Downtown Dubai

The main tourist area with the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. Very safe, very expensive, set up for international visitors. English is standard and security is everywhere.

This is where the Burj Khalifa is, along with Dubai Mall where people spend entire days indoors avoiding the heat. There's heavy security, good lighting, and crowds of tourists and locals out even past midnight. The fountain shows at 6pm and 9pm pull in crowds. Everyone speaks English since it's the main tourist area, and you'll see women eating alone or walking around regularly. Everything costs tourist prices - coffee, meals, all of it. The metro connects directly to Dubai Mall station with women-only cars. The vibe is international rather than traditional, though public displays of affection are still illegal.