Dubai is a city of wonders, which is known around the world for its captivating charm and adventurous places spread across the city. Be it Desert Safari, Dhow Cruise or a visit to Burj Khalifa, Dubai will surprise you with extreme thrill and fun. Although there is no doubt that this city of wonders is costly, it offers you a lot of things to do in Dubai on a budget.
You will find many expensive attractions, fancy dinners, and brunches in Dubai, but here we bring you a list of some of the most exciting things to do in Dubai, even if you have only 50.AED in your pocket.
Evening Desert Safari
The desert safari is one of the best options for you to experience extreme Arabian adventures. It is also one of the most affordable things to do in Dubai, which allows you to explore the beautiful landscape of the Arabian Desert. You can enjoy thrilling 4x4 dune bashing, sandboarding, camel ride, henna painting, tanoura dance, belly dance, fire act, and falconry photography along with a scrumptious BBQ dinner in traditional Bedouin style.
So, if you are planning to spend an enjoyable day with your friends and family on a budget, Desert Safari must be your first choice. It is highly affordable and gives you the best value for money.
Tickets: Starting from 40 AED
Timing: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Best Season: All Year Round
Creek Cruise Dinner
Dhow Cruise Dinner in Dubai Creek is another fantastic way to spend a luxurious time and experience a different taste of leisure on a budget. Therefore, it's a great opportunity to spend a romantic evening with your special someone on a beautifully decorated wooden dhow that was once part of the trading in Dubai.
It's a 2-hour journey, in which you will get to see the old souks beside Dubai Creek, tall buildings and the beautiful city of Dubai from a different angle. You can not only enjoy stunning views from the open-air upper deck of the dhow but also from the fully air-conditioned lower deck, which has glass walls to give a spectacular experience. Not only that, there are some more great highlights of the dinner cruise, such as: buffet, tanoura dance, puppet show, and live music.
Tickets: Starting from 50 AED
Timing: 6:00 PM
Best Season: All Year Round
- Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Take your little ones to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, which houses thousands of exotic aquatic animals. The 10-million-liter giant tank is one of the largest in the world and contains the most extensive collection of sand tiger sharks, which you can find nowhere else.
There are 140 species of marine life that you can experience in many ways at the Dubai Aquarium. The 48-meter walk-through tunnel offers a breathtaking view below the surface of the enormous tank, but you can view it from the outside in the Dubai Mall just for free. It is one of the best things to do in Dubai, and your kids will love it.
Tickets: Free from outside
Timing: 10:00 AM
Location: Ground and Level 2, The Dubai Mall
- Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa is indeed a masterpiece of modern engineering, which is now known as the heart and soul of the United Arab Emirates. You can take breathtaking views of this giant skyscraper for free while you drive on the highways of Dubai. If you wish to take a closer look, visit the Dubai Mall and admire the beauty of this gigantic work of art without spending a dime.
The design of Burj Khalifa is inspired by the Hymenocallis flower, and its towering structure is settled in three sections, which are artistically arranged around the central core.
Ticket: Free from Outside
Timing: Anytime
Location: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd - Dubai
- The Dubai Fountain
Your journey is not complete without experiencing the beauty of the world's most significant dancing fountain. It is spread over an area of thirty acres and is located on the human-made Burj Khalifa Lake. It is one of the best things to do in Dubai as it will bring a joyous experience to you and your family. The 20-minute fountain show is worth watching at night because it is your exclusive chance to see water dancing to the tune of mesmerizing Arabic and World music.
The Dubai Fountain’s display is spectacular and has the best sound and light. At night, it is illuminated with 6,600 lights and 25 color projectors. You shouldn’t miss the fountain show if you are on a budget.
Ticket: Free
Best Time to Visit:6:00 PM Onwards
Location: Fashion Parking – Dubai Mall – Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Blvd
- Dubai Miracle Garden
As its name says , Dubai Miracle Garden itself is a miracle. The existence of this beautiful garden in the hot climate of the UAE makes it unique and admirable. However, it is spread across seventy-two thousand square meters, which makes it the largest of any other garden in the world.
Nature lovers will inevitably fall in love with the beautiful floral sculptures installed inside at different places. The garden displays over 200 million beautiful flowers, some of which you may have never seen before. The garden is well-maintained, and new sculptures and floral themes are installed after a certain time.
