About United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The seven independent emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah came together to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the year 1971. While Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the UAE, Dubai remains it's commercial centre.
Dubai is an exciting year round destination that offers unlimited opportunities for rest and recreation, be it a walk through a lush green family park, an adventurous day in the waters of the Arabian Gulf, or a pampering session at one of the city's health spas. View all holiday homes in UAE available for rent!
The best time to go:
Temperatures from May until October can be from 40C upwards with high humidity. September can be a pleasant time to visit. See Weather in United Arab Emirates.
Flight time: is approximately 7 hours from London - Dubai
The Time difference is: +4 hours GMT (3 hours in Summer)
Visa requirements:
Not required - Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Health risks:
Polio, Tetanus, Hepatitis A and Malaria recommended. Typhoid, Hepatitis B and Diphtheria sometimes recommended.
Safety and security: Dubai is a very safe city for both visitors and residents alike, with minimal chances of untoward events. However, locking your car and taking care of your personal belongings is always recommended.
Drinking: Alcohol is only sold and served in hotel restaurants, but it can be purchased at the Arrival Duty Free store in Dubai International Airport. You will need a special permit valid for non-Muslim residents only. Dubai operates a zero tolerance policy to driving under the influence of alcohol.
Population: Dubai is home to approx 1 million residents with very little unemployment.
Activities
Dubai is an exciting year round destination that offers unlimited opportunities for rest and recreation, be it a walk through a lush green family park, an adventurous day in the waters of the Arabian Gulf, or a pampering session at one of the many health spas.
Beaches: Some of Dubai's beaches are attached to private hotels, where, for a small fee, you can spend the day on the sand and in the waters of the Arabian Gulf. There are some piublic beaches and water side parks, like the Corniche and the Creek - which are free for public use, and feature a variety of water sports from several local operators.
Desert Safaris: One of Dubai's most popular tourist attractions is the desert safari: a unique experience that combines an adventurous 4WD car ride over sand dunes with camels, belly dancers, henna designers, falconers, and a barbecue dinner by starlight. Other attractions include sand skiing, sand boarding, sand karting and 4WD desert driving.
Fishing: The warmth and shelter of the Gulf attract a large variety of fish, and several local companies provide full and half day boat-trips to great fishing waters that are located around 10-12 kms offshore.
Golf: Dubai has the unique distinction of being the only golfing centre in the world to host major international tournaments on both the European and Asian PGA circuits. Visiting golfers can choose from various clubs and courses, each of championship quality and presenting a different type of challenge.
Skiing: 'Ski-Dubai' is a top level skiing facility, recently brought to the desert to give both beginners and experienced skiers a great opportunity to enjoy their favourite sport.
Treatments and therapies: Dubai is home to an extraordinary number of spas and wellness clinics, ranging from internationally renowned brands to ancient Chinese and Indian holistic treatments. When you arrive, check where the closest Centre is to where you are staying.
Currency
Dubai / United Arab Emirates: Dirhams is the currency used, but Credit Cards can be used also, but 'chip and pin' via your debit card is not yet available.
Food / Eating Out
Dubai has a real cosmopolitan flavour which is matched by many of the region’s restaurants and entertainment centres that also provide a truly international array of choices for Dubai visitors. Dubai nightlife scene is equally varied, with many bars, pubs, discos and nightclubs open until the small hours.
Many of the hotels offer a diverse range of food and beverage outlets, offered primarily to their own guests but also to many local residents that are attracted. These restaurant’s choices vary from pleasant coffee shops to fine dining and other speciality ranges. The standard of Dubai hotels is equal to the best on offer anywhere in the world.
Away from the hotels, many small but ‘named’ retail eating places can be found in the major parts of the city such as Deira, Dubai, Jumeirah and the Marina.
Generally, restaurants located outside hotel and club premises are not permitted to supply alcohol, but all are air-conditioned, clean and offer a range of culinary delights.
International Cuisine Standards of international cuisine in Dubai are high and the choice is wide. Top class European restaurants in the city's hotels range include English, French, German, Greek, Italian and Spanish.
Asia is equally well represented with many fine Chinese, Japanese, Thai,Filipino and Korean restaurants, as well as numerous outlets featuring cuisine from the Asian subcontinent.
There are several American and Mexican restaurants around the city, with international fast food chains such as Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Shakey's Pizza, McDonald's and Wimpy.
Middle East Cuisine
Dubai is an excellent place to sample all types of Gulf and Middle Eastern cuisine, including Iranian, Moroccan and Lebanese. Arabian food is an integral part of most buffet spreads.
Specialities can often include:
Hoummus - a paste made from chickpeas and sesame seeds.
Tabbouleh - chopped parsley, mint and crushed wheat.
Ghuzi - whole roast lamb on a bed of rice mixed with nuts.
Wara enab - vine leaves stuffed with rice.
Koussa mahshi - stuffed courgettes.
Local dishes include:
Matchbous - spiced lamb with rice.
Hareis - a rich delicacy of slow-cooked wheat and tender lamb.
Seafood - served with specially seasoned rice.
Naturally, dates are a feature of any Arabian meal.
Dessert selections include:
Umm Ali - a type of bread pudding.
Esh asaraya - a sweet kind of cheesecake with cream topping.
Mehalabiya which is a pudding sprinkled with rosewater and pistachios.
Seasonal fresh fish from the Arabian Gulf or Indian Ocean is generally available and includes lobster, crab, hamour, shrimp, tuna, king fish and red snapper.
Language
The main language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken and understood. You will find that there are many road signs and street names are also displayed in English alongside Arabic, and there would not be a problem for most English and other European speaking visitors. All are generally made to feel most welcome.
Weather
Weather: Dubai enjoys 365 days of warm sunshine, with cooler evenings and occasional showers possible during the months from November to March.
Climate: The UAE has a sub-tropical, arid climate with infrequent and irregular rainfall, amounting to less than 13 centimetres a year. Temperatures range from a low of 10 degrees (Celsius) to a high of 48 degrees. The average daily maximum is 24 degrees in January, rising to 42 degrees in July.
Further Information
Dubai TodayDubai - A great holiday destination
Dubai - 'Visiting Dubai in the UAE'
Dubai -