We just got back from an epic week in Dubai, and I'm still reeling from the experience. We visited in February 2025, and it was love at first sight.

Burj Khalifa Our flight landed at the old airport, which is where Aeroflot flies in. We took the metro from the airport, and I have to say, it was a total breeze. You can get in from the airport without even stepping outside – just buy a ticket and you're good to go. We opted for silver cards, which work just like in Russian cities – you load a certain amount onto the card and can top it up later.

The currency in Dubai is dirhams. We had dollars with us, which we exchanged for dirhams. There are exchange offices at the airport (the rates aren't great there, but we changed a small amount for the first day and to get to our hotel). We found a better exchange office near the metro entrance at the station closest to our hotel.

We booked our hotel at the Insurance Market metro station. It's a pretty convenient location – it's roughly equidistant from the city center and Dubai Marina, which I think is the most beautiful area in Dubai.

When we first landed in Dubai, we thought we'd be straight into the city with all the skyscrapers and whatnot. But as we made our way to the hotel on the metro, it was a bit of a letdown. The metro runs above ground, so you get a glimpse of the city, but it's not until you get to the central part of Dubai that you see the real deal. On the way from the airport, you pass through some not-so-glamorous areas where mostly migrant workers from India, Pakistan, and other places live. To be honest, it reminded me of Egypt.

POPULAR LOCATIONS IN THE CITY.

Burj Khalifa (Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall metro station) – the tallest building in Dubai (and the world).

Burj Khalifa There are these singing fountains right next to Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall.Museum of the Future – Emirates Towers metro station (red line).

Museum of the Future The museum's design is pretty unique. You need to buy a ticket in advance (we booked ours 2-4 weeks in advance, and it was a good thing we did – there might not be any tickets available for a convenient time and date). You can even buy tickets through Russian apps that sell tours, like Sputnik.

The View at The Palm isn't exactly a stone's throw from the metro, but there are public transportation stops that are super easy to get to on the tram. To be honest, Dubai's public transportation system is pretty seamless overall, but we ended up taking a taxi to get here. I mean, it's not like we were lost or anything, but it was just easier to grab a cab.

We bought our entry tickets on the spot at the ticket booths. The lines weren't too crazy. I was expecting a huge wait, but we got in and out pretty quickly. The view is absolutely stunning, though. I highly recommend it.

The View at The PalmThe View at The PalmThe View at The PalmThe View at The PalmThe Dubai Frame - it's this super cool architectural landmark in Dubai that's basically a giant picture frame. The nearest metro station is Max Metro Station (the red line), but you'll have to walk for about 20 minutes from there. I'm not gonna lie, it's a bit of a trek, but it's worth it.

The Dubai FrameInside, there's an observation deck on the 43rd floor of the building. To get up there, you'll need to buy a ticket. As of 2025, it's 50 dirhams. We ended up waiting in line for about half an hour to get our tickets. I know, I know, it's not the most ideal situation, but we were happy to wait.

The Dubai Frame Observation DeckThe idea behind The Dubai Frame is that it kind of divides the city into two parts: the modern city with all the skyscrapers, and the old city on the other side. And, you know, being on the observation deck of The Dubai Frame, you get to see the towering high-rises and concrete jungles on one side, and the old neighborhoods and streets on the other. It's a really cool perspective on the city, and I loved it.

Dubai Frame Viewing PlatformDubai Frame Viewing Platform I gotta say, the Dubai Frame viewing platform itself was kinda underwhelming for me, but the building it's in? That's a whole different story. It's one of those wild, one-of-a-kind structures you see in Dubai, and it's totally worth a visit just for the 'gram. Madinat Jumeirah Market - it's basically a shopping center with souvenir shops, cafes, and all that jazz, and it's got a sick view of the Burj Al Arab.

Madinat Jumeirah Market
WHAT DID I ENJOY MOST ABOUT DUBAI?

At first, I wasn't totally blown away by Dubai. I mean, it's definitely worth a visit, but it didn't exactly change my life or anything. That was until I explored the Dubai Marina area. And let me tell you, it completely flipped my perspective. The area is seriously beautiful and well-maintained - I found myself wanting to just move in and live in one of the apartments or hotels.

Dubai MarinaDubai MarinaDubai MarinaWalking around Dubai Marina will take you straight to the waterfront, which is also super nice.

Dubai MarinaDubai MarinaDubai MarinaIS DUBAI JUST A BEACH VACATION?

So, to answer that, it's a bit of both, I guess. If you're looking for your average, free public beach, then no, Dubai isn't the place to go. But if you're looking for something more... I don't know, luxurious, then yeah, it's definitely worth a visit.

