Dubai

Dubai is an impressive city known for luxury, surrounded by desert, and one of the biggest tourist cities in the world. There are endless activities to spend a couple weeks here soaking up the culture. Here's our guide on how to be a tourist in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Where to stay

We recommend staying somewhere near the Palm Jumeirah or near the Burj Khalifa and Dubai mall area. The majority of activities will take place between these two points, so it is best to at least stay in between them.

Getting around

The city of Dubai is fairly consolidated, but it is still a big city making it too far to walk anywhere. We highly recommend renting a car during your stay. This will also give you the flexibility to drive into the desert which is an amazing experience. They drive on the right side of the road in the UAE, but the biggest difference for Americans is the speedometer will read in kilometers instead of miles, a fairly easy change to adapt to.

Uber is available in Dubai. We also recommend downloading an app called Careem in advance. This is Dubai's version of Uber and will sometimes be cheaper or quicker than Uber so it's worth checking both apps when trying to catch a ride.

We don't recommend relying on public transportation in Dubai. There could be a lot of walking to the train stations and long lines to buy tickets. Since it is fairly inexpensive to use rideshare apps everywhere and more convenient, we would recommend just going that route or renting a car.

Cruise port

Cruise ships dock at Port Rashid. When you get off the ship, you'll walk through a big building with shopping and excursions being offered. If you don't have plans, you can talk to them and buy tickets for things like the big bus tour. If you have an excursion picking you up at the cruise port, follow the path outside. If you are doing activities on your own, follow the path outside and take one of the taxis lined up or call an Uber or Careem. Check both apps to see which one is cheaper at the time.

One or two days in Dubai on a cruise ship is no where near enough time to experience everything. However, if that is all the time you have, we recommend booking a private tour to maximize your time and squeeze in as many activities as possible.

Things to do

Burj Khalifa

If going up the world's tallest building is a bucket list item, be sure to get tickets for the Burj Khalifa. There are different ticket options depending on which floor you want to go to - 124th and 125th floor are one ticket price, or the highest floor is the 148th floor at a higher ticket price. In our opinion, it is not worth the extra money to go all the way to the highest floor since you get the same view from a few floors down. Although, it is fun to say you've been to the highest floor in the tallest building in the world.

You will have to walk through the Dubai Mall to get to the entrance for the Burj Khalifa elevators. Lines to take the elevator up the Burj Khalifa can get very long in the afternoon. The earlier you can get there, the less time you'll have to spend waiting in line. You can also wait until late afternoon to avoid some of the midday crowds, which is perfect for a sunset view from the top.

Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa are connected. Plan to experience these two activities on the same day. The Dubai Mall has a ton of casual and sit down restaurants, so it's the perfect place to grab lunch or dinner after you go to the Burj Khalifa.

The Dubai Mall is the biggest mall in the world with endless shopping and activities. From ice skating, unique waterfalls, and the Dubai Aquarium, it is easy to spend an entire day exploring the Dubai Mall.

Dubai Aquarium

The Dubai aquarium is located inside the Dubai Mall. There are different ticket options that include activities like the aquarium tunnel, penguin cove, underwater zoo, king croc, and fish feedings. You can choose get your tickets here and choose which option interests you.

Dubai Fountains

The Dubai fountains are located right outside of the Dubai Mall and shows are free to watch. You can see them looking down from the Burj Khalifa, or from the ground standing outside the Dubai Mall. Everyday of the week there is one daytime show at 1:00 pm lasting 30 minutes. In the evenings, there are five minute shows from 6:00 - 11:00pm every 30 minutes.

Burj Al Arab

The Burj Al Arab is an iconic landmark in Dubai and features amazing architecture. Taking a tour to see the inside of the Burj Al Arab is a must do activity while in Dubai. The best part of the tour is walking through the grand suite featuring multiple rooms, dining rooms, and a grand entrance, as well as hearing about all the history and celebrities who have stayed there. You'll also get to learn about all the crazy stunts done on the platform on the very top the Burj Al Arab like landing planes and playing tennis.

Desert safari

Taking a trip out into the desert is an essential excursion on your trip to Dubai. This one includes 4 x 4 dune bashing, sand boarding, camel riding, henna tattoos, belly dance and fire show, and bbq dinner buffet. Also including transportation, this tour is an amazing value for the price. We absolutely loved every minute we spent in the desert and highly recommend this tour.

