Thank you to our guest blogger – Neha from Dubai Wikia – for providing this comprehensive travel guide to Dubai for first-time visitors. Do check out her site for more Dubai travel inspiration!
Are you gearing up for your first-ever Dubai trip? Dubai is a fast-paced city with endless amusement, leisure, and entertainment options. As a result, putting together your debut Dubai visit can be an overwhelming task. But fret not; just follow this comprehensive Dubai travel guide to make the most of your much anticipated Dubai visit.
When to visit Dubai
You can travel to Dubai at literally any time of year. However, for the most iconic experiences, we recommend visiting here in the winter months, from October to March. This is when seasonal attractions and events – such as Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), Dubai Miracle Garden, Global Village, and Christmas and New Year’s Eve festivities – take over the city. This requires some planning as accommodation, airline tickets, and popular experiences will peak during this period.
If you are looking for a super pocket-friendly holiday, the summer months (May to September) are the best time to visit. It may be scorching, but there are enough indoor attractions to make you forget that you’re in a sweltering desert city. Some even promise you an out-of-this-world experience, such as the snow-themed Ski Dubai, Dubai Ice Rink, and Chill Out Ice Lounge.
Important Dubai Travel Tips and Information (with Covid-19 Guidelines)
All information is correct as of July 2021. See official guidelines for the latest travel advice.
- A Dubai visa is the most important “essential” for your first visit to Dubai. Once you determine the duration of your trip, you can apply for a single or multiple-entry visa. These are valid for 30 days or 90 days. You can, however, forego this step if it is possible for you to visit Dubai or UAE without a visa. Some visitors may qualify for a visa on arrival.
- OK to Board (OTB) is another mandatory travel requirement. However, this is mainly for those visiting Dubai from South Asian countries. This is to ensure that you are traveling to Dubai without any forged documents. Your airline has the right to prevent you from flying in the absence of OTB.
COVID-19 Requirements for Dubai
Information correct to the best of our knowledge as of July 2021. See official guidelines for the latest travel advice.
- It’s crucial to ensure that you comply with all COVID-19 guidelines as outlined by the UAE Government.
- As you land at Dubai International Airport, you should submit your negative PCR test report printed in Arabic or English. This should have been taken within 48 hours or 72 hours of travel, subject to where you are travelling from.
- You should also be ready to undergo another a PCR test at the airport. This is not applicable to children aged below 12 or those with any severe ailments.
- You should isolate until your test results come back negative.
- You should carry your valid medical insurance that offers international coverage for COVID-19 treatment expenses.
- Lastly – but perhaps most importantly – you should pre-plan every aspect of your Dubai travel at least three to four months before. This includes all essentials such as accommodation, sightseeing, airport transfers, and airline reservations. This is particularly a must if you are traveling to Dubai in the peak season.
Follow Local Rules And Etiquettes whilst travelling in Dubai
- Dubai is the second largest emirate of the UAE. As such, it’s a part of an Islamic nation where customs and traditions are greatly based on its religious roots.
- Opt for modest clothing. Take care to wear clothes that cover your arms and knees when visiting conservative / religious places of interest.
- Smoking and drinking alcohol in public is strictly prohibited. Doing so can land you in jail and may result in a fine.
- Avoid any kind of PDAs (Public Displays of Affection).
- Make sure that you get prior consent before you click pictures of local Emiratis and important government buildings.
Getting Around Dubai
Dubai’s public transport system, managed by the Road and Transport Authority (RTA), makes it easy to get around the city. You can use the fully automated (and fastest of its kind) Dubai metro, public buses, and ferries.
The biggest perk is that you can pay for all travel by public transport in Dubai by topping up a single smart NOL card. However, suppose you are in Dubai for a very limited period, or just don’t want to get stuck in heavy traffic. In that case, it is highly recommended to rely on private transfers arranged by a reputable provider.
It is also possible to get behind the wheels in Dubai if you carry your international driving license.
Where to stay in Dubai
If you are in Dubai for a short stay, choose accommodation that gives easy access to all activities and attractions covered in your itinerary.
For utmost luxury, there are top-end options such as:
- Burj Al Arab
- Atlantis
- The Palm Resort
- Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
- Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
- Palazzo Versace Dubai
You will also find a variety of accommodation in mid-range and cheaper categories, especially in the Bur Dubai and Deira regions.
If you are planning a more extended stay, it would be better to choose hotel apartments. Here you can cook your own food whilst enjoying all the comforts of a standard hotel at affordable rates.
