Why Visit Dubai
Dubai is a city of superlatives. The tallest building in the world (Burj Khalifa, 828m), the largest shopping mall (Dubai Mall, 1,200+ shops), artificial islands shaped like palm trees, indoor ski slopes in the desert — Dubai does everything bigger, taller and more extravagant than anywhere else on earth.
But Dubai is more than just flashy architecture. The city sits at the crossroads of East and West, and its population is 90% expatriate, creating an extraordinary cultural melting pot. The old Creek district with its traditional souks and abra boats offers a glimpse of the pearl-diving village Dubai was just 50 years ago. The food scene is world-class, drawing from South Asian, Arabic, Persian, Filipino and international cuisines.
Dubai is often perceived as prohibitively expensive, but it doesn't have to be. While luxury is everywhere, budget travellers can find excellent street food for €3–5, affordable hotels in Deira and Bur Dubai for €40–60, and many of the city's best experiences — the souks, the beaches, the Dubai Marina walk — are completely free.
Top Neighbourhoods
Downtown Dubai — The Iconic Skyline
Home to Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain and the Opera District. This is the most photographed part of the city. Accommodation is premium but the spectacle is unmatched.
- Daily budget: €120–250
Dubai Marina & JBR — Beach Life
A stunning waterfront district with a 7km walkway, The Beach at JBR (shops, dining, cinema), marina yacht views and excellent beach access. Very popular with expats and tourists. Dozens of restaurants line the Marina Walk.
- Daily budget: €90–180
Deira & Bur Dubai — The Old City
The historic heart of Dubai on both sides of the Creek. Gold Souk, Spice Souk, textile markets, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and the cheapest food and accommodation in the city. Take an abra (traditional water taxi) across the Creek for just AED 1 (€0.25).
- Daily budget: €40–80
Jumeirah — Beach and Culture
The stretch of coastline between Downtown and the Marina. Home to Jumeirah Mosque (one of the few mosques open to non-Muslims), Kite Beach, and the iconic Burj Al Arab. La Mer beachfront has restaurants and water sports.
- Daily budget: €80–150
Al Quoz — Arts District
An industrial area transformed into Dubai's art hub. Alserkal Avenue hosts 40+ galleries, project spaces, cafés and concept stores. Most galleries are free to enter. The area comes alive during Art Dubai season (March).
- Daily budget: €50–90
Local Cuisine
Dubai's food scene reflects its multicultural population. These are the must-try dishes:
-
Shawarma: The king of Dubai street food. Chicken or beef carved from a rotating spit, wrapped in flatbread with garlic sauce, pickles and fries. Al Mallah in Satwa is the classic spot (AED 10–15 / €2.50–4). Al Safadi in DIFC is excellent too.
-
Manousheh: Lebanese flatbread topped with za'atar (herb mix) and olive oil, or cheese, or minced meat. A popular breakfast. AED 5–12 (€1.20–3) at bakeries across the city. Try Zaroob in Downtown.
-
Al Machboos: The UAE's national rice dish — basmati rice slow-cooked with meat (usually lamb or chicken), spices, dried lemon and onions. Find it at Al Fanar Restaurant in Festival City (AED 55–75 / €14–19) for an authentic Emirati dining experience.
-
Luqaimat: Sweet dumplings drizzled with date syrup. Crunchy outside, fluffy inside. A traditional Emirati dessert. AED 15–25 (€4–6). Available at Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi.
-
Iranian Kebabs: Dubai has a large Iranian community and superb kebab restaurants. Shabestan in the Radisson Blu Deira serves outstanding joojeh (chicken) and koobideh (minced meat) kebabs. Mains AED 50–90 (€13–23).
-
Indian Street Food: With over 3 million Indians in the UAE, the Indian food in Dubai is exceptional. Ravi Restaurant in Satwa has been serving Pakistani/Indian food since 1978 — chicken biryani AED 22 (€5.50), butter chicken AED 28 (€7). Open until 3 AM.
