Experience Dubai on a Budget

Dubai can be quite expensive, but don't let this discourage you, Dubai has many activities that you can do on a budget. So you can enjoy the whole Dubai experience on a guilt-free budget. Keep on reading and you will find the best affordable things to do in Dubai!

• Important rules to know
• What to do in Dubai
• Start planning your trip to Dubai!

What to do in Dubai

1. Let's cool off

As you might well know, Dubai is known for its hot weather, having temperatures up to 104°F/40°C. Which is why cooling off is necessary. When going to the beach you might feel more like you're in a bath tub, instead of refreshing waters. Also for hotel pools, if you're not a guest of that facility, you have to pay a large fee to go in. This is why you should visit the Barasti Beach Pool, at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, where you can enjoy a relaxing day at the pool for free.

2. Must visit museums

One might think that Dubai is only consists of pools, partying and shopping, but there a a lot of museums available with free entrance. Here are the top 5 museums you should check out during your next trip to Dubai!

3. Travel back in history

If you want to discover more of Dubai's history, creation and wealth, you should visit the Al Shindagha Museum, located along the Dubai Creek. Let history guide you and experience how Dubai has evolved through time. Adult tickets cost 15 AED, which is about £3.13.

4. Take a trip to the wildlife

The Ras Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is home to 450 species of animals and 47 species of plants. This sanctuary is known for its migratory birds and its main attraction are flamingoes! Here you can have a look at all the species that habit in Dubai. And no, this is not a zoo. The RAKWS is an urban protected area found in the arid zone, and it's also a globally recognized wetland of international importance. I would say this is a must-see in Dubai!

5. Boat ride across Dubai Creek

Another affordable activity you can do in Dubai is to hop aboard one of the traditional ferry boats, known as abras (which means 'to cross', in Arabic), and look at the beautiful city from a different perspective. Each abra trip costs only 1 AED (£0.21)! You can buy a one-way ticket, which ride lasts for about 5 minutes, or you can hire your own abra an enjoy the ride for a whole hour.

6. Fountains: Dubai's landmarks

One of the things Dubai is known for is their fountains, even more the Dubai Fountain on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd right next to the Burj Khalifa. This fountain is known for having the largest fountain system ever built, as the water features of the Dubai Fountain are taller than the famous Las Vegas fountains. The water features and the accompanying music changes every 30 minutes, which makes them always worth seeing!

7. All-you-can-see art

For art afficionados, you should go to the Alserkal Avenue Galleries, where in the 500,000 sq ft area you can find art as paintings, but also in the form of fashion & design, of gastronomy, and even in the form of music. Let's just say that you can see a little bit of every type of art in the Alserkal Avenue Galleries.

8. Shop like a local

From art, to fashion, to jewelry, to spices. Dubai markets have everything that you need. Here are the top 5 markets you should visit when traveling to Dubai:

1. Ripe Market: the Ripe Market is found inside the Dubai Police Academy off Umm Sequim Street. Here you can find a bit of everything, from stalls offering organic fruit and vegetables and freshly baked breads, to stalls with colorful clothes, cute beach cover ups, handmade jewelry, hand-painted artworks and crafts.
2. Dubai Flea Market: Dubai's Flea Market is the best and biggest second-hand market, allowing you both the opportunity to buy and sell. The market is held several times each month in multiple locations, including Al Barsha Pond Park, Al Nahda Pond Park, Zabeel Park, and Ibn Battuta Mall.
3. Dubai Gold Souk: this market is known for it's amount of gold jewelry, everywhere you look there's gold. Here is where you can find precious stones, intricate jewelry designs, and some great souvenirs. The Gold Souk is not only intended for those who purchase the jewelry, but also to those who like to experience what it feels like to walk across the glimmering reflections of gold.
4. Dubai Spice Souk Entrance: some centuries ago in Asia, spice was the form of trade, as the influence it has on the food culture is unimaginable. Today Dubai chose to treasure this cultural significance with the Spice Souk, where you can explore some of the rarest, most exquisite spices that have ever existed.
5. ARTE, the Maker's Market: ARTE, which means 'Artisans of the Emirate', also known as the Maker's Market, is where painters, artists, crafters and bakers show off their handmade pieces. You can visit this market every Friday at Al Marabea Road.

Start planning your trip to Dubai!

Now that you now what to do in Dubai while being on a budget, start booking your flight to this exciting city! Check and compare our best flight deals to Dubai on BudgetAir.com.

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