Parks and the outdoors in Dubai

Parks and the outdoors in Dubai

1. DrinkJumeirah

   360°

   Jumeirah Beach Hotel Complex. Open air bar with great views of the Burj hotel and the Jumeirah beach hotel all helped by a cool breeze from the ocean. Various DJs but think Ibiza lounge bar and you will not be far off.

   Sun-Wed 17:00-02:00, Thu-Sat 17:00-03:00

2. SeeJumeirah

   Al Safa Park

   A beautiful planned park and one of the oldest parks in Dubai. It is a favourite for sports enthusiasts, and many visitors enjoy playing tennis, volleyball, and soccer. Children love playing games in the video arcade, or riding the Ferris wheel and bumper cars. The park even has a maze to wander through. Barbeques and picnic areas are available for those who want to make a day of it. It has lakes where you can take a boat ride and a hill that offers panoramic views of this beautiful lush green park and the gigantic Dubai skyline. But as of 2017, infrastructure are old disused and it have construction work.

   11:0–23:00·3 dirham

3. DoJumeirah

   Atlantis

   Atlantis-themed but Arabian-styled resort on the artificial island of The Palm. Has a huge water park with plenty of thrilling water slides, an aquarium and a large shopping area with plenty of places to eat and drink.

4. DrinkJumeirah

   Barasti

   Built in three levels (each playing its own music), with lounging areas on the beach, lots of young and foreign people come here during the weekend. Very popular with expats.

5. EatBur Dubai

   Basta Art Cafe

   Set in a lovely garden courtyard in a restored house. Great place to take a breather with a cold drink and write some postcards. The sandwiches-and-salads menu is aimed squarely at tourists, but if you are sick of kebabs, they will cater to your salmon-avocado wrap and mango smoothie cravings. The "Basta Special" drink of mint and lemon is also excellent.

6. SeeJumeirah

   Burj al-Arab

   Tower of the Arabs

   This huge sail-shaped hotel completed in 1999 is a symbol of Dubai and its ascent in the world. The self-proclaimed world's first seven-star hotel (actually a five-star deluxe hotel) was the first icon of Dubai and still stands out on the skyline from its location on an artificial island 280 m from the beach. Entry to the hotel is restricted to hotel guests, those with a restaurant reservation (minimum spend 200AED) or a guided tour (starting from 250AED for a 60-90min tour). A smart casual dress code applies but is not strictly enforced. Make restaurant reservations in advance.

   Overnight stays over US$1800 per night after taxes/fees

7. SeeBur Dubai

   Creek Park

   A great place to hang out in the evening when the park is visited by people of different nationalities, all looking for calm place to enjoy the time. It has all the facilities of a modern park and is one of the best parks in Dubai. The cable car is closed.

   Sun–Wed 8AM–10PM, Thu–Sat 8AM–11PM·5 dirham

8. DoJumeirah

   Cycling or walking along Jumeirah Beach

   A beautiful coastal running and cycling track stretches for about 7 km from the mouth of Dubai Canal all the way to Burj Al Arab. One of the few places in Dubai where you can see native Emiratis enjoying their time alongside expats from all over the world in the evenings. There are bike rental stations along the way (mobile data and a credit card needed though).

9. SeeJumeirah

   Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

   Giant aquarium, 51 m long and 11 m high. The visit includes a crossing inside the walk-through water tunnel, behind the scenes, and several other experiences. The Underwater Zoo has 140 fish species, desert animals, penguins and also hosts "King Krok". Animal feeding hours are indicated in the zoo, and it's also possible to participate during feeding.

   Sun–Wed 10:00–23:00, Thu–Sat 10:00–00:00·Researcher Experience for 100 dirham/person, Explorer Experience for 120 dirham/person, VIP for 300 dirham/person

10. DoBur Dubai

    Dubai Ferry trip

    The Dubai Ferry makes a sightseeing circular trip to Jumeirah Beach (deep sea side) or to the Floating Bridge (toward the creek). There are also a one way trips towards Dubai Marina at 1pm and 6pm (duration: 2 hours).

