Dubai is the type of place that will definitely treat your case of wanderlust! Whether you want to visit historical sights, explore the most incredible skylines in the world, stare at the futuristic architecture, enjoy the food scene or go on a desert safari, Dubai has it all! Keep reading to discover my Dubai travel cheat sheet for everything you need to know as a first timer in this unique city.
What to Expect in Dubai
Language: While Arabic is the official language, English is the language of business and is spoken by most in Dubai.
Voltage: Dubai is 220V/ 50HZ, and G is most standard outlet type.
Currency: Dirham (Dhs). While most places accept credit cards, it’s always a good idea to carry cash.
When to Visit: The best time to visit Dubai weather wise, is between November-March because the temperatures will be cooler. However, this is peak season so expect a ton of tourists and more expensive room rates. If you visit during the Summer, you can find some great hotel deals but the extreme heat might make it difficult to explore the city.
Climate: Summers are extremely hot in Dubai. Daytime temperatures are sometimes over 106 degrees while nights rarely fall below the 80’s. Winters are much more comfortable with temperatures between 60-75 degrees.
Dress Code: It can get very hot in Dubai, but you should be aware of keeping your clothes more on the conservative side. Be sure to pack light layers with a few long sleeve shirts and pants.
Tipping: Tipping in Dubai is not generally expected, but it is always greatly appreciated. It’s common to leave a 10-15% tip for waitstaff. At hotels, a 5-10 AED for the bellboys and 5-10 AED per night for the maids is common. For Taxi’s, a 5-10 AED or round up the fare.
Alcohol: Alcohol consumption is allowed and is readily served in licensed hotels, hotel bars and restaurants. You cannot, however, purchase alcohol from stores and supermarkets as you need a special license for that. It is highly illegal to drink or be drunk in public and the crime is punishable by up to 6 months in jail, plus fines.
Affection: Public displays of affection, like hand holding are okay in certain places, but anything more than that is not acceptable. Use discretion and air on the side of caution.
Weekends: In the United Arab Emirates, the weekend falls on Friday and Saturday. Friday is a holy day, which most people have off, so some business hours may be different. Sunday is a regular weekday.
What to Wear
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an Islamic country and modesty is both appreciated and, in some places, required. The local culture is made up of expats, from all different parts of the world. Here are a few suggestions on what to wear in Dubai:
HEAD SCARFS Only required when entering a mosque.
SHOULDERS AND KNEES Men and women are asked to cover their shoulders and knees in public places. Shopping malls and mosques have more strict dress codes, so it’s best to dress modestly.
PACK A SHAWL Carrying a shawl in you bag is a good idea. Some of the places have a stricter dress code than other areas in the city. If your outfit is inappropriate, you may be asked to cover up.
SWIMWEAR Beach and pool wear including shorts and cover ups are acceptable at hotel pool areas, the beach, and waterparks.
SHIRTS Sheer tops where some or all of your under garments are visible is inappropriate . Plunging necklines with cleavage showing are also not recommended.
DRESSES Maxi dresses or Midi dresses I find to be perfect in Dubai. They cover your knees and are airy and flowy. If they’re sleeveless, you can always add a shawl or light jacket.
FASHION Dubai is a very fashionable and modern city. Traditional Dubai clothing is modest, classic and beautiful, and modern versions can also be high-fashion. You can look fashionable while still showing respect for the culture.
I did notice many tourists not abiding by the modesty rule at all. I always try and show respect to the culture of whatever country I’m visiting, and it’s also important for me to be a good representation of my own country.
Visiting during Ramadan
Ramadan falls on the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and is a holy time of year for Muslims. With a slower pace of life, less traffic and cheaper hotels, Ramadan is a great time to visit Dubai, especially if you’re interested in learning more about local culture. My husband and I traveled to Dubai during Ramadan, so here are a few things you should be aware of in order plan accordingly and respect the local culture.
ADJUSTED HOURS Some shops, family owned businesses and attractions might have amended hours during Ramadan. When planning your trip, look online to double check opening and closing hours to places you plan to visit.
NO EATING AND DRINKING IN PUBLIC During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Tourists are asked to refrain from eating, smoking, and drinking in public during this time. Restaurants establishments are open, but they will drape a black curtain over the store front out of respect to those who are fasting.
NIGHTLIFE Nightclubs and bars will be less busy and more muted, as listening to music in public is also not allowed during this time. Alcohol is still served after sundown.