If you're talking about the paid beaches where entry can cost $500 or more, or if you're considering a stay at one of the fancy hotels with their own beaches, then yeah, Dubai can be called a beach vacation.

We were once at the City Beach Kite, which everyone recommends as the best free one.

Kite BeachBut honestly, we didn't enjoy it at all. Plus, only in the wide coastal line, due to this, the beach is very free, it seems like there's not many people, and there's enough space. But the water at the shore is murky, dirty. Maybe it was just our luck, and the sea is clean on other days.The second beach we were at is actually located in the Dubai Marina area, which is Marina Beach.

Marina BeachWe liked it way more, despite the fact that there are a lot of people, and the coastal line is super narrow. But the water is way cleaner, and there's a great view of the Ferris wheel. However, it's pretty loud, with a lot of water activities. Of course, I wouldn't go there every day during my stay in Dubai, but once is okay 😊
DUBAI TRANSPORT.

Metro is the main, convenient transportation. You can get to most locations in the city using the metro. The metro here is automated, no driver. There's a VIP car. It's always less crowded. But you need to buy a separate ticket (obviously, it'll be more expensive). Of course, you can just get in from the regular car, but I think it's just not nice, and the controllers might still be around.

Dubai Metro, view from the women and children's car There are regular mixed cars. And there's a separate car for women and children (men can't get in).

Metro, train for women and kidsTaxis - I've got to say, we didn't take many taxis, but from what I've seen on the maps, it looks like they're pretty well-covered in the city. Taxis - we hopped in a taxi a total of five times. Now, I know some of you might be thinking, 'What's the deal with Yandex taxis?' Well, in Dubai, you can actually order one through your app and pay with your card - it's a bit pricier, but super convenient. We also downloaded the local taxi app and paid cash, which was way cheaper. Honestly, the cost of taxis in Dubai seemed pretty reasonable to me, almost on par with what I'm used to back in Moscow. The taxis showed up super quickly, and the drivers were all super friendly. I did notice that there's an option to choose a taxi with a female driver, but we just went with the standard rate.

Dubai's attractions.

We walked to some cafes near our hotel, and the prices were pretty reasonable - I'm talking $15-$25 for a meal and a drink, give or take. The food was filling, and the portions were big, but to be honest, I just didn't love it - the food didn't really taste that great to me, which is weird, since I usually love trying new places.

Cafes in DubaiIn the Dubai Marina area, there's this super popular bar called "Bla Bla Restaurant". It's both a beach bar and a regular bar, I guess. The view from the patio is insane - you can see the Persian Gulf and the Ferris wheel. But the cocktails were just okay, to be honest. I got the feeling that Dubai is more about looking good than tasting good. People come here just for the view, I think.

Bla Bla RestaurantAnother super popular restaurant-bar in Dubai with an amazing view is "Ce La Vi". We got these crazy-shaped cocktail glasses, which was kinda fun. But the cocktails themselves were just meh. The view, on the other hand, was insane - it's basically like a viewing platform.

Ce la vi restaurantThe pool at Ce la vi restaurant has a sick panoramic view, but it's gonna cost you extra. I mean, it was February, so it wasn't even that hot, and there was literally no one there to enjoy it.Ce la vi restaurant, pool
Dubai's chocolate.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole Dubai Chocolate craze we experienced when we were there. It was like this sweet treat had gone viral, and everyone was either trying to make it at home or order it online. You'd find it everywhere – in souvenir shops, at malls, and even at metro stations. I mean, it was like the thing to have.

Dubai Chocolate from a regular supermarket We picked some up from a regular supermarket near our hotel. A 200-gram bar cost around 700 rubles. To be honest, the first time I tried it, I was hooked, but after a while, it just got old. I mean, I think a standard Snickers bar is way tastier.

WEATHER IN DUBAI IN FEBRUARY.

January and February are the coldest months in Dubai, and let me tell you, it's a bit chilly for a dip in the pool if you're used to warm water. But when we were there in late February 2025, the weather was abnormally cold – I think it even dropped to around +17-18 degrees Celsius one evening, and locals were walking around in jackets. On other days, it was pretty comfortable – the sun was scorching during the day, and we could sunbathe on the beach. In the evening, you could walk around in a light sweater. Winter in Dubai is a great time for excursions, and you can move around without relying on air-conditioned spaces. However, summers are a whole different story – they're unbearable, but there are enclosed public transportation stops where you can take a break and cool off.

Public transportation stop I think the best time to visit Dubai is from October to April – the weather's just right, and you can enjoy all the city has to offer without melting in the heat.

Dubai Marina area