11 Cheap & Free Things to Do in Dubai (BEST Activities!)
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Looking for cheap things to do in Dubai or places to visit in Dubai for free? This guide should give you some ideas for the BEST affordable things to do in Dubai. Find out!
Dubai is a very expensive travel destination and the sky is the limit when it comes to the most extravagant things one can do in the city. But don’t despair if you are on a tight budget! There are quite some cheap activities and amazing free things to do in Dubai that will not cost you a Dirham.
In this article, you can find a short overview of the best cheap things to do and free Dubai activities.
The places included in this selection are not just budget-friendly things to do in Dubai, but they are also among the best things to do in the city! These are one-by-one top experiences that are really worth your time, whether you’re visiting Dubai on a budget or not! Take a look below!
READ ALSO: How expensive is Dubai
Here is a list of things to do in Dubai on a budget. First, you can find the best FREE things to do in Dubai, followed by very cheap activities in Dubai.
These are the best free things to do in Dubai:
1. Dubai Fountains
Located next to The Dubai Mall and at the foot of the world’s tallest building – Burj Khalifa – Dubai fountains are the most popular tourist attraction in the city. Watching the impressive musical fountains and the light show is completely FREE of charge!
Without any doubt, this is one of the top places to visit in Dubai for free!
The world’s largest dancing fountain performs daily. There are two afternoon shows starting at 1 pm, 1.30 pm, or 2 pm (depending on the day). In the evenings, there’s a show every 30 minutes from 6 pm to 11 pm.
TIP: If you want to do something special, you can also take a ride on a traditional boat to see the dancing fountains from close by. This tour is not free of charge, but it’s one of the cheapest activities in Dubai and something that many tourists consider a must-do in Dubai. We personally loved it!
2. Dubai Mall: Aquarium and Waterfall
The Dubai Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in the world. It’s home to 1200 shops, including some of the most luxurious brands. But a visit to the mall will not cost you anything (if you can resist the shops) and is certainly worth it.
You will be impressed by the sheer size of the place, the number of people, and the huge variety of shops. Don’t come here for an hour or two – you can easily spend a day or two!
There are two main Dubai Mall attractions you should not miss: The Waterfall and The Dubai Aquarium.
While the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo tickets are not cheap, you can view the gigantic aquarium free of charge from the mall itself. Very impressive!
Another great free thing to do in Dubai Mall is watching its impressive waterfall. This huge waterfall with sculptures of divers traverses all four levels of the indoor shopping center.
3. Dubai Marina
Dubai Marina is a very lively place and, like most places in Dubai, wakes up after sunset. Dubai Marina Promenade offers some 7km of walkways, and it’s one of the most beautiful places you shouldn’t miss while in Dubai. It’s also completely free to visit!
The liveliest part of the Marina is between The Marina Walk and The Marina Mall. Most shops and restaurants are located here.
Don’t miss the dancing fountains at the entrance to the Marina Walk, right beside Dubai Marina Towers Shows. The shows take place every 20 minutes in the evenings and also during the day on the weekends.
Good to know: Weekends in Dubai start on Friday afternoon and last through Sunday (read more: Dubai facts).
Dubai Marina is also a popular place for various events throughout the year. There are festive parades during the Christmas – New Year holiday period, music festivals, boat parades, etc… So make sure to check in advance if anything special is happening when you are there.
4. Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary
Worth mentioning among free things to do in Dubai is also Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. This wetland conservation territory is a great place to see flamingos and other birds in Dubai. And – it won’t cost you anything.
There’s a viewing platform where you can see flamingos. And you can also attend flamingo feeding (usually between 10 – 11 AM).
However, the best time to visit is earlier in the morning, just before the feeding. Flamingos are active and there are fewer visitors. For more info, check the official website.
5. Dubai Beaches
No visit to Dubai is complete without spending some time at the beach! The good thing is that Dubai has various free public beaches that are open and accessible to everyone.
The most popular beaches in Dubai are Marina Beach (or JBR) at The Walk and Jumeirah Beach near the famous Burj Al Arab Hotel.
While Burj Al Arab is a must to see in Dubai, as far as the beach goes, we recommend Marina Beach. It has a variety of playgrounds for kids and there are also lots of dining options on The Walk. It’s probably the most lively of the Dubai beaches.
6. Traditional Markets
For a completely different side of Dubai, make sure to visit the traditional markets – Spice Souk and Gold Souk.
Visiting local markets is always one of the best – and free – things to do anywhere you travel. It’s your chance to mingle among the locals and see all kinds of traditional merchandise that you won’t find in the shops catering to tourists. It’s also a great place to buy some cheap souvenirs to take home from Dubai.
Like everything else in Dubai, the souks come to life in the evening. Don’t forget to bargain in case you decide to buy something.
READ ALSO: Tips & Tricks for Visiting Dubai
7. Love Lake Dubai & Al Qudra Area
Worth mentioning among the fun free things to do in Dubai is a visit to the Al Qudra area south of the city. There are some man-made lakes here that form a real oasis in the desert. It’s also a great place to escape the hustle and the bustle of the city!
