Dubai
Eco-friendly travel guide to Dubai advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
- Air quality: 3.5 / 5
- Exploring by foot: 2 / 5
- Exploring by bicycle: 3 / 5
- Public transportation: 5 / 5
- Parks: 5 / 5
- Outdoor activities: 5 / 5
- Locals' English level: 2.5 / 5
- Safety: 3.5 / 5
- Accommodation: US$20 - $1400
- Budget per day: US$60 - $2000
Contents
Responsible Travel
Dubai, the most populous city of United Arab Emirates and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, sits on the Arabian Peninsula's east coast, Persian Gulf. The city is a hub for business and financial activities. It is part of the few global cities worldwide and houses the world's tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa. The city is also known to be the home of many Arab oil merchants and businessmen who helped develop the city and the country in becoming the largest oil trading hub in the world. Dubai and the UAE's economy depends on oil trading, tourism, real estate, financial services, and aviation. It is one of the world's richest cities, and the standard of living is quite high. The city comes under UAE; therefore, it comes under the Monarch rule as the country has an absolute monarchy. It is one reason why traveling to Dubai comes with certain laws and restrictions as government officials strictly take the rules and laws. Before visiting the country or Dubai, you must know the different laws and regulations you must follow as a tourist because no one wants to end up in a foreign country's jail. The city covers 4,114 square kilometers of area and houses a population of over 3.3 million people. Traveling to Dubai comes with some restrictions and caution points, but that doesn't mean that you can not enjoy it. You can very well enjoy traveling and exploring this beautiful city and create some fantastic memories. Although, if you want to make your trip more worthwhile, you should try to travel responsibly.
Traveling responsibly means traveling in a way that your actions are beneficial to the local environment and you. It includes choosing budget-friendly options such as green hotels, hostels, organic food, localized items, public transports, and more. Using these instead of their standard alternatives will help you realize the many ways you can cut down on your expenses and have more money to spend on crucial things.
Air Quality and Pollution
It is not surprising that the capital of the most dominating Arab nation in the world does not have great pollution levels However, the air quality is far better than many global cities like New York, Delhi, Beirut, Moscow, Milan, etc. The city residents are increasingly becoming conscious of their actions, which helps the city keep its pollution levels controlled. The city's government has also laid down various rules and restrictions that both locals and the tourists have to follow. These rules involve littering in public, plastic usage, wasting food, and improper disposal of garbage.
Respect the Culture
When visiting a foreign city such as Dubai, you must try your best to learn more about the local culture. The culture of a place plays an essential role. The culture of Dubai is very unique and very vibrant. There are so many ethnicities and people from all over the world settled in one place that you will be left mesmerised by how distinct the culture of this city is. Respecting and learning about their culture will help you become closer to the locals and understand their day to day activities, livelihood, values, and traditions. Most Arab families in Dubai are friendly and like to interact with foreigners, but the language barrier can become a slight issue but mostly all of them speak English very fluently. However, before visiting the city, you can try to learn a few Arabic slangs or other common phrases. Learning the local language will help you in connecting with the people.
Keep it in mind that the local culture might be extremely different from where you come from but this does not mean you should frown upon their ways. Different does not have to be bad and that's where it becomes even more important for you to just appreciate and respect their norms and values.
Top 10 Places to Visit
- Burj Khalifa: It is Dubai's landmark building; moreover, it is a significant tourist attraction. Burj Khalifa also holds the record of being the tallest building all over the world. It attracts tourists from across the globe. It is as tall as 829.8 meters. For the convenience of the tourists, there is an observation deck on the 124th floor. Visiting the observation deck is something every tourist should do while visiting Burj Khalifa. The view from the topmost floor gives us a birds-eye view of the city, which is simply staggering. When the tourist arrives at the deck, they experience a multimedia presentation of Burj Khalifa and Dubai buildings. For the convenience of the tourists, there is an elevator which is a high speed one. It shows a 360-degree view of the city along with all the skyscrapers. It has a splendid sight with one side showing the ocean and one side showing the desert. Not to forget, the observation deck is slick. This place is also great for photographers to take some amazing pictures. When you arrive down or the base of the Burj Khalifa, there are many buildings and gardens which are exceptionally designed along with winding walkways. One more fascinating thing is the Dubai Fountain, which is honored by the world's tallest fountain's title. It is the world's tallest performing fountain. If you plan to visit the Burj Khalifa at the weekend, you are strongly advised to purchase an entrance ticket in advance so that you can avoid long queues.
- Dubai Museum: This is one of Dubai's most excellent and fascinating museums. Dubai museum is built inside the Al-Fahidi fort. The Al-Fahidi Fort was built in the year 1787 with the primary motive of protecting the Dubai creek. The walls of the fort are made of coral blocks that are constructed together with lime. The ceiling is made from mud, palm fronts as well as plaster. Moreover, the upper floor is made of traditional blocks of coral. If we look a bit in history, the fort also served as the ruling family's residence, prison, garrison, and government seat. The fort was reconstructed in the year 1995 and later even in the year 1971. Later, the regiment was utterly transformed into the city's most important museum. The entrance of the museum consists of an exhibition of fascinating old maps of Dubai and the Emirates. The map basically shows the expansion of the region after the oil boom incident. The museum's courtyard serves as a home to a house made of palm-leaf, an Emirati tower, and a collection of many traditional boats. There are two halls in the museum; the hall situated on the left-hand side consists of musical instruments of Emirati, whereas the gallery located on the right-hand side consists of the traditional weaponry used by the people of Dubai. Below the last floor is the ground floor; there is a basement that consists of many display halls consisting of dioramas and exhibits. The exhibits in the basement include many aspects or parts of Emirati life and a traditional one. The exhibits include the desert life of Bedouin and also pearl fishing. There is also Al Quasis, which is an archaeological site. Many artifacts are as old as 3000 to 4000 years old, which can be found up there.
