Dubai has quite the reputation. From housing the world’s tallest building to fashioning its own personalized, man-made islands, there’s no other place in the world that does excess quite like Dubai. The city’s filled with the most expensive foreign cars, so much so that they are probably worth more than you make in a year. Or five. Seriously, you’ll even find the Dubai police riding in some of the world’s fastest and most expensive cars like Lamborghini’s and Bugatti’s!

It’s a destination that most must see to believe… and you can, too! Granted, Dubai has a bad reputation amongst the budget and backpacking communities for being too pricey, but don’t fret. It is also possible to enjoy it without going broke. Here are some activities for you to stay within your travel spending budget while admiring Dubai!

Let’s Start With Architecture

Remember whenn we mentioned the tallest building in the world earlier? Well, that piece of architectural madness — called Burj Khalifa— is, not surprisingly, a must-see. It’s also impossible to miss, for obvious reasons. Getting to the top will cost about $100 a pop depending on your ticket choice, but the views are pretty insane. Make sure you check out Burj Al Arab, while you’re at it. This hotel, shaped like a wind-filled sail, is the fanciest lodging you could ever stay in. You won’t be able to enter this luxurious spot unless you’re an official guest, but it’s possible to admire it from a distance for the price of zero dollars.

Shopping…a MUST!

You can totally shop in Dubai without spending all your money. Head to the fancy malls for the experience—the Mall of Arabia is the biggest shopping mall in the entire world (complete with a Jurassic Park style theme park!) and the Mall of the Emirates has an indoor ski slope with real snow. Yeah.

In any case, ogle to your heart’s content at the crazy malls of Dubai—because let’s be real, staring slack-jawed at the insanely wealthy is part of the Dubai sightseeing experience! The Khan Murjan Souk is where you should go in search of fabrics, spices, and other traditional Arabian wares. To really be dazzled, though, head over to the Gold Souk. You’ll find gold, platinum, and even diamonds aplenty over here—and haggling is expected. As a result, you can get yourself some amazing jewelry for about a fraction of its retail value!

Hit the Beach

With all the glitz and glam you’ll find in Dubai, it’s easy to forget that this city started out as a humble fishing town. But you know what’ll remind you that fun fact? Its gorgeous coastline. Because you can’t visit Dubai without a trip to the beach, even if you aren’t staying at one of the posh waterfront hotels. For a more budget-friendly beach experience, head over to Jumeirah Beach Park to take a dip in the clear ocean and sunbathe. Surrounding the beach are cafes, barbecue areas, and a playground for children.

You’ll have an awesome time tanning and splashing around in the Persian Gulf—but remember, the U.A.E. is an Islamic country, and respect for the local culture is a must. Almost anything goes in cosmopolitan Dubai, but the Western standard of near nudity on the beach is generally considered disrespectful. Unless you’re tanning on one of the private, hotel-owned beaches, stick to board shorts and a T-shirt during your beach adventure.

Explore The Manmade Island Close Up!

While you’re chilling out at the waterfront, why not check out the bevy of manmade islands that surround Dubai? You can hop on a speedboat that’ll ferry you around the gulf, passing the Palm Jebel Ali, The Palm Jumeirah, and The World, a collection of islands that mimic the geography of the globe!

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Go Dune Bashing in The Desert!

You can’t go to the desert without, you know, actually GOING to the desert. Dubai is a glittering metropolis built right in the middle of the Arabian Desert, and you totally have to go see it in all its natural glory. So book a tour guide to experience reckless, irresponsible driving in a 4×4 through the sand dunes, go sandboarding—which is basically like snowboarding, Arabian Desert style— or even ride a camel if you feel adventurous enough! A desert safari usually includes all of the above, plus food prepared on site.

Eat Like an Arabian Sheikh

Still not convinced to look for cheap flights in January to rock Dubai on a budget? To offset the cost of speedboat and dune-bashing adventures, go to Al Diyafah Road. Located in the old part of the city, Bastakia Quarter, you won’t find Ferraris or glittering shopping malls here. Instead, you’ll admire the remnants of Dubai’s fishing village roots, a vibrant local population, and truly delicious (and cheap!) food. Craving Indian, Iranian, or Lebanese food instead? No problem. Check out Ravi’s if you’re a fan of curry—it’s considered one of the best curry houses in the city, despite its humble demeanor—or head over to Sidra if you’re looking for exciting vegetarian options.

Have you been to Dubai? If we missed any of your favorite affordable activities, let us know in our comments section below!