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Dubai ranked one of the smartest cities in the world

Dubai ranked one of the smartest cities in the world

Time Out Dubai13-05-2025
Dubai has been ranked as the fourth smartest city in the world in 2025.
According to new data published from the IMD Smart City Index 2025, Dubai came in at fourth out of an impressive 146 cities.
Beating cities including London, Singapore and Copenhagen, the city was able to climb eight places since the 2024 index.
If you like this: Dubai announces golden visas for nurses
Looking at a number of factors, the data showed positive survey results over questions concerning the availability of online information, traffic congestion, face recognition technologies and non-cash payments.
Other areas were also studies, including health and safety, public transport, green spaces and even employment opportunities.
Dubai came in at fourth place (Credit: Supplied)
In 2020, Dubai was ranked in 19th place, moving to 17th by 2023, and in just two years has now jumped to fourth in 2025.
Dubai was even given a higher rating than Abu Dhabi, which came in at fifth place.
The gold medal was given to Zurich in Switzerland, while Oslo was ranked second smartest city, followed by Geneva in third.
The report is designed to show what makes a city most liveable in 2025 and also aimed to evaluate how cities are addressing issues of affordable housing.
Out of the top four cities, Dubai ranked first on a selection of questions, including the selection of cultural activities available, the number of green spaces and how easy it is to access information on local government decisions.
You can find the top 20 locations in the Smart City Index 2025 here:
Zurich, Switzerland Oslo, Norway Geneva, Switzerland Dubai, UAE Abu Dhabi, UAE London, UK Copenhagen, Denmark Canberra, Australia Singapore, Singpore Lausanne, Switzerland Helsinki, Finland Prague, Czech Republic Seoul, South Korea Beijing, China Shanghai, China Ljubljana, Slovenia Amsterdam, Netherlands Stockholm, Sweden Hong Kong, China Hamburg, Germany
In other Dubai news
Dubai Mall announces car park closure: The important update you need to know
It's part of the mall's ongoing expansion plans
36 major traffic improvement projects coming soon to Dubai
And some sooner than you think
Dubai announces golden visas for nurses
Health heroes have unlocked the long-term residency
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18 brilliant free indoor activities in Dubai to escape the heat
18 brilliant free indoor activities in Dubai to escape the heat

