What can you do for free in Dubai? Confused right? The name Dubai conjures up an image of skyscrapers, luxury and tradition wrapped in a blanket of deserts and exotic man-made islands. And with a reputation for over-the-top luxury, the cosmopolitan Middle Eastern sheikh with “free stuff” is hard to understand. REAL?But believe it or not, there are plenty of free things to do in Dubai. And the list includes things you wouldn’t even believe! From museums to art galleries, Dubai offers a variety of places to spend an unforgettable time. Aren’t you excited? Well, read on!
25 Free Things To Do In Dubai
If you’re still in shock and wondering what you can enjoy without spending a penny, here’s a short list of 25 free things to do in Dubai that will make you experience luxury like no other. .
1. Free Experience Of Dubai’s Culture And Heritage
One of the top spots on our list of free things to do in Dubai is Al Shindagha. Exhibitions of pottery, weaving and other traditional crafts, as well as pearl fishing demonstrations, make learning about Dubai’s culture and heritage at Al Shindagha one of the best free experiences in Dubai.
Location: Al Shindagha Area, near the mouth of Dubai Creek
Timings: Saturday – Thursday 08:30 am – 10:00 pm; Fridays 3:30 pm – 10:00 pm.
2. Free Entry At Camel Museum
Also in the Al Shindagha district, the Camel Museum is another free place to visit in Dubai. Different sections of the museum are dedicated to the history of camels in the United Arab Emirates, the relationship between camels and the Arab people, camel racing and camel anatomy. It also houses an auditorium for presentations. It’s one of the best free things to do in Dubai.
Location: Al Shindagha Heritage Village
Timings: Sunday – Thursday; 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
3. Free Yoga Classes
There are many options for inexpensive activities in Dubai for fitness enthusiasts. But the best part is Friends Of Yoga’s free yoga classes. Spread across 5 locations across the city, these 1-hour classes will keep you on track with your fitness routine on your way to Dubai.
Location: Deira Creek, BurDubai Creek, Zabeel Park, JLT Park, and Internet City
Timings: 5:30 am – 6:30 am, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm; Daily
4. Free Movie Under The Stars
You wouldn’t want to go out on a Sunday night to see a movie while travelling in Dubai; could you now? But since it’s free and you can see it under a starry sky, it becomes one of Dubai’s free must-see attractions that every visitor should check out.
Location: Pyramids Rooftop Complex in Wafi complex
Timings: Sundays; 8:30 pm onwards
5. Free View Of Dubai Aquarium
Why spend 70 dirhams to enter the aquarium when the main tank can be visited for free from the Dubai Mall entrance! Home to the world’s largest acrylic panel in a giant aquarium, it makes our list of free things to do in Dubai.
Location: Outside Dubai Aquarium
Timings: 24 hours open
6. Free View Of The Dubai Fountains Display
One of the most popular free things to do in Dubai is seeing the magnificent fountain show in front of Dubai Mall while dancing to the musical soundtrack.
Location: Outside Dubai Mall
Timings: 3 – 4 minutes; every 30 minutes
Tip: Being very popular, the fountain is surrounded by a large crowd. Try and be there early to catch a good spot for the best view.
7. Free Entry To The Jumeirah Beach Corniche
The Jumeirah Beach Corniche is a new addition to Dubai’s list of free tourist attractions. It has 800 metres of beach front, a jogging track, showers, play places for children, and covered picnic spots. The 14-kilometre-long corniche connects Dubai Marine Beach Resort to the Burj Al Arab Hotel.
Location: Next to the Dubai Marine Beach Resort
Timings: 7.30am to 10.00pm
8. Free Wandering Through The Old-Style Gold And Spice Souks
One of the most well-liked free attractions in Dubai is the humming ancient souk in the Deira neighbourhood. The ancient market is well-known for its glistening gold goods, diverse spices, unique frankincense, and pashmina shawls. No, none of these items are free to be had. But that doesn’t imply that browsing the market is expensive either.
