Dubai is the dazzling, record-breaking jewel of the UAE — a futuristic desert metropolis of soaring skyscrapers, man-made islands and superlatives, from the world's tallest building to its largest malls. Glamorous, fast-paced and relentlessly ambitious, it pairs golden beaches and a buzzing expat lifestyle with year-round sunshine, and has become one of the most popular and rewarding places on Earth for teachers to live and work.
Dubai has a hot desert climate, with warm, glorious winters and long, intensely hot summers. It is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world — the vast majority of residents are expats — with English spoken everywhere alongside Arabic. A tax-free salary, a high standard of living, superb infrastructure and a safe, sociable, sun-soaked lifestyle make it a magnet for international teachers from every corner of the globe.
Location Info
- Tax-free salary and a glamorous, high standard of living
- Ranked among the safest cities in the world, day or night
- A clean, modern driverless metro, plus cheap taxis and ride-hailing
Top Experiences
Burj Khalifa & Downtown
Ride to the top of the world's tallest building, 828m above the city, then watch the Dubai Fountain dance below against the backdrop of the Dubai Mall — the glittering heart of Downtown.
Old Dubai & the Creek
Cross the Creek on a traditional abra water taxi to the atmospheric gold and spice souks of Deira, and the restored wind-tower houses of the Al Fahidi historic district — a glimpse of pre-skyscraper Dubai.
The Beaches & Palm Jumeirah
Soak up the sun on JBR and Kite Beach, then explore the palm-shaped island of Palm Jumeirah, crowned by the iconic Atlantis resort and its waterpark.
Desert Safari
Head into the dunes for the quintessential Dubai experience — dune-bashing, sandboarding, camel rides and a starlit Bedouin-style camp with dinner under the desert sky.
The Malls & Indoor Adventures
Beat the heat in the colossal Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates — home to an aquarium, an ice rink and even an indoor ski slope with real snow.
Dubai Marina & the Skyline
Stroll the glittering Marina waterfront of yachts, restaurants and towers, then take to the water on a dhow cruise or ride the giant Ain Dubai observation wheel for the full skyline.
Getting Around
Dubai is a spread-out, car-friendly city, but you don't need to drive. The gleaming, fully automated Dubai Metro is fast, cheap and air-conditioned, ride-hailing apps (Uber and Careem) and metered taxis are inexpensive, and trams, water taxis and monorails fill in the gaps — all paid for with a single tap-and-go Nol card. The city is flat, modern and easy to navigate.
When to Go
November to March is the prime season, with warm, sunny days, balmy evenings and a packed calendar of festivals, sport and outdoor dining. Summers (June to September) are extremely hot and humid, often topping 45°C, so life moves indoors to the malls, beach clubs and air-conditioned everything.
Good to Know
- The UAE dirham (AED) is pegged to the US dollar, so prices stay stable and predictable.
- Arabic is the official language, but English is the language of daily life for most residents.
- The weekend is Saturday and Sunday, and the city runs on GMT+4.
- Alcohol is served in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants across the city.
- Dubai is liberal by regional standards, but dress modestly at mosques and in traditional areas.
- Dubai consistently ranks among the safest cities in the world.
