Dubai: glittering, surreal, luxurious. What you need to know!

For several years now, Dubai has been one of the world's leading destinations, owing to its outstanding and impressive architecture, high-quality services, and generally its renowned exotic/oriental luxury that is almost unparalleled globally.

There you will find the planet's most luxurious hotels, restaurants offering high-quality ethnic cuisine, enormous golf courses and other sports facilities, as well as luxury (and non-luxury) shops for truly unforgettable shopping and experiences.

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Historical facts:

According to archaeological excavations, the area was first inhabited during the Bronze Age.

The area then began to develop independently until the 16th century when it received European influences.

Subsequently, the Bani Yas tribe settled in the city, experiencing significant conflicts with other tribes from the surrounding areas.

In the 19th century, Dubai was officially established as an independent city from Abu Dhabi by the Bani Yas tribe, who subsequently signed an agreement with the British for protection against Ottoman raids.

Dubai was then known as the “Trucial Coast.” The 20th century proved particularly decisive for the country's development due to the mass settlement of Iranians, Arabs, and other tribes, while around the mid-century, large oil deposits were discovered in the area.

[ Find cheap hotels in Dubai! ]

Don't forget to visit:

Dubai Creek: The enormous sea inlet that is visible from almost any point in the city. You can cross it by small boat or yacht.

The Dubai Mall: The world's largest shopping centre by area, located in the city centre with haute couture shops, goldsmiths and jewellery stores, galleries, electronics shops, restaurants, cafes, football pitches, multi-purpose entertainment venues, and more.

Burj Khalifa: The tallest tower/skyscraper in the world, standing at 828 metres with 160 floors.

Dubai Museum: A historical museum built in the 18th century within the Al Fahidi Fort, which is the oldest building in the city.[/columns]

The Dubai Fountain: A large, impressive fountain that moves in rhythm with the music.

The World Islands: Magnificent artificial islands shaped like countries of the world. Most have not been fully developed as the project is ongoing, but since 2011, one of the islands has been habitable with relatively easy access for tourists.

Dubai Creek: An area/isthmus that divides the city into two parts. Along its banks, there are tall company buildings, shopping centres, hotels, restaurants, and sports facilities.

How to get there

You can travel to Dubai by plane with a direct flight from Athens, lasting approximately 5 hours, or with connecting flights from other airports.

From Thessaloniki, FlyDubai has also been operating flights since 2019.

Discover cheap flights to Dubai and book your trip instantly on Travelo.gr!

In the city, you can get around by rental car, taxi, bus, or train. You can also take a ride by boat, small vessel, or rental yacht.

 Local Delicacies

Dubai's cuisine reflects the city's multicultural elements. Most restaurants serve Oriental and internationally renowned dishes such as lamb kebabs, falafel, doner (Oriental gyros), pilafs with meat and bulgur, and more.[/columns]

What to buy

In Dubai, you certainly won't leave empty-handed, as the city hosts the largest shopping centre on the planet, along with thousands of other smaller malls and shops to suit all tastes and budgets.

Gold jewellery, precious stones, and haute couture clothing are just a few of the many shopping options available in the city. [/columns]

Climate

The climate in Dubai is generally tropical.

For most months of the year, it is particularly hot, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees, but with high humidity due to the combination of sea and desert. [/columns]

Individual monuments

Jumeirah Mosque. A magnificent Muslim mosque distinguished by its external splendour and simple internal decoration. It is also accessible to tourists.

The Wildlife Sanctuary. A natural wetland that hosts animals and birds such as flamingos and ospreys.

Sports/Entertainment

In Dubai, there are thousands of small and large sports facilities for sports enthusiasts, including football pitches, basketball courts, tennis courts, golf courses, volleyball courts, and more. Most hotels already have impressive sports facilities, and you can also find them in large shopping centres.

 

Useful information for your trip

• * Local currency: Dirham (AED) - 1 Euro = 4.05 AED (exchange rate 10/2019)
• * Find cheap hotels in Dubai HERE
• * Information on VISA here, on the EMIRATES website
• * Search for Aegean flights to Dubai