Dubai

Dubai has a great reputation as the shopper's paradise with its plethora of lively souks and huge air-conditioned malls. There are several souks, each one specializing in a particular product type. Gold Souks, Textile Souks and Spice Souks feature the highest quality gold and diamond jewellery, beautiful fabric in various hues and a wide range of aromatic herbs and spices.

While in Dubai, make sure you practice your bargaining skills, which come very handy during shopping. Most of the shops in the malls accept credit and debit cards; however, cash is needed at local souks.There are some recently created modern souks built in ancient Arabian style namely:

• Souk Al Bahar in Downtown Burj Khalifa
• Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• Khan Murjan at Wafi.

Shopping malls of Dubai are incomparable with respect to their size, style and facilities. 

Best Malls in Dubai:

1. Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the world offers top brands of clothing, jewellery and other products, an array of entertainment options like an aquarium where one can swim with sharks, an ice rink and an amusement park with thrilling rides.

2. Mall of the Emirates is another major name in the list of malls, which features the largest indoor ski slope of the world. There are several options for souvenirs including traditional jewellery, Oudh (a fragranced piece of wood burned to perfume clothes and homes), wood carving products, Persian carpets, traditional headscarves and small boxes crafted from camel bone. 

Read more about Shopping in Dubai

• Legal Drinking Age in Dubai: 21 years
• No Drinking in Public Places: This is punishable by hefty fines and jail time. 
• No Drinking and Driving: The penalty is fines, jail time or even leading to the cancellation of your visa. 
• Carry Prescriptions for Your Medicines When Visiting: If you have any medicines on you entering the country, carry all the prescriptions to be shown at Immigration. This also applies everywhere in Dubai as the laws are strict about drugs. 
• No PDA: Dubai is still conservative in many ways and it is advisable not to offend any locals or other tourists of other cultures. 
• Dress Modestly in Public: There are guidelines of what is acceptable to wear in which areas. For example, you can wear anything on the hotel premises or the adjacent beaches. Covering up knees and shoulders is generally advisable while visiting malls and other traditional areas.
• Always ask for Permission When Photographing People: Even Though they're Just in Your Frame. It is considered rude and offensive if you click pictures of people without permission. This is strongly applicable if there are women or children in the frame. 
• Visiting During Ramadan: Being an Islamic country, do not drink in public or even eat in public during the holy months of Ramadan as it is considered extremely disrespectful to the locals. 
• No physical Contact with Locals: When greeting locals or acknowledging them, never be the first to engage in any physical contact unless it is a handshake. But with the local women, it is advisable to greet them at a safe distance and not engage in any physical contact.
• Avoid buying souvenirs from the shops inside Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame, and the View at Palm Jumeirah. You can find souvenirs at a lower price at any of the local markets.
• Where to Stay: Downtown & Bur Dubai for cheaper hotels. Marina & Jumeirah for luxury stays. Avoid staying in Deira. Book in advance

Dubai offers amazing nightlife with lots of innovative drinks and excellent music. There are numerous bars and nightclubs to pick from; although, most of the licensed bars are parts of hotels with some exceptions.

However, all the nightclubs close down by 3:00 am. The minimum official age for purchasing alcohol is 21 but few clubs may refuse entry to those under 25.

Few places for nightlife in Dubai:

• Apartment Lounge + Club (Jumeirah Beach Hotel)
• Barasti Bar (Le Meridian Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina)
• Boudoir Nightclub (Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa)
• Carter's (Wafi City)

Read more about Dubai Nightlife

The name of the currency in Dubai is the United Arab Emirates Dirham, more commonly known as Emirati Dirham. It is used throughout the UAE. The currency – when abbreviated – is known as the "AED" (officially) or the "DHs" (unofficially). Currency notes come in the Denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000, each with an alluring yet similar colour, which can also get confusing at times. 100 Fils (A subdivision of Dirham) makes up 1 Dirham.

To know more about the currency in Dubai, click here.

The currency exchange in Dubai is pretty easy and can be done at the airport, banks or at several money exchanges (head to the nearest shopping mall for one) spread across the city in large numbers. However, the exchange rate at the airport and banks are less competitive than money exchanges. Also, ATMs are available in abundance at shopping malls, hotels, metro stations and other public areas which you can use to withdraw money.

1. Al Ansari Exchange
With over 73 branches spread across the city, Al Ansari Exchange has the most number of currency exchange counters in Dubai. You are likely to find one while touring the city. It offers the most competitive rates and is completely safe. It has also won several awards, including Forbes Middle East’s Top Companies in the Arab World in 2015. They transfer money, exchange currencies, and also accept traveller's cheque. You can either visit one of their branches or transact on their website or mobile app.

Best rates: USD, EUR, INR, JPY

2. Western Union
Western Union is another great option to exchange your currencies. Along with the basic services, they also provide extra benefits and rewards for members. You could also take part in their frequent lucky draws to win large cash prizes. There are plenty of outlets at all major tourist places in the city

Best Rates: USD, INR, EUR

3. Al Rostamani International Exchange
Al Rostamani International Exchange (ARIE) offers services like foreign exchange, retail remittance, and more. With over 16 branches across malls, high streets, and airport terminals in Dubai, ARIE is one of the most reliable foreign exchange providers. Their customer-focused approach has helped them build loyalty and enhance business over the years. It has won over 10 awards since its initiation in 1998.

Best Rates: USD, AUD, INR, NZD, JPY

4. UAE Exchange
UAE Exchange is the biggest money exchange chain in the UAE with 60 branches in Dubai itself (17 at metro stations) and 150 all over the country. In addition, they are also present in 31 other countries. Started in 1980, this company is known for its low exchange fee and focus on customer loyalty. It has also won several Business Excellence awards for its vast network.

