Dubai

Is Dubai safe to visit?

On the street, very. Dubai has some of the lowest rates of violent and petty crime of any big city, roads that are now safer than London's per head, and a police force that is visible everywhere. Solo women walk the Marina at midnight without a second thought.

But 2026 has added a risk that crime statistics do not capture. After the United States and Israel attacked Iran in late February, Iranian missiles and drones struck the Gulf. We score Dubai 83, down from where its crime record alone would put it, and rate our confidence as medium because the situation keeps changing.

The 2026 strikes

On 1 March 2026, Iranian strikes hit Dubai. A concourse at Dubai International was damaged and four people were injured there. Debris from an intercepted drone set fire to the outer facade of the Burj Al Arab, explosions were reported on Palm Jumeirah, and Jebel Ali port was damaged. Debris also fell on a car in Al Barsha and killed the driver. UAE air defences said they had intercepted most of the incoming ballistic missiles and drones, but not all.

On 2 March, the US State Department ordered non-emergency government staff to leave the UAE and told Americans to reconsider travel. A US-Iran ceasefire on 8 April brought visitors back briefly, but Iran attacked the UAE again in early May, and strikes across the region resumed from 8 July. By 10 May the UAE Ministry of Defence counted 13 deaths nationwide. In August the UAE reported two Iranian missiles coming down in and near its waters and intercepted a drone over the sea; neither caused reported casualties. The US advisoryUS travel advisoryThe US State Department's rating of each country from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel).More in the glossary of 29 August keeps Level 3 but lets families of US staff return. As of September 2026, all three main UAE airports were operating and Emirates, flydubai and Etihad were flying normal schedules, but Europe's aviation regulator still rated the airspace over the Gulf as high risk.

What this means for a visitor:

• Read the UK FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary and US State Department pages for the UAE the week you travel, not when you book.
• Buy travel insurance that covers cancellation and disruption caused by conflict. Many policies exclude war unless you check.
• Keep your phone on and emergency alerts enabled. If an alert sounds, go inside and stay away from windows.
• Have a plan for a sudden airspace closure, including enough money and medication for a few extra days.

Crime and the law

Theft is uncommon and violent crime against visitors is very rare. The things that get tourists into trouble in Dubai are usually their own behaviour under strict laws. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary lists the main ones: possession of even tiny amounts of drugs carries a minimum three-month prison term, being drunk in public is illegal, and swearing or rude gestures, including in messages and social media posts, can lead to arrest. So can kissing in public. Check whether any prescription medicine you take is controlled in the UAE before you pack it.

Scams are mainly online: fake holiday flats, too-cheap desert safari deals and counterfeit event tickets. Book through known platforms and pay by card.

Heat, dust and floods

The bigger everyday health risk is the climate. From June to September daytime temperatures often pass 45°C with high humidity. People collapse from heat exhaustion on desert trips, building sites and long walks between malls. Plan outdoor activity for early morning or after sunset, drink water constantly, and choose desert safari operators with good reviews and seat belts; dune bashing accidents do happen.

Air quality is the weakest part of Dubai's record. Desert dust keeps PM2.5PM2.5Tiny airborne particles 2.5 micrometres across or smaller. They reach deep into the lungs and are the air pollutant most linked to early death.More in the glossary well above the WHO guideline for much of the year, and dust storms can turn the sky orange. If you have asthma or heart disease, check daily air quality and bring your medication.

Dubai rarely sees rain, so it is badly prepared when it does. In April 2024 the UAE had its heaviest rainfall since records began in 1949, and the airport and major roads flooded for days.

Getting around

Dubai Police figures show 1.8 road deaths per 100,000 people in 2024, down from 21.7 in 2007. Speed cameras are everywhere, but driving on Sheikh Zayed Road and other highways is still fast and aggressive, as the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary warns. Use the metro, which has women and children cabins, RTA taxis or Careem and Uber. Pedestrian crossings are safe, but distances in the heat are longer than they look on a map.

Where to stay

Downtown, Dubai Marina, JBR, Business Bay and Palm Jumeirah are the main visitor areas and all are very safe on the street. The older districts of Deira and Bur Dubai, around the creek and souks, are just as safe and much cheaper. Given the strikes of 2026, a hotel with a good internal shelter plan matters more than location; ask at check-in.

How we scored it

Theft (90), night safety (90) and traffic (88) are among the best on our list. Health and environment (66) and natural hazards (68) are weak because of heat, dust and flooding. Violent crime (86) includes a deduction for the 2026 strikes; without them it would be in the mid-90s, and compare Tokyo for a city that is safe on both counts. For another regional hub, see Istanbul.