Dubai Travel Guide - Best Time to Visit, Shopping, Festivals, Travel Tips and Getting There

If you are also a traveler looking for flying in and out on Emirates then Dubai is a destination where you can hit many alluring destinations in a couple of days. This beautiful country in UAE is worldwide popular as the land of skyscrapers, grand festive celebrations, several platforms to get indulged in adventurous activities, and also the true paradise of culinary delights. Plan a tour to Dubai and explore the incomparable man-made architectural grandeur, and also a hub of entertainment and fun activities for kids and shopping places for women.

Why Dubai

Are you looking for a destination that is a tourist delight and a vibrant business center offering more attractions, shopping, scrumptious food, and world-class hotels, it’s definitely Dubai. The tourism sector in Dubai has expanded significantly in recent times offering Dubai travel delight. People, from close-by countries, are visiting this city to gloat at its enormous infrastructural development. In Dubai, you are sure to encounter countless thrilling and exclusive attractions. Irrespective of the travel taste you have when you travel to Dubai you will be flabbergasted to learn that it is entirely a family place to visit.

Dubai is known as one of the wealthiest nations in the globe, due to its huge oil resources. Dubai is the world's safest place because there is almost no crime. People are very hospitable and respect strangers. They will never fight or disagree with travelers and welcome them with open arms, thus giving endless reasons for travelers to visit Dubai. When it comes to leisure activity in Dubai there is a range of choices available all over Dubai. From nightlife, dining, movies, and theatre, Dubai is a good pick for those who wish to indulge in extravagant activities.

You can also escape from city life and go on a journey full of pleasure into the well-known Arabia Desert. For those who have a love for luxury can stay in the world's only seven-star hotel, the iconic Burj al Arab, the world's tallest hotel, JW Marriott Marquis, or the flamboyant Atlantis.

Best Time to Visit

A vacation trip to Dubai can be planned during its cooler months i.e., between November and April when the hot sun subside and the cool wind blows during the evening and nighttime. The tourist Influx Dubai between the month of November and April when the temperature ranges between 24 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius. You can also expect little rainfall if you are in Dubai from December to March. During the month of April, the temperature tends to rise up to 30 degree Celsius which illustrate the beginning of the summer season. For the travel enthusiast whole year is the best time to visit Dubai. If you visit Dubai during the summer you will find various places equipped with air-conditioning such as hotels, malls, and various other complexes.

Getting There

International travelers can reach Dubai via Emirates National Airlines. It is the main transport hub of the Middle East and it is connected to major cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the rest of the world. The International Airport of Dubai is the largest one and busiest in the Middle East. Their airport has three separate terminals that serve major airlines, low-cost airlines, and Dubai's carrier, Emirates. From India, it takes approximately a three-hour flight to reach the major metropolitan cities of India including Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi. 

Dubai for Shopping

Dubai, the shopping capital of the Middle East offers the Shopaholic an unbeatable value. All the popular brand products are available often less expensive in Dubai than in other countries. Eager shoppers will find an abundance of opportunities to expand their skills and spend money. Prices in Dubai are competitive for many products. Favorite places to accomplish your dream items are the glorious Dubai malls and the souks. Hi-tech contemporary shopping malls are suitably located throughout the city, their efficient air conditioning provides a cool welcome to the customers. In shoppers paradise Dubai there is something for everyone to buy. Bargain a lot, but before that, you need to know what to shop for.

• Gold: Dubai has dedicated gold Souqs that sell really cheap gold and if you want to get things at a low cost then you need to show your bargaining skill. There is a collection of individual stores in up-market malls that sell gold making it an ideal place for shopping in Dubai. There you will find rows of shops that put on show gold jewelry in every design. Most jewelry made and sold here is solid, which is available in 18, 21, 22, or 24 carats, in every form ranging from bracelets, rings, and necklaces to gold ingots.
• Electronics & Home Appliances: In the Emirates find an extensive range of electronics and home appliances at lower costs that cannot be found in many parts of the world. If you master in the bargain the price can reduce further as well. But, remember to check that items have a worldwide warranty.
• Leather & Luggage: Dubai is well known for selling fine leather that can last forever. Purchase a variety of leather products, from gloves, wallets, handbags, shoes, suitcases, etc. You will find a wide range of styles and costs for less costly items.
• Perfumes & Cosmetics: Cosmetics and perfumes in Dubai are big business and there is always a busy trade in perfumes and cosmetics. Every feasible perfume is available here in Dubai. There are Western brands available at a very good price in a big store. Other stories in the Souqs sell local perfumes, which are a mix of Arabian oil.
• Carpets: A Dubai trip is always said incomplete if you don’t get a chance to explore the carpet store. You will find various carpet outlets in most shopping centers, but the Blue Souq in Sharjah offers a wide range of carpets at an attractive prices. Here you get the chance to select your preferred design from the wide collection of designs. Whether carpets are hand or machine-made once in Dubai, shop around and don’t forget to bargain.

