The City of Luxury and Records in the Middle of the Desert
Highlights and practical information for your visit
Skyscrapers line both sides of a 3.5-kilometer artificial sea canal dug in the late 1990s. The waterfront promenade (The Walk) is the departure point for late-afternoon yacht tours, while its cafés are among the most photographed viewpoints of the skyscraper skyline.
A palm-shaped artificial island built between 2001-2006 with sand dredged from the Persian Gulf. Residential developments line the trunk, Atlantis The Palm hotel and Aquaventure water park occupy the crescent at its tip, and "The Pointe" promenade and restaurant strip sit at its base.
Designed by Adrian Smith and completed in 2010, the 828-meter tower stands on a three-winged plan inspired by the petal structure of the desert lily. From the observation decks on floors 124, 125 and 148, you can see the city from end to end and the desert stretching to the horizon.
Opened in Zabeel Park in 2018, this 150-meter building shaped like a golden frame offers a glass-floored viewpoint on its upper walkway. Look one way for Deira's old, low-rise fabric and the other for Downtown's skyscraper skyline — thirty years of the city's transformation fit into a single frame.
Established on barren land in Al Barsha in 2013, this garden grows more than 150 million flowers using drip irrigation. A life-size Airbus A380 model covered in flowers is its most photographed feature; the garden closes for summer when temperatures exceed 40°C.
Coral-stone houses built by Iranian merchants in the late 19th century cluster here, with rooftop wind towers (barjeel) providing natural ventilation. Narrow lanes lead down to Dubai Creek; traditional wooden boats (abras) ferry visitors to the Spice Souk on the opposite bank.
The world's largest shopping mall, with more than 1,200 stores; it houses a 10-million-liter aquarium and an Olympic-size ice rink. Outside, the fountain in Burj Khalifa's lake stages water and light shows set to music every evening.
Designed by Killa Design and opened in 2022, the ring-shaped building incorporates Arabic calligraphy selected from Sheikh Mohammed's poems into its three-story steel-composite outer shell. Inside, an exhibition route unfolds through scenarios involving space stations, ecosystem restoration and biotechnology.
What will you do from hour to hour, from morning to evening?
From Burj Khalifa to Marina skyscrapers
Watch the city from the terrace of the world's tallest building. Buy your ticket online in advance.
Tour the shopping mall, check out the aquarium from the outside, and eat modern Arabic cuisine at Logma.
Experience future technologies in the museum with stylish architecture.
Watch the dancing fountain show, held every half hour starting in the evening.
An upscale Japanese dining experience in the chic DIFC district.
Deira markets and Abra crossing on the river Spree
Walk among the old wind-tower buildings and visit the coffee museum.
Taste delicious traditional Arabic appetizers and tea in the historical courtyard.
Cross the river (Deira) by traditional wooden boat.
Wander among the scents of spice shops and photograph their golden showcases. Negotiate.
Eat Iranian kebab at Dubai's most famous kebab restaurant.
From Palm Island to JBR beach
Climb up to The View observation point to see the palm island in palm form from the 52nd floor.
Dine overlooking the ocean at one of the beachside restaurants.
Walk among giant skyscrapers or take a 1-hour fast marina boat tour.
An unforgettable farewell dinner on the pier with a view of Burj Al Arab.
From local classics to hype places
Local Classic Set in the courtyard of one of Al Fahidi's coral-stone houses, this café is known for its turquoise doors and windows. The menu focuses on traditional Emirati breakfast (chebab, balaleet) and mint-lemon tea.
Local Classic Opened in 1978, this Iranian restaurant is tucked beside the metro station in Bur Dubai. The walls are covered with signed photographs of past customers, and kebabs with yogurt sauce are served at low prices by Dubai standards.
Premium In DIFC's Gate Village, this venue follows the same izakaya concept as its London and Tokyo branches. Robata-grilled black cod and large sushi platters are common shared orders at the tables.
Current Hype A branch in Dubai Mall's Fashion Avenue of a chain bringing traditional Emirati street food to table service. Spiced fries and lugaimat (dough balls) dipped in honey syrup are among the most popular orders.
Local Classic A Pakistani restaurant with plastic tables, open at the same Satwa address since 1978. Construction workers and businesspeople wait in the same queue for butter chicken served with naan fresh from the tandoor.