Time Out Dubai

time4 days ago

  • Time Out Dubai

18 brilliant free indoor activities in Dubai to escape the heat

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Discover old treasures at the Antique Museum (Credit: Supplied) If you find objects from years ago interesting you will find a trip to the Antique Museum (which is a bit of a treasure trove nestled in Al Quoz) fun. Admire treasures from the past as you look at the different stalls selling antiques, ceramics and hand-made wares. If you do want to part with some cash you can take home something very unique. Open daily 9am-8.30pm. Al Quoz, (04 347 9935). Check out the underwater zoo at Dubai Aquarium (Credit:Supplied) Marvel at marine life at the Dubai Aquarium inside Dubai Mall. Make the most of the air-conditioned shopping centre as you check out the different fish swimming about behind the glass tank. You may even spot a shark, or two. While you have to pay to enter the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, you can spot plenty from the outside. A winner for anyone with kids. Open Mon-Thu 10am-11pm; Fri-Sun 10am-midnight. The Dubai Mall, (800 382 246 255). Chill at a free co-working space Feel like you're working from a leafy green garden and spend the day on your laptop at the cute (and free) spot. Co-Working Zone at B HIVE in BurJuman Mall has comfy seating, WiFi and plenty of charging stations. All you need to do is register online to get your QR code and settle in for free. Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Burjuman Mall, (04 352 0222). Admire the resident dinosaur at Dubai Mall (Credit: Supplied) Sure to go down with aspiring archaeologists and Jurassic Park fans is a visit to see the 24-metre-long dinosaur skeleton that lives inside Dubai Mall. Visit the Souk Dome to see the 155 million-year-old Diplodocus longus named Dubai Dino. One of the best free things to do indoors, especially with kids, you can see the artefact any time during the mall's opening hours which is an added bonus. Open Mon-Thu 10am-11pm; Fri-Sun 10am-midnight. Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, (800 382246255). Stroll around Chinatown in Dubai Mall (Credit: Supplied) While you're in Dubai Mall, head to the first floor opposite the Dubai Ice Rink with direct access to Address Fountain Views, as the new destination promises to offer an authentic Asian experience that you can stroll around for free. Open Mon-Thu 10am-11pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, (800 382246255). Explore the creative hub at Jameel Arts Centre (Credit: Supplied) Make your way to Jaddaf Waterfront to immerse yourself in everything Jameel Arts Centre has to offer. The creative centre has three floors waiting for art enthusiasts to check out the exhibitions and installations. Make sure to also pop into the Art Jameel Shop, the Artist's Garden, the seven desert gardens, and Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park. Open Sat-Mon 10am-8pm, Tues, closed, Wed-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri noon-8pm. Jaddaf Waterfront, (04 873 9800). Learn about the classical Arabic poet at Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili (Credit: Supplied) If you love to see old artefacts and discover more about Arabic history then a trip to the Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili could be right up your street. Visiting the free museum, which is a homage to Mubarak Bin Al Oqaili (1875–1954), will allow you to understand the pioneering poet and to see some of his original, handwritten work as well as the pens and tools he used to pen his poems. Open Mon-Thu 9am-2pm, Fri 9am-noon, Sat-Sun, closed. Al Ras, Deira, (800 33222). Visit Souk Madinat (Credit: supplied) If it's feeling too hot to wander around the Gold or Spice Souks in Deira, try heading to Souk Madinat instead. All created within the comfort of air-conditioning, you can wind around the alleys – decorated as if you're in one of the historic markets. Filled with traditional Arabic perfumes, sweets and gifts, take a browse for no cost at all. Open daily 10am-11pm. Al Sufouh 1. (04 366 8888). See the summer shows at The Foundry If you didn't know already, The Foundry is one of the best places in Dubai to see art. With free shows all summer, there's loads to explore. Not only free to attend, you can view a series of new works every few weeks from the creative community, including local and international artists. Free. Open Daily 10am-10pm. Dubai Downtown Boulevard, (04 367 3696). The Old Library: Take the kids for story time Every Monday morning little bookworms are invited to attend story time at The Old Library. A storyteller reads to the tots from 10am and the first time is free for non-members to take their children to. After the first complimentary session, the parent/guardian must join as a member. Mon-Friday 10am-6pm, Sun noon-4pm, The Old Library, Gold & Diamond Park. Looking for another library to explore? Fiker Institute is also recommended: it has over 15,000 books, spanning over 40 categories. 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Whizz down a mall slide Whether you're a kid (or a big kid), the summer slide is back in Mercato Mall. Upgrading your shopping spree, the adrenaline-pumping shoot is open to all the family. Letting you whizz down from one floor to the other, you don't have to pay a single dirham to slide, with kids under 120cm to be accompanied by an adult. Free. Until Sun Aug 31. Open daily 10am-12.45pm, 2pm-4.45pm, 6pm-7.45pm. Mercato Mall, Jumeirah, (04 344 4161). Take part in a mallathon This summer, the Dubai Mallathon will set up dedicated walking and running tracks inside seven Dubai shopping malls, including Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Hills Mall, Deira City Centre, Springs Souk, City Centre Mirdif and Dubai Marina Mall. These malls will be transformed into organised health and fitness tracks during morning hours, from 7am until 10am, all throughout August. Letting you get your steps in (with AC), the initiative is completely free. Daily, until Sun Aug 31, 7am-10pm. Various locations. Visit the library For an epic library to get lost in, browse the shelves at Mohammed Bin Rashid Library and spend hours admiring the incredible building. Built in the shape of a book itself, you can check out special texts, read or work remotely in one of the cosy spots on every floor. Open Mon-Thu 9am-9pm; Fri 2pm-9pm; Sat 9am-9pm. Al Jaddaf, (800 627523). Wander the Al Serkal Classic Cars Museum Thanks to the Private Classic Car Collection, you can take a look at over 70 preserved vintage vehicles and even a retro plane at this entirely free mini museum. It's open from Monday to Friday, inside the Al Serkal Building in Deira letting you check out some cool models and snap a photo or two in the comfort of AC. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5.30pm. Al Serkal Building, Deira (04 295 5000). 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I tried the Middle Eastern cruise trip with desert stays, five-star dining and wildlife safaris
I tried the Middle Eastern cruise trip with desert stays, five-star dining and wildlife safaris

