8 Best Places to Visit in Dubai

Where to Eat in Dubai: Local Food & Dining

Dubai is known for providing various cuisine options while preserving and exhibiting its native flavor. Here are the 5 best eateries that you must consider during your Dubai trip.

1. Bebek Restaurants And Lounge

Bebek restaurant and lounge is the most recommended restaurant in Dubai. The enticing classical interior and the open-air dining experience are absolutely breathtaking. It is a good option for dine-in, delivery, or even takeaways. While it is famous for Turkish cuisine, its menu has multi-regional options as well. The Saeed Majid Bil Yoha Masjid 1 bus station is the closest convenience to this restaurant.

2. White Orchid Restaurant

The Orchid restaurant in Dubai is one of the most appreciated eateries and is popular for its diverse cuisine blending Chinese, Japanese, and Thai flavors. The restaurant has good options for vegetarians and those favoring gluten-free diets. It is situated near Palm Jebel Ali and has been one of the top stops for tourists, especially at night.

3. The Banc Dubai

The Banc Dubai restaurant and bar is a hotspot of entertainment, food, and drinks. It opens at 5 pm but is always found crowded. The hospitality and the glittering interior are just amazing, and you value every penny you spend there. Located at the bank of the Al Jadaf Dubai Canal, it is easily accessible through the Volante Dubai Tower 2 bus station.

4. Orange Chameleon Restaurant And Lounge

Orange Chameleon Restaurant and Lounge is in Palm Jumeirah and is just on the left margin of the coast after you cross the Palm Jumeirah bridge. What people like most about this restaurant is the outdoor seating, especially in the evening. It is the perfect spot for date nights and making sweet memories while enjoying great food. Palm Jumeirah Monorail Station is the nearest mode of transportation to reach here.

5. Hurricane's Grill

Hurricane's Grill is situated in the Dubai Mall, which makes it more reachable. It opens at 11 am and closes at 12 midnight. It provides good food options, cuisines, and is highly popular for mushroom steak, beef ribs, potato fries, and garlic bread. You can adjust your itinerary and enjoy dining here after visiting burg khalifa and Dubai Mall.

Where to Stay in Dubai: Best Areas & Hotels

The second most important part of a Dubai trip, after flight booking, is selecting a good hotel to stay in. Although Dubai has many options at a good price range, here are the top hotels where you can stay during your trip.

1. Avani Deira Hotel

Avani Deira Hotel is located in Deira and is at a distance of 10-12 km from Burj Khalifa and other sightseeing spots, but it has good transportation options around. It has all the required amenities like a spa, swimming pool, gym, and even a nightclub. Abu Baker Al Siddique Metro Station 2 is the nearest metro station to this hotel.

2. Five Jumeirah Hotel

The Five Jumeirah Hotel is a 5-star hotel located near Jumeirah Village Circle and is around 20 km from Burj Khalifa and 13-14 km from Palm Jumeirah. The hotel has comfortable service with good options of stays, even the apartments with a kitchen and private terraces. The JVC, Samer Park bus station is the closest option to reach here.

3. JA Lake View Hotel

JA Lake View Hotel is also a 5-star hotel with 9 dining options. It remains open from 6:30 am to 11 pm, which makes it a great option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Besides the exceptional hospitality, water sports, horse riding, gym, and spa can also be accessed here.

4. Hyatt Regency

Hyatt Regency, located in Deira, is the next best option, providing rooms and suites. Being an international chain of hotels, it is also a good option for business meetings, weddings, and celebrations. It is also studded with watersports, a pool, and a tennis court, but costs a little more. You can reach here through the Gold Souk metro station.

5. Armani Hotel

The Armani Hotel is on the 8th floor of Burj Khalifa, has 160 rooms, and is designed by Giorgio Armani. It has all arrangements, ranging from parties to dining, and its easy accessibility makes it more popular among the tourists. Though you can find it a bit costly, the vibrance here is worth experiencing.

Getting Around Dubai: Transport Guide

Dubai's transportation network covers the entire city and even farther. But for tourists, hop-on, hop-off buses, metros, local buses, and hired vehicles can be good options.

1. Hop-On Hop-Off

Hop on Hop off is the best option to explore Dubai. Make bookings with the best hop-on-hop-off service providers like Tourhopers and enjoy the scenic view of the city while sticking to your itinerary. The punctual drops and picks make the tour more convenient and time-saving without compromising on the sightseeing experience.

