Middle East
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U. A. E
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Dubai
One of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, the city is home to more than 200 nationalities and offers an unforgettable experience to all visitors.
5 min read
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12 July, 2022
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Isma Mccoy
Written by
Isma Mccoy
Once a small fishing village in the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is today one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. One of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, the city is home to more than 200 nationalities and offers an unforgettable experience to all visitors. Whether it is by the banks of the Creek, or at the top of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, Dubai lives and breathes a sense of possibility and innovation. And with an unparalleled coastline, beautiful desert and magnificent cityscapes, memories are just waiting to be made here.
Local culture & heritage
With around 200 nationalities represented in Dubai, how people dress is incredibly varied – yet the traditional attire of the UAE is bold and distinctive. You can see it all across the city.
Emirati national dress is a symbol of pride and identity that has been designed with the dual intent of providing comfort and adhering to religious beliefs. In Dubai, men wear an ankle-length, loose-fitting garment made of white cotton, known as a kandora or dishdasha. A ghutrah covers the head and is held in place by the agal, a type of black cord. This garment was originally used to protect the face from the harsh desert environment.
Traditionally, women in Dubai wear an abaya – a long, black flowing light coat over their clothing. This is worn over their Western clothes or a traditional long-sleeved full-length dress known as a jalabeya. A black scarf called a shayla is often draped over the head.
Sights & Attractions
Whether you want to treat the family to non-stop thrills at theme parks and waterparks, admire incomparable views from sky-high venues, spend a day of fun in the desert or simply find the best Dubai attractions in the sunshine, there’s always something spectacular to discover in our city. Be inspired and start planning your perfect Dubai holiday today.
Eat & Drink
There’s nothing we love more than food and, with hundreds of nationalities living in Dubai, we’ve got every craving covered. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly cafes, celebrity restaurants, wildly inventive menus, traditional Emirati cuisine or Instagram-worthy dining hotspots, you’ll find it here. Go ahead and discover the best places to eat in our city.
Burj al arab hotel from the jumeirah beach
Panorama of a hot day in the metropolis dubai
“Going through different places, I stopped through Dubai and stayed there overnight. There I had an ultra-culture shock.”
- Tequan Richmond
Travelling to the UAE
Vaccinated travellers to the UAE are not required to present a negative result of RT-PCR test for COVID-19 at the airport of departure. However, those who are not vaccinated must either present a valid, negative result of an RT-PCR test conducted within 48 hours before arrival or a recovery certificate (containing a QR code) from COVID-19 issued within 30 days before departure, if they were infected with the virus.