Dubai, the most luxurious place in the world, just 50 years ago was merely a small town in the middle of the desert. Today, Dubai serves as the luxurious face of the Middle East and the biggest attraction that part of the world has to offer. You’ve seen photos of the Burj Al Arab hotel, the crescent-shaped skyscraper built on a man-made island. You also probably know that living in Dubai is synonymous with extravagance, as it is home to the world’s tallest building, and you might have even seen Tom Cruise scaling it in an installment of the Mission Impossible franchise. That building is called the Burj Khalifa, and it stands 722 feet high.

Most people would know a bit about the attractions of this amazing city, but today we would love to get the chance to tell you so much more. So here’s all the over-the-top, wildly expensive things you can find in Dubai. But first, a tiny history lesson. How did Dubai go from being just a small desert town to the extravagant oasis it is today? The same way all of the other United Arab Emirates cities became so rich: oil. Abu Dhabi, just 90 miles from Dubai, is the richest city in the world and it sits on 10 percent of the entire world’s oil supply. This production of oil launched the United Arab Emirates into the first world; millions were poured into Dubai, and it became one of the biggest cities in the Middle East.

However, today Dubai only makes five percent of its revenue from oil because its reserves aren’t nearly as lucrative as some of its UAE neighbors. Dubai makes the majority of its revenue from trade, real estate, and tourism. Living in Dubai has become synonymous with business, as it has become the business center of the UAE since it can no longer rely on oil production alone. But this adjustment has not discouraged this incredibly rich city from growing. Dubai is growing in population just as much as it’s growing vertically. In fact, about one-fourth of all cranes are located in Dubai. That’s right; about 25 percent of cranes in existence are in just one UAE city. It seems the game plan of Dubai is just to keep building skyscrapers. Two of these skyscrapers are the aforementioned Burj Khalifa and the Burj Al Arab hotel. The Burj Khalifa stands more than a half a mile tall. It’s so tall, in fact, that at its upper floors, the building can sway several feet at the mercy of the wind.

This, however, was not overlooked by the architects of this massive building. The Burj Khalifa was designed in such a way that the sway would be too slow for the vestibular system in the inner ear to even notice. That’s the part of the ear that provides balance if you happen to be unburdened by interference. The Burj Al Arab is a beautiful five-star hotel just hundreds of feet off the land. The Al Arab is the fifth largest hotel in the world. Thanks to its unique shape, the hotel stands 56 stories high. It is officially labeled as a five-star hotel, but some have dubbed this stunning building with the highest remark of seven stars. This seven-star label is up for debate, as the authority on the matter of luxury hotels has not been agreed upon. But seven-star or not, this hotel is truly magnificent. If you want to spend a night in the royal suite at the Al Arab, it’ll cost you just over 24,000 dollars. The interior of the Burj Al Arab is adorned with around 1,790 square meters of 24 karat gold leaf.

But even that can’t touch the glorious views of the immaculate city and the picture-perfect golf. Along with extremely tall buildings, the city is keen on building man-made islands. Both the Palm Islands and the World Islands are two incredibly ambitious projects that came to fruition with the help of a whole lot of cash. The construction of the Palm Islands not only cost 12 billion dollars to build, but it also required 94 million cubic meters of sand. To put that into perspective, 94 million cubic meters of sand could fill the entire Empire State Building two and a half times. The World Islands, as in the man-made islands that mimic the shape of the world’s land masses, took 321 million cubic meters of sand. If you could just edit in nine Empire State Buildings, which also adds another 15 billion dollars to the cost of man-made islands in Dubai.

Nothing exfoliates quite like the warm water of the Persian Gulf. But that’s enough talk about man-made islands, huh? Let’s move on to the police force now. Law enforcement isn’t usually something that comes to mind when speaking in terms of luxury, but it sure is in Dubai. As a means of wooing the tourists, Dubai’s police force uses supercars as their patrol vehicles. This includes cars such as the Ferrari FF that goes for around half a million dollars, the Lamborghini Aventador that goes for around four hundred thousand dollars, and my personal favorite, an Aston Martin 177 for the reasonable price of 1.79 million dollars. Trust me when I say this: nothing makes a man feel more like James Bond than flooring an Aston Martin 177. Makes me want to take mine out for a spin right now.

