DIFC

Home to some of Dubai’s most striking architecture, best restaurants and finest hotels, Dubai International Financial Centre (commonly known as DIFC) is a key part not just of the city’s economy, but of its cultural and culinary scenes too. Below and among the gleaming buildings occupied by more than 3,000 international firms, you’ll find all sorts of attractions, from niche galleries and high-end boutiques to gastronomic wizardry. DIFC is located alongside Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai’s main highway: the neighbourhood runs approximately from the Trade Centre area at its north end, to Financial Centre Road at its south. Strictly speaking, DIFC is only on the landward side of Sheikh Zayed Road, but you’ll often find hotels and sights on the other side of the highway mentioned as being in DIFC – especially as they’re in easy reach thanks to pedestrian bridges attached to the area’s metro stations.