-
Kunafa: A Middle Eastern dessert of shredded filo pastry layered with cheese, soaked in sugar syrup and topped with pistachios. Warm and stringy. AED 15–25 (€4–6). Firas Sweets in Deira is the go-to.
-
Camel Burger: Yes, really. Camel meat is lean and slightly sweet. The Local House Restaurant in Al Fahidi serves a camel slider for AED 45 (€11). Switch and Bla Bla Dubai also offer camel burgers.
Tip
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Backpacker | Mid-Range | Comfort | |----------|-----------|-----------|---------| | Accommodation (per night) | €20–40 (hostel/budget hotel) | €60–120 (4-star hotel) | €200–500+ (luxury resort) | | Food (per day) | €10–20 | €30–55 | €80–150+ | | Transport (daily) | €3–6 (metro) | €10–20 | €30–60 (taxis) | | Attractions (daily) | €0–15 | €25–50 | €60–120 | | Daily Total | €35–80 | €125–245 | €370–830 |
Getting Around
Dubai Metro (RTA)
Two lines (Red and Green) covering major attractions and business districts. Clean, modern, air-conditioned. Runs Saturday to Wednesday 5:00 AM–midnight, Thursday 5:00 AM–1:00 AM, Friday 10:00 AM–1:00 AM.
- Single ticket (1 zone): AED 4 (€1)
- Single ticket (2+ zones): AED 6 (€1.50)
- Nol Red Ticket (day pass): AED 22 (€5.50)
- Nol Silver Card: AED 25 (refillable, 10% cheaper than Red Tickets)
Buy a Nol card at any metro station — it works on metro, trams, buses and water buses.
From Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Metro Red Line: AED 6–8 (€1.50–2), direct from Terminal 1 and 3. Terminal 2 requires a shuttle bus first.
- Taxi: AED 60–90 (€15–23) to Downtown, metered with AED 25 airport surcharge
- RTA Bus: AED 5 (€1.20) to various city points
Taxis & Ride-hailing
- RTA Taxis: Metered, starting fare AED 12 (€3). Very affordable for groups.
- Careem / Uber: Both operate legally. Slightly more expensive than taxis but convenient for booking.
Water Transport
- Abra (traditional boat): AED 1 (€0.25) across the Creek — an essential Dubai experience
- Water Bus: AED 4 (€1) along the Creek
- Dubai Ferry: AED 50 (€13) for a scenic 90-minute ride along the coast
Warning
Practical Tips
-
The best time to visit is November to March. Temperatures are pleasant (20–30°C). From June to September, temperatures regularly exceed 45°C with extreme humidity — outdoor activities become genuinely dangerous. Hotel prices drop dramatically in summer.
-
Friday is the weekend day, not Sunday. The UAE weekend is Friday–Saturday. Friday brunch is a major social event — hotels offer all-you-can-eat-and-drink packages from AED 200–600 (€50–150). It's a Dubai institution.
-
Alcohol is expensive. A beer in a hotel bar costs AED 40–60 (€10–15), a cocktail AED 55–80 (€14–20). Happy hours (typically 4–8 PM) offer 2-for-1 deals. Barasti Beach Bar and Lock Stock & Barrel are popular spots.
-
Haggling is expected in the souks. Start at 50% of the asking price in the Gold and Spice Souks. In malls, prices are fixed. The Gold Souk offers some of the cheapest gold jewellery in the world — prices are based on daily gold rates plus a small making charge.
-
Download the RTA app for real-time metro, bus and ferry information. Also useful: Zomato for restaurant reviews, Careem for taxis, and Visit Dubai (the official tourism app).
-
Burj Khalifa tickets. Book online in advance for "At the Top" (124th/125th floor): AED 169 (€43) online vs AED 224 (€57) at the door. The premium 148th floor "At the Top SKY" costs AED 399 (€102). Sunset slots sell out first and cost more.
-
The desert is a must. A half-day desert safari with dune bashing, camel rides, sandboarding, BBQ dinner and belly dancing costs AED 150–250 (€38–64) per person through reputable operators like Arabian Adventures or Platinum Heritage.