- Al Fahidi Quarter: Al Fahidi Quarter was earlier called as, and now also sometimes still called the Bastakia neighborhood. It was built during the later era of the 19th century with a primary motive to be served as the home to Persia's wealthy merchants, who mainly dealt with textiles and pearls. The merchants are attracted to Dubai because of easy access to Dubai creek, and also tax-free trading was another thing that attracted merchants from Persia. Al Fahidi is situated on the eastern side of Dubai along with the creek. Another fascinating thing to visit here are the buildings here which are made of limestones and corals. These buildings have been preserved very well. Moreover, many walls here consist of wind-towers at the top that gives this place an ancient vibe. Wind-towers were traditionally made to provide the homes with proper ventilation, and they served as an early form of air conditioners. The wind got trapped in these towers and was funneled down inside the houses. Merchants from Persia transplanted this architectural feature from the home country to the Gulf where they lived. We can say this because the houses situated on the Iranian coast also had this form of an air conditioner. This city is lined with different Arabian architecture. The narrow lanes are intensely evocative of a bygone and are much slower age, although in Dubai's history. Inside this district, you will find a gallery names Majlis Gallery. It has a collection of traditional furniture and ceramics belonging to Arabs. This district is housed inside a wind-tower. A cultural foundation named Al Serkal Cultural Foundation is situated here along with a café and a shop. Another fascinating thing here is the rotating art exhibitions.
- Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum House: Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum was known as one of the most popular rulers of Dubai. He ruled from the year 1921 to 1958. He is also grandfather to the ruler, who is currently the ruler. The place where he earlier resided was later rebuilt and transformed into the form of a museum. It is one of the fine examples of the traditional architecture of Arabia. The house was initially constructed in 1896 by the father of Sheikh Saeed, with a primary motive of observing shipping activity, which can be viewed from the balconies. It was demolished and torn down, but the house got renovated just next to the site where the original site was situated. It was built next to the house and was also built as a replica of the original house. This attempt was made by incorporating wooden screens made of lattice and the windows, carved teak doors, and ventilation screens made of gypsum decorated with geometric and floral designs. Thirty rooms are built in a circular pattern with a central courtyard in the center and details of a wind tower on the top. The museum also includes a marine wing, including photos of boat building, pearling, and fishing. All over the building, there are several stamps, maps, and coins on display. These all show the development of the Emirate.
- Aquaventure Waterpark: This water park is situated at Atlantis in The Palm, located on the Palm Jumeirah. It is one of the most famous human-made islands in the whole of Dubai. It is a great place loved by tourists from all over the world. After you have done all the sightseeing and shopping this place will serve you as one of the best places to cool off. The waterslides here are world-class and excellent. This water park also consists of Anaconda, which is the longest water slide in the whole world. Anaconda is as tall as a nine-story slide, which is popularly called the Leap of Faith. This park also has many other water coaster rides. There are also underwater safaris that use sea trek helmets. It also consists of a water play area dedicated to smaller children along with little water slides. If all your energy is used up, you can also relax on the white sand beach, which has a sweep of 700-meter.
- Dubai Creek & Al Seef District: Dubai Creek is known to separate the city into two towns. On the northern side is Deira, and on the southern side is Bur Dubai. The creek has proved to be an influential aspect of the growth of the city. The stream attracts many settlers to come here to fish and also pearl dive. As time passed and the creek flourished, many villages though small, grew up at the creekside. This happened 4,000 years ago. The modern era began in 1830 when a tribe names Bani Yas settled in this area. The Dhow Wharfage is a place which is located along the bank of Dubai Creek, towards the northern side of Al-Maktoum Bridge. This bridge is still used by small traders who come from across the Gulf. Moreover, some of the Dhows which are anchored here are more than 100 years old. You can also watch the cargos being unloaded and loaded off and on the Dhows if you visit here. Dhow, workers usually invite tourists on the vessels for a tour. During the tour, you can gain an experience of the life of the traditional sailors. Many of the shows here travel towards Iran, Kuwait, Oman, India, and down towards Africa's horn. This tiny district of Dubai's traditional economy continues to be fascinating and a bustling place to stroll around. Towards the southern side of the creek where the Bur Dubai is situated against the neighborhood of Bastakia, the waterfront was reconstructed as the district named Al Seef, which consists of a wharf which is backed by coral-block and limestone buildings that are traditional in nature. There are also many shops selling crafts. One more fascinating thing is it has a moving market. This can be said to be a great place for wandering along with captivating water views. To travel through the creek, you can either plan a trip on the many shows that are now reconstructed as many tourist cruise boats or an abra. Abra is a small wooden ferry. It helps you travel between the ferry points located on the banks of Deira and Bur Dubai.
- Deira: Deira is situated on the bank of Dubai Creek on the northern side. Moreover, the winding streets located here shows the melting point of different nations that have accepted Dubai to be called as their home. On the shore of Deira, ancient dhows are found to unload and load. Towards the backdrop, there are hotels, modern banks, and office buildings. For tourists, Deira is most famous for its souks, which are always bustling with shoppers irrespective of the day's time. Souks are the traditional markets found, especially in Deira. This is one of the primary reasons why tourists are attracted here. There are many types of souks here, depending on the item they sell. Deira Gold Souk is known throughout the world as one of the largest gold markets in the world. Deira Spice Souk sells every variety of spice you can ever imagine, with stalls containing bags of cumin, frankincense, saffron, paprika, thyme, and sumac. They also have fragrant rose water: incense sticks, and oud wood. The fish market here provides less tourist experience and is not visited much by visitors. While visiting the district, people who love culture should not miss the Deira's architectural gems, which are finely preserved and restored. They are heritage houses and Al Ahmadiya School. Heritage House was constructed in 1890 to serve the purpose of a residing place of a wealthy merchant of Iran. Later is served as Sheik Ahmed Bin Dalmouk, who was a very famous pearl merchant from Dubai. Now, it is available for tourists to visit the interior of the traditional family home. The Al-Ahmadiya School was built in 1912. It is one of the oldest schools which sits in Dubai. Now it is reconstructed as a museum for supporting public education.
