Dubai is an extremely expensive travel destination, and the sky’s the limit when it comes to the city’s most extravagant activities. But don’t give up if you’re on a budget! There are a lot of inexpensive activities and amazing free things to do in Dubai that won’t cost you a single dirham.
In this article, we’ll give you a quick rundown of the best cheap and free things to do in Dubai. These are not only cheap things to do in Dubai, but they are also some of the best! Whether you’re visiting Dubai on a budget or not, each of these top experiences is well worth your time! To even make this experience better you can take advantage of Emirates airlines booking and book yourself a trip that’s worth it.
1. Dubai Fountains
The Dubai Fountains are the city’s most popular tourist attraction, located next to The Dubai Mall and at the foot of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Observing the magnificent musical fountains and light show is completely free!
Every day, the world’s largest dancing fountain performs. Two afternoon shows begin at 1 p.m., 1.30 p.m., or 2 p.m. (depending on the day). From 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., a show is presented every 30 minutes.
TIP: If you want to do something different, take a ride on a traditional boat to get a closer look at the dancing fountains. Although this tour is not free, it is one of the cheapest activities in Dubai and something that many tourists consider to be a must-do.
2. Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is one of the world’s largest shopping malls. It has 1200 shops, including some of the world’s most opulent brands. A trip to the mall, on the other hand, will not cost you anything (if you can resist the shops) and will be well worth your time. The sheer size of the place, the number of people, and the enormous variety of shops will astound you. Come for more than an hour or two; you could easily spend a day or two here!
The Waterfall and the Dubai Aquarium are two major Dubai Mall attractions that you should not miss. While tickets to the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo are not cheap (+-30USD), the massive aquarium can be viewed for free from the mall itself. That’s incredible!
Another free activity in Dubai Mall is to watch the impressive waterfall. The indoor shopping center’s four levels are connected by a massive waterfall with diver sculptures.
3. Marina Dubai
Dubai Marina is a bustling area that, like most of Dubai, comes alive after sunset. The Dubai Marina Promenade is a 7-kilometer stretch of walkways that is one of the most beautiful places in Dubai. It is also entirely free to visit!
Between The Marina Walk and The Marina Mall is the liveliest part of the Marina. This is where you’ll find the majority of the shops and restaurants.
The dancing fountains at the entrance to the Marina Walk, right next to the Dubai Marina Towers Shows, are a must-see. The shows happen every 20 minutes in the evenings and on weekends during the day. It’s good to know that in Dubai, weekends fall on Friday and Saturday.
Throughout the year, Dubai Marina is a popular venue for a variety of events. During the Christmas – New Year holiday season, there are festive parades, music festivals, boat parades, and so on. So make sure to check ahead of time to see if there is anything special going on while you are there.
4. Wildlife Sanctuary: Ras Al Khor
Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is also worth mentioning as a free thing to do in Dubai. This wetland conservation area in Dubai is a fantastic spot to see flamingos and other birds. It will also not cost you anything.
The flamingos can be seen from a viewing platform. You can also watch flamingos being fed (usually between 10 and 11 a.m.). Early in the morning, just before the feeding, is the best time to visit. There are fewer visitors and more flamingos.
5. Beaches in Dubai
A trip to Dubai isn’t complete without a visit to the beach! The good news is that Dubai has a number of free public beaches that are open to the public and free of charge. The Marina Beach (or JBR) at The Walk and The Jumeirah Beach near the famous Burj Al Arab Hotel are the most popular beaches in Dubai.
While the Burj Al Arab is a must-see in Dubai, we recommend Marina Beach for a day at the beach. There are several playgrounds for children, as well as numerous dining options on The Walk. It’s probably the busiest of the beaches in Dubai.
6. Al Qudra Area & Love Lake Dubai
A visit to the Al Qudra area in the city’s south is one of the fun free things to do in Dubai. There are a few man-made lakes here that serve as a desert oasis. It’s also a great place to get away from the city’s hustle and bustle!
The heart-shaped Love Lake is one of the most well-known lakes in the area. Beautiful walkways that follow the heart-shaped lakes can be used to explore the area, and you can often see various birds and colourful fish in the lake (feeding is not allowed). In addition, many heart statues can be found in the lovely grounds surrounding the lake – ideal for a romantic evening in Dubai.
Tourists are less familiar with this location, which is more popular among locals. Picnic tables, bbq pits, board games, and restrooms are all available. It’s a wonderful spot for a romantic stroll at sunset, stargazing at night, or spending the full day with your family.
It is free to visit Love Lake and the other Al Qudra lakes. However, the location is rather far from the city and requires the use of a car.