Best Theme Parks to Visit in Dubai


Your holiday in Dubai need not be only about sightseeing. Of course, the landmarks and tourist spots of Dubai are something that you should not miss. However, you can also make your vacation in the city a little more fun by visiting the numerous theme parks as well. 

The best part is that that there are so many theme parks in Dubai that you are literally spoilt for choice!  Be it adventurous rides, something fun and kid-friendly, or a place to spend a relaxing time with family, you would be sure to find a theme park that suits you. 

Here is a list of the best theme parks to visit in this Emirates city.

Dubai Parks and Resorts 


Dubai Parks and Resorts is the largest integrated theme park not just in the UAE, but in the entire Middle East. It consists of 3 theme parks, 1 water park and a luxury hotel. 

The theme parks consist of
  1. Motiongate Dubai (a Hollywood theme park)
  2. Bollywood Park (a theme park based on the Hindi movie industry
  3. LEGOLAND Dubai (a park based on the iconic game of Legos).
    LEGOLAND is attached to LEGOLAND Water Park based on the same theme. There are more than 100 rides and attractions among the four parks. At the centre of the park is Riverland Dubai, a themed destination for shopping and dining.

Opening Timings 

  • Motiongate Dubai: 2 PM to 10 PM (Weekday) and 2 PM to 11 PM (Weekend) 
  • Bollywood Parks Dubai: 2 PM to 11 PM 
  • LEGOLAND Dubai: 10 AM to 7 PM (Weekday) and 10 AM to 8 PM (Weekend) 
  • LEGOLAND Water Park: 10 AM to 6 PM 
  • Riverland Dubai: 10 AM to 11 PM 

Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, Opposite Palm Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE

Duration: 8 hours 

Tip: Combo passes are economical if you are planning to visit more than one park. You can buy Q-Fast passes in addition to the regular tickets to skip the long queues at the theme parks.


Dubai Mall Aquarium and Underwater Zoo


One of the highlights of Dubai Mall is its indoor Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. The 10 million litre tank is designed like a tunnel, so visitors can watch the marine animals swimming all around them. The aquarium houses more than 33,000 aquatic creatures from 140 species. 

You would get to see sting rays, manta rays, sharks, etc. at the aquarium. The aquarium has several interesting tour packages including glass bottom boat tour, cage diving, shark diving, etc. You would also get to meet some interesting inhabitants like otters, Humboldt penguins, piranhas, etc. at the underwater zoo.

Opening Timings: 10 AM to 12 AM

Location: Ground and Level 2, Dubai Mall, Financial Centre Road, Downtown Dubai, UAE

Duration: 5-6 hours

Tip: Entry tickets do not cover special experiences or activities. You have to pay an additional amount for every experience.


VR Park Dubai


A gaming zone that blurs the line between the real and virtual worlds, VR Park Dubai is the ultimate theme park for gaming and adventure enthusiasts. Spread around an area of 75,000 square feet inside Dubai Mall, this VR Park offers 18 interesting interactive rides, attractions and experiences; offering all kinds of genres from adventure and horror to leisure.

Opening Timings: 10 AM to 2 AM

Location: Level 2, Dubai Mall, Financial Center Road, Downtown Dubai, UAE

Duration: 4 hours

Tip: The entry to the park is free although you would have to pay somewhere around AED 15 to AED 45 for each ride. Kids below the height of 110 cm are not allowed in any of the rides or attractions.


Ski Dubai


Located inside the Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai is the largest indoor ski park in the world. The park has numerous skiing and snowboarding slopes for beginners as well as experts. The place also has a Snow Park where you can indulge in typical snow games like zorbing, tubing, bobsledding, tobogganing, snow bumping, etc. Do not forget to meet the in-house penguins either at the Penguin march or by joining the penguin encounter experience.

Opening Timings: 10 AM to 11 PM (Sunday to Wednesday), 10 AM to 12 AM (Thursday and Friday) and 9 AM to 11 PM (Saturday)

Location: Mall of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE

Duration: 6 hours

Tip: Winter gear and the skiing equipment are included with the tickets, and buy your tickets online to avoid long queue.

IMG Worlds of Adventure


The largest indoor theme park in the world is located in DubaiIMG Worlds of Adventure covers around 1.5 million square feet and is packed with adventurous rides, interesting attractions and complete fun. The place is divided into 5 epic zones that include Marvel, Cartoon Network and Lost Valley - Dinosaur Adventure. One of the zones is IMG Boulevard where you would find a variety of restaurants and shops. However, the highlight of the place is the Haunted Hotel, which you must definitely visit for the creeps. IMG Worlds of Adventure also has a 12-screen multiplex theatre.

Timings: 11 AM to 8 PM (Saturday to Wednesday) and 11 AM to 10 PM (Thursday and Friday)

Location: E311, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, City of Arabia, Dubai Land, Dubai, UAE

Duration: 8 hours

Tip: A person has to fulfil a minimum height restriction for all rides and attractions except Haunted Hotel. Only those above the age of 15 years can enter Haunted House.


Dubai Garden Glow


Dubai Garden Glow is a Dubai attraction that well lives up to its extraordinary name. It is located In Zabeel Park and has 4 zones with different installations and sculptures. More than 150 artists from around the world work to bring together this amazing theme park alive every year. The park also hosts live performances by local and international artists and has a play area where children can play and learn in a fun environment. The main zone is the Glow Park where several unique glow-in-the-dark figurines made of yards of recycled luminous fabric and millions of energy saving bulbs are displayed. The other parks are the Ice Park, Dinosaur Park and Art Park.

