Dubai is commonly used as a stopover destination for travelers flying in and out of the Emirates. although the city will simply be a stopover town wherever you hit the massive sites in a very number of days, there’s an exciting number of things to try and do here for those wanting to stay longer.
I precious my time in metropolis quite i believed I would! It’s a town treed between the recent and therefore the new. an area in a very conservative culture with old-world customs whereas at an equivalent time a Middle-Eastern Vegas wherever something goes (so long as it’s behind closed doors).
i used to be shocked at what quantity there was to try and do during this town – and the way even in a very week I barely scraped the surface. metropolis could be a fascinating, multi-cultural town that deserves loads quite a stopover, and i hope you take on this guide to help arrange a visit that won’t break your budget!
We will cover the following topics in this article
- Visa information
- How to travel
- The Best Times to visit Dubai
- Best places to live in Dubai
- Hotel prices
- Budget hotel prices
- Transportation
- Language
- Culture
- Weather
- What to pack
- Documents and currency
- Cost of living in Dubai
Do you need a visa to go to Dubai?
If you have a US passport, you do not need a visa to go to Dubai (or Abu Dhabi), for other countries visa on arrival is required. for more details about the visa, you can find it here
for the following countries, a 30 days free visa will be stamped free of charge.
| Andorra | Australia | Brunei |
| Canada | China | Hong Kong, China |
| Japan | Kazakhstan | Macau, China |
| Malaysia | Mauritius | Monaco |
| New Zealand | Republic of Ireland | San Marino |
| Singapore | Ukraine | The United Kingdom and Northern Ireland |
| United States of America | Vatican City |
How to travel to Dubai
you can take emirates airlines from your country’s international airport. Emirates airlines have deals often and they fly from several cities across the world we suggest you register on their website.
you will meet many people who take advantage of traveling to other countries on Emirates Airlines they stop in Dubai on the way. You can also fly on Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi and take a bus or taxi for one hour to Dubai. Qatar Airways is an alternate option. They stop at Doha airport before going to Dubai.
Best Times to Visit
Dubai has a hot desert climate.! the temperatures are cooler with highs in the 140s to lows in the 28s. This is from November to March. Based on these temperatures, this is the tourist season in Dubai, you may see more crowds in tourists and public places, and travel costs are a bit higher. the summer months from June to August, temperatures average a high of 40+!
Best Places to Stay
Dubai has no shortage of hotels, especially luxury hotels. you’ll be able to check rental sites like Airbnb. In terms of the most effective location, you can first think about Dubai as a long trip.
The most central location, and thence the foremost jammed, is round the Dubai mall that is where Burj Khalifa is located.
At the opposite end is the Dubai marina with Palm Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab accessible. On the opposite end of this “stripes the Dubai airport field and old Dubai with the souks. on most of this strip is Jumeirah Beach full of beach resorts, shops, and restaurants. according to your interests, you can prefer to stay nearby those landmarks.
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Hostel prices
Hostels are not common in Dubai as this country is famous for luxury tourism and business hub. There are only a few here and most charge between 100-120 AED for a basic sharing dorm per day. If you are looking for a Separate individual room, you may have to pay between 250-375 AED per day. Most hostels include free WiFi and a couple of places also offer free breakfast.
Budget hotel prices
The budget hotel prices start from 150-550 AED per night for a basic twin or double room. Free WiFi is a common facility, and many budget hotels also include extras like free airport shuttles or swimming pools.
Mid-range hotels start around 250 AED per night, but if you’re looking for something more luxurious, the sky is the limit here!
Airbnb is also an option here (I suggest you avoid other paid sharing economy services as they are reliable here). A shared room on Airbnb starts from 100 AED per day, The average cost for an entire apartment is around 400 AED.
Cost of food
You will find cheap meals in Dubai starting at 30 AED, fast food will cost a bit lower starts at 25 AED. The best meals are usually shared by the table and consist of hummus, pita, falafel, foul, fattoush, tahini salad, and grilled halloumi cheese. Falafel is a nice affordable restaurant chain with 7+ locations all over Dubai.
If you want a meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay around 100 AED. For an all-day brunch extravaganza, expect to pay at least 400 AED per person. If you cook your meals, groceries will cost between 170-220 AED weekly.
Debonairs in the Dubai Mall has a lunch special for 15 AED (USD 4). It’s one of the best bargains found in Dubai. Be sure to visit Old Dubai for cheap meals and fast food. Meals at restaurants in this area generally cost 20-35 AED ($5-7 USD). you will love Al Usted, an Iranian restaurant near the Al Fahidi metro.
