18 fabulous things to do in Dubai for free

Head to The Dubai Mall waterfront promenade to watch the dancing jets of The Dubai Fountain in action. With state-of-the-art technology under the shadows of the world's tallest tower, this is a class act and it's completely free. Join the crowds every half hour from 6pm to watch as streams of water shoot up to 140m in the air and dance to the tunes of traditional Arabic music, Bollywood pop songs and more.

One of the city’s most popular art hubs, Alserkal Avenue is teeming with creativity. You can explore the galleries housed within cleverly-designed warehouses for free, including modern art at Custot Gallery and North African works at Elmarsa Gallery. This neighbourhood has now morphed into approximately 500,000sqft of urban space and also boasts food, fashion and music plus a host of community events.

Head to the historic quarter of Dubai to discover artistic excellence in the midst of tradition and culture. Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, located by the charming Dubai Creek, houses respected art galleries within the rooms and courtyards of restored historic houses. Admire the sand-coloured windtowers and don’t forget to stop by the Coffee Museum, which details the centuries-old tradition of this delicious drink.

One of Dubai’s most impressive shows takes centre stage every evening at Dubai Festival City Mall, and it’s free to attend for all. The attraction combines lasers, fountains and surround sound for a truly unforgettable experience. With the world’s largest water projection screen, get ready for a fresh wave of entertainment, complete with pyrotechnics and dramatic effects. Worried you’ll miss out? Don’t fret, there are shows every evening, including weekends.

Among the city's most popular destinations, The Dubai Mall is a mammoth space home to the best brands and world-class attractions, including Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. One of the largest indoor aquariums of its kind in the world, here you can observe resident sand tiger sharks, rays and more than a hundred other aquatic species as they glide by the main glass wall. For a closer look, you’ll need to buy a ticket so you can enter the 48m walkthrough tunnel.

Located just metres away from the bustling city of Dubai are the wetlands of the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Spanning 6.2 sqkm, the conservation area is known as the ‘Cape of the Creek,’ and features a variety of salt flats, intertidal mudflats, mangroves and lagoons that birds use for their nests and individual habitats. Flamingos are the stars here, but you can also spot more than 60 species of bird and 500 types of flora and fauna from the free-to-access observation points.

Palm Jumeirah is home to some of Dubai's top luxury resorts including Atlantis, The Palm, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, One&Only The Palm and many more. But a resort stay is not the only way you can enjoy the Palm's charm. Take a stroll down the 11km boardwalk that stretches from one end of the Palm’s crescent to the other, snapping incredible vistas along the way. Afterwards, stop to refuel at one of the many waterside restaurants at The Pointe.

Take a 30-minute drive from Dubai's bustling city centre to Al Qudra Lakes. Part of the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, you can enjoy a host of activities including a picnic or a leisurely ride around the Al Qudra Cycling Track. From desert foxes to the oryx, you can witness Dubai's wildlife in its natural habitat. It's a popular bird-watching spot too, with nearly 200 bird species living around the lakes, including swans, geese, ducks, flamingos and even endangered species like the steppe eagle and Asian houbara.

Located along Dubai Creek, this cultural hotspot is certain to catch the gaze of anyone passing by. Designed in the shape of a traditional Islamic lectern, the region's largest library opened in June 2022. Explore more than a million titles in both physical and digital forms, spread out across nine levels and 54,000 sqm. This remarkable building also houses study rooms, exhibition spaces, a cafe, a courtyard, a bookstore and a theatre. There's plenty of children's reading material too, so be sure to bring your little ones along and help encourage their love of learning. Before you visit, it's recommended that you reserve a time slot online or via the library's app. 

Camel racing is a truly spectacular and unusual experience you can witness live. The racing season runs between October and April, and races tend to take place in an informal setting early mornings on weekends. There are several tracks around the emirate, but Dubai's biggest one is the Al Marmoom Camel Racetrack, which is open to curious spectators and located half an hour’s drive from the city.

Spread over four buzzing districts within Dubai Parks and Resorts and connected by a 1km long river, Riverland Dubai is a destination like no other. Entirely free for both parking and access, The Peninsula is the heart of Riverland and features a large outdoor venue that regularly hosts festivals and concerts. Take a seat and watch as musicians and acrobats liven up the area, or simply go for a stroll around the themed spaces and capture new memories.

The Dubai Water Canal stretches from Dubai Creek in Old Dubai, through Business Bay, and onwards to the Arabian Gulf. Visitors are free to roam and explore the promenade areas, with pedestrian bridges offering incredible views. The main draws include the uniquely shaped Tolerance Bridge and a motion-detected waterfall that lights up at night.

Discover Dubai's newest cycling attraction at Mushrif National Park, with 20km of mountain biking trails winding their way throughout the park's scenic natural setting. The first track of its kind in Dubai, it is soon set to extend a further 30km. There are multiple routes of varying difficulty levels, for beginners all the way up to seasoned mountain biking experts, designed to accommodate up to 3,000 bike enthusiasts every day. While the trails are free to use, there's a nominal fee of AED3 per person for park entry. Cyclists can bring their own gear or pay for rentals on-site.