Also, the Garden has earned many awards and holds many world records in the Guinness Book of World Records. Two of the most prominent records made are by the display of the largest floral art of Airbus A380 and the most prominent topiary floral theme of Mickey Mouse. Isn't it amazing? Moreover, the core message of this breathtaking garden can be conveyed in three simple words: "love, peace, and harmony." To enjoy the maximum, what you need to do is to arrive early to explore it entirely as it is such a big place, you will need a lot of hours to see the whole garden.
Entry Fee:50 AED (12 years or above)
40 AED (Below 12 years of age)
Free Entry for disabled persons and infants
Timing: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Best Season to Visit: November-March
- Butterfly Garden
Dubai Butterfly Garden is a place that will surely win your heart. This exotic indoor garden is located in Al Barsha 3 near Dubai Miracle Garden and is spread across more than 4,500 sq.m. This is Dubai’s first butterfly garden, which has an extensive collection of butterflies from all over the world. Butterfly Garden has around 35,000 diverse species of butterflies and a vast variety of flowers and plants, which brings an excellent learning opportunity for kids in a tropical atmosphere. Here, kids can learn how butterflies evolve through each stage.
Entry Fee: 50 AED
Free Entry for disabled persons and infants
Timing: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Best Season to Visit: November-March
- Dubai Creek Abra Ride
Want to explore the two sides of Dubai most cheaply? Take an Abra ride – motorized water taxis – through which you can travel from Bur Dubai to Deira in the most economical and fastest manner. The small Abras can hold up to 20 people and give you a fantastic experience to watch nearby stunning tourist attractions, luxurious hotels, and old souks. Furthermore, you can also get a personalized experience by chartering an Abra for an hour. No booking is required, and also, no tickets are issued. Simply go to any station and speak to your driver.
Fare: 1 AED (per-ride/per-person)
Location: Bur Dubai (Creekside)
Timing: 5:00 AM to 12 AM (Midnight)
Location: Jumeirah Beach Road
- Jumeirah Mosque
Jumeirah Mosque is an iconic landmark in Dubai and a hub of cultural learning. It welcomes non-Muslim visitors from around the world to witness the marvelous architectural design made in the Fatimid style. This mosque is open for visitors 6 days a week, so that you can learn about Islamic history and the local culture of the UAE. Moreover, the whole mosque is built entirely with white stones, which enhance its beauty and charm.
If you are visiting this Jumeirah mosque for the first time and want to know all the details about the Emirati culture as well as the Islamic history, you must take a guided tour in which you can explore different areas of the mosque and learn about the traditions, cuisines, holidays, and rituals of the Muslim world. Additionally, you can enjoy some Arabic coffee, dates and other varieties of snacks on your tour.
Ticket: 20 AED
Timing: 10:00 AM (6 days a week, excluding Friday)
Location: Jumeirah Beach Road
10. The Safa Park
Relax at the Safa Park, displaying lush green scenery and calm surroundings. In spite of the fact that Dubai is a surrounded by sand and desert, it has flawless, lavish green parks and attractions. Visit the parks around Dubai, particularly Safa Park, at any time of the day to spend some casual time out with loved ones.
Location: Sheikh Zayed Rd - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Entry Fee: 3 AED per person (free for disabled)
Timing: 08:00 AM to 10:00 PM
11. Jumeirah Beach
With the dazzling setting of the forceful Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach is an ultimate opportunity to have a sun bath and unwind on the white sandy coastline. Also, gaze at the stunning high-rise buildings and enjoy a variety of energizing water sports too. November to March is the best time to visit the beach and is ideal to spend an entire day at the shoreline.
Location: 2 Jumeirah St - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Timing: 07:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Entry: Free
12. Souks of Diera
Regardless of whether you need to purchase, every souk of Dubai lures you with its dynamic quality, decent variety, exclusive collection, and irresistible vitality. The most famous souks are the gold souk, spice souk and perfume souk, and textile souk, where you can find some of the most exquisite things and souvenirs of your trip. You will enjoy a visit to the Gold Souk, where there are 300 retail shops displaying marvelous jewelry and hand-tanned accessories.
