Discovering Dubai

In recent years, Dubai has become an increasingly popular destination. The efforts made by local authorities have no doubt contributed to this, as the United Arab Emirates increasingly positions itself as a top-tier tourist destination. In early 2022, for instance, Dubai hosted the World Expo, which showcased this extraordinary city even further.

In this article, our blogger Sam explains what you absolutely must see if you visit this city, the things you need to keep in mind, and a few tips for planning your holiday in this jewel of the Middle East.

Where is Dubai?

The city of Dubai is located in the United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East, about 6,000 kilometres from Belgium.

It's one of the hottest cities in the world, with an average temperature of 27.5°C. The ideal destination for anyone looking for sunshine... all year round!

Seasons, temperatures and dress code in Dubai

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Dubai doesn't really have seasons — it's always warm. The best months, however, are from October to April (the "winter months"), when temperatures are less scorching.

Contrary to what you might think, the dress code is fairly tolerant. In most places, shorts and sleeveless t-shirts are accepted, but in others, you'll need to adapt. In tourist areas, you're free to wear what you like. Only bikinis and swimsuits are banned in public — they're fine on the beach or at the many water parks.

If you want to visit the historic part of Dubai, the souks or the mosques, I recommend covering your shoulders and legs. In some places, you won't even be allowed in without covering up.

Women are not normally required to wear a headscarf. This requirement really only applies inside mosques.

How do you get to Dubai?

On foot, without stopping, it would take you around 1,200 hours! By car, the trip would take 68 hours without a break — and you'd cross several conflict zones along the way.

So the only safe way to get there is by plane.
Direct flights from Brussels Airport are only offered by Emirates, and the journey takes just under seven hours.

For cheaper flights, you'll need to plan a layover. These flights usually take ten hours, or up to twice as long.

Flight prices vary widely. For a direct flight (one way), expect to pay at least €300 per person. For a flight with a layover, there are options from €175 per person.

How do you get around Dubai?

Dubai isn't a small city. Because of the high temperatures, I recommend not trying to explore it all on foot. Taxis or the metro are the best way to get around.

Taxis are affordable (around €2.75 base fare plus 50 cents per kilometre) and the Uber app is also available. The latter is particularly useful if you want to know the (approximate) price of your trip in advance.

The many metro lines will also easily take you anywhere, and it's the cheapest way to get around. Prices and options are available on the Dubai government's website.

Buses are another option and are also inexpensive, but the journey usually takes longer than the metro.

Boats are also part of the public transport system. For one dirham (the local currency), you can cross certain waterways. Make sure you always have cash on you, as they don't accept electronic payments.

Are there affordable accommodation options?

Dubai is an expensive destination, and accommodation isn't (always) cheap. However, you don't need to spend a fortune to stay there.

One very important tip is to book well in advance. Four-star hotels have rooms starting from €50 a night. The same goes for some real "gems" you'll find on Airbnb. And believe me, that's a bargain for a city like Dubai!

Can't find affordable options? Then look for places a little further away from the tourist areas. As mentioned above, the metro and taxis aren't too expensive and will easily get you into the city centre.

Do I need a visa?

Belgians don't need a visa to travel to Dubai. However, an international passport is required, and it must be valid for at least six months on arrival. In other words, a European identity card is not a valid document for entering Dubai.

When you land in Dubai, a visa will be stamped in your passport. This tourist visa is valid for 30 days. If you want to stay longer, you'll need to apply for a residence visa.

What absolutely must you see in Dubai?

Dubai is a real gem for young and old alike. There's so much to do there! And if you think it's just a city for businessmen, you're mistaken!

Here are a few of the attractions you shouldn't miss. Since there's so much to see, I recommend staying at least a week — especially since, after a 7-hour flight, it's more worthwhile to spend several days there.

The Burj Khalifa

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A holiday in Dubai wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Burj Khalifa. This skyscraper stands 828 metres tall, making it the tallest building in the world. Thanks to the world's fastest lifts, you can visit several floors of the building.

The 124th and 125th floors can be visited with a standard ticket (from €35), and if you want to go up to the 148th floor (a bit more expensive, as a ticket covering all floors costs around €90), you can sit on the highest observation deck in the world (555 metres).

You can go even higher, but you'll then need to book a "Tea in the clouds" or "Bubbly Sundowner" package. This will cost you €180 per person, but that high price does get you a few good drinks.

The Red Dunes safari

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Dubai is a city located in a desert area, so you're never far from the sand dunes.

One of the most popular excursions in Dubai is the "Red Dunes safari". Depending on what you choose, you can explore the red sand dunes around Dubai by 4x4, quad bike, or camel.

Multi-day trips are also available. I can genuinely recommend them, as sleeping in the desert is a unique experience!

The Lost Chambers Aquarium

Animal lovers or parents visiting Dubai with their children will love this activity.

The Lost Chambers Aquarium is one of the most beautiful aquariums you could imagine. More than 65,000 fish and other creatures live underwater in the recreated ruins of Atlantis. Sharks, fish, rays, seahorses, jellyfish...
There are also interesting shows put on by marine biologists. The moments when they feed the sharks and rays are particularly fascinating.