JBR beach

A night out on JBR beach is always a fun time. In the evenings, the streets surrounding JBR are full of traffic, so expect to spend some extra time getting there. Parking is located in an underground garage at a rate of 20 AED per hour, but you can get three hours free if you spend 100 AED at participating locations.

You can sit at outdoor patios at restaurants like the Cheesecake Factory or P.F. Changs with a view of the Dubai Eye. Sometimes they will put on a drone show that can be viewed from these restaurants or standing on the beach, be sure to check the schedule online. After dinner, there's plenty of shopping and desserts to stroll along the beach and explore. We loved the atmosphere and would definitely recommend spending a night out at JBR beach.

Atlantis Aquaventure

Located on the Palm, the Atlantis hotel is an astonishing resort with so many family friendly activities. Parking is complimentary for guests visiting Aquaventure. Upon arrival, you'll be directed to park in a parking lot that's a pretty decent walk to the resort. They offer shuttle buses about every 15 minutes to shuttle you to the resort entrance. You can also get to Atlantis by *monorail or rideshare, in which case you will get dropped off right by the resort entrance.

Atlantis Aquaventure is perfect for all ages. There are countless waterslides, a lazy river, unique food options, and a beach perfect for relaxing. It's the perfect getaway from the city for a day and comes highly recommended.

*monorail - the monorail departs from Palm Gateway every 15 minutes starting at 9:00 am until 9:45 pm Sunday - Thursday and 11:45 pm Friday - Saturday. It is fairly inexpensive to ride the monorail. There are one way tickets, unlimited day passes, and family options that can all be purchased when you arrive at the monorail station. The monorail is an experience in itself for the views of the palm and shopping malls you can stop at on the way. There are a total of four stops on the monorail, so be sure to check out the map before and see where you want to stop before the final stop at Atlantis.

After an adventure filled day at Aquaventure, there is a free shuttle that takes you directly to JBR beach sitting outside the Atlantis main entrance. We found it operated consistently, but check with the front desk for details.

Atlantis aquarium

The Lost-Chamber aquarium is located inside the Atlantis resort on the Palm. If you're wanting to explore Atlantis without spending the day at Aquaventure, this a great activity to do. We really enjoyed walking through all the aquarium tunnels featuring sharks, stingrays, and thousands of colorful fish. Plan to spend around 1 hour exploring the Atlantis aquarium. If you're also doing Aquaventure, you can purchase a combined ticket for both attractions.

Motiongate theme park

The United Arab Emirates is known for theme parks, but the best one is Motiongate. It's located a little outside the city of Dubai, so you will have to drive and parking is free. If you're familiar with Universal Studios, we would consider it comparable as Motiongate features attractions from Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, and Ghostbusters. If you like theme parks and want to visit at least one in Dubai, we recommend Motiongate.

Legoland Dubai

Legoland Dubai is another family friendly theme park with over 60 rides, shows, and experiences. It's ideal for kids between the ages of 2-12 and depending on how many activities interest you, it could easily be a whole day outing.

Legoland and Motiongate are located right next to each other. If you want to experience both Legoland and Motiongate, you can get a two park one day ticket.

IMG Worlds of Adventure

Our second favorite theme park in Dubai is IMG Worlds of Adventure. This park is entirely indoors and has lands themed after Marvel, Lost Valley Dinosaur, Cartoon Network, and IMG boulevard. IMG is also located a bit out of the city so you'll have to drive, but parking is free. This is a great family friendly activity to experience in Dubai. We are big Marvel fans so we felt it necessary to visit IMG, but if you don't like any of the themed lands, then it might not be worth a visit for you.

Mall of Emirates

The Mall of Emirates is another fun mall in Dubai to explore. From shopping to virtual reality experiences, to a cinema, there are so many activities inside the Mall of Emirates. There are plenty of high end stores and restaurants as well.

Ski Dubai

Ski Dubai is located inside the Mall of Emirates and is an impressive indoor ski resort. Admission for Ski Dubai includes the rental of a snow suit, boots, and skis. If skiing isn't your thing, you can also try sledding, snow park rides and penguin encounter.

If you would rather watch Ski Dubai than participate, Buffalo Wild Wings inside the Mall of Emirates has a perfect view separated by glass so you can stay warm and eat your wings while watching others ski.

Souk Madinat

We loved spending a night out on Souk Madinat, a high end souk style area with delicious foods and lots of shopping. If driving yourself, follow signs for the parking lot. Parking costs around 20 AED per hour, but most restaurants will validate parking for up to three hours if you spend 100 AED.

