Dubai days are pretty warm and lazy. Afternoons feel hot and uncomfortable outside. That’s why most people explore malls, relax on the beaches or simply rest inside hotels. But things change once the sun goes down. The city lights come on, the streets fill up and everything feels alive.Since majority of the tourists come for only 4 or 5 days, they want to cover the best things in the evening without wasting time in planning. Evenings in Dubai are never boring. But if you are new here, you may not know where to start and that’s absolutely fine. Whether you have a small budget or a big one, there is always a plan for you. You can walk around for free or book a magical dinner cruise experience.
Below table gives you a quick idea of the 7 evening activities we are going to talk about, with the area, timing and approx cost.
| Activity | Area | Best Time | Approx Cost |
| Dhow Cruise Dubai Marina | Dubai Marina | 8:30 pm onwards | AED 110 to 175 |
| Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner | Lahbab or Al Marmoom desert | 3 pm to 9 pm | AED 150 to 350 |
| Dubai Fountain Show | Downtown, near Dubai Mall | Every 30 min from 6 pm | Free |
| Burj Khalifa at Sunset | Downtown Dubai | Sunset slot | From around AED 170 |
| Global Village | Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road | 4 pm to midnight (Oct to May) | AED 25 to 30 |
| Al Seef and Abra Ride | Dubai Creek | After 6 pm | Free entry, abra AED 1 |
| JBR and Marina Walk | JBR and Dubai Marina | 6 pm onwards | Free |
1. Dhow Cruise Dubai Marina
Now if we talk about the most popular evening plan, the dhow cruise in Dubai Marina comes on top for many visitors. It is a traditional wooden boat which goes around the Marina for around 2 hours with buffet dinner, soft drinks and Tanoura show. The view of the tall towers and JBR with lights at night is something you will not get from the road. The boat usually leaves around 8:30 pm, and in winter my suggestion is to take the upper deck for better photos.
2. Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner
You cannot just visit Dubai and skip the desert. It just feels incomplete! That is why the evening desert safari in Dubai is the most booked tour in the city. And almost every visitor wants it. The pickup is in the afternoon, then you do dune bashing, see the sunset in the desert and reach the camp for BBQ dinner, henna, camel ride and belly dance show. You are back in the hotel by around 9 pm, so it covers the full evening in one go.
3. Dubai Fountain Show
This famous dancing fountain show is truly unmissable. Dubai Fountain stands in front of Burj Khalifa. Shows are available every 30 minutes from 6 pm to 11 pm. Watch the water jets dance to the groovy tunes and colourful lights. You can watch it from the Dubai Mall waterfront or from the bridge, and since you are already there, you can also have dinner in one of the restaurants facing the lake.
4. Burj Khalifa at Sunset
Going to the top of the tallest building in the world is on the list of almost every first time visitor. When its about timing, sunset slot is the best because you see the city in day light, then sunset, and then all the lights coming on. The sunset tickets are costlier than normal hours and gets sold out fast, so better to book it few days before.
5. Global Village
Global Village is an open air park with pavilions from more than 90 countries, food stalls from all over the world, rides and shows. It opens only in the cooler months, from October to May, and the gates open at 4 pm, so it is purely an evening plan. The entry ticket is cheap, around AED 25 on weekdays and AED 30 on weekends, and families easily spend 3 to 4 hours there.
6. Al Seef and Abra Ride
See time stand still in Old Dubai. Yes, Al Seef on Dubai Creek shows the softer side of the city. Find old-style buildings, cozy cafes and tiny shops by the water. In the evening, it is very calm and quiet.From there you can take an abra (small wooden water taxi) to the Deira side for just AED 1 and walk through the gold and spice souk.
7. JBR and Marina Walk
Last one is again free, and it is a good option for the day you want to relax. The Walk at JBR has restaurants, street performers and the beach on one side, and from there you can continue to Marina Walk which goes along the water. Many people also combine this with the dhow cruise Dubai Marina since the boarding point is close by.
Having said that, the best way is to mix paid and free activities so you enjoy more without spending too much. If you want to book a dhow cruise Dubai Marina, desert safari or Burj Khalifa tickets in one place, better to speak with EfficientTourism.Com and they will plan your evenings as per your stay and budget.
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