Scottish Sun

time7 days ago

  • Scottish Sun

I tried the Middle Eastern cruise trip with desert stays, five-star dining and wildlife safaris

The lifts at Burj Khalifa — naturally the fastest in the world — speed up to the observation deck on the 125th floor in just 60 seconds CELESTYAL CRUISE I tried the Middle Eastern cruise trip with desert stays, five-star dining and wildlife safaris Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DUBAI brags of having the biggest, longest and highest of everything – but the widest highway in the world? Really? Absolutely, says Ali, the most excitable guide in the world — but only if he is talking about his own country. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Enjoy the high life in ultra-modern Abu Dhabi 6 Relax with a sea view from the onboard pool 6 Take in a wildlife safari 'We have no taxes, VAT is five per cent, the government is rich, we are rich, we have the richest country in the world,' he effuses. We are going to the Dubai Mall, the world's biggest shopping centre, and the towering Burj Khalifa, the tallest (of course) building in the world, soaring 828 metres in the air. That's almost three times the height of London's Shard. The lifts at Burj Khalifa — naturally, the fastest in the world — speed up to the observation deck on the 125th floor in just 60 seconds. What Ali fails to tell us is that getting to the lifts means enduring the slowest queue in the world. It took us a frustrating 90 minutes of shuffling and waiting from one queue to another but, once at the top, you're in selfie heaven. We're in Dubai with Celestyal, a charmingly Greek cruise line that spends summers in Greece and Croatia and winters hobnobbing with the rich and, well, really rich, on one-week voyages around the Arabian Gulf. The cruise starts in Doha, the capital of Qatar, where money can buy you everything — including a room in a super-luxury hotel that towers into the sky and is shaped like a crescent. Our ship, Celestyal Journey, isn't quite so swanky, but way better value, with a week from just £539pp — not much more than a night in the fancy Doha hotel. But where that doesn't even get breakfast thrown in, on board our ship three meals a day are included. So is wifi (and you can also splash out on dinner in the speciality Asian or steak restaurant, which come at an extra charge). Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival If you fancy staying in a fab Grand Dream Suite, one of the fanciest staterooms on board, which comes with spacious living area, a sofa bed (on top of the large double bed) and balcony, it's £1,380pp more. It also comes with perks, including free access to an exclusive restaurant and the spa's thermal suite as well as priority check-in. If you can tear yourself away from the room, there's a pool upstairs and numerous bars downstairs with non-stop live music every evening. Our favourite is Spirits & Ales, where barman JD and his team always have smiles on their faces and tricks up their sleeves. Literally. They not only pull a mean pint, but also wow us with a close-up magic show one evening. From Doha we cruise to Dubai, where we're staying overnight so we can go 4x4-ing in the desert on one of several shore excursions offered by the cruise line. It's a thrilling rollercoaster of a ride as our driver revs up, down and along the shifting sands at angles you don't want to think about. Liberal beach culture 'I've never tipped one over,' our driver promises as the jeep suddenly tilts sideways, resulting in a shower of sand. 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It is also a mecca for cruise ships sailing the Arabian Gulf for the more liberal beach culture than on the mainland — bikinis! — and open-truck wildlife safaris. 6 Entertainment includes impressive magic shows 6 Souq up the atmosphere at a traditional market in Bahrain Credit: Getty 6 Celestyal offers a seven-night Desert Days cruise round-trip from Doha and visiting Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain Credit: supplied It's not up there with Africa (no lions, tigers or buffalo) but there are two cheetahs, loads of deer, gazelles, Barbary sheep from Morocco, cranes from Uganda, African Oryx and even 41 giraffes. It's a welcome respite after the excesses of Dubai, but things ramp up a gear again — literally — in Abu Dhabi with trips to Yas Marina F1 circuit, theme parks and SeaWorld. Or you can go for a cultural overdose at the Louvre (Abu Dhabi has its own version of the French museum) or the shiny Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which glows spectacularly white in the sun. 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I tried the Middle Eastern cruise trip with desert stays, five-star dining and wildlife safaris
I tried the Middle Eastern cruise trip with desert stays, five-star dining and wildlife safaris

