On the edge of the Persian Gulf and backed by the Arabian Desert, Dubai is a shiny, contemporary, and fast-growing city with an ancient heart. The buzzing metropolis is known for its artificial islands with white sandy beaches — including Palm Jumeirah, constructed in the shape of a palm tree — panoramic rooftop dining, and world-renowned shopping. This larger-than-life city is also home to the world’s tallest building, the world’s biggest indoor shopping mall, and even an indoor ski slope. While you’re here, you can dine on a diverse array of food ranging from mouth-watering street food to five-star cuisine.

In medieval times, Dubai was a centre for pearl trading, though it wasn’t until oil was discovered off the coastline in 1966 that Dubai became incredibly prosperous. If you’d like to explore the more traditional side of the city, the Al-Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood has buildings dating from the mid-19th century. These structures, created with local stone, sandalwood, and palm wood, now house art exhibits, museums, and cultural centers.

Because of its hot and humid climate, many of Dubai’s attractions are indoors, though its calm beaches are great for swimming, and you can also enjoy sandboarding or buggy rides through the surrounding dunes.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is one of the busiest in the world, and the city is a popular stopover for many international travellers. The best way to get into the city from the airport is via one of the frequent metro trains, which run until midnight and take just 25 minutes. Taxis and ride-hailing services are also available. If you’re planning to explore the region, an extensive bus service connects Dubai to neighbouring destinations on the Arabian Peninsula.

When it comes to holiday rentals and apartments, Dubai has a wide range of options to choose from, and once you’ve settled in, there’s an efficient and reliable public transport network of metro rail, trams, and buses, while you can explore the waterways by ferry or water taxi.

Dubai has a desert climate, so it’s hot and humid all year round. The best time to visit is usually from November to March, when temperatures dip slightly, and the beaches are at their most inviting. This is also the best time of year to explore the surrounding sand dunes. If you are venturing outdoors, early mornings or evenings are usually the coolest, and it’s wise to stay inside during the middle of the day.

Happily, Dubai is a city that’s built for the heat, and there’s always plenty to do in the air-conditioned indoors, regardless of the weather. Shopping malls abound, but you can also find indoor go-karting, museums, bowling centres, cinemas, indoor theme parks, and even a ski field.

Jumeirah Beach

This vast white-sand beach is one of the most popular in Dubai, and a beautiful place to cool off, with a great view of the city skyline from the shore. Relax on a sun lounge or head to one of the beachfront restaurants that overlook the turquoise water of the Persian Gulf. Jumeirah is also a popular spot for water sports, including parasailing and volleyball.

Dubai Miracle Garden

Though lush flower gardens aren’t typically associated with this part of the world, the Dubai Miracle Garden is the world’s largest floral display of its kind. This vast garden is spread over 72,000 square metres and features gloriously coloured 3D designs and arrangements of millions of flowers and plants, all maintained by reused treated water. There’s even a world-record-breaking floral sculpture of an Airbus A380 plane. Note that the garden is closed in the summer months.

Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building: The skyscraper stands at 829.8 metres and is very much a symbol of the city. From the observation deck on the 128th floor, you can get spectacular views over the city, especially at sunset. Burj Khalifa holds several records. It houses the world’s highest elevator, the highest outdoor observation deck, and the highest occupied floor.