Costs nothing · Dubai, United Arab Emirates
15 Free Things to Do in Dubai
The best budget in travel is zero. These Dubai spots have verified free entry.
Only places with a confirmed free-entry policy make this list. Ranked by traveler review volume. Updated monthly.
The Dubai Fountain
LandmarkSet on the 30-acre lake between the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain is the world's largest choreographed fountain system, jets shoot water up to 150 metres, lit by thousands of lights…
Read our full guide →The Dubai Mall
MarketThe Dubai Mall is far more than a shopping centre, it's one of the most-visited places on Earth and effectively a self-contained entertainment district.
Read our full guide →Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Park & natureSet inside the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium is built around one of the largest suspended tanks in the world, a vast 10-million-litre wall of water teeming with rays, reef fish, and thousands of…
Read our full guide →Burj Al Arab
LandmarkThe Burj Al Arab is Dubai's most flamboyant icon, a 321-metre hotel shaped like a billowing sail, standing on its own artificial island off Jumeirah Beach.
Read our full guide →Dubai Creek
Park & natureDubai Creek is where the city began, a saltwater inlet that was the heart of old Dubai long before the skyscrapers, and still the most atmospheric corner of the city.
Read our full guide →Souk Madinat Jumeirah
MarketSouk Madinat Jumeirah is a modern interpretation of a traditional Arabian market, located in the Al Sufouh area of Dubai.
Read our full guide →Dubai Spice Souk
MarketDubai Spice Souk is a bustling, aromatic market located in the historic Deira district, just a short walk from the Dubai Creek.
Read our full guide →Dubai Marina
Park & natureDubai Marina is one of the city's most spectacular and lively districts, a glittering, entirely man-made waterfront canal city ringed by a forest of soaring skyscrapers, with a yacht-filled marina at its heart.
Read our full guide →Palm Jumeirah
Park & naturePalm Jumeirah is Dubai's most famous feat of engineering, an enormous, palm-tree-shaped artificial island reclaimed from the Arabian Gulf, so vast its shape is visible from space.
Read our full guide →Bla Bla Dubai
Outdoor & funBla Bla Dubai is a lively outdoor entertainment destination located in Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), right on The Beach promenade.
Read our full guide →Jumeirah Emirates Towers
LandmarkJumeirah Emirates Towers is a striking landmark on Sheikh Zayed Road, comprising two sleek towers that dominate the Dubai skyline.
Read our full guide →Pier 7
LandmarkPier 7 is a striking landmark in Dubai's Jumeirah district, jutting out into the waters of the Arabian Gulf.
Read our full guide →Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
NeighborhoodAl Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, also known as Al Bastakiya, is one of Dubai's oldest residential areas, offering a rare glimpse into the city's pre-oil past.
Read our full guide →Karama Market
MarketKarama Market is a vibrant, no-frills shopping area in the heart of Dubai's Al Karama residential district.
Read our full guide →Meydan Racecourse
EntertainmentMeydan Racecourse is a state-of-the-art horse racing facility in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, known for hosting the prestigious Dubai World Cup, one of the richest horse races globally.
Read our full guide →
How we pick these
Every place here is genuinely free to enter. We filter the 525 Dubai places we track down to those with no admission charge, then rank them by traveler reviews. Updated monthly.
Good to know
A few museums are free only on set days — check opening info before you go.
Entry is free, but transport, snacks and lockers in Dubai still add up.
Free attractions draw crowds; mornings are usually the calmest.
Common questions
What can you do for free in Dubai?+
This list ranks the best no-cost things to do in Dubai, from parks and viewpoints to museums with free entry.
Are there free museums in Dubai?+
Some museums are free all the time and others on specific days. The verified-free ones are included above.
Is Dubai expensive to visit?+
You can see a lot of Dubai on a tight budget by leaning on the free attractions here and eating where locals do.
Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend can build this day for you, at local prices.