Travel UAE

Tag: city

  • Kalba Waterfront mall

    Kalba Waterfront mall

    After a light hike, it’s absolutely necessary to grab a bite and enjoy the magical winter weather in the UAE.

    We were here once before, last June, when you step outside and immediately start sweating. A small shopping mall with a few cafés/restaurants and a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

    But now, you soak up the endless sunshine to warm up a bit, even though you’re standing there in shorts and a t-shirt, with the breeze and shade keeping you cool.

    In such a small country, desert landscapes blend seamlessly with these man-made, cozy, and numerous little oases.

    Kalba Waterfront Mall

    GPS: 25.003819, 56.352296
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    Photos: 1, 2

  • Leem Lake and Al Wadi Park, Hatta

    Leem Lake and Al Wadi Park, Hatta

    There are two parks in Hatta, Leem Lake, and Al Wadi Park, which are close together.

    At Leem Lake, you can enjoy the serene waters by renting a kayak. During winter, the Hatta Winter Festival transforms the park into a lively hub with festive decorations, local market stalls, and cultural performances.

    Al Wadi Park is located nearby and suitable for nature lovers and families. With its lush greenery, shaded walking paths, and open spaces, it’s perfect for picnics, strolls, or letting children play in a safe and calm environment. The peaceful surroundings make it a great spot to unwind after exploring the activities at Hatta Lake.

    GPS: 24.815268, 56.131061
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  • Meydan dx bike cycle track

    Meydan dx bike cycle track

    Meydan DxBike is a small cycling cluster designed for recreation, featuring a food court, a pump track, and a reasonably extensive cycling route with views of downtown Dubai.

    Along the route, you’ll encounter areas with heavy construction and parts where the track runs alongside traffic-filled roads. However, overall, it’s a pleasant experience, especially for those who prefer not to cycle through the desert (as some other cycling tracks are located there).

    The venue offers parking, bike rentals, and various snack spots. Many people gather here around sunset, often in large numbers, to relax and enjoy the park.

    GPS: 25.148953, 55.286391
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  • Winter City

    Winter City

    Winter City is the winter event at Dubai Expo City. Every December Dubai Expo City is transformed into a magical land with a traditional chalet-style Christmas market, pine trees and fun fairground games, with a towering tree and a letter-to-Santa station. 

    GPS: 24.960379, 55.150772
    Google Maps
    Photos: 1, 2

  • 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
    Google Maps
    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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  • 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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  • 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
    Google Maps
    Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4

  • 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
    Google Maps
    Photos: 1, 2