Our first visit to Dubai taught us a lot, and we wish we knew these helpful tips before our trip as we could’ve saved time, money, and some headaches.
Timing is everything
We traveled to Dubai in July, and it was hot. It felt like stepping into an oven every time we left the air conditioning. We had to plan all outdoor activities before 10 am or after sundown. We literally spent every afternoon cooped up in some air-conditioned building. If we went back to Dubai, we would plan our trip during November-March. It’s cooler outside, which allows you to do more activities, and there are more events happening.
Budgeting for the unexpected
We knew visiting Dubai would be expensive, but we didn’t expect the small things to catch up with us. Taxis, restaurants, and tickets to attractions were more expensive than we had anticipated. My husband is a self-proclaimed budgeting guru. He kept reminding me how easy it is to spend when you don’t watch yourself. If we knew some of these tips before going, we would’ve saved more for those random adventures and eating at restaurants off the beaten path.
Friday is different
Friday in Dubai is the same as Sunday in most other countries. We didn’t know that until we walked into a restaurant Friday morning and they were all closed. We later discovered that brunch on Friday is a massive deal in Dubai. We later joined in the tradition and had an extravagant buffet in one of the hotels. Worth every penny.
Dress modestly but comfortably
When we were planning our trip to Dubai, we focused mostly on the well-known attractions such as Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, and Miracle Garden. What we didn’t expect was how much we would enjoy venturing off the beaten path. Our favourite was The Al Fahidi Historical District. We spent an afternoon getting lost in the twisting alleyways, admiring the local architecture and stumbling upon small cafes.
One night we even took a traditional dhow boat cruise along Dubai Creek and were instantly transported to a whole other Dubai before the high-rises. Don’t be fooled by the shiny malls and skyscrapers. There is plenty of culture and hidden gems to discover if you know where to look.
Exploring beyond the glitz
When we were planning our trip to Dubai, we focused mostly on the well-known attractions such as Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, and Miracle Garden. What we didn’t expect was how much we would enjoy venturing off the beaten path. Our favourite was The Al Fahidi Historical District. We spent an afternoon getting lost in the twisting alleyways, admiring the local architecture and stumbling upon small cafes.
One night we even took a traditional dhow boat cruise along Dubai Creek and were instantly transported to a whole other Dubai before the high-rises. Don’t be fooled by the shiny malls and skyscrapers. There is plenty of culture and hidden gems to discover if you know where to look.
Public transport vs. taxis
We thought taking taxis would be the easiest way to explore Dubai. Sure, it’s convenient, but those prices added up quickly. We didn’t try the Metro until day three, and it was a lifesaver: super clean, cheap and fast! The metro stations are so futuristic too; they’re a sight to see!
Book in advance for popular attractions
Believe it or not, we underestimated how popular some tourist attractions are. We assumed you could buy tickets to the Burj Khalifa that day. But most of the time slots were taken because of how popular it is. From then on, we tried to book all our activities 2-3 days in advance. It saved us so much stress. If you plan on checking out the famous landmarks, don’t leave it for the last minute.
Bring an appetite for adventure
Food in Dubai was one of our biggest surprises. Whether you’re craving street food or a Michelin-starred restaurant, you can find it in Dubai. We fell in love with a hole-in-the-wall Emirati restaurant and enjoyed some local machboos and luqaimat. We even ventured out and tried some different cuisines, Indian, Japanese, etc. Dubai has it. Eat anything and everything because you probably won’t regret it!
