11 attractions in Dubai - what to see first?

If Leningrad is a hero city, then Dubai is a city of interest. Originated in the desert, modern, technological. Expensive. What sights in Dubai are worth visiting on your own in the first place? Let's move on to our TOP-11 after 3 trips to the UAE.

Dubai landmarks

When choosing a location in the UAE, many tourists prefer Dubai, because Dubai = attractions (well, because direct flights from Russia are exactly here. And the flight time is only 4 hours). What architectural and entertainment wonders make Russians opt for a cultural program on a traditionally beachfront destination?

Burj Khalifa

Excellent photos are obtained from Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd / in the same place next to Dubai opera
you can find similar sculptures
The tallest building in the world, known during the construction phase as the Dubai Tower, was eventually named Burj Khalifa. The building is a must-see! If you are completely without money, an external examination will do (we all limited it 3 times).

However, you can go broke on sights with the prefix "very / ay / oe"! At least in order to then say your "fi" reasonably.

Prices here and below are in local currency. Dirham to ruble rate: 1 to 20. That is. all numbers must be multiplied by 20.

Climbing Burj Khalifa:

How to get there: take the metro to Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall station (yes, the Dubai Mall is right there, next door). The minimum fare is AED 3-5 with a Silver card. Depends on the distance.

Dubai Mall and Aquarium

In the list of things to see with children, Dubai Mall takes the leading position: a bunch of entertainment areas, a giant fountain and, of course, He is the Dubai Aquarium! The largest in the world.

You can look at fish and other inhabitants of the underwater world for free outside. Buying a ticket gives you the opportunity to walk through the tunnel inside the aquarium and visit the underwater zoo.

Prices:

• Adults: 70 AED
• Children from 3 to 11 years old: AED 55
• Babies up to 3 years old - free
• There is a combo offer >>
  (Burj Khalifa, aquarium and underwater zoo for AED 206)

How to get there: Take the metro to Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall station.

Fountain show

Music, light, jets of water soaring 150 meters into the sky. And all for nothing! That is free. Reviews of tourists about the fountain show are invariably enthusiastic, but we will say this: you have to stand in a wild crowd, and the show lasts only 5 minutes. Plus, all the views inside the mall are warningly "captured" by cafes (you can sit on a budget on the veranda of the Five Guys fast food).

How to get there: Take the metro to Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall station. The fountains are located at the foot of the Burj Khalifa.

Three sights in Dubai: Burj Khalifa Mall, fountains, it makes sense to see it in 1 day. Their location relative to each other makes this almost inevitable.

Or maybe an excursion? In a separate article, we have collected the most popular excursions in Dubai and put everything on the shelves: how much they cost, where is it more profitable to buy, and whether it is necessary at all.

Flower Park and Butterfly Garden (Miracle Garden)

Miracle Garden is translated as the Garden of Miracles, but the Russian public is better known as the Garden of Flowers. Which is logical - all the wonders of the garden are made of flowers! Houses, birds, arched passages.

DANGER !!! Lovers of photo shoots near flower beds can go crazy with abundance. Well, those who nevertheless made it out alive and capable of perceiving beauty should see the Butterfly Garden (Dubai Butterfly Garden). It is located here, but you need to buy a ticket separately. We did not have time to get here. But two groups of our friends stopped by and left good reviews ☺

Prices:

How to get there: The closest to the garden is the Mall of the Emirates metro station. From there, either by taxi (35 dirhams), or by bus N105 (runs from 12:00 noon to 20:00 on weekdays, until 22:00 on weekends, cost 5 dirhams).

Wild Wadi Water Park

Water parks in Dubai are a must visit for any self-respecting tourist. One of the best in this part of the world is the Wild Wadi water park. Well equipped, big - in addition to the attractions themselves, there are cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops, and sooooo extreme! Season - all year round, the water temperature is maintained around + 28 ° С.

Prices:

• Adults: AED 270
• Children under 110 cm tall: AED 220

Lockers and towels are paid separately - 20 dirhams. Money, in its usual form, is not needed on the territory of the park: at the entrance, visitors are given a special bracelet to which any amount of money can be “transferred”. The remainder, if it is :), will be returned at the output.

How to get there: the nearest metro station is Mall of the Emirates. Then 3 km on foot or by taxi (about 20 dirhams). Bus N8 goes straight to the park (Wild Wadi stop). The minimum ticket price is 2 dirhams. You can sit at the Golden Souq.