2. Metro

The Dubai Metro has 2 lines, namely the Red Line and Green Line, providing good, prompt, and timely conveyance service. If all the spots in your itinerary fall on the metro map, then you can go for it.

3. Buses

The network of public buses is more extensive than the metro, which makes it a good choice for tourists on their trip. The buses keep arriving at the bus station in around 30 minutes or less, making it a convenient transportation medium for tourists.

4. Cars and Bikes for Rent

Some firms in Dubai are providing rented vehicles, where you can book and pay for the cars through their apps and use them. You will also find bike stands where you can rent and use them. They are bike-cum-bicycle vehicles that are a good choice for nearby areas, but you can also get efficient bikes on rent from the local dealers at affordable prices.

The Best Time to Visit Dubai

Dubai’s hot and arid climate makes summer totally inhabitable, especially outdoors. So it's better to visit in the winter. Here is an analysis of the best time to visit Dubai.

Best time to visit: October to March

The best time to visit Dubai is in the winter months, i.e., October to March. The average temperature remains around 22 degrees C, which drops to even 10-12 degrees at night. Although the climate remains tour-friendly, you may encounter thunderstorms and rain.

Fairly Good: March to May

The months from June to September are fairly tolerable and are less recommended for a Dubai trip. However, if you make a plan, try visiting in March or, at most, April, because the scorching summer starts approaching, which may hamper your experience.

Not a good time: June to September (not suggested)

June to September are the hottest months in Dubai. The temperature and climate are not conducive at all for a tour from the convenience and health perspectives. The daily mean temperature generally remains between 30 and 35 degrees, which may also climb to around 50 degrees.

Essential Dubai Travel Tips

Dubai, a tour heaven, is bound by strict rules for citizens and tourists. Though the tourists are served with lenient rules, still following them is the best way to avoid attracting a penalty or ruckus.

1. Choose Time Wisely: Dubai is boiling hot in the summer but feels really pleasant in the winter. Hence, make sure you choose the winter months, i.e., October to March, to avoid unnecessary hassles.
2. Don't Miss The Nightlife: Dubai looks absolutely mesmerizing at night, when the glossy and glittering buildings and monuments glow differently and are more observable and eye-catching.
3. Keep Cash and Credit Cards: The payments in Dubai are made in UAE Dirhams. You will get currency exchange houses in all the malls or in the markets. You can either search for them on Google Maps or seek recommendations from your hotel staff.
4. Dress Appropriately: It is advised to maintain decency while touring across the city. You must not wear exploring clothes or anything that is not generally acceptable. Make sure you wear decent and comfortable clothes while visiting the sightseeing spots.
5. Choose Public Transport: You can choose from metros, trams, buses, and even the water taxis. These give you a whole new experience of public transport while managing your budget and time.
6. Carry Essential Documents: Carry a valid passport, visa, and hotel reservation receipts before landing in Dubai. These documents will ascertain your tourist status in the city and also make your trip more convenient and enjoyable.
7. Maintain Public Decency: The UAE is known for maintaining strict social decency and has enforced certain legal regulations for it. Make sure you exhibit proper etiquette while on tour. If you drink, then follow the proper rules and guidelines for it.

10 Best Shopping Spots & Markets in Dubai

Dubai is a cultural hub and has one of the most crowded local markets. Some of them are general markets providing the items of common use, while others are item-specific, like the gold souk or the spice souk. Here are the 10 best shopping spots and markets in Dubai, where you must go at least once during your trip.

1. Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the city and is located in the vicinity of Burj Khalifa. Besides shopping, it has many exciting places inside, like aquariums and underwater zoos, the Reel Cinema, Hysteria, Dubai Dino, and KidZania. You can reach here by boarding at the Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa Metro Station.

2. Mall of the Emirates

Mall of the Emirates is the next best shopping spot in Dubai. Developed by Majid Al Fattaim Group, it is located on Sheikh Zayed Road. With around 630 retail outlets and 100 restaurants and cafes, it is one of the best places to enjoy the Dubai affluence. The Mall of Emirates metro station is where you can de-board and reach this mall.

3. Ibn Batuta Mall

Ibn Batuta Mall is located on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai and has been attracting visitors since its opening in 2005. This mall harbors approximately 275 shops and 50 restaurants and is considered the world’s largest themed shopping mall. Apart from the fantastic shopping experience, it is itself an architectural marvel with striking interior design.

4. Meena Bazar

Meena Bazar in Dubai is famous for having a good variety of South Asian fashion and handicraft options. Here you can also find good quality ceramics, perfumes, spices, and even furniture. Some local restaurants and cafes are also a good option to visit here.

