Mon, Nov 17, 2025 | Jumada al-Awwal 26, 1447 | Fajr 05:17 | DXB 29.3°C

Breaking NewsKT

UAE announces holiday for public, private schools on 54th Eid Al Etihad

From Dubai Frame to Hanging Gardens: 20 places you can visit for Dh50 or less

Beyond the country's glittering image, there are a wide range of affordable options that make leisure accessible to everyone

Published: Tue 4 Nov 2025, 11:22 AM

Updated: Wed 5 Nov 2025, 8:41 AM

Contrary to popular opinion, exploring culture, nature or history in the UAE is possible without an expensive price tag. Whether you are a resident who wants to enjoy your free time on budget or a tourist who wishes to save some extra money for shopping without missing out on experiences, the country offers many options of museums, parks, and attractions that are accessible for Dh50 or even free.

From a peek into the desert's wildlife to a history of luxury cars — there is something for everyone.

Farhan Akhtar's '120 Bahadur' to release across 800 defence theatres in India

Look: UAE-based Indian artist recreates Emirati heritage, past with paper installations

Trump says will sue BBC for up to $5 billion over video edit

UAE: Scammer ordered to repay Dh24,500 to victim in phone fraud case

Keerthy Suresh is UNICEF India's celebrity advocate for child rights

This affordability ensures that residents and visitors alike can enjoy the rich culture and vibrant life of the UAE without digging very deep in their pockets. Here are some of the things you can do in the UAE for as little as Dh50:

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

1. Sharjah Aquarium

In Sharjah, you can visit the aquarium and explore marine life while being budget-conscious. The Sharjah Aquarium has close to 100 species that visitors can come and observe. These marine species are native to the waters of this region.

The place has 20 different tanks that feature different kinds of aquatic environments – giving you and your children an opportunity to learn extensively about marine life. You can also get a close view of these animals by going through a walkway under the aquarium.

Entry ticket: Dh25 (Adult), Dh15 (Children). Entry is free for babies (newborn-1 year old), seniors (60 years old or older), people with disabilities, senior companions, disability companions, and International Council of Museums (ICOM) members.

2. Dubai Safari Park

In Dubai, animal lovers are in for an affordable treat. The popular Dubai Safari Park, which is open during cooler winter months, boasts over 3,000 animals from 87 different species, offering a rich blend of entertainment and education.

Entry ticket: Dh50 (3 years and above). You can spend a little extra to book the following experiences for Dh20 only: Reptile encounter, tortoise feeding, macaw feeding, cormorant feeding, giraffe feeding, goat feednig, pony grooming.

3. Global Village

One of Dubai’s top attractions, the famous Global Village offers a fun‑filled experience without a hefty ticket price. This lively family destination features pavilions representing countries from around the world, a theme park, diverse dining options, and a wide range of shopping and entertainment for visitors of all ages.

Inside the park, there are a wide range of things you can enjoy for free. Read this Khaleej Times report to know more.

Entry ticket: Dh25 (weekdays), Dh30 (ticket on any day). Entry is free for children under 3, seniors above 65 and people of determination.

4. Garden in the Sky

Located in Expo City Dubai, the Garden in the Sky is a rotating observation tower that lifts visitors 55 metres above Expo for a beautiful panoramic view of the place. The ride earns its name with its green, tree-lined upper deck.

Entry ticket: Dh30 (Entry to Expo City Dubai is free)

5. Hanging Gardens in Kalba

Located on the Sharjah-Kalba Road, the Hanging Gardens in Kalba have over 100,000 trees spanning an area of 1.6 million square feet and towering at a height of 281 meters above sea level.

The destination is the go-to place for people who love green spaces, flowers adorning the terraces, and waterfalls. It also features a restaurant situated 270 metres above sea level, seating up to 100 guests and offering breathtaking panoramic views of three sides of the Hanging Gardens.

Entry ticket: Dh10

6. Al Shindagha Museum

Dubbed the UAE's largest heritage museum, Al Shindagha Museum gives its visitors a chance to delve into Dubai past and enjoy an experience where history and innovation come together.

The place is home to 80 historic houses and 22 pavilions. The area itself will become a 310,000-sqm open-air museum. It offers a glimpse into the traditional Emirati lifestyle and the rich cultural heritage of the region, with exhibits that date back to the 1800s.

Entry ticket: Dh50, Dh20 (for students aged 5 to 24 years old), Dh40 (Group ticket which is valid for 5 people or more), free entry to children unde 5, senior Emiraties and people of determination.

7. The Dubai Frame

Located inside the Zabeel Park, Dubai Frame stands at 150 metres tall and provides a bird's eye view of the emirate's landscape. On one side, it offers a glimpse into the past of the city, while the other side shows the glitzy and glamorous present of it.

Entry ticket: Dh50, Dh20 (Children between 3 and 12 years old), entrance is free for infants under 3 years and People of Determination plus two companions.

8. Etihad Museum

The Etihad Museum tells the story of the UAE unification, giving visitors a chance to educate themselves on the nation's history through interactive exhibits, rare documents, and immersive experiences.

Situated at the historic site where the UAE was founded, the museum provides information on the vision of the Founding Fathers and showcases key milestones from 1968 to 1974.

Entry ticket: Dh25, Dh20 (Students from 4 to 25 years old)

9. Children's City

Children's City is the UAE's first educational city dedicated to children between 2 and 15 years old. The venue offers children a chance to investigate, explore, play, and discover in an entertaining educational format to get useful and valuable information.

It contains several exhibits and programs on applied, Human Body, Nature Centre, Forscherwelt, Space Exploration, Earth Sciences Gallery a Planetarium, Local and International Culture, The Way we live, Toddler's Area and Resource Centre.

In addition to this, Children's City has indoor and outdoor spaces for activities and celebrations throughout the year.