One of the most famous lakes here is the heart-shaped Love Lake. You can explore the area on beautiful walkways that follow the heart-shaped lakes where you can often see various birds and colorful fish in the lake (feeding is not allowed). In addition, there are many statues of hearts in the beautiful grounds around the lake – perfect for a romantic evening in Dubai.
This place is little known to tourists and more popular with the locals. There are picnic facilities, bbq pits, board games, and bathrooms. It’s a great place to come for a romantic walk at sunset, stargazing at night, or to spend the entire day with a family.
A visit to Love Lake and the other Al Qudra lakes is free of charge. However, the area is located quite far away from the city (see map) and you need a car (or a taxi) to get there. Luckily, taxis are cheap in Dubai, so a visit here will not cost you a fortune. Just make sure you also arrange a taxi for a ride back!
In addition to the free things to do in Dubai mentioned above and many other things to do in the city, there are also some great CHEAP things to do in Dubai. These are all activities that will not cost you more than a couple of dirhams and will make your visit to Dubai more special. Must do, whether you are visiting Dubai on a budget or not.
Following the same numbering, here are our favorite cheap activities and places to visit in Dubai:
8. Zabeel Park & Dubai Frame
Zabeel Park, probably best known for the famous Dubai Frame, is another great place to visit for those looking for cheap things to do in Dubai. This is a great area where you can explore Dubai deeper without having to spend much money. There’s just a small fee to enter (around 5 AED – 1.2 EUR) and you can easily get here by metro.
It’s a nice green park to relax or play with well-maintained paths for walking, jogging, or bicycling. Locals love to bbq here on a weekend. You can also visit the Dubai Flea Market inside the park and admire great views of Dubai Frame which looks like a huge picture frame.
TIP: The viewing platform of the Dubai Frame offers amazing 360° views of both – Old Dubai on one side and New Dubai on the other. A visit to Dubai Frame is not free of charge, but relatively cheap for Dubai standards – you can check the prices and book tickets here. Kids under 3, seniors, and some others visit free of charge.
9. Dubai Museum & Al Fahidi Fort
Dubai Museum is the main museum in the city. It’s located in the old Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai Old Town. Built in 1787, it’s also the oldest existing building in Dubai.
This is a nice little museum to visit for the whole family; it’s not one of those boring places that kids hate. Our boys of 5 and 7 enjoyed the short visit and didn’t get bored for a second! Foresee approximately 45min for a visit.
A visit here is a must-do! It’s a great opportunity to learn more about Dubai, its history, and the incredible transformation into the world metropole it became!
This is one of the best cheap things to do in Dubai! A visit to the museum only costs 3 AED (0.75 EUR) for adults and 1 AED (0.25 EUR) for children. You can find more practical information and opening times here.
Good to know: At the moment of the last update, Dubai Museum is closed for renovations. There are several other museums in the old town that are free or very cheap to visit, so walk around the area and see what’s open.
10. Dubai Creek Water Taxi Abra
Abra is the traditional water taxi on Dubai Creek and one of the fun, cheap things to do in Dubai. A single ride costs 1 AED (0.25 EUR) per person and you pay directly to the driver.
This is not a scenic tour, but a quick way to get between places located along Dubai Creek. It’s also a great way to get from the Old City to Dubai’s commercial business district in Deira where Dubai Souks (traditional markets) are located.
Hop on at the Dubai Old Souq Marine Transport Station on the South side of Dubai Creek and the boat will drop you off in Deira on the other side where you’ll find the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk.
READ ALSO: All you need to know about Dubai public transport as a tourist
11. Jumeirah Mosque
One of the most beautiful mosques of Dubai – Jumeirah Mosque – is also the only one that can be visited by non-muslims. It’s a beautiful building with an architectural style that originated in Egypt and Syria. It’s been first opened in 1979.
You can admire the beautiful architecture for free, but a visit inside requires a ticket. Kids 5-12 can visit free of charge. Kids under 5 are not allowed.
The mosque is open every day except Friday. The dress code is long sleeves and covered legs for everyone and headscarves for women. More info on the official website of the mosque.
Good to know: While you wait for your tour to start, the mosque offers some light Emirati refreshments including Arabic coffee, tea, dates, water, luqaimat, and chebab.
So, this is our short list of the very best free and cheap places to visit and things to do in Dubai.
However, no visit to Dubai would be complete without visiting some of its most remarkable landmarks or joining some amazing tours.
TIP: Even if you are visiting Dubai on a budget, Burj Khalifa is one thing you shouldn’t miss! The cheapest tickets for Burj Khalifa cost about 35-40 USD – money you won’t regret spending. After all, how often do you get a chance to visit the world’s tallest building?! Alternatively, check out Dubai Sky Views Observatory. The ticket costs about half the price of that of Burj Khalifa and you can enjoy unparalleled views of Burj Khalifa itself.
READ ALSO: Best tours in Dubai
More information for your visit to Dubai:
- Things to do:
- Practical info:
- Itinerary:
- Good to know:
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My wife needs a mobility scooter to get around. How disabled friendly is Dubai?
