Dubai
Dubai is the tourist capital of the United Arab Emirates. Although small in size, Dubai is an incredibly modern, safe and developed. It is home to the tallest building built my man, the biggest mall in the world and also home to the worlds biggest ferris wheel. As you can see, they have a thing with breaking world records. But the best thing about Dubai is, it is a Muslim country. This makes travelling throughout Dubai a very safe, pleasurable and accommodating experience. Muslim attire is culturally common, halal food is available everywhere and there is a Masjid at every corner. I spent 1 month in Dubai and here are something of things you should do when you visit.
Things To do and See
There is absolutely no shortage of things to do and see in Dubai. I will break up what I think you should do in categories of Must See, Should See and If you have time, check it out! Depending on the length of your trip, you can pick and chose accordingly.
Must Do and See
Burj Al Khalifa
You cannot go to Dubai and not see the tallest structure in the world. It is an absolute marvel of engineering.
Global Village
Take supportGlobal Village lets you experience the cultures, food and atmosphere of 90 countries in one location. It’s a must see!to the next level.
Dubai Miracle Garden
The Dubai Miracle Garden is a magical place that has almost 50 million flowers. Note: Dubai Miracle Garden is only open from October to April.
Ain Dubai
Ain Dubai is Dubai’s latest attractions. It gives you an aerial view of the Palm Jumeirah Island. It also happens to be the world biggest ferris wheel.
Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is located right beside the Burj Al Khalifa. It’s the biggest mall in the world. It has over 1200 retail stores.
The Dubai Fountain
The Dubai Fountain is located outside of the Dubai Mall and hosts an incredible fountain show with lights, sounds and water.
Should Do and See
- Explore Al Fahidi Historical District to get a feel of Old Dubai
- Take an evening walk at the Dubai Marina
- Go swimming at La Mer Beach or JBR Beach
- See the Dubai skyline from Dubai Creek
- Take a day trip to Abu Dhabi
Other things Do and See
- See the biggest water show in the world at The Pointe
- Go on a touristy Dessert Safari
- Dubai Garden Glow
- Dubai Dinosaur Park
- Dubai Frame
- Wild Wadi Water Park
- Aquaventure Water Park
- Explore the many malls Dubai – Ibn Battuta Mall, Mall of Emirates, Deira City Centre
- Explore the other Emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain and Furjairah)
Where to Eat
There is no shortage of amazing restaurants in Dubai. You can find good food to eat almost anywhere. I can’t give an exhaustive list of food places but here are a few that I visited and enjoyed.
Al Hadheerah (inside Bab Al Shams Resort)
Al Hadheerah offers one of the most extravagant dinner buffets I have seen. The food is delicious and the price of the buffet includes live entertainment and free camel and horse rides. Just be aware that a part of the live entertainment show includes belly dancing.
Pai Thai
I am a huge fan of Thai food and Pai Thai is the best I’ve had. The restaurant is located in the posh area of Madinat Jumeirah. Aside from the food being delicious, the location is stunning. You have the option to take a golf cart or an abra from the hotel reception to the restaurant. I would high recommend taking the Abra. The emerald water and the Abra ride adds to the entire experience.
Tap Burger
Tap Burgers has multiple branches in Dubai. They are known for their crazy milkshakes and exotic burgers. Make sure to try their truffle burger if you visit. Also keep in mind the food here is pricy.
The Choco Monarch
If you’re craving something sweet then Choco Monarch is a good dessert option. Their menu includes waffles, crepes and ice cream. All the desserts are coated with melted chocolate.
Mondoux Dubai
Modoux Dubai is located in the newly developed area of Dubai Creek. They food is great, especially the warm choclate pots. More than the food though, the best part about Modoux Dubai is the beautiful view of the Dubai skyline. This is a great place to visit with family.
Pakistani/Indian Restaurants (affordable food)
Pakistani and Indian restaurants offer the most affordable food in Dubai. If you’re trying to eat on a budget then these are your best options. You will find them all over Dubai. Find the one thats closest to you. Some of the ones I visited and would recommend are Ravi, Pak Darbar, Sarhad Darbar and Nayaad Haandi. There is no shortage of Pakistani/Indian restaurants in Dubai.
Where To Pray
It’s always hard to pick out Masjids in Muslim Countries. The options are so many. My suggestion is to find the closest Masjid to where you are and check that out. If you are looking to see something more grand, then drive to Abu Dhabi to see the The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Where to Stay
Dubai has NO shortage of hotels. You’ll find them everywhere at all sorts of different price ranges. The most expensive and luxurious of which you’ll find close to Burj Khalifah, the Palm Island or any other man-made island. One of the most expensive hotels in Dubai is the Burj Al Arab. By no means do I advise you stay there, but you may do so if you wish to spend $20,000 per night. If you are looking for more affordable options, below are some of the places I stayed at and would recommend.