- Burj al-Arab: Burj al-Arab, the tallest hotel building worldwide, is as high as 321 meters. It is situated on its artificial island along the coastline of Dubai. It is designed to look like a billowing dhow sail. The building's exterior is lighted up by colored and choreographed lighting shows, which takes place at night. The Burj Al-Arab is the most expensive hotels all over the world. It consists of luxurious suites that cost more than $15,000 just for one night. Those who cannot afford to stay or dine in Burj Al Arab can also enjoy and experience the over-the-top opulence at the underwater Al-Mahara restaurant. Here the floor-to-ceiling panels made of glass built in the dining room walls allow the tourists to view sea life while eating dinner. You can enjoy lunch at a restaurant named Scape, which has a California-style fusion.
- Jumeirah Beach: These long stretches of white sandy beaches are bliss. It serves as the number one beach destination for tourists. Hotels are spread out all along the length of the beach. It is among the best places for tourists to stay. The beach consists of excellent facilities along with plenty of restaurants, sun loungers, and water sports. Many operators offer water sports like jet skiing. While you are visiting the area, you should also see the Majlis Ghorfat Um Al-Shelf, just a short distance from the beach. It was constructed in 1955. This is where the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed al-Maktoum stayed during the summer months to escape from the place's heat. The residence where he lived is made out of coral block and gypsum. The home has been entirely restored. It still maintains the original beautiful décor, which gives you a better insight into Dubai's rulers' lifestyle. The Majlis Gardens located here feature a unique irrigation system of Arab along with many date palms.
- Alserkal Art District: It is just an old district named Al Quoz industrial district, the center of Alserkal Avenue. It has been reconstructed to become one of the main hubs of arts and home to the city's most important art galleries belonging to the contemporaries. There are many established galleries. They are the Third Line, the Green Art Gallery, the Ayyam Gallery, and many more. Many other small start-up galleries are also started to open up here. The district's program initiated by the government focuses on rotating collections of both. The first one is highlighting the new talents belonging from the Middle East, and the second being the work of significant artists. This district is emerging at a swift pace. It is also a place where everyone comes for accessory boutiques and fashion produced by local designers. The café life and pop-up restaurants are also very famous here. It showcases the youthful and energetic buzz of the city.
Explore
Dubai is a Middle Eastern country. Dubai skyscrapers, which have become a favorite tourist attraction, reflect the city's modern face, while its historical mosques and old towers bear the traces of the past. Exploring new sites is always fun and enjoyable, and you will get to know more about various species of plants and animals. There are many attractions which catch the eye of every tourist and local.
City Parks
- Legoland: In Legoland, visit the factory to learn about the manufacturing process for Lego bricks. Let your kids build Lego structures and get licenses to fly drones, drive cars or steer boats. At Imagination, they can learn first-hand robotics, build race cars, or ride the Tech Twister and Kids Power Towers. Take your "princesses" and "knights" to the medieval-themed Kingdom, and then the whole family can enjoy a ride underwater submarine or power hunt for a treasure hunt. Fried Chicken Co, Sir Scoop-A-Lot, Grandma's Apple Potatoes, Caesar's Pizza, and Pasta Buffet are the best places in the park for eating.
- Bollywood Park: After learning about the parks and resorts in Dubai, you will be able to experience the vibrancy of Bollywood. Head to Bollywood avenue to attend the restaurant party. Enjoy an exciting chase behind the mafia pants through the streets of Dubai in Mumbai Chowk, and then be captivated by the Indian spirit shown in movies like Dabangg, Sholay, and Lagaan in Rustic Ravine. Feed Broadway-style Bollywood musicals at the Royal Plaza Rajmahal Theater and enter Bollywood Film Studios to learn how blockbusters were created while meeting R.A.One and Krrish. Jumbo Cafe, Mughal-e-Azam, Baharatlı Dhaba, Studio Canteen, and Victoria Station Cafe are the park's best cafes and restaurants.
- Motiongate: From joining Ghostbusters, accompanying Lycans through the underworld to save New York, Columbia Pictures is all about ghosts, vampires, dumplings falling from the sky, coasters, interactive shows, and water cruises. The Smurfs Village has some of the best parks and resorts in Dubai, a theatre show, and playgrounds in a fairy tale setup. Dreamworks is a movie-themed park filled with attractions based on movies like Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train Your Dragon. You must visit this park if you want to take on an adventure.
- Riverland: Riverland, the gateway to Dubai parks and resorts, can be explored without buying a ticket. Ride on the board as you relive the UAE nicknames with live entertainment, neon sign, and palm trees in front of the lofty structures. Acrobats and musicians will enchant you at the India Gate. The medieval French Village, with its towers, historical buildings, and waterwheel, will keep you busy, and street performances will change.
National Parks
- Mushrif Park: Mushrif Park is a family park in Dubai that was open to the public in 1982 and opened by the City of Dubai. The park is located in Deira, east of Dubai, and covers 5.25 kilometers in the area. The park has a great entertainment environment with electronic games, barbecue and excursion areas, and pool services. There are playgrounds for children and an adult sports playground for basketball, volleyball, and handball. You'll also find walking sidewalks and bike trails, prayer rooms, green spaces, restaurants, canteens, train ride services, camel and horseback riding, park theatre, and facilities for people with special needs.
- Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary: Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is a wetland area blessed with attracting many migratory birds each year. Not just birds, the sanctuary has a large number of crustaceans, small mammals, and fish. The place is ruled by a large flock of Flamingo that gathers here in winters. Apart from flamingos, you can also see some grey herons, great egrets, reef herons, cormorants, black-winged stilts, birds, osprey, and many other willows. Called the 'Dere Cape,' Ras Al Khor is closely monitored and protected by Dubai Municipality. Covering 6 km, the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is a favorable habitat for birds. It contains various salt flats, intertidal mudfish, mangroves, and lagoons for their nests and individual habitats.
- Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve: Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) is a vast, magnificent area in the desert, spreading over 225 km of dunes. It is an attempt to protect and preserve desert wildlife. DDCR only allows some operators to host desert safaris in all-wheel drive. You can enjoy a safari on the 'ship of the desert' on camel treks, witness the falcons' speed, and ride horses. You can also try your hands on archery, sandboarding, and fat biking. Apart from that, there are other fun options like hot air ballooning, night safari, desert camping, and wildlife rides. Don't miss out on trying delicious dessert cuisines for a dune dinner or a special dessert dinner.
- Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Area: The Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve is the first unprotected protected area in the United Arab Emirates. Located in the Seih Al Salam desert region in Dubai, vast human-made desert wetlands make up about 10% of the emirate's total land area, including Al Qudra Lakes. Managed by the City of Dubai, the Reserve currently has multiple animal and bird watching platforms, star and sunset viewing points, and one of the world's largest cycling trails (84 km). The vast landscape and clear skies of the desert make it a great place to stargaze. Camel racing events are also held here.
- Bu Tinah: Bu Tinah is a small archipelago located in 35 and Coral formations, a small archipelago in the middle of coral formations and seagrass beds, and 25 north of Marawah near Dubai. Located offshore near Abu Dhabi, Bu Tinah has rich biodiversity and has been a recognized UNESCO site since 2001. It has extensive coral reefs and is rich in marine life. Animals, fish, and birds such as flamingo, dolphins, hawk-billed turtle, and others are found here.
Beaches
- Palm Jumeirah: Palm Jumeirah is a magnificent palm leaf form development that stretches out into the Persian Gulf. While the rocky coast has some common areas, there is no public beach on Palm. All beaches are either luxurious residential neighborhoods or part of apartment buildings that are associated with luxury hotels. Riva Beach Club is the beach club that sells to the beach on Palm for $ 30 per day. Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah is at the Palm's top and offers a wonderful, luxurious experience. Their large beach includes all kinds of water sports imaginable. The beach also has beautiful views of the Dubai city center and the JBR skyline.
- Al Mamzar Beach Park: Al Mamzar is a great family beach. The public parking area has four beach areas, all with lifeguards staff. There is a picnic area, a playground for children and two large swimming pools—all free and open. The park gets crowded on Fridays (Fridays and Saturdays on weekends in Dubai). Facilities here include showers, bathrooms, and changing rooms. You can even rent small air-conditioned beach tents with a barbecue and make it a day. Another beach area called the Al Mamzar Open Beach provides a more natural beach experience with fewer people. Al Mamzar is close to the Deira area, the original heart of Dubai, a great sightseeing place. It is also near the border with Sharjah, the neighboring emirate. Sharjah Palace Hotel is right across the border and close to Al Mamzar Beach Park.
- Jebel Ali Beach: Jebel Ali is 32 kilometers south of downtown Dubai and is the emirate's newest recreation area. Already known as an industrial area with the world's largest human-made port, the region is home to many long sandy beaches where you can find yourself almost alone. Most of the focus here is on diving. The wide, flat area of Jebel Ali Beach is just in front of the other palm-shaped island, Palm Jebel Ali. The Jebel Ali Beach Hotel is a luxurious property located on the sand. There are multiple pools, a golf course, and a private beach.
- Marina Beach: Dubai Marina is a luxury area near JBR. Marina Beach is the last section of the beach that runs along the Walk in the Beach JBR beach mall. A wide, flat, and beautiful beach with soft white sands typical of Dubai. The water is hot, and the lifeguards are on duty. Also, you're just steps away from the little cafes and ice cream shops that make up The Walk. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai - Jumeirah Beach is an amazing property originally built as a luxury apartment. The hotel has large apartment-like units with full ocean views and large balconies.
- Kite Beach: Kite Beach is a section of Suqeim beach near the north end. This is a wide, flat beach, and this is where to go for kayak and paddle rentals. The nude beach is windy and popular with kite surfers and flying kite kites. The sand here is a little coarser than other beaches. There is a skate park, and some small ice cream stands. It is also known for its Dubai food as many food trucks mount here during the day and night. Small restaurants and cafes line the Jumeirah Beach Road that runs along the coast. Jumeirah Beach Hotel is a beautiful luxury hotel designed to look like a sail. It is on Jumeirah Beach Road in Umm Suqeim across the beach. The area is also close to other tourist attractions such as the ski resort Ski Dubai.
Landmarks
Some of the most popular landmarks in Dubai include:
- Burj Khalifa
- Burj Al Arab
- Dubai Frame
- The Dubai Fountain
Museums
- Etihad Museum: The Etihad Museum, located on 1 Jumeirah Street, is the newest museum and the most impressive. It is located where the country was re-established in 1971. It tells people about the time when the seven Emirates decided to get together and establish the UAE. For history lovers, this interactive and educational experience will be a lifelong memory.
- Hatta Cultural Heritage Village: Hatta Heritage Village in Hatta, on the outskirts of Dubai, has a rich 2000-3000 year history. It is opened to tourists. Tourists see the mountainous region of Hatta and the ancient village that existed long ago. There are some original buildings, two castles, and a castle for visitors to check out. These buildings have unique tools, furniture, and weapons, along with some model structures for storytelling.
- Coffee Museum: The Coffee Museum is located in Al Fahidi Historical District Al Bastakiya. It provides information about regional and international coffee history with antiquities' help. It is housed in historic buildings and gives tourists the chance to live in old Dubai. Tasting sessions at the museum are the best for coffee lovers.
- Turban Al-Hadid Museum: Located in Dubai's historic Shindagha district, Sarah Al-Hadid Museum displays the Iron Age's historical time in Dubai. Artifacts in this museum are from an archaeological site on the edge of the Rub Al-Khali desert. Archaeologists have found thousands of iron tools, bronze vessels, gold jewelry, and fossils that are now on display. You must visit this museum if you love learning about the history of various cultures, civilizations, and ages.