Best Rates: CAD, USD, AUD

5. Al Fardan Exchange
Al Fardan Group has a network with over 150 global banks and financial institutions. Started in 1958, the company has gained firm trust and reliability in the market. The services offered here are money transfer, money exchange, prepaid cards, online remittance, payroll services, and more. Although they don't offer the best rates for exchanging INR, this is the ideal place to change your US Dollars, Swiss Francs, and Euros.

Best Rates: USD, CHF, NZD

Dubai has a long past of being one of the most significant trading centre as well as a business and economic hub in the middle east. The once small trading port with its major earnings from fishing, pearl diving and agriculture, today Dubai stands tall ranking amid the major trading and commerce hub.

The important growth, however, in the economy of the emirate was observed with the discovery of oil in the 1960s. The place is a paradise for shopping lovers, especially with the established trading culture and tax-free open market policy. From air-conditioned malls selling top-notch designer labels to vibrant local souqs featuring handicrafts by local artisans, Dubai has conquered the shopping field with an amazing vision. Today, the emirate is also a world-renowned hub of gold and thus, is often tagged as the City of Gold. To read more into the depth of how Dubai came to being, click here.

Dubai is a place that caters to the interest and budget of all kind of visitors. If you are planning a trip to this desert city, below are the categories one can relate to. The cost mentioned here is approximate per day per head cost excluding the hotel charges and including food, water, local transport, entertainment, communication, tips and handouts, intercity transportation, souvenirs and alcohol cost. 

• Budget travel: AED 200 approximately
• Comfortable travel: AED 500 approximately
• Luxury travel: AED 1500

Day 1: Arrive at the Dubai International Airport and drive to one of the hundred beautiful hotels in Dubai. Visit the Burj Khalifa Complex, Dubai Mall and end the day by visiting the beautiful Souq Al Bahar at the Madinat Jumeirah. 

Day 2: Spend an entire day at one of the many theme parks in Dubai. You can visit either Dubailand, Legoland, IMG World or cool off at one of the most exciting water parks in the world, Wild Wadi.

Day 3: Relax a bit today and take a stroll through Al Fahidi Town (Old Town Dubai), Old Souk Dubai and the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, the miracle garden.

Once the sun sets, take a canal cruise on the Abras at the Dubai Canal Cruise. 

Day 4: Spend a day in the beautiful Jumeirah area. Visit the ultra-luxurious Burj Al Arab, the palm islands and the Atlantis hotel and Explore underwater at the Lost Chambers Aquarium. Unwind at Kite Beach for a perfect finish to the day. 

Terrible traffic during peak hours. Alcohol not available easily.

The souks and heritage towns make it ideal for families and history buffs. The plethora of malls makes it fit for shopaholics. Skiing, skydiving, scuba diving and other activities pull in adventure enthusiasts.

November to March is the best time to visit Dubai as these are the winter months. These months are quite pleasant with temperatures averaging around 25 degree Celsius. Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is the highlight of this season and you can find the greatest shopping deals. 

April-May is the beginning of the summer with temperatures between 23 degrees and 36 degree Celsius. June, July and August are the hottest months of Dubai, with temperatures hitting 40 degrees Celsius combined with unpleasant humidity. This season, you can find great deals on accommodation and flights except for Ramadan month (which depends on the lunar calendar). The temperature starts to drop a little bit during the autumn season (September-October) and the weather averages around 29 degrees Celsius.

Dubai is a cosmopolitan city that has residents from all over the world and boasts of serving world-class global cuisines. Among the local food, Shawarma (minced meat in Pita bread) is the most commonly available food along with Falafel and Hummus. They cost as little as AED 5 for a budget-friendly meal. Indian restaurants serving snacks are even cheaper. International chains like McDonald's, KFC, Chilis, and Starbucks are present all over Dubai and cater to most of the standard taste buds.

There are lots of Chinese and Oriental cuisine restaurants as well. However, foreign cuisine is dominated by Indian cuisine owing to a large number of Indian migrants. Lebanese, Pakistan, Italian and Mexican cuisines are also quite easily available. Dubai's food, however, is famous mostly for its Kebabs and Middle Eastern delicacies. There are also several cafes to just sit around and relax.

Since UAE is an Islamic country, eating at public places during the holy month of Ramadan is prohibited and travellers should strictly take care of this rule. Unlike other places in the Middle East, alcohol is allowed in Dubai but has its own set of restrictions. Alcohol is available in Dubai at only licensed restaurants and bars which are mostly located in good hotels. However, selling alcohol is prohibited during religious holidays and also during the daytime in the month-long festival of Ramadan. Consuming alcohol is not allowed in public places and there are only a few selected licensed shops that sell alcohol to be consumed at home. The legal age of drinking in Dubai is above 21.

The packages for Dubai start at INR 8661 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages

There are 2877 in Dubai which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Dubai are Apartment w/Private Beach Access, Houst Holiday Homes - Ocean Heights, Green Future Holiday Homes - Metro Access 1 Bed Lake View JLT, Two Bedroom Apartment - Princess Tower, Dubai Downtown View 5, HME Holiday Homes - Royal Oceanic Dubai Marina. You can see all the hotels in Dubai

The top things to do in Dubai are Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, The Dubai Mall, Global Village Dubai. You can see all the places to visit in Dubai

The top places near to Dubai are Sharjah which is 21 km from Dubai, Ajman which is located 33 km from Dubai, Ras al khaimah which is located 96 km from Dubai, Abu dhabi which is located 122 km from Dubai, Fujairah which is located 100 km from Dubai