Where Is Dubai? Facts, History And What To Know Before You Go

You might be heading to Dubai soon, or you have just booked a long-haul flight and noticed your stopover says “Dubai”. Either way, you are probably asking: where is Dubai? Is it the capital of the UAE? What currency do they use?

Don’t worry, you are not the first person to Google this and you won’t be the last. Below we cover all of that, plus the rules and costs worth knowing before you land.

Where is Dubai exactly?

Dubai is a city and emirate on the coast of the Arabian Gulf (also called the Persian Gulf). It is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The UAE as a whole borders:

• Oman to the east
• Saudi Arabia to the south and west

It also shares sea borders with Iran across the Gulf, with the Strait of Hormuz to the north-east.

Countries surrounding Dubai and the UAE

Source: Google Maps

Important things to know about Dubai

• Dubai is part of the UAE, which is made up of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
• Dubai is not the capital of the UAE. That is Abu Dhabi.
• Dubai is not a country, which is a common misconception.
• A big part of the world’s population lives within about an eight-hour flight of Dubai, which is why so many long-haul routes stop there.
• For example, a direct flight from Dublin to Dubai takes around seven and a half to eight hours.
• It is hot. Summer highs are regularly above 40°C and can go higher, so visit between November and March for a far less sweaty trip.
• Arabic is the official language, but English is spoken almost everywhere in Dubai.
• Each emirate has its own flag, and they all fly the UAE flag, which you can see below.

The UAE flag

Do I need a visa for Dubai?

Lots of nationalities get a free visit visa stamped on arrival, so there is nothing to apply for in advance. How long you get depends on your passport:

• Ireland: 30 days on arrival.
• UK, Australia, the US, Canada, New Zealand and most EU countries: 90 days in total within a 180-day period.

Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months from the day you arrive. Rules change, so check the Emirates UAE visa page and your own government’s travel advice before you fly.

Is Dubai safe?

Day to day, Dubai has long been one of the safest cities you can visit, with very low street crime.

The bigger issue in 2026 has been the regional conflict. Iran launched missile and drone attacks on the UAE and other Gulf states at several points in the year, and Dubai’s airports were briefly closed or disrupted more than once. Daily life in the city has carried on, but the situation can change quickly.

Our advice is simple: check your government’s travel advice before you book and again before you fly, keep an eye on your airline’s updates, and make sure your travel insurance covers you for where you are going.

On dress: Dubai is more relaxed than many people expect. You don’t need to cover your hair. Do cover shoulders and knees in malls, souks, government buildings and mosques, and keep swimwear for the beach and pool.

Can I drink in Dubai?

Another common misconception. If you drink alcohol, we have good news: yes, you can drink in Dubai.

Alcohol is served in licensed hotels, bars, clubs and restaurants, and you will find everything from high-end rooftop bars to smaller places with live music.

The rules did loosen in 2023, when Dubai made the personal alcohol licence free. Tourists can also buy alcohol to take away from licensed shops such as MMI and African + Eastern (bring your passport). The 30% alcohol sales tax was paused for 2023 and 2024 but came back in January 2025, so drinks are not cheap.

A few things have not changed:

• Being drunk in public is illegal and you can be arrested for it.
• Drink-driving has zero tolerance.
• Neighbouring Sharjah is dry, so don’t carry alcohol through it.
• Be careful with public displays of affection. Kissing in public has landed people in real trouble.

What currency is used in Dubai?

The currency is the UAE dirham (AED, often written Dhs). It is pegged to the US dollar at about AED 3.67 to US$1.

Notes come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 dirhams. There are 100 fils in a dirham, and the coins you will see most are 1 dirham, 50 fils and 25 fils.

Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, and there are plenty of ATMs, so you don’t need to bring much cash.

Airport exchange desks usually give poor rates. A card designed for travel, such as Wise, is usually cheaper than changing cash. Our international money transfer guide explains the costs to watch for.

If you live in Dubai and need to send money home, read this guide to transferring money from Dubai to Ireland.

What continent is Dubai in?

Now you know where Dubai is, you might wonder which continent it is on.

It is in Asia, specifically the Middle East, which is also called West Asia.

Where to stay in Dubai

There is a huge range of hotels, from budget rooms to some of the most famous luxury hotels in the world. Compare them on Booking.com, and check the final total, because the Tourism Dirham, service charge, municipality fee and VAT can add a lot to the headline price.

Holiday apartments are also available on sites like Airbnb. In Dubai, short-term rentals must be licensed as holiday homes with the Department of Economy and Tourism, so check the listing is licensed before you book.

How much are restaurants in Dubai?

Dubai is not a cheap city, so if you are on a tight budget, plan for it.

• Hotel restaurants are usually the most expensive, often double the price of independent places or more.
• You can find restaurants in every price category, from food courts and cafeterias to celebrity-chef dining rooms.
• When we first wrote this guide in 2018, burgers and sandwiches cost around AED 30 to 60 and main dishes around AED 40 to 150. Expect to pay more today, plus 5% VAT and sometimes a service charge.

For desert safaris, Burj Khalifa tickets and other tours, compare Dubai tours and activities and book ahead for the best prices.

Final points on visiting Dubai

Dubai is an incredible place and one you are unlikely to forget. We hope this has answered where Dubai is, and told you a few things most people don’t know before they visit.

Just keep a close eye on the travel advice in 2026, and enjoy.

Steve and Sabina

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Rules, fees and rates change; always check the official government website before you travel.