Top Things to See and Do in Dubai for First Time Visitors
1: Marvel at the Burj Khalifa
Opened in 2010, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, reaching a towering height of over 828 meters. Apart from its high-end accommodation and dining choices, the observation decks on the 124th and 148th levels are the major draws. These guarantee you the most spellbinding views over Dubai’s cityscape, desert, and ocean.
You also have the chance to take one of the fastest elevator rides in the world and enjoy an intriguing presentation on Dubai’s past.
2: Go shopping at the Dubai Mall
You will find the Dubai Mall next to Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai. It is one of the world’s largest malls, meaning you will experience an oasis of shopping, leisure, and entertainment.
Discover over 1200 outlets and eat as you go at the Mall’s 200+ dining venues. Later, you can drop in to some of its top attractions:
- Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
- Dubai Ice Rink
- Hysteria Dubai Mall.
If you’re bringing kids, don’t miss KidZania Dubai, Ekart Dubai, and the biggest of its kind VR Park Dubai, featuring the latest in Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality.
Above all else, be sure to watch the stunning Dubai Fountain show outside the mall.
3: Take in The View at the Palm Jumeirah
The palm-tree-shaped, artificial island of Palm Jumeirah is one of the world’s most breath-taking engineering marvels. You can now catch this view in its true grandeur from a brand-new vantage point at The View at the Palm Jumeirah. This fantastic observation deck is a cost-effective alternative to expensive helicopter rides or sky diving.
4: Be Mesmerised by the Palm Fountain
The Palm Fountain is another attraction that has recently been launched in Dubai. Set at the Pointe on Palm Jumeirah and against the impressive Atlantis, it presents an aquatic show in a faultless harmony of light and music.
It is the largest of its kind in the world and the region’s first multi-colour show.
5: Visit the Al Bastakiya Quarter
Whilst many attractions depict the futuristic side of Dubai, this beautifully preserved 19th century quarter is tucked away in the quaint parts of Old Dubai. It gives visitors a glimpse of how the emirate used to look before the oil money rolled in.
It is home to the city’s top historical landmarks:
- Dubai Museum & Al Fahidi Fort – Dubai’s oldest fort
- Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
- Camel Museum
6: Explore the Traditional Souks
Dubai is a shopper’s paradise, and a holiday here is not complete without some retail therapy. However, make sure you don’t just limit your shopping expedition in Dubai to its malls!
In particular, you must check out Dubai’s traditional bazaars – especially Gold Souk, Spice Souk and Perfume Souk. Each of these is a real treat for bargain hunters, art collectors, and souvenir shoppers alike.
7: Head out on a Desert Safari
How about getting cultured with a liberal dose of adventure, fun, and entertainment? A guided trip to the desert not only allows you to glance into the age-old Bedouin culture and heritage but will also let you admire Dubai’s jaw-dropping natural beauty.
There are many thrilling activities which you can enjoy in the desert:
- 4X4 dune bash
- Camel rides
- Sandboarding
- And more!
8: Check out Dubai’s many Parks & Resorts
Dubai is an absolute treat for theme park lovers. Highlights include the (largest of its kind) IMG Worlds of Adventure, snow-inspired Ski Dubai, and video-game themed Hub Zero.
As well as these favourites, you can also make a trip to Dubai Parks and Resorts – the Middle East’s first integrated resort. It is highly acclaimed for its four world-class parks:
- Motiongate Dubai (dedicated to Hollywood movies)
- Bollywood Parks Dubai
- LEGOLAND Dubai
- LEGOLAND Water Park.
9: Enjoy a Dhow cruise
There is a unique charm and sparkle in the city’s night-time skyline views. Visitors should best experience this at a leisurely pace on a dhow cruise.
You can cruise at the ultra-modern Dubai Marina, or the more traditional Dubai Creek. Besides offering a sightseeing experience from the water, the two-hour cruises include buffet dining and live shows.
Conclusion – Dubai is a must-visit!
At first glance, Dubai may appear to be a compact city. But, in reality, it is a vast playground with something for all tastes and budgets.
We hope that this travel guide will give you some cool ideas and inspiration to help make your first trip to Dubai an unforgettable experience.
That’s a great resource for anybody thinking of visiting. The city just looks so futuristic and astonishing. I think for me though, my favourite thing would be to head out into the desert. It’s definitely one to tick of the bucket list 🙂 Thanks for putting this together!
Thanks Martin, very pleased you enjoyed Neha’s guide! Dubai certainly looks spectacular. I remember landing at the airport a few years ago and being astonished at the views of skyscrapers (including the Burj Khalifa) looming out of the clouds as we descended. Incredible.