Travel Arab Emirates. Independent holiday in the UAE. Tips and tricks. Housing and food

After almost a year and a half without a normal vacation, I realized that I urgently needed a vacation, and not just somewhere in another country, but at sea. Before that, I had successful experience of an independent holiday in Hong Kong and Bali (which, I hope, I will talk about in other articles), so I decided not to take a tour, but also book a hotel, buy tickets and get a visa on my own.

After Egypt and Turkey were closed for flights, there was little choice left: I really wanted to visit Thailand, but, unfortunately, award tickets for Aeroflot miles were not sold there. Therefore, the choice fell on the UAE, namely the emirate of Dubai, especially since my friend flew there the previous summer, from whom I hoped to learn useful information about the country and all sorts of nuances that for some reason are not written about in review articles and travel reviews. I didn't plan to meet in the UAE New Year, because hotel prices during this period soared to cosmic heights in this already very dear city(and with the fall of the ruble, Dubai became astronomically expensive for Russian tourists). Therefore, I bought tickets a week later than the New Year, when the main stream of compatriots was already returning to their homeland. Let me make a reservation that at the time of my trip 1 dirham (AED) was equal to 20 rubles.

After successfully purchasing a ticket, I went to the well-known hotel booking site and began to sort offers based on reviews, ratings, location and other amenities. It should be noted that in Dubai it is very expensive hotels. For the money that I paid for a 2* hotel, in Asia I could easily rent a 5* room. My choice fell on Holiday Inn Express Internet City, located near the foot of Palm Jumeirah and not very far from the bay.

My Holliday Inn Express

The hotel was attracted by the rating, which was higher than 8 on booking, the location, transport accessibility(you can walk to the metro station, as well as the tram stop), which was important for me, since I did not plan to use a taxi. The hotel also had free Wi-Fi and breakfast included. What was disappointing was the additional taxes and service fees that were not included in the room price (10% tax, 10% tourist tax, 10% service charge). The real price was 30% higher than the one stated on the booking! Somehow not very fair. Well, okay, the booking conditions in other hotels were not very different. The money is debited from the card one day before arrival, so on the website I could see how the cost of my vacation in rubles increased daily.

When the hotel was finished, I took care of the visa. At first, the idea arose to also do its own design in order to save money. But, as it turned out, the visa is not issued through the embassy, only through tourism companies. The visa to the UAE is electronic; to obtain it, you need a “sponsor” in the country of holiday - a company that vouches for you (as far as I understand). For passengers Emirates airlines It’s simple - the airline itself acts as a sponsor for them. I was flying with Aeroflot, so I decided to apply for a visa at the visa center, since you can submit documents, pay and get a visa via the Internet without going outside. All you need is a scan of your passport and a color photograph. The visa cost me 7,000 rubles.

What an independent traveler needs to do before visiting Dubai is download a city map in 2GIS to your smartphone. Surprisingly, this application offers very detailed map Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman with all routes public transport and bus stops. For independent traveler who tries not to spend money on a taxi, this is just a godsend. Unfortunately, the application does not have a map of Abu Dhabi, which would be very useful, but I hope it will be added in the future.

I also recommend purchasing tickets online in advance for attractions - the observation deck at Burj Khalifa (At the Top) and one of the water parks. But I don’t recommend taking a ticket to the Dubai Mall Aquarium; there’s absolutely nothing to see there.

And then they died down new year holidays, early in the morning I went to Sheremetyevo and from there on a direct flight to Dubai. At the airport of departure, I advise you to buy a small amount of cash for rubles, because upon arrival at the airport you will not have time for this, fortunately the exchange rate is not very different from the official one.

In January, the temperature in Dubai is around 22-27 degrees, so it is recommended to take off a warm jacket at the airport and put it in your luggage before check-in. Upon arrival, the longest procedure is going through border control, where they check your visa and also do a retinal scan (and they do it from a fairly large distance: you will just need to look at the pole with a camera behind the border guard), this procedure is not quick, the border guards work measuredly and the queue can last for an hour.

Having dealt with all the formalities, I hurried to the metro station, where I bought a Nol Silver transport card, and went to my hotel, which took about an hour to get to without transfers. You can get an idea of the ultra-modern Dubai Metro, which operates without drivers, from the following video:

Ride the Dubai Metro

From Dubai Internet City to Mall of the Emirates

I’m also posting the metro map:

The cost of the trip depends on the distance: from the airport to the hotel it cost 7.5 AED, the minimum cost was 3 AED. This card can also be used to travel by bus and tram. But to ride the monorail along Palm Jumeirah, you will need to buy separate ticket, which costs 25 AED round trip. You can also use the Nol card to take a regular bus to Abu Dhabi.

It’s better not to change dollars at the airport, because the exchange rate there is unfavorable, plus they charge a commission. It’s better to do this in UAE Exchange exchangers, this is what they look like:

They are found in many shopping centers and subway lobbies.

Lives in UAE great amount expats, mainly from Asia, so English language is the main language in the UAE. Almost everyone here speaks English, even Arabs, maybe with the exception of Russians and Chinese tourists(that’s why organized tourism is so popular among them). The difficulty is that all these people from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan and India speak English with accents, and for an inexperienced Russian ear it can be very difficult to understand at first what they are saying to you. You have to ask again several times until you get it.

Having safely reached the hotel and checked into the room, I discovered that although the room was double, it was prepared for one person: one bottle of water, one teaspoon on the table (although there were two mugs). Plus, the shower didn’t work, I had to call the reception and call a repairman, fortunately he fixed everything, and the sheets had holes. Overall, the impression of the room was satisfactory - Holiday Inn Express fully lived up to its name.

After resting a bit, I went to explore the surroundings. As it turned out, there were many different cafes nearby, which I was very happy about, because the only food at the hotel was breakfast. Having tried several, I can immediately recommend two small chain cafes:

where they serve pizzas and salads in huge portions (average bill 100 AED for two),

and London fish&chips -

Mall of the Emirates from inside

It should be noted that I liked this shopping gallery more than others in Dubai. It is easy to navigate, it is quite spacious, there is no such crowd as in the Dubai Mall and there is a Carrefour hypermarket.

The closest beach to it is Jumeirah beach, which is a 15-minute walk from the metro.

