Dubai is rapidly cementing its position as one of the world’s most visited destinations. In just the first half of 2025 (January to June), the city welcomed 9.88 million international overnight visitors, already surpassing the 18.72 million total rec...
At Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Bombay Club redefines Indian dining with a focus on Western India’s culinary heritage. Chefs Manav Tuli and Kumaran Balaji present dishes like baked guinea fowl samosas, tandoori red snapper, and Bohri lamb biryani, with mains starting at AED 120. “We aim to showcase India’s diversity with every bite,” Tuli told Khaleej Times. The vibrant decor—rattan accents, animal prints, and bold colors—complements the lively menu, while a robust wine list elevates the experience.
Popular among Dubai’s Indian diaspora and food enthusiasts, it requires early reservations. The dress code is smart-casual, making it versatile yet upscale. Bombay Club is where tradition meets modernity, cementing its place in Dubai’s culinary elite.
Perched on a private pier at Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah, Pierchic is Dubai’s ultimate romantic dining destination. Chef Laurent Gras’ European menu features seafood risotto, scallops with cauliflower, and Dover sole meunière, with tasting menus starting at AED 563 for two. The Michelin Guide praises its “elegant dishes and breathtaking views” of the Arabian Gulf and Burj Al Arab.
The overwater setting, with sea breezes and twinkling lights, creates an intimate ambiance, perfect for proposals or anniversaries. Reservations are crucial, often booked weeks ahead, and the dress code is strictly elegant. Pierchic’s serene beauty and culinary finesse make it a timeless choice for Dubai’s elite.
In DIFC’s Gate Village, Gaia, led by chef Izu Ani, is a love letter to Greek cuisine, earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its value and quality. The menu highlights pristine ingredients in dishes like sea bream carpaccio, taramasalata with bottarga, and frozen Greek yogurt with honey, with mains averaging AED 150.
“We bring the soul of Greece to Dubai,” emphasizing authenticity. The dining room, adorned with olive trees and whitewashed walls, evokes a Mediterranean villa, while the terrace offers al fresco charm.
The atmosphere is vibrant yet refined, ideal for business lunches or romantic evenings. Reservations are essential, and the dress code is smart-casual. With outposts in London and Monte Carlo, Gaia’s Dubai flagship remains a beacon of Mediterranean sophistication.
At Atlantis The Royal, FZN by Björn Frantzén earned three Michelin stars in 2025, cementing its status as a pinnacle of Dubai’s fine dining. Swedish chef Björn Frantzén, known for his Stockholm flagship, brings Nordic precision with Japanese influences to this 27-seat, two-story venue.
The 17-course tasting menu, priced at around AED 2,000 per person, features dishes like hand-dived scallops with sake gel and wagyu with yuzu kosho. The Michelin Guide praises its “impeccable ingredients and masterful execution,” noting the theatrical presentation of each course.
The interiors, with sleek wood paneling and floor-to-ceiling windows framing Dubai’s skyline, exude understated luxury. Service is flawless, with staff guiding diners through the menu’s narrative. Booking months ahead is necessary, and the dress code leans formal, aligning with the restaurant’s elite clientele. FZN is where Dubai’s high society indulges in culinary perfection.
Set to open in 2025, Ciel Dubai Marina will claim the title of the world’s tallest hotel-only building at 365 meters. Designed by NORR Group, this 82-story tower in Dubai Marina features a glass atrium and a rooftop infinity pool offering 360-degree views. With 1,042 rooms, it aims to cater to both luxury travelers and business visitors, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global tourism hub.
Ciel’s engineering pushes boundaries. Its slender, curved silhouette withstands wind loads through aerodynamic modeling, while its foundation anchors deep into Dubai’s sandy soil. The project, valued at $500 million, reflects Dubai’s post-2008 economic recovery, pivoting from speculative real estate to sustainable tourism. Unlike earlier megaprojects, Ciel emphasizes energy efficiency with solar panels and water recycling systems.
Visitors can anticipate Ciel’s sky lounge, expected to rival the Burj Khalifa’s observation deck. Ciel represents Dubai’s forward gaze, a city that builds not just for today but for a future it intends to shape.
Photo credits: cieldubai.com
Alexander Agafiev Macambira
Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.
At the base of the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain performs a daily spectacle that blends art and engineering. Spanning 275 meters—longer than two football fields—this $218 million fountain, designed by WET Design, shoots water up to 150 meters high, synchronized to music ranging from Arabic classics to global hits like Thriller. Since its debut in 2009, it has drawn millions, offering free evening shows every 30 minutes.
