Anything is possible in Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates. Known as the city of endless possibilities, Dubai will simply blow your mind! With so many record-breaking attractions, luxury hotels, family-friendly theme parks, world-class shopping malls, and things to do, Dubai has become one of the most well-liked destinations for people worldwide.
The ever-increasing influx of tourists in Dubai makes it obvious that Dubai has become a popular tourist destination in the middle east and the world. In fact, TripAdvsiors Travellers’ Choice Award, has awarded Dubai the title of being the best destination in the world for travel in the year 2022 and 2023.
Be it for leisure, adventure, or even a business trip, Dubai is the place to be in 2023. There are just so many things one can choose to experience in Dubai. Here are our recommendations of the top 10 things to do in Dubai that are not to be missed.
So if you are planning to visit Dubai, here are 10 fun facts that you should know.
1. Dubai was once a fishermen’s village
Dubai was once a sparse agricultural village nurtured by the ancient Bedouins. The earliest mention of Dubai, then called Dibei, comes from the tenth-century cartographer Muhammad al-Idrisi, who mapped the UAE’s coast. In around 1580, Venetian jeweler Gasparo Balbi documented the thriving pearling industry in Dubai and other nearby cities.
One of the most interesting facts about Dubai is that Dubai is one of the fastest-growing cities among the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Before the discovery of oil in the 1950s, Dubai’s economy relied on fishing and the pearl industry. However, since oil exports began in 1962, the city witnessed a dramatic transformation from a sleepy suburbia to a futuristic city sustaining millions of lives.
Many original residents of Dubai still recall the nostalgia of the bustling trade at spice souks and the droning dhow at the Diera. Old Dubai Walking Tour, gives a glimpse into the past of Dubai’s life in the historic neighborhood of Bur Dubai.
2. Dubai Holds More Than 300 World Records
When it comes to larger-than-life achievements, Dubai takes the lead. This vibrant city surprisingly holds more than 300+ world records. From Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, The Dubai Frame, the world’s largest frame, Dubai Mall, the largest shopping mall, Burj Al Arab hotel, tallest in-suite hotel in the world, to the fastest Police Car belonging to Dubai Police and a multitude of other extraordinary accomplishments, Dubai consistently pushes the boundaries.
Fun fact: Dubai’s Police force has some of the most luxurious can you can imagine. Bugatti Veyron, Ferrari FF and the oh so fancy Lamborghini Aventador, are some of the cars that Dubai Police Force has been seeing using.
3. More Foreigners Live In Dubai Than Locals
Dubai’s population consists of nearly three million, but only a small percentage are native UAE residents. The city’s economy is home to a large number of foreign expats including Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, British, American, and African communities, making it a diverse and multicultural hub.
Owing to its strategic location, lucrative funding policies and technological development, Dubai has also become a hotspot for global business. Dubai international airport is one of the busiest airports in the middle east.
4. Dubai Has The World’s Largest Flower Garden
Situated in the district of Dubailand, Dubai, the Dubai Miracle Garden proudly holds the title of the world’s largest natural flower garden. Since its inauguration on Valentine’s Day in 2013, this breathtaking garden has mesmerized visitors with its expansive 72,000 square-meter space adorned with over 150 million flowers, creating a vivid tapestry of scents and colors. Since its opening almost nine years ago, on Valentine’s Day, the Dubai Miracle Garden has blossomed into one of the region’s most picturesque and sweet-smelling tourist attractions.
Another note-worthy garden that you can add to your Dubai vacation is Dubai Garden Glow, the world’s largest glow-in-the-dark garden.
Dubai has many incredible amusement parks and theme parks for you to explore, but if it’s still not enough, plan a visit to its nearby Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and visit Warner Bros Abu Dhabi, the largest indoor theme and amusement park there.
5. Dubai City Vs Emirate
When Dubai comes to mind, most people associate it with the city itself. However, it’s important to note that Dubai is also an emirate. While the city serves as the emirate’s capital, there are also smaller communities and less-developed areas encompassed within the Emirate of Dubai.
Want to know more fun facts? The address system in Dubai is a little unusual. They do not have a postal code to date and in some cases even not even street addresses. They rely mostly on phone numbers and the name of the building to send and receive parcels. Even though Dubai’s official address system is different than most countries, they still manage to correctly send parcels across the city.