Transportation costs
The metro, while not extensive, is efficient and well-maintained and the public buses can take you anywhere. A single fare cost between 4-8.50 AED (Costs are based on how far you are traveling) metro one-day travel pass is 20 AED.
Taxis are on the cheap side, though if you need to call one, call an Uber instead since the addresses here can be a bit wonky to explain over the phone to a taxi company.
The prices between the two are comparable, so stick with whatever is most convenient. A bus to Abu Dhabi will cost around 40 AED (you can also take a taxi there for 290 AED each way).
Do They Speak English in Dubai?
Most people in Dubai speak fluent English and the street signs, menus all the signage are in both Arabic and English. This made it very easy to navigate for foreign travelers.
Weather
August is the hottest month, with an average high of (36°C). January is the coldest month, with an average high of (15°C).
What To Pack
- Modesty and moderation are the operative words when packing for Dubai to ensure a safe and fun trip without hurting any sensibilities. tight-fitting and revealing clothes should be avoided by female tourists.
- light and loose cotton clothes should be preferred as the climate is hot in most seasons.
- if you have any health condition ensure to pack your medicines and basic first aid kit so you don’t face any problem finding the medicine in a new place.
- Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses are a must to stay protected from the Dubai sun & heat
- Since Dubai has many beautiful beaches with water sports options, most hotels offer’s free swimming pools, good beachwear/swimwear should be taken to add more enjoyment to your trip.
Documents And Currency
- Make sure you carry your travel insurance along with your passport and other important documents.
- In case you decide to rent a car, you must carry your international driving license.
- The currency in Dubai is the AED, called Dirhams. Before taking the flight you can exchange money at the airport for taxi and food expenses.
- For other expenses, it is advisable to either exchange your country currency at the Dubai airport or the malls (which sometimes offer better exchange rates).
- You can also carry international Debit/Credit cards and withdraw AED from the ATMs.(confirm with your local bank about your cards for international withdrawals.
Cost of living in Dubai
The average cost of living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Four-person family monthly costs: 3,190$ (11,104AED) without rent.
Best places to visit in Dubai
- Burj Khalifa
- Burj Al Arab
- Atlantis The palm
- Dubai water canal
- Kite beach
- Dubai opera
- Wild wadi
- Dubai gold souk
- Al Bastakiya
- Jumeriah Mosque
- Dubai museum
- Dubai shopping festival
- Bollywood parks
- Dubai Dolphinarium
- Dubai frame
- Dubai grand mosque
- Ibn Battuta Mall
- Legoland Dubai
- Dubai safari park
- Dubai fountains
- Ski Dubai
- Dubai creek
- Dubai marina
- JBR
- Palm Jumeirah
- Dubailand
- Desert safari tours
- Dubai aquarium
- Global village
- IMG worlds of wonder
- Miracle garden
- Dubai Mall
- Deir Shopping
Top 10 Rated Tourist Attractions in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates is a Middle Eastern country with plenty to offer. It ranges from natural treasures including the breathtaking Arabian Desert, pristine beaches, and rugged mountains to world-class shopping, dining, and entertainment attractions across its highly popular emirates such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
If you don’t want to miss the best tourist attractions in UAE, make sure that you take a look at the following compilation.
Burj Khalifa
Dubai, the UAE’s most visited emirate, has seen the unveiling of several attractions in recent times, such as the largest of its kind Ain Dubai, the highest of its kind Palm Fountain, and the deepest of its kind Deep Dive Pool, among others.
But, if it is your first-time visit and needs to pick only the top tourist attractions Dubai, Burj Khalifa is the foremost of the sights that you should add to your bucket list. Piercing to a massive altitude of 828 meters, it was opened in 2009 and continues to be the world’s tallest structure.
It is up to you whether you choose to limit your Burj Khalifa visit to a mere selfie or make it more memorable by heading to its observation deck on 124th and 148th levels.
The Dubai Mall
Take any emirate in the UAE (including the smallest and lesser-known emirates like Ajman and Umm Al Quwain), you are definite to find some fantastic malls. And the most colossal and exquisite of all, both in terms of offerings and size, is undoubtedly the Dubai Mall. It is located close to Burj Khalifa in the glamorous Downtown Dubai.
Be it for shopping, dining, or endless leisure and entertainment, this mall is one of the ultimate options in the UAE.
There are over 1200 outlets, more than 200 dining venues, and of course, a mix of theme parks, kid-specific attractions, and marvelous edutainment experiences. Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Dubai Ice Rink, KidZania, Ekart Zabeel, and the latest Infinity Des Lumières are some of the unmissable among them.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
This is one of the first sights that welcome you when you enter the UAE’s regal capital city, i.e. Abu Dhabi. It is the largest of its kind in the country and by no means an ordinary place of worship.