DRESS CODE Modesty becomes even more strict during Ramadan and visitors are asked to cover their shoulders and their knees.
How to Get Around Dubai
Taxis: Taxis are a popular and cheap option in Dubai. Just be careful to avoid any scams. Never get into a taxi that does not have a meter or the driver tries to use a phone app as a meter.
Uber: I used Uber in Dubai and found it to be great. Every vehicle was a spacious comfortable van. Uber is always the best option, in my opinion, because it’s easy and you don’t have to deal with money. You just get in and get out and that’s it! You also don’t have to worry about being scammed.
Public Transportation: It’s forbidden to eat or drink in the metro (and that includes chewing gum). Cabins are reserved for different categories, like women only and gold class, so watch the signs. Sleeping is not allowed in stations.
Boats: A lot of attractions in Dubai are on or near the water. You can also take a ride on a traditional “Abra” boat down Dubai Creek or through Souk Madinat Jumeirah.
Where I Stayed
Dubai is a big and bustling city, however if you do your research and have a look at its layout, deciding where to stay will become much easier. All you have to do then is make the best decision for you! I decided I wanted to stay in the downtown area as it was close to many of the sights we planned on visiting.
Dubai Renaissance Hotel
Whether you are in Dubai for business, pleasure or both, the Dubai Renaissance Hotel is complete with an outdoor pool and Six Senses Spa. The breakfast buffet, is LEGIT! If you’re looking for a great downtown location, this is it! You are close enough to walk to the Dubai Mall. Rooms are very spacious and feature floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of the Downtown Dubai skyline and the iconic Dubai Water Canal. The hotel features several restaurants, including Mami Umami, Bleu Blanc and BASTA!
What to See
Dubai Mall
Malls in Dubai are on a whole different level, and typically when you visit a city for the first time you’re not really set on going to the mall, but Dubai Mall not your typical mall. It’s hard to comprehend just how massive it is with over 1,300 and over 200 restaurants. There is also a world-class aquarium & underwater zoo, VR park, and ice skating rink. You’ll be spending at least a few hours in there, and you’ll find that every floor offers a different array of stores. After all, it’s one of the largest malls in the world.
Dubai Aquarium
The Dubai Aquarium is located inside of the Dubai mall. There are over 33 thousand marine animals inside, and you check the five main areas of the Aquarium. You can go scuba diving, swim with sharks, explore all the species of fish, and learn about the incredibly unique life of this underwater world.
Burj Khalifa
A trip to Dubai wouldn’t be complete without visiting the tallest building in the world! One of the top attractions, and an iconic symbol of Dubai, the Burj Khalifa is worth all the hype that it draws in yearly. It truly is an architectural masterpiece.
It feels like you’re on top of the world as you climb to the 125th floor or the 148th floor and enjoy sweeping views of Dubai’s impressive skyline.
We booked our tickets in advance because they’re a lot more expensive if you buy them at the entrance. You must decide which time you want to go up when you book your tickets online. We opted to go right at opening time in the morning which was a good decision since it wasn’t overcrowded.
Souq Al Bahar
After a long day of going from one attraction to another, and exploring the top attractions in Dubai, unwind at Souq el Bahar. The epitome of Arabian designs, the true reflection of what an Arabian souq looks like. Choose to shop around the Arabic-style markets or grab a bite or drink at one of the 22 restaurants and enjoy views of the Burj Khalifa and the fountain.
Dubai Fountain Show
The Dubai fountain is one of the popular sights in Dubai. I would compare it to the Bellagio Fountain show in Las Vegas, but on steroids! I’d recommend to watch the fountain show in the evening when everything is illuminated. From 6 pm the fountains are dancing every 30 minutes to another song with a different choreography – very impressive and dramatic!
Madinat Jumeirah
Madinat Jumeirah is known to many as the “Little Venice” of Dubai, and this was one of my favorite areas. It is an Arabian architectural masterpiece with a modern twist on a traditional Arabic market. We spent some of the afternoon here, exploring the shops, hotel grounds and venturing on a abra boat ride. This is the perfect place for a romantic meal, especially at night. There are over 50 restaurants and bars you can dine at during your visit.
