Burj Khalifa
World's tallest building (828 m), At The Top observation decks on floors 124/125 and 148.
02 / 07 · The City of the Future
Dubai دبي
Dubai is the UAE's most populous emirate and its commercial capital, a global city built on trade, tourism, aviation, real estate and financial services rather than oil.
Burj KhalifaPalm JumeirahDubai MallExpo Cityfree zonesbeachesHatta
Now in Dubai30°CClear · 28° / 32° · 74% humidity
About
The emirate
Dubai is the UAE's most populous emirate and its commercial capital, a global city built on trade, tourism, aviation, real estate and financial services rather than oil.
From a pearling and trading village on Dubai Creek, it became home to the world's tallest building (Burj Khalifa), one of the busiest international airports (DXB) and the Middle East's biggest port (Jebel Ali).
Dubai runs one of the world's most digital governments, most services are paperless via DubaiNow, and the emirate aims to be a global capital of the digital economy.
Key facts
At a glance
- Capital
- Dubai City
- Ruler
- HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (also VP & Prime Minister of the UAE)
- Area
- 4,114 km²
- Population
- ≈ 3.9 million
- Coastline
- Arabian Gulf
- Joined the union
- 2 December 1971
- Government portal
- dubai.ae · DubaiNow app
- Airports
- Dubai International (DXB) · Al Maktoum (DWC)
- Metro
- Dubai Metro Red & Green lines (RTA, 800 9090)
- Known for
- Burj Khalifa, shopping, tourism, trade & finance
- Utilities
- DEWA, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority
- Tourism info
- Visit Dubai, visitdubai.com
- Average rent (2BR apt, central)
- AED 90,000-150,000/year
- Utilities provider
- DEWA, register with Ejari tenancy contract
- Health insurance
- Mandatory under Dubai law, Essential Benefits Plan for lower salaries
- Internet & TV
- etisalat by e& · du · Virgin Mobile
- Popular residential areas
- Marina, JLT, Downtown, JVC, Deira, Al Barsha, Mirdif
- Ejari
- All tenancy contracts must be registered, protects tenant rights
Places
What to see
Landmarks, heritage, nature and days out in Dubai.
The Dubai Mall
One of the world's largest malls, Dubai Aquarium, ice rink, and the Dubai Fountain show outside.
Palm Jumeirah
Palm-shaped artificial island, Atlantis The Palm & Royal, The View at The Palm, beach clubs.
Burj Al Arab
The sail-shaped 7-star hotel on its own island, Inside Burj Al Arab tours available.
Museum of the Future
Toroidal calligraphy-clad museum exploring life in 2071, one of the world's most beautiful buildings.
Dubai Frame
150 m golden frame with glass-floor bridge, old Dubai on one side, new Dubai on the other.
Dubai Creek & Al Fahidi
Abra boat crossings, Gold & Spice Souks, and the wind-tower houses of Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Dubai Marina & JBR
Skyscraper-lined marina walk, Ain Dubai (world's largest observation wheel), and The Beach at JBR.
Global Village
Seasonal (Oct-Apr) multicultural festival park, 90+ country pavilions, food and shows.
Dubai Miracle Garden
World's largest natural flower garden, 150 million blooms (open in winter).
Mall of the Emirates & Ski Dubai
Indoor ski slope with real snow and penguins inside a mall.
Hatta
Mountain enclave, kayaking on Hatta Dam, hiking, mountain biking and glamping.
Directory
Who to call in Dubai
Emirate-level services. Nationwide numbers such as 999 work everywhere.
Emergency number 9
Dubai Police (non-emergency)Enquiries, minor incidents, tourist police
Al Ameen, confidential security reportingDubai Police community reporting, also WhatsApp
DCAS SOS AppDubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, SOS with GPS location
DEWA emergencies24/7 electricity & water contact centre
Dubai MunicipalityFood safety (foodpoisoning@dm.gov.ae), public health, sanitation
RTA, Roads & TransportMetro, buses, taxis, parking, Salik
Ahlan Dubai, Consumer rightsDepartment of Economy & Tourism consumer protection
Dubai Coast GuardMarine emergencies in Dubai waters
Dubai Tourism Security (tourists)Dedicated help for visitors
Online portal / app 8
Hospital 10
Rashid HospitalPublic (DHA), major trauma & emergency centre
Dubai HospitalPublic (DHA), multi-specialty
Latifa HospitalPublic (DHA), women & children
Hatta HospitalPublic (DHA)
Mediclinic City HospitalPrivate, Dubai Healthcare City
American Hospital DubaiPrivate, JCI accredited
King's College Hospital London, DubaiPrivate
Saudi German Hospital DubaiPrivate
Aster / NMC / Medcare networksPrivate hospitals & clinics across the city
Al Jalila Children's HospitalSpecialist paediatric hospital
School 8
Dubai CollegeBritish curriculum, selective
Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)British curriculum
GEMS Wellington InternationalBritish / IB
The Indian High SchoolIndian CBSE, one of the largest Indian schools abroad
Dubai International AcademyIB continuum
King's School DubaiBritish curriculum
Dubai American AcademyAmerican / IB (GEMS)
Lycée Français InternationalFrench curriculum
University 8
American University in Dubai (AUD)US-accredited liberal arts
University of DubaiBusiness, law & IT
Heriot-Watt University DubaiUK branch campus
Middlesex University DubaiUK branch campus
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine (MBRU)Medicine & health sciences
Canadian University DubaiCanadian-transfer pathways
Zayed University, Dubai campusFederal university
RIT Dubai / University of Birmingham DubaiInternational branch campuses in DIAC
Court / legal 4
Transport 6
Dubai MetroRed & Green lines, driverless · Nol card · 800 9090
RTA buses & tramsNol card accepted; tram serves Marina/JBR
TaxisRTA cream taxis, S'hail app, Careem, Uber, Hala Taxi
Salik tollAED 4-6 per gate, auto-charged via windshield tag
Abra boatsAED 1-2 crossings on Dubai Creek, the oldest transport in the city
IntercityE100/E101 to Abu Dhabi, E303/E306 to Sharjah, E700 to Fujairah
Free zone 9
DIFCFinancial centre, own English common-law courts & DFSA regulator
DMCC (JLT / Uptown)Commodities, crypto, gaming, AI, e-commerce, award-winning free zone
JAFZATrade & logistics beside Jebel Ali Port
DAFZAAviation & high-value logistics by DXB airport
Dubai Internet City / Media CityTech giants & media companies
Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)Tech, startups & light industry
Dubai Healthcare CityMedical & life sciences
Meydan / IFZA / Dubai CommerCityCost-effective & e-commerce licences
Dubai SouthAviation & logistics around Al Maktoum Airport
