Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, has become a top tourist destination, due to its many excellent hotels, premium shopping options, and ultra-modern environment. And, while Dubai is upscale, making it appealing to wealthy individuals, this doesn’t mean that folks from various other economic strata can’t enjoy this city. There are many affordable and free activities that one can partake in here, such as attending an art exhibit at Alserkal Avenue, watching a theatrical production at the Dubai Opera, or taking a stroll along the Dubai Water Canal. There are even options for daredevils and thrill-seekers, such as skydiving over Palm Island and jet skiing along the waterfront. Check out our list of the best non-touristy things to do in Dubai, UAE - and plan your trip accordingly!
1. Take a jet ski tour (from USD 175.0)
Enjoy Dubai’s amazing waterfront by speeding by on a jet ski. This fun tour will equip you with a jet ski and your very own guide to take in the sights. Before you begin, you’ll have to undergo a short safety briefing and become acquainted with all the jet ski equipment. After that’s done, you’ll head down the waterfront and past key attractions, such as the towering Burj Al Arab hotel. You’ll also visit Atlantis Aquaventure Park, the Dubai Marina, and the Palm Jumeirah, all within a 30-minute time frame.
Dubai Jet Ski Tour
Duration 1 hour
2. Rejuvenate with a warm stone massage (from USD 150.0)
All that shopping and sightseeing will likely take its toll on you. That’s why you’ll need to treat yourself to a warm stone massage to rest and rejuvenate. This massage service is carried out by a trained therapist who’ll place warm stones on certain places on your body where there is stiffness or strained muscles. This therapy also helps improve blood circulation and lower your stress level. After the warm stone massage, you’ll also be treated to a full-body massage.
Warm Stone Massage
Duration 1 hour 30 minutes
3. Attend an entertaining show at the Dubai Opera
Dubai has a plethora of state-of-the-art buildings and the Dubai Opera is no exception. It features striking contemporary design, impressive lighting, and a multi-purpose configuration. This means that it’s suitable for a wide variety of events, such as art exhibitions, ballet, conferences, fashion events, and theater, to name a few. Furthermore, it’s large enough for 2,000 visitors who can enjoy these events to their fullest, thanks to the building’s brilliant acoustics.
Dubai Opera
Address: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Website: Dubai Opera
Opening hours: 10am - 7pm (daily)
Price: 68 - 232 USD
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4. Watch a race at Meydan Hotel
The stunning Meydan Hotel features its own racetrack, which is something few hotels anywhere in the world can boast. If you’re planning on staying at this hotel, you’re bound to spend some quality time at the track. But, if you won’t be staying here, it’s still worth your while to visit the racetrack and bet on your favorite horse. While most hotel guests will follow these horse races from the terrace, you can get a front-row seat on the grandstand.
Meydan Hotel
Address: Meydan Racecourse Al Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Website: The Meydan Hotel
Opening hours: 12pm - 12pm (daily)
Price: 184 USD
5. Check out the art galleries at Alserkal Avenue
Alserkal Avenue is home to a variety of businesses, contemporary art galleries, and non-profit organizations. It’s situated inside a large industrial area and attracts creatives, designers, and fashion lovers. There’s always something interesting taking place here, due to the many scheduled events. These include Art Week, Social Saturdays, and the Quoz Arts Fest, which showcases unique exhibits from local and international artists.
Alserkal Avenue
Address: Alserkal Avenue, Street 17, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Website: Alserkal Avenue
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 10am - 7pm (closed on Fri)
6. Do some window shopping at BOXPARK
Shopping is a common theme in Dubai and there’s a near-endless number of modern and stylish shopping districts in the city. BOXPARK is the latest shopping destination that attracts local and international trendsetters. It features a bakery, cafe, clothing stores, cinemas, gift shops, and restaurants, which means you’re bound to spend plenty of time here. But, if you’re not planning on purchasing anything, it’s still a good destination for a bit of window shopping.
BOXPARK
Address: Al Wasl Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Website: BOXPARK
Opening hours: 10am - 12am (daily)
7. Go skydiving
If you’re a daredevil, consider this exciting skydiving excursion. Skydive Dubai offers a variety of aerial experiences and you can still partake, even if you’re a total beginner. They have licensed skydivers that will provide basic training and will be attached to you during that grueling free fall over the Palm Islands. If skydiving’s not your thing, they also offer gyrocopter rides over Dubai’s scenic skyline.
Skydive Dubai
Address: Al Seyahi St, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Website: Skydive Dubai
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 5am - 12pm (closed on Tue & Wed)
Price: 463 - 599 USD
8. Try an Abra ride
The Dubai Creek is incredibly picturesque and it would be a shame to visit the city without taking an Abra ride down the creek. Fortunately, there are over 150 water taxis, known as Abras, which can transport you from Deira Old Souk Abra Station to Bur Dubai Abra Station. There’s also an alternative route, from Sabkha Abra Station to Dubai Old Souk Abra Station. These trips last between 5 - 7 minutes and are usually available throughout the day.
Abra ride
Address: Bur Dubai Abra Station, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Opening hours: 12pm - 12pm (daily)
Price: 0.30 USD
9. Check out the street art in Karama
Dubai features a clean and modern urban landscape, with barely a blemish of the urban decay that one can find in other major cities. So, it’s unlikely that you’ll find graffiti sprayed on buildings unlawfully. However, if you’re looking for some colorful and edgy street graffiti, you should head over to Karama to admire its striking street art. Here, you’ll find beautiful murals and tasteful graffiti adorning the walls of this bustling shopping district.
Karama street art
Address: 20 A St, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Website: Karama street art
Opening hours: 12am - 12am (daily)
10. Stroll along Dubai Water Canal
While Dubai is undoubtedly a shopper’s paradise, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun spending little money or nothing at all. The Dubai Water Canal is a recent development and runs through several of its key districts, such as the Arabian Gulf, Business Bay, and Sheikh Zayed Road. But it boasts a stunning waterfront and magnificent mechanical waterfalls that steal the show. That’s why you need to take a stroll along the path on the canal and admire all these awesome attractions.
Dubai Water Canal
Address: Dubai Water Canal, D 1 Tower No 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Website: Dubai Water Canal
Opening hours: 12am - 12am (daily)
Plenty of fun under the Dubai sun
There’s so much to see and do in Dubai that you shouldn’t have a single dull moment. The city’s gorgeous skyline should keep you in awe for days on end, but that’s only the beginning. You can bet on your favorite horse at the Meydan Hotel’s racetrack, admire the stunning street art in Karama, and treat yourself to a much-needed warm stone massage.