Forward to Burj Al Arab

Across the road from the beach there is a small shady park where you can relax with children, and next to bus stop they sell freshly prepared delicious ice cream, and the seller there is a Russian-speaking girl - be sure to check it out.

Dubai Tram does the same indelible impression, like the metro:

Knowledge Village tram station

The train consists of 7 sections connected by a through passage. When entering a stop, do not forget to attach your Nol card to calculate the fare, and when exiting at a stop, you must attach the card again to write off the funds. Special employees are vigilantly monitoring this. You can take the tram to a small area of skyscrapers on the coast - Dubai Marina. This is where you need to come dark time days, because with the onset of dusk this area comes to life.

Here you can leisurely stroll along the promenade along the canal, ride on Dou boats, swim to the other side on a water bus, wander around the Marina Mall and, of course, take unforgettable photographs.

Of course, the main attraction of Dubai is the tallest structure ever built by man - the Burj Khalifa skyscraper. It is impossible to visit Dubai without at least once going up to the observation deck of this engineering marvel.

But still, the main highlight of the center of Dubai is dancing fountain! It was he who made an indelible impression on me:

The Dubai Fountain - Con te partirò (Time to Say Goodbye)

The feeling of it cannot be conveyed either by photography or video - it needs to be felt personally.

But what can really disappoint you is the aquarium in the Dubai Mall. You can admire it from the shopping gallery; it’s definitely not worth buying a ticket to take a photo in the tunnel under it. The ticket will also take you to the top deck of the aquarium, where they will show you how the fry are bred and the fish are fed. Even higher is a small zoo.

For more reasonable money, it is better to visit the Moscow Oceanarium at VDNH; you will be much more impressed.

The next day I had a water park planned. And not some Wild Wadi, but himself. Although after visiting the water park I somewhat regretted my choice, I still had to take Wild Wadi. I bought my ticket in advance, so I couldn’t guess the weather: although it was sunny, it wasn’t very hot, about +22.

From my hotel you can walk along the tram tracks to the monorail to Palm Jumeirah. You need to buy a ticket for the monorail separately; this attraction costs 25 AED round trip, and on the way back the ticket will be taken away from you, so you won’t even be able to keep it as a souvenir. The trip itself lasts 5 minutes, if you are interested, you can watch the video.

Monorail ride on Palm Jumeirah

The train arrives at the station located in the water park itself, the entire territory is visible on the right hand:

Aquaventure water park area

Because of this, it is tempting to go right at the exit. But there is only a parking lot there for buses. To get to the water park, you need to turn left and go in the direction of the hotel. By the way, there is a stop here excursion buses Big Bus. On the way to the water park you will come across quite a few boutiques, as well as this wonderful gold vending machine:

Would you like some gold to go?

You need to show the ticket purchased and printed in advance to the girl at the entrance, then you won’t have to stand in line at the ticket office, she will immediately indicate where to go. It turns out that in this water park a locker is not included in the price of admission (very strange, however). You can take one for two, a locker costs 40 AED. You will have two bracelets on your hands: one for the entrance, the other for the locker. Make sure that they are well glued, because during skating the bracelet can tear (which actually happened to me, fortunately I noticed it in time and prevented the loss of the bracelet). Also, you don't necessarily have to go to the nearest locker room to the left of the entrance, which may be packed. There are also changing rooms at the far end of the water park, you can easily walk there along the paths, and at the same time explore the water park.

Of course, the biggest impression is made by the slide "": you slide down at an angle of 75 degrees from a height of 28 m and fly in a pipe under a pool with sharks. At the top there is usually a queue of the same daredevils as you. It is there, at the top of Neptune's tower, that fear begins to creep through you...

Another test awaits the most reckless and fearless in the farthest corner of the water park - the Poseidon Tower.

Tower of Poseidon

Having climbed to the very top, you will find two capsules that will shoot you almost vertically down - this is “Poseidon’s Revenge”. I am attaching a short video, not filmed by me, solely to demonstrate the process:

Poseidon's Revenge Atlantis Dubai

After watching this video I wanted to ride the slide again!

Otherwise, the water park offers a relaxed relaxation in the hot sun. The downside of my visit was that it was cold. The water in the slides and in the main river was not heated; after half an hour, teeth began to chatter in the water.

When going to the UAE, I decided to definitely visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi. You can get to the capital of the Emirates by regular buses, one of which - E100 - comes from the center of Dubai, and the other, more convenient for me, - E101 - from the Ibn Batuta metro station. By the way, this metro station also has an interesting shopping center— Ibn Batuta Mall. It is interesting because it consists of halls decorated to resemble the countries that the great Arab traveler Ibn Batuta once visited, after whom the station is named.

Ibn Batuta Mall, Egyptian Hall

Ibn Batuta Mall, Chinese hall

Payment on the bus is made using Nol cards, a one-way ticket costs 25 AED, so make sure that you have 50 dirhams on the card (the card is applied at the beginning of the trip and at the end, at the exit). It takes an hour and a half to get to the capital of the emirates, and it is advisable to get up early.

You arrive at the bus station, whose interior is very similar to its counterparts in Russia, especially for the restroom.

To move around the city by public transport, you need to buy a separate card; Nol is not valid in Abu Dhabi. It is possible to buy a temporary card right at the station, which costs 2 AED and put at least 10 AED on it. A trip from the bus station to the mosque will cost 2 dirhams one way.

When leaving the bus station, an unpleasant surprise awaited me - a police patrol stopped me and asked me to show my Emirates ID. During a long conversation with law enforcement officers, I was asked to show my passport, visa, or their electronic versions on my phone. To be honest, I didn’t take any documents with me on the trip, so I frantically rummaged through my phone. The impression of the capital of the Emirates was completely spoiled. Therefore, dear travelers, do not repeat my mistake. Carry a printed visa and a copy of your passport with you.

The difficulty of moving around Abu Dhabi by public transport is that the stops are not marked on any map, even Google does not know about the Abu Dhabi bus network. But near the bus terminal at the stop there is a schedule and a picture of a mosque with a caption that we need route 54. You need to exit from the western side of the mosque (a stop named after a hospital).

The mosque is truly magnificent: a huge courtyard, the largest carpet in the world and amazingly beautiful chandeliers are amazing.

