Dubai for Solo Travellers: A Boring Guide for an Exciting Experience

Dubai is a city where futuristic skyscrapers meet timeless desert landscapes, extravagant safari adventures meet serene beaches, and a bustling modern lifestyle meets cultural traditions. It’s a place that offers a wide spectrum of experiences where everyone can enjoy everything.
Whether you are a person obsessed with extraordinary architecture, a traveler looking for adventurous days and exciting nights, or simply a free spirit that’s looking for the perfect escape from your monotonous life, Dubai is a place that has something for you, whether you’re a male or a female
If you are planning a solo trip to Dubai, first of all, you are doing the right thing. Dubai is one of the safest and most enjoyable destinations for solo travelers, with high cultural diversity, easily navigable spots, and a lot—and we mean A LOT—of fun and diverse experiences that are not even comparable to anywhere else.
In this article, we will be covering everything you need to know about solo traveling in Dubai, from the minute you set your foot in the city to where to stay, what to do, and what not to do. If you’re ready, let’s begin the journey!

Why is Dubai the Perfect Destination for Solo Travelers?

Safety and Security: Middle Eastern countries always get a bad rep in the western media for some reason. But when it comes to Dubai, no one can deny it’s one of the safest places in the world with the lowest crime rate and highest public safety and security. This makes it ideal for male and female solo travelers alike.
Solo-Friendly Attractions: Dubai is the ideal place for solo explorers like you since all the main attractions of the city can be explored alone. From Burj Khalifa to Kite Beach and everything in between, every spot offers an opportunity for self-paced exploration.
No Language Barrier: Dubai is home to people belonging to almost every culture around the world—with the majority of them being able to speak English. Communication’s never ever a problem in Dubai specifically, and the UAE in general. .
Diverse Experiences: From modern and tall skyscrapers of the modern city to purely cultural experiences of Al Fahidi Historical District, Dubai has something to offer for solo travelers of every taste. There are also plenty of adventure opportunities like desert safari and watersports, with a vibrant nightlife that’s comparable to any western country.
Affordability: Dubai is known to be expensive. However, there’s still plenty for you to do if you’re on a budget, having many vibrant beaches, Abra rides, and food experiences with delicacies from all around the world that won’t cost more than a few Dirhams.

The Perfect Spots to Explore for Solo Travelers in Dubai

1. Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa is to Dubai what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, the Statue of Liberty is to New York, the Taj Mahal is to Agra, and the Colosseum is to Rome—you just can’t miss it. The tallest building in the world and a prime landmark of Dubai, Burj Khalifa offers you a stunning view of the city from the 124th and 148th floor—an experience that’s meant to be experienced alone. Just make sure you don’t blow half of your budget here, as there’s still a lot left to explore. The ticket price for Burj Khalifa ranges from 149 AED to 379 AED, depending on whether you go up to the 128th or 14th floor.

2. Dubai Mall

If you thought the Burj Khalifa was breathtaking, wait until you visit the Dubai Mall! To be honest, calling it a “mall” would be a huge understatement for the number of unique experiences that it has to offer.
Other than the 1200+ shops that present the sight of heaven for a shopping savvy, what’s really going to blow you away is the Dubai Aquarium and underwater zoo.
Not to mention the epic fountain show. In other words, the Dubai Mall is a full-fledged destination that requires a guide for complete exploration. The mall entry is free. However, the experiences are paid.

3. Desert Safari

There’s nothing like sand surfing the desert dunes in Dubai if you are looking for a true adventure. If you want to spice up the scenes even more, you can also follow it with a traditional Bedouin meal and a dance performance in the evening for a complete escapade.
But that, of course, depends on the type of package you choose. If you have enough money in your bag, we recommend going full fancy on this one as it’s an experience of a lifetime.
However, keep in mind that desert safari tours are usually in groups, so the experience might not be entirely “solo,” as we call it. The prices start at around AED 250-300 and might go as high as AED 1000+.

4. Al Fahidi Historical District

Have a penchant for history? Have a walk through the Al Fahidi Historical District of Dubai, which enables you to walk back in time to the pre-skyscraper era, leading up to the modern architectural days of the city.
You get to experience the complete history of Dubai from the early 1900s, before there was a single building in the desert. It’s like entering a time machine for hardly a few dirhams, where you learn and experience things that are truly a steal for what you pay. A truly magical experience.