The fountain’s 6,600 lights and 25 projectors create a kaleidoscope of colors, while 83,000 liters of water dance in patterns programmed by a team of choreographers. Its mechanics are staggering: 22,000 gallons of water are airborne at any moment, propelled by high-pressure nozzles. Maintenance divers regularly inspect its underwater systems, ensuring flawless performances.
The fountain’s magic lies in its ability to pause Dubai’s frenetic pace, uniting strangers in shared awe. It’s a fleeting reminder that beauty, even when engineered, can feel transcendent.
Photo credits: burjkhalifa.ae
Alexander Agafiev Macambira
Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.
From space, the Palm Jumeirah looks like a tree sprouting from Dubai’s coastline, its 17 fronds and crescent-shaped breakwater forming a man-made archipelago. Completed in 2008, this $12 billion project added 78 kilometers of shoreline, hosting luxury hotels like Atlantis, The Palm, and private villas that attract the world’s wealthy.
The Palm’s creation was a marvel of marine engineering. Over 94 million cubic meters of sand were dredged from the Arabian Gulf and sprayed into place using GPS-guided vessels. A 11-kilometer breakwater, built with 7 million tons of rock, protects the island from waves. Yet, environmental concerns linger: studies suggest the project disrupted local marine ecosystems, though Dubai has since invested in artificial reefs to mitigate damage.
Visitors can explore the Palm via a monorail connecting the mainland to Atlantis, where a waterpark and aquarium draw families. Strolling the Boardwalk along the crescent offers views of Dubai’s skyline and the Gulf’s turquoise waters. The Palm Jumeirah embodies Dubai’s knack for turning improbable visions into reality, inviting travelers to ponder the line between innovation and excess.
Photo credits: Wikipedia.
Alexander Agafiev Macambira
Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.
In Dubai, ambition takes physical form in the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building at 829.8 meters. Completed in 2010, this steel-and-glass spire, designed by Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, redefined what a skyscraper could be. Its Y-shaped base, inspired by the desert flower Hymenocallis, anchors it against the region’s fierce winds, while its central core houses 57 elevators whisking visitors to the 148th-floor observation deck in under a minute.
The Burj Khalifa is more than a feat of engineering; it’s a symbol of Dubai’s relentless drive to transcend its origins as a modest trading port. Named after the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, it was built at a cost of $1.5 billion, employing over 12,000 workers from across the globe.
For visitors, the Burj Khalifa offers breathtaking views, especially at sunset when the desert horizon glows. Tickets to the 148th floor cost around $100, but booking early online saves time and money. Nearby, the Dubai Mall, with its 1,200 shops, provides a grounding contrast to the tower’s ethereal heights. To visit is to witness a city that dares to dream vertically, even as it grapples with its earthly challenges.
Photo credits: Burj Khalifa Instagram.
Alexander Agafiev Macambira
Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.
Dubai has long been celebrated for its record-breaking architecture and futuristic skyline. But beyond the skyscrapers and luxury developments lies a deeper, transformative ambition: to become the smartest and most innovative city in the world. Through cutting-edge technologies, data-driven governance, and a citizen-first approach, Dubai is not just preparing for the future—it is actively building it today.
Dubai 10X: A Blueprint for a Decade Ahead
At the core of this transformation is the Dubai 10X initiative, launched in 2017 by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council. The program challenges government entities to implement today what other cities might only consider ten years from now. The goal is to "disrupt" traditional services and business models through bold, forward-thinking ideas.
One example is the Dubai Courts' digital litigation system, which uses AI and blockchain to streamline case handling, reducing human error and expediting judicial processes. Another is the Dubai Health Authority’s Doctor for Every Citizen initiative, which uses telemedicine platforms powered by AI to offer 24/7 consultations for residents.
Dubai Paperless Strategy: A Greener Government
Launched in 2018 by the Dubai Digital Authority, the Dubai Paperless Strategy aims to eliminate all paper transactions from government entities. As of 2024, the initiative has succeeded in removing over 336 million paper documents, saving more than 14 million work hours and 1.6 billion AED in costs, according to official data released by Smart Dubai.
Government entities such as Dubai Police, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) are now fully paperless. Through smart apps and integrated platforms, residents can access hundreds of public services without printing a single page—dramatically reducing carbon emissions and improving administrative efficiency.