After visiting the mosque I took a ticket for tourist bus Big Bus Tours and went towards Yas Island because I wanted to see theme park Ferrari. Now I understand that I shouldn’t have done this, because there was half a day left and it would have been better to take this bus to the city center. Or, if you really wanted to see the theme park, you should just take a taxi, it would be cheaper.

By the way, Big buses Bus Tours also operate in Dubai; a ticket for the whole day costs about 260 AED. If you have a free day, I recommend a bus tour of the city, especially since the audio guide includes Russian.

Another place worth visiting in Dubai is the Global Village exhibition and entertainment complex. You can get to it from Union metro station by bus 103, the fare will cost 10 AED.

The complex opens at 16:00 and is open until 1 am.

It’s easy to go on holiday to Dubai on your own! Find out how to plan your trip: visas, tickets, hotel reservations, transport, safety, rules of conduct. We share our experience, impressions and advice.

You can also go to Dubai on a tour package - often a tour package is cheaper independent trip. Look at the prices and decide which is more profitable and convenient for you. Last minute tours search on services and they will find best deals among different tour operators. Want to save money? Explore our.

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Our review of the trip to Dubai

Why do they go to Dubai? First of all, for the sake of shopping, good restaurants, first-class hotels and beach holiday. Everything here is at the highest level. One feels the scope, gloss and luxury, but not excessive. However, we settled in the Old City - in the Bur Dubai area - and got to know the city from a different side. Pakistanis, narrow dirty streets, spicy food, low-rise buildings - this is not a postcard Dubai at all. But the more contrast, the more interesting!

We spent four wonderful, eventful days in Dubai: we climbed the Burj Khalifa, visited the aquarium and underwater zoo in the Dubai Mall, walked around the city districts and admired the skyscrapers, explored the beaches and transport system. We love megacities and their inspiring dynamics, but it is difficult to live long in such a high-tech anthill. It is much more pleasant to be among the quiet streets of the Old Town.

UAE visa

Russians do not need to apply for a visa to the UAE in advance if the duration of the trip does not exceed a month. You will receive it free of charge upon arrival for 30 days. It can be extended for another 30 days, but for a fee. We received our visa at Abu Dhabi airport - the procedure takes a few minutes.

If you are going to Dubai for a long time, apply for a tourist visa in advance - you can do this yourself at visa centers or consulates.

How to get to Dubai on your own?

The cheapest tickets are from Moscow. A round-trip flight with a transfer costs from 12 thousand rubles, a direct flight - from 14 thousand. Inexpensive tickets can be found from Yekaterinburg, Kazan and a number of other cities.

You can make up difficult route and see one more city - choose a long transfer of several days.

When planning an independent holiday in Dubai, look at tickets not only to this city, but also to neighboring Abu Dhabi. If tickets to the capital of the UAE are cheaper, take them with confidence. We flew to the Emirates on an Emirates airline flight. A free airline shuttle took us from the capital's airport to Dubai in an hour and a half, and the same thing back. Comfortable!

How to get there from the airport?

The most convenient way is by metro - the red line from the airport goes to the center. Buses run, but it is difficult to figure out the routes. The most comfortable way is a taxi. Read about transport in Dubai below.

Interesting video! TV presenter and blogger Anton Ptushkin takes a video tour of the rich life in Dubai:

Where to book a hotel in Dubai?

Remember that hotels in Dubai charge a tourist tax - the amount depends on the level and star rating. When you book on Booking, you will see what tax you need to pay. Also, some hotels take a deposit (usually 4* and 5*).

When booking a hotel in Dubai, you can see a note in the rules of residence of almost every hotel: “Only married couples can stay at the hotel. You must present a certificate or other proof of marriage.” Don't be alarmed, this is outdated information - these strict regulations have not been in effect for many years. Couples sharing the same room will not be asked any questions.

What to see in Dubai on your own?

You can visit almost all the sights in Dubai on your own - arrange a tour for yourself. You should only look for a guide in those places where you cannot go on your own, for example, on a safari.

Here's what you can see in Dubai:

Jumeirah Mosque;
aquarium;
underwater and regular zoos;
Wild Wadi water park;
singing-dancing fountains;
Dubai Creek;
Old city;
markets (gold, fish, spices);
Ski Dubai;
dolphinarium;
Dubai Marina and Dubai Lake Towers areas;
Legoland, etc.

Excursions in Dubai

Look for copyright interesting excursions on the Sputnik and . There are both individual and group courses. The tour operators are usually boring, and the guides are angry and tired - can you imagine the flow of tourists they have?

We advise you to take only those excursions that you cannot organize yourself: for example, a desert safari, night crab hunting, deep sea fishing, helicopter flight or hot-air balloon, Boat trip.

But you can arrange regular sightseeing tours yourself using the metro and taxi - it will be cheaper and more interesting! It is worth taking it if you are in Dubai for a limited time. The downside of sightseeing tours is that tourists are brought to shops where they try to sell goods at an inflated price.

Transport in Dubai

If you go to Dubai on your own, you will have to figure out the local transport system. Dubai has metro, trams, buses, taxis and water transport. We will try to briefly but succinctly tell you the most necessary things.

Metro. There are only two lines, the red one takes you to Dubai Airport. NOL Cards are valid; you can buy them from the machines in the metro lobby or the ticket office. Cards must be shown at the entrance and exit. They are charged money or travel depending on the type of card. Tourists use red, silver or gold (there is also a blue one - personal). Tariffing by zones. It is difficult to understand the tariffs, but it is possible. Compare and choose the one that suits you.

The metro is super modern. Stops are announced. Everything is automated, trains without drivers. The carriages are divided into classes: the first or last one is always gold, then comes economy. In economy, there are one and a half carriages only for women and children, they are pink. During peak hours, queues form for the carriages.

Smoking, food, drinks, alcohol and chewing gum are prohibited on the metro. Men are not allowed to travel in women's carriages. With an economy fare you cannot travel in a gold carriage. All this is punishable by fines.

Buses. Bus routes are indicated at the stops. You need to “catch” the bus with a wave of your hand or press a button at the stop. Entrance is through the front door, exit is through the back door. Payment by NOL cards, fare depends on distance. You need to touch the card to the validator when entering and exiting. The first three rows are for women. If you want to exit, press the Stop button. The restrictions are the same as in the subway.

