United Arab Emirates (United Arab Emirates)

Languages: Arabic

Currencies: AED · United Arab Emirates dirham (د.إ)

Capitol: Abu Dhabi

Continents: Asia

Borders: Oman, Saudi Arabia

More useful information

Area: 83,600km2

Population: 9,890,400

Traffic/driving side: right

Landlocked country: No

Independent country: Yes

United Nations member: Yes

IDD Prefix: +971

Timezones: UTC+04

Traveling to United Arab Emirates? Get everything you need with the best deals:

Last updated on April 24, 2024

Dubai has been a hot topic for travelers around the world! And it absolutely does not surprise me at all. Over the last 10 years I had a chance to see how Dubai changes – it’s overwhelming what they have achieved within this stunning metropilis. Here you’ll find the most interesting financial and economic information along with best travel advise to live your unforgettable holiday adventure in Dubai. Due to city popularity a frequent question asked: Is Dubai a country? And how different is Dubai to Adu Dhabi?

Dubai nowadays is a stunning modern city, hosting prominent international cultural events, incredible tourist attractions and phenomenal cuisine. It remains the biggest city in UAE with over 3.5 million residents, magnificent architecture and very well-developed public transport. 

Museum of the Future Dubai - Is Dubai a country?

Is Dubai a country or a city?

DUBAI is not a country. It is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is a federal constitutional monarchy located in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula.

The UAE was formed in 1971 after gaining independence from Great Britain.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are two of the most popular destinations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While they are both located in the UAE, they are two separate cities with their own unique attractions, culture and vibe.

Burj Khalifa Dubai - best things to see in Dubai

Abu Dhabi - the capital of UAE.

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE located about 90 minutes away from Dubai by car. While it may not be as flashy as Dubai, it has its own charm and plenty of things to see and do (including one of the most amazing Formula 1 tracksuits).

Some of its most popular attractions include the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is one of the largest mosques in the world and the Emirates Palace – a luxury hotel that is known for its opulence and grandeur.

Powered by GetYourGuide

What is Dubai famous for?

Dubai is the most populous city in the UAE and is known for its luxurious shopping malls, towering skyscrapers and nightlife. A lot of people say it’s a blinky diamond city built from sand, which only inspires to be The..The..The. But the truth is, Dubai is so much more than this and it has so much to offer even for most demanding tourists.

Dubai is home to some of the world’s most iconic attractions:

  • Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building (say whatever you want but the building is magnificent!),
  • Dubai Fontaine Show – The tallest fontaine in the world,
  • Palm Jumeirah – a man-made island shaped like a palm tree.
Dubai Fontaine Show - best things to see in Dubai

Dubai public transport.

TAXI – all taxis are marked, have taximeter and are pretty cheap. Sometimes using public transport might be a little more expensive than shared taxi. Taxis are probably the most convenient way of traveling around Dubai, although public transport offers lots of different options. 

UBER – available in Dubai – but is more expensive than Taxis ;))) surprise!!

Public transport – you will need to buy a card and charge with credits. Cards are easily accessible in every metro station or in Dubai airport (transportation office). The card works in the underground and busses – you need to scan the card twice – while entering and leaving the bus.

BUS and METRO – bus network works really good in Dubai and it’s high standard. Brand new trains and busses, amazing bus stops and train stations. Metro might be the faster way of traveling through the city because of heavy traffic jams, but you won’t be able to admire the city view. Road quality is incredible but even the highways are crowded for most of the time. 

Best things to see in Dubai!

Burj Khalifa - the tallest building in the world.

Burj Khalifa & Dubai Mall – checking the most magnificent and tallest building in the world comes first!

Burj Khalifa is stunning from the outside and inside! It is also the best place for a magnificent city view. This can be combined with a visit to Dubai Mall – luxury shopping mall with plenty of food outlets. You can access Burj Khalifa from the mall.

With its 125 floors and 828 metres high Burj Khalifa offers number of life-time attractions including:

Burj Khalifa Dubai - best things to see in Dubai

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Palm Jumeirah – incredible place but wasn’t impressed at night-time! There is a separate train going along the Palm Island. Apart of the sparkling hotels I couldn’t see much. 

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is probably one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve seen. There is a private beach next to the hotel, which is  available for tourists, but you must pay an entry fee /online/. On the other side of the hotel there is a public beach – equally nice, offering an incredible view of the hotel. 

DEIRA – the cheap district in Dubai. My leading destination. I was really eager to see the ordinary side of the city and local life. This is what fascinates me the most. The streets are full of small craft shops, where you can purchase some nice souvenirs and clothes. There is also a Gold Souk (market). You will find plenty of cheaper hotels in this area, while the average price of the 4-5 stars hotels is 250 Euro. 

Abu Dhabi an authentic Emirati experience.

One of the biggest differences between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is their approach to tourism. While Dubai has embraced tourism with open arms and has built its economy around it, Abu Dhabi is more focused on preserving its culture and heritage while also attracting tourists. 

Sassari Sardinia

Hey - I'm Eva!

Hiker, adventurous traveler and the author of this blog. My biggest joy is mountaineering and writing reportage travel stories here on this blog, to help you create a unique travel experience. Traveling is freedom, allows you seeing the world truly, meet communities, grow. Taste it!
Connect:

Leave a Comment