Travel UAE

  • Expo City Dubai

    Expo City Dubai

    Expo City Dubai

    As one might expect, not everything was torn down after the exhibition’s conclusion. On the contrary, the area is set to be developed further. Several central pavilions and structures have been preserved, while the rest of the site will eventually transform into a residential cluster.

    For now, a few pavilions and installations, along with cafés and restaurants, remain operational. The vast area is open for free (a rarity in the Emirates!), making it a pleasant spot for a stroll. I visited in the evening on a weekend—arguably the best time for a visit if you enjoy walking under the lights rather than complete darkness. However, the park was surprisingly empty, which gave the place a slightly melancholic vibe.

    You can stop by the Visitor Center to learn about the available activities or visit the Sales Center if you’re considering purchasing a piece of the area’s emerging or existing real estate.

    GPS: 24.960966, 55.155663
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    Photos: 1, 2

  • Dubai Crocodile Park

    Dubai Crocodile Park

    I visited the crocodiles at Dubai Crocodile Park. Outside, the 25-year-old adult crocodiles were relaxing, while the 5-year-old juveniles in the aquarium were much more active. They look incredibly intimidating when rushing toward you, hoping for food. The aquarium is undoubtedly the most striking feature of the park and alone makes it worth a visit.
    The park also features a museum, a café, and the option to sign up for a crocodile feeding experience.
    Adding to the unique atmosphere, the park is situated near the glide path of Dubai Airport, so every few minutes, planes pass overhead, enhancing the unusual vibe of the place.

    GPS: 25.202835, 55.440891
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    Photos: 1, 2

  • Dubai Safari Park

    Dubai Safari Park

    Dubai Safari Park is a large park perfect for the whole family, offering a wide variety of animals and an abundance of greenery and flowers. One of the highlights is the safari experience, where you are seated on a bus and taken on a 30-minute (or a shorter 10-minute) guided tour through enclosures featuring different animals. Every half hour, there’s an opportunity to feed giraffes by hand. We were waiting in line for this experience, but despite the scheduled time, it wasn’t opening. It turned out they were waiting for a VIP tour. A group of local men arrived, and while mothers with children were kept waiting in a “pen” under the heat, this “special” procession calmly fed the giraffes. It was quite an odd scene to witness.
    We visited on a weekday morning, and there were plenty of school buses with children, leading to queues in some areas. By around 11 a.m., the crowds had thinned out.
    You can explore the park on foot or use internal transportation to reach specific zones. While the park isn’t enormous, the winding paths make walking under the midday sun quite exhausting. It’s a good idea to plan your visit, decide which areas you’d like to explore, and purchase the appropriate tickets (you can buy them online or at least review what’s available and included). Sticking to a plan will make your visit smoother.
    Right at the entrance, there’s a large Children’s Zone with a petting zoo. Kids can interact with goats and sheep in an open area or observe donkeys, parrots, and other animals.

    GPS: 25.176584, 55.447963
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  • Jet Ski

    Jet Ski

    There are numerous rental points along Dubai’s coastline. At JBR Beach, you can take a so-called safari tour for an hour around Palm Island—there and back. However, this leaves almost no time for free riding. If you want more freedom, consider renting for 30 minutes to an hour and enjoying the thrill on the water. Opt for morning hours and windless days for smooth conditions, as speeding over glassy water is an unforgettable adrenaline rush.

    GPS: 25.074055, 55.127345
    Photos: 1, 2

  • Falcon Heli Tours

    Falcon Heli Tours

    Falcon Heli Tours offers helicopter tours over Dubai with several route options. Departures are from Palm Island. It’s best to fly around sunset and on clear days to enjoy the breathtaking views fully.

    GPS: 25.127455, 55.113807
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  • Dubai Miracle Garden

    Dubai Miracle Garden

    Dubai Miracle Garden is a large outdoor flower garden featuring various cartoon installations and even a real airplane covered in flowers. The park is not open year-round, so check its operating schedule. It’s a must-visit for flower enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys vibrant colors and beautiful displays.

    GPS: 25.059491, 55.245162
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    Photos: 1, 2

  • Desert Buggy Safari

    Desert Buggy Safari

    In the local deserts, you can find a variety of activities: camel riding, jeep rides, buggy rides, sandboarding (snowboarding on dunes), tea time at sunset, camping, and more.

    I went on a buggy ride in the Al Madam Desert with the Red Sand Desert company (their kiosks were once found almost everywhere in Dubai’s tourist areas). You can take a buggy for one person or two or rent an ATV. They provide a mask to protect your eyes from sand, but I found my sunglasses sufficient. Wearing a head covering is recommended, which you can buy on-site.

    The dunes, sands, and landscape are stunning. The buggy tour is not thrilling, as you ride strictly in a convoy along a set route with no room for deviation—no drifting or off-roading. Book those specific tours and clarify this with your guide if you want freeride and more freedom. Otherwise, the experience will feel like being on a “train on rails.” There’s one major stop along the way where you can take many “desert” photos.

    GPS: 24.952452, 55.718704
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    Photos: 1, 2

  • Ain Dubai observation wheel

    Ain Dubai observation wheel

    Ain Dubai is the world’s largest observation wheel. Recently opened, it hasn’t been in operation for long, but it has been closed for repairs for almost a 2 years now, remaining closed from spring 2022 through 2023 and 2024. It was restarted in December 2024 and no one knows how much longer it will work. Hurry.

    The wheel features cabins with different themes. Some are designed for yoga sessions, others include a bar where you can enjoy a drink, and there are also simple cabins where you can sit and enjoy the view. The most popular time to visit is at sunset, as it offers breathtaking views of the surroundings.

    A full rotation takes about 40 minutes.

    GPS: 25.0799598, 55.123694
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    Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4

  • The Green Planet

    The Green Planet

    The Green Planet is an indoor mini-zoo in a tropical climate in Dubai. One of its highlights is a scheduled tropical rainstorm, during which actual rain falls throughout the enclosure.

    Inside, you’ll find a wide variety of birds, parrots, and other animals, as well as sections featuring snakes, fish, and more. The experience starts with an elevator ride to the top and a spiral path that gradually leads you back through the exhibits.

    While most animals can’t be touched, parrots are the exception. However, caution is advised with larger parrots—they can deliver a painful bite if provoked and can be pretty persistent in seeking attention.

    GPS: 25.206534, 55.260457
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    Photos: 1, 2

  • Museum of the Future

    Museum of the Future

    The Museum of the Future in Dubai is a recently opened landmark that quickly gained attention for its striking design and futuristic concept. Tickets can only be purchased online, and initially, they were often sold out weeks in advance—though hopefully, the situation has improved by now.

    The building itself is awe-inspiring, featuring a futuristic hall resembling an alien spaceship’s interior. The museum spans several floors, each dedicated to different themes, including interactive exhibits, a terrace with outdoor views, and an entire children’s floor where kids can explore while adults wander through the exhibits.

    It’s worth a visit. However, for me, the WOW factor was somewhat missing. Many sections lacked sufficient interactivity, and some required effort to understand the concepts being presented fully.

    GPS: 25.219135, 55.282104
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    Photos: 1, 2

animals architecture auto cafe city desert heritage hiking kids lake mountains nature park sea sport unusual zoo