Dubai, located in the United Arab Emirates on the southern coast of the Persian Gulf, is part of the Emirate of Dubai – one of the country’s seven emirates. Nicknamed the "Capital of the Future," Dubai is the most populous city in the UAE, with over 2.1 million residents. Once a fishing settlement over 4,000 years ago, Dubai emerged as a major port for trade, fishing, and pearl diving by 1870, under the rule of tribes from southern Arabia. Its transformation into a modern city began with the discovery of oil, paving the way for futuristic infrastructure.
Tourism is Dubai's primary activity, offering endless leisure opportunities and unique attractions, such as:
Golf courses – including the largest in the Middle East.
Wadi bashing – desert safaris in 4x4 vehicles like Toyota Land Cruisers, with an option to spend the night in traditional Bedouin tents.
Luxurious yacht clubs – known for their exclusivity.
Jumeirah Beach – featuring fine sand, palm trees, and Burj Al Arab, the world’s only 7-star hotel, built on an artificial island.
Famous shopping centers – such as Deira City Center, the Gold Souk, Emirates Mall, and Dubai Mall, which boasts over 1,000 stores.
Must-visit landmarks:
Burj Khalifa – the tallest building in the world (828 m). Visitors access it through Dubai Mall, home to an impressive aquarium with over 33,000 fish species.
Jumeirah Mosque – renowned for its twin minarets and spectacular night lighting.
Sheikh Zayed Road – the area with the city’s highest concentration of skyscrapers.
Olympic Ice Rink – a stunning attraction for winter sports enthusiasts.
World Islands – an archipelago of 300 artificial islands, visible from space, with each island priced between $25 million and $30 million.
Annual events:
Dubai World Cup (March) – a prestigious horse racing event featuring some of the world’s most valuable horses, with prizes reaching $6 million.
Dubai Shopping Festival (January-February) – attracts over 2 million visitors annually with massive discounts, performances, and cultural events.
Airlines operating flights to Dubai:
Direct flights: Flydubai, Wizz Air, Tarom.
Connecting flights: Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Air France, British Airways, KLM, Austrian Airlines, Flyone, Hisky, Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, MEA, Swiss.