- Naif Museum: Located in Deira, the Dubai Naif Museum is housed in an old castle that once served as a prison and police station. The museum shows the development of the police force in Dubai, along with the justice system. It was built mostly using clay in 1939 and had life-size models, exhibits, and exhibits. Get a fascinating insight into the Dubai Police Force's development, narrated through life-size sculptures and interactive exhibits.
Eat
Dubai's food culture is unique because it has influenced not just the Middle East but also the Asian countries. You can find almost any type of cuisine in the restaurants, cafés, and eateries. From traditional dishes to modern fast food items, all of them are available at quite reasonable prices. If you want to taste the mouthwatering Arab dishes, then there are many traditional restaurants and eateries, which will help you understand the local culture, livelihood, history, and traditions. If you are particular about your diet like if you only prefer vegan or vegetarian dishes, you can find them in Dubai.
Traditional Local Restaurants
When visiting a foreign city, it goes without saying that you must try the traditional or local dishes. These dishes will help you understand the culture and the people because they are connected at a deeper level with the local communities. Traditional food is the food that the locals have been eating since birth, and it is no less than comfort food for them. The food items also represent their festivals, livelihood, and different historical events that created the existence of the dish. You must try these dishes at a local traditional restaurant. Many of these restaurants cook the food items traditionally, while others often make some alterations to meet the locals' demands or tastes.
- Al Bait Al Qadeem Emirati Heritage Restaurant
- Al Fanar Restaurant & Café
- Bin Eid Traditional Restaurant
- Amaseena
- Ewaan
- Pierchic
Vegetarian and Vegan
In Arab, meat is a common staple and is eaten almost every day in every household. Therefore, most of the food items present in the city consist of meat. Unlike other places where chicken, lamb, or beef meat is used, Dubai's restaurants use Camel meat. This meat is unique because it uses the local camels, which are very large in number. Not everyone eats meat and other animal products; therefore, many vegetarian and vegan restaurants present in Dubai cater to such people's needs. You will find that these restaurants serve fully vegan or vegetarian dishes and make them look good and taste delicious.
- Veganity Restaurant
- Wild & The Moon
- 77 Veggie Catering
- Rangoli Restaurant
- Moreish Restaurant & Café
- Just Vegan Restaurant Marina
Street Food
- Harees: Harees is a tradition as well as the most famous dishes in Dubai. It is found on many dinner tables and the main menus of some of the finest restaurants in Dubai. The preparation of this food is complicated and hence requires expertise along with skill and time. Because of this reason, Harees is commonly found on some special occasions, banquets, and weddings. The major ingredients used for preparing Harees are minced meat, crushed wheat, minced meat, ground cumin, onions, salt, and many water glasses. Sometimes chicken is also used instead of meat. Emirati Harees is often referred to as the best-known dish all over the country.
- Luqayamat: Luqaymat is an important aspect of the traditional cuisine of Dubai. Luqayamat is also prepared for several cultural events across the Emirates. They are considered to be a 'should-have' pastry in the restaurants or home on special occasions. The sweet pastries are given the shape of delicate balls of golden color that melt instantly as it goes in the mouth. The ingredients used to make Luqayamat are sesame seeds, flour, turmeric, sugar, milk, a small amount of yeast, and salt. The batter is first kneaded and later left to rest for some time before being deep-fried in oil. At last, it is drizzled with syrup. People believe that this dish was originated in the Arab; there, it is known as Awana or halwa al-Luqaymat. The honey-syrup, also called sharbat, is used to garnish Luqaymat. This dish originally belongs to Turkey.
- Chicken Saloon: Despite Western cuisine's influence in Emirates' restaurants, the chicken saloon has managed to keep its place inside the people's hearts belonging to the United Arab Emirates. This is also a traditional dish and is featured proudly on many dinner tables. So, when you visit Dubai, make sure you taste this stew, which is also very popular. It's a straightforward preparation. This dish has an incredibly delicious taste with an amazing flavor. The main ingredients used to prepare chicken saloon are turmeric, chicken, grated ginger, olive oil, onion, minced garlic, spices, white rice, and chilies. Chicken Saloona is very rich in proteins and vitamins. This dish has also managed to occupy an extraordinary place in visitors and locals' hearts.
- Rasheed: Rasheed is yet another popular dish in the region of the Gulf. This is mainly because fish has an important place in the cuisine of Dubai. This dish is especially famous in regions of coastal areas where the fish is in almost every meal. If other fishes are not available, then small sharks are also used to make this dish. This dish is often eaten with rice. Traditionally Rasheed is served with white ash that is white rice along with clarified butter. Rasheed's preparation involves covering the fish with spices and then cooking it in water along with spices for about 30 minutes or until the skin of the fish comes out. After this, the peeled fish is put into another pot and many spices such as cinnamon, cardamom. Ginger, garlic, ground dried lemon, and chopped onion along with the spice mix available in the market. The last and the final step is to chop the pepper finely and shred the fish; later, it is mixed for about 15 minutes with a blend of spices. The prepared mix is later covered and cooked until cooked well; then, it becomes ready to serve.
- Tahta Malih: Tahta Malih is a traditional dish of Dubai that is even popular today. The dish's original flavor has been preserved, similar to the fish used to make it. Preserved and salted fish, which was called Malih, was traditionally consumed in the Emirates when there were less fresh fish available. Some fishes are better used for the preservation and salting process than others. Many popular varieties that are available there include tuna, mackerel, queenfish, or herring. People who suffer from high blood pressure must avoid eating much of this dish because of the high salt content. Malih is commonly found in Dubai, along with the commonly available variety, made with a tuna species known as yellowfin tuna.
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Drink
The nightlife in Dubai can be described as swanky. The many things this city promises are – great music, good times, foods, and its unlimited blend of cocktails, which are sure to sizzle your senses and tease your tongue while it craves for more. For people who never compromise with their fun-filled lives and cocktails, Dubai has many alcoholic and exotic beverages. For people who like remaining in their senses and do not like to consume cocktails or any other alcoholic drinks, Dubai also has many non-alcoholic drinks.