Events and Festivals

Dubai has encouraged organizations to plan several fairs, festivals, and events organized throughout the year. This attracts a large number of tourists to the city every year and their stay surely becomes enjoyable and pleasing.

• Dubai Shopping Festival: Dubai is a shopper's delight and the month of January is mostly good for Shopaholics. In January, over two million visitors travel to Dubai to grab the good stuff at a shopping festival. Every shop in the city offers an entertainment zone for the buyers, such as fireworks shows and other events to take a break from the shopping frenzy in Dubai.
• Dubai Bride Show: The bridal show held in the month of April, features a miscellany of events centered on the theme of weddings. This event magnetizes hundreds of visitors from all over the region. Dubai Bride show is organized at the Dubai International Exhibition Center and it showcases a model as a bride, wearing beautiful attire.
• Dubai Rugby Sevens: Held in the month of November every year, the Dubai Rugby Sevens host a game with 16 international teams. They compete for three days to win the prestigious trophy. In a time period of three days, various other shows and events are also organized to keep visitors of all ages entertained. Those who are new to rugby will definitely find rugby a good introduction to the sports events in Dubai.
• Dubai International Film Festival: The best platform to encourage independent and art-house cinema. DIFF is a chief international festival to showcase events for Arab cinema. In order to attract a considerable amount of public attention special guests are invited to the Dubai film festival.
• Ramadan: Ramadan, a Muslim festival, which takes place in the month of October to September, lasts for a whole month and this festive month is celebrated by Muslims residing in any part of the world. But, in Dubai, even Non-Muslims are expected to respect the strict abstinence rules during this time. The last day indicates the end of Ramadan which is celebrated with wild events, feasts, and parties in Dubai.

Tips for Visitors

What to Wear and What Not To

Dubai is one of the hottest places where light summer clothing is appropriate for most of the year. Sweaters and jackets are required for the winter months. Dubai has a little conservative attitude, but it is always sensible to value the religion and culture of the city by wearing proper clothes. Be very careful while wearing clothing that may be considered revealing. However, swimsuits and bikinis are adequate for the beach location.

Public Behavior

In Dubai keep a check on personal behavior in public. Avoid being drunk and remember to avoid overt displays of affection in front of everyone. Such behavior is offensive to Muslim culture and is considered illegal.

How Safe Is Dubai

In Dubai, a tourist is safe and sound as the country is relatively guarded as compared to the other cities that are spread over a huge area in the world. If even little and opportunistic crime takes place in Dubai the penalties are severe and result in harsh punishment.

Driving in Dubai

For first-timers driving in Dubai can be a bit risky as the roads are big and fast. Here, in Dubai, driving standards do vary widely. Seat belts must be worn by the one sitting in the front according to the law. In Dubai, campaigns are held to make this law for the back seats too.

Photography in Dubai

In Dubai, other than tourist areas where photography is particularly permitted, avoid taking pictures of government official buildings, airports, docks, military installations, etc. Never, ever, try clicking a picture of any Muslim lady without seeking her permission as she might disapprove, which can lead to harsh punishment.

Avoid Public Drinking

In Dubai, alcohol cannot be purchased from everywhere in the country and only a few shops sell alcohol in the country. A traveler visiting Dubai cannot purchase alcohol from a local liquor store. You can enjoy drinks at a restaurant and bars. Public drinking and driving while consuming alcohol falls under the punishable offense as per Dubai’s strict law.