5 Places To Visit When In Dubai On a Budget

If you are wondering what Dubai is famous for, the answer is: many things! But I can tell you: if you dream of sandy beaches and luxurious hotels, then Dubai is definitely the place for you. 

Far from being a laid-back hippie-ish vacation, when you come to Dubai, you are in for a treat: a luxe vacation with wonderful places to visit. But don’t be put off by this, because if planned correctly, it can be less expensive than you think!

So if you are looking for a budget-friendly holiday or more into the Dubai 7 star hotel vibe, I’ll share with you 5 places you should visit when in Dubai (and how to make it affordable to see them!).

Burj Al Arab: The Dubai 7 Star Hotel.

Let’s start off big! The Burj Al Arab is the Dubai 7 star hotel that Dubai is famous for! 

With an architectural design resembling a windsurf sail, the interior design is Arabic-inspired and super fancy!

However, if your budget is less than 1000 USD per night, then it’ll be hard for you to stay there. 

Luckily, there is a more budget-friendly way to access the Dubai 7 star hotel and enjoy its beautiful premises, as well as take some outstanding photos! You can access one of its bars by making a reservation first and enjoy a night of drinks at the Skyview Bar, with incredible city views! This bar is on the 27th floor and also offers afternoon teas that are to die for!

The Dubai 7 star hotel Burj Al Arab is also home to the [temporarily closed due to Covid] Gold on 27th. This is a great option, especially on Tuesday nights when they hold a ladies’ night, so you can get a good deal of snacks and drinks. 

Burj Khalifa: The Tallest Building In The World.

Dubai is also famous for having the tallest building in the world! At 828mts, the Burj Khalifa stands tall and offers a fantastic view of the city from its deck. 

You need to make a reservation in advance since it gets booked up pretty quickly! There are famous Dubai restaurants on the premises, but trust me, they are not cheap.

So my suggestion is that you go to the At the Top part, where the deck is. For this, you’ll need a ticket. The cheapest way to get a ticket would be through Groupon. They often offer half-price tickets, with fast-pass access, so you don’t have to wait in line to access the building Dubai is so famous for!

Kite Beach: Breathtaking Sunsets.

If you decide to travel to Dubai when the weather is good (hint: don’t come during summer if you can’t take the heat, pun intended!), you can enjoy any of its beaches. 

My personal recommendation is Kite Beach, which is beautiful and has lots of space for you to sunbathe and enjoy Dubai’s crystal clear waters. Sunset is breathtaking on this beach!

Budget-friendly tip: take a cooler (or a cooling bag with ice!) with snacks and drinks. There are plenty of Dubai restaurants, not fancy ones, but still not very cheap, so you can save yourself a few dollars if you go to the supermarket beforehand and get yourself the food you like!

Dubai Creek Harbour: A Wonderful Skyline.

This one might come as a surprise to you, but if you want killer photos of the skyline that is also what Dubai is famous for, you can just visit this part of town, which is a little off-the-road but is definitely worth it!

There are plenty of Instagram-able spots, and you will leave with terrific photos as souvenirs of your visit to Dubai!

You can walk around the area, sit down, and have a coffee. An inexpensive yet fun visit (sunset time is best!).

Souk Al Bahar: The Typical Arabic Market.

You can’t miss the dancing fountains show! The show is on from 6 pm to 11 pm every 30 minutes. You can access the fountains any time, though, since they are open 24 hours.

If you want to have lunch or dinner in the area, I recommend Time Out Market in Souk Al Bahar. This new spot offers a variety of cuisines and unique cocktails. And the best part: it’s actually affordable! You can have a fantastic gourmet burger with fries for 15 USD and a beer for 10 USD (trust me, that’s cheap for Dubai!)

What Dubai is Famous For Can Be Seen On A Budget!

There are other inexpensive places you can visit and still have a great time! Don’t let the luxury reputation, which is what Dubai is famous for, scare you away. 

Would you consider visiting Dubai?