Originally a small fishing settlement that became a busy port of call on the ancient trade route between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley, the emirate was rapidly transformed into an international business centre and modern tourist destination following the discovery of oil in 1966.

Today Dubai ranks as the country's foremost commercial centre, a city whose skyline is constantly being upgraded with new developments providing the infrastructure and facilities needed for a progressive society, including world-class hotels, shopping plazas and outstanding sports facilities. Dubai Creek divides the city centre into two parts: Deira on the northern side and Bur Dubai to the south and each has its fair share of souks, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls and fine mosques.

From within these high standards of luxury and convenience, visitors can experience exotic Arabia in the bustling souks or a night in a Bedouin tent with belly-dancing under the starlit desert skies, as well as a way of life that is still embedded in the Islamic traditions of an ancient land. Dubai's attraction lies in the contrast between the ultra modern and the enchantingly traditional, which gives the city a personality like no other and visitors a variety of experiences to choose from. From desert oases and unspoiled beaches, camel races and old wind towers, to top-class shopping opportunities, avant-garde architecture and the finest international cuisine, Dubai has more than enough depth to satisfy even the most seasoned of travellers.

One of the city's top attractions is its excellent shopping. As an open port with low import duties, Dubai can offer an incredible range of top brand names at cheaper prices due to the tax-free environment, and 'shopping tourists' are drawn from around the world to this paradise of malls, souks, boutiques and modern department stores selling everything from Paris fashions to Japanese electronics. The annual Shopping Festival attracts millions of tourists to the city for a shop-till-you-drop holiday.

Dubai Creek

Address: Dubai

Bastakiya

Address: Bur Dubai Dubai

Souks

Address: Both sides of the Creek, in Deira and Bur Dubai Dubai

Admission: Free Daily 7am to 12pm and 5pm to 7pm; Fridays 5pm to 7pm

Grand Mosque

Address: Al Mussalla Road Dubai

Wild Wadi

Address: Jumeirah Beach Road, between the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the Burj Al Arab Hotel Dubai

Admission: Dhs 195 (age 13+); Dhs 165 (children 4-12). For individuals staying either at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel or Burj Al Arab, access to the Wild Wadi Water Park is free Daily from 11am. In January and February it closes at 6pm; from March to May at 7pm; from June to August at 9pm; and from September to December at 5pm

Telephone: (0)4 348 4444

Jumeirah Mosque

Address: Al Jumeirah Road Dubai

Admission: Tour fee: Dhs10 Tours are on Thursday at 10am; tours are also available on Sundays at 10am in summer

Telephone: (0)4 344 7755

Dubai Museum

Address: Al Faheidi Fort Dubai

Admission: Dhs7 Saturday to Thursday 8.30am to 8.30pm, Friday 2.30pm to 8.30pm

Telephone: (0)4 353 1862

Ski Dubai

Address: Sheikh Zayed Rd, Mall of the Emirates Dubai

Admission: Snow Park: Dhs100. Ski slope: Dhs180 (adults), Dhs150 (children) for two hours (extensions possible), Ski slope day pass: Dhs300 (adults), Dhs240 (children) Sunday to Wednesday 10am to 11pm, until 12pm from Thursday to Saturday

Telephone: (0)4 409 4000

Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum Museum

Address: Al-Shindagha Rd Dubai

Admission: Dhs2 Saturday to Thursday 8am to 8.30pm, Friday 3.30pm to 8.30pm

Telephone: (0)4 393 7139

Desert safari

Address: Dubai

Camel Racing

Address: Nad Al Sheba Race Course, Dubai Dubai

Admission: Free Thursday and Friday mornings. Call Nad Al Sheba for exact times.

Jumeirah Beach Park

Address: Opposite Chilli's Restaurant on the Beach Road, Jumeirah Dubai

Admission: 2 AED per person or 20 AED per vehicle 8am - 10.30pm daily. Thursday and Friday till 11pm. Saturday for children and ladies only

Telephone: +971 4 3492555

Bateaux Dubai Dinner Cruise

Address: Dubai Creek (opposite the British Embassy) Bur Dubai Dubai

Admission: From 495 AED per person for 4-course meal, welcome beverage and cruise. Boarding begins at 7:45pm. Departure from dock 8:30pm

Telephone: +971 4 399 4994

Dubai Mall

Address: Financial Centre Road (Interchange 1), Dubai Dubai

Admission: Saturday - Friday 10am to Midnight

Telephone: (4) 437 3200

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Address: Dubai Mall, Financial Centre Road (Interchange 1), Dubai Dubai

Admission: Aquarium Tunnel: Child AED20 Adult AED25 Aquarium Tunnel & Underwater Zoo AED50

Telephone: (0)4 448 5200

Al Nasr Leisureland

Address: Off Umm Hurair Road Dubai

Admission: Dhs10 (adults); Dhs5 (children) Open daily from 9am – 10pm

Telephone: 04 337 1234

Children's City

Address: Dubai Creek Park Dubai

Admission: Dhs15 (adults); Dhs10 (children) Open Monday to Friday from 9am - 8.30pm. Closes 3pm Fridays

Telephone: 04 334 0808

Wonderland

Address: Dubai Creek Park Dubai

Admission: Dhs40 (adults); Dhs25 (children). Concessions available Open daily from 10am - 7pm; Theme Park from 4pm – 10pm. Closed Sundays

