Flights to Dubai

U.S. nationals do not need to make any advance visa arrangements to enter Dubai. Once you disembark from your flight, you can proceed to immigration where your passport will be stamped with a 30-day visitor visa, free of charge. For foreign nationals, please check the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs – Dubai website.

Things to do and places of interest in Dubai

One of the most unique cities in the world, Dubai is a traveler’s dream. The city offers several historic sights, contemporary, edgy architecture, trendy nightlife, and a bunch of over-the-top attractions. Dubai also boasts a thriving arts and culture ecosystem, and an ever-evolving culinary scene. There is so much to see and do, that it may be overwhelming to choose what to include in your itinerary, when you travel to Dubai. Here are a few suggestions.

• Visit Dubai’s most popular tourist attractions such as Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Mall, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach, Media City, Internet City, and the Gold Souks and Spice Souks in Old Dubai.
• Learn about Dubai’s history at the Dubai Museum and get a whole new perspective on Islamic tradition and cuisine at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding.
• Stroll in beautiful parks such as Safa Park or Mushrif Park.
• Ride across Dubai Creek in one of the beautiful, old, roofed boats from Bur Dubai Abra station for just 1.00 AED.
• Go on a desert safari and get a glimpse into the Bedouin lifestyle. Try a hubbly bubbly (shisha tobacco), sample freshly barbequed shawarma, and enjoy thrill rides around the desert dunes. In the evening, listen to traditional music and watch authentic belly-dancing performances.
• Catch one of the free fountain shows at the Dubai Fountains situated outside the Dubai Mall.
• Stroll along Al Bastakiya Quarter’s narrow alleyways to admire palm-wood houses and ‘wind towers’ (early Arabian ventilation system). Sample a few brews at the Arabian Tea House that boasts over 100 different blends of tea.

Tips and tricks for visiting Dubai

Buy a Go Dubai Card

Invest in a Go Dubai Card for discounted entry to several top museums, tours, activities, and attractions. The all-inclusive card starts at 759.00 AED for an adult and 519.00 AED for a child (ages 3 – 12). Depending on your itinerary, you can buy a 3, 4, 5, or 7 calendar days’ card.

Go on a food journey

Dubai’s food landscape is a melting pot of over 200 nationalities and cultures. Indulge your taste buds in a wide range of cuisines to make the most of Dubai’s culinary offerings. You can sample several ethnic cuisines including Arabic, Persian, Moroccan and Lebanese. The Emirati food is known to be all about spice and flavor. Try Emirati specialties like al machboos (a flavorsome dish of meat cooked with spice blends and rice), chebabs (Emirati pancakes infused with saffron and date syrup), khameer (bread stuffed with sweet or savory fillings), kunafa (Middle Eastern version of a cheese Danish), and luqaimat (deep-fried dumplings served with local date syrup). Coffee lovers should taste the ‘Gahuwa Arabia’, a coffee that features lightly roasted beans mixed with saffron and cardamom.