    3PM, 5PM·50 dirhams/person in regular, 75 dirhams/person in gold class

11. SeeJumeirah

    Dubai Marina

    The Dubai Marina is to be the popular nightlife area of Dubai in the future. This multi-billion-dollar development is designed for tourists and water sport. The bars and cafés along the marina are popular gathering points for families and younger people. Most restaurants offer shisha and oriental food but food chains are fast entering too. The "Marina Walk" along the yachts is especially popular on Fridays and Saturdays. Yacht agencies offer services to explore the coastal region and Palm Islands.

12. SeeJumeirah

    Dubai Miracle Garden

    A coloful and well maintained garden with more than 45 million flowers and numerous sculptures made out of flowers. Some visitors found it a bit too kitschy.

    Mon-Fri 09:00-21:00, Sat Sun 09:00-22:00·55 dirham

13. DoJebel Ali

    Dubai Parks & Resorts

    Dubai Parks and Resorts is the Middle East's largest integrated leisure and theme park destination featuring more than 100 rides and attractions, and consists of three theme parks: Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, and Legoland Dubai, and one water park: Legoland Water Park. It also encompasses Riverland Dubai, which is a themed retail and dining destination, as well as the Polynesian-themed family resort, Lapita Hotel Dubai.

    11AM to 7PM

14. DoSuburbs and Hatta

    Dubai Safari Park

    Dubai Safari Park is a wildlife park, animal sanctuary & education center that is home to more than 2,500 animals from all over the world including lions, elephants, giraffes, moon bears, and camels. The park is divided into four zones - Explorer Village, African Village, Arabian Desert Safari, and Asian Village.

    9AM to 5PM·50 dirham

15. SeeJumeirah

    Emirates Towers

    The Emirates Towers complex contains the Emirates Office Tower and Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel. The two towers, which rise to 355 m (1,165 ft) and 309 m (1,014 ft), respectively, stand as the 23rd and 47th tallest buildings in the world. The two towers are connected by a 9,000 m² (96,875 ft²) two-storey retail complex known as "The Boulevard". The Emirates Towers complex is located on the Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is a symbol of the city of Dubai. A curiosity of the design is that the towers have a similar number of floors; the taller office tower actually contains 54 floors, while the hotel tower contains 56 floors. This is because the individual floor heights of the office tower are greater than that of the hotel. The Emirates Towers complex is set in over 570,000 m² (42 acres) of gardens, with lakes, waterfalls and public seating areas. There is parking space for up to 1,800 cars.

16. DoSuburbs and Hatta

    IMG Worlds of Adventure

    A very large indoor theme park, with 4 universes: Lost Valley, IMG boulverard, Cartoon Network, Marvell. Nice families and adventurers, specially during hot summer months. It has 22 attractions including 3 roller coasters: The Velociraptor (5 inversions), Predator (3 inversions) and Spiderman (turning seats).

    Sun–Wed 11AM–9PM, Thu–Sat 11AM–10PM, Ramadan: Sun–Wed 1–10PM, Thu–Sat 1–11PM·245 dirhams/adults, 225 dirhams/child, free below 1.2 m

17. SeeJumeirah

    Jumeirah Beach

    Dubai is known for its great beaches and this one is the best. It's the most popular and busiest beach of the country. Expect to see swimmers in bikinis and ladies in abaya cloaks; this beach truly encapsulates the Westernisation of Dubai culture.

18. BuySuburbs and Hatta

    Mall of Arabia

    Mall of Arabia is a shopping mall built as part of the City of Arabia in the Dubailand theme park premises in Dubai. The 10-million square-foot mall contains more than 1,000 retail outlets, a rooftop hotel, waterfront dining and entertainment, a theme park, an earth science museum, and a planetarium. It also contains its own monorail system linked with the Dubai Metro along with a 2-story underground parking garage capable of holding 10,400 vehicles.

19. SeeDeira

    Mamzar Park

    You can swim at Al Mamzar Beach or stroll in the park. Though less popular than other Dubai parks, it has its share of Dubai's greenery. Monday & Wednesday for women only.

    Sun–Wed 8AM–10PM, Thu–Sat 8AM–11PM·5 dirhams/person

20. SeeSuburbs and Hatta

    Mushrif Park

    Mushrif Park is 5.25-km² (1300-acre) desert-like park. It is in the eastern part of the city (near the suburb of Khawaneej), about 16 km (10 mi) from the traditional center of Dubai. The park was created in early 1980 by Dubai Municipality and was hugely expanded and refurbished in 1989.

