We all know that Dubai is a very expensive destination. The main centre of the United Arab Emirates is the mecca of shopping, and the colossal shopping venues are the true mosques of this cosmopolitan enclave. If you want to live the real Dubai life style, you need money, a bunch of money.
However, what most people don’t know is that this lovely location features fabulous attractions and activities for free (some of them almost for free). Also, despite being a place above from backpackers budgets, in the past few years, Dubai isn’t any more a location where you need a little fortune to spend a couple of days. On this post, we have enumerated 6 things to do for free in Dubai. Check them out.
6 Things to do for free in Dubai
Stroll along the traditional bazaars
The Bazaars in the Arab world is what tea and the queen are for Britons, the most notable characteristic of their identity. These places sharpen the five senses and transport us to worlds of haggling. Dubai’s most famous souks, gold and spices, are located in Deira, on the banks of the Dubai Creek.
Free Movies
Usually, visitors stay in Dubai just the time to run up to the Burj Khalifa, to take a picture of the Burj Al-Arab and maybe visit one of the shopping centres. However, if you’re on a Sunday night and want an original plan, check out the Wafi Mall’s “Movies under the Stars” schedule. Every Sunday, in winter, it’s possible to see a movie enjoying a beer lying on a pouffe. If you don’t want to spend your money on food or drinks, you can still see the movie for free.
A day at the beach
We all know that Dubai can get hot. So much so that sometimes you cannot even be outside even during the night. But if you are going to visit the city between October and May you must spend at least one afternoon at one of the numerous beaches that decorate the 50 km of Dubai coast.
Please note that in Dubai not all the beaches are public, there are private beaches that can be accessed only as a hotel guest. Some of the public beaches are Kite Beach and Dubai Marina, both of them white sand beaches. However, Dubai Marina is probably the best as it’s less crowded.
Visit one of its numerous shopping centres
For those tourists looking for cultural attractions, a visit to a shopping centre might sound ridiculous. But the truth is that Dubai takes the typical concept of shopping centres to another level. The most famous shopping malls are the Dubai Mall, the largest in the world, and the Mall of the Emirates. If you want to visit both shopping centres, you need at least a couple of hours. These shopping malls have the luxurious shops you can find on any street in Europe, however, what makes them interesting is the opportunity to find yourself in front of an ice hockey game or watching people skiing between penguins. If that doesn’t seem like much to you, in Dubai Mall, you can see a three-storey aquarium with all kinds of fish. Isn’t it great?
Al Bastakiya Quarter
In origin, the water of the Persian Gulf wasn’t only used to refresh the heated tourists but was a source of survival for the tribes that began to settle in the area. Before the arrival of the black gold, the most valuable good were the pearls from the Persian Gulf. After centuries of nomadism, these lands record the first settlements around the 18th century. Walking through the Al Bastakiya neighbourhood, you can get an idea of the architecture of the past. Nearby are the Dubai Museum and other places of interest that tell the history of the city.
Dubai Fountain Show
From one of the exits of Dubai Mall you reach the Dubai Fountain, another must-see in the city. The jets of this huge fountain seem to dance to the rhythm of the music, but undoubtedly the best feature is the opportunity to admire the show with the Burj Khalifa as a backdrop. Every day, between 6:00 pm and 11:00 pm, there is a free show every half hour. In the afternoon, every day except Friday (sacred day for Muslims), music and water also starts at 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
As you can see, it’s possible to enjoy a couple of days in this beautiful country without spending crazy amount of money. Did you like our selection with the top things to do for free in Dubai? Tell us what do you think about our selection. Do you know more things to do for free in Dubai? Comment!