6. It Has A Set Of Islands In The Shape Of A Palm Tree
An iconic feature of Dubai is its palm-shaped set of artificial islands, known as the Dubai Palm Jumeirah. This remarkable creation holds the title of the world’s largest artificial archipelago, crafted entirely from sand and rocks. One can embark on a thrilling helicopter joy ride to soak in the beautiful views of Palm Jumeirah along with the views of iconic landmarks such as Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis The Palm, and Jumeira beach shoreline, to fully appreciate the view from the above. One can also take part in a skydiving adventure, as it offers a unique perspective of the artificial Palm Islands.
7. No Public Display Of Affection Allowed
Dubai is well-known for its strict regulations, demanding the observance of local rules irrespective of whether you’re traveling for business or leisure, and necessitating some adjustment to the local culture. Public displays of affection are treated with great seriousness, and kissing in public can lead to fines or even deportation. While holding hands may be acceptable in certain settings such as restaurants, caution is advised against doing so while walking on the streets. It is advised to strictly abide by the rules and regulations of the Dubai local government.
8. Dubai Receives Limited Rainfall
Dubai has a desert climate with minimal rainfall. It only rains for an average of 25 days per year, and the sun shines for 12 hours per day in the month of June and eight hours in January. That being said, Dubai can get extremely hot, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the spring and summer. To avoid the intense heat, it’s advisable to visit during the winter or fall when temperatures are more pleasant.
However, if you’re to visit Dubai in the summer, do not worry. There are plenty of ways to beat the heat in Dubai. Indulge yourself in water activities like jet skiing, kayaking, and yacht cruising, or book yourself and your loved ones a staycation at one of Dubai’s luxury hotels and resorts.
9. It Snows In Dubai
Ever heard of snow in the desert? It may sound unlikely, but it’s true! As mentioned earlier, in modern Dubai, the impossible is nothing. At Ski Dubai, find yourself entering a snowy wonderland even in the middle of summer. Deep inside the Mall of the Emirates’ artificial ski slope, you’ll discover a remarkable snow-making machine, creating a frosty ambiance at -2°C. You can even go indoor skiing here.
10. Dubai Is A Paradise For Shoppaholics
If you love shopping, Dubai is the place to be. Dubai is home to the world’s largest shopping mall, the Dubai Mall, which covers an impressive area of more than five million square feet. It’s a shopper’s dream, where you can find everything from high-end fashion brands like Louis Vuitton to cutting-edge electronics and stylish home furnishings. Don’t miss out on watching the captivating Dubai fountain show that takes at the lower ground of Dubai Mall when there.
Dubai is called the city of gold and rightly so. Not only is it home to the world’s biggest gold market – The Gold Souk but it also takes pride in being home to the Dubai celebration chain, the world’s longest gold chain made up of 22-carat gold.
For shopping lovers, Dubai Festivals & Retail Establishment (DFRE), holds an annual shopping festival called the Dubai Shopping Festival (DFS). During this shopping extravaganza, shopping malls whether big or small offer unbelievable shopping deals, a chance to win gifts, etc. The DFS is truly a great opportunity for shopping lovers to shop till they drop!
Now that you know about the top 10 Dubai, here are other fun and interesting facts about Dubai that are sure to blow your mind!
Other interesting facts about Dubai
- Camel racing has been an integral part of Arabian culture since the very beginning. What makes this camel racing even more unique is the fact that the glorious camels are by robot jockeys throughout the race.
- The Dubai Aquarium tank is the largest suspended aquarium in the world.
- Although Dubai welcomes foreign ex-pats with open arms, it does not grant citizenship to foreigners
- Dubai has an income tax-free system.
- Dubai international airport is home to the world’s largest airport terminal.
- Dubai had only one skyscraper in 1991.
- A new skyscraper is being built at Business Bay, the financial district of Dubai. Although the new skyscraper will not be the world’s tallest building, it is claimed that it will be the tallest residential structure in the world.
- Dubai was once called the crane capital of the world as 25% of the world’s cranes worked in Dubai.
- The official language of Dubai is Arabic.
- One of the fascinating facts about Dubai is that it gave 2gms of gold to its residents on losing 2kgs of weight.
- Import-export, oil, tourism, and real estate play a huge role in Dubai’s economy.
- At the Dubai Mall, you can see the famous “Dubai Dino,” a really old Diplodocus Longus fossil that’s been there for 155 million years. It’s always on display for everyone to admire.