    Daily 8AM-11PM·entrance fee 10 dirhams per car; to use the swimming pool, adults pay 10 dirhams and children pay 5 dirhams

21. SeeJumeirah

    Palm Islands

    The Palm islands are the best symbols of the boom and bust construction cycles in Dubai. The "oldest" Palm called Palm Jumeirah is completed and is host to the gigantic Atlantis Hotel on its top. Several marinas, hotels and condo are along the palm leaves. Palm Jumeirah has the densest collection of beach clubs in the city, which are popular with locals and tourists alike. Some beach clubs are part of hotels, while others are standalone restaurants. West Beach falls in the latter category and is dog-friendly. The development of the other two Palms will depend on the financial situation of the construction business but someday Dubai will have the three largest artificial islands in the world on its coastline.

22. DoJumeirah

    Ski Dubai

    Dubai has a snow skiing centre in the Mall of the Emirates, offering both skiing and snowboarding. The 400 m slope is quite large for an indoor area. All equipment is available for hire. Although it is -4 c inside, you do not need to bring a jacket because they supply pretty much everything except gloves and a hat which you can buy right there (gloves are included in some packs). It also propose the "Penguin Encounter" activity where you interact and play with penguins (king and gentoo).

    Sun–Wed 10:00–23:00, Thu 10:00–00:00, Fri 09:00–00:00, Sat 09:00-23:00 – tickets close 1 hr 30 min before·A "Slope Session" pass costs 200 dirhams for 2 hours or 300 dirhams for full day, plus 20 dirhams, for a locker. The "Snow Park" starts at 190 dirhams, the pack with all activities unlimited "Ski Dubai Experience" costs 500 dirhams

23. SeeJumeirah

    Sky Views Dubai

    This hotel building offers beautiful views toward Burj Khalifa from its 53rd floor observation deck. There is a 25-m glass floor walk and a ride on a glass slide included. For another dirham a walk along the edge of this building floor can be booked.

    85 dirham

24. DoJumeirah

    Wild Wadi Waterpark

    The perfect place for the entire family to spend a day as well as being a great way to beat the heat and enjoy the day away from the bustle of the city. Located close to the hotels and resorts of Jumeriah Beach, the park has water rides, slides, and a lagoon that is hidden away. You'll enjoy waterfalls, out of the way swimming holes, and a tidal pool.

    10:00–19:00 daily, sometimes closes at 18:00 for private events·295 dirhams/adult, 245 dirhams/child below 1.1 m

25. SeeBur Dubai

    Zabeel Park

    The best and most popular park of town, it gives a remarkable glimpse of the desert and hot Dubai.

    Sun–Wed 8AM 10PM, Thu–Sat 8AM 11PM·5 dirham

26. DoJebel Ali Not mapped

    Jetty Lounge

    This is an elegant beach lounge that has fantastic drinks. Cozy, but over-crowded during the sunsets.

27. SeeSuburbs and Hatta Not mapped

    Rugby Park

    A 5,000-seat field hockey stadium. The stadium will provide a base to the UAE Hockey Committee and the WorldHockey Academy. The Hockey Stadium is situated at the Dubai Sports City Academy's Campus and provides world-class facilities for international athletes and local enthusiasts. The World Hockey Academy is the first facility of its kind anywhere in the world. Through a partnership between Dubai Sports City and the International Hockey Federation, the World Hockey Academy will provide coaching at the highest professional level from seasoned hockey coaches, many of whom have represented their countries in the international arena.

28. EatDeira

    Africana Home Restaurant Nakheel Deira Park

    1820, Lootah Building Behind Golden Square Hotel Street 118

29. SeeBur Dubai

    Dinausaur Park & Glow Garden Park

    Dubai Garden Glow

    Zabeel Park Gate 6 & 7

    Sat–Wed 4PM–noon, Thu–Fri 4PM-1AM·60 dirham per person

30. DrinkJumeirah

    Nasimi Beach

    Great bar/club on the beach in the Palm Jumeirah.

31. EatJumeirah

    The Gem Garden

    Continental restaurant.

    24 hours

32. DrinkJumeirah

    Zero Gravity

    Beach club, a nice place for partying.

    Sun–Thu 10:00–late, Fri Sat 08:00–03:00·free entrance, 50 dirham a beer

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Dubai (CC BY-SA 4.0).