Top 10 things to know before visiting Dubai
Dubai is one among the foremost visited destinations within the world and residential to variety of record-breakers, from the world’s tallest tower to the busiest international airfield on the world. Yet for all the city's accolades, there square measure still lots of misconceptions regarding the glitzy Gulf emirate. Here are 10 things you'll want to know before you arrive.
You don’t have to be a millionaire
It’s frequently named one amongst the world's costliest cities, however you'll be able to relish urban center on a budget. As the city gears up to host Expo 2020, millennial-friendly mid-market hotel chains such as Rove and Hilton Garden Inn are booming. Metered taxis ar low-cost by international standards, and you'll be able to ride the railroad line for as very little as Dh3. The city is brimfull with low-cost chow too, especially around Al Muraqqabat Rd and Al Rigga Rd in Deira.
There is culture
Contrary to popular stereotypes, there’s more to Dubai than shopping and skyscrapers. Look beyond the bling, and you’ll discover a rich cultural heritage that blends Bedouin, Arab and Islamic traditions. For a quick history lesson, visit the Etihad Museum and Dubai Museum and then head to the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understandingfor a no-holds-barred Q&A session on Emirati culture. Meanwhile, explore the burgeoning modern art scene at Alserkal Avenue and catch a performance at the ship-shaped urban center Opera.
Dubai is not dry
Think you can’t get a drink? Alcohol is on the market in authorized bars and restaurants, that ar usually hooked up to hotels (although exceptions embody some high-end eateries in Dubai International monetary Centreand town Walk). Most bars have happy hours – Nola has one of the best – and the legal drinking age is 21, so take your photo ID. Ladies’ night, usually on Tuesdays, means women can enjoy free drinks, while all-you-can-eat-and-drink Friday brunches are a Dubai institution.
Dubai is a top spot for foodies
With Michelin tipped to launch a guide to Dubai within the close to future, eating go into the town has ne'er tasted thus smart. Dubai’s multicultural mix means you can feast on everything from budget-friendly ethnic eatsand traditional Emirati cuisine to French fine-dining and molecular gastronomy. Hip homegrown eateries like Sum of Us and Salt are leading the shift away from international chains, while Frying Pan Adventures offers fantastic foodie tours of old Dubai.
Skip the burkini
Dubai may be a cosmopolitan town, with expats creating up nearly eighty fifth of the population. There’s no need to cover your hair, shorts and t-shirts are fine in many places, and you can wear a bikini at the beach or by the pool. It’s a glamorous city too, so dress to impress at brunch and out clubbing. In the malls, mosques and souqs, you should respect local Islamic culture by dressing modestly, which means shoulders and knees covered.
Dubai is incredibly forward-looking
Forget notions of a town fuelled only by black gold; city has with success heterogenous its economy aloof from oil to become a thriving hub for transport, trade, finance and commercial enterprise. What’s more, the government is working with high-tech companies to develop self-driving cars, flying drone taxis and 3D organ printing. One of the most exciting partnerships is with Hyperloop One, which is developing a supersonic transport system that could link Dubai with Abu Dhabi in 12 minutes.
The weekend is Friday and Saturday
Most people have Friday off work, once Muslims gather for congregational prayers. Dubai underground services begin at 10am on Fridays, and businesses square measure historically closed for a number of hours within the afternoon, though several currently stay open throughout the day. If you’re looking to party, the busiest nights of the week are Thursdays and Fridays, while malls are also packed with shoppers until midnight.
Dubai wants to rival Orlando
Florida’s theme-park capital faces a replacement rival, with four major theme parks opened in metropolis in 2016. They include IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world’s largest indoor theme park with dedicated Marvel and Cartoon Network zones, and the Hollywood-inspired Motiongate, with rides based on blockbusters such as Madagascar and Ghostbusters.