- Fine Tipple
- Hendricks lemonade
- Not so colada
- Zombie horde
- Blueberry and ginger sour
- Jellaba and Qamardeen
- Arabic coffee
- Timar Hindi
- Laban
- Sulaimani tea
Tap-water
The tap water that you get in Dubai is perfectly safe for human consumption. The water supply infrastructure in Dubai has a large surplus; even everyone in Dubai uses tap water, as many people use tap water only to drink. Here drinking tap water is cheap as one small water bottle costs around Dh5, which is a little costly for a traveler. Dubai's water authorities make sure that the water should be completely safe. Also, purchasing a plastic water bottle is very harmful to nature. Therefore, you should try to use tap water for drinking only.
- Water Pollution – 39.87
- Water Quality – 60.13
- Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility – 64.76
Organic Cafés
Organic foods are the same in nutrients as conventionally grown foods. In inorganic produce, you will get so many residues because of pesticides, which may be harmful to your health. Some cafes serve organic foods and drinks on customer demand, as many think it is really healthy. Food is quite boring because of no use of food colors, extra toppings, and any preservatives. Some of the famous organic cafes of Dubai, which serve really awesome organic dishes on customers' demand, are given below.
- Cafe Peloton 77
- Veggie Catering
- One life Kitchen and cafe
- Roseleaf Cafe
Breweries
It is the place where beers are made and sold. Drinking in Dubai comes with so many rules and regulations, but you can enjoy drinking one in the tourist hubs. The pubs and bars are really expensive in Dubai, but some services are of really very affordable prices. There are a lot of different breweries and microbreweries that generally produces lesser than traditional breweries. Adding breweries to your to-do list will be fascinating and enjoyable. Famous places for must-visiting and enjoy your beer are given below.
- Barasti Beach Bar
- Belgian Beer Cafe Loca
- Hard Rock Cafe
Activities
There are many activities to do in Dubai, such as visiting Burj Khalifa, skydiving at Palm Jumeirah, enjoying lake ride, desert safari, and many more things. Visiting these places is really fun and enjoyable and also includes the experience of various things. Exploring parks, national parks, cafes, and many other places helps you gain knowledge about the place and makes thousands of memories. These are not the only activities, but these are the most-visited sites of all the time in Dubai.
Yoga and Retreats
Yoga helps in improving strength, balancing your mind and soul, and flexibility of the body. It also helps in reducing stress, pain, and maintaining heart health through yoga is very beneficial. There are many yoga classes and gyms in Dubai where you can join to maintain fitness. Other than this, Dubai has many city parks where you can perform yoga and take yoga classes if you know the proper methods. Some of the famous yoga classes and gyms which are very famous are given below.
- Sol pilates
- Trident wellness center
- Karma yoga
- Lifestyle yoga Dubai
Accommodation
Dubai is a city present in UAE which faces a lot of tourists throughout the year. According to records, tourism has grown to 8.4 million travelers from January to June. Due to this rate of tourism, there is a lot of accommodation in this city. It is a massive city with a total area of 4114 km², enabling many accommodation options available to all tourists without any problem. Many people who visit Dubai reach here to enjoy the luxury lifestyle that this city provides; therefore, there are many luxury hotels and resorts of 5 to 7 stars. A hotel named Burj Al Arab comes under seven-star hotels that are very rare for any hotel. However, if you visit this city to enjoy its skyscraper rather than enjoying a luxurious lifestyle, other accommodation options are available. Other than this, there are green hotels to control pollution and protect nature. There are huge apartments present in this city; they are the best to stay in if you need privacy. There are hostels where you can live in a room shared with other people.
Green Hotels
There are a lot of green hotels which are present in this city. These hotels are best in many ways, especially in protecting nature. These hotels have their solar panels through which they generate their electricity. These hotels provide comfort, which is no less than standard hotels and are classified under 3, 4, and 5-star rating and protecting nature. These hotels have individual policies that include penalty or charge for creating pollution or not throwing waste in the dustbins. These hotels use papers and plastic, which are recycled, and even the dishes can be washed and reused. Cosmetics such as shower gel, shampoo, conditioners do not involve any chemical product which can harm the skin. These hotels have their garden where anyone can roam as morning or evening walk. You can even play some sports or meditate or perform yoga in those gardens.
- Occidental Sharjah Grand
- Courtyard by Marriott Dubai, Green Community
- Green House Hotel Apartments
- Green Sea Hotel
- Fortune Park Hotel - Dubai Investment Park
- GREEN SEA HOTEL
- Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel
- MAISON HOTEL
- Park Hyatt Dubai
- Fortune Park Hotel - Dubai Investment Park
Hostels and Guest Houses
Hostels are those rooms that are shared by two or more people. Hostels are best to create memories or to meet new people. You can learn the culture, religion, tradition, beliefs, faith, and a lot of things from the other person who will be your roommate. However, there are some drawbacks of staying in a hostel, which includes that you must be alerted or care about your belongings as the other roommate might be a thief who wants to steal them. Second is that you must enquire about the hostel about their rules and regulation also about their policies, whether they have some time restrictions or not because it is seen that some of the hostels do not allow anyone to be inside after a specific time. These hostels have modular kitchens where you can cook your food. Next are the guesthouses; the guesthouses present here are large and very spacious, so even if you are traveling here with a large group, you can easily fit in here. In the guesthouses, often, there is a servant or two servants who can do various household works. These are entirely different from hostels.