Entry ticket: Dh15, Dh10 (Children from 2 to 15 years old)

10. Khalifa Park

Located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, Khalifa Park spans over 30 hectares, featuring beautifully landscaped gardens, fountains, and shaded picnic areas, making it a perfect destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can explore attractions such as a mini‑zoo, a science-focused children’s city, and interactive exhibits that showcase Emirati heritage.

Entry ticket: Dh2, free Entry for children 3 years old and below

11. Jubail Mangrove Park

Known for its mangroves, Abu Dhabi has created a sanctuary where visitors can walk through these awe-inspiring flora and enjoy the biodiversity it houses.

Visitors can take a tour of the Jubail Mangrove Park located on Jubail Island, on a boardwalk which stretches for about two kilometers. The path includes three unique trails to explore, educational opportunities about nature and mangrove plants, and rest stops along the way.

The location also offers a chance to Kayak through the area, both at morning and night-time!

Entry ticket: Dh20 for adults (12 and above), Dh10 (5-11 years). Prices for kayaking start from Dh110 and go up to Dh150.

12. Noor Island's Butterfly House

Sharjah's Noor Island, rising up from the centre of a lagoon located near Majaz, is also home to a Butterfly House. The award-winning architectural design is a visually stunning, sculpted structure and has won numerous international awards.

Inside are over hundreds of colourful butterflies — a display of various shapes and sizes. A basic entry pass will give access to the island and a self-guided tour of the butterfly haven.

Entry ticket: Dh50 (adults), Dh30 (children)

13. Wasit Wetland Reserve

For wildlife enthusiasts, the The Wasit Wetland Reserve located in Sharjah is the perfect spot to geek out in. The protected area is home to over 200 species of birds, both native and wild migratory birds. Located in the Ramtha area in the northeast of the city, the reserve also hosts various small mammals, reptiles and insects.

Entry ticket: Dh15 (adults); Free for children below 12 years

14. Al Ain Zoo

Abu Dhabi's Al Ain Zoo lets visitors not only enjoy wildlife but also get up close and personal with animals. Established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1968, specifically for the conservation of the Arabian oryx, the zoo is now home to over 4,000 animals such as reptiles, mammals and birds.

Visitors can enjoy a Safari truck tour, feed animals and even pet some of them, offering the perfect chance for children to explore and learn. Recently, an Arabian Sand Cat Conservation Centre opened up, offering a peek into one of the desert’s cutest hidden creatures and how these rare cats are cared for and protected.

Entry ticket: Dh28.35 for adults (above 12), Dh9.45 (ages between 3 and 12)

15. Quranic Park

For faithful who would like to visually experience the tales from the holy Quran, the Quranic Park located in Dubai is the perfect spot.

Visitors can walk through the Cave of Miracles, which illustrates the holy book’s events through interactive technology, and the Glass House, that is home to unique plants that grow under specific environmental conditions. There are 12 orchards in total.

Other facilities include cycling and walking paths, an outdoor theatre and solar trees.

Entry ticket: Free for public. Dh5 for the Cave of Miracles and Glass House each.

16. Hatta Honeybee Garden

Nestled amidst Hatta's Al-Hajar mountains, the Hatta Honeybee Garden and Discovery Centre is the first of its kind in the region.

Spread over an area of 16,000 square-metres, the sanctuary is home to over 300 active beehives and hundreds of indigenous trees like Samar, Ghaf, and Sidr. Visitors get a chance to learn about sustainable beekeeping, the vital role of bees in our ecosystem, and the rich history of beekeeping in the UAE.

Entry ticket: Dh50

17. Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

Just some metres away from Dubai's skyscrapers lies a wetland housing thousands of flamingos. The Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary also serves as a breeding ground each year for crustaceans, mammals and fish.

Other than the fleet of the magnificent pink birds, grey herons, great egrets, reef herons, cormorants, black-winged stilts, sandpipers, osprey and more colourful species of birds also grace the reserve with their presence.

Entry ticket: Free of charge

18. Rain Room

The Rain Room in Sharjah doesn't only give you an experience of rain amid the UAE's arid weather, but also an immersive artistic experience of witnessing the droplets without getting wet yourself.

The responsive environment follows visitors as they navigate the darkened underground space, preventing the rain from falling directly above any detected human presence.

This installation uses 2,500 litres of self-cleaning recycled water, which is controlled through a system of networked 3D tracking cameras.

Entry ticket: Dh25 (adults), Dh15 (students and teachers), free for children under 5.

19. Sharjah Classic Car Museum

The UAE is a haven for auto lovers with its vast fleet of luxury cars. However, if you're looking to explore the history of these cars, the Sharjah Classic Car Museum is where you'd want to be.

Divided into five sections, vehicles range from a Model T Ford to a 1974 MG Midget. The museum also features the 1969 Mercedes Pullman Limousine, custom-made for Sharjah’s ruler and one of only 2,000 in the world.

The cars have been restored and buffed to give visitors a peek into the evolution of the automobile industry and see vintage adverts from each era.

Entry ticket: Dh10 (Adults over 13), Dh5 (children aged between 2 to 12), free for those under the age of 2 and above 60.

20. Kayaking at Rafisah Dam

Set against the mountains of Khor Fakkan, Al Rafisah Dam gives visitors a chance to navigate through the waters surrounded by nature, with an occasional bird paying visit. A number of gazelles also roam the mountain and are easy to spot from the water. People have the chance to choose from kayaks to pedal boats and donut boats.

The dam is also surrounded by a man-made waterfall and lush greenery. Additionally, there is a hiking trail and a castle for wanderers looking to learn more about the history and culture of the area.

Ticket: Single kayak for an adult starts from Dh40 going up to Dh250 for a donut boat for 4 adults 2 children