Jumeirah Mosque

The mosque is open to all (including the Gentiles). The grandiose structure is depicted on the 500 dirham banknote. It is a popular tourist destination. It will be more interesting as part of the excursion, but only an English-speaking guide can be found on site. It is better to book excursions in Dubai in Russian in advance via the Internet. For example, on Tripster.

How to get there: the nearest metro station is Al Jafiliya. Next take a taxi (about AED 10) or the N88 bus (Palm Strip Center stop). Bus N8 will also take you to the place (stop Jumeira, Grand Masjid).

Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is a whole area in the city center, where you can always find something to see. An artificial island in the form of a palm tree - The Palm Jumeirah, can be considered a "starting point", although formally it is located outside the boundaries of the district.

By the way, the island-palm tree itself from the ground does not make such an extraordinary impression as from a height: the shape is not visible, just islands in the distance. But it will still not be superfluous to look. Just walk from the metro for 2 hours.

The most attractive, from the point of view of tourists, is The Walk-JBR, which is located here. The many boutiques located on it will make possible the most expensive shopping in Dubai :) If you, like us, are not in the luxury shopping area, then you can just walk, take a look, drink an alcoholic drink in one of the bars (bottled beer 0.3 l about 1000 rubles, get ready!). It is unrealistic at night because of the lighting design.

Prices:

• Take a walk - free
• Something to eat-drink-shop here is not the best idea how to save money in the UAE.

How to get there: Dubai Marina metro station.

Returning back towards Burj Khalifa, take the first car. It has a panoramic windshield, where a regular regular ticket fits. For more tips for your trip to Dubai, check out our @howtrip telegram channel using the #howtrip_dubai hashtag.

Picture frame Dubai Frame

There are many points in Dubai from where you can look at the city from above. The most extraordinary (and newest: in January 2019, the structure celebrated a year since its opening) is the Dubai Frame. Outwardly, the structure resembles a giant photo frame. The two towers are connected by a bridge with a glass floor. Therefore, here you can not only enjoy the views, but also get a portion of adrenaline.

Prices:

• Adults: AED 50
• Children 3-11 years old: AED 30
• Toddlers up to 3 years old for free

How to get there: to Al Jafiliya metro station, from there on foot (about 1 km) or by taxi (10 dirham)

The attraction is located in the Zabil Park, a ticket to which costs 5 dirhams. But there is a separate entrance N4, in this case you will not have to pay for visiting the park.

Dubai opera

Another interesting place for which it is worth going to the city center is the Dubai Opera. Here you can cultivate from two points of view at once: architectural and musical and dramatic. The second, however, will cost more.But he will decide where to go in the evening, given the stress with alcohol.

Prices:

• AED 100-1500 depending on location and performance

How to get there: the nearest metro station is Burj Khalifa. Further on foot (1.2 km) or by taxi (10 dirham). We advise the first option, along bin Rashid Boulevard, there are several cool installations scattered there.

Desert Safari

We really liked the Safari, you can take a daytime Safari to save time
(runs until 11-12 days)

Desert safari is highly recommended as a must see in Dubai! You can independently book a tour via the Internet ($ 40-45) or buy at the hotel ($ 55-60). The desert is something difficult to describe. Like the ocean or the mountains. We have never regretted it! The duration of the trip is about 5-6 hours (almost the same as the flight to Dubai).

How to get there: when buying, a collection point is agreed.

Souk Madinat Market

Rest in the UAE without visiting the oriental bazaar is a waste of money. Madinat is atmospheric and varied: it sells souvenirs, clothes. Everything is expensive (very). Bargaining is not accepted. But you can ride an arba boat and enjoy the view of the Burj al-Arab (sail hotel).

Prices:

• Market visit: free
• Boat ride: AED 75 per person (20 minutes)

How to get there: the nearest metro station is Mall of the Emirates. Next take a taxi (12 dirham)

What else to see in Dubai

What to see in Dubai besides all of the above?

➢ Children are often advised Dubai zoo... The price for the entrance ticket is 2 dirhams, children under 3 years old - free. Nothing fancy, but cool, many animals, there are benches for tortured adults.

➢ From the category of what should be visited, especially for those who came to Dubai on their own and are not bound by a dense excursion program: take a boat ride from the pier of Al Jaddaf Marine (Metro Creek) to the shopping center Dubai Festival City. The cost is 2 dirhams, an alternative to walking along the bay, which is an order of magnitude more expensive.

