A city that didn't exist 50 years ago and now has the tallest building on Earth
Dubai was a modest pearl-diving and trading port until oil was discovered in 1966. In under 60 years it built the Burj Khalifa (828m, the world's tallest structure), the world's largest mall, an indoor ski slope in the desert, and a food scene that absorbs every cuisine on Earth because 90% of its population is foreign-born — Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Arab, and Western expats who collectively created one of the world's most diverse dining cities by necessity. The city doesn't do restraint: if somewhere else has a big one, Dubai builds a bigger one.
Dubai's Al Maktoum ruling family has governed since 1833, when it split from Abu Dhabi. Oil revenues in the 1970s funded the initial building boom; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's sustained strategy from the 1990s onward was to build a post-oil economy based on tourism, finance, and trade before the wells ran dry. The 2020 Expo drew 24 million visitors and accelerated the shift. Today, oil contributes less than 1% of Dubai's GDP — the transformation Sheikh Mohammed bet the city on has largely worked.
Best Nov–Mar · Avoid May–Sep (extreme heat) — this reflects UAE's seasonal weather and crowds.
Visa on arrival (30–90 days, most passports). Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — always confirm with the official UAE government or embassy before you travel.
It depends on your nationality, the airport, and whether you leave the terminal. Many countries let you transit visa-free if you stay airside; some require a transit visa even to change planes; a few offer short visa-free entry. Always check the official UAE transit rules for your passport before booking a layover.
UAE Dirham (AED). You can convert USD to the live local rate right on this page.
Cards work in most city hotels, restaurants and shops, but carry some local cash for markets, street food, small vendors and tips. ATMs usually give the best exchange rate — airport currency counters the worst.
Arabic is the primary language in UAE.
Dial 999 for emergencies in UAE.
Tap water here is generally rated "Tap safe". When unsure, choose sealed bottled or filtered water.
Type G. Bring a compatible adapter — you can build a full packing list for Dubai on this page.
Safety varies by neighbourhood and changes over time, so there's no one-word answer. The local emergency number is 999. Check SkyOSK's safety notes for Dubai and your government's current travel advisory before you go.
SkyOSK home · All destinations · Travel deals · Destination map