All About Dubai
Best Time to Visit
Before planning your trip, remember that Dubai is located in the desert, which means it gets really, really hot during the summer time. Even the water in the ocean becomes too warm to enjoy, which means your trip will be mostly indoors.The best time to come is during the winter. The high season for tourism occurs during Christmas time and New Years, which means it gets really crowded and more expensive in December. If your schedule allows, I would recommend booking your trip around January or early February, after the crowds have died down, but the weather is still perfect. Check the weather out in Dubai right now:
How to Get Around
The best way to get around is by renting a car, which you can do at the airport by using companies such as Thrifty, Europcar, Hertz, etc. Renting a car will allow you to visit other Emirates like Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in an easier manner. However, if you're looking for a budget-friendly option, Dubai has an extremely clean and safe metro system that runs parallel to the main highway, Sheikh Zayed Road. Taking the metro might require more walking and taking short taxi/Uber rides, but it will save some money for your trip.
Respect the Culture/People
Dubai has one of the most diverse populations in the world, with locals coming from literally all over the world. This means that almost everyone here speaks English and the signs in the city are in English and Arabic. It's easy and safe to get around and people are usually very friendly and helpful. Even though Dubai is welcoming people from all over the world, the UAE remains to be a Muslim country, meaning that those who live or visit here must respect certain traditions. Don't be shocked if you hear the call to prayer in the malls or restaurants throughout the day and approach coming to Dubai with an open mind about Arabic culture.
Must Visit Places
There's so much to do in Dubai, it might be overwhelming at first. However, Dubai is actually a really small city and getting around is really easy. If there are any
General Tourist Attractions:
Dubai Mall
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Dubai Mall is obviously a great place to endlessly shop, but there's also a lot to simply just see in and outside the mall. Dedicate a full day for this and get a good view of the Burj Khalifa light show and the dancing fountains in the evening.
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Burj Khalifa
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Do I even need to say anything about this?...
Going up the burj might be worth it for some people, but I would say it might not be the best view of Dubai. Go up to the J.W Marriott instead and enjoy a better view of the city alongside a steak.
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The Dubai Fountain
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The Dubai Fountains are located right outside of Dubai Mall, so you can hit these two places in the same day. The best time to visit is at sunset or in the evening. The shows happen every 30 minutes, alongside the Burj Khalifa light shows. Definitely do not miss this!
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Al Seef
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Get a glimpse of Old Dubai in a renewed fashion. Practice your haggling skills! This is a good tourist attraction, but if you want the true experience of a Dubai Souk, you need to take the ferry across the river to Bur Dubai. You'll usually find the same items in Bur Dubai for half the price!
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Dubai Gold Souk
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After taking a ferry from Al Seef, you'll be met with Bur Dubai and the Gold Souq. It's enough to just walk around and get lost in the small alleys. You don't need to worry about pickpocketing even though there will be a lot of people. Also, be prepared to be faced with really pushy merchants!
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Mall of the Emirates
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Aside from shopping, Mall of the Emirates contains the infamous indoor skiing hall. You can either have a day of skiing, or grab a bite to eat at Cheesecake Factory and watch people ski down the slopes!
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Global Village
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Go to Global Village with an empty stomach and be prepared to eat your body weight in ethnic food and samplers! My favorite pavilions are Syria, Africa, Turkey, and Thailand (get mango from the Thai pavilion!!) Make sure to check if Global Village is open when you're planning your visit since it is closed in certain months of the year.
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Kite Beach
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Enjoy the views of Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa from Kite Beach. Or grab something to eat/drink from the many vendors around the beach! You probably won't need to spend an entire day here, but it's definitely worth coming to visit.
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Noor's Hidden Gems:
Palm Jumeirah Corniche Area
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My favorite spot in Dubai. Drive all the way to the end of the west crescent of the palm for the best view of the Marina and the Dubai Eye. This area is not crowded at all and there's free parking in the road. If you're lucky, you can see the drone show happening from across the water in JBR.
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Alserkal Avenue
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A quaint little art district of Dubai. You won't see many tourists here but there's a lot to do and see if you come at the right time. Make sure to check their website to see what is happening when you visit!
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Dubai Marina Walk
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Many tourists skip out on coming to Marina Mall and walking on the Marina Walk, but it's a very enjoyable experience away from the crowds! Enjoying the architecture of the buildings is enough to make this a memorable experience.
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Safa Park
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Enjoy a nice walk in Safa Park away from all the tourists. Usually, you'll only find locals in the park because the tourists are too busy doing everything else!
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Day Trips to Other Emirates:
Louvre Abu Dhabi
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The Louvre is definitely worth a visit if you have some time to spare from Dubai. The exhibitions are constantly changing so make sure to check out their website for updated information
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Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
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Want to ride the fastest rollercoaster in the world? You'll find that in Abu Dhabi's Ferrari World, alongside many other unique facts pertaining to Ferrari!
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Maleha
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Maleha is one of the best experiences in the UAE for tourists. Located near the Sharjah Emirate, it is an archeological site that contains many desert animals in the wild. Definitely do not miss this!
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Top Food Picks
The diversity of the city is reflected in the diversity of the food and Dubai has some of the best food in the world! Even trying big-chain restaurants like Cheesecake Factory or P.F. Chang's might taste different than everywhere else. Here are my top, budget-friendly options that you can only get in Dubai.
Asian Food:
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Brunch/Hipster Places:
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Arabic Food:
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I hope this short guide was helpful. If you still can't find what you're looking for, let me create a custom trip for you! I'm currently working on making my custom travel services available. This page will be automatically updated when they are available.
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