These Things to Do in Dubai at Night for Free Proves the City Is also Budget-Friendly
When people think of Dubai, they instantly think seven-star hotels, designer shopping and gold. So it’s no surprise that Dubai is perceived as an expensive city – and it can be!
If you want to, you can go all out with all the expensive things that you can do in Dubai. But if you’re on a budget like me most of the time, there are also a lot of free things that you can do in Dubai, especially at night.
In fact, these are some of my favourite places to go to because I get to have a good time without scratching my budget. Of course, we’re not gatekeeping anything, so here’s my list.
Stroll the Promenade in Dubai Marina Walk
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Website: https://marinadubai.ae/articles/dubai-marina-walk
Address: Dubai Marina Walk
Operating hours:
- 24 hours
Price: Free
One of the things I love about Dubai is that you can easily transport yourself into a completely different world just a few minutes away from where you live.
So whenever I want to daydream about living in the French Riviera, I instantly head to Dubai Marina Walk for a walk along its seven-kilometer promenade.
This chic neighborhood filled with fancy apartment buildings and yachts on the marina just make you want to be part of it. But while you can’t afford it yet, the promenade is absolutely free for you to explore.
There are actually many things to do in Dubai Marina Walk rather than just take a walk. You can ride a bicycle, go on a jog or just find a spot somewhere to appreciate the beauty of your surroundings.
Dubai Marina Walk is also open at all hours and it’s very safe, so you can visit any time you want.
Pro tip:
If you have a little extra budget, make the most of your trip to Dubai Marina Walk by renting a private yacht to see the marina from a different perspective.
Enjoy the Cool Breeze in J1 Beach
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Website: https://www.visitdubai.com/uk/articles/la-mer-dubais-newest-beachfront
Address: Jumeirah 1
Operating hours:
- 24 hours
Price: Free
Dubai can get extremely hot on some days, so the only way to enjoy the beach is at night. And my favourite spot to hit for a night dip is definitely J1 Beach, which was formerly known as La Mer.
This piece of paradise is located between Pearl Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bay, which gives you a panoramic view of the city.
The crystal clear waters and golden sands also make this the perfect spot to just chill, bring some food and relax after a busy day.
And the best part is, J1 Beach is completely free for everyone. But if you have some extra budget, you can also try some of their water sports for a low price.
Pro tip:
Do you want to try a wave simulator? Check out Laguna Waterpark, which is also located in J1 Beach.
Experience Old Dubai in Al Seef
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Website: https://alseef.ae/en/
Address: Dubai Creek – Old Dubai
Contact details: +971 4 371 3999
Operating hours:
- 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Monday to Thursday
- 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Friday to Sunday
Price: Free
Would you believe that you can time travel to Old Dubai whenever you want to? You just need to visit Al Seef and see the magic of the early days of the city at night.
Al Seef is located right by the majestic Dubai Creek, so you can enjoy the cold breeze as you walk along the 1.8-kilometer promenade.
Right beside it is the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood where you can see how houses and buildings looked back in the old days.
I love visiting Al Seef whenever I want a quick escape from the chaos of the modern city. I just need to pay AED1 to hop on an abra and reach this promenade.
Here, I can go on quiet walks – although there can be a lot of tourists on some days – explore the old neighborhood, and sample some authentic food if I ever get hungry.
Pro tip:
You can’t visit Al Seef without checking out the 1950s inspired souk and floating market where you can buy everything from small trinkets to beautiful home decor.
Travel the World at Global Village
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Website: https://www.globalvillage.ae/en/
Address: Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road – Exit 37
Contact details: +971 4 362 4114
Operating hours:
- 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM daily
Price: $
Okay, this attraction isn’t exactly free. But if you’re only paying AED25 to explore different cultures from around the world, you can safely call it free.
I’ve been to Global Village many times, but my jaws still drop every time I visit. Open only during the winter season, this attraction brings more than 90 countries together in a single venue for guests to enjoy food, culture and everything in between.
To say that you’ll never run out of things to do and eat here is an understatement. The Road of Asia section alone features 13 countries. So if you’re a sucker for good Asian food like me, this is heaven right here.
But don’t go all out on Asia just yet because you still have 30 other pavilions to explore. Global Village is really a wonderland taken to a whole new level. This is Dubai, after all.
And yes, children under 12 and seniors aged 65 and up get to enjoy the village for free!
Pro tip:
Global Village comes to life at night. But if you want to see most of the attractions, it’s best to head to the village late in the afternoon, so you have more time to go around.
Party Like There’s No Tomorrow at AER Dubai Club
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Website: https://aerdubai.ae/
Address: Emirates Financial Towers – Trade Center – DIFC
Contact details: +971 54 279 9058
Operating hours:
- 6:00 PM to 4:00 AM daily
Price: Free on some nights
It’s Friday night and you want to enjoy a night out. Unfortunately, your wallet doesn’t agree. But don’t worry because you can still dance the night away at AER Dubai Club and not worry about a hefty bill after.
This is one of the only few night clubs in Dubai that offer free entry on most days. You can even score some free drinks if you come on the right day.
For instance, Tuesdays are usually Ladies Night in AER Dubai Club. You just need to call the bar ahead to have your name included on the guest list and you get to enjoy free entry and drinks.
They even offer huge discounts on food, so you don’t need to worry about your budget and just focus on having fun.
