Welcome to Dubai!
Arriving at the Airport
The dazzling metropolis of Dubai is a separate emirate in the north of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The city’s international airport is considered one of the busiest in the world. If you’re lucky, you’ll see the Palm Jumeirah from the air as you approach landing, one of the most important sights you’ll later discover up close on the ground. The Dubai experience begins upon arrival at the airport. The modern and luxurious-looking complex is vast. So vast, in fact, that it has its own train line that transports passengers between the terminals. Your first real contact with the locals is at the immigration desks, where friendly officials in typical Arabic attire (kaftan) will guide you through the formalities with delightfully ease.
The Way to The City
Now begins the journey to the city center, for which you have several options to choose from. The most convenient and easiest way is to take one of the taxis waiting in front of the arrivals hall of your terminal and have them drive you directly to your first stop. If you want to remain as flexible as possible and experience the city’s traffic firsthand, several rental car companies are available directly on the airport grounds. Alternatively, you can book your vehicle in advance, for example, through Sunny Cars.Don’t worry – driving in Dubai is absolutely doable, as the driving is civilized! The cheapest option is a ride on the Dubai Metro. The well-developed rail network takes you quickly directly to the city center and to several of the city’s attractions. Speaking of money: At the airport, you can easily exchange cash of any currency into local Arab Emirates Dirhams (AED). If necessary, you will find ATMs on almost e
very corner.
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Dubai’s Beaches
The practical thing about Dubai is that many attractions are close to one another, allowing us to minimize time-consuming travel on our journey of discovery. We’ve simply grouped the attractions by city area, allowing us to indulge in the maximum dose of desert metropolis. You can reach Dubai Marina either by car or by taking the metro to the “Internet City” stop. The best way to soak up the atmosphere of the impressive marina is to stroll along the promenade, admire the expensive yachts, and take in the numerous luxury boutiques. The ambiance amidst the skyscraper skyline is truly unique. After a long stroll, you deserve a reward in one of the beautiful harbor cafés, where you can enjoy one last great view of the harbor area.
The Old Town and Dubai Creek
By metro (e.g., to the “Burjuman” station) or car, we head to Al Seef, the starting point for our excursion into Dubai’s Old Town along Dubai Creek. The river, or waterway, is the heart of the metropolis and runs through the old center of the city. Marvel at the modern architecture in the newly developed Al Seef district, which blends perfectly with the cityscape and blends with the old, traditional style. Work your way north along the river. At the point where Dubai Creek bends, you’ll find several boat docks. Be sure to take the time to cross the river in a wooden water taxi; it’s truly a highlight. Once you’ve reached the other side of the river, you’ll find yourself in the winding district of Deira. Wander through the narrow alleys and experience the authentic Dubai in the bustling souks (markets). By now, it’s probably evening, and at this time of year, for example, there are plenty of shops. For example, the fragrant Spice Souk and the sparkling Gold Souk are a real experience. Another highlight of the market activity are the floating markets on the river, which are definitely worth a visit.
A few tips:
If you’ve heard any horror stories about mistreatment of women, mandatory headscarves, scams, or the like, you can safely forget them immediately! Arabs are a very warm-hearted and hospitable people. Like any big city in the world, there are some “shady corners,” but in general, Dubai is considered a very safe city. Women can travel alone without any problems, and even without a headscarf. As long as you follow general safety rules, you won’t run into any problems. Dubai is a modern, cosmopolitan emirate that embraces diverse cultures. As a foreigner, you are welcome and are by no means required to adhere to Islamic rules. You are simply expected to show due (and actually self-evident) respect for the state religion and its holy sites. To be on the safe side, you should keep your shoulders and thighs covered.