With a booming trade and tourism industry, Dubai has become incredibly popular in the last two decades. Every day, it sees hundreds of visitors from all walks of life around the world’s businessmen, families and solo travellers. But, it isn’t known as a cheap holiday destination. In fact, because of its higher priced food and accommodation, Dubai is possibly one of the most expensive destinations for backpackers. However, this doesn’t mean that fun has to come at a cost!

Here are our best picks of activities for exploring Dubai on Budget so that you don’t burn a hole in your wallet:

The Dubai Fountain

The Dubai Fountain is a stunning fountain with a system of fountains and lights designed to work together to create a spectacular show accompanied by music. The fountain is located within Burj Khalifa Lake, which stretches for 12 hectares.

The lighting system in the fountain is quite advanced, with 50 colour projectors and 6,600 lights. The water from the fountain shoots up to 500 feet in the air. It’s accompanied by a wide range of music from classical to contemporary Arabic. You’ll find it in the city centre at the foot of the Burj Khalifa tower.

Location: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Open: 24/7

Phone: +971 4 567 2030

Dubai Creek

Dubai Creek is a fun waterway that’s home to a variety of things to do along its banks and in the water itself. Around the edges you’ll find several stunning restaurants, but if you’re not looking to spend anything, you can just enjoy the stunning views along the walkways.

No trip to the creek would be complete without an abra ride. The fee is one of the cheapest you’ll find among the city’s attractions, and you can journey across the water to the features on the other side. It’s located east of the city centre and west of Dubai Festival City.

Location: Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Jumeirah Public Beach

Jumeirah Public Beach is a popular beach that lets you enjoy fun on golden sands as well as in the welcoming turquoise waters of the gulf. The whole family can find fun here as well, thanks to the children’s playground area.

You’ll find plenty to do at this beach, which is open from the early morning to well after sundown. Just make sure you avoid visiting during the afternoon if you’re trying to avoid the crowds. You’ll find it north of Umm Suqeim 3, which is southwest of the city centre.

Location: Jumeirah – Jumeirah 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Dubai Museum

The Dubai Museum is a popular museum housed in an old building that contains numerous artefacts of local history from long before the discovery of oil in Dubai. It’s located in Al Fahidi Fort, which is the oldest building in the city dating back to 1787. The museum itself opened in 1971.

Inside, you’ll find a wealth of knowledge and artefacts, with some dating back as far as 3000 BCE. You’ll find old musical instruments and mannequin displays showcasing historic food stalls and pearl merchants. You’ll find it in the Al Fahidi district north of the city centre.

Location: Al Fahidi Fort – Al Fahidi – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 800 33222

Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is a man-made canal city that was created in 2003 and offers stunning and impressive views along with plenty of walks and beaches. Lots of shops and restaurants are available along the marina, with some that are friendly for budget-conscious travellers.

Visiting this marina lets you explore a marvel of engineering that even the wildlife seems to appreciate. Despite the canal being artificial, whales are often seen in the water after entering from the open sea nearby. It’s located south of the city centre along the coast.

Location: Dubai – United Arab Emirates