We watched the sunset at Shimmers Dubai, which is located on the private beach of the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel. The atmosphere at Shimmers is very relaxed and comfortable while serving up auethentic Greek cuisine. It has incredible views of the Burj Al Arab, so I suggest you make reservations in advance. They typically open at 6:30 pm.
TIP: Unless you are staying at the hotel or visiting the restaurant, there is no access to the private beach. If you have a reservation at Shimmers for lunch or dinner, you will be allowed in.
Dubai Marina
Visiting the Dubai Marina you will find yourself, surrounded by skyscrapers reflected upon the water, with white yachts dotting the promenade and a wide array of places to eat at. We had a nice time strolling around the marina area and enjoyed the view.
Visit Atlantis
Get lost in an entire world at the Atlantis. This luxury resort offers amazing activities including the Aquaventure Waterpark, Dolphin Adventure, Ultimate Aquarium Dive and the Lost Chambers Aquarium. We decided to go to the Lost Chambers Aquarium and explored the hotel grounds after. Lost Chambers is smaller than the Dubai Aquarium, however I found it to be much less crowded. The aquarium had an array of different sea life and was a nice way to spend an hour.
Desert Safari
Experience Dubai through an adventure in the middle of the golden dunes of Dubai, enjoying camel rides, henna paintings and shishas. The complete addition to your authentic Arabian experience. I highly recommend a desert safari in a vintage 1950’s Land Rover. Check out the exact company i used and tour I booked here.
Burj Al Arab
The Burj Al Arab is the only 7- star hotel in the world! Accessible only by private bridge or helicopter, it’s impossible to go inside unless you’re a guest, or have a reservation at one of their restaurants/bars. We decided to catch some views from Madinat Jumeirah which is a great place to shoot nice pictures with Burj al Arab in the background.
Tip: Buy a ticket for an abra tour! This will cost you about 20 USD, but it’s such a beautiful and relaxing 25 minute ride. Another option to get those Burj al Arab in the background pictures is to visit Jumeirah beach.
Considering that the cheapest room is $1,200 USD and Afternoon Tea can set you back 180 USD, a visit to the Burj Al Arab is not the most budget friendly thing to do in Dubai. However, if stepping inside is that important to you then make a reservation at their cocktail bar Gold on 27, it has a minimum spend of about 55 USD per person. The bar is located on the 27th floor of the opulent Burj Al Arab hotel. Another option is the SkyView Bar, which is also located on the 27th floor and has a minimum spend of about 80 USD per person. Reservations are a must as you will not be allowed on site without them.
Day Trip to Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is definitely making its mark on the tourist itinerary when visiting the UAE. Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. Only 90 miles away from Dubai, Abu Dhabi is the perfect getaway and suitable for day trips from Dubai. If you are in Dubai for 4 days or more then you must head out on an Abu Dhabi day trip from Dubai! Click here to find out how to get to Abu Dhabi from Dubai.
Visit La Mer
La Mer is one of the newest hot spots in Dubai. Whether you want to spend a day at the beach, stroll the beachfront, chill at one of the restaurants, or just check out the street art – La Mer is a beautiful place and should be on every Dubai itinerary – whether you visit as a family, friends, as a couple or by yourself.
Additional Things to Do:
- Snowboard at Ski Dubai
- Scuba Dive at Lost Chambers or Dubai Aquarium
- Skydiving
- Miracle Garden
- Cocktail at Burj Al Arab
- Mall of Emirates
- Speedboat Tour
- Visit Pier 7 at night for a Cocktail
- Visit IMG World’s of Adventure Theme Park
- Stroll along the JBR Walk
- Visit Jumeirah Mosque
- Get a Day Pass to Jumeirah Palm
- Dine in an Underwater Restaurant
Where to Eat and Drink
- Ce La Vi
- Nammos Dubai
- KoKo Bay
- Zeta 77
- Lucky Fish
- Opso
- La Mezcaleria
- Mama Zonia
- Puerto 99
- The Flamingo Room
- Tulum
- Cinque
- Saya Cafe
- Deseo
- Paros
- Shimmers
- Drift Beach Club
- BASTA!
Have you ever been to Dubai or is it on your bucket list? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or any questions.
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Dubai is one of the best place to stay, to travel, to work and to live. Also it is very safe to be here. Thanks for sharing this information, subscribed your blog.
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Dubai is the best place to Visit. When I was a kid of 12 years old, the time was different. But Dubai is changed now, There are many places to see in current time. Subscribed your blog for more information..