Very often Dubai comes across as one of the most flamboyant places in the world! Well, while this is true, it certainly is not a place only meant for the rich. The city has a lot you can explore even when you’re here on a tight budget. A little bit of planning, research and information on hand will sort this for you.
We’ve put together a 12-hour itinerary that ticks off Dubai’s best-known attractions, charming cultural hangouts and homegrown eats that won’t break the bank. Here’s how to spend a day in Dubai for less than Rs. 5,000, including transport!
10 am: Relish your breakfast at XVA Art Hotel (Rs. 830/ $10)
The perfect day in Dubai starts with eggs – and no better place than XVA Cafe at XVA Art Hotel, hidden in the maze-like sikkas of Dubai’s oldest neighbourhood, Al Fahidi Historical District. Once a traditional Arabian home, this boutique hotel and art gallery is flanked by wind towers and courtyards, with a central cafe leading off to cosy exhibition spaces. Once you’ve polished off your eggs (two served any style for Rs.800), make time to appreciate the contemporary Middle Eastern art on display before heading up to the roof to take in the labyrinthine streets below!
11 am: Get lost in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (free)
The best way to experience Al Fahidi is to get truly lost! Formerly known as the Bastakiya Quarter, the area offers a glimpse into what life in Dubai was like during the mid-19th century. Located along Dubai Creek, every alley and twisting pathway tells a story of life before the unification of the seven emirates. Here, you can discover museums (some of which have free entry), historical exhibits and courtyard cafes that speak of a bygone era! Keep an eye out for the last remaining section of the old city wall, which dates back to 1800 and sits alongside a traditional wooden dhow boat.
12.30 pm: Go back in time at Al Shindagha Museum (Rs. 1,160/ $14)
If there’s one museum in Al Fahidi worth dipping into your budget for, it’s Al Shindagha. The 19th-century Al Maktoum Residence is the historic home of Dubai’s ruling family and the boyhood home of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Inside, three courtyards, vaulted high-beam ceilings and arched doorways showcase the traditional Emirati lifestyle, with exhibitions dating back to the 19th century! Tickets give access to 22 pavilions, each with its own theme and display.
2 pm: Follow your nose to Dubai’s souks (Rs. 83/ $1 abra ride)
If you want to have a truly local experience, you need to shop like a local too! From Al Fahidi, stroll five minutes northwest and you’ll find yourself at the covered alleyways of the Textile Souk, lined with swaths of colourful materials and ringing with the sound of enthusiastic vendors. Follow the stalls down to Bur Dubai Abra Station and hop on a traditional ferry boat for one of the most affordable (Rs.80 in total) and authentic experiences in the city! Deira Old Souk Abra Station is your stop for Dubai’s best souks, from the famous Gold Souk, to the Spice Souk and Perfume Souk just a short walk away.
4 pm: Take a pitstop for shawarma at Picnic Home (Rs. 330/ $14)
Picnic Home is the perfect pitstop to sample Dubai’s most beloved street snack! Conveniently located next to Sharaf DG metro station, this unassuming hole-in-the-wall serves up the king of all sandwiches for just Rs.330. Opt for the chicken or falafel wrap (load up on extra pickles), pull up a plastic chair at the street-side dining area, and watch the world go by!
4.30 pm: Ride the metro to Dubai Mall (Rs. 83/ $1)
Jump on the metro to Dubai Mall and head straight to the second floor at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. One of the largest indoor aquariums in the world, the tank is home to more than 140 aquatic species and is truly a sight to behold! Tickets to go inside the aquarium’s 270-degree tunnel would definitely blow your budget, but there is just as much to see from the outside without paying a penny. For more window shopping, head to the mall’s Fashion Avenue for high-end brands and take a stroll through the newly opened China Town to take in the sights and smells of the Far East!
6 pm: Have an ice cream in the park (Rs.415/ $5)
Grab a small cone from Cold Stone Creamery (Rs.415) on the mall’s second floor and follow signs for Dubai Fountains to exit near Burj Park. The pocket of green is surrounded by Burj Lake, with unobstructed views of Dubai’s most recognisable landmarks. On your way, you’ll pass the Wings of Mexico installation, which frames the Burj Khalifa within a huge bronze pair of wings for an Instagram opportunity. If you’re visiting in late winter, the sun should have already set, meaning you can stroll around the lake and take in the city’s glittering skyline.
7 pm: Burgers and shakes at Time Out Market (Rs.1,245/ $ 15)
Steps away from Burj Park, Souk Al Bahar is a modern take on the traditional marketplace – but we’re not here for more window browsing. On the first floor, Time Out Market - one of Dubai’s best indoor attractions - takes pride of place, spanning 43,000 square feet. Here, foodies can get stuck into signature dishes from the city’s best homegrown restaurants, with 20 food and drink vendors to choose from. Head to Pickl for one of Dubai’s best cheeseburgers (Rs. 747) washed down with a milkshake (Rs.498) or try the vegetarian-friendly Impossible burger (Rs.913) with a soft drink (Rs.249).
9 pm: Watch the dancing fountains and Burj Khalifa light show (free)
End the day on a high by witnessing the tallest dancing fountain in the world! The Dubai Fountain is a captivating water, music and light experience at Burj Lake. The shows are choreographed to music, which spans everything from K-pop and opera to Baby Shark. Views from the Time Out Market terrace are some of the best in the house, or you can head down to the water’s edge, though it can get busy in the evening. And when the fountains aren’t going, a colourful light show is projected onto the side of the World’s tallest building. Whether you are a regular to the city or it’s your first time, the sight of these shows never gets old and they remain one of the best things to do in Dubai!
Dubai is a beautiful place and there is a lot more than brunches and five-star infinity pools (if you know where to look)!
Is there anything you would want to add to this itinerary? Let us know in the comments below!
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