Dubai
UAE
Desert skyscrapers and luxury at every turn
Find stays in Dubai8/10Tourist score
5/5Safety level
Best time to visit
November to March
Monthly temperatures
24°14°Jan
26°15°Feb
29°18°Mar
34°21°Apr
39°25°May
41°28°Jun
42°30°Jul
42°31°Aug
40°28°Sep
36°24°Oct
30°19°Nov
26°16°Dec
Currency
CurrencyUAE Dirham (AED)
Exchange rate1 USD = 3.67 AED / 1 EUR = 3.97 AED
The dirham is pegged to the USD (1 USD = 3.67 AED, fixed). Exchange at Al Ansari or UAE Exchange offices in malls — very competitive rates.
ATMs & cards
ATMs everywhere (ENBD, Mashreq, ADCB). Most don’t charge a local fee. Your bank’s international fee applies. Withdraw in AED.
Getting around
- Metro — clean, cheap, covers main attractions. Red line is the most useful. Nol card required
- Taxi — metered, cheap (AED 12 starting). Careem/Uber work well
- Water taxi/abra — AED 1 to cross the Creek, great experience
- Walking — only practical in cooler months and in specific areas (Marina, Downtown)
- Airport: metro Red line to Downtown (30 min, AED 8)
Must-see
Food tip
Skip hotel restaurants. Eat at Al Mallah (shawarma), Ravi (Pakistani), or Bu Qtair (seafood shack on the beach). Friday brunch is a Dubai institution.
Safety
Extremely safe. Respect local customs: no public intoxication, dress modestly outside beach/pool areas, no PDA beyond hand-holding.
Things to do
- Visit Burj Khalifa observation deck
- Explore the Gold and Spice Souks
- Take a desert safari
- Visit the Dubai Mall aquarium
- Walk through Al Fahidi historical district
- Beach day at JBR