Location: Northern side of the Deira Creek near the Ras Metro Station 1
9. Free Car Gazing
If you don’t want to spend money on auto museums but yet want to see the hottest rides in town, The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence is the place to be. The restaurant-lined waterfront promenade tops the list of locations to visit in Dubai for free car-gazing, with people displaying their overpriced vehicles.
Location: Along The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence
Timings: Evenings; especially on Saturday nights
10. Free Pehlwani Wrestling
The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence is the place to be if you want to view the greatest rides in town without having to spend money on auto museums. The waterfront promenade with restaurants lining it is at the top of the list of places to go in Dubai for free car gazing, with individuals showcasing their exorbitantly priced automobiles.
Location: Deira (sandlot behind the fish market)
Timings: Fridays; 5:00 pm onwards
11. Free Dance To The Peppy Numbers
Societe Dubai is known for its shabby-chic interior design, leather sofas, and giant lampshades. On a Friday night, go to the newly established nightclub and listen to the biggest singles from the 1980s and 1990s. And, sure, admission is free!
Location: Societe Dubai, Marina Byblos Hotel, Dubai Marina
12. Free Visit To St. Mary’s Catholic Church
The Catholic Church of St. Mary was founded in 1967. One of Dubai’s oldest churches is this one. It is situated in the centre of Dubai and has welcomed and will continue to welcome Catholics of all generations. Every Friday in August, the Catechism Office is open for registration for the next Catechetical Year. This includes new students, renewals, and book collections.
Location: 247 Oud Metha Road – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Timings: 5.00am to 9.30pm
13. Seek Blessings At Emirates Baptist Church International For Free
EBCI’s congregation is quite diversified, with members of different nations, families, children of all ages, youth, and singles. They may have decided to attend or join a Baptist church, but they come from a variety of denominations in their native countries. Given that the whole membership and guests are expats, they either reside in the nation or work here.
Location: 7 69 A St – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, Grand Excelsior Hotel
14. Pray At Pentecostal Church For Free
One of the largest churches in Dubai is the Pentecostal Church. It is also among the most stunning locations in this area. People of many religions will be gathered here. Church International, formerly known as the King’s Revival, occasionally reads sermons and claims of several supernatural events. Visit the church personally to experience its uplifting energy, connect with your spirit, and feel refreshed.
Location: Al Barsha
15. Pray At Grand Mosque For Free
The Grand Mosque in Dubai is the apex of Dubai’s cultural and religious legacy, displaying real Islamic architecture. Quranic inscriptions on the entry facade, the city’s highest Minaret, tiny and huge domes, and genuine Islamic interiors give tourists first-hand knowledge of Islamic customs and culture. The aura of this wonderful house of worship is filled with the element of calm and spirituality.
Location: Opposite Dubai Museum, Near Ruler’s Court Office – Ali Bin Abi Taleb St – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
16. Take A Selfie Against Burj Khalifa For Free
The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest structure, is a marvel of creativity and execution in addition to superb modern design and engineering. This structure, which is 160 stories tall, offers breathtaking 360-degree aerial views of Dubai to visitors. The base of this powerful skyscraper is nothing less than a bustling center of food and entertainment, further enhancing the dreamlike experience. One of the most well-known locations in Dubai to visit is free.
Location: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Timings: Open 24 hours
17. Visit Burj Nahar For Free
Burj Nahar, built in 1870, encircles three watchtowers built to guard the ancient city from intruders. This monument, built of mud and coral stone, has historical significance. This monument, located on the outskirts of Deira, has been totally renovated and is now surrounded by picturesque gardens, making it a renowned tourist destination worldwide.
18. Climb Burj Al Arab Jumeirah For Free
By virtue of its sail-like architectural profile, the hotel Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, which is connected to the coast by a bridge, has earned its position among Dubai’s landmarks. The third-tallest hotel in the world is this cutting-edge building. The hotel’s location on an artificial island, most opulent decor, and distinctive design have propelled it to the top of the list of most costly hotels in the world.
