches to offer than almost any other place in the world.

Gourmets:

Dubai is a great place to dine. And that’s not just because of the city’s many Michelin-starred restaurants, but also because of the masses of Indian and Asian immigrants who have brought the cuisine of their home countries to Dubai.

Families and children:

Children’s hearts beat a little faster in Dubai. With its beautiful beaches, spectacular aquariums and, above all, thrilling theme parks, the city has more to offer children than almost any other place in the world.

Best time to travel

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Dubai has a warm to hot, dry climate almost all year round. Since in the summer months (June to September) the thermometer can easily rise to over 40 degrees, these months are not necessarily recommended for a trip. The best months to travel are November, December, March and April, when it is pleasantly warm (but not too hot) in Dubai and the water temperature is also very pleasant at around 25 degrees. If you prefer it a bit cooler, you should travel to Dubai in winter. In January and February, the temperatures are the lowest and are perfect for extensive sightseeing in the city.

Find flights to Dubai

Getting there

By car:

Pretty far.

By train:

Impossible.

By plane:

Dubai has one of the largest international airports in the world and, as the headquarters of the national airline Emirates, is the largest hub in the Middle East. Emirates operates daily connections to Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Vienna, Geneva and Zurich. In addition, Lufthansa flies daily from Frankfurt to Dubai and Swissair flies daily from Zurich to Dubai.

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Shopping

Dubai is definitely one of those destinations for which you should leave plenty of room in your suitcase. Better yet, buy a new one on the spot, because the shopping opportunities in the metropolis on the Persian Gulf are best described as “phenomenal”. In no other city in the world will shopping and especially luxury addicts have so much fun as in Dubai. And the best thing about it is that you can make many a bargain when shopping in Dubai. Because taxes and customs duties are low here and this is also reflected in the prices.

The first stop on a shopping spree in Dubai should be one of the city’s countless shopping malls. Of course, the Dubai Mall deserves special mention – with over 1,200 stores on 1.1 million square meters, it is a shopping temple of superlatives where you can easily spend several days. The Mall of the Emirates is also well worth a visit, especially for its fashion offerings in the Fashion Dome and its luxury department in the Luxury Wing. And by the way, you can also watch skiers on the slopes of Ski Dubai here. By the way, if you are looking for luxury, you should pay a visit to the Ibn Battuta Mall, which is known as the most luxurious of all malls.

If you are not so much in the mood for modern-Western shopping, but would rather have a traditional-Oriental shopping experience, you should visit one of the many souks (engl. “markets”) in the historic core of Dubai. The two most famous are the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk.

The Dubai Gold Souk makes every woman’s and of course every man’s heart beat faster. Because compared to the offer in Dubai, most jewelry stores in Europe look rather poor. 70 tons of gold jewelry are sold here every year. And all of this in the very best quality and at excellent prices – provided, of course, that you are up to the negotiating skills of an Oriental trader.

The Dubai Spice Souk is a paradise for every spice lover. Pyramids of chili, turmeric, pepper, rose petals, saffron and a seemingly endless number of fresh, oriental spices are piled up in open jute sacks. No European delicatessen can even come close to keeping up.

There are also two other souks that are very attractive to tourists: the Textile Souk and the Perfume Souk. In the labyrinth of small alleys of the Textile Souk, everyone will find what they are looking for, if they want to browse through fine fabrics ranging from cashmere to silk. Of course, you can also have clothes tailored here at a very good price. In the Parfum Souk you can find everything from perfumes, essential oils and incense sticks to soaps, creams and lotions. You can even have the perfumers create your own scent.

And last, but not least, there are of course plenty of outlets in Dubai that magically attract bargain hunters. First and foremost is the Dubai Outlet Mall, where almost 250 stores offer discounts of over 20%. Speaking of discounts, the Dubai Shopping Festival takes place every year from December 20 to the beginning of February. At the world’s largest shopping event, more than 30,000 participating stores lure bargain hunters and shopaholics to Dubai with discounts ranging from 20 to 75 percent. At the Dubai Shopping Festival really everything is reduced, electronics and fashion as well as jewelry and cars. In addition, daily competitions are held, which really have it all. Prizes include gold bars and luxury limousines. And for families and children, special events are held every day. A little travel advice at the end: During the time of the shopping festival, you should book your flight and hotel early, because every year more than 3 million guests make a pilgrimage to the shopping festival.