We used the bus only once - from the Jumeirah area to the metro station. The metro and trams are more convenient, and you can get into traffic jams on the bus.

Taxi. The cars are beige and red. There is a women's taxi. Not always convenient due to traffic jams. There are taxis by time and by meter. It is cheap by Dubai standards, but when traveling through toll roads the passenger pays. .

You can also call a taxi online at Kiwi Taxi - it is especially convenient to order a transfer to/from the airport.

Water transport. Eat abra- traditional open boats ply along Dubai Creek and connect Deira and Bur Dubai. There are many of them, they are cheap (from 1 dirham) and 24 hours a day. Cash payment. Often used by tourists as an attraction. You can book a canal cruise for AED 120 per hour. Explore routes, schedules and prices.

Money and ATMs

When withdrawing cash from an ATM, the commission is charged by the bank that issued the card, and sometimes by the bank that owns the ATM. Cash is issued in dirhams. Almost everywhere you can pay by card. Sometimes small shops charge a small percentage for card payments.

Safety

Dubai - safe city With low level crime. Most of the Emirates' population are emigrants from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines and other poor countries. However, there are no security problems due to visitors in the country. We visited different parts of the city, walked late at night in Indian and Pakistani neighborhoods - we never experienced anxiety or anxiety.

All residents of the city speak English to each other, so there will be no problems with understanding.

Travel time is always limited. However, even in four days it is quite possible to get acquainted with a new culture, because you will do everything to make these days as bright and eventful as possible. So, what to see in Dubai in four days? We tried to understand this issue.

A nice bonus only for our readers - a discount coupon when paying for tours on the website until June 30:

AF500guruturizma - promotional code for 500 rubles for tours from 40,000 rubles
AF2000TGuruturizma - promotional code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Tunisia from 100,000 rubles.

And you will find many more profitable offers from all tour operators on the website. Compare, choose and book tours at the best prices!

Direct flights are available from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and several other Russian cities. There are direct flights from Moscow from the following companies: Aeroflot, Flydubai, Emirates. Travel time is about 5.5 hours. The price of a non-stop ticket starts from 15,000 rubles, but you can buy more cheap ticket according to promotions that airlines often carry out. With a transfer you can fly by Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines. You decide!

First day

The first dive into the whirlwind of a new city is always so exciting! That is why we have prepared for you a list of “basic” attractions that are ideal for exploring Dubai, but at the same time will not allow you to even think that this city is bland, conservative and drab.

The architectural originality of this city is beyond doubt, but this particular area is considered a true pearl of modern architectural thought. The elegance of luxury and the beauty of the coastline make a stunning tandem. The area has a dynamic silhouette, as many buildings are still under construction, but the skyscrapers are already clearly visible against the backdrop of the rich blue sky or the bright illumination that is turned on at night.

The pier has kilometers of walking paths along which you can stroll in the morning while the waves splash or in the evening, having a date under the moonlight. Be sure to visit the local Palm Islands. These artificial islands in the form of palm leaves have become one of the most extraordinary architectural projects of this century, however, to truly enjoy the beauty of this unusual island It will only be possible from the air. Fortunately, such an option is present.

Jumeirah Mosque

This mosque adorns the central part of the city. It looks especially impressive at night, when the majestic lines are illuminated by hundreds of lights. Only four years were spent on the construction of the mosque, and this happened not during the Fatimid times of the Middle Ages (and this is precisely the association that appears when you first see this architectural monument), but at the end of the twentieth century.

At the same time, up to 1,300 believers can be under the arches of the mosque. It is noteworthy that this is the only mosque in the city that is open to non-Muslims. But this is only possible due to the fact that today the Center for Cultural Understanding has been opened at the mosque, the main task of which is to discover the “true” face of Islam and its tolerance towards other religions.

Jumeirah Open Beach

This public beach stretches along Palm Islands. It is particularly popular among tourists, mainly due to the fact that it is in no way inferior to similar paid beaches, and in some cases is even more comfortable. Yes, along coastline There are paths for runners and cycling fans. The beach was created artificially. Sand had to be brought directly from the desert, fortunately, the road was not particularly long.

However, this unnatural origin has its advantages - the beach is cleaned daily using special machines that allow the entire beach area to be cleared. It is from this beach that the most beautiful views to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world, the beautiful port of Rashib and the Parus Hotel, which is difficult to confuse with anything else due to its shape.

Wild Wadi Water Park

This water park is rightfully considered one of the best water entertainment in the Middle East. The title is a combination of English and Arabic. The result is “The Bed of a Mountain River,” which fully corresponds to the set of attractions that are presented. The designers tried to make sure that tourists could fully immerse themselves in the extravaganza of the oriental fairy tale about Sinbad, the conqueror of the seas. It is noteworthy that not only adults, but also children can have fun here.

Unfortunately, the most dangerous rides I will be closed to guests whose height is below 110 centimeters for safety reasons. However, special attractions are open here for little travelers, so you won’t be bored in any case. Once in Wild Wadi, be sure to visit the most exciting water slide, which has no analogues in the world - the effect of free fall is guaranteed to be etched in your memory.

Palm Jumeirah Islands

All the islands of Dubai are the result of human creativity. And they were all created with one goal in mind: “A place that captures the imagination.” It is worth admitting that the plan was completed surprisingly completely. Today, the construction of the Palm Jumeirah island has been fully completed, but the other two are still in various stages of development. The island is shaped like a palm leaf, along the “trunk” of which hundreds of shopping centers, restaurants and even residential complexes stretch.

And on seventeen leaves today there are numerous world-class hotels. Needless to say, this is where the most luxurious mansions of truly rich people are located. The local waves are quite calm thanks to the “crescent”, which protects the island from the violence of the real elements. The island is connected to the mainland by a monorail and a highway, so getting to Palm Jumeirah should not be a problem.

Butterfly Park

Butterfly Park is often mistaken for a continuation of the Garden of Miracles, which is not surprising, because the “park” fits into several domes, where similar conditions are maintained tropical forest. Each dome is a small ecosystem, unlike all the others. So, in one there are cages with tropical birds, and in the other there is a tiny waterfall, which fits perfectly into the local surroundings.

