The glamorous city of Dubai is also one of the most expensive cities in the world. Home to numerous unique and amazing attractions, Dubai attracts millions of people from all around the world, every year. While most attractions in Dubai need you to buy an entry ticket, this does not mean that you cannot visit Dubai on a budget. In fact, there are several things in Dubai that you can do without shelling out even a penny. Here we present 10 absolutely best free things to do in Dubai.
Watch the Dubai Fountain Show
One of the most stunning attractions in Dubai, the Dubai Fountain Show, is also one of the free things to do in the city. Located on the Burj Lake, just outside the Dubai Mall, overlooking the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain Show happens every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 11 PM. During the show, you get to see the fountains dancing in tune with some soulful music accompanied by colorful LED lights. It is truly a sight to behold as the fountain surges up to 150 meters in the air. The best thing is that you can watch this show as many times as you want without paying any money. Do not forget to arrive at Burj Lake well before the show to get the best place to view the amazing Dubai Fountain Show.
Visit the Coffee Museum
Located in the Al Fahidi Area, the Coffee Museum is an attraction you must visit if you are a person whose day starts with a hot cup of coffee. At this unique museum, you get to trace the history of the museum, right from the time it began to the different tools and methods of brewing coffee. Moreover, you will see tons of books and artefacts that will give you in-depth information about coffee. However, the best part about the museum is the lovely coffee aroma of the place owing to several coffee roasting demonstrations that happen throughout the day. To complete your Coffee Museum tour, do visit the café to taste the most delicious coffee in the world.
Wander around Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood
One of the best free things to do in Dubai is to visit the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, the oldest neighborhood in the city. Although surrounded by glamor and progression, the Al Fahidi area or Bastakiya Quarter has been able to preserve the history and heritage of the city beautifully. Strolling on the narrow lanes of this area will give you the chance to admire and appreciate the traditional buildings and architecture of the place. The sand-colored buildings with their wind towers and intricate design work will take you back to the 1600s. The area is filled with museums and art galleries, many of which you can visit for free. You must also visit the Textile Souk here to check out the different types of textiles and garments available. Do not forget to visit the Arabian Tea House Café here to enjoy some local dishes.
Enjoy Bird Watching at Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary
Those who think that Dubai is all about buildings and skyscrapers will be surprised to know that there is a wildlife sanctuary right in the center of the city. Complete with different kinds of habitats, including mangroves, lagoons, sea flats, and intertidal mudflats, the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is a reserve for different types of migratory birds. Grab your binoculars and choose a hiding hut to spot birds like osprey, grey heron, and black-winged stilts. However, the star attraction of Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is the flamingoes. You can visit this wildlife sanctuary anytime between 9 AM and 4 PM from Saturday to Thursday.
Explore the Dubai Mall
Of course, shopping in Dubai Mall’s 1200 retail stores will require you to spend a lot of money. But you can do many things in Dubai Mall without taking out your wallet. Apart from window shopping at the numerous stores, there is the Dubai Aquarium. Although you need a ticket to enter the Dubai Aquarium, a part of the aquarium tunnel can be viewed from outside. Moreover, Dubai Mall is also an art gallery where you can see some interesting sculptures like the Dubai Dino Display (a large sculpture of a 155-million-year-old dinosaur) and the Human Waterfall (a water feature with sculptures of human divers made from fiberglass). You also get to view the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, next to the Dubai Mall.
Relax at the Beaches of Dubai
Being a coastal city, Dubai is home to some of the most incredible beaches. The best part is that the most interesting beaches in the city are public ones that you can visit for free. Endowed with soft, white sand and bright blue ocean, the beaches of Dubai are great for relaxing and doing nothing. Moreover, some of the beaches in the city have volleyball courts, skate parks, and running tracks. The Jumeirah Beach in Dubai also has a library for those who want to read a book while enjoying the sun, surf, and sand. Some of the best beaches in Dubai are JBR Beach, Jumeirah Beach, Al Mamzar Beach, Kite Beach, and Umm Suqeim Beach.
Have a Picnic at Love Lakes at Al Qadra
If you want to take a break from the crowded city of Dubai and visit a place where you can enjoy peace and quietude, Love Lakes at Al Qadra is the best place to visit. The Love Lakes at Al Qadra comprise two intertwined heart-shaped lakes and trees that are arranged in such a way that they spell love when viewed from above. This is the perfect place to visit for those who want to enjoy a picnic, a get-together, or a romantic date. Although there are no stores or shops here, you will find fire pits for BBQ at Love Lakes Dubai. If you are up to it, you can also set up a tent and enjoy an overnight camp to admire the star-lit sky here.
Tour the Bur Dubai Grand Mosque
The Bur Dubai Grand Mosque, located in the heritage area of Dubai, is one of the most important and one of the few mosques in the city that opens its doors to non-Muslims. This is a great place to visit if you want to know about the religion as well as its architecture. The tour happens every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings and is absolutely free. During the tour, you will get to know about Islamic and Arabic culture. The tour gives you a complete mosque experience, which includes an ablution demonstration, prayer demonstration, introduction to the core Islamic beliefs, and a tour of the mosque as well. You will also be encouraged to ask questions. It is important to remember to dress modestly while visiting the mosque.
Enjoy Art and Culture at Al Serkal Avenue
If you love art, the art scene at AlSerkal Avenue is something you should check out. The place was an industrial area in the past that has been ruling the art and culture scene of Dubai for some time now. Stroll along the avenue to see art galleries displaying unique paintings and other contemporary artworks. The place also has plenty of artisanal cafes, dance studios, etc. Apart from regular art displays, AlSerkal Avenue also hosts special events and pop-shops from time to time. Apart from this, there are several quaint cafes to explore here.
Walk Along Dubai Marina
Enjoy an evening stroll at Dubai Marina, one of the most luxurious neighborhoods. Stretching 7 km, the Dubai Marina Walk is a waterfront walkway dotted with high-end buildings, hotels, restaurants, boutiques, malls, cafes, and nightclubs. Even when you do not want to spend any money, you can visit Dubai Marina to take a stroll along the walkway admiring the beautiful sights of the Marina. You will also get to see luxurious yachts sailing on the Marina. The best time to visit is during the sunset for the best views. Moreover, the area comes alive with lights and crowds late in the evening.
Conclusion
So, you see, there are plenty of free things to do in Dubai that will give you a chance to see the city without breaking your bank account. Check out the above given attractions during your next visit to see a different side of the city of Dubai.