- Dubai Beach Host
- At The Top Hostel
- Emirates Hostel Dxb
- California Hostel Dubai Beach
- InterContinental Dubai Marina
- Bombay Backpackers DXB
- Hilton Dubai The Walk
- Barjeel Heritage Guest House
- Gold Plaza Guest House
- Lumbini Dream Garden Guest House LLC
Apartments
Apartments are those flats that are available on rent for a longer time. These are best when you want to stay for a long time because the charges are applied for the number of nights you have visited here in the hotel. These apartments are enormous and have many floors that allow any residents to get a perfect sunset or sunrise view. These apartments are available in two bedrooms, one hall, one kitchen or three bedrooms, one entrance, and one kitchen. In these apartments, the kitchen is a modular kitchen with all the required items and utensils present. These apartments are huge, with big rooms, and are entirely eco-friendly without causing any harm to nature. Some of the flats are present just on the shore of river banks. It would be best to accommodate here because it provides the best morning or sunset views with fresh winds.
- Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai, Green Community
- Dream Inn Hotel Apartments
- Elite 10 Sports Residence
- Al Majara - Dubai Marina - Emaar
- Elite 4 Sports Residence
- Alza- 11 Apartments
- Luxury Studio Palm Jumeriah Dubai
- Blueground | Furnished Apartments Dubai
- The Residence Collection, Al Habtoor City
- Luxury Studio Palm Jumeriah Dubai
Couchsurfing
There are more than 46,000 hosts present in this city. Couchsurfing involves the use of two terms – host and a couch surfer. A host is a person who accepts a foreigner without charging any money. A couch surfer is a foreigner who stays at a local's house without paying him; instead of spending, he can choose to help him with his household work. Out of merits and demerits, let's focus on values first. Couchsurfing has many benefits as it helps observe the local people and their lifestyles in depth. You can make local friends, and he can tell you various beautiful spots to see or which are must-visit. He can also tell you about some history and past of the city. This accommodation option does not require any money, so it is very budget-friendly. On the other hand, if we focus on demerits, then there are some demerits of Couchsurfing. The first one is that you might not know the host very well; he can also steal your things. The second is that some of the hosts are fake, and they can steal your things. The third is that while Couchsurfing, you have to stay according to the host, which involves the host's rules and regulations.
Camping
Camping is an adventurous activity that involves stargazing and adventure. Stargazing is an activity of observing the stars in a clear night sky. It consists of sleeping on open ground in a tent between nature, which helps you get better sleep. However, as Dubai's temperature during summer becomes very hot, you must try to get the relevant things while camping. During winters, if you are feeling excessive cold, you can lit a bonfire. On the other side, the bonfire will create a lot of pollution, and you will require woods that is a part of nature, as a substitute for the bonfire you can use an electric heater that runs on electricity. There are campgrounds and beaches where camping is allowed. There are some beaches or lake areas where you can camp to enjoy the fresh sea breeze that will help you relax. Camping is a group activity, and if you do it alone, you will start feeling bored because there will be no one to whom you can talk. There are several camping tours available in this city where you can learn a lot about Dubai.
- Trilines Camp
- Dutco Labour Camp
- Wade Adams Camp 2
- Barbuda Company Camp
- Eyad Badawi camping
- Qabdah Dubai south project site
- Aventura Park Dubai
- Al Qudra Lakes
- Umm Al Quwain Beach
- Fossil Rock, Sharjah
How to Get There
There is an international airport which is present in this city. It is a large airport, and its air routes are connected with the rest of the world. Other ways include roads as these roads are associated with countries like Oman. Else to this, there are no other ways to reach this city directly. However, there are different ways to travel to this city from UAE.
Air
There is an international airport in Dubai, which is the busiest airport in the UAE. This airport faces a lot of travelers annually. Dubai International Airport has many terminals, and along with this, there are certain shopping malls, cafes, restaurants available. Else to this, this airport is spread over an area of 7,200 hectares. This airport has two runways and flies over 26.7 billion people annually.
Bus
There is no international bus facility available. However, there are intercity buses that can be used to travel from one city to another. These buses are spacious, with a lot of leg space to sleep during your night journey. Other than this, these buses are equipped with air conditioners, Wi-Fi, a washroom, and a small canteen. These buses do not cost much.
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Train
There is no international train system, which means there is no rail network connecting Dubai to other countries. We can use trains to move around the city. Else to this, You can also use trains to travel from one city to another. Trains are best in providing comfort and a beautiful journey which involves different sceneries. You can book these trains online.
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is a travel option where you can travel from one place to another without any charge. In this, you ask a traveler who is going in the same direction. Some highways connect this city with other cities. So you must be present on these highways because these are the busiest roads associated with these airports. Along with this, the locals here are friendly, and they will stop to help you.
Others
There are no other ways to reach here other than airways. However, you can travel intercity by different means. There are intercity buses which helps you to travel from one city to another. There are intercity trains and metros from which you can reach here with the quickest route. Else there are other easy such as hiring a taxi to travel to this city from neighboring cities.
Moving Around
It is a city with a total area of 4114 square kilometers, allowing many options to move around the city. You can ride a bicycle or walk in the parks exploring various things. There are local buses available to move around and to meet a lot of new people. There are intercity trains and metros so that you can save time. Different travel options require additional time. Therefore, they are different in rates.
Walk
Walking in this city is very safe even at night. There are many parks in this city where you can visit for a morning or evening walk. This city is vast so walking and visiting every place is not possible. However, you can still walk on the streets and explore various new things in this city.
Bicycle
There are a lot of bicycle rental shops available where you can rent a cycle for hours. Other than this, you can even purchase a cycle rental card, which provides discounts and low rates. If you stay in this city for a longer time, you can even buy a second-hand cycle to move around. The streets here are confusing. Therefore, you must carry a GPS tracker with you. Along with this, you must be alerted that you may not meet with an accident. While cycling, you must be hydrated here because if you visit this city in summer, the heat may cause dehydration.
Electronic Vehicles
There are a lot of electric vehicles which are present in this city. The locals own these vehicles and even present them in the form of taxis for the public. Electric cars are best for controlling pollution as they do not emit carbon dioxide. These vehicles are low maintenance. Electric taxis cost lesser than regular taxis because they do not use fossil fuels to run.
