Dubai

General information
Nightlife
Culture and history
Tours

Located in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula on the coast of the Persian Gulf, Dubai aims to be the business hub of Western Asia. It is also a major global transport hub for passengers and cargo. Oil revenue helped accelerate the development of the city, which was already a major mercantile hub. Dubai’s oil output made up 2.1 percent of the Persian Gulf emirate’s economy in 2008. A centre for regional and international trade since the early 20th century, Dubai's economy relies on revenues from trade, tourism, aviation, real estate, and financial services. According to government data, the population of Dubai is estimated at around 3.39 million as of January 2020.

Dubai offers visitors a kaleidoscope of attractions. For instance, the Dubai Museum, located inside the Al Fahidi Fort, offers insights into Arabian culture. In addition, visitors can explore its contrasting landscapes, archaeological sites and a natural sea-water inlet, known as The Creek, which cuts cross the city centre and is the “focal point of life in Dubai”. Among its top attractions are the Burj Khalifa, Dubai mall and Palm Jumeirah.

To meet growing demands from the tourism sector, Dubai has developed extensive, world-class hospitality and tourism facilities. In 2017, 88.2 million passengers passed through the Al Maktoum International Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports. Plans are laid to start the building of a new airport about 65 kilometres further south.

Languages spoken	Arabic, English
Currency used	Dirham
Area (km2)	4,114 km²
Country name	United Arab Emirates

Nightlife info

Dubai’s diverse and varied nightlife has much to offer in the late-night entertainment stakes and the Emirate regularly hosts some of the most in-demand artists in the world including Solomun, David Guetta, Carl Cox or 50 Cent as well as the more underground artists that visit Dubai on a weekly basis.

There is a wide range of bars and nightclubs in Dubai, but due to the various licencing laws in the UAE most of these are located inside or are connected to hotels. The legal drinking age in Dubai is 21 years of age and night clubs always adhere to this rule.

For visitors, a passport is an acceptable form of ID, while for residents, an Emirates ID or a driving license will suffice. If you plan on drinking alcohol make sure you take a cab back home or wherever you plan on going after; the UAE has absolutely a zero-tolerance approach to drinking and driving and police are very vigilant; getting caught will guarantee jail time.

As the regular working week starts on a Sunday and ends on a Thursday, the majority of clubs such as White Dubai, Industrial Avenue, Cavalli Club, Stereo Arcade and Blue Marlin Ibiza are at their busiest on Thursdays and Fridays. This is the case apart from the many popular hotspots that host a ladies’ night, this usually takes place on either Tuesday or Wednesday and this will see ladies entering for free and are even offered free drinks and food.

While most clubs open at around 9/10pm and typically close by 3:00am, there are certain clubs such as BASE Dubai and White Dubai that remain open until 4AM, this is usually as a result of a special license being granted. So, whether you’re looking to dress up for a night out at one of Dubai’s best night clubs or just a casual night out with some friends, there are plenty of party spots to pick from.

Culture and history info

In 1833, the dynasty AL MAKTOUM of the BANI YAS tribe left the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and took control of the city of Dubai, from this moment the Emirate of Dubai gained its independence. Dubai in 1835 signed a maritime truce with Britain, because of its location on the route to India; Dubai trade had great strategic importance. Dubai became an important stopover for foreign traders, especially for the Indians, who settled in the city. In the decade of 1930, the city was known for exporting pearls. In 1966 oil was discovered 120 kilometers off the coast of Dubai, this caused the oil industry. In 1971 Dubai, together with Abu Dhabi and five other emirates, created the United Arab Emirates.

Dubai culture centers around the Muslim religion, because about the entire population is Muslim and a small portion of Christians. The main event of the year is the festival of Ramadan is the Muslim celebration of the truth of the holy Quran. Other common festivals that take place in Dubai are the shopping festival and the international film festival. There is also a great cultural diversity with an Asian influence in schools, restaurants and cultural centers.