Dubai, UAE

A global tourism industry

Dubai welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, up 5% from 2024. Tourism is supported by global aviation, a large hotel sector, major events, shopping, restaurants, beaches, entertainment, family attractions, business travel and a calendar designed to keep the city active across the year.

Landmarks and experiences

Burj Khalifa rises 828 metres in Downtown beside Dubai Mall. Palm Jumeirah extends resort life into the Gulf, while Burj Al Arab remains one of the city’s most recognisable silhouettes. Dubai Frame, Museum of the Future, Dubai Marina and JBR represent the modern city; Dubai Creek, Deira, Al Fahidi and Al Seef reveal older trading, maritime and neighbourhood history. Beyond the city, desert experiences and Hatta add a different landscape.

Architecture: from wind towers to supertalls

Dubai’s architecture is defined by contrast. Traditional courtyard houses and wind-tower forms can be explored around Al Fahidi, while Sheikh Zayed Road, Downtown, Business Bay and the coast showcase high-rise engineering and statement design. Emirates Towers helped define the modern skyline; Burj Khalifa pushed vertical scale further; Palm Jumeirah changed the relationship between city and coastline.

Neighbourhoods and different ways to live

Downtown is dense, central and landmark-driven. Dubai Marina and JBR combine towers, waterfront walks, beaches and restaurants. Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim are more low-rise and coastal. Palm Jumeirah is resort-oriented. Deira and Bur Dubai retain stronger links to older commercial Dubai. Business Bay and DIFC connect urban living with business, while family-oriented communities offer quieter residential patterns away from the tourist core.

Food, shopping, beach and culture

Dubai’s population makes its dining scene unusually international, from Emirati and wider Arab food to South Asian, Iranian, European and East Asian cuisines and Michelin-recognised restaurants. Modern malls coexist with traditional souks. Beaches, watersports, yacht trips, wellness, concerts, art spaces such as Alserkal Avenue and museums create a lifestyle that extends well beyond shopping.

Climate and rhythm of the city

The cooler months encourage outdoor dining, beaches, desert trips and events; the hottest months shift more activity into air-conditioned indoor spaces. This seasonality is fundamental to understanding everyday life. Strong air connectivity and a highly international population make Dubai particularly easy to connect with other global cities.

Why Dubai is distinctive

Dubai compresses heritage, global commerce, luxury hospitality, ambitious engineering, coastline and desert into one metropolitan experience. The right district depends on whether the priority is beach access, walkability, business proximity, family life, nightlife, views or a quieter residential environment.