Location: Jumeirah St – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
19. Visit Infinity Tower For Free
Also known as Cayan Tower, Infinity Tower is a contemporary architectural marvel that took the phrase ‘putting a twist’ a little too seriously. One of the most photographed buildings of Dubai, the dynamic and twisting shape of this luxurious residential building that turns 90 degrees over its course of height has challenged the conventional styles of architecture in the city. The unique and futuristic design of this Dubai monument takes the breath away of almost all spectators making it one of our best picks on the list of places to hangout in Dubai for free.
Location: 1202, Al Barsha Heights, Tecom, Dubai Marina – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
20. Pray At Jumeirah Mosque For Free
The Jumeirah Mosque has been dubbed one of the city’s most magnificent mosques. This hall of worship, made entirely of pristine white stones, is ideal for getting answers to your inquiries about Islam. Following the ‘Open Doors’ policy. Open Minds’, the mosque’s doors are open to people of all religions. Local mosque members give guided tours of this wonder and offer to teach tourists about their faith and traditions.
Location: Dubai – United Arab Emirates
21. Play Water Sports At Kite Beach For Free
The Kite Beach is not simply a tourist hotspot; residents really adore this location. The name of the beach is appropriate given the variety of things you can enjoy nearby and it is located at the Al Manara Road intersection. The majority of tourists engage in spectacular activities throughout the entire year, and a variety of water sports and kitesurfing make up for that. Your heart and spirit will undoubtedly be satisfied by the silky, pure white texture of the sand. There, one can easily view the Burj-Al-Arab.
Location: Kite Beach – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Timings: 10.00am to 10.00pm (Sunday to Wednesday) and 10.00am to 12.00am (Thursday to Saturday)
Ideal for: Friends, Family, Kids
22. Visit Coffee Museum For Free
If you enjoy coffee, you must visit this coffee shop in Dubai. The admission is free, and once inside, you will be transported to a world of coffee. The museum will teach you about the history of coffee and allow you to sample several types of it. It is one of the top free activities in Dubai. It also houses coffee-related artefacts such as books and other items, and it is one of Dubai’s free attractions.
Location: Villa 44, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Bastakiya – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Timings: 9am – 5pm
23. Stroll At Alserkal Avenue For Free
This well-known location is one among the many free things to do in Dubai. There are many fascinating places to explore on Alserkal Avenue, including galleries and pop-up stores, which are all free to visit. Al Quoz Gallery, one of the most well-known locations among them, features rare paintings and other artefacts that will satisfy the culture vulture in you. At one of the coffee cafes, you may also sip coffee. In Dubai, one of the best Free Things To Do In Dubai is to visit Alserkal Avenue.
Location: 17th St – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Timings: 10am – 7pm
24. Watch Flamingos For Free
One of the finest free things to do in Dubai is to see the pink flamingos, and the best part is that you can do it for free. Flamingos may be found in abundance along Ras Al Khor Road in Dubai. Aside from that, if you want to see them up close, go to the Ras Al Khor wildlife refuge, which has no admission price. It includes hidden shelters where you may see the lovely birds using binoculars. This is one of the finest free things to do in Dubai with kids!
Location: Oud Metha Oud Metha Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Timings: 7:30am – 5:30pm
25. Ride An Abra Boat For Free
Try riding an abra boat in Dubai Creek if you’re looking for free things to do in Dubai. Small wooden boats called “abra boats” are well renowned for providing inexpensive trips. The two stations where you may board a boat and ride while taking in the magnificent sights of the creek’s surrounds are Dubai Old Souk and Dubai Gold Souk.
Now that you are aware that Dubai is not all about opulence. There are many Free Things To Do In Dubai activities in Dubai that are free. Plan your Dubai vacation and partake in these activities to make sure your trip won’t drain your finances too much.