Telephone: 04 324 1222

Dubai Dolphinarium

Address: Al Ain Fun-City and Dreamland Aquapark Dubai

Admission: Dhs100 (adult); Dhs50 (children); Concessions available Dolphin and seal shows run from Monday to Saturday from 11am – 8pm. Swimming with dolphins can be arranged daily from 1pm – 7pm

Telephone: 04 336 9773

Creekside Park

Address: Dubai

Admission: Dhs5 (Wednesday: women and children only) Open daily from 8am – 10pm

Telephone: 04 369 082

Dubai Shopping Festival

Where: Throughout the city, but the main focal point of the festival is the Global Village, Emirates Road,Dubai

When: 20 January to 20 February annually

Dubai Desert Classic

Where: Majlis Course of the Emirates Golf Club,Dubai

When: February 2012 TBC

Dubai Rugby Sevens

Where: Dubai Exiles Rugby Ground,Dubai

When: December 2011, TBA

Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival

Where: Dubai Media City and at Madinat Jumeirah Outdoor Amphitheater,Dubai

When: February 2012 TBC

Dubai World Cup

Where: Nad Al Sheba Racecourse,Dubai

When: 26 March 2011

Global Village Dubai

Where: Located at Dubailand. Emirates Road, Exit 37 (+971 4 362 4114),Dubai

When: November 2011 to February 2012

Dubai Tennis Championships

Where: Dubai Tennis Stadium,Dubai

When: February 2012 TBC

UAE National Day

Where: ,Dubai

When: 2 December annually

Dubai Summer Surprises

Where: ,Dubai

When: 22 June to 31 July 2011

The Lemongrass

Address: Oud Metha, Nr Lamcy Plaza Dubai

Food Type: Thai

Voted Best Thai Restaurant by Time Out Dubai, The Lemongrass in Oud Metha serves up traditional Thai food in a relaxed, modern setting. Decor is subtle and calming and seems designed to keep the chi flowing while visitors savour delicious Thai fare. Seafood features heavily on the menu and the grilled Red Snapper in red curry sauce is an alternative to the traditional Thai Green Curry. Also worth sampling is the interesting take on the Pad Thai Noodles. The Lemongrass is a 'dry' venue; however try the freshly squeezed juices and smoothies instead. The peppermint smoothie is popular among return visitors. The Lemongrass offers affordable, appetizing, authentic Asian food. Visitors arriving by taxi, should direct the driver to Lamcy Plaza.

Verre

Address: Hilton Dubai Creek Dubai

Food Type: International

Casa Mia

Address: Le Méridien Hotel Dubai

Food Type: Italian

Café Chic

Address: Le Meridien Hotel Dubai

Food Type: French

The Noodle House

Address: Emirates Towers Hotel Dubai

Food Type: Asian

Al Mahara

Address: Burj Al Arab Dubai

Food Type: Fish

Al Dawaar

Address: Hyatt Regency Dubai

Food Type: International

JW's Steakhouse

Address: JW Marriott Dubai Dubai

Food Type: American

The Meat Co.

Address: Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Shop 148, Jumeirah Beach Road Dubai

Food Type: International

Al Muntaha at The Burj Al Arab

Address: Burj Al Arab, Beach Road, Dubai Dubai

Food Type: Contemporary European Buffet

Spectrum on One

Address: 1st Floor, Fairmont Dubai Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Dubai

Food Type: Modern Eclectic

The Aquarium at Dubai Golf and Yacht Club

Address: Dubai Golf and Yacht Club Dubai

Food Type: Seafood

The Aquarium is one of five restaurants situated at the exclusive Dubai Golf & Yacht Club. Located at the end of an impressive drive way, lined with immaculate gardens and enviable creek-side villas guests arrive at the water's edge to superb views of the creek and the arguably the best seafood in town. The Aquarium is aptly named; featuring ceiling to floor windows, an aqua-blue interior and an almost 360 degree panorama, the experience is rather like dining in a giant fishbowl. A large aquarium in the centre of the dining area displays a range of exotic looking fish, however it's the one's on the menu that keep reeling in diners time and again.

QD's

Address: Dubai Creek Golf Course, Deira, Dubai Dubai

Food Type: Local

For shisha and cocktails QD's (Quarterdeck's) at Dubai Golf & Yacht Club is place to be seen. This super chilled out, funky venue is hugely popular, particularly with young Emiratis who flock here on Friday and Saturday night to enjoy the vibe. Guests can choose to sit on the raised deck by the waters edge or, to occupy their own personal shisha tent, complete with couches and beanbags, and order their favourite flavour ‘hubbly bubbly' from the menu. Flavours include apple, grape, strawberry and mint. Shisha waiters are constantly on hand with more hot coals to keep the pipes bubbling and the air filled with the sweet smoky smell that has become synonymous with Dubai at night. Guests can also buy shisha pipes and tobaccos to take home as a memento

Trader Vic's

Address: Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Al Sufouh Road Dubai

Food Type: Creole

Carters @ Wafi Mall

Address: Wafi Mall Dubai

Food Type: Gastropubs

Ginseng

Address: Wafi City Mall Dubai

Food Type: Asian