With its elaborate columns, marvelous domes, and serene pools, this exquisite white structure is the epitome of diverse Islamic architectural themes and unequaled cultural richness.
It is so vast and sprawling that it can easily hold more than 40,000 worshippers at any given time. And did we say that its doors are open to both Muslims and non-Muslims?
Visit here and feel the tranquility as you discover its intricate, attention-to-detail features including the largest hand-knotted carpet and biggest of its kind chandeliers, finished in 24k gold and studded with Swarovski crystals.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Whether you are an art lover or not, make a pause at this stunning landmark on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island. Occupying an overall space of about 24,000 square meters, it is the largest art museum in the Arabian world and also a staple stop on almost all UAE tours. Check out its contemporary and permanent collections loaned from some iconic French museums.
This encompasses the celebrated masterpieces by some of the greatest artists of all time. Most of all, the museum is worth a trip for its unmatched artsy structure (along the water) alone. Featuring a huge perforated dome that reflects the rain of light effect, it is a true delight for photography enthusiasts and anyone who wants to give a boost to their insta feed.
Theme Parks
Theme parks across the UAE are so vastly diverse and unique that each of them deserves a visit in its own right. But, if you want us to pick one or two among them, one of our top suggestions is Dubai Parks and Resorts as it is the Middle East’s first integrated resort with four cool parks on its ground, such as Motiongate Dubai, LEGOLAND Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, and LEGOLAND Water Park.
Another definite experience in this category is Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island where you can feel the amusement and adventure of a lifetime at the first-ever Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, CLYMB Abu Dhabi, and Yas Marina Circuit to name a few.
Jebel Jais at Ras Al Khaimah
Jebel Jais is one of the UAE’s absolute attractions for adventurists, outdoor lovers, and nature enthusiasts alike. At a height of over 1930 meters, it is the highest peak in the country. What is even more interesting is that it was formed more than 70 million years ago.
It is easily accessible from the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah via a smooth 30 kilometers long road. Generously endowed with marvelous scenery and refreshing weather, it allows you to experience the world’s longest zipline adventure and further gives you the chance to take in the region’s unrivaled beauty on a Jais Sky Tour or from Jebel Jais Viewing Deck Park.
The Arabian Desert
The majority of the UAE’s landscape is covered by desert sands and one of the best ways to experience it is on a desert safari Dubai or Abu Dhabi tour.
About 30 to 40 minutes drive from the city center, this guided excursion promises you an off-road adventure like no other.
Set out on a dune bash aboard a powerful 4X4 vehicle, try a camel ride, and enjoy cultural activities like henna tattooing, falconry, Shisha smoking. Dependent on your chosen desert safari package, it also includes BBQ dining and traditional shows such as Belly Dance and Tanura performance.
Masafi Market in Fujairah
Fujairah is unlike other emirates in the UAE. It is a true gem with its mountainous charm, revitalizing ambiance, splendid beaches, and several antiquated spots, among others.
Apart from these, it is equally popular for its Masafi Market with a variety of stalls against the unpretentious allure of the rugged mountains. This makes for an amazing refueling stop on your drive from Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah as you get to shop for fresh locally produced fruits, vegetables, earthen pottery, and other handicrafts.
Dubai Souks & Dhow Cruise
Be it for bargain shopping or a reflective step-back moment, a visit to the UAE’s traditional bazaars or souks, in particular the ones in Dubai.
From Gold Souk and Spice Souk to Textile Souk and Perfume Souk, they give you an authentic look at the Arab trade scenario.
It also allows you to take home some real Emirati souvenirs and merchandise at unbelievable rates. As these souks are mostly located on the banks of Dubai Creek across its two sides (Bur Dubai and Deira), pair your souk exploration with a super affordable abra ride (available for just AED 1) or a more lavish dhow cruise along Dubai Creek.
Sharjah Art Museum
It is one of the best places in the UAE to discover the distinct charm and creativity of Arabian and Middle Eastern artworks. Located in the emirate of Sharjah at Al Shuwaihean, its intriguing exhibits are spread over three levels of a quaint sandstone structure.
There are permanent collections, some 500 figurines and paintings depicting the creativities of both highly acclaimed and unsung artists from the Arabian Peninsula. You also get to see here temporary exhibitions that are organized here in association with such prestigious names as TATE Britain (London.) Don’t miss it – this is a free attraction.
Conclusion
The UAE is a compact destination where you can easily visit the untouched landscapes and sights with a one or two-hour drive away from its major cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah.
So, on your next UAE trip, make it a point to venture outside of its obvious attractions and be sure to take a look at its epic desert scenery, cultural gems, and historical landmarks that are scattered across the country.
