Aside from being a top study destination, Dubai is also a famous tourist destination. In fact, Dubai is known for many attractions such as the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world, shopping malls, clubs and bars, and indoor ski slopes.
However, despite those famous places, Dubai, the same as other places in the UAE can be quite expensive for students. Thus, here are some top places to visit in Dubai for international students. Some of them can be enjoyed for free or for a more affordable price, and the choices vary, from historical places to sanctuaries, to even beaches.
Dubai Museum
Another place to visit for history lovers is the Dubai Museum. Unlike other museums that are only buildings that house various historical artifacts, the Dubai Museum itself is a historical place in Dubai. The Museum is located at the Al-Fahidi Fort, a place that was originally built to defend the Dubai Creek in 1787. The Fort has also served as the seat of government, a garrison, and prison in the past.
In 1971, the fort officially became a museum showcasing Dubai’s history and heritage, and in the ‘90s, an underground museum was added to it.
The museum consists of various displays showing Dubai through the ages. It also shows rare authentic monuments, astronomy, and a phenomenal wing that shows shipbuilding in the Arabian Gulf, a folklore wing, and so on.
A ticket will only cost students AED 3 (USD 0.82).
Dubai Souks
Dubai may be known for its luxury and high-end shopping malls, which, of course, showcases things that can be bought at an exorbitant price. However, instead of going to its shopping malls, why not try Dubai Souks (Arabic for market) located in Old Dubai, especially when buying souvenirs you can bring back to your home country.
Dubai Souks, located in one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods in Dubai houses lots of small vendors selling everything, from spices to perfumes, to textiles, and even gold. Also, unlike in shopping malls, you can haggle in these traditional markets in Dubai.
Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary
If you are more into enjoying natural sceneries and love birds, you can visit Dubai’s Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary for free (except on Fridays). This wetland is home to different types of migratory birds such as flamingoes, grey heron, osprey, and so on. In fact, hides have been set up inside the sanctuary so that bird watchers can watch birds in their natural habitats.
Aside from the birds, you can also check out and relax in the sanctuary’s salt flats, mangroves, and lagoons
Dubai Beaches
Dubai is also home to some of the best beaches in the world, and you can also access them for free! Also, many beaches in Dubai are equipped with amenities for other activities such as volleyball courts and skate parks. In other places, there are even libraries visitors can access. You can also explore beaches such as Kite Beach, which is a famous place where you can fly kites while staying at the beach.
Other famous beaches in Dubai include Jumeirah Beach, Al Mamzar Beach, and JBR Beach.
There are a lot of things you can do to learn about this beautiful city in the UAE. Aside from knowing the affordable places to visit in Dubai, you can also try tasting some of its food. To learn about them, check out MSM Unify’s article on Food You Must Try While Studying in Dubai.