Pro tip:
Now if you want to treat yourself and your friends to a little VIP experience, you can book one of the club’s VIP lounges and enjoy a more private clubbing experience with good food and drinks for a night to remember.
See the Spectacular Dubai Fountain Show
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Website: https://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/downtown-dubai/the-dubai-fountain/
Address: Burj Khalifa – Downtown Dubai
Contact details: +971 4 888 8888
Operating hours:
- 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM for afternoon shows
- 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM for evening shows
Price: Free
I can’t count the times I’ve seen the Dubai Fountain Show, but it still feels like the first time every time I watch it. I even tell my friends that they’ve never truly visited Dubai without seeing it.
Now if that still doesn’t convince you, just imagine looking at a beautifully choreographed show of water jets shooting up in the air to the tune of different musical arrangements.
Seeing the Dubai Fountain Show at night is a truly magical experience and yes, you can enjoy it for absolutely free if you pick the right spot.
For me, the best location to see the show is right in the Dubai Mall Waterfront Promenade. But just make sure to head there early as this place gets packed pretty quickly, especially during the weekend.
Now if you have no luck there, go to the bridge that leads to Souk Al Bahar or the Apple Store Terrace. But if you’re hungry, then you can just dine at one of the restaurants in Dubai Mall with a view of the fountain.
Pro tip:
Do you want to experience the show from the water? You can do that for a minimal fee by booking an abra boat ride. Just bring some extra clothes because you’re guaranteed to get wet.
Take a Posterity Shot of the Burj Khalifa
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Website: https://www.burjkhalifa.ae/
Address: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard – Downtown Dubai
Contact details: +971 4 888 8888
Operating hours:
- 24 hours
Price: Free
Burj Khalifa needs no introduction. It’s the tallest building in the world and the icon of Dubai, so visiting it, especially at night is a must for anyone visiting the city.
The skyscraper is unmissable as it towers over everything in Dubai. But it only becomes even more majestic when you see it up close, especially at night when the building lights up. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a light show for special events and occasions.
“But how can I fit such a massive structure into my photo?,” you ask? For me, the best spot would be at the Souk Al Bahar bridge where you get to have a full view of the building in your background.
You can also take photos at the Dubai Fountain boardwalk and Burj Park, especially if you want to experiment with the different angles of the building in your photos.
Pro tip:
If you want an extra magical shot of Burj Khalifa, head to your spot right before sunset so you can capture the building during golden hour. Then you can take more photos when the building fully lights up at night.
See Some Art in Alserkal Art District
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Website: https://alserkal.online/
Address: 17th Street – Al Quoz 1
Contact details: +971 4 333 3464
Operating hours:
- 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily
Price: Free
Are you an art lover like me? If so, you have to visit Alserkal Avenue, a 500,000-square foot hub composed of 20 art galleries that holds different exhibits from artists around the UAE and beyond.
I especially love visiting here at night because of the more relaxed vibe – and of course, it’s a lot warmer at night. Art installations change often here, so you can guarantee to see something new every time you visit.
I also love that they don’t just host street artists but also fashion designers who want to express their art through clothes. And if you ever get hungry, there are a lot of food stalls in the area too.
Pro tip:
Are you a chocolate lover? Don’t miss visiting Ganache Chocolatier where you can try different chocolate creations that are handmade using the best ingredients.
Experience the Calm of Dubai Creek
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Website: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/places-to-visit/dubai-creek-harbour
Address: Ras Al Khor – Dubai Creek Harbour
Contact details: +971 55 461 4072
Operating hours:
- 24 hours
Price: Free
Dubai Creek is perhaps the most important body of water in the city because it’s where everything started for Dubai.
Being a fishing village, Dubai Creek was used a lot not only for fishing and pearl diving but also for transporting goods in and out of the city.
Luckily, we still get to enjoy it for free, especially at night. The calm waters divide old and new Dubai. So being here gives you the best of both worlds.
Whenever I want to relax after a busy day, I just head to the Dubai Creek and walk around Old Dubai to get a quick reset.
I also love visiting the souks, the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, the museums and the many cafes in the area.
Pro tip:
Do you want to enjoy the creek from the water? Book a dhow cruise where you get to experience cruising on the majestic Dubai Creek while enjoying good Emirati food.
Go People Watching at The Dubai Mall
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Website: https://thedubaimall.com/
Address: Downtown Dubai
Contact details: +971 800 3822 46255
Operating hours:
- 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Monday to Thursday
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM from Friday to Sunday
Price: Free
Of course, a visit to Dubai wouldn’t be complete without some shopping – or in this case some window shopping. And the best place in Dubai for that has to be the Dubai Mall.
The massive shopping center isn’t just for those who can afford to buy luxury brands. Being the biggest mall in the UAE, Dubai Mall has everything for everyone, even those who don’t have the budget to shop.
Going around the mall is already therapy with all the beautiful installations that you can see. You can also check out the many restaurants in the mall to sample different kinds of food.
And if you’re like me who love to people watch, you can easily pick a spot at one of the coffee shops, order your favourite espresso and watch the people go by as you take a sip.
Pro tip:
You can easily visit the Dubai Mall by riding the Dubai Metro’s Red Line and stop at the dedicated station. From here, you can walk to the mall through the connected footbridge.