Whether you are an adventure seeker, or shopaholic, or you are looking for a romantic getaway, Dubai is a destination that offers it all. Also known as the shopping capital of the Middle East, Dubai beckons with endless wonders. From the world's tallest building Burj, Khalifa 828 meters (2,717 ft) to the world's largest artificial archipelago, Palm Jumeirah, there is a lot to explore in Dubai.
Everything in Dubai is so expensive! Do you think the same? No, it's not the complete truth. In spite of owning one of the most luxurious places in the world, there is much to explore in Dubai which is budget-friendly. Don't believe it? Have a look at some best places to visit in Dubai for free.
1. Al Fahidi Historical District
Located along the Dubai Creek, Al Fahidi is a historical landmark in Dubai. It comes among the best places to visit in Dubai for free. Whether you are a history enthusiast or looking to soak Dubai’s local culture, there is nothing better than paying a visit to Al Fahidi. Taking you directly to Dubai at the end of the 19th century, here you can explore old residential buildings, art galleries and the most significant feature, wind towers. This plays a crucial role in maintaining the building cool by enhancing cross ventilation. Here, you can also visit many museums giving you an insight into Dubai’s culture and history such as Dubai Museum which was once a fort, Coin Museum or Coffee Museum.
Entry to the Dubai museum is around AED 3
Other than visiting these educational places, having a sip of coffee at one of the traditional Arabic coffee houses is a must. So, if you are looking for free tourist places in Dubai, Al Fahidi District is something not to be skipped, giving you a contrasting yet mind-blowing experience from luxurious and glamorous modern Dubai.
Where: Neighbourhood in Dubai, UAE
Timings: 7 AM to 8 PM
2. Abra Ride on Dubai Creek
Having an Abra ride is a great idea to gaze at Dubai Creek while you can also experience the city’s historic trading routes. What's Abra you ask? These are traditional wooden boats which are operated by the government of Dubai and depart every few minutes from the water stations at Shindagha/Al Ghubaiba and Al Sabkha. Abra Ride is among the most popular free tourist attractions in Dubai, with a fare of 1 AED per person. Abra rides are so popular, used by over 1 million people every month! So, if you are looking to explore some lesser-known sides of the city, go for an Abra ride. They also offer you a mesmerizing glittering view of the city at the time of sunset.
Where: Dubai Creek, UAE
Timings: 10 AM to 11:30 PM
3. The Dubai Souks
A loaded market on the list of places to visit for free? Sounds crazy, but hey, hear us out. Among the best places to see in Dubai for free, these souks are a beautiful class in the local culture, heritage, and how the society was shaped. Even if you're not in it for buying the sheer variety of goods they sell, it'll be an unforgettable and authentic experience.
Souks hold an integral part in Arab culture, they are basically markets or bazaars. These markets have square stores clustered along narrow streets. Visiting soaks is a must for anyone seeking to immerse in Dubai’s rich cultural heritage. Here you can see a huge variety of things from woven fabrics, spices, carpets, perfumes and jewellery. If you are obsessed with gold, paying a visit to Gold Souk is among the best free tourist places to go in Dubai for you. You would have never seen this much gold in one place before! gold bars, lavish jewellery and much more. If the fragrance is something that attracts you, go to the perfume souk, where you can get more than a thousand traditional Arabian Scents. This is the best place to show your bargaining skills! remember to be polite and respectful. Even if you don’t buy anything, exploring these traditional markets is a cultural experience.
Where: Dubai, UAE
Timings: 12 am to 12 pm (Monday), 10 am to 10 pm (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday), 4 PM to 10 PM (Friday)
4. Fountain shows at Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa
Gazing at Fountain Shows in Dubai is one of the best free things in Dubai. These offer you a stunning and mesmerizing sight like no other. If you are seeking free tourist places to go in Dubai, you must bookmark The Dubai Fountain and the Dubai Mall waterfalls. These are the two famous fountains in Dubai. The Dubai Fountain is located in Downtown Dubai and boasts the record of the world's largest performing fountain. It has five circles, two arcs, and over 6,600 lights and 25 colour projectors. Here, you can enjoy a free show with lights and music, sure to leave you spellbound. The Dubai Mall waterfalls is another amazing fountain located at the Grand Atrium of the Dubai Mall. It is made up of a 24-meter-tall cascade of water and features fibreglass statues of synchronized diving men, creating a sense of dynamism. It's among the best places to visit in Dubai for free, especially if you are near Dubai Mall. Clicking pictures is a must over here.
Where: Downtown Dubai, UAE
Timings: 1 pm to 1:30 pm, 1:30 pm to 2 pm (Friday), 6 pm to 11 pm
5. Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary
Whether you are a bird lover or you love collecting information about different creatures, visiting Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary would be best for you. It also comes among the top places to visit in Dubai for free, letting you explore flamingos and other birds in their natural habitat, right in the city. Located at the very end of Dubai Creek, this is one of the few urban protected areas in the world. It hosts plenty of ecosystems from mangroves, mudflats and lagoons to sabkhas, reed beds and shrublands. These are some of the reasons for its rich biodiversity. Other than flamingos, you can also get western reef heron, osprey, Eurasian curlew, common greenshank and many more. This a great place to visit with children as they get an amazing opportunity to get close with birds which helps to inculcate a feeling of compassion towards natural creatures in them. Check, if allowed, you can feed birds with the permission of keepers. You can also look for some educational activities specially designed for children. Whenever you hope to find the best places to visit in Dubai for free, don't forget Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary!
Where: Dubai Creek, Dubai, UAE
Timings: 6 am to 6 pm
Global Village
Open seasonally from October to April, Global Village is a cultural and entertainment park which comes among the top attractions in Dubai. It offers pavilions from different countries, food stalls, and performances, with tickets priced under AED 20 only! Due to its budget-friendly ticket, we can add this to the list of the best free things in Dubai but keep in mind, it's not free. Located at Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E 311 road) in Dubai, this whole global village can be divided into shows and events, pavilions and selfie spots, dining and Carnaval. Among these, the most thrilling is Carnaval, where you can have pretty epic rides for all ages and can also enjoy a variety of games from new-age virtual games to classics like shooting hoops and throwing darts. Next, inspire the rich cultural diversity of the world at each pavilion. Don't forget to click pictures at best scenarios, curated cleverly to give your best shots. Not only this, you can purchase wonderful artisanal pieces like furniture, handcrafted shoes and detailed fine pieces of jewellery and souvenirs. Plus, you can also buy high-quality saffron strands, candied nuts, locally sourced honey & oils and much more. You can sample before you buy. This comes among the best places to see in Dubai for free, giving you a glimpse of the whole world in one place.
Where: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E 311 road) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Timings: Weekdays 4 pm to 12 am, Thursdays–Saturdays and public holidays 4 pm to 1 am, Ramadan 6 pm to 2 am every day