Perched on the shores of the Persian Gulf and flowing in from the spectacular dunes of the Arabian desert, Dubai or ‘the city of light’ is definitely considered a must-go-to destination for any adventure seeker. The city possesses a set of modern man-made architectural wonders; the world’s tallest building,the largest shopping mall and the biggest man-made island, and the capital is rich in culture and history.
Here are 5 free places that we recommend you visit on your next trip to Dubai:
Whether you feel like taking a dip in the water, going for a jog on the beach, having a barbecue or enjoying the company of a good book, this 800 metre long white sandy beach is the place to go. Jumeirah beach is also fully equipped with showers and bathrooms, and if at any point you get hungry you can find near-by restaurants and food trucks operating from early morning till late at night.
Operating hours: From Sunday to Saturday from 7:30AM-10:00PM.
If you’re travelling with children and wondering what to do as a warm afternoon retreat, Al Khazzan Park should be at the top of your list. The park offers a children’s playground overlooked by a shaded area where you can meditate or read your favorite book. The park is also considered the first solar-panelled amenity of its kind in the country.
Operating hours: From Saturday to Wednesday from 8AM -11PM.
There’s no wonder that camels play an important role in the Arabian culture and are especially given prominence by the Emiratis. The Camel museum used to be a camel stable for sheikhs then was transformed later into a single-storey museum. The museum holds several wings and halls filled with surprising and entertaining information, models and tools regarding the races, characteristics, and anatomy of camels.The museum is located in Al Shindagha Village, Bur Dubai.
Operating hours: Sunday to Thursday from 08:00AM to 14:00PM.
Want to spend Sunday night watching a classic movie under the stars? If yes, head to the Pyramids Rooftop Complex in Wafi and watch your favorite movie on a comfortable, colorful bean bag, on the grass and under the stars. This is definitely a unique experience you must try! Check out their Facebook page for their movie airing timeline.
This list can not be concluded without mentioning Dubai’s famous dancing fountains. The fountain is considered the world’s largest performing fountain with a height of 275 meters, 6000 lights and 50 color projectors. Each show runs for about five minutes and the shows are staged from 7 PM to 11 PM.
Pro tip: if you plan on visiting Dubai during your birthday, several places in Dubai, including restaurants, theme parks and bars, prvide special offers for your birthday.
For instance, you can register your birthday in the Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark, and you will get a free pass to visit the waterpark which can only be used within your birthday week. In some cases, you would have to register beforehand and for others you just have to arrive with a valid ID card.
Make sure to be familiar with the public transport system in UAE such as buses and metro routes and timings to minimise transportation costs.