Manzil Downtown
Manzil Downtown is located right in Downtown Dubai and has spectacular views of the Burj Al Khalifah. It is a 4 star hotel and is walking distance to Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifah and Dubai Fountain. You’ll also find some very fancy restaurants close by as well. Location wise, Manzil Downtown is perfect. However, keep in mind since you are staying in the heart of Dubai, expect to pay a bit higher prices. The hotel itself has spacious rooms, great in room coffee options and great views and free underground parking. I stayed at Manzil Downtown for New Years and had a wonderful time.
Rose Park Hotel – Al Barsha
I have stayed at Rose Park Hotel twice over the years. Overall the hotel is at best a 3 star. However the location is excellent and to me that is very important. It’s located right across the street from Mashreq Metro Station. This makes travelling to different areas of Dubai a lot easier and affordable. There are many restaurants in the area as well, all of which are walking distance. If you are looking for an affordable place to stay that is close to public transit, Rose Park Hotel is a great choice. If you’re looking for more luxury and closer to Downtown Dubai, then I would not recommend this Rose Park.
Avani Ibn Battuta
Avani Ibn Battuta is located on the very west side of Dubai. The hotel itself is clean and the hotel overall has a modern feel. Two of the main advantages of staying at Avani Ibn Battuta is it is located right beside Ibn Battuta Mall (which is super convenient) and the Ibn Battuta Metro Station is literally across the street. The one down side of the hotel is it located really far from the airport and Dubai downtown area. Personally, I stayed at Avani Ibn Battuta for 1 week and explored all the attractions close to the area like EXPO 2020, Dubai Marina, The Pointe, World Village and Miracle Garden. Depending how long you plan to stay and things you want to explore, Avani Ibn Battuta is a good choice.
Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Muraqabat
Hilton Garden Inn is located in the Deira Area. Deira is close to the airport and generally known as an older area of Dubai. Personally I like Deira as it is considerably less touristy and you get to see the locals way of life. The Hilton Garden Inn Al Muraqabat is a decent hotel. I personally stayed here for 4 days and had no issues. Rooms are decently size and the breakfast buffet is standard. The hotel is also very close to Deira City Centre. You can walk there or take the taxi.
Golden Sands Apartments
Golden Sands is a chain of hotel apartments near the Bur Dubai area. I personally stayed in Golden Sands 5. The advantage of staying at Golden Sands is that they offer amenities that normal hotel rooms don’t. Things like a stove, washer/dryer and kitchen cutlery. All of this at an affordable price. Golden Sands Apartments makes a lot of sense for those who are planning longer trips to Dubai. You can save a lot by cooking your own meals and not needing to find a laundromat close to you. The Apartments itself are decent sized. The buildings are generally old and the cleanliness is not that best. Keep your expectations low and you will not be disappointment.
How To Get Around
Taxi (Careem, Uber)
There are many ways to get around in Dubai. My preferred method was Taxi. Taxis are the safest and cheapest option to get around in Dubai. You can use apps like Careem to call a taxi directly or hail one right from the street. The taxies are metered and most of them accept credit cards. However, I highly advise you ask the driver BEFORE your ride starts if they accept credit cards. I have been in situations where I had to stop and the ride because the driver did not have a credit card machine.
Dubai Metro
The Dubai Metro is an excellent mode of transportation if you’re looking for a cheap way of getting around. The metro currently has three lines (red, green and route 2020). To get onto the Metro you will need a NOL card. Once you add money to your card, you just need to tap on and tap off at the entry/exit gates. You can purchase the NOL cards at Metro station. The card costs 25 AED and includes 20 AED worth of credit. You can get to most touristy places in Dubai via the metro. Some attractions like World Village or Miracle Garden will require you to take a taxi.
Car Rental
Renting a car in Dubai is also another option if you want to have flexibility and want to explore more remote areas. There are many car rental companies. You have the usual big name companies but also many smaller rental companies. I personally rented a car from Euro Car and had a good experience. You can also rent higher end luxury vehicles like Lamborghinis and Ferraris.
If you do chose to rent a car, make sure you are aware of traffic rules. Dubai is known for some of the most strictest traffic laws in the world. There are speed radars and cameras EVERYWHERE. If you get a ticket, it’ll be quite hefty and that is the last thing you want.
How To Stay Safe
Dubai is an incredibly safe country. You can fairly easily go out for a stroll in the middle of the night and not worry about your safety (not that I am recommending it). Use common sense when it comes to safety but also be relaxed that you are in one of the safest countries in the world.
General Tips
coming soon
Fun Facts
- Local Emiratis only make up 10% of the population. Rest are all expats.
- Indians, Pakistanis and Filipinos make up the majority of the population.