There is no need to worry that the beautiful inhabitants of this fairy-tale world will fly away - all the domes are connected by closed passages. To move from one fairy tale island to another, you don’t have to go outside. The butterflies themselves fly quite calmly and often “travel” on guests. At the entrance to the park there is a small but quite open unusual museum, – here are collected pictures “drawn” with the help of butterflies.

Park of Flowers

Flower Park or Garden of Miracles - an opportunity to immerse yourself in the floral extravaganza of the present Garden of Eden. Be prepared for the fact that you will have to really walk a lot - the area of the park is more than seventy thousand square meters. Up to forty-five million flowers can bloom on the territory at the same time, which are decorated in stunning compositions - local flower beds and sculptures are among the most vibrant and “fleeting” pieces of art that history has known.

The park bears little resemblance to a tourist site, but rather to a full-scale exhibition of “living” art. Do not deprive yourself of the pleasure of strolling under the arch of their richly colored umbrellas or sitting in the gazebos, which seem to consist of delicate inflorescences. This oasis of fragrant life in the middle of a colorless desert could easily pass for a bitter mirage of a heat-weary and expensive companion.

It's not enough to just label this theme park as an "amusement park." Such a characteristic will be insufficient. This place is a real country of entertainment, whose territory is twenty-eight football fields. Full-length dinosaurs roam here and the Avengers come to life. Any fairy tale literally becomes a reality thanks to the use of modern technologies.

The local roller coaster accelerates to 100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds. The speed is amazing! It is this fact that allows this roller coaster to maintain its status as the fastest in the world for recent years. Designers and engineers - sometimes thanks to 5D, and sometimes thanks to fine metalworking - have been able to create the so-called Lost Valley with seven dozen dinosaurs who “live” here on a permanent basis.

Ancient reptiles move and deafen the surroundings with a thunderous roar. But such extreme rides may seem too scary for children - it’s better to take them to the family area, where kids can meet the characters of their favorite films and cartoons.

Second day

We invite you to spend your second day in the city more actively, especially since Dubai has all the resources necessary for such an approach to relaxation: ski resort– yes, Dolphinarium – yes, Water Park – yes. And the evening hours can be devoted cultural program and visit, for example, the Dubai Opera.

Ski resort "Ski Dubai"

This is the only complex in Dubai that literally has everything - from a snowboard track, alpine skiing etc. to the cable lifts. The scope of the complex was also quite large. Up to one and a half thousand guests can stay here at the same time, but this is not the maximum capacity. It doesn’t matter what time of year you find yourself in Dubai - winter clothes can be obtained directly on the spot, and therefore it is not at all necessary to bring a jacket and warm shoes with you.

Today, the Ski Dubai complex includes five slopes of different difficulty levels, so both professionals and amateurs can feel quite comfortable. In addition, if you are just learning to stand on a snowboard or skis, you always have the opportunity to use the services of instructors. Don't worry about the little guests of the complex being bored. Open on site kids club. While you conquer the icy peaks, children will complete quests from the animators' company.

Burj Khalifa observation deck

At the Top - this is the name of the once most famous Observation deck cities. It is located on the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper. Many people say in all seriousness that visiting it is necessary if you want to get a complete picture of this rapidly developing city. True, quite recently a new observation deck was opened on the same skyscraper - this time guests were invited to climb to the 148th floor.

There is a recreation area here, and panoramic windows offer stunning urban landscapes. However, if you want to take a closer look at the cityscape, it’s better to use the interactive screen and take a virtual tour around Dubai. Hurry up to visit this landmark of the Arab metropolis - it has every reason to be included in the Guinness Book of Records.

Singing fountain

An extravaganza of sound, light and water - this is the Dubai Musical Fountain, whose appearance became possible only thanks to the joint efforts of architects, designers and engineers from sunny California. Its location was not chosen by chance - it basks in the shadow of Dubai's top mega-skyscraper - Burj Khalifa, right in an artificial lake whose area is twelve hectares. The fountain itself is today considered one of the largest and most powerful in the world.

The design itself is based on the work of specially designed “water robots”, which make the water “dance” in the air. And thanks to numerous spotlights, the spectacle becomes unforgettable, especially at night. The voices of Andrea Bocelli, Whitney Houston and other world celebrities merge with the sound of falling water, enhancing the already stunning effect to the core.

Thanks to the opening of the Dubai Opera, the metropolis managed to rank with such theater capitals of the world as London's West End and New York's Broadway. The project is truly colossal. The building is a real work of art, both in terms of layout and design, and in terms of technical equipment. In the outlines of the opera one can discern an Arabian dhow, and such an association is completely fair.

A sparkling boat of glass and concrete heads straight into a bright future. There can be two thousand spectators in the building at the same time. And sold-out crowds are not uncommon here, because only the most gifted representatives of elite culture perform here. For example, Placido Domingo, who was called for an encore literally a hundred times after one of his performances in Vienna.

Dolphinarium

The Dolphinarium is simply a fantastic place to spend your leisure time. Fur seals and bottlenose dolphins are not afraid to perform in the spotlight and confidently stay in the “playpen”. They juggle, dance, play ball, and the most talented even draw! The evening program is somewhat more varied - it includes acts with water acrobatics and magic tricks.

Carefully study the dolphinarium's work schedule - periodically there are days when guests can swim with the artists. In addition, the dolphinarium owns the only mirror labyrinth in the Emirates, which you can explore before or after the show.

Zabeel Park

There are quite a lot of green areas in Dubai - like oases in the middle of the desert, where you can take a break from the hustle and bustle of a huge metropolis. And Zabil Park is one of the most picturesque areas. Despite the fact that a fairly busy highway runs through the center of the park, the noise from the roadway is practically inaudible. These two parts are connected using decorative bridges.

Avant-garde style fountains are a real treasure of the park. If you want to have a picnic, Zabil Park will be an ideal option - adults can sit in the barbecue area, and children are guaranteed not to get bored, since there is a special area for them game Zone with carousels, swings and slides. The building of the Starqate entertainment complex, which is also located on the territory, is made in the shape of a spaceship with a predominance of space themes in the design.

The top floor consists of five domes, symbolizing the Earth, Mars, Saturn, the Moon and the UFO ship. Thus, children will be able not only to play, but also to significantly expand their knowledge about the structure of the universe.

