You don’t have to walk very far in Dubai to be hit over the head with just how much wealth there is in the city.
Fast cars, skyscrapers and some of the finest dining to be had in the world – but do any of them compare to the simple joy of getting something great for next to nothing?
That’s what we thought.
And, even with inflation and prices not being the same as when you were a kid, there’s still plenty of Dubai bargains to be had with just one dirham.
So, here it is, the most interesting things you can do in Dubai for exactly Dhs1 (or less).
Dubai bargains: Things to do for Dhs1
Be bowled over by bargain arcade games
An old-school activity at an old-school price. That’s right, every Monday at the Dubai Bowling Centre arcade games and rides cost you only Dhs1 per turn. So if you’ve got one game you’re incredible at, that could be hours and hours of fun for the change weighing you down in your pocket. The promotion was introduced last summer at the Al Quoz venue and has continued into this year.
Dhs 1 per turn. Every Monday. Dubai Bowling Centre, Al Quoz.
Cross Dubai Creek on an Abra
Get on board an abra to cross between old and new Dubai in style. Take in all the sights of the big city on one of these bad boys for, you guessed it, only Dhs1. Abras are typically able to hold around 20 passengers with around 150 boats working between Deira and Bur Dubai from 6am every day.
Dhs1 (per trip). 6am-midnight daily. Dubai Creek.
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Get a bag of snacks
Some may call them chips, others may call them crisps but whatever they are they’re a great little snack. Chips Oman and Emirates Pofaki can still be bought for around Dhs1 at the time of writing though it is getting harder to track down at that price. You may need to stock up in case this changes any time soon.
Union Co-op
Grab a cup of Karak Chai Tea
Can you hear that? That noise in the distance is the sound of a Dubai old-timer saying it used to be 50 fils back in the day. Now, with inflation, the chances of getting your hands on the Desi delicacy for Dhs1 are getting lower and lower with each passing day, but we’re reliably informed that you can still grab a cup of the good stuff in Dubai essentially for free at Koukh Al Shay in Qusais.
At Dubai Mall, Ana Restaurant ran a promotion for Valentine’s Day where the price was back down to 50 fils – on the condition that you paid with a 50 fils coin.
Dhs1. Koukh Al Shay, Qusais. @koukhalshay
Munch on some falafel
You can grab two pieces of falafel at one of the UAE’s most popular Arabian restaurants Falafel Al Rabiah for Dhs1. A deep-fried snack for when you’re on the go, don’t say we’re not good to you. Found in Al Barsha, the restaurant also offers tanoor bread for the same price.
Dhs1. 6am-2am daily. Falafel Al Rabiah Al Khadra, Al Barsha. Facebook
Take the kids to Majlis Al Ghorfat Um Al Sheef
Ok, this one’s a bit of a cheat as you’ll also need a ticket but kids under the age of six can enter Majlis Al Ghorfat Um Al Sheef for just Dhs1 (and you’ll be Dhs3 so it’s really not the end of the world). Majlis Al Ghorfat Um Al Sheef was built in 1955 as a summer residence of the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The house is made of gypsum and coral rock, with a date palm frond roof and wind tower.
Dhs1 (children under six), Dhs3 (adults). 8am – 10pm daily. 17 Street, off Jumeirah Beach Road (04 426 0000)
Watch camels race in Al Marmoum
All this will cost is some precious time in bed as races usually start early in the morning from between 6am and 9am. You don’t even need Dhs1 to watch the racing at Al Marmoum as watching on is completely free for this unusual sport. Races run regularly between December and March.
Free. Call for timings. Al Marmoum Camel Racetrack, Dubai-Al Ain Road (04 832 6526).
Try your luck at a 1-10 shop
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Discount stores such as these are ten a penny – or is that try and get ten things for a penny? Regardless, these Dhs1-Dhs10 shops are still quite common in Dubai and if you’re after a bargain then it’s always worth having a look around to see what you can snag. Stores like Gate, 1 to 10 Centre and Day to Day sell more than just small snacks for the lowest of prices with household items also available.
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