Hi Brian, I really couldn’t tell. It’s something you only pay attention to when you need it, so we never really paid attention. In general, there are lots of flat areas (Marina, The Walk on Jumeirah Beach, etc.), so it should be fine. As for the specific attractions, you should check the official websites of the places that you want to visit for more information.
Also, keep in mind that the distances in Dubai are big and so you’ll need to use the metro or take taxis to get around.
Hello Jurga,
I like your list of free things to do in Dubai. I live in Dubai and Dubai beaches boasting turquoise waters are my best free thing to do in the city. I frequent the Jumeirah public beach to unwind. And the Dubai fountain is great for a first timer in Dubai. Thank you for taking your time on this.
Cheers!
Thanks for sharing your local favorites, Emmanuel.
As a budget nomad backpacker have visited 81 countrys and almost entire India at the time of writing and found your blog extremely helpful .I am also a blogger / Vlogger and Thanks for your guidiance of a budget travel of Dunai.
Gald to help, Rudolph. Your travel experience sounds really impressive. Good luck with the blog/vlog!
Cheap taxis in Dubai? I guess it depends on the city you are comparing it with, I find them very expensive
Hi Jazmin, for us, coming from Western Europe, Dubai taxis were very cheap. We usually paid less than 10 EUR for any place we went to (usually rides of 15-20 min). Even the taxi from the airport to JBR (over 30 min drive) was just 25 EUR/30 USD for us. I see that private airport transfers now cost about 35 USD (for 3-4 people). If you take into account the distances they cover, yes, it’s very affordable compared to most destinations.
Hi I am going to Dubai with my friend. We are going for my birthday. Please can you let me know what kind of clothes we should for September.
Thank you xx
Hi, as I already answered to the other comments in our what to wear in Dubai article, you can just wear whatever you would in other places with a similar climate. Just, in my opinion, it’s wise to dress respectfully. It doesn’t mean you have to cover up completely; Dubai is quite flexible and I think it just gets more and more open-minded since so many tourists come there and people get used to it. Please read the article for more details.
Hi! Thanks for the info. I would like to know how unconfortable is to visit Dubai during the summer.
I guess it depends on what you are used to and what you are planning to do, Nancy. It can get really hot there in summer. REALLY hot. If you spend most of your time indoors or in the swimming pool, I think it can be a rather enjoyable trip. But I wouldn’t go walking in the desert or sightseeing outdoors in the city when it’s 40°C+ (104°F) outside.
I’m planning to visit Dubai in November with a group but I will be traveling alone is it safe
We never felt unsafe in Dubai. Like anywhere else in the world, things can happen, but I’d say it’s as safe as anywhere we have been.
Enjoy your trip!
I’ll be going there February 2nd just wondering how much money should a person bring I’m a shopper
That’s a question I really cannot answer. It depends on what you buy, where you buy it, etc. Please check this post that will give you a better idea of how much everything costs in Dubai.
Thank you for the article!! It did hep me to plan my trip..m going on new years eve!! Any suggestion to usher into new year without burning a hole in our pocket?
Hi Swati, there are so many places to see fireworks in Dubai at midnight and it’s all completely free. Most restaurants/hotels have New Year’s celebrations with a special menu, but they tend to be expensive.
We were in Dubai with small kids, so we watched fireworks from our hotel room, and earlier that evening we took a dhow dinner cruise on Dubai Marina, which was a bit touristy but quite nice and we didn’t have to worry about looking for a restaurant that evening.
There are so many options, just really busy everywhere.
I’m going to Dubai this May and this post was helpful. I hear hotels organize tour for guests?
Hi Chioma, hotels don’t really organise tours usually, but they can book tours for you. Alternatively, you can book your own tours online – at least you can read customer reviews and know what exactly you are booking. If you are looking for ideas on what to do in Dubai, please also check this post about some of the best tours and day trips you can do in Dubai.
Fantastic tips and advice, I am.planning to take my children aged 12 and 10 for xmas and the new year so would like to do a lot of sightseeing.
One question how much is the dolphin experience? Reading the website its roughly £450 for all 3 of us would this be correct?
Hi Nasra, I assume, you are talking about the dolphin experience at Aquaventure water park? Yes, it is extremely expensive. On top of that, you have to book well in advance as it’s really popular (and cheaper if booked online). We didn’t do it, but I heard from some people that they really enjoyed it. We just couldn’t justify the cost as we once went swimming with dolphins in Bali for a fraction of this price. It’s up to you to decide if it’s worth it for you..
Dubai without a doubt one of the finest cities in the world. High Skyscrapers, Awesome Beaches and the most affordable shopping destination. I would say, you must visit Dubai at least once in a lifetime.
Thanks for this post, I’m planning out our trip for next month and the Dubai Museum seems one not to miss!
Thank for taking the time to leave a comment, Helen. Appreciate your feedback and hope you have a great time in Dubai!
Thank you for the article. This will come useful for sure!
Glad you found some inspiration, Dordaneh. Enjoy Dubai!