5. Old Souk

Need a space to unleash your inner negotiator and put your bargaining skills to a test? You need to visit the old souk—a bustling market at the heart of Deira that’s truly a treat for your senses, even with all its chaos. For a solo wanderer, visiting the old souk is something that you just can’t miss. There are shops of people from all sorts of backgrounds from around the world, along with many cuisines for you to enjoy.
It’s a solo traveler’s haven that represents the authentically chaotic life of Dubai, far from the polished experience and environment of the rest of the city. It’s where cultures meet, traditions blend, and the vibrant spirit of the city comes alive through colors, flavors, and sounds, all creating a beautiful harmony of diversity that represents the true spirit of Dubai— a city for everyone.

Where to stay as a solo traveler?

Where you stay during your trip is entirely up to you and your budget. There are both budget-friendly and luxury options to choose from. Let’s both:

Deira: Deira is among the most budget-friendly areas to stay in for solo travelers with a lot of low-budget hotels and hostels. The nightly rates range between AED 100 and AED 300 depending on
where you stay. Some of the most popular stay options for solo travelers in the area include hotels like Ibis al Rigga and hostels like California Hostel Dubai Beach.
Al Barsha: Al Barsha is another attractive option for solo travelers looking for budget-friendly stays in Dubai with basic facilities. The rates here start at AED 250, with some hotels even offering breakfast and internet. Both of these things could save you a lot of bucks if you’re in for a long time.
Downtown Dubai: While it’s the perfect spot that has all the magical things Dubai has to offer, it’s also the most expensive one, with night rates at a decent hotel starting at AED 400. However, given the facilities you get, you will really get a bang for your buck.
Dubai Marina: Dubai Marina is just a few steps away from the Marina Walk and beach, some of the best recreational places in Dubai where you can relax before you go on your exploration adventures. The stay cost here is about the same as Downtown Dubai, starting at AED 350 minimum with all the essential facilities you need for a comfortable stay.
Book a rental: Sometimes, even as a solo traveler, booking a rental property can save you a lot of headache. It enables you to choose a property of your choice with everything customized to your own unique needs and preferences, from aesthetics to functionality and everything in between. There are a lot of attractive Airbnb options all across Dubai, in all the major areas across the city. Just make sure to choose a property that offers a combination of facilities and value.

Some Important Points to Keep in Mind During Your Dubai Solo Travel

Respect the laws and traditions.

Well, there’s no denying that Dubai is one of the most culturally diverse places on earth, with people living there from almost every nationality. But keep in mind that it’s still a conservative place at its core, with traditions that are rooted deeply in Arab and Islamic culture. Therefore, there are certain customs and laws that you need to respect, both as a male and female solo traveler. Those mainly include:

Dress Code: Among everything we are about to tell you, this is the biggest one. Dressing modestly in Dubai is not because of restrictions but traditions and culture.This one’s especially for female travelers, where covering up is essential when walking around malls, mosques, souks, or areas that are traditionally conservative. However, you can wear whatever you want in tourist areas, beaches, pools, and private areas without being judged in any capacity.
PDAs: While Dubai is pretty much a chill place, public displays of affection, or PDAs, as we call them, could land you in trouble, or at least in an awkward situation. So it is advised to save that from private spaces. Moreover, don’t be overly loud or boisterous in public spaces. Staying respectful will help you a lot.
Public Drunkenness: While alcohol is widely available and allowed in Dubai in licensed bars and hotels, being intoxicated in public is illegal and could land you in serious legal trouble. We strictly recommend not getting drunk or looking drunk in public spaces.
Public Decency Laws: Just like many countries in the Middle East, Dubai has strict public decency laws that cover, but are not limited to, dress code (as mentioned), offensive language, offensive gestures, and drugs. Make sure to comply with those to save yourself from fines, or worse, some decent jail time.

Connectivity is a must.

We don’t even need to mention this one? Your phone is your best friend on solo travels. Whether you need directions, need to find some good eating and tourism spots near you, communicate with the locals or translate those Arabic words, or maybe, order an Uber, it’s all through the phone and the internet.
The good news is, as soon as you land in Dubai, you’ll find Etisalat’s kiosks in the arrival area. There are some good tourist packages you can get there, with plenty of data and local and international calling minutes. Choose the one that suits your needs the best.

Keep Emergency Number on the Dial

One of the best things about Dubai is its highly organized and efficient emergency services. Knowing who to call in which situation can be a total lifesaver in times of emergency. Some must-save numbers when you land in Dubai are:

901- Police
997- Fire Department
998- Ambulance
999- Police

And well, folks, that’s pretty much all the basics you need to know to ensure you have a wonderful trip. Now you’re ready to embark on your solo adventure and enjoy the rich, luxurious, and cultural experiences Dubai has in store for you. So pack up; you’re in for one of the most amazing experiences of your life. We hope you have an amazing trip!