We’re Broke, So Here Are 6 Places to Visit in Palm Jumeirah for Free
OK, so here’s the deal: I used to have a serious shopping problem. Like, I maxed out 3 credit cards trying to feed my retail therapy habit—super embarrassing, I know. After that, I decided to barely leave the house just to avoid the temptation.
Though recently, I messed up. I went on one of those massive splurges I swore I wouldn’t do again anytime soon. Now, I’m broke. But since staying home drives me nuts, I had to figure out how to keep myself entertained without spending a ton.
So I called up my best friend—we made each other our official “window-shopping buddy” to keep us from spending even a single dirham. If you’re in the same boat, here are the best spots in Palm Jumeirah we checked out for free.
What spots are free to explore in Palm Jumeirah?
There are a couple of spots that are free to explore in Palm Jumeirah! Notable ones are The Crescent, The Boardwalk, and public beaches.
The Crescent
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Address: 44RV+4CW – Crescent Rd
Contact Details: +971 56 995 2491
One of the top places you can visit in Palm Jumeirah for free is The Crescent. It’s the outer circle of the archipelago, offering great views of the Dubai skyline and the Arabian Gulf. There are tons of towering buildings that look like they’re touching the sky too!
You can enjoy walking, jogging, or cycling along this scenic pathway, which we reckon is perfect while taking in the beautiful surroundings and cool sea breeze.
Pro tip:
Want to make your commute easier? You can reach The Crescent by taking The Palm Monorail, a scenic transportation across Palm Jumeirah.
The Boardwalk
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Address: 44J8+G87 – Crescent Rd
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 11 PM
Stretching along the Palm Jumeirah, The Boardwalk provides an accessible and picturesque route for pedestrians. Should you need a lot of space, we bet this is the ideal spot to clear your mind and catch up on some sunlight and exercise.
We also love that it features numerous seating areas and the artsy displays giving this place more color. Here, you can take a chill pill and enjoy water views and surrounding resorts without any entry fees to worry about.
Comfy hack:
You’ll experience a fairly long stroll at The Boardwalk so we recommend wearing the comfiest shoes you own. Alternatively, you can bring moleskin strips so you can readily apply some on your feet to avoid blisters.
Public Beaches
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Palm Jumeirah has several public beaches where you can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and beach activities at no cost. Our favorite ones are Al Sufouh Beach, The Pointe Beach, and Club Vista Mare Beach.
For us, each one provides something unique. Al Sufouh Beach boasts soft and golden sands, The Pointe Beach offers magnificent Atlantis Hotel and Dubai skyline views, and Club Vista Mare Beach provides beach clubs and dining spots.
Smart advice:
Public parking is available around the public beaches but it fills up pretty quickly. We recommend scoping out the area first before heading to the beach.
Street Art and Sculptures
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Did you bring a professional camera or your newest phone with a great cam? Palm Jumeirah is home to various street art installations and sculptures that you can explore and capture at no cost.
Our top picks include “The Palm Fountain” which dances to lights and music and “The Tree of Life” with lots of greenery—both of which add a cultural touch to the area and are perfect as your photo backdrops.
There are also a bunch of murals on the walls when you reach The Boardwalk, adding a nice pop of color along your strolls.
Cool idea:
Feeling confident about your artistic photos? Consider letting other art enthusiasts see your shots when you use relevant hashtags like #PalmArtWalk upon posting!
The Pointe
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Address: 44HF+6FH – The Palm Jumeirah
While The Pointe features shops and restaurants, you can stroll along its promenade for free! From here, you can also see the lavish Atlantic Hotel, a true architectural marvel that we think you can appreciate with the stunning skyline.
For us, every part of this tourist attraction oozes an Instagram-worthy vibe. Plus, this waterfront destination hosts the stunning Palm Fountain show, which is free to watch from the promenade.
Fancy tip:
If you want to amp up the experience, you can easily reach The Pointe by boat from the Dubai Marina or other areas around the Palm. We think this is a fun way to see the Palm from another perspective—but only if you have extra dirhams to spare.
Local Markets
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Love window shopping? If you have the restraint, we think you’ll love exploring the local markets around Palm Jumeirah. The highlights for us are the Nakheel Mall Souk and The Pointe Market.
The Pointe Market, in particular, comes with a charming waterfront area. We also like that its narrow pathways are filled with colorful crafts and exotic spices to make your travels memorable, especially if you’re not from Dubai.
Handy hack:
Note that these local markets tend to get crowded on weekends. It’s best to arrive early in the morning or on weekdays to make your shopping more hassle-free.