AI Integration: Intelligence Across Every Sector
In 2023, Dubai unveiled its Artificial Intelligence Roadmap, further advancing the goals of the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031. The roadmap outlines a vision for incorporating AI across essential sectors such as transport, education, energy, and public safety.
The Dubai Metro, operated by the RTA, already features driverless trains, which are fully automated and monitored by smart systems. The RTA is also piloting autonomous taxis in partnership with Cruise (a GM-backed company), aiming for full deployment by 2030, when 25% of all transportation in Dubai is expected to be autonomous.
In healthcare, Dubai's AI strategy supports early diagnosis and predictive healthcare models. Hospitals under Dubai Health Authority have begun implementing AI algorithms for radiology scans, improving both speed and accuracy in diagnostics. Similarly, AI-powered surveillance systems are used by Dubai Police to enhance public safety and optimize emergency response times.
Blockchain and Big Data: Building Trust Through Technology
Dubai is also pioneering the use of blockchain in government. Through the Dubai Blockchain Strategy, the city aims to become the first blockchain-powered government in the world. Over 24 government departments have already adopted blockchain-based solutions for identity verification, property transactions, and supply chain transparency.
Meanwhile, the Smart Dubai platform, powered by Dubai Pulse, acts as the central data repository for the city. This open-data initiative allows government departments and private enterprises to access, analyze, and share real-time urban data to enhance decision-making and improve quality of life for residents.
Smart Living: Everyday Innovation for Everyone
For Dubai residents, the impact of the smart city strategy is tangible. The DubaiNow app integrates over 130 government and private services in a single interface—from paying bills to renewing vehicle registration and reporting public issues. The Happiness Meter, one of the world’s first city-wide sentiment measurement tools, allows residents to rate their satisfaction in real time, giving feedback directly to service providers.
Moreover, the city has embraced the Internet of Things (IoT) with thousands of smart sensors embedded across infrastructure—from street lighting to waste management. This enhances operational efficiency and aligns with Dubai's sustainability goals under the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050.
Smart City
Dubai's Smart City vision is more than a series of high-tech upgrades—it is a holistic, citizen-centric strategy rooted in sustainable innovation, digital transformation, and global leadership. By harnessing AI, blockchain, big data, and automation, Dubai is not just racing toward the future—it is setting the pace for the world to follow.
Photo credits: Dubai Instagram.
Alexander Agafiev Macambira
Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.
In the heart of the desert, where the sun reigns supreme, Dubai is harnessing its most abundant resource to redefine its energy landscape. The emirate, known for its towering skyscrapers and opulent lifestyle, is now chasing a more sustainable ambition: to generate 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050, with a significant milestone targeted for 2025. At the core of this transformation is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, a sprawling testament to Dubai’s commitment to clean energy and a model for cities worldwide grappling with the climate crisis.
Launched in 2013 with a modest 13-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) project, the solar park has grown into the world’s largest single-site renewable energy project, with a planned capacity of 5,000 megawatts by 2030. As of early 2025, the park produces approximately 3,460 megawatts, enough to power over 800,000 homes, and accounts for roughly 24 percent of Dubai’s electricity mix. By the end of this year, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) aims to push this figure closer to 30 percent, a critical step toward the emirate’s long-term goal.
The solar park’s success is not just a matter of scale but of innovation. It combines cutting-edge PV panels with concentrated solar power (CSP) systems, which use mirrors to focus sunlight and store thermal energy, enabling electricity generation even after sunset. The Noor Energy 1 complex, part of the park’s fourth phase, features the world’s tallest solar tower at 260 meters and can deliver power 24 hours a day, thanks to 15 hours of molten-salt storage. Such advancements address the intermittency of renewables, a persistent challenge for grids worldwide.
Dubai’s renewable push is part of the broader Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, unveiled in 2015 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the emirate’s ruler. The strategy, which aims for 75 percent clean energy by 2050, is built on five pillars: large-scale renewable projects, smart grid infrastructure, energy efficiency, regulatory frameworks, and innovation. Beyond the solar park, initiatives like Shams Dubai encourage residents and businesses to install rooftop solar panels and sell excess power back to the grid, while a $27 billion green fund provides low-interest loans for clean-tech ventures.
