Because of the friendly relations, Dubai is gradually gaining more and more Indian tourists. In fact, it is the fourth most visited place among Indian tourists. All Indian travelers, businessmen and job seekers visit the city. Famous for its towering architectural marvels and impressive array of resorts, this is a place that was once a giant desert. However, due to Sheikh Maktoum’s vision and diligence, it has developed into the most developed destination. It is commonly referred to as the city of zero crime rate. The fastest growing tourist destination, the city of high-rise buildings, the city of gold and the new land of sunrise, etc. Here is the perfect travel guide for Indians in Dubai. Burj Khalifa and Dubai Skyline. Image courtesy Shutterstock Dubai Travel Guide: 5 Things to Know Although a large portion of the city’s population are Indians, when traveling to Dubai from India you should know some of its rules. Here are five things to know when you’re headed there. Although Dubai has zero tolerance for drugs, its policy is not only strict against prescription drugs. However, the government has specific rules regarding prescription drugs as well. In the event that you bring along any over-the-counter medication that does not comply with the Dubai Custom Guidelines, you may find yourself in trouble. Compared to other Middle Eastern countries, the UAE is more accessible to non-Muslim tourists. However, religious customs are still considered imperative. Given this, public displays of affection (PDA) could land you in jail. If you’re a woman, when going out, dress modestly, with nothing too tight, too short, or sheer. Men should keep their chests covered with a shirt when not near beaches, swimming pools, etc. The city has a lot of places where you can take perfect pictures with great views. Having said that, keep in mind that it is offensive to take pictures of native Arab citizens and certain buildings in Dubai. In fact, most people would consider it rude to have their picture taken without their consent. So it is recommended that you ask them first. It has a dry climate throughout the year. However, the winter season between October and April is the perfect time to travel to Dubai from India. It is the time when some Indian cities experience cold climates. During these months, here, you can spend some time outside without getting a sweat on your face. Swearing, cursing, fighting or making rude gestures in public may result in imprisonment. In recent years, we have been observing such incidents where people are accused of giving the middle finger during a heated argument. Read: First Impressions from Sharjah – UAE Dubai Travel Guide – Top 5 Places to Visit The city features a number of skyscrapers and amazing attractions. From the tallest building in the world to amazing shopping malls, it has every little thing for families, couples or friends. Our Dubai travel guide has listed below the top five tourist places you can visit on your tour. Burj Khalifa Without a doubt, Burj Khalifa requires no introduction. With a height of 829.7 meters, it can cater to 35,000 people at any one time. It has the world’s highest observation deck on the 148th floor. The high view of the city from Burj Khalifa allows you to see the desert city along with its surroundings with 360 views. So when you are on a city trip, don’t miss visiting it. The best time to visit is early morning or evening. Slot between 3:00 and 6:30 pm to watch the sunset. Ticket costs range from AED 159 to AED 389. Read: Mleiha Archaeological Center – Old Sharjah The Dubai Mall It is one of the largest shopping malls in the world. You need a number of days to explore the Dubai Mall. With more than 1,200 outlets, the mall has a variety of fun activities. Such as underwater aquariums, interactive and educational experiences in KidZania, and an ice rink to entertain people of all age groups. Besides these attractions, the mall also has a Reel Cinemas where families can watch the latest movies from around the world. Entrance to The Dubai Mall is free. The Dubai Mall. Image courtesy Shutterstock Gold Souq The largest gold market on the planet, the Gold Souq is another must-visit. Even if you don’t buy anything there. Located in Deira, the Gold Souk has more than 380 retailers, the majority of whom are jewelers. With more than 350 jewelry retailers trading at least 10 tons of gold daily. The market has approximately 10-15 tons of gold in the market. Don’t assume that all gold items are the same. Gold comes in different pitches and has different purity. The purest form of 24 karat gold is delicate and breaks if a human touches it. The price of gold in Dubai is much lower than in India. If gold appeals to you, plan to buy. gold market. Image courtesy Shutterstock Read: Sharjah Light Festival – a stunning play of lights Dubai Marina Dubai Marina is a 7-kilometer-long man-made island. It has a variety of good restaurants, coffee shops and retailers for shopping. Being one of the most developed areas in Dubai, it is an ideal place for many people to either go for a walk, shop or enjoy water sports adventures. It also features a dedicated beach that stretches along a 3km coastline. Access to this beach is only through Dubai Marina. Dubai Museum Constructed in 1995, the Dubai Museum is an underground museum added to the old fort. The museum features an abundance of ancient relics, plans, documents dating back decades, tombs, and other relics that provide you with a dazzling picture of the heritage. The museum is visited by tourists of all ages and sectors. They learn and understand the social, cultural and political past of the residents of the United Arab Emirates. Entrance fee to the museum is 3 dirhams. Read on: Top 10 Souvenirs in Sharjah – Shopping in UAE Dubai Travel Guide – Top 5 Theme Parks to Explore Aquaventure Waterpark Known as Atlantis Park, Aquaventure Waterpark hosts 20 gigantic, tallest and most daring slides in the world. Plus other interesting water excursions. Spread over an area of 17,000 hectares, you can go through record-breaking tours. And discover the underwater aquarium, The Lost Chambers, and watch the star Dolphin Bay perform. Poseidon’s Tower and Neptune’s Tower are the two main towers in the park. Splasher, a children’s attraction at Aquaventure. Aquaventure Aquaventure even offers a private beach where you can relax, soak up the fresh sun, and enjoy playing in the water. Wild Wadi Park is another popular water park in Dubai, Wild Wadi Park prides itself on innovative rides for all ages. Provide an exceptional experience for visitors. Built in 1999, it brings you over 30 quirky rides and activities for the whole family to enjoy. The famous Wild Wadi Water Park. Image courtesy Shutterstock One of the rides here allows you to climb 32 meters and enjoy expansive views of the park. That’s before flying down the 120-meter tandem ramp at an extraordinary speed of 80 kilometers per hour. IMG Worlds of Adventure If you don’t want to spend a day outside in the scorching sun, head to this park. IMG Worlds of Adventure is the world’s largest fully air-conditioned indoor theme park. Features MARVEL and Cartoon Network segments. Visitors trying to find a spine-tingling thrill should look into the haunted house on IMG Boulevard. It also offers a children’s play area – IMG Kids Zone. Plus an elegant cinematic experience – NOVO Cinemas. Bollywood Park This park is entirely dedicated to Bollywood. When you step in, you will definitely get lost in the enchanting display of Indian art that will make you feel like you are in Mumbai. It has 5 different regions. Where you will find anything from Indian food to handicrafts. Bollywood Park in Dubai. Image courtesy of Shutterstock Bollywood Boulevard, Rustic Ravine, Bollywood Film Studios, and Mumbai Chowk are among the major attractions in the Bollywood Park. Read: Top 10 Museums in Sharjah – The Cultural Capital of the UAE Legoland Dubai Located inside Dubai Parks and Resorts, Legoland consists of more than 40 amazing rides. Family friendly attractions and innovative play areas for kids. If you feel hungry after the game time, it has many restaurants and food stalls that serve delicious dishes. Dubai visa for Indian Indians who have a valid visa for USA, UK, Schengen, etc. can get UAE visa on arrival for 2 weeks. Else, the advanced tourist visa is a must for Indians. Please note that a visa on arrival can only be extended once for an additional period of time. While the traditional visa can be renewed several times. About the author: Saqib Ali is a 27-year-old travel blogger based in Dubai. He works full time as a freelance marketing specialist. He finds time to squeeze into his passion for travel blogging, especially as an authority on all things Dubai. Read more from Saqib at