The Sun

time7 days ago

  • The Sun

I tried the Middle Eastern cruise trip with desert stays, five-star dining and wildlife safaris

DUBAI brags of having the biggest, longest and highest of everything – but the widest highway in the world? Really? Absolutely, says Ali, the most excitable guide in the world — but only if he is talking about his own country. 6 6 6 'We have no taxes, VAT is five per cent, the government is rich, we are rich, we have the richest country in the world,' he effuses. We are going to the Dubai Mall, the world's biggest shopping centre, and the towering Burj Khalifa, the tallest (of course) building in the world, soaring 828 metres in the air. That's almost three times the height of London's Shard. The lifts at Burj Khalifa — naturally, the fastest in the world — speed up to the observation deck on the 125th floor in just 60 seconds. What Ali fails to tell us is that getting to the lifts means enduring the slowest queue in the world. It took us a frustrating 90 minutes of shuffling and waiting from one queue to another but, once at the top, you're in selfie heaven. We're in Dubai with Celestyal, a charmingly Greek cruise line that spends summers in Greece and Croatia and winters hobnobbing with the rich and, well, really rich, on one-week voyages around the Arabian Gulf. The cruise starts in Doha, the capital of Qatar, where money can buy you everything — including a room in a super-luxury hotel that towers into the sky and is shaped like a crescent. Our ship, Celestyal Journey, isn't quite so swanky, but way better value, with a week from just £539pp — not much more than a night in the fancy Doha hotel. But where that doesn't even get breakfast thrown in, on board our ship three meals a day are included. So is wifi (and you can also splash out on dinner in the speciality Asian or steak restaurant, which come at an extra charge). Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival If you fancy staying in a fab Grand Dream Suite, one of the fanciest staterooms on board, which comes with spacious living area, a sofa bed (on top of the large double bed) and balcony, it's £1,380pp more. It also comes with perks, including free access to an exclusive restaurant and the spa's thermal suite as well as priority check-in. If you can tear yourself away from the room, there's a pool upstairs and numerous bars downstairs with non-stop live music every evening. Our favourite is Spirits & Ales, where barman JD and his team always have smiles on their faces and tricks up their sleeves. Literally. They not only pull a mean pint, but also wow us with a close-up magic show one evening. From Doha we cruise to Dubai, where we're staying overnight so we can go 4x4-ing in the desert on one of several shore excursions offered by the cruise line. It's a thrilling rollercoaster of a ride as our driver revs up, down and along the shifting sands at angles you don't want to think about. Liberal beach culture 'I've never tipped one over,' our driver promises as the jeep suddenly tilts sideways, resulting in a shower of sand. The scary stuff over, we're then wined and dined under the stars, our mouths feasting on local dishes while our eyes feast on entertainment in the form of a fire juggler and whirling dervishes who go into a trance-like state and twirl around and around for at least ten minutes without falling over. It's one of those don't-try-this-at-home moments. And very different to our next stop, Sir Bani Yas Island, a wildlife reserve off the shores of Abu Dhabi. Just 50 years ago, the island was deserted. But today it is home to millions of plants and trees, thousands of animals and 300 rangers to look after it all. It is also a mecca for cruise ships sailing the Arabian Gulf for the more liberal beach culture than on the mainland — bikinis! — and open-truck wildlife safaris. 6 6 6 It's not up there with Africa (no lions, tigers or buffalo) but there are two cheetahs, loads of deer, gazelles, Barbary sheep from Morocco, cranes from Uganda, African Oryx and even 41 giraffes. It's a welcome respite after the excesses of Dubai, but things ramp up a gear again — literally — in Abu Dhabi with trips to Yas Marina F1 circuit, theme parks and SeaWorld. Or you can go for a cultural overdose at the Louvre (Abu Dhabi has its own version of the French museum) or the shiny Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which glows spectacularly white in the sun. In Bahrain, our final stop before we return to Doha, a tour whisks us around a souk and fort, but my abiding memory is the mezze served for lunch. Plates of hummus, pitta bread, salad, kebabs, grilled sausages, chicken and more that just keep on coming. As does the wine. It's definitely the best mezze in the world (but shhh — don't tell Dubai).

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