What to see, what to do Dubai?

Opening hours: there is no rule for Dubai, but we can say that in general everything starts at 10 am and closes relatively late. Be careful, some places open later on Friday and Saturday. But there is no precise rule. It can happen that some places to visit are closed on Friday, Sunday or Monday.

Crowds: the number of visitors depends on the month of the year, with the peak season between November and January.

It's best to book in advance to climb to the top of the Burj Khalifa, for helicopter tours, the Cirque du Soleil-style show "The Pearl" that tells the story of Dubai, and the tours organized by the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding.

First of all, download the Visit Dubai application, also available in French. It is the official application of the Tourist Office. All the latest news, prices, schedules are there.

Affordable: all museums are very affordable in Dubai. In the old districts, the amount is even symbolic and some are free.

Reasonable: guided tours in the old Dubai with local people in the Al Fahidi district. The French-speaking guides listed in our guidebook are reasonably priced, but there are few of them.

Expensive: All of the city's theme parks and landmarks are expensive and require a certain budget.

Passes: to keep expenses under control, Dubai offers passes with several activities included at reduced prices. Visit www.dubaipass.ae

Download the application: Dubai Calendar to know the latest events.

October 2022-2023 : Expo city Dubai. Although the largest world exhibition ever held has closed its doors, some 40 pavilions and attractions can still be visited.

In December and January : at the beginning of December, it is the national holiday. Traditional dances, decorations in the colors of the flag, fireworks mark the three days of celebration. At the end of December, it's the Dubai Shopping Festival, or the period of sales which starts at the end of December and lasts until the end of January. It's also the holiday season, marked by the legendary fireworks display on December 31.

Ramadan: In 2023 it will cover the last ten days of March and most of April. Times are changed during the day, but there is a great deal of excitement throughout the country after sunset. The end of Ramadan ushers in a period of sales and good deals.

July and August : Dubai Summer Suprises: Summer sales period with discounts also in the attractions.

Sightseeing Buses : These are available in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah to explore these cities.

Guided tours in the historical district of Al Fahidi in Dubai and Sharjah : they allow you to walk around the historical districts with a local guide.

Q&A lunches in Dubai : over breakfast, brunch or a typical Emirati lunch, a no-holds-barred question-and-answer game allows visitors to ask any question to the locals. The Sheikh Mohammed bin Rachid Heritage Al Maktoum Centre for cultural understanding has made this a specialty of Dubai.

Guided tour at the Jumeirah Mosque : a no-holds-barred exchange that starts in the morning with a breakfast on Islamic issues.

Visits of the archaeological site of Mleiha in 4X4 in Sharjah: Very beautiful discoveries that date back to the Paleolithic period (from 2.5 million years to 12,000 years before our era).

Visits of the Liwa region: With Emiratis, on the road to the forts, in a farm and in the desert.

Atypical visits : Gastronomic discovery of street food in the old districts of Dubai. Guaranteed change of scenery and gastronomic discoveries.

Smoking is permitted except: in or near schools, universities and government buildings and inside shopping malls. Restaurants generally have smoking and non-smoking sections.

The regulations are such that tourist traps are uncommon. Some attractions such as desert getaways where camps are overcrowded or dinner cruises may be for some, but this is a personal judgment.

The United Arab Emirates is a very open country with no dress code except in mosques, government offices and in the historic part of the city where a more conservative dress code is advised. It is forbidden to wear T-shirts that contain political slogans or insults. Bikinis are permitted, but not monokinis, and beachwear is allowed only in swimming pools and on the sand. During the month of Ramadan, however, a more conservative dress is adopted and to go to iftars and Suhoor, for women, long dresses with long sleeves are more appropriate.