The city is today a major trading zone and has become the foremost business center in the Gulf. It is often called the 'City of Merchants', due to the massive quantity of trade, or alternatively 'City of Gold', because of its huge tax free Gold markets.
The air is hot to the extent that all buildings are cooled. In winter, Dubai is perfect, warm and dry, excellent weather for the beach. Later on in the year temperatures can hit 40°C and it is oppressively clammy.
Dubai Cruise Port
The modern cruise passenger building covers over 3000 square meters and can handle 4 cruise ships at the same time.
Ornate carvings, domes and arches are the main architectural features of the building. This facade reflects old Arabic style, and reminds of Dubai's rich heritage as a trading port.
The terminal contains many facilities like souvenir shops, currency exchange, ATM machines, business center, a post office and duty free shop.
For a calendar of cruise departures from Dubai, see Cruises From Dubai.
Dubai Shore Excursions
The Dubai Museum is located in the Al Fahidi Fort, built in 1787 to guard against foreign incursion. Today it showcases the traditions, culture and history of Dubai. You’ll receive an insight into desert life. The museum's galleries recreate souks, date farms, traditional Arab houses, pearl diving and mosques. Situated on the southern side of Dubai creek.
Dubai Creek, which bisects Dubai’s Deira and Bur Dubai portions, is a saltwater waterway which is busy day and night with ships on their way between the city and India, East Africa and Arabia. Jump on a water taxi for a trip up the Creek and back. Then stroll the length of the waterfront trail, which runs between seafront and lovely Creekside Park. Where the tourist will find gardens, mini-golf, fishing piers and a cafe.
In the narrow lanes of the spice market, the visitor can smell the feeling and the smell of hundreds of different spices. Hessian bags of incense, aromatic oils, spices, fragrances, medicinal herbs and flower petals are on show outside each stall. Located by the Gold Souk.
Whether or not you’re considering to buy, a tour of the dazzling Gold Souk is enjoyable. The shops offer large amounts of platinum, gold, precious gems, silver and diamonds. Be sure to negotiate. All along the alleys of the gold souk, every store window is full with gold earrings, watches, rings, bangles and necklaces. The prices are among the lowest anywhere. Situated on the north waterfront of Dubai Creek.
At 160 stories and over 800 metres Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building. Visitors can go to the observation deck on story 124 and the restaurant at story 122. Reached from the ground level of the Dubai Mall.
The beach at Jumeirah has clean soft sand and crystal clear seas. It can be very busy. It has food outlets, play area, restrooms, lifeguards, showers and picnic areas.
Mondays are set aside for children and women. The park is situated around 1 mile south of the cruise port.
The old Bastakia Quarter brings back the years when the city was a little fishing town. Stroll the narrow streets and witness the fine homes with their distinctive wind towers that directed the sea breeze down to the house so providing cooling. The Quarter is sited on the north bank of Dubai Creek.