5. Gold Souk

Gold Souk is one of the oldest and most magnificent jewelry markets. It generally opens at 10 am and closes at 10 pm and becomes more crowded in the evening and at night. Besides the jewelry and antiques, the nearby Dubai Creek is also a good place to visit and enjoy. You can visit this place through the Al Ras Metro Station.

6. Spice Souk

Spice Souk is not just a spice market but also has piles of herbs, incense, dried fruits, etc. Situated near the gold souk, it is known for good quality saffron and is also a must-visit cultural hub for visitors. Also, good opportunities for bargaining should not be neglected. Al Ras Metro Station and Deira, Old Souq 2 bus station are the nearest public transportation points to reach here.

7. Textile Souk

Textile Souk, as the name suggests, is a famous cloth market in Dubai, providing a variety of clothing options made of diverse materials like fine silk, cotton, etc. Here you can also go with the ready-made dresses or find a tailor to get them stitched as per your convenience. Sharaf DG Metro Station is the nearest metro station to this souk, or you can also opt for the Dubai Museum (approx. 3 min walk) or Bur Dubai Abra Station to reach here.

8. Souk Madinat Jumerah

Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a famous traditional marketplace near Palm Jumeirah. Situated beside a mesmerizing waterway providing scenic dining views, it has good shopping options for perfumes, jewelry, and spices. Madinat Theatre and Velvet Sweets are some of the famous shops here that you must visit. Umm Al Sheif Metro Station on the Red Line is the closest metro station here, where you can deboard to visit this market.

9. Karama Market

Karama Market is one of the affordable markets of Dubai with a whole lot of options of “first copy” replicas of top-branded items like watches, handbags, clothes, etc. You can also bargain here and save on your purchases. You can reach here through the ADCB Metro Station or the Karama, Commercial Center 1 bus station.

10. Al Fahidi Souk

Al Fahidi Souk is located in the older part of the city, with a great collection of clothes, carpets, and more. It also has good options for toys, antiques, and appliances, as well as restaurants with a local touch. To reach here, you can take the metro to Sharaf DG Metro and leave from Exit 3.

8 Top Dubai Festivals & Annual Events

The festival and annual events in Dubai are a remarkable venture where you can experience the joy, excitement, and thrill all at once. Below are some of the top 8 Dubai festivals and annual events that you can include in your trip plan.

1. Dubai Shopping Festival

The Dubai Shopping Festival is generally scheduled in peak winters, i.e., in December and January. It is so popular because it takes place in all major shopping venues like the Dubai Mall, the Mall of the Emirates, and the souks. Besides shopping, you will experience drone shows, concerts, and even sparkling fireworks.

2. Awafi festival

The Awafi Festival is organized in the winter months of December and January in the Ras Al Khaimah desert. It is the best opportunity to experience the dune buggy races, SUV skidding, camel rides, night camping, and enjoy the local music, dance, and culture.

3. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is generally scheduled in December at Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island. For the last 5 years, people have been witnessing Max Verstappen win the race, marking the dawn of the new era. Here you will see Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, AstonMartin, Mercedes, and many other noted teams steaming the tracks with the astonishing F1 car maneuvers.

4. Esports and Game Festival

The Esports and Game Festival is organized at the Dubai World Trade Centre in the summer months, mostly in May. New game releases, gaming zones, retro gaming corners, gaming summits, and much more attract gamers from across the world.

5. Dubai Food Festival

Dubai Food Festival is organized in February in the major public places across the city, like the Dubai Mall, beaches, and restaurants. It's the best time to try something new and exciting that your tongue has not tasted yet.

6. Islamic New Year Festival: Hijri New Year

The Islamic New Year festival generally takes place in May or June, depending on the date of the Georgian calendar on which it falls. It is a city-wide celebration of the new year based on the Hijri calendar. Although the temperature remains high, the celebration is worth witnessing. The sky is sparkling with fireworks, and it is like partying everywhere you go.

7. Dubai World Cup

The Dubai World Cup has been a horse race at Meydan Racecourse in March every year since 1996. If you are an ardent fan of horse racing, then this event is the best opportunity for you to be a part of the grandest horse race in the world.

8. Al Gaffal Dhow Race

Al Gaffal Dhow Race is a world-famous sailing race organized annually in the spring season. Raised by the Dubai International Marine Club, it has been granted a heritage status, considering its roots in a traditional milieu.