The city has many acclaimed attractions, but this does not mean that local designers will suddenly stop creating. One of the most original recent architectural masterpieces is the so-called Dubai Frame, which is located on the territory of Zabeel Park. It stands on the “border” between the old city and the modern metropolis, which is mostly known to tourists. The dimensions are also amazing - the frame is as much as eleven meters higher than the notorious ones Egyptian pyramids, and this already says a lot.

The project turned out to be extremely expensive, because gilding was used in the cladding. The inside of the Frame is not hollow - there is an interactive museum that will tell you about the history of Dubai. At the top there is an observation deck, which, perhaps, will evoke more emotions than all other observation decks in the city, because the floor here is made of glass.

Aquarium

The world's largest aquarium is located in Dubai, which confirms the Guinness World Records. It’s hard not to find it - the Aquarium is part of the Dubai Mall complex. This three-story structure is home to more than thirty thousand sea creatures that live next to each other. A glass tunnel is laid across the entire length of the Aquarium, which allows you to get to know the local inhabitants as closely as possible.

The kings of selfies and photographs are usually the extremely “cheerful” stingrays. It is noteworthy that here you can not only admire the sea inhabitants from afar and hunt for colorful photographs, but also personally dive into the water to swim among the sharks. If you are a certified diver, this underwater excursion can be done independently, but if you do not have relevant experience, you will have to undergo training before diving.

Zoo

This is one of the first zoos in the Arabian Peninsula. Its establishment became possible only thanks to the initiative of businessmen in the seventies, then the zoo came under the jurisdiction of the state. Once here, you can’t help but feel surprised – there are no palm trees. Deciduous trees, familiar to any European, create shady alleys. The zoo is extremely comfortable, but somewhat chaotic.

The enclosures are located without any clear system, and therefore the ostriches living next to the striped predators have long become accustomed to their growling neighbors and have stopped hiding their heads in the sand. The territory of the zoo is not too large, but the animal diversity is more than complete - 230 species of animals live here, as well as 400 species of reptiles.

Be especially careful about what you wear. The zoo has a very strict dress code, and therefore it is better to refrain from exposing your shoulders and legs.

Green Planet

Another very futuristic complex is a living copy of the Amazon rainforest - Green Planet. The glass building surprises with its innovative design - it looks like a huge sparkling origami module. However, it was this ancient art that became the source of inspiration for the architect. The complex occupies four floors, which manage to accommodate copies of 3,000 representatives of the flora and fauna of South America.

This entertainment complex is of interest mainly to schoolchildren and tourists who are fascinated by nature. Sloths sleep on the branches, spiral staircases the trees are girded, toucans are quietly having lunch, porcupines are trying to hide from the scorching summer heat in the prickly ones. The green planet is a real separate world, a visit to which should definitely be included in your program of exploring Dubai.

Glowing Garden

Without exaggeration, this unique LED complex is located on the territory of Zabeel Park, in the shadow of the Emirates Towers, which are themselves tourist site. Engineers and designers from all six continents took part in its creation. The main goal was a showcase of Dubai's unique charm. It’s worth starting with the fact that the Glowing Garden is a completely ecological project.

All thirty-two installations were made from recycled materials, as well as old medical bottles. In order to save energy, it was decided to use LED lighting. Some of the attractions open for viewing today have already been included in the Guinness Book of Records. It is better to arrive at the park closer to 5-6 pm in order to have time to look at the “inhabitants” of the Dino Camp.

Such a trip will make a special impression on little travelers - the huge ancient dinosaurs are life-size (as the creators assure). Thanks to modern technology, the terrifying reptiles move and even roar. Among the more peaceful inhabitants of the Glowing Garden, it is worth mentioning the “talking” trees and flowers.

The third day

Have you already met modern city in its various manifestations. It's time to dive even deeper and find out what the city was like before, get acquainted with its traditions and crafts.

Historical center of Bastakiya

Bastakiya, as a region, is distinctive. It stands in stark contrast to the ultra-modern buildings that largely characterize this city. This area is located along Dubai Creek. If you want to get here, you will have to get to Old Daira by metro. You should get off at the Historic Bastakiya station, which is also interesting to tourists for its design.

Bastakiya is home to mostly sand-colored buildings in an authentic Arabian style, wind towers and narrow ribbons of alleys. Development of the area took place mainly at the end of the seventeenth century. At the end of the last century, when office buildings were erected en masse in the city, Bastakiya buildings were under threat of destruction. The city authorities, fortunately, discovered the error of their actions in time, and part of the area was saved.

This museum, as it should be, is located in the oldest building of the city - the Al-Fahidi Fortress, which was built in 1787. If you plan to visit this monument, make sure you have plenty of time, because the fortress is a large-scale kaleidoscope reflecting life in the city before oil was discovered in the region. The museum's galleries are by no means modest.

They feature authentic Arabic houses in full size, entire markets and even date plantations have been reconstructed. The port and desert landscapes were recreated with special care, without which the city would lose a part of itself. Another interesting permanent exhibition is the pearl exhibition. The pearls themselves are presented here, as well as the tools necessary to extract them: scales, sieves, and so on.

Sheikh Said House Museum

Every tourist who comes to the Arab East simply must visit real home Sheikh. Fortunately, the city is ready to give you this opportunity. The house-museum is located on the Shindaga Peninsula. Ancestors of the ruler in this moment the sheikh rebuilt this house. So, Sheikh Mohammed’s grandfather lived here all his life and died on the island. Because of the sheikh’s love for this place, government meetings were usually held right on the island.

And today tourists will have a wonderful opportunity to see with their own eyes those halls where the fate of the entire state was decided for almost a century and a half. In terms of design, the Sheikh Said House Museum is no different from hundreds of similar residential buildings: it has thirty rooms in the plan and was built from coral mined from the Persian Gulf.

However, all the premises are literally imbued with the spirit of the ruling dynasty. This monument is an architectural reserve. There is also a wide exhibition of photographs and lithographs dedicated to everyday life of the last century.

Pearl divers village

The village is a real museum under open air. It is located in one of the oldest areas of the city - Al-Shindag. At the initiative of the city authorities, it was decided to recreate the traditional settlement. This happened at the end of the last century. The result came out amazing! Today here you can get acquainted not only with the architecture of the Bedouin settlement, but also with their culture and art.