This transformation is not without its complexities. Dubai, like much of the United Arab Emirates, remains heavily reliant on natural gas, which accounted for 94 percent of its electricity in 2021. Transitioning from a hydrocarbon-based economy—one that has fueled the emirate’s meteoric rise—requires not just technological leaps but cultural and economic shifts. The UAE, the world’s sixth-largest oil producer, is balancing its fossil fuel exports with a pivot to renewables, a pragmatic approach in a region where energy security and economic diversification are paramount.
The emirate’s leadership sees clean energy as more than an environmental imperative; it’s a strategic play to position Dubai as a global hub for green technology. The solar park’s Innovation Centre, a hub for research into advanced solar panels, battery storage, and solar-powered desalination, underscores this ambition. Partnerships with universities and tech giants like Tesla are testing next-generation solutions, from redox flow batteries to AI-driven grid management. DEWA’s green hydrogen pilot, the first in the Middle East, hints at a future where solar power fuels not just electricity but transportation and industry.
Yet, for all its progress, Dubai faces hurdles. The emirate’s scorching climate, with temperatures often exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, poses challenges for solar panel efficiency and grid stability. Dust accumulation on panels requires constant innovation in cleaning technologies, including robotic systems now deployed at the solar park. Moreover, while the UAE ranks sixth globally in per capita solar consumption, renewables still represent just 8.3 percent of the nation’s total electricity mix as of 2023, a reminder of the long road ahead.
Critics argue that Dubai’s green ambitions must extend beyond energy to address broader sustainability issues, such as water scarcity and urban sprawl. The emirate’s Waste-to-Energy Centre, which converts landfill waste into 200 megawatts of power, and its solar-powered desalination pilot are steps in this direction, but scaling these solutions remains a challenge. Others note that the UAE’s hosting of COP28 in 2023, while a diplomatic triumph, drew scrutiny for the region’s continued reliance on fossil fuels.
Still, Dubai’s solar push offers lessons for the world. Its ability to attract private investment—through long-term power purchase agreements and Sharia-compliant green sukuk bonds—demonstrates how public-private partnerships can accelerate renewable deployment. The solar park’s low electricity costs, with bids as low as 1.35 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour, rival those of fossil fuels, proving that clean energy can be economically competitive even in an oil-rich region.
As 2025 unfolds, Dubai stands at a crossroads. The emirate’s solar achievements are a beacon of what’s possible when vision, investment, and technology converge. Yet the path to 50 percent renewables by 2050 demands sustained commitment, not just to build more solar farms but to reimagine how a city consumes and produces energy. In a world racing to avert climate catastrophe, Dubai’s desert gamble may light the way.
Photo credits: Dubai Instagram.
Alexander Agafiev Macambira
Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.
When the crescent moon heralded Eid Al Adha from June 15 to June 19, 2025, Dubai greeted travelers with a distinctive flourish: a limited-edition “Eid in Dubai” passport stamp, rolled out at Dubai International Airport and the Hatta land border crossing. Led by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA) and designed by Brand Dubai, the stamp featured crescent moons, traditional lantern motifs, and the phrase “Eid in Dubai – 2025” in Arabic and English. This initiative, a seamless blend of cultural heritage and modern hospitality, underscored Dubai’s ambition to remain a global leader in tourism and cultural innovation.
The passport stamp campaign captured the imagination of visitors arriving during the festive season. Social media platforms buzzed with posts, showcasing travelers sharing images of their stamped passports, which amplified Dubai’s festive branding to a global audience. The initiative coincided with a surge in travel, with 629,559 travelers recorded at Dubai’s entry and exit points from June 5 to June 8, 2025, including 581,000 through airports. While the exact number of stamp recipients is not specified, the high volume of airport traffic—part of the 3 million passengers welcomed during the broader festive season, - suggests the campaign reached a significant portion of international arrivals, reinforcing Dubai’s status as the world’s busiest international airport.
Photo credits: Dubai Instagram.
Alexander Agafiev Macambira
Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.
Dubai’s “Cashless Strategy,” an ambitious push to achieve 95% cashless transactions by 2026, is transforming the emirate into a global leader in digital finance. Initially targeting 90% by 2026, the goal was revised upward in early 2025, reflecting rapid adoption of digital payments, according to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. A standout feature of this initiative is the integration of cryptocurrency payments for select government and private services, with tokenized real estate transactions reaching $399 million in May 2025, as reported by posts on X.
