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Dubai

United Arab Emirates·Asia

Currency

AED

Language

Arabic

Timezone

Dubai

Continent

Asia

Our guide

Discover Dubai

Dubai owns its artifice, which is more interesting to look at than to sneer at. Burj Khalifa — 828 metres, the tallest structure in the world — Dubai Mall, the Museum of the Future, Ski Dubai: the city is a run of deliberate superlatives. Deira, with its gold and spice souks, is a reminder that something came before.

When to go

November to March, no argument. From May to September temperatures pass 40 °C and life moves entirely indoors, into air conditioning.

Getting around

The metro is clean, driverless and cheap, but the city is built for cars — taxis are affordable and often unavoidable. Walking between two points that look close on a map can be impossible: motorways, no pavements.

Where to eat

The Lime Tree Cafe predates the wave of international chains. Dining in Dubai spans everything from a €5 Pakistani counter to a three-figure rooftop — the spread is vertiginous and both ends are worth your time.

Good to know

Thirty-four halal addresses are listed, but in the Emirates that is the default: the rarer thing is a place serving alcohol, usually inside hotels. Modest dress is expected in public spaces and malls. Friday remains a particular day for mosque visits.

Smart Planning