Anyway, using these spectacular cars is just Dubai being Dubai. But hey, Dubai is the eighth safest city in the world, so more power to them. This isn’t all due to the supercars, of course. The UAE, in general, has rather strict laws due to the Islamic constitutional monarchies that operate the Emirates government. Some Sharia laws exist in Dubai as well, so if you’re on vacation with your misses checking out the bougie police force, make sure the two of you don’t get caught smooching because it might just get you deported. However, due to the extremely high amount of tourism, some places in Dubai are much more lenient. The serving of alcohol, for instance, would not be permitted in a traditional Middle Eastern setting, but it is in Dubai in specific institutions such as hotels and clubs.

In the future, Dubai has some rather insane developments on the horizon. For example, there’s a project called the “Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan,” aiming to transform the city into a global hub for innovation and sustainability. This initiative seeks to make Dubai more livable and attractive for residents while maintaining its status as a top tourist destination.



Now, if you’re an adrenaline junkie, you’ll be thrilled to know that Dubai has some of the most exhilarating experiences to offer. Picture this: skydiving over the Palm Jumeirah, the iconic man-made island that resembles a palm tree from above. It’s one of the most breathtaking sights you could ever see while free-falling from thousands of feet in the air. And for those who prefer their thrills on the water, there’s the chance to take a ride on a luxury yacht or even go jet skiing around the Burj Al Arab. Nothing says luxurious life in Dubai quite like splashing through the waves while soaking in views of some of the most stunning architecture in the world.

If you want to dive even deeper into luxury, consider shopping at the Dubai Mall, the largest shopping center in the world. It features over 1,200 shops, including some of the most exclusive brands, as well as an aquarium, an ice rink, and a virtual reality park. And yes, there’s a fountain show outside that rivals anything you’d see in Las Vegas. But it’s not just about shopping. Dubai offers rich cultural experiences too. You can explore the Dubai Museum located in the Al Fahidi Fort, which gives you a glimpse into the city’s past before the oil boom. Plus, you can wander through the historic district of Al Seef and admire the traditional architecture, making it a perfect blend of old and new.

As we talk about cultural experiences, let’s not forget about the food. Dubai is a culinary paradise, featuring a melting pot of cuisines from all over the globe. From fine dining establishments helmed by celebrity chefs to hidden gems serving delicious street food, you can find everything to satisfy your taste buds. If you’re looking for a unique dining experience, you can try the underwater restaurant at the Atlantis The Palm, where you can dine surrounded by breathtaking marine life. It’s an experience that combines luxury with the beauty of the ocean.

All in all, Dubai is more than just a city; it’s a lifestyle in Dubai, an experience, and a testament to human ingenuity. From its rich history and cultural diversity to its extravagant lifestyle and thrilling adventures, there’s truly something for everyone in this vibrant city. So whether you’re planning a visit or just dreaming about it, remember that Dubai isn’t just about luxury; it’s a place where traditions meet modernity, creating a unique tapestry that’s waiting to be explored.

If you are seeking a change in your life and want to move to the greener pastures that Dubai offers, there are many ways in which you can do so. If you are a business owner in your home country that seeks to move operations to Dubai, SetHub can help you with that. Over the years, we have established ourselves as the trusted and preferred business setup consultant in the UAE, with an emphasis on business set up in Dubai. So many of our clients have moved to and set up shop in Dubai. Regardless of your industry or what your speciality is, there is a place for you to thrive in Dubai. If you want to know more about how you can make your Dubai dream a reality, reach out to us today. All you have to do is set up a call with one of our experts, and you will hear back with some tailored advice in just one business hour!