Dubai is known for being luxurious and costly. The city has lots to provide without spending money. No entry fee is charged in the beaches, historic areas, public parks, and open-air districts around Dubai. You just come, walk around, and have fun.  

In this guide you will find the best places to visit in Dubai with family for free with exact timings, honest tips, and clear directions so you can spend your trip exploring and not guessing. 

Quick Summary

The Dubai Fountain Show 



See the tallest performing fountain, which is a fantastic display on the Burj Lake near  Dubai Mall. This unique landmark combines music and light in perfect sync. The show runs every 30 minutes from 6 pm to 11 pm, which is free of cost. Every member of the family will love the show.  

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Burj Park



The Burj Park is located near the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain and serves as a great location for families as it has open green lawns where children can enjoy. Unlike Zabeel Park which has a nominal fee for entry, Burj Park does not have any entry fees. Since the lawns are adjacent to the lake, one can witness the Burj Khalifa and the fountain shows without having to deal with the crowds in the promenade. It is a perfect location for a rest stop while visiting the rest of Downtown Dubai with children. 

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Al Fahidi 



It is Dubai’s old district with narrow streets and traditional wind tower buildings, which have been around for more than a century. A walk through Al Fahidi gives kids an insight into what Dubai was like before as the modern metropolis and serves as a nice contrast to a visit to the downtown area. The Dubai Museum inside the Al Fahidi Fort charges an entrance fee, but exploring the other buildings around the neighborhood is free. 

JBR Beach 



Jumeirah Beach Residence is a public beach where you can explore cafes, shops and other street entertainment. Families can enjoy all day without spending a single Dirham. They can walk on the beach, and kids can have fun in the sand. There’s usually a bit of activity or live music along The Walk in the evenings. The beach and the walkway are both free for all. So, JBR is one of the most convenient free trips in Dubai for families with different ages. 

Kite Beach 



Kite Beach on the coast of Jumeirah is an open beach that does not seem as enclosed as other beaches in Dubai due to the lack of tall buildings right next to the beach area. Here you will see a jogging and cycling track laid alongside the beach for those active families looking to spend an exciting day on the beach cycling and running while their young ones can make sandcastles.  

Food trucks offer a lot of options from beverages to fast food perfect to satisfy one’s hunger. With shower facilities, bathrooms and open spaces for relaxation, Kite Beach would suit those families looking for an interesting beach experience all for free. 

Umm Suqeium Beach 



Sunset Beach or Umm Suqeim Beach is popular among the locals and the families because it offers a safe, wide, beautiful beach, and there is no entrance or booking fees. It’s a full day out with no spend if you bring your own towels and snacks. You don't have to carry heavy books. There is a free open beachside library facility which allows kids and parents to pick up and read books. 

Al Qudra Lakes



Al Qudra Lake is an artificial lake in the desert, with its boundaries marked by cycling trails and beautiful picnic spots. It attracts many local families over the weekends, especially in the mornings or evenings when the temperature is low. The lake has a lot of flamingos and other types of birds around it. There are no charges for visiting the lake or using the cycling routes.
 
Dubai Design District 



Dubai Design District, or commonly known as D3, is an option that offers visitors peace compared to other popular tourist destinations. The place features open plazas, sculptures, and temporary art exhibits, as it is a home for Dubai Design Week, among other events held throughout the year. There is no cost involved when exploring the district as opposed to Downtown Dubai, where there will be too many crowds especially if you have children who require a calmer atmosphere. You can even have something to eat at the various cafes found in the place. 

Bluewaters Island



Bluewaters Island is connected to JBR by a pedestrian bridge, so you can walk there without paying for transport if you are already in the area. The island has an open promenade with sea views, benches, and modern architecture that makes for a pleasant evening walk. You can also get a close look at Ain Dubai, the giant observation wheel, from the ground without buying a ticket to ride it. Riding the wheel costs money but walking around the island and taking photos does not, which makes it a good add-on to a day at JBR. 

City Walk



City Walk is an outdoor shopping and dining complex that consists of wide walkways, fountains, and huge masterpieces on the street art scene that includes a famous 3D graffiti where kids like to pose for their pictures. A stroll through the complex is free of charge, and there is always some sort of public art installation or seasonal decorations that one can enjoy. A family can take an hour or two simply walking around, observing the people and taking pictures before going to a restaurant or somewhere else. 

J1 Beach 



J1 Beach is a newer beach resort complex that has been divided into several segments. It features painted buildings, murals, and a lagoon section which is not as rough as open ocean swimming and is more suitable for young kids. The entrance to the beach is free of charge, and there is a nice boardwalk where parents can push their strollers or let their kids go for a ride on scooters. There are paid facilities nearby, such as the water park segment, but people do not have to use them to have a fun-filled day on the beach.  

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Alserkal Avenue



Alserkal Avenue, located in the Al Quoz area of Dubai, has become one of the most important centers in the contemporary art scene thanks to numerous studios and converted warehouse buildings that used to serve as storage for production companies in the area. Here, one can find about fifteen galleries, showcasing various art forms and styles, and since almost all of them provide free access to visitors.  

Dubai Marina Walk 



Dubai Marina Walk is one of the largest waterfront roads in the city that runs beside the marina and has plenty of glass skyscrapers, yachts, restaurants, and cafes along it. Walking along the place is cost-free and the views are worth it. There are street performances, musicians, and small stalls nearby. As these walks connect with the Dubai Marina Beach, families can easily combine their time at the beach and their views on the walk.  

Al Seef 



Al Seef is one of which has a heritage design that resembles the old style of Dubai. The other part is a modern waterfront area with luxurious restaurants and shops and is adjacent to the heritage area. Families can take a long walk along Al Seef without paying a fee and enjoy the beauty of old Dubai and new Dubai in one single walk. 

The small wooden boats called abras operate in the Dubai creek. Children can spend time just watching the boats with passengers and cargo on board. There are little cafes also where one can sit and grab coffee and eat. The heritage area has little shops selling handcrafted items as well. The waterfront area allows more walking space and offers the best views to the creek.  

Dubai Gold and Spice Souk 



The old souks in Deira are a short walk from each other and give kids a very different kind of sightseeing experience. The Spice Souk is full of sacks of saffron, dried fruits, and spices with strong smells that most children find memorable. The Gold Souk next door has window after window of gold jewelry, some of it very elaborate. Walking through both markets is free, and shopkeepers are used to visitors browsing without buying. It is a good contrast to the more polished, air-conditioned parts of Dubai that families usually see first. 

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Conclusion

There are plenty of places to visit in Dubai for families for free. From watching the Dubai Fountain Show and seeing wild flamingos at Ras Al Khor to just chilling on JBR Beach or exploring the historic lanes of Al Fahidi, there’s plenty to do for a few days without spending on entry tickets. Choose a few spots nearby from this list, plan for the cooler parts of the day all with the best travel agency in Dubai and you’ll have a complete and memorable family vacation to Dubai all under budget. 

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