If you live in Europe, getting away for a winter sun holiday is not exactly easy if you want to go somewhere that is not more than a million miles away. Dubai has great weather and is not too far away. Dubai is also a straightforward place to visit that has something for everyone. From great cityscapes, nice beaches, and futuristic buildings to the older and more charming part of the city. 10 Days in Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world and everything is very clean. Everything here just seems to work right. Many people might have biases about this place, but I’d suggest visiting it for yourself and judging for yourself.
When To Visit
You will find acceptable weather during the October to April period. Summer is simply too hot. January and February have the coolest temperatures and a few rainy days. In the winter months, you can usually expect temperature highs in the mid 20s (Celsius) during the daytime and lows in the mid teens at nighttime. However remember, since those winter months are when Dubai is the busiest. If you would like it to be less busy, avoid the peak winter months.
How Long To Stay
I believe one week (not including flight days) is sufficient to do everything outlined in this guide. Nonetheless 2 weeks will allow you to do it at a more leisurely pace and throw in a couple of beach days. A long weekend is manageable especially if you have a layover here however you will be limited and may miss spots that require pre-booking or will not be able to do all the things.
How Much Does It Cost
There’s no denying that Dubai is a price place to visit. You’re going to be paying a lot for accommodation and food. Accommodation alone will easily be over £100 a night, to eat out the total can be £15-40 per person but this can be cheaper if you look around. Once you add in entrance fees to museums, attractions and viewpoints, it can all quickly add up. True you can do it cheaper by staying in the old part, eating out too, and just not doing any paid attractions, but in terms of expense, the biggest here is alcohol. Most places accept card payments, but if you’re going to the markets and hanging around in the old town, it’s best to take cash with you.
Getting Around
Dubai is not recognized for a comprehensive public transport network. Besides the main metro line, the Marina tram, and a few local buses, there is not much else. You will need to catch a taxi to get to m places not along the metro, however, they are more plentiful than people, and they tend to be good value. The cab from the airport to the marina was £35, and smaller distances around the city on average were around £10-15. Just keep in mind the traffic can be horrible and can double your journey time, especially during rush hour.
Important Note
Even if Dubai is very relaxed you must still remember that you are in the UAE and respecting local culture is important. The police are very strict with a zero tolerance policy to crime, drugs, fighting or behaving generally in a disrespectful manner. Even if you are dressed appropriately while not at the beach, simply being drunk in public and/or engaging in PDA (public displaying of affection) is also a no-no. If you are visiting during Ramadan, you will need to be extra respectful and adhere to customs.
Photography
While Dubai has many amazing photo opportunities it is not for everyone. If you enjoy shooting cityscapes, architecture or even some desert landscape photography, there will be no shortage of things to photograph. However if you want to do some street photography you will find it fairly limiting. Similarly if you like to photography older environments, you will find Dubai a bit bland after seeing the old town. One huge caveat to be aware of is the law regarding photographing people.
Technically speaking, photographing people in public without their consent is illegal. With the amount of people with cameras, I have not seen this be enforced. On the whole, I have not had any outright hostility towards photographing in Dubai but I did notice people were at least more aware when I was photographing. Generally speaking I tried to read the room, and if I thought my presence of a camera made someone uncomfortable, I would put it away. Lastly while if was in the new bit, there were once or twice occasions when I was told a camera is not allowed but a phone is. I have never had this in the old bit. While photographing in Dubai can be challenging, I still feel you can capture some moments.
Gear
Of course, the more minimal your setup, the easier and more fulfilling it will be. In addition, various types of photography will suggest different gear. My recommendation is aimed at getting the most out of all these places. First of all, I would suggest using a general purpose zoom such as a 24-70, which will actually cover nearly everything. Besides the zoom, you will want a small 35mm prime, which will be precious in the old town or when working among people. It will keep the setup lean, and you won’t look like a ‘photographer’. If your goal is working with architecture and cityscapes, then a wide angle and a telephoto will also be useful. Personally, most of my photographs were taken on either 28mm or 50mm primes.
Locations
Marina
Although there is not a lot to photograph here, taking a walk by the water at sunrise or sunset will give you some lovely light. With the simple architecture here you could get something nice. If you can squeeze it in, then go to Ain Dubai – the large London Eye type thing. You can get some great minimal shots with the architecture and get on the Ferris wheel for a good bird eye view of the area.
