Dubai is like no other city in the world. With its opulent architecture, lavish hotels, and vibrant culture, this Middle Eastern metropolis truly embodies the definition of a travel destination. If you’re planning your first trip to Dubai and want to make sure you make the most of it, check out this list of 10 awesome things to do on your first trip to Dubai!
1- Don’t go during Ramadan
While some people think it’s a great idea to visit Dubai during Ramadan, we’d advise against it. The city is packed with Muslims visiting from all over, which means traffic and accommodation prices are at their highest. More importantly, it’s forbidden to eat, drink or smoke in public between sunrise and sunset during Ramadan; if you’re caught doing any of these things (or walking around on your phone) you could be fined or even arrested. Most restaurants are closed during daylight hours as well. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit Dubai—it just means make sure you plan ahead and book in advance!
2- Rent a car and drive yourself
Driving yourself is one of those things that you do once, then never again. Renting a car and driving yourself can be an exhilarating experience, but it also requires careful preparation. Plan ahead to ensure your trip is smooth and stress-free by checking on these 10 important items before heading out on Dubai’s roads. You’ll thank us for it later! Oh and when you come back, don’t forget to fill up that rental car before dropping it off or you might get charged for an extra day (ouch!). Also note that some companies charge drop-off fees, so make sure you check with your company before returning your vehicle.
3- Shop in Deira’s old gold souk
A trip to Dubai isn’t complete without a visit to Deira’s gold souk, located just beyond Al Maktoum Bridge along Trade Centre Road. If you are in Dubai during Ramadan, plan a visit to Deira’s beautiful mosque, which stays open late during prayer times and serves free food during iftar. Head over to Spice Souk: There is a wide variety of spices on sale at Dubai’s old Spice Souk near Dubai Creek. This market was opened in 1930 by Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum – grandfather of today’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
4- Visit the fish market and eat fresh seafood
Dubai’s fish market is one of my favorite places to visit in Dubai. There’s nothing like fresh seafood, and there’s no better place than Dubai to enjoy a platter of succulent seafood. If you ever get tired of eating chicken shawarma or falafel wraps on your trip, step into the chaos of Dubai’s fish market, grab a seat at one of its stalls, and order yourself a big plate of grilled shrimp served with warm Arabic bread. I guarantee it will be far fresher and tastier than anything you can find back home!
5- Check out Dubai Museum’s rare Bactrian Gold Coins
The Dubai Museum is home to one of mankind’s most dazzling collections of gold. While wandering through these golden halls, be sure to take a look at their rare Bactrian Gold Coins, each weighing approximately 10 grams. In 2008, they were recognized by Guinness World Records as being among the largest known collection of Bactrian gold coins. These coins date back 2,000 years and were found in northwestern Afghanistan—once part of Bactria or Ancient Afghanistan. What makes them so special? Only 120 pieces are thought to exist in existence—and 25 of those are on display at Dubai Museum. Imagine having that kind of historical value under your watch! Start planning your trip today!
6- Get free entry into Burj Khalifa
One of Dubai’s most iconic attractions, Burj Khalifa is an impressive feat of architecture and engineering. It takes a mere 14 minutes to make it to the observation deck at 828 meters (2,717 feet) above ground level. Guests can purchase tickets online ahead of time or at one of two ticket booths located outside (don’t worry, no reservations are required). If you want to enter free of charge and avoid long lines, try visiting during happy hour (3 p.m.-6 p.m.) on Friday through Sunday when admission is free with a reservation. The catch: Only 10-15 percent of visitors choose to make reservations online in advance so be sure not to miss out on your chance!
7- Enjoy Saturday brunch at Sushi Samba
This sushi/Brazilian/Thai restaurant on St. Regis Hotel. Level 51 – The Palm Tower. The Palm Jumeirah has an amazing atmosphere, great food, and live music. One of Dubai’s most popular restaurants for visitors and locals alike, Sushi Samba is a fantastic way to start off your trip. Get there early if you can to grab a spot with a view of Burj Khalifa and work your way through their extensive menu: we recommend trying something from each section. If you don’t have time for dinner here (it does get busy) pop in for a cocktail at happy hour – cocktails are one of Dubai’s best-kept secrets and priced very reasonably.
8- Take an architectural tour around Palm Jumeirah islands
The Palm Jumeirah is an artificial archipelago in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, created using land reclamation by Nakheel Properties, a property developer. It consists of approximately 3,000 artificially created islands. During low tide, it looks like there is only water with a few palm trees around as you can see in these pictures. The trip takes about 90 minutes on a boat and costs about 150 AED (~$40 USD).
9- Browse the gold souk of Sharjah on a Friday afternoon
You can take a trip to Sharjah, Dubai’s second city, to see its famous gold souk. The sprawling gold market is right next to Dubai airport and it’s easy to get there on a public bus for under US$1. If you want to buy some jewelry when you’re there, be sure not to bargain too hard—it’s considered impolite in Sharjah! Bring along a few friends and start exploring at noon—that way you’ll be able to visit both sides of Dubai: peaceful as well as hectic. You can take a trip to Sharjah, Dubai’s second city, to see its famous gold souk.
10- Explore Al Maha museum with its impressive falconry displays
Al Maha is a great place to spend a day outside of the city. With falconry displays and informative exhibits that tell you more about Emirati culture and lifestyle, it’s a great way to learn more about UAE history. Tours also include an opportunity to have tea with some of UAE’s finest falcons, as well as participate in their shooting events. You’ll be amazed by how far these birds can fly once they are released into mid-air! It’s an experience that shouldn’t be missed while you are in Dubai!
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