We ate at Maria Bonita Mexican Grill which served sharing sized portions of quesadillas, burritos, tacos, and other Mexican favorites. They had live musicians and a view of the Burj Al Arab from the patio. Be sure to make a reservation in advance to snatch one of the tables with a view.

Souk Madinat is the perfect place to try a dessert unique to the Middle East - camel milk ice cream. You'll see different ice cream stands located throughout the souk, but we recommend a company called Camelicious. You can choose from a variety of flavors and toppings. We loved camel milk ice cream and definitely recommend trying it. While in Souk Madinat, you can also buy some camel milk chocolate to remember your trip by, but be aware it is somewhat pricey.

Take an Abra tour while here to discover the waterways of Souk Madinat and experience spectacular views of the Burj Al Arab. There are maps located all throughout the souk to guide you to where Abra tours start from.

Global Village

Parking is free at Global Village and as it's located 20-30 minutes outside Dubai, you will have to drive or take a rideshare. Admission to Global Village will just get you in and allow access to the pavilions and shows. However, food and add ons must be purchased separately upon arrival. Global Village features 90 different cultures brought together in one place. The hours are typically from 6:00pm - 2:00am and Tuesdays are exclusive to women and families. Show times change, so be sure to check the guide upon arrival and plan your visit around some of the shows that interest you.

Miracle Garden

Miracle Garden is typically open from 9:00am - 9:00pm, but comes to life after the sun goes down with a stunning display of lights. There is free parking if you're driving your own car, and entrance into the gardens costs around 95 AED. Miracle Garden puts on an amazing display of millions of flowers and features a butterfly garden, mushrooms houses, and a floral castle. It is truly an astonishing display and well worth a visit.

Miracle Garden is located about 10 minutes from Global Village. If you want to experience both attractions, you can purchase a combo ticket here with optional transportation.

Yacht tour

Experience the luxury of Dubai with a yacht rental. This tour includes breakfast or BBQ depending on which time you choose and is a great value for the price. You'll have the opportunity to sail past the Burj Al Arab and experience stunning views of the Dubai skyline. A yacht rental is truly the best way to experience Dubai.

Museum of the Future

Parking at the Museum of the Future costs around 10 AED an hour, but you can also be dropped off by rideshare. Be sure to know your license plate number when paying for parking, your plates will be automatically scanned upon arrival into the garage and then you'll type in the license plate number on a screen and pay as you're exiting the building before you get in your car.

The first floor of the Museum of the Future is free to explore, along with a small area on the second floor. There is not much to explore on these two floors beyond the gift shop, a futuristic perfume making machine, and the flying silver robot.

Tickets to explore the rest of the museum do sell out, so make sure to book them in advance if you want to experience it. Each floor focuses on concepts such as climate change, space travel, health, and smart cities. Plan to spend around 2-3 hours fully immersing yourself in the museum. Be sure to get a picture with the giant peace sign hand on your way out.

Dubai frame

Seeing the iconic Dubai frame is a must on your trip to Dubai, but going inside is up to you. You'll get panoramic views of Dubai and have the opportunity to walk across a 93 meter long glass-walk. The price ranges from 50 - 100 AED depending on the time of your visit and is a fun activity that should keep you entertained for around an hour.

Karama market

If you're looking for knockoff designer shopping, you can find it in Karama market. It's filled with designer handbags, watches, shoes, belts, and sunglasses. Most items will not be out on display. The only way to see knockoffs is to wait for people to approach you asking if you want to go upstairs. Follow them up the musky elevator and into their secret rooms, likely locking the door behind. It sounds sketchy, but is perfectly safe. They are simply trying to make a sale without getting in trouble. Be sure to bargain down the prices, especially if you are buying multiple items and have cash. Located in a local neighborhood, Karama market will give you a different view of Dubai. Like most places in Dubai, you'll have to find a paid parking lot while you shop.

Al Seef

Al Seef is another souk worth exploring on your trip to Dubai. This area is inspired by old Dubai with architecture that reflects it. There is plenty of shopping for perfumes and spices, henna tattoos, and authentic souvenirs to be found at Al Seef. Check out the famous Starbucks themed after Arabian architecture located in the middle of Al Seef.