➢ There are plenty of theme parks in Dubai!

• Legoland recommended to all brand lovers and not only. There are two sectors here, one of which is "land", and the second is water. Made entirely of LEGO, the park is designed for children of all ages, including those over 30 :)
  One day ticket to one of the zones: AED 275 for everyone over 3 years old. Cheaper to buy on Getyourguide as on the official website a tax of 25 dirhams is added.
• Motiongate - An amusement park inspired by Hollywood and cartoons from 3 major film studios. Recommended for parents with children who are touched by penguins from Madagascar, are not afraid of Shrek and know who the Ghostbusters, Kung Fu Panda, The Smurfs, etc. are. Price per person over 3 years old - 275 dirhams.

Not sure how to scatter everything watchable by day? Check out our Dubai guide for useful information!

What to see in Abu Dhabi

For those who came to the UAE directly to Dubai, the sights of other emirates can also be easily explored. One day excursion to Abu Dhabi is very popular. Cost: 180-550 dirham ($ 50- $ 150) per person, depending on the "filling". We talked in detail about the prices for excursions in Dubai here.

What to see in Abu Dhabi?

➢ Sheikh Zayed Mosque - in fact, almost any program for visiting the capital includes this item. Outwardly, it immediately inspires confidence that the screensaver for the Disney cartoon "Aladdin" was drawn from it. And video reviews confirm this.

➢ Louvre - associations with the French Louvre do not arise in vain: the Museum of Culture and Arts was created as part of a project to bring the East and West closer, in close cooperation with France. Ticket: 63 dirhams, youth from 13 to 22 years old pay 50%, children are free.

➢ Ferrari Park - if the type of car of this brand on the streets of Dubai was not enough for you. Admission to the amusement park for adults is 295 dirham, children under 1.3 m - 230 dirham, up to 3 years old - free.

➢ Yas Waterworld Waterpark - slightly cheaper than in Dubai: adults - 250 dirham, children from 1.1 m to 1.3 m - 210 dirham.

➢ Emirates Palace Hotel - was created to show the world the power and wealth of the Arab world. And he successfully realized this goal. Price per night from 33,000 rubles. Which is not so much, considering that the hotel positions itself as a palace.

➢ Corniche promenade - blue-turquoise sea on the left, skyscrapers - on the right and 8 km of the walking area. It is better not to meddle in the heat: there is no shadow.

Beaches in Dubai

When is the best time to go to the UAE for excursions and the sea? Ideal in November-December and March-April. Already / not yet hot, but not cold either. The weather whispers, the prices are adequate (as far as possible). Where is the best place to sunbathe?

Dubai beaches - here is a detailed video, and here is a detailed text:

Our video about the beaches of Dubai

➢ La mer - The BEST free beach with dressing rooms, playgrounds, toilets and other benefits of civilization, new and clean

➢ Jumeirah Open Beach - the very place where everyone is photographed with the sailing hotel (Burj Al Arab). Free

➢ Kite beach - there is more about sports: volleyball nets, a football field. Well, kiters. Free

➢ Marina Beach - often crowded, although well equipped and free

➢ Al Mamzar Beach - for 5 dirhams, a tourist gets as many as 3 large beaches and a large park area, close to Sharjah

Prices in Dubai - how to save?

Well, who else does not know what the prices in Dubai are hoo? Well, here they are of the same, tall. What can you do to avoid going broke in the UAE?

• Always check the tour price. It often turns out to be more profitable than independent recreation. We are looking for travel deals on Travelata.
• Prepare for your trip. Many things will be cheaper if you worry about buying them in advance. Not only accommodation and aircraft, but also entertainment

So, you can seriously save on the excursion program: desert safaris and other popular routes when booking online - on Sputnik or Tripster - cost 20-30% less!

• Entertainer program, to which establishments are connected where you can eat "for two", ie pay only for one of the 2 courses
• When traveling on your own, a city map should always be at hand. This allows you to understand how to get where it is more profitable. You can download the free maps.me application, for example. There, all maps are available offline, so as not to get lost in case of sudden problems with the Internet.
• Surfing - with prices you always need to be able to take advantage of a good offer on time!
• Ride towards the end of the season - for example, in November. Or vice versa, at the beginning of the season - in March.

Well, lastly a moment of financial positive: you don't need a visa to the UAE, upon arrival at Dubai airport they put a stamp in your passport for FREE - that's all.