Masters of pottery and weaving live here, whose work you can watch. Guests can visit a pearl exhibition, try themselves as hunters, and ride camels. If you get hungry, visit one of the authentic Arabic restaurants that abound in the village, and be sure to try dosas, flatbreads made from lentil flour. It's usually not particularly busy here.

The exception is when archery masters gather in the village as part of the annual Eid festival in Dubai.

Women's Museum

It would seem that a women's museum, quite unexpected for the United Arab Emirates, opened in the Duira area. To avoid getting lost in the city, focus on the Gold Market. The museum was opened on the initiative of Rafia Obaid Gubash, who wanted to clearly demonstrate that women are not an isolated part of society. On the contrary, they are a significant and more than active component of it.

The museum's exhibition includes numerous traditional jewelry and costumes, perfumes and linens, household utensils - everything that surrounds Arab women. Visitors can also see numerous photographs and documents that indicate that women played a significant role in the political life of the state.

You can also see an impressive collection of women’s passports, thanks to which you can clearly track how a woman’s status changed from a housewife to a real estate owner equal to a man.

Moroccan baths in the Palace of Beauty

A visit to the Moroccan baths will take about two hours - two hours of complete relaxation, both physical and spiritual. The palace premises are saturated with the aroma of incense. The procedures begin with cleansing the skin using dry and wet steam. In order for the procedure to have the maximum effect, incense and special compositions are used, which are made by hand according to old Moroccan recipes.

Then you can relax in the sauna, swim in the salt water pool, or spend time alone in the relaxation room. Local masters will provide you with healthy hair treatments and give you a manicure or pedicure. To visit the Moroccan baths, you need to take a swimsuit and beach accessories with you, since the Palace of Beauty also owns a section of the coast.

Night city tour with boat ride

After a busy day of sightseeing followed by relaxation in the Moroccan baths, you will feel pleasantly tired. To slightly prolong the effect of being in an Arabian fairy tale, you just need to plunge into a new dream - into the world of a cool Arabian night. The excursion lasts 4-5 hours and will be the real highlight of the evening. You can start with the singing fountain show.

Then, in the company of a guide, you will find yourself in the world of an oriental night bazaar, and this is a more than memorable sight. Souq al-Bahar will maintain its lively and busy atmosphere even at this time of day. And then the brightest part of the evening will begin - a boat ride along the most colorful quarter of the city. It is proposed to end the night on the forty-fourth floor of a skyscraper. The whole city will be at your feet.

Fourth day

You simply have to turn your last day in the city into an adventure - after all, you are still in fairy tale world Arabian fairy tale! And what fairy tale is complete without adventure? Only bad. We have collected for you the most interesting interactive excursions that Dubai is ready to offer you!

Excursion Six Emirates

This group bus tour designed for 12 hours. It includes a visit to the Six Emirates, a walk through which will help you get a little closer to the uniqueness of this country. The first on the list will be brilliant Dubai - a world of futurism in the middle of a scorching desert. It will be followed by Sharjah, one of the country's most important ports. This is where the largest mosque in the Middle East and ancient watchtowers are located.

Ajman is famous mainly for the fact that traditional Emirati sailing ships, dhows, are still manufactured here. And they do this using the same technologies as five centuries ago. Fujairah will be remembered for its rugged mountains that stretch all the way to Indian Ocean, as well as a visit to the hotel, which belongs to the ruling sheikh. Here you can have lunch. After a hearty lunch, Ras Al Khaimah awaits you with its ancient city Julfar, as well as Umm el-Quwain, which will close this excursion.

Desert Safari

Five and a half hours in the middle of a hostile desert - how do you like this type of vacation? High dunes and dunes will rush past the windows of a comfortable SUV. If you are a fan of extreme sports, ATVs or camel riding are waiting for you. Don't worry, there will be a number of stops to take colorful pictures.

Photos of sunsets in the desert usually turn out especially beautiful. You will meet the evening in the Bedouin village, where an enchanting fire show will take place. Here, right under the bright stars, you can enjoy barbecue, national sweets and hookah. If you wish, you can take a couple of photos in Arabic traditional clothes and keep a henna tattoo as a souvenir.

The oasis city of Al Ain

This city is known mainly as a vacation spot for sheikhs who are tired of cities made of glass and concrete. Sand castles and evergreen trees help create a concentrated atmosphere of the East. This ten-hour excursion will be very eventful. The main highlight of the program is the palace-museum, which looks more like a fort with all its battlements and watchtowers.

Essentially, it is a mini-city with its own collection of weapons, cars, a school and a Koran hall. Next, we plan to visit hot springs formed after a volcanic eruption. Local waters have healing properties due to the presence of sulfur and mineral compounds in their composition. A traditional Arab bath is equipped at the springs.

During the journey, a stop will be made at Mount Jebel Khalifa. It's always cool here because high altitude, and the view of Oman and the United Arab Emirates is truly stunning. The tour will end with a visit to the largest zoo in the Middle East.

Travel to Abu Dhabi

Just thirty years ago, on the site of the ultra-modern city there was a tiny fishing settlement. What now? Concentrating the most original architectural solutions, which can only be found in the Emirates. This eight-hour excursion will include a number of iconic sights. Abu Dhabi has its own Louvre, which actually houses exhibits from the iconic museums of France: Versailles, the Louvre itself, as well as the Georges Pompidou Center.

The Arabic Louvre itself is impressive architectural structure with a network of water channels, as well as an openwork dome that literally “floats” above the building. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is another grand ensemble whose elements were included in the Guinness Book of Records. You can also visit the local " Leaning Tower of Pisa"and the bridge, which was built according to the drawings of Zaha Kadid, and she, in turn, continues to hold the title of queen of architecture. She was inspired to create the bridge by the landscapes of sand dunes.

Evening lights of Dubai

It is difficult to associate such a concept as “charm” with evening Dubai. It's too soft. Dubai is not charming, no. It is stunning - with light, scope, surrealism. This excursion lasts five hours, during which you will be able to learn more about the present and the past of the city. The tour will focus on several objects from the “must-seen” series, as well as more information about the history of their construction.

