In the first one hour of landing in Dubai, I believed that it’s a glass and lights city. Everything in Dubai looks like a scene out of a sci-fi movie – high rise glass buildings, swanky supercars, big digital screens, and amazing roads/highways perfect for chase scenes. But with each passing day it made me believe that there is much more to Dubai than what just meets the eye, so here are some great travel tips for Dubai.
It’s truly a global city! It is one of the most geographically diversified cities I have ever been to. It has accepted everyone and looking around at people you can tell that the feeling is mutual.
Some Quick Travel Tips For Dubai:
While doing customary online searches about Dubai before travelling, I came across articles and reviews talking about what “not” to do in Dubai. My experience says that not all of those articles are true. I think all we need to do is just be aware of surroundings and follow the traffic and safety rules and you are sorted.
Where to Crash
- As my visits were official, I stayed at a Ziqoo Hotel Apartments close to my office. There are numerous hotels and hotel apartments in Dubai for all budgets, all you need to do is find the right deal. One thing I wanted to do while in Dubai but couldn’t, was to book an Airbnb and explore Bur Dubai. There are a lot of options on Airbnb as well.
Packing Tips
- In addition to all your documents, do not forget to pack a super effective sunscreen and a large bottle of water when you are out and about. The sun is quite effective in Dubai if you know what I mean.
- If you are vegetarian, there are a lot of options, but if you cannot handle displays of meat while eating, pack some Maggi and ready to eat meals that you can make in your hotel room.
Safety Tips
- Dubai is one of the safest places I have ever been to and doesn’t have any unusual laws to keep in mind. Just don’t do anything that could be considered obscene, though holding hands is fine.
- It’s one of the safest city for women, and No, you do not have to give up your little black dress for travelling to Dubai. I definitely missed mine, because I didn’t pack any after reading all articles about dressing conservatively. So don’t get too bogged down by reviews talking about negatives else you will miss out on the essence of the city.
Exploring Tips
- The best way explore Dubai is either by Metro or by buses and cabs. As most of the things are far from each other, there is no way walk around from one place to another except for Dubai Mall, Fountains, and Burj Khalifa.
Although on a work trip, I had time to see Dubai at night. It still looks like a scene out of sci-fi movie, but experiencing it first hand is definitely worth it. I first went there during the end of July, not the best time for travellers as the mercury soars high even at night. But if you don’t want to feel the heat, no problem. You can enjoy the views from the air-conditioned indoors. Almost everything in the city is air-conditioned, right from homes and offices to even walkways and bus stops. My next visits were in winter months, which are a lovely time to experience Dubai.
Must Do Things in Dubai
At the Top – Burj Khalifa:
Might sound a lot like a touristy thing to do, but it really is an experience. The iconic skyline of Dubai looks spectacular from that height. For someone with a fear of heights, my experience felt like an achievement in itself. My suggestion is choose evening time – you can then get the evening view and also the night views when the lights turn on. There is no limit on how much time you spend up there. You can also catch the fountain show at the Dubai Mall from the 124th floor.
Dubai Mall and Fountains:
The Dubai Fountains start at evening and shows are every half an hour to watch. They are accessible to everyone without any charges. A bonus is that you can binge shop at one of the biggest malls in Dubai.
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo:
Located inside Dubai Mall it is a house to more than 300 species of marine animals including sharks. The Aquarium holds a Guinness World Record for the “World’s Largest Acrylic Panel”. You can book it in advance or buy tickets over the counters. And most importantly – I found Dory ☺
Walk at the JBR Beach:
There is a lot to do at the beach starting from water sports to shopping and to enjoying the world cuisines overlooking the beautiful sea.
Dhow Dinner Cruise:
It is best enjoyed during the winters and the best way to have this experience is on the open deck of the boat. In addition to the amazing water journey across Dubai skyline, the cruise serves a multi-course meal along the side of traditional dance performances. It’s a perfect evening one can expect to end your day.
A Walk along Dubai Canal:
Inaugurated in November 2016, Dubai canal is an artificial canal which is planned to house a shopping complex, 4 hotels, about 450 restaurants, houses walkways and cycle paths. Canal has about seven bridges, including a one inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge in the US. While you are there, don’t miss the waterfall opening and closing for water taxis like a curtain, it’s nothing out of this world but a nice view.
Seawings Seaplane Tour:
This was one of the best experiences I had in Dubai. I believe Dubai was built for aerial views. Amazing views and the thrill of taking off and landing on water can’t be explained in words. There are 45 minutes and 20 minutes tour over Dubai that you can book in advance.