Premium A seafood restaurant sitting entirely over the water at the end of Jumeirah Al Qasr's wooden pier extending into the sea. Tables face Burj Al Arab's illuminated silhouette; sunset reservations fill weeks in advance.
Entertainment from evening to morning
Current Hype A multi-block entertainment complex on JBR beach, taken over by the McGettigan's group. Nearly twenty themed bars, a beach club and a rooftop terrace share the same grounds; late-afternoon pool parties are the complex's busiest hours.
Local Classic A beach club at the entrance to Dubai Marina, next to the Skydive Dubai runway. Sun loungers and a pool by day give way to DJ sets and a nightclub atmosphere in the evening.
Premium An open-air club on the grandstand roof of Meydan Racecourse. Electronic music and R&B nights alternate on the dance floor facing Downtown's skyscraper skyline.
Gift, local, premium
Opened in 2008, the world's largest shopping mall has more than 1,200 stores. It is divided into different sections, from the Fashion Avenue wing of luxury brands to the inner courtyard lined with jewelers.
Opened in 2005, this shopping mall is known for Ski Dubai, a slope producing real snow inside a glass tunnel. With fewer corridors than Dubai Mall, it is easier to explore in a single visit.
A souk in Deira where hundreds of jewelers line the passage beneath a timber-beamed roof. Gold jewelry hanging in the windows is sold by the gram based on World Gold Council prices; workmanship charges are negotiable.
When to go, how to get there, city transportation, accommodation, budget and practical tips.
Dubai is the most populous and most prominent tourism destination among the seven emirates forming the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It lies on the Persian Gulf coast of the Arabian Peninsula. More than 85 percent of its 3.5 million residents are expatriates from other countries, so English is heard more often than Arabic on the streets.
A small fishing and pearl-diving town in the 1960s, Dubai became a regional hub through investments in finance, trade and logistics after oil was discovered. Today's city is home to the world's tallest building (Burj Khalifa), its largest shopping mall (Dubai Mall) and artificial islands built off the coast; scale and records lie at the heart of its planning philosophy.
Dubai has a desert climate; summers are extremely hot and humid, while winter weather feels closer to spring.
By air: Dubai has two airports: the main Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum Airport (DWC), which mainly handles charter and cargo traffic. Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, flydubai and Emirates operate direct flights from Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW); the flight takes about 4-4.5 hours. Ticket prices vary between 250-500 EUR depending on the season.
Airport–City center transportation (DXB):
| Option | Duration | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Metro (Red Line) | 20-30 min | ~5-8AED | Direct boarding is possible from Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. It is fast and cheap. |
| Taxi | 15-25 min | 50-80AED | The starting fee for taxis departing from the airport is 25 AED. |
| Uber / Careem | 15-25 min | 70-110AED | Careem is Dubai's local taxi/private car app. |
Sheikh Zayed Road's 12 lanes capture Dubai's scale; the city stretches lengthwise along the coast, so distances between neighborhoods are usually measured in driving time.
Dubai's accommodation areas are clearly differentiated by budget and holiday style.
| Category | Backpacker | Medium | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (2 nights) | 50-80 (Deira Hotel) | 200-400 (near Marina/Shopping Mall) | 1000+ (Atlantis / Burj Al Arab) |
| Transportation (Metro & Taxi) | 15 (Nol Card) | 50 (Taxi & Careem) | 150 (Premium Careem / With Driver) |
| Food | 30-50 (Ravi & Al Ustad) | 120-200 | 500+ (Zuma & Pierchic) |
| Entrance Tickets (Burj Khalifa etc.) | 30 (Frame + Fountains) | 140 (Burj Khalifa + Museum of the Future) | 350 (Helicopter Tour & VIP Entrance) |
| Entertainment / Shopping | 30 | 80 | 400+ |
| Total (3 days) | 155-205 | 590-870 | **2400++ |
Dubai is well suited to families with children: the world's tallest building, large aquariums, desert safaris and water parks can easily be planned around children's ages. Its infrastructure is equipped with child-friendly facilities — baby-care rooms, elevators and discounted tickets are found throughout the city.
Ages 0-3: Dubai Mall's baby-care rooms offer hotel-level comfort. Air-conditioned malls are a practical escape from the heat. Parks along Dubai Creek and JBR beach are suitable for little ones.
Ages 4-7: Dubai Aquarium's glass tunnel and penguin section appeal to this age group. Legoland Dubai provides a full day of activities. As an indoor theme park, IMG Worlds of Adventure is also an option in summer.