Launched under the Dubai Blockchain Strategy of 2016, the Cashless Strategy aligns with the emirate’s vision to become a global hub for digital innovation. The Dubai Digital Authority oversees the rollout, enabling payments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum for services such as property registration and select retail purchases. Emirates NBD, a leading UAE bank, reported a 47% increase in digital wallet transactions in Q1 2025, driven by its Liv platform, which supports crypto payments. The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), established in 2022, ensures compliance, fostering trust in a sector once plagued by volatility. In 2024, Dubai attracted 1,117 foreign direct investment projects, many in fintech, per fDi Intelligence, underscoring its appeal to blockchain innovators.
The infrastructure is robust. Over 300 government services, including trade licenses and visa processing, now operate on blockchain platforms, reducing processing times by up to 70%, according to the Dubai Digital Authority. In retail, major hubs like Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates have adopted crypto payment systems via QR codes, supported by partnerships with exchanges like Binance. Small businesses benefit from government incentives, such as zero-fee crypto transactions until 2027, encouraging merchants in areas like Al Fahidi’s souk to embrace digital payments. The launch of SuiHub in June 2025, a Web3 innovation hub in Dubai Silicon Oasis backed by VARA and the Sui Foundation, further accelerates this ecosystem, offering startups $100 million in funding and regulatory support.
Economically, the strategy is a powerhouse. Tokenized real estate, leveraging blockchain platforms like the XRP Ledger, accounted for 15% of Dubai’s property transactions in 2025, per VARA data. This has streamlined ownership transfers, cutting costs by 20% compared to traditional methods. The Dubai Economy Tracker noted a 12% rise in fintech-related business registrations in 2024, reflecting the sector’s growth. By positioning itself as a crypto-friendly hub, Dubai aims to capture a slice of the global digital asset market, projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, according to Statista.
Challenges persist. A 2025 YouGov survey revealed that 28% of Dubai residents over 50 prefer cash, citing unfamiliarity with digital systems. To address this, the government has deployed 500 digital literacy kiosks across community centers, targeting 50,000 trainees by mid-2026. Cybersecurity is another concern; Chainalysis reported a 22% increase in global crypto scams in 2024, prompting Dubai to invest $272 million in its 2025 Cyber Security Strategy to safeguard transactions. Market volatility remains a risk—Bitcoin’s 12% drop in April 2025 raised eyebrows—but VARA’s stringent regulations, including mandatory audits for crypto exchanges, have minimized systemic threats. To ensure inclusivity, cash remains accepted for public services until at least 2030, balancing the needs of low-income and migrant communities.
Dubai’s Cashless Strategy is a bold experiment in redefining money. From tokenized art sales at Art Dubai 2025 to blockchain-powered startups, the emirate is weaving digital finance into its fabric. If it can bridge accessibility gaps and maintain regulatory rigor, Dubai could set a blueprint for the world’s financial future, proving that a city can be as innovative in its economy as it is in its skyline.
Photo credits: Dubai Instagram.
Alexander Agafiev Macambira
Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.
In a region where water is scarcer than oil, Dubai is turning the desert into a laboratory for sustainable agriculture. The emirate’s Food Tech Valley, launched in 2021, has become a hub for vertical farming and agritech innovation, producing 10,000 tons of fresh produce annually by 2025, according to the Dubai Ministry of Food Security. Companies like Pure Harvest and Bustanica are using hydroponics and AI-driven climate control to grow leafy greens, berries, and herbs in facilities that use 90% less water than traditional farming.
The urgency is clear: the UAE imports 85% of its food, and global supply chain disruptions, like those seen in 2024 due to Red Sea shipping delays, exposed vulnerabilities. Dubai’s response is a $10 billion investment in food security by 2030, with agritech at its core. Bustanica’s 330,000-square-foot vertical farm, powered entirely by solar energy, now supplies Emirates Airlines with fresh salads, proving the model’s scalability. Meanwhile, startups in Food Tech Valley are experimenting with lab-grown proteins, aiming to reduce reliance on imported meat.
Skeptics point to high initial costs and energy demands, but proponents argue the long-term benefits—food independence and climate resilience—justify the investment. As global temperatures rise, with the UAE recording a record 52.1°C in July 2024, Dubai’s agritech push offers a blueprint for arid regions. The desert, long a symbol of scarcity, may yet become a source of abundance.
Visitors can anticipate Ciel’s sky lounge, expected to rival the Burj Khalifa’s observation deck. Ciel represents Dubai’s forward gaze, a city that builds not just for today but for a future it intends to shape.
