Dubai is known for its exorbitant prices, top of the line hotels and luxurious resorts. However, there are a lot of places to see and things to do in Dubai even if you travel on a budget. You can experience the local culture and have fun without spending all your money. And if you are not going to travel by foot, click this link to learn more about affordable means of transportation.
Free Entertainment at the Dubai Mall
The size of the Dubai Mall is nothing short of impressive. It houses more than 200 venues and provides a lot of free and low-cost opportunities for frugal tourists. You can take a look at a 150-million year old dinosaur’s skeleton and the Human Waterfall art display without paying a single dirham. The local Aquarium is also free to visit. And the best part? The Mall is 100% air-conditioned.
Visit the Burj Khalifa
Even if you are too cheap to go inside the Burj Khalifa with a tour guide (the ticket costs a mere 120 dirhams) you can always snap a selfie next to the tower. And you don’t even have to get close. A lot of places in downtown Dubai offer great vantage points to enjoy the view of the 800-meter skyscraper.
Take the Abra Ride
Dozens of small abra boats cruise along Dubai Creek every day. The ride in one of these will set you back a single dirham. The experience is well worth it. Despite being small and a bit shaky these boats are comfortable and air-conditioned.
Experience the Emirati Culture
Make sure to stop by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. For a small fee of 25 dirhams you can experience local food, learn more about traditions, religion and history of the UAE. SMCCU also offers tours of landmarks and heritage sites in Dubai.
Sample Street Food
Foodies love Dubai. Arabic cuisine is rich and diverse and the local sweets are simply delicious. Visit the bazaar in Deira and sample the offerings of street food vendors. The prices are unbelievably low. You can get a large plate of falafel for 10 dirhams or less.
Join a Group Tour
Tagging along with a group of tourists is a great way to explore historical sights. Local guides are extremely knowledgeable and will show you even the more obscure places of interest, such as the Dubai Coffee Museum. If you don’t want to walk around, opt for a bus tour.
Go to a Public Beach
Free beaches like the Black Palace Beach, the Sunset Beach or the Open Beach in Jumeirah are popular tourist destinations. Spend some time tanning or enjoy swimming in the ocean till midnight. Public beaches are great places to take your family to if you want to save money for a safari trip or a guided tour.
Conclusion
You will need a reliable and affordable means of transportation to see everything that Dubai has to offer. While you can visit some of the popular sights using the driverless Dubai Metro, you will need a car to get around the city. Visit https://paddockrentacar.com if you are looking for a good rental deal.