Of course, this list includes the Dubai frame, which combines dogmatic antiquity and more liberal modernity; Dubai Marina is a fashionable marina with stunning views of skyscrapers; Dubai Venice is an area with narrow streets in the atmosphere of old Arabia, where you can find everything: from household utensils and bright clothes to family recipes for brewing coffee; Palm Jumeirah is a palm leaf-shaped island that hardly needs any further description. The excursion will end with a visit to the Oceanarium, as well as a walk at the Singing Fountains.

How to get from the airport to the center

There are several options for getting from the airport to the center. Let's take a closer look at them. Please note that the city has an excellent public transport infrastructure, which will be convenient if you have relatively few things. If you are traveling with large luggage, it is better to take a taxi or order a transfer.

The bus is the best option, because they also run at night. However, the waiting time may vary. During the day - no more than 7 minutes, at night - about 20. Bus routes are designed in such a way as to cover the main hotels of the city.

Choose the bus number according to the area you want to go to. Keep in mind that if your hotel is located in the central part of the city, you will pay no more than $2, but travel to more remote hotels can cost several times more.

Metro

Luckily, the local subway is not as complicated as in Tokyo. There are only two branches - red and green. Everything is quite simple: if you need to be in the center, choose the red line, if in other areas, the green line will do. Trains run frequently and the journey takes on average up to forty minutes. The fare payment system here is somewhat different from ours.

The cost of the trip depends on the zones. So, a trip to the center usually includes 3-4 zones, which will cost you $1.6, but if we are talking about other areas, the payment will rise. Also keep in mind that the metro does not operate at night.

Taxi and transfer

Oddly enough, transfers and taxis are almost less popular than other means of transportation. Mainly due to the fact that night travel around the city is still not so stable, and traveling by car is in any case more comfortable than traveling by bus. On average, even taking into account the fact that you are likely to get stuck in a traffic jam, the journey to the center will take no more than forty-five minutes, but the fare will immediately increase.

The trip usually costs $36. However, if you don’t feel very confident in the city, are not comfortable with maps, or are traveling with children, such a “surcharge” will be worth it. This way you are guaranteed to get where you need to go. In order not to waste time trying to “catch” a car, you can use the application and order a Qiwi taxi.

(4 ratings, average: 2,75 out of 5)

I have been living and working in Dubai for 2 years now. Even though I spend every weekend traveling, I still find interesting places and I watch with pleasure how new peaks are built. For every season, for every taste and for every budget, you can choose a trip for yourself and have a wonderful time. You can write endlessly about the Emirates, I will try not to ramble on, but focus on how to save money.

Below I have written 10 tips on how to save money on your trip.

1. If you know English, do not use the services of travel agents, guides, operators - planning a trip to the Emirates is quite simple, and many reviews about trips will help you much more than the advice of those who want to make money from you.

2. Buy air travel in advance - this will help you save 3 times more than if you rush to buy a ticket a week before departure. Choose the right time for your trip: season, heat, holidays greatly influence prices.

3. You can apply for a visa yourself - just buy a ticket, after which the agency will issue a visa. One of many visas: [link]

4. Accommodation. Instead of a hotel, you can safely rent an apartment from the “owners”. Until recently, the site www.air.bnb was a good source for finding “master” apartments - it is a reliable service used by millions around the world. But recently, enterprising real estate agents, contrary to the rules of the site, post their advertisements on it, which accordingly includes %% of the cost for their services. However, you can search for suitable budget options housing in the Emirates on this website, and in correspondence, check with the owner for all the details on housing. One of the advantages of this site is reviews from real guests.

Also, before your trip, you can add to Russian-speaking groups living in the UAE on Facebook - advertisements are posted there without intermediaries. Eat large group Russians in Dubai - they will help in any matter.

You can find decent accommodation in Dubai for 50 - 70 dollars per night.

5. The Entertainer - discount book. Everyone uses this book. You can buy it here [link] - it will be delivered to your place of residence in Dubai. Again former travelers They sell the book at half price, it's profitable. Contacts of those selling the book at half price can be found on the forums - in comments or reviews of recent trips to Dubai or the Emirates.

6. Car rental

You will really save money on transport (unless, of course, you plan to spend the whole time in a hotel + on the beach) - if you rent a car, since gasoline here is cheaper than water. Don't forget about the navigator.

I tried to use buses, but I never got one. If you use the metro, you will still have to take a taxi from the metro to your destination. If you use a taxi, then get into the cars only as in the photo - because there are also “private owners” - barkers work next to them and the cost in them is much higher than in a taxi.

For comparison, a trip in a rented car from Dubai to Abu Dhabi cost me $10 in gas, the taxi driver would have charged me... I don’t know how much

7. Food. I understand that vacation means restaurants and cute cafes, but since we are writing about an economical vacation, you can save a lot by buying groceries in supermarkets. Cheap supermarkets - Carefour, Geant, Lulu i t.p. chain. There is a Food Court in the malls - I wouldn’t recommend it - in my opinion it’s McDonald’s with burgers.

8. Amazing places

Instead of the favorite route of all tourists - 136+ floor of the Burj Khalifa (which is undoubtedly cool but costs about $100 from the nose) - go to the Al Ain mountains - there is a route to the very top - there is an open-air observation deck. The whole trip is breathtaking and much cooler than flying up in a dark high-speed elevator.

You can go to Hatta - it is about 248 km east of Dubai. Old village Hatta includes two prominent military towers from the 18th century and the Juma Mosque (built in 1780), as well as a park, water feature and entertainment.

Visit the Abu Dhabi Mosque - admission is free. Palace in Abu Dhabi - admission is free. A trip to Oman and Hatta - only gas and on-site entertainment - this is instead of a trip to a water park, which costs from $100.

Of all the famous malls, the most “spectacular” in my opinion is Ibn Batutta Mall - of course, admission there is free.

Instead of passing under the Aquarium in the Dubai Mall (about $20) - hmmm I don’t remember about the free aquarium... there is no free aquarium

9. In the Carefour supermarket chain you can not only buy groceries at competitive prices, but also get discounts on visiting water parks and other entertainment - at back side Receipts always print good discounts.

10. And lastly: do not change money at the airport - the exchange rate there is the most unfavorable.

I wish you a GOOD holiday.

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