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Travel guide
Dubai
3 days · 5 things to do
Best time to go: November to March
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Welcome
Dubai, in a few days
Dubai means the view from the Burj Khalifa, a 4x4 safari in the dunes, and gold souks a short ride from air-conditioned malls. A futuristic showcase of luxury, set between the desert and the Persian Gulf.
- Day by day
- D1 Day 1 2 things
- D2 Day 2 2 things
- D3 Day 3 1 thing
- Worth sorting before you go
- Words that help
- The practical page
- Packing checklist
The trip
Day by day
Map of the sights (numbers follow the suggested order). It prints with the base map.
D1
Day 1
2 things to do · at your own pace
- Morning · Burj Khalifa · about 1 hThe world's tallest building, 828 metres high, with observation decks on the 124th, 125th and 148th floors.
- Afternoon · Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain free · half a dayA vast shopping centre at the foot of the Burj Khalifa; in the evening the fountain on the lake outside dances to music.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Novotel Dubai Al Barsha€100 a night
D2
Day 2
2 things to do · at your own pace
- Morning · A desert safari · half a dayA 4x4 drive over the dunes outside the city, usually timed for sunset and followed by dinner at a desert camp.
- Afternoon · Palm Jumeirah free · about 2 hA man-made island shaped like a palm tree, lined with villas, hotels and beaches, with a long promenade and a monorail running its length.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Hyatt Place Dubai Al Rigga€95 a night
D3
Day 3
1 thing to do · at your own pace
- Morning · The gold and spice souks free · about 1 h 30The old markets of Deira, reached by crossing Dubai Creek in a wooden abra boat, with jewellers' windows and sacks of spices.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa€100 a night
Before you go
Worth sorting before you go
📶 eSIM data
Online the moment you land, no roaming bill.
Get one · Holafly
Online the moment you land, no roaming bill.
Get one · Holafly
🛡️ Travel insurance
Health, luggage, cancellation.
Cover it · Ekta
Health, luggage, cancellation.
Cover it · Ekta
💳 Fee-free card
Pay at the real rate, with no exchange markup.
Open one · Revolut
Pay at the real rate, with no exchange markup.
Open one · Revolut
🚐 Airport transfer
A private car at a fixed price from the moment you land.
Book it · GetTransfer
A private car at a fixed price from the moment you land.
Book it · GetTransfer
Some links are partner links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Good to know
Flavours & local habits
🍽️ Worth tasting
- Shawarma: grilled meat shaved from a spit and rolled in flatbread, the street food of every neighbourhood.
- Machboos: spiced rice cooked with meat or fish, often called the national dish.
- Hummus and mezze: the small dishes of the Levant, on every table.
- Luqaimat: small fried dumplings drizzled with date syrup.
- Dates and Arabic coffee (gahwa): a light coffee with cardamom, poured as a sign of welcome.
⚠️ Best avoided
- Dress modestly away from the beach, and cover arms, legs and hair to enter a mosque.
- Alcohol is served only in licensed venues, mostly hotels: never drink in the street.
- During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public in daylight.
- Ask before photographing anyone, and never photograph women without their consent.
- Friday midday prayers still change opening hours, even though the weekend is now Saturday and Sunday.
Getting by
Words that help
English ↔ Arabic
| English | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Hello | مرحبا (marhaba) |
| Thank you | شكرا (choukran) |
| Please | من فضلك (min fadlik) |
| Yes | نعم (na'am) |
| No | لا (la) |
| Excuse me | عفوا (afwan) |
| Goodbye | مع السلامة (ma'a salama) |
| Do you speak English? | هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟ (tatakallam injliziya?) |
| I don't understand | لا أفهم (la afham) |
| How much is it? | بكم هذا؟ (bikam hadha?) |
| Where are the toilets? | أين الحمام؟ (ayna al-hammam?) |
| The bill, please | الحساب من فضلك (al-hisab min fadlik) |
| Help! | النجدة! (an-najda!) |
| Cheers! | في صحتك! (fi sahtak!) |
The essentials
The practical page
CurrencyUAE dirham (AED)
BudgetAbout €210 a day, mid-range
Best seasonNovember to March
PlugG (prise UK) · 230V
Tap waterSafe to drink, but most people drink bottled
TippingAround 10 to 15%, check the bill for a service charge
Emergency999 / 998
EntryNo visa needed in advance: EU, UK, US, Canadian and Australian passports get a free entry stamp on arrival, valid for 90 days in any 180. Your passport must be valid for six months after arrival.
HealthHepatitis A and typhoid are recommended. No malaria. Measles cases have been reported in the region in 2026, so check your MMR. The heat is the main risk: drink often and cover up in the sun.
Scan to open this guide online, always up to date.
https://offwegooo.com/en/guides/dubai
Don't forget
Packing checklist
Have a good trip.
Guide made on offwegooo.com · Photos via Pexels · Details are indicative, check before you leave.