Dubai on a budget: Top 5 affordable places to visit in Dubai

Dubai is listed high on the list of the most expensive cities in the world. While the cost of living in Dubai is definitely high, so is the cost of travelling as a tourist. On average, you need to keep at least £200 to £250 per day to pay for your hotel and eat a good meal. But that doesn’t mean that you cannot roam around the city and take in the spectacular view of high rise buildings and gorgeous marinas on a budget! Here are the top 5 places in Dubai which are very affordable to visit, so you can enjoy a few days in the city without burning a hole in your pockets!

1 Jumeirah Mosque

Jumeirah Mosque is the only mosque in Dubai which non-Muslims can visit. This mosque is open to the public 6 days of the week, and you do not have to pay any entry fee. This gorgeous mosque was built in 1979, making it a rather iconic mosque in the city. If you want to enjoy a tour of the mosque at just 20 AED, then you should reach early in the morning since mosque tours only take place in the morning. Since this mosque is located on Jumeirah Beach Road, it is very centrally and can be easily accessed by using public transport. Also, if you’re looking for affordable and central places to stay in Dubai, then you should consider booking an apartment near Jumeirah beach.

2 Old Dubai

If you wish to visit gold souks and spice markets and enjoy the traditional feel of Dubai, then you must visit Old Dubai. According to most real estate brokers in Dubai, you will be able to find very affordable apartments and hotels in Old Dubai which means you can easily visit this extravagant city on a budget. Just walking through the souks and market places is going to be a great experience – kind of like what you see in the movies. After walking through the gold souk and spice souk, you can take a ferry to the textile souk for just 1 AED.

3 Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall is the second-largest mall in the world, which makes it an attraction worth visiting. If you start shopping at Dubai Mall then you can actually empty out your bank accounts, but roaming around the mall doesn’t cost a thing. From the mall, you can even view the humongous Dubai Aquarium tank through acrylic panels, for free. However, if you actually want to enter the aquarium then you will have to pay a small fee. There is also a musical fountain outside the Dubai Mall which is really pretty and free for the public. So, after a long stroll at the mall, you can head to the musical fountain and enjoy the world’s largest choreographed fountain.

4 Dubai Marina

The Dubai Marina is one of the most luxurious and extravagant residential areas in all of Dubai, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the beauty of the place for free! In the evening, enjoy a stroll along the Dubai Marina where you will see skyscrapers and docked boats, all lit up. It’s a beautiful sight, and it won’t cost you anything. You can enjoy a meal or a coffee at one of the many restaurants and cafes in the area or you can just go for a walk along the nicely lit up sidewalks. Once you’re done here, you can walk to Jumeirah beach and enjoy a stroll on the beach. There are quite a few food vendors in this area too, so you can always grab a quick bite and spend some time on the beach. This way, you get to enjoy the view of the city lights and take a stroll on the beach, all for free.

5 Dubai Museum

If you aren’t staying in Old Dubai, then you must visit the Dubai Museum to get a feel of what Dubai was all about before its impressive development. What was once known as the Al Fahidi Fort which was once a monarch base of defence was renovated and reopened as the Dubai Museum. Here, you will get an idea of the heritage of Dubai – old houses, traditional souks and popular mosques have all been recreated to give visitors a feel of what life in Old Dubai was all about. Plus, you will get to see some old artefacts and exhibits which have been well preserved. The entry fee for this museum is just 3 AED.

Other than this, you can always book a desert safari online if you find a reasonable deal since this is a popular tourist attraction. You can also head to the Jumeriah Beach Park and enjoy a family picnic or just enjoy being surrounded by nature. Don’t forget to visit the Miracle Garden and Butterfly Garden for the experience of a lifetime as well as some gorgeous pictures.