Ages 8-12: Going up Burj Khalifa (buy tickets in advance), dune bashing on desert safaris for over-8s, and Wild Wadi or Aquaventure water parks fill this age group's schedule.
Ages 13+: Skiing at Ski Dubai and stepping back out into 40°C heat makes an interesting contrast for this age group. Global Village, Dubai Frame and a Marina walk are popular stops with teenagers.
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo — The aquarium in Dubai Mall houses 33,000 marine creatures around a glass tunnel; there is shark diving for older visitors and a touch pool.
Legoland Dubai + Legoland Water Park — More than 40 rides, shows and attractions. The water park is included in the ticket; suitable for children aged 2-12.
Desert Safari — Dune bashing, camel riding, henna painting and dinner at a desert camp are offered together.
Aquaventure Waterpark — The water park at Atlantis The Palm has 105 slides, a wave pool, a lazy river and a separate children's area; allow a full day.
KidZania Dubai — An interactive city in Dubai Mall where children try out professions. Children aged 4-16 take on the roles of pilots, doctors or journalists.
Strollers: Malls' flat, spacious floors make getting around with a stroller easy, and some centers offer free rentals. Outdoor walking is difficult in the heat, so cars or taxis are needed.
Children's menus: The vast majority of restaurants offer children's menus; international cuisine choices are extensive, with child-friendly options from fast-food chains to fine dining.
Children's ticket discounts: The metro is free for under-5s. Most attractions and theme parks offer child fares, and some hotels provide free stays for children.
Toilets: Comfortable and widely available in shopping malls. Clean toilets are also available at beaches and parks.
Although Dubai looks cosmopolitan and modern, it is an Islamic emirate governed by Sharia rules. In this context, a few rules require attention:
How to get a Dubai visa? Turkish citizens with burgundy passports need a visa. Applications are entirely online (e-visa); apply with a passport copy through agencies, THY or Pegasus, and the visa arrives by email as a PDF within 3-5 days. Green passport holders do not need a visa.
Is Dubai a cheap city? Generally, no. As a luxury-oriented city, prices in Marina and Downtown run above those of major European cities. In expatriate neighborhoods such as Deira and Satwa, accommodation and food prices fall significantly.
Is it forbidden to chew gum in the subway? Yes. Chewing gum, eating or drinking water is prohibited in metro stations and trains. If caught, you pay a fine of 100 AED (about 27 USD).
When is the Desert Safari held? Desert safari tours usually start around 15:00 in the afternoon. The program includes driving over sand dunes in 4x4 vehicles (dune bashing), camel riding, dinner at a desert camp and dance shows. The cool winter weather makes it comfortable, while summer heat makes it challenging.
Upcoming festivals, concerts and public holidays
December 2026 - January 2027 period (dates TBA
Shopping malls and markets throughout the city
Seasonal or recurring event
Dubai's biggest shopping event, where huge discounts, fireworks and street concerts take place throughout the city.
Information checked:
Official source →End of February – mid-March 2027 (estimated
Citywide (restaurants + pop-up areas)
Seasonal or recurring event
Dubai's annual citywide food festival, with campaigns like "Restaurant Week", pop-up spaces and city-wide gastro events.
Information checked:
Official source →End of March 2027 (estimated
Meydan Hippodrome
Seasonal or recurring event
One of the highest prize money horse racing events in the world. A fashion and sports day where stylish hats and luxury clothing compete.
Information checked:
Official source →Current according to passport type
The UAE requires a visa for ordinary (burgundy) passport holders; there is no visa-free entry, and an e-visa must be obtained before travel. Apply online or through your airline (THY, Pegasus, Emirates); it is usually issued in 1-3 working days. A standard tourist e-visa lasts 30 days (a 60-day option is also available). Your passport must remain valid for at least 6 months after entry.
Official application →Green passport holders can travel visa-free for up to 90 days within 180 days.
Gray passport holders can enter without a visa.
Black passport holders can enter without a visa.
For application links and other countries, check the Turkish Passport Visa Guide.
Flight Search
Compare flights to Dubai with your dates and baggage options
Istanbul → Dubai · One Way
Sample one-way fares departing Istanbul (IST), based on recent search records. Prices and availability may change at booking.Fare observed:Wed, Nov 11
If you liked Dubai, check these out too