Dubai's Hidden Gem: Dubai Marina
add_circle Pros
- The metro system is super convenient, especially from the airport – you can get in without stepping outside, and the silver cards are easy to use.
- The exchange office near our hotel had way better rates than the airport, so we exchanged our dollars for dirhams there.
- Our hotel at the Insurance Market metro station was in a great location – it's roughly equidistant from the city center and Dubai Marina.
- The currency in Dubai is dirhams, but you can easily exchange your dollars for them at exchange offices or use ATMs.
- Dubai Marina is a total letdown – I mean, it's not just a pretty face, it's got character and charm that'll keep you coming back for more.
- The food in Dubai is incredible – we found some amazing restaurants serving everything from traditional Middle Eastern cuisine to international flavors.
- The people in Dubai are super friendly and welcoming – we had some great interactions with locals and expats alike.
- The city has a great balance of old and new – you can see ancient architecture alongside modern skyscrapers and shopping malls.
- The shopping in Dubai is insane – from high-end designer boutiques to local markets, you'll find everything you need and more.
- The nightlife in Dubai is wild – from rooftop bars to clubs and lounges, there's something for every taste and style.
remove_circle Cons
- The old airport where we landed was a total hassle – it's outdated and not very efficient.
- The exchange rates at the airport were terrible, so we had to find a better option elsewhere.
- Some areas of the city can feel a bit overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors.
- The traffic in Dubai can be crazy, especially during rush hour – be prepared for some serious congestion.
- Some of the tourist attractions, like Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, can feel a bit overhyped – they're not as impressive as I expected.
- The heat in Dubai can be intense, especially during the summer months – be sure to pack accordingly and stay hydrated.
- Some of the local customs and traditions can be a bit confusing for visitors – be respectful and do your research beforehand.
- The city can feel a bit too commercialized, especially in areas like Dubai Mall – it's all about the Benjamins, baby.
Gallery
Editor's Summary
I gotta say, Dubai's not just about beachy vibes – it's a full-on metropolis where cash talks. We visited in February 2025 and spent a week exploring this amazing city. While Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall left me underwhelmed, I fell head over heels for Dubai Marina. Here's the deal – it's a game changer.
Specifications
We visited Dubai in February 2025 and spent a week in this amazing city.
Burj Khalifa Our flight landed at the old airport, which is where Aeroflot flies in. We took the metro from the airport, which is super convenient since you can get in from the airport without even stepping outside. You do need to buy a ticket, though. We bought 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.
We bought our entry tickets on the spot at the ticket booths. The lines weren't too crazy. The view is absolutely stunning. I highly recommend it.
The View at The Palm
The View at The Palm
The View at The Palm
The 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.
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.
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.
Dubai Frame Viewing Platform Dubai Frame Viewing Platform I thought the concept was cool, but the viewing platform itself didn't blow me away. However, the building it's in is a whole different story - it's one of those crazy, unique structures you see in Dubai, and it's definitely worth a visit for the 'gram. Madinat Jumeirah Market - it's basically a shopping center with souvenir shops, cafes, and whatnot, and it offers a great view of the Burj Al Arab.
Madinat Jumeirah Market
WHAT DID I ENJOY MOST ABOUT DUBAI?
I have to admit, Dubai itself didn't really impress me at first. I mean, it's definitely worth a visit, but I didn't think it was life-changing or anything. That was until I explored the Dubai Marina area. And let me tell you, it completely changed my mind. The area is so beautiful and well-maintained, I found myself wanting to stay there and live in one of the apartments or hotels.
Dubai Marina Dubai Marina Dubai MarinaWalking around Dubai Marina will take you straight to the waterfront, which is also super nice.
Dubai Marina Dubai Marina Dubai 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 don't have much to say about them, since we never actually took one, but judging by the maps and how often they pass by, this mode of transportation seems pretty well-developed in the city.Taxis - we took taxis five times. In Dubai, there's a Yandex taxi option, which is a bit pricier. But you don't need to download anything extra - you can just order through your app and pay with your card. And then there's the local taxi option, which we downloaded the app for and paid cash. The local taxi is cheaper. To be honest, the cost of taxis in Dubai seemed pretty reasonable, almost the same as in Moscow, which I thought was cool. The taxis showed up quickly, and the drivers were all super friendly. 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 regular cafes near our hotel, and the prices were pretty reasonable. I think it was around $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 didn't really love it - the food just didn't taste that great to me, which is weird, since I usually love trying new places.
Cafes in DubaiIn the Dubai Marina area, there's a 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 restaurant has a pool with a panoramic view, which costs extra, I think. But since it was February and not super hot, there was no one there. Ce la vi restaurant, pool
Dubai's chocolate.
When we were in Dubai, there was this crazy demand for Dubai Chocolate. It was one of those moments when this sweet treat had gone viral and people were trying to make it at home or order it online. And this Dubai Chocolate was everywhere in Dubai, where tourists were – in souvenir shops, at malls, and even at metro stations.
Dubai Chocolate from a regular supermarket We bought it from a regular supermarket close to our hotel. In rubles, a 200-gram bar cost around 700 rubles. To be honest, the first time I tried it, it tasted great, but after a while, it got old. I think the most popular, standard Snickers bar is way tastier.
WEATHER IN DUBAI IN FEBRUARY.
January and February are the coldest months in Dubai. Honestly, it's a bit chilly for a dip in the pool if you're used to warm, comfortable water. But in late February 2025, when we were in Dubai, the weather was abnormally cold, especially for a few days. I think it 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 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.
Dubai Marina area