Parks in Dubai
Dubai offers a wide variety of excellent parks and amusement gardens to its visitors, which provide a variety of entertainment facilities that can include playgrounds, swimming pools, camel and pony rides, picturesque gardens, restaurants and cafeterias, among many other services.
The parks and gardens are ideal places for a family holiday, offering a respite from city life. Dubai’s parks and gardens attract millions of visitors from all over the world, due to their high quality and the availability of many activities.
Although the largest and best landscaped parks are privately owned, there are a significant number of well-maintained public parks, recommended for family picnics and relaxation in a natural environment. Some of the best parks in Dubai are
Creekside Park
Located between the Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud Bridges in the heart of Bur Dubai, this is one of the city’s largest waterfront parks and most popular leisure centre.
Creekside Park is a great place to unwind from fatigue and stress. The park includes many fun activities such as dhow and abra rides along the creek, a cable car, a train park, bike rentals, jogging trails, restaurants, barbecue areas, beaches, fishing piers, children’s playgrounds and amphitheatres.
In addition, the park has 96 hectares of lawns and botanical gardens with 280 species of plants, a desert garden with the traditional irrigation system called “fallaj” and many beautiful flower gardens.
Jumeirah Beach Park
Located in the upscale Jumeirah district, next to the main road, it was the first beach park in Dubai and is still very popular among tourists and local residents, especially on weekends.
The park covers an area of 12 hectares and is equipped with a range of facilities including sunbeds, children’s play areas, barbecue pits, restaurants, volleyball courts and piers overlooking the beach, showers and swimming areas, as well as a range of water sports. A helipad and lifeguard service are also available at all times for safety reasons.
Entrance fees are Dhs2 (US$0.50) per person and Dhs20 (US$5.50). Opening hours are from 8am to 9pm daily.
Safa Park
Located between Sheikh Zayed Rd and Al Wasl Rd, this is one of the oldest and most popular parks in Dubai. Al Safa Park is a one-kilometre long green park divided into sections and play areas that offer many entertainment opportunities.
The park’s main attractions are cricket matches and rides around the splendour of the lake – which features fountains and waterfalls – on rented rowing boats. For the kids, there’s a video games room, ferry rides, bumper cars, trampolines and a mini-town that includes small-scale roads, traffic lights and signs.
The park also has 3 tennis courts, basketball, volleyball and football pitches, barbecue areas and large grassy areas with small hills to enjoy, plus a dedicated jogging track, a large restaurant and some fast food outlets. Safa Park is open from 8am to 10pm every day. The entrance fee is Dhs 3 (US$ 1) per person.
Al Mamzar Park
Located in the Al Hamriya district, along the impressive Mamzar beach, it is a 106-hectare park with countless trees and greenery that houses play areas, children’s games, a train, barbecue and picnic areas, food stalls, an amphitheatre, swimming pools for Dhs5-10 (US$1-3) and chalets for rent (by the day only) at Dhs150-200 (US$41-55).
The entrance fee is Dhs 5 (US$ 1) per person or Dhs 30 (US$ 8) per car. Opening hours are from 8am to 11pm daily.
Mushrif Park
This is the largest natural forest park in Dubai with 525 ha, located on Al Awir Rd (9 km from the airport). Mushrif Park is home to, among others, the little owl, the horned warbler, the hoopoe and the Ethiopian hedgehog.
The park is also equipped with many facilities such as swimming pools, fountains and lakes, a miniature train, children’s play areas, camel and pony rides, sports fields, barbecue areas and the amazing international garden area which features miniature architectural samples from various countries.
The entrance fee is Dhs 2 (US$ 0.50) per person or Dhs 10 (US$ 3) per car. Opening hours are from 8am to 10pm daily.
Za abeel Park
Located in Bur Dubai, this is a modern 51-hectare park that includes artificial lakes, ponds, a jogging track, sports facilities, a cricket field, food courts, an amphitheater, exhibition centers and a clubhouse. ZA’Abeel Park also features beautiful landscaping and lush green grass.
Admission is Dhs 5 (US$ 1.50) per person.