You can also dive in one of the large tanks for an extra fee.

The water theme parks

Since it's always very hot in Dubai, it's a good idea to cool off from time to time!

The ideal way to do that is to visit one of the fun, beautifully designed water parks. There are three: Aquaventure, Wild Wadi and AquaFun. The first two are particularly popular.

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Aquaventure is the largest water park in the Middle East and has the world's largest water slide and longest zip line.
Tickets cost a little over €60 per person for adults and around €50 for children under 7. Towels and linen can be rented separately for an extra fee.

Wild Wadi is another giant water park located right next to the famous Burj Al Arab hotel (see below).
Besides dozens of slides, rapids and other water attractions, you can also (learn to) surf thanks to the "surf simulator".

Prices at this water park are similar to those at Aquaventure.

The Burj Al Arab hotel

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The Burj Al Arab is one of the most luxurious hotels in the world. With its seven stars, it's also extremely exceptional! The shape of the building is inspired by a traditional Arab sailing vessel (the dhow), and this resort blends perfectly with its waterside setting, as the Burj Al Arab is built on an artificial island in the Persian Gulf.

A stay at this hotel isn't cheap, as the least expensive rooms start at €800 a night. The most expensive penthouses can cost more than €50,000 a night.

So staying there isn't within everyone's budget. Fortunately, since 2021 you can also book a guided tour to see the building from the inside. Prices are around €60 per person, and the tour can only be booked on the official website.

Buying tickets for these activities

You can usually buy tickets or book tours for the excursions above (and others) in Dubai through your hotel or local tour operators, but personally, I usually use platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator.

They always have a much wider choice of activities, tickets and tours, and thanks to the detailed descriptions, you get a better idea of what you're booking. You can also read other travellers' reviews and see photos there.

Another advantage of GetYourGuide is that you can cancel most tours and tickets for free up to 24 hours in advance, which is especially handy in case of bad weather, a sandstorm, or if you simply change your plans.

In any case, try to book accommodation, tours and tickets well in advance. Dubai is extremely popular with tourists from all over the world. A last-minute booking will be much more expensive and will limit your options.

Eating in Dubai

Dubai is a melting pot of cultures. You'll find restaurants serving dishes from all over the world. There are also big differences in price. Fast food is, of course, the cheapest option, while some Michelin-starred restaurants charge sky-high prices.

If you're looking for authentic, traditional food in Dubai, I recommend heading to one of the Emirati restaurants. Order some harees, majboos or thareed, and finish with some luqaimat (a kind of sweet fried dough balls). Not your thing? Then I'd strongly recommend trying the "camel burger"! Personally, I find these camel burgers surprisingly tasty.

A few final tips and tricks

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- Dubai is expensive. Expect prices comparable to Scandinavian ones. A coffee costs around four to five euros, and lunch or dinner between €30 and €35 per person. You can find fast food from €6 per person. Tickets, tours and excursions aren't very cheap either — visiting the Burj Khalifa costs at least €35 per adult, and a desert excursion costs €50 per person.
The easiest way to pay is by credit card. Some debit cards also work, but that depends a lot on your bank and the type of account you have. Sometimes you'll need to let your bank know that you're travelling outside Europe and intend to make payments there.

If you book online, you can almost always pay with your Belgian credit card or via PayPal.

In any case, always try to carry a little cash with you. You can get some from an ATM or a currency exchange office.

Rather surprisingly, I didn't find the hotels overpriced (as long as you book in advance). Many four-star hotels have rooms from €50 a night.

The same goes for flights, which will be affordable if you book them ahead of time.

- During Ramadan, Muslims are not allowed to eat from sunrise to sunset. Tourists are expected not to drink, eat or smoke in the presence of people observing this period of fasting.

- Travelling alone in Dubai as a woman is entirely possible. As long as you respect the local culture, women travelling alone will never be bothered, except perhaps occasionally by a curious glance.

- Alcohol is allowed, but... you can only drink it in certain places. Only restaurants, bars or venues with a special licence can serve these drinks to people aged 21 and over. You're not allowed to drink alcohol in public, and you're certainly not allowed to be drunk.

Tourists need to apply for an "alcohol licence". It's valid for 30 days and can be obtained at African + Eastern or MMI shops. After showing your stamped passport, you'll receive this permit immediately.

- Keep displays of affection with your partner to a minimum in public. Holding hands or kissing — even innocently — is seen as provocative, so it's best to avoid it. It's not unheard of for a tourist to be arrested for "public indecency"!

As you can see, Dubai isn't just a "sun destination". There's also a lot to discover there. What's more, you'll find a unique, very welcoming and fairly open culture, compared to the standards of other countries in the Middle East.
In short: if you're looking for a holiday spot where you'll be thoroughly pampered, Dubai is the perfect place.

About "Check Out Sam"

Sam is a globetrotter at heart. Since the age of 18, he has been travelling the continents as a true "digital nomad". Sometimes he stays put for a while, but he never sits idle for long. Wherever he goes, he gathers information which he turns into practical travel guides on his blog: places to visit, useful tips, unusual places to stay and, of course, wonderful travel stories with stunning photos. To find the inspiration and information you're missing, just head over to Check Out Sam!

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