Named after the United Arab Emirates’ first president, Sheikh Zayed Road—also called the E11—is composed of up to eight lanes in each direction and stretches from Dubai’s World Trade Centre roundabout to its southernmost Jebel Ali district. However, it’s best-known for its Trade Centre–Downtown Dubai section, where the skyscrapers stand shoulder to shoulder. Driving here reveals the Burj Khalifa, Millennium Tower, and the spiky Emirates Towers, all interspersed with malls, shops, and restaurants.
Most Dubai tours include a panoramic Sheikh Zayed Road drive to spotlights its 21st-century cityscape. Sunrise tours let visitors admire the skyscrapers in the early sun, while evening excursions showcase their floodlights. Other options include combo trips that team a spin along the road with panoramic sightseeing and tickets for attractions such as the Burj Khalifa.