Location: Al Fahidi, Bur Dubai, Opposite Grand Mosque – Dubai
Timing: 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Entry: Free
13. Dubai Metro
Dubai Metro was constructed in a record range of 18 months. It is not only the least expensive but also one of the quickest means to travel anywhere in Dubai. Ride on this luxurious Driverless Dubai Metro and enjoy the unique experience. Also, the best thing is that its stations are situated near all the significant attractions of the city.
Ticket: Ranges from 4 AED to 15 AED (depending on the distance and type of ticket)
Timing: 5 AM – 12 AM
14. Dubai Museum
Dubai Museum is situated in the Al Fahidi Fort, which was built in 1787. Also, it is one of the oldest constructions in Dubai. Take a short visit to this historical place and get to know about the Islamic and Emirati culture and the history of this region. The exhibition hall was opened by Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, in 1971, with the motto to introduce the old Arabia and the conventional lifestyle in the Emirate of Dubai. Visitors can find the various conditions of urban and provincial lives in Dubai, regardless of whether they are marine, beachfront, desert, mountain or farming life. Uncommon true landmarks, unique examples, illustrations and outlines, sound and video media are dissipated everywhere throughout the wings of the exhibition hall.
Address: Al Fahidi, Bur Dubai, Opposite Grand Mosque - Dubai.
Entrance Fee: 3 AED per person, 1 AED for children
Timing: 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM
15. Coffee Museum
This is a one-of-a-kind place whose everything is related to coffee! It is situated in a historic old villa in the Al Fahidi neighborhood; the Coffee Museum Dubai represents the historical backdrop of coffee and has a great assortment of coffee-related antiquities, including a 300-year-old espresso pot. Isn’t it exciting? There, you can find books about coffee, traditional ways of coffee advertisement, and a lot of coffee-making techniques, which give the entire historical center a beautiful fragrance. The good thing is the staff know all the essential things about the coffee beans and the coffee-making techniques, so they can almost answer all your coffee-related questions. You can visit this place for free, but don’t leave without buying yourself a cup of brilliant coffee.
Location: Villa 44, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Bastakiya – Dubai
Price: Starting from 10 AED
Timing: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
16. Rooftop Gardens at Wafi Pyramids
Wafi Rooftop Gardens is the number one thing to do in the list of budget travelers. This rooftop garden has the "Motion pictures under the Stars" events that are quite famous and absolutely free every Sunday at 8:30 p.m. This outdoor theater’s highlights are beanbag seats and access to snacks and drinks. Also, there are other entertainment arrangements here that will require cash. However, it costs nothing to absorb the air.
Location: Pyramids Building, Wafi Mall, Oud Metha District, Sheikh Rashid Road, Dubai
Timing: 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Entry: Free
17. Zabeel Park Food and Craft Market
It’s a great stop for tourists to explore the beautiful craftsmanship and stunning pieces of art, which speak for themselves. You will find the most gifted and skilled workers making beautiful pottery and small crafts, which you can also buy as a souvenir. Countless tourists land here not knowing precisely what they'll discover, and they end up obtaining things that were new but alluring. Regardless of whether you're not in the market for anything discounted, appreciate a free visit to discover the parts of Dubai.
Address: Zabeel Park – Gate 2, Near Al Jafiliya Metro Station - Dubai
Timing: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Entry: Free
18. Dubai Frame
Dubai Frame is one of the latest structures that enable visitors to see this region’s past, present and future in an interactive one-hour visit. Visitors can explore the old and new Dubai from a 150-meter-high sky glass. Locally, it is also called Berwaz Dubai and Zabeel Park was particularly picked to give visitors the best perspective on the city's more established neighborhoods as well as the sparkly new stuff, (for example, the Burj Khalifa), while recounting the narrative of Dubai's transformation from humble angling town to sparkling metropolis.
Location: Zabeel Area, Near Al Jafiliya Metro Station, Bur Dubai
Timing: Daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Entry Fee: Adults - 50 AED, Kids – 20 AED, Children under 3 years of age and the elderly are free
You don’t have to go broke to enjoy the beautiful attractions and sightseeing of Dubai. There are plenty of things to do in Dubai that can bring a lot of fun to you and your family. Go around and explore the city of wonders; it will surely exceed your expectations. Happy traveling!