There are other souks in this area as well, including the gold souk and spice souk. Since they are located on a river, you will have to take a water taxi to get back and forth between the souks or walk all the way around which takes about 20 minutes.

If you prefer a guide take you through the souks, you can book a tour here.

Take a trip to Abu Dhabi

Read our guide on how to be a tourist in Abu Dhabi here.

Local food

You'll find a lot of American food chains in Dubai, making it easy for picky eaters. However, it's always fun to try at least a few local food items in a new country. Here are some of our recommendations.

Camel milk

There are several different forms in which you can try camel milk. Here are a few of our top choices.

Ice cream

The best ice cream made from camel milk is by a brand called Camelicious. You can find stands serving ice cream in Souk Madinat, or packaged at some supermarkets.

Cookies

You can try cookies made with camel milk in the Dubai Mall at a place called Camel Cookies. These sweet treats are a must try on your visit.

Chocolate

You can buy chocolate made with camel milk at any tourist shop. We particularly saw a lot of camel milk chocolates at Souk Madinat.

Camel burger

For the best camel burger, head to the Local House located near Al Seef. It is undoubtably the best place to try camel in Dubai. The Local House also has a milkshake for dessert made with camel milk.

Shawarma

If you're an Avengers fan, it feels necessary to try a shawarma in the Middle East. Here are a couple of the top rated shawarma places in Dubai.

Al Mallah

Al Mallah is a highly rated restaurant known for all sorts of Middle Eastern dishes including shawarmas, kababs, and falafel.

Allo Beirut

Allo Beirut is known for authentic Lebanese street food and ideal for a quick bite offering take away service.

Things to know

Currency

The currency in the United Arab Emirates is the dirham (AED). Credit card is widely accepted in Dubai, but it is a good idea to have some some cash on you especially if visiting souks.

Language

Arabic is the official language of the UAE. However, English is widely spoken in Dubai as it is a huge tourist destination. You should have no problem getting by speaking only English.

Plugs

The United Arab Emirates uses plug type G. You can buy an international plug adapter here. 

Safety

The United Arab Emirates maintains strict laws for their citizens making it a very safe country for tourists with minimal crime. This is also the case for solo female travelers. We felt surprisingly safe for a Middle Eastern country, even as a female.

The United States considers the United Arab Emirates a level 2 threat due to potential of terrorism or missile attacks. Keep in mind that the UAE is surrounded by countries like Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Iran which means that the UAE is at risk for terrorism. While the USA and UAE have good relations, the surrounding countries do not like Americans. During our trip to the Middle East, the US bombed Yemen. We did not have any problems, but pretended to be Canadian out of precaution. Just be aware of the region of the world you are in and current events.

Tipping

Tipping is not necessary, but appreciated for good service. It is common to tip around 10% at restaurants. Generally, it is up to your own discretion if you choose to tip.

Dress code

While there is technically no dress code in Dubai, it is best to respect their culture and dress modest. Women should cover shoulders, knees, and not wear anything tight or low cut. Men can wear shorts and t-shirts as long as they are not tight.

Dubai is a huge tourist destination, so they are understanding of people showing more skin than they would. However, during Ramadan, rules are strict for everyone. Ramadan is typically celebrated during the months of March and April and it is essential to dress modest during this time. There are also other rules that apply during Ramadan which wouldn't normally be the case such as no eating, drinking, or smoking in public.

I ordered a solid jumpsuit in multiple colors that covered my shoulders and knees and wore them everyday. It's comfortable and loose fitting so is good for the heat. This is the perfect jumpsuit so you don't have to worry about if your outfit choices are respectful to the culture. You can order the jumpsuit pictured below on Amazon here.

Speeding tickets

If you're driving around Dubai, you'll want to be extra cautious of speed limits. The UAE is covered with speed cameras automatically sending tickets to those who speed. In Dubai, you can drive 20 km/h faster than the posted speed limit. At 21 km/h over, you will automatically be fined when passing a speed camera. Abu Dhabi is the exception to this rule. In Abu Dhabi, if you are going 1 km/h over the speed limit, you will be fined. Considering fines start at a hefty 600 AED, it's best to avoid speeding.

Random laws

• No cursing or yelling in public

• No public display of affection

• No cross dressing

• No drinking alcohol in public

Breaking these laws can actually lead to up to 10 days in jail in the UAE. We advise you to be aware of the cultural differences to avoid any problems.

We hope you enjoyed our guide on how to be a tourist in Dubai. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions!

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