Things to know before visiting Dubai, An overview of my visit to Dubai

Things to know before visiting Dubai 

An overview of my visit to Dubai in 2018

A place where you will find luxury and lots of things to do. I have visited three times and have found every visit to be pleasant.

Often people seem to think that Dubai is an expensive place, for sure things are a lot more pricey however there are always ways to make cut backs and have just as much equal fun.

Whether you are travelling alone or with others, Dubai is a safe place to visit. Crime rates are low due to their strict laws. Dubai caters for different people. I have found the people in Dubai to be friendly, helpful and respectable.

Cost/Spending Money

You will need £500 - £600 spending money approximately depending on what you plan to do. I would advise to book any excursions or tours in advance. This will save you a lot of money, you may be able to reduce your spending costs when you get there. If you run out of cash, Dubai allows the use of card transactions at most places, you can alternatively withdraw more money from an ATM however this will of course charge you a fee. Booking with some hotels allow you to have some concessions and discounts at the famous tourist attractions.

Food/Places to eat

You will find a range of different cuisines at every corner. The cheaper side where you will find a large population of south Asian migrants are mainly in the Bur Dubai district. This area is full of hustle and bustle and the night life is very lively. The Burj Khalifa adjacent to Dubai Mall is also an area full of liveliness, as you will be able to view the light show and dancing fountains. Restaurants dotted around are quite expensive however inside the Dubai mall is a good place for a variety of cheap and cheerful food. Malls and public areas are usually air-conditioned therefore you can be rest-assured that you will be kept cool. 

A good place to visit is Juice World where you will be able to find fresh juice, smoothies and ice-cream, fruit salads, faloodas and sandwiches. Juice World is an interesting place to visit as it boasts fruit bouquets, which will definitely be a snap for the gram!

You would think that camel meat would be easily available in Dubai, however this is rare! There is only one restaurant which sells camel meat in the whole of Dubai. Look out for The Local House Restaurant near Al Fahidi Metro and not far from Dubai Creek. Their biryani is luscious and a plate can be enough to share between two adults.

Travel/Getting around

The best and cheapest way to travel is the Metro and bus as it allows you to explore the city better. You can easily get a Metro card at any Metro station counter, where you can top-up your fares. The card is non-refundable and when purchased the cost will be added to the prepay top-up. This card can also be used on buses. It is very much a touch in/out system similar to the Oyster card in London, England. A Metro map is easily available at any Metro station. The Metro trains have a strict rule of no eating or drinking, therefore be mindful unless you want to pay a fine! The Metro also has a women's only section. Metro trains are frequent and fast, you will not be disappointed.

Taxi rides can be expensive therefore I would recommend to only use it in an emergency or really long distances. Look out for the beige/brown taxis as they have a meter. The roads in Dubai are long and wide and not pedestrian friendly, therefore a lot of walking is required. I would advise to plan your trips in advance to map out where you need to go and how to get there.

Shopping/Bazaars

If you are interested in shopping, you may want to visit the souks. The Gold Souk is a place where you can find a lot of jewellery and goldsmiths, it can be extremely busy with an extremely large variety of gold so think about what it is you are looking for. There are many other Souks to visit; Perfume Souk and Spice Souk, all of which are in close proximity of each other. The perfume Souk is almost like a small village with lots of shops selling perfume and other items. It was not what I expected to find.

Meena Bazaar is in walking distance from Al-Fahidi Metro station and is very similar to visiting a bazaar in South Asia. Here you will find Indian and Pakistani clothes and foods. You will also come across a lot of stalls where you can buy little souvenirs. Be sure to haggle for a bargain here. There is a traditional touch and the atmosphere is always buzzing!

Must-see

Global Village is a favourite and a must-see place to visit. There is a lot going on, with street food, live entertainment, a touch of culture from each country, very family friendly with entertainment for children. On a Friday evening there is always a concert taking place so look out for this on their website. There is an amusement park for all ages and a fireworks display on certain days of the week. Plenty to see and do!

Beaches

Dubai does not have many natural landmarks to view, there are the beaches to visit but not much nature. Everything is grand and magnificent and a lot of it is man-made. The popular beaches to visit are; Sunset beach, near Jumeirah Beach Hotel. You will be able to view the famous Burj al Arab landmark in the background, making it a very scenic place to be. You can also visit the Black Palace Beach and the Umm Suqeim, where you will be able to view the Burj al Arab in the background. Dubai's beaches are sandy with clear waters and long stretches. Jumeirah Public beach is a popular spot to visit. Luckily ladies can also enjoy a women's only beach day exclusively for women where no male aged above four years is allowed. This has been designated for women, both tourists and residents to accommodate for religious and cultural reasons. You will find womens-only days at Al Mamzar Beach Park on Sundays and Tuesdays, and Monday and Wednesday at Jumeirah Beach Park.

Clothing/What to wear

As Dubai is very multicultural, you will find people dress as they please, liberally. There are no strict rules except when you are visiting a mosque or religious site. Due to the heat it would be best to cover up wearing loose light clothing, and keeping yourself protected from the sun. A scarf would be handy or a cover up for the evening. This depends on the time of year that you visit. There is generally a modest dressing etiquette and you will also find South Asians wearing their cultural clothing. I have found wearing maxi dresses to be the best choice to wear in the heat as they tend to be loose, modest and you can find nice prints. Kaftans are also a very popular choice in Dubai. 

What to pack?

I have found that hotels in Dubai always supply generously for any essentials, therefore you need not to worry about such toiletries. You will of course need to pack your essentials. Be sure to pack a pair of sunglasses, sunblock, sunhat and comfortable walking shoes. Public toilets are always clean with cleaning facilities therefore you do not need to worry about walking around with a hand sanitiser or extra toilet paper! If you are planning to visit the beach, do not forget your bathing suit/shorts. Due to the heat you may want to pack a day time and evening outfit, of course depending on what you plan to do. 

Everyone’s experience will always be different, however there is only so many times you can visit and it can become a bit repetitive when you have seen the main tourist attractions.

I would recommend at least one visit to Dubai, but not a go-to destination for travellers looking to explore.

To sum up...

Pros:

• Good metro network
• Lots of things to see and do
• Busy night life
• Variety
• Multicultural
• Clean beaches
• Low crime, high security

Cons:

• Not pedestrian-friendly
• Expensive
• Not much nature
• Too many skyscrapers