Let’s go: About Dubai
Set on the coast of the Persian Gulf, the area we now know as the city of Dubai has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. It is believed that agriculture began in the area around the 25th century BC, with the establishment of date palm plantations. In subsequent centuries, the area became a major stop on caravan routes, as well as a center for the pearl trade. Dubai became a dependency of Abu Dhabi under the rule of the Bani Yas tribe in 1793, and the town declared its independence in 1833. Oil was discovered in Dubai in 1966, spurring development in the region. In 1971, Dubai, along with five other emirates, formed the United Arab Emirates (the seventh emirate joined in 1972).
Now a major center for trade, finance and aviation, Dubai is renowned for its sleek skyscrapers, opulent hotels, artificial islands and expansive shopping malls, as well as its beautiful palm trees, beaches and dunes.
How long is the Istanbul-Dubai flight?
Direct flights from Istanbul to Dubai take about four hours and 30 minutes. Turkish Airlines operates an average of three direct flights per day from Istanbul to Dubai; flights depart from both Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). Click here for more information on Dubai flights and fares.
Does Dubai require a visa?
Persons traveling on a Turkish passport are required to obtain a visa to enter the United Arab Emirates. Tourist and long-term tourist visas, among others, are available. These can be single or multiple entry and are valid for 30 or 90 days. Visas are valid for entry into UAE for up to 60 days after issuance. Please note that your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining!
When to visit Dubai
In summer, the temperature can reach 40 °C (it’s hot!), and August is the hottest month of the year, with daytime temperatures reaching up to 50 °C and nighttime temperatures up to 30 °C . Dubai’s climate is slightly milder between October and May.
Places to visit in Dubai
Popular places to visit in Dubai
Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa, at 828 meters, is the world’s tallest building and the first place on our Dubai sightseeing list. This impressive structure is also the tallest free-standing structure in the world; it has the highest number of stories in the world (more than 160); the world’s highest observation deck (the Burj Khalifa has a total of three observation decks); and the elevator with the longest travel distance in the world. The tower hosts a luxury hotel and several high-end lounges and restaurants. Visitors can book tickets to the observation deck: we suggest visiting between 17.00 and 19.00, the beautiful “Golden Hour” of sunset.
Palm Islands
Built from mountain rock and reclaimed land, and stretching five kilometers into the Arabian Gulf, this trio of artificial islands is one of the most ambitious building projects ever launched. Designed to look like palm trees – with ‘trunks’ and ‘fronds’– from an aerial view, only Palm Jumeirah has been completed at the time of this writing. Home to high-end resorts, residences, boutiques and restaurants, Palm Jumeirah also features a waterfront promenade, an artificial reef, and more than ten thousand palm trees.
Atlantis Hotel
Set at the tip of the land crescent crowning Palm Jumeirah, the expansive Atlantis Hotel is much more than a collection of rooms – although it should be noted that some of those rooms are spacious underwater suites that have floor-to-ceiling views of the resort’s massive aquarium. In addition to upscale dining and shopping facilities, the complex features an elaborate water park, private beaches, and a marine area where guests can enjoy supervised interaction with dolphins.
Madinat Jumeirah
Set along the Arabian Gulf, this upscale development was designed as a modern interpretation of a traditional Arab village. In addition to the district’s boutique hotels, shopping complexes and a cultural center, there is also a water park, a stylish covered bazaar, and numerous canals. At forty hectares, Madinat Jumeirah is considered the largest complex in the UAE.
Dubai Mall
At the foot of the Burj Khalifa is the monumental Dubai Mall. One of the world’s largest shopping plazas, the Dubai Mall is home to more than four hundred shops, cafes and restaurants, and over twelve hundred premium fashion brands.
Miracle Garden
Set in a circular open-air space of almost seven thousand square meters, Miracle Garden is the world’s biggest flower garden. This Instagram-friendly locale features fairy-tale castles, airplanes and animal sculptures covered in blooms, as well as fanciful topiary. The Garden is closed during the summer months due to the extreme heat.
La Mer Dubai
This lively beachfront district features a water park and water sports facilities along with playgrounds, cinemas, restaurants, cafes and shops.
Cultural sites in Dubai
Jumeirah Mosque
Opened in 1979, the Jumeirah Mosque is a work of traditional Arabic architecture. Guided tours are organized regularly in the Jumeirah Mosque, which has a capacity of fifteen hundred people. As one of the two mosques in Dubai open to non-Muslim travelers, the Jumeirah Mosque attracts numerous tourists.
Al-Fahidi Fortress
The city’s oldest structure is the El Fahidi Fortress, built in 1787. Inside the Fortress is the Dubai Museum, which features exhibits of objects and everyday items, as well as an overview of the region’s history.
Dubai Spice Souk
Especially for visitors from Türkiye, the Dubai Spice Souk will seem familiar – the traditional bazaar hosts stalls and shops selling fresh spices brought daily from India, Pakistan and Iran.
Gold Souk
Whether or not you’re in the market for gold, the glittering Gold Souk, in the Al Dhagaya district, is worth a visit. As Dubai’s most valuable export item after oil, the Gold Souk hosts countless shops, from boutiques to large jewelry manufacturers.
Dining in Dubai
Hosting hundreds of international restaurants, Dubai’s local cuisine features Asian and Middle Eastern influences. The annual Dubai Food Festival, usually held in May, spotlights international, local and regional products and dishes, as well as a wide range of restaurants and cafes. The city is also home to eleven Michelin-star restaurants.
Practical information about Dubai
Getting to the city center from Dubai Airport
Dubai Airport (DXB) is four kilometers from the city center. Taxis are available at the airport as is public transportation to the city center. Bus stops are located at the exits of the three airport terminals and serving 24 hours, while the metro stations are located in Terminals 1 and 3. The drive to the city takes around 10 minutes but can sometimes reach up to an hour due to traffic.
Official language: Arabic
Currency: UAE Dirham
Socket type: G
Important Phone Numbers
Dubai Area Code: +971
Dubai International Airport: +971 4 224 5555
Ambulance: 998
Consulate General of Türkiye: +971 4 376 0600