Opening Timings: 4 PM to 11 PM (Saturday to Thursday) and 4 PM to 12 AM (Friday)

Location: Zabeel Park Gate 6 and 7, Zabeel Area, Dubai, UAE

Duration: 2 hours

Tip: Dubai Garden Glow remains closed during summer season. Every season opens with a new theme. Entry is free for kids under the age of 3.


iFly Dubai

Want to experience flying but not too sure about sky diving? In this case, iFly would be your best bet. iFly offers indoor sky diving experience in a double vertical wind tunnel made of acrylic glass. As the sky diving happens in a controlled environment, iFly Dubai is completely safe. To make you feel safe and more confident, an instructor would be always present to guide you and teach you some moves while flying in the air. Apart from sky diving, you can also try bungee jumping and base jumping.

Opening Timings: 12 PM to 10 AM (Sunday to Thursday) and 12 PM to 11 PM (Friday and Saturday)

Location: Third floor, Play Nation Area, City Centre Mirdif, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE

Duration: 1 hour

Tip: Pregnant women cannot take part in this activity, and participants should be of minimum 3 years of age.


Dubai Dolphinarium


For a fun experience with dolphin and seals, visit the Dubai Dolphinarium: spread across 54,000 sq. ft., with 6 bottlenose dolphins, several fur seals and 20 species of parrots. While you are free to explore the place any time during the day, there are several special shows, namely Dolphin and Seal Show and Creek Park Exotic Bird Show. You can sign up for Swimming and Meet & Greet with Dolphins if you want to have a one-to-one interaction with the dolphins. Some other attractions of this theme park are Mirror Mace and Trampoline. Overall, this attraction is perfect for families with little kids.

Opening Timings: 10 AM to 7:30 PM (Sunday closed)

Location: Inside the Creek Park Gate 1, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai

Duration: Depends on the ticket you select

Tip: Book your tickets online for convenience. You should arrive at least 45 minutes before the show timing.


Escape Hunt Dubai


If your idea of fun is to put your brain cells to work, then you would definitely enjoy Escape Hunt Dubai. Played by a group of 2-5 people, Escape Hunt is where you are locked in a room and have to solve puzzles and riddles, discover hidden objects and decipher code messages to escape the room within an hour. It is super fun and exciting, especially if you are competing with another group. The Escape Hunt offers 3 themes to choose from, each unique and challenging at its own right. 

Opening Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM (Saturday and Wednesday) and 10 AM to 12 AM (Thursday and Friday)

Location: The Galleria Mall, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, UAE

Duration: 1.5 hours

Tip: Wear comfortable cotton clothes and closed shoes, and void clothes that are too tight, heavy jewellery and heeled footwear.


Dubai Ice Rink


Ice skating would be the last thing you would be planning to do in the desert city of Dubai. However, this city is known to do the impossible, and Dubai Ice Rink is one of the wonders that the place has produced. This Olympic-sized ice rink is located on the ground floor of Dubai Mall and offers different ice-skating sessions for people. You get to choose amongst Ice Golf or Ice Hockey, Snowfall Skating, Family DJ or Disco Session. If you are a beginner, you can also sign up for training sessions held at the ice rink.

Opening Timings: 12 PM to 2 AM (Sunday to Thursday) and 11:45 AM to 2 AM (Friday and Saturday)

Location: Ground Level, The Dubai Mall, Financial Center Road, Downtown Dubai, UAE

Duration: 2 hours

Tips: Ice skating gear is available along with the entry tickets. Kids above the height of 100 centimetres can go ice skating on Penguin Pals, while kids above the age of 12 and adults can choose between Seals and Snowmen.

Hub Zero Park


Hub Zero Park is an indoor theme park that brings computer games into real life. This interactive gaming zone is a family friendly destination where people of all ages can have unlimited fun at the 18 interactive and exhilarating rides and attractions. The Void, Virtual Arena, Hyperdrive, Gears of War, Hero Zone, Hack Attack, Double Agent, etc. are some of the best attractions of this theme park. There is also Time Wrap Arcade where you can play the classic video games like PacMan, Asteroids, Space Invaders, etc. Hub Zero Park also has a pool hall and karaoke. When you get tired of all the games and attractions, chill out at the café where you can indulge in some delicious snacks and drinks.

Opening Timings: 12 PM to 11 PM (Saturday to Wednesday) and 12 PM to 12 AM (Thursday and Fridays)

Location: City Walk, Dubai, UAE

Duration: 8 hours

Tip: Hub Zero is child-friendly and has several attractions to engage and entertain kids.

Green Planet

An indoor rainforest, the Green Planet is a bio-dome that replicates the ecosystem of the rainforest. Housed inside a vertical building, the Green Planet has a huge manmade tree that mirrors the four layers of the rainforest. This indoor forest is both recreational and educational and would be loved by kids and adults. Apart from checking out the flora of the rainforests, you would also get to see the different fauna including sloths, bats, reptiles, bugs and different species of birds.

Opening Timings: 10 AM to 7 PM (Sunday to Wednesday) and 10 AM to 8 PM (Thursday to Saturday)

Location: City Walk, Al Wasl, Dubai, UAE

Duration: 2-3 hours

Tip: Arrive early to enjoy the place without the presence of too many people.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi


Although Ferrari World is not located in