Dubai now resembles a ghost town, as the Middle East tensions and attacks from Iran make the emirate’s lavish days for billionaires and famous influencers seem, roughly two weeks after the start of hostilities, like a distant memory.

According to the Daily Mail, Dubai has been abandoned by its army of influencers and thousands of expatriates, with sunbeds and pools remaining empty as Iran continues bombing the United Arab Emirates.

Once a paradise of tax-free indulgence attracting social media “stars” and countless tourists seeking warm weather and safe streets, Dubai’s carefully curated image has now collapsed. Some residents believe “the party is over,” as the emirate used to be flooded with tourists from around the world.

Now the streets are empty, and as seen in related photos, beaches that were recently packed with visitors are now occupied… by camels. Even people walking or riding electric scooters on the streets are a rare sight.

Sworn never to return

Thousands have fled the war-threatened city, vowing never to return, as the Islamic Republic sends barrages of missiles and suicide drones targeting glittering skyscrapers and luxury five-star hotels, including the globally famous Fairmont on the iconic artificial island Palm Jumeirah.

Bustling beaches and bars, usually frequented by celebrities from across Europe, have been abandoned as the exodus from the emirate continues rapidly.

Pools and beaches deserted

According to reports, last Friday, as explosions shook the city and debris from Iranian drones destroyed buildings in the heart of the financial district, Dubai was empty.

The white sandy Jumeirah Beach in central Dubai, near the famous Atlantis Resort, was deserted amid reports that facilities were closing due to lack of visitors.

Beach bars, sunbeds, pools, and the sandy coastline remained untouched as residents continued to endure the Iranian attacks. Rows of beach umbrellas stood folded next to hundreds of empty sunbeds.

Tables were set, menus prepared, music played in the background, yet almost no customers were present.

Coastal clubs and restaurants may not have closed yet, but the anxious faces of migrant workers standing outside trying to attract any passerby tell their own story. Low-wage workers from the Indian subcontinent, Africa, and the Far East are the backbone of Dubai’s economy, but their jobs depend on the presence of wealthy tourists from Europe and the U.S.

🚨 A Dubai resident shows empty beaches — no tourists, no crowds, just silence where there’s usually chaos.

Dubai’s famous shoreline looks unusually deserted as both residents and visitors seem to be missing. What’s really going on? 👀🌊 #Dubai #Irán pic.twitter.com/q7mYBNnXR5

— Mr Amit 🎬 (@RealityMasala1) March 11, 2026

Concerns for the future

A café manager from Pakistan told the Daily Mail: “I’ve never seen it like this, and everyone is worried about what the future holds. Spring school holidays start today, and there are almost no Western children anywhere.”

A local resident of Afghan-German descent said: “The attacks are terrifying, but while I’ve gotten used to them, so many others, especially families, decided to leave just in case. Normally on Fridays, the traffic would be jammed, and restaurants and shops would be very crowded, but the place is now a ghost town.”

“I’ve heard from friends that in some of the big hotels and resorts, managers have told staff to take paid leave now because there are almost no visitors, so there’s nothing to do. If they have no remaining leave, they’re expected to live with nothing. Almost all migrant staff have visas tied to their jobs, so they’re in a very difficult position,” he added.

“The sparkle is definitely gone”

“The sparkle is definitely gone,” said a British director at a UK school in Dubai for the past 16 years, employing over 100 teachers from the U.K. Most are “deeply traumatized and really struggling to cope” with the war; many have left and won’t return.

Meanwhile, a taxi driver whose car was destroyed in a missile attack said his family is urging him to return home to Pakistan. “I don’t want to be in Dubai anymore, there’s no work, we don’t gain anything from this war, and I don’t see tourism coming back. Many taxi drivers like me are thinking of moving to another country now. Everyone knows Dubai is over,” he said.