The Dubai City Guide
Dubai is entrancing, divisive and ever-evolving. Its sci-fi skyline encompasses mega museums, gargantuan cultural institutions and glass-fronted feats of architecture
Beyond the stereotypical bling, desert cafes emerge from rolling dunes, a thriving arts scene abounds with contemporary talent and fragrant souks ignite the senses. The ‘city of superlatives’ has risen from the sand almost entirely in the past 50 years, with world-leading infrastructure, year-round sunshine, and a tax regime generous enough to make the Cayman Islands blush. No wonder more than 200,000 expats arrive in the city each year, making up 90 per cent of the population.
Hotels
Away from Dubai’s soaring skyscrapers and record-breaking hotel scene, a handful of serene boutique stays await.
Restaurants
Given its reputation for ostentation, it’s perhaps little surprise that Dubai boasts plenty of high-profile dining options. Yet there’s a true breadth to the city’s restaurant scene, which also includes homegrown restaurants, casual cafes and innovative cuisine from the many diverse communities that call the city home.
Art & music
The UAE’s investment in culture has made it a leading force in the arts world. Independent galleries are met by commercial design districts.
Coffee
Dubai’s coffee scene combines traditional Arabic blends with contemporary roasteries
Focal point
Candid photography offers a poetic glimpse of daily life, away from the city’s more stereotypical bling.