Food and drink

When it comes to food and drink, Dubai has something to offer for every taste and every budget. Dubai’s cuisine combines influences from various Arab countries, such as Egypt, Yemen or Lebanon. Grilled chicken or lamb is often served. Beef is seldom on the spit or in the pot, and pork is of course not served at all in a Muslim country. A typical dish is also vegetables cooked in a clay pot, such as eggplant, chickpeas, pumpkin and beans. And rice is served with the vast majority of dishes in Dubai – but in a wide variety of spices.

Fish and seafood are also popular in Dubai. No wonder, since the Persian Gulf, which is rich in fish, and the Indian Ocean a few kilometers away are practically on the doorstep. From crab and lobster to sea bass and mullet to halibut and tuna, fish lovers can look forward to a wide variety on Dubai’s menus.

And when it comes to restaurants, Dubai has some of the most exclusive and fancy venues in the world. The two most extravagant restaurants in the city are probably Al Mahara in the legendary 7-star luxury hotel Burj Al Arab and At.Mosphere in the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.

The Al Mahara is surrounded by a huge marine aquarium. So if you like to dine in an exclusive underwater setting, you won’t find a better place in the world. For those who prefer to dine at lofty heights rather than underwater, At.Mosphere is the place to be. Located on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa at a height of almost 500 meters, this luxury restaurant is in fact the highest restaurant in the world in terms of the number of floors below. A magnificent view of Dubai is guaranteed during the meal.

In the restaurants of Dubai’s countless luxury hotels, guests and visitors can usually expect sensationally large and varied buffets that leave nothing to be desired. Most hotel restaurants offer Western as well as Oriental and Asian dishes.

But also outside the hotels the gastronomic offer of Dubai is excellent. Dubai visitors should therefore definitely leave their hotel now and then and go on a culinary voyage of discovery in the city. Especially for fans of Indian-Pakistani cuisine, Dubai is a paradise. Because of the many immigrants and guest workers from the two countries (who of course took the cuisine of their home countries with them), you can eat excellent Indian and Pakistani food in Dubai. If the cuisine is too spicy for you, you will of course find plenty of restaurants in Dubai that offer milder Western cuisine.

And last but not least, a tip for those who prefer to spend their money shopping rather than eating out: Dubai’s shopping malls offer their customers a huge gastronomic range in their food courts. From Asian to Mexican to vegetarian restaurants and snack bars, the malls offer an almost limitless selection – and at very good prices.

In an Arab city like Dubai, coffee and especially tea are popular beverages. Both are usually served traditionally in small, handleless cups and glasses. The juices in Dubai are also highly recommended. Due to the many fresh fruits from the region, there are excellent juice bars. Otherwise, Dubai is a very western city in terms of drinks, even alcohol is served. However, only in hotels and licensed restaurants, bars and clubs. Muslims are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages. For non-Muslims, the alcohol ban applies only in public.

Nightlife and entertainment

Dubai is a very cosmopolitan metropolis with residents and guests from various countries around the world. Accordingly, the city’s nightlife is also diverse and exciting. Whether it’s a cocktail bar, an Irish pub, a beach party or a VIP club night – in Dubai there is a nightlife offer to suit every taste.

With nighttime temperatures of over 20 degrees, Dubai is a great place to party outdoors. That’s why many events take place in beach clubs or open-air rooftop bars. Most party locations are found in the city’s large luxury hotels. These score points with the public with their exclusive bars and nightclubs. But Dubai also has an interesting nightlife outside the hotels. The greatest density of bars, clubs and lounges is in Downtown Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road, the city’s longest street.

Younger party makers should note that entry to all nightclubs and bars is only possible from the age of 21 and this regulation is also strictly enforced. In addition, most locations have a certain dress code. To avoid being turned away by the bouncer, it is better to find out about the dress code in advance. In general, in Dubai, it is better to dress up when going out. It is better to leave your favorite torn jeans and dirty sneakers in the hotel room. And last but not least, it is important to note that nightclubs in Dubai have a fixed closing time. At 3 o’clock in the morning it’s time to go home.