Public Bus
Public buses are those buses which are used to move around the city. There are many bus stations and bus stops available in this city. These buses are furnished and have comfortable buses. Else to this, many buses cost differently. These buses have a fixed route; therefore, they may take some time to reach your desired spot.
Tram, Train and Subway
There is a tram network that is present in the Al Sufouh of Dubai. The total distance which is traveled by these trams is 14.5 kilometers. These trams run on electricity. Other than this, there are metros present to move around this city. Metros are fast trains, and these are the best option when you are running short on time.
Sustainable Shopping
Sustainable shopping involves those products which do not harm nature at any cost. These products are mostly made by hands and involve less use of machines. The products consist of recycling at some point. These products help to save the environment. We must purchase sustainable products as they are less costly than normal ones. There are many stores in this city where you can find sustainable products. Sustainable shopping involves purchasing second-hand products, recycled products, vegetables from the organic food market, and staying for a longer time, then buying fruits and vegetables in bulk from the flea market.
Food Markets
Food markets are places where fruits and vegetables are sold. There are food markets available in this city in a large quantity so that you will never feel short of food products. There are grocery stores where you can purchase your products without any issues. Else there are supermarkets where you can buy the other products essential for your household. There is even an organic food market that sells fresh vegetables and fruits grown without pesticides and fertilizers. However, these products cost slightly higher than usual, but it is okay to purchase them for the sake of your health. Many other products, such as meat, chicken flesh, and others, are also available.
- Karakoy Gourmet - Dubai Marina
- QKO Asian Market, Dubai
- Karakoy Gourmet - Sheikh Zayed Road
- The Ripe Organic Farm Shop - Palm Jumeirah
- Deans Fujiya Supermarket LLC
- Waterfront Market
Flea Markets
Flea markets are those markets where all the vendors sell their products collectively on the same extensive grounds. These markets are periodic or occur on a fixed day in a particular area. The flea market consumes a lot of land. Here you can deal with the vendors to get the accurate price of the product you want. Flea markets are best when you want to purchase fruits or vegetables in bulk if you live here for a longer time and live in a hostel, apartments, or guesthouse where you can make your food.
- Dubai Flea Market
- Friday Market
- Street Market
- Online Flea Market Dubai
Second Hand Stores
Second-hand stores are those stores where second-hand products are sold. These products are sold at a reasonable rate, which is always lesser than normal development. As a foreigner, you must always buy second-hand products because you can't take the furniture or bulky items with you; therefore, second-hand products would not cost much. Along with this, there are mostly used furniture stores available as second-hand stores so that you can purchase for your apartment or guesthouse. There are other second-hand stores present as well. The best and most popular with genuine product stores are listed below.
- Buy And Selling Used Furniture LLC
- Al Barai Used Furniture Company
- Thrift Bazar Karama
- Zahra Al Zahoori
- House of Glam
Eco-Fashion
Eco-fashion stores are stores that have sustainable clothes on sale. These clothes are sustainable because of many reasons, and there are many reasons to purchase sustainable products. These products are made from natural dyes and fabrics, which gives them a unique look. Also, the production of these clothes requires a lot of handworks and less machine work. The production of these clothes increases the employment opportunities. There are benefits of purchasing sustainable garments, including that they do not cost much. Other advantages are that it won't cause skin issues such as rashes or any different allergic reactions.
- Echo Corner Trading LLC
- J/R Ethical Fashion
- French Connection
- All Things Mochi
- AAVA Fashion Dubai
Recycling
Recycling is a healthy habit of keeping the environment clean. Recycling saves pollution as it eliminates some of the waste which is used for recycling. It also saves a lot of land in the landfill as it eliminates waste a lot. Besides this, recycling helps keep trees because, for papers, many trees are regularly cut down, which is saved by reusing paper in a newspaper. There are many recycling centers present in a particular area—all the products that are fit for recycling reach that area's center.
Waste
Wastes are those products which are of no use; therefore to save nature; it needs to be dumped and later decomposed. There are two methods of treating waste, which involves incineration and landfill. However, these both can be connected to provide efficient results. A landfill is a prominent place where all the rubbish of that particular area is dumped. Incineration means to decompose waste using thermal energy. The management team must dump the trash in a landfill where the garbage can be first treated whether they can recycle some of it or not. Later to this, they must send part of this waste regularly for incineration.
Work and Study Abroad
There are two types of schools which are present in this city. Those are private or public schools. The private schools count to be 194, and 90 percent of the total education is provided there. Private schools work under the regulations of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. Public schools operate under the UAE Ministry of Education. Later the stages are divided into primary and secondary. The preliminary step starts at the age of 5, and every child must have it. Primary education ends at a grade of 8. Secondary education begins with the quality of 6 to 0. Many organizations present in this city will offer you various jobs that depend on your education qualification and intelligence.
Exchange Student
Dubai has around 25 to 26 branches of its universities spread in different countries, including the UK, India, Australia, and their exchange students. This program is free of cost, and to make it free of charge, you have to pass the scholarship examination test. It is a good program which fills the student with confidence and motivates for a fresh and new start. Not everyone gets a chance to be a part of this program; therefore, you have to perform well in the entrance examinations and semester examinations. There will be an interview round at the last stage, which will be the final round after that, you will be selected.
Au Pair
An au pair is a person who stays with the locals without any charge. In exchange, the work of an Au pair is to take care of their child. It is not considered a job because you get a salary in exchange for your work in a job. In this, you don't get a paycheck; instead, you get shelter and meals. It is very responsible work because you may not know how the child is. There are many jobs like this available in this city. You can enquire about the locals about such works.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a work that involves performing a task for the sake of humanity. It is either your hobby or intrinsic favor you are doing; you cannot charge for it. Other than this, some organizations are ready to provide membership to you. Some organizations help stray animals by providing them with shelter and food. You can contact these organizations as they have their contact number on social media. Even some of the organizations are very popular.