Arabian adventures in Dubai with free attractions, luxury food at pocket-friendly prices and countless Instagram moments

SIPPING on a cocktail while dangling my toes in an infinity pool overlooking endless rows of skyscrapers, I could almost kid myself I’m an influencer.

Dubai is a social media star’s paradise but with temperatures rarely dipping below mid-20C, it’s increasingly becoming a winter-sun destination for regular people, too.

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So is it possible to enjoy the Emirati city’s glitz and glamour on a budget?

Surprisingly, it is.

Not only are there plenty of free attractions, there are savvy ways of sampling Dubai’s luxurious lifestyle for less, from its fine dining scene to trendy beach clubs.

Now is the time to go, with temperatures reaching a sizzling but bearable 30C.

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And what better way to soak up that sun than at the Instagrammable Fluid Beach Club at Th8 Palm hotel, one of a number of venues that offers redeemable credit on food and drinks which meant our £43 entry cost covered lunch and a couple of cocktails.

We spent the day flitting between the sleek infinity pool surrounded by chic white sunbeds and vibrant red parasols, and the golden sandy beach which boasts views of the Marina skyline and Palm Jumeirah.

For an even cheaper option, check out the vibey Coco Lounge at the Media One Hotel that charges a redeemable £21.

You can’t go to Dubai and not visit the tallest building in the world — the Burj Khalifa, which is more than twice the height of the Empire State Building and nearly three times that of the Eiffel Tower.

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The area in front, accessible from the Dubai Mall (one of the largest in the world) is free to visit. It’s worth going in the evening to enjoy the spectacular dancing Dubai Fountain displays and light and sound shows projected on to the tower.

If you have a head for heights, take a trip up to the luxurious Sky Lounge on Level 154, where you can savour the view with a complimentary coffee from 585m above ground.

But book tickets in advance and consider visiting either early morning or late evening to get the best deals.

A trip to the top of the tower is not cheap at £85pp (and £165 for lounge access).

But you can save some cash by stopping at the 125th-floor, which at 456m high still offers fantastic 360-degree views of the city skyline, for less than £40.

An even cheaper way of seeing the city from on high is at the Dubai Frame which costs about £10 to visit.

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The 150m-tall monument resembles an enormous gold picture frame, which tourists can climb (don’t worry, there’s a lift) and enjoy a view of modern Dubai from one side, and old Dubai from the other, reminding visitors of the city’s beginnings as a fishing and pearling village.

These days Old Dubai is where you can find the gold and spice souks which line the labyrinth of maze-like streets on the banks of the Dubai Creek.

We crossed the water on a traditional wooden abra — an experience in itself — as part of a walking tour with Arabian Adventures led by guide Alex.

He took us round the 18th-century neighbourhood of Al Fahidi, home to the Al Fahidi Fort (now Dubai’s main museum and less than £1 to visit) and the colourful Textile Souk, selling all sorts of fabric and handmade souvenirs.

Dubai is also a mecca for foodies and it’s well worth taking advantage of a “business lunch” where many of high-end dining destinations offer these weekday deals to enjoy their luxurious gastronomy experiences at pocket-friendly prices.

Sky swing

We chose Ce La Vi which serves contemporary Asian cuisine on the 54th floor of The Address Sky View Hotel, overlooking the Burj Khalifa.

Chef Howard Ko previously worked at a Michelin-starred restaurant in New York, and our three-course meal, priced at £30-a-head, was hands down some of the best food I’ve ever had.

Once you have eaten, nip out on to the balcony and strike your best influencer pose on the “sky swing”.

With a flight time of roughly seven hours from the UK, the biggest expenses for a trip to Dubai is getting there as well as accommodation.

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But there are ways to save.

The most popular places to stay are at Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai.

But with options ranging from budget/mid-range to some of the world’s most expensive hotels, it’s possible to find a three-star for around £75 a night.

Or you can book a holiday package that rolls flights and accommodation into one which are often cheaper than booking both parts separately.

We were fortunate enough to stay with friends who live about 20 minutes’ drive from the city centre in the Umm Suqeim suburb with a stunning beach front ideal for young families.

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It’s worth checking out Airbnb if you’re happy to stay a bit further out from the action and it’s relatively easy and safe to get around using local Uber-style app Careem.

As the sun set on our Arabian adventure, we headed back to rainy Blighty with full bellies, magical memories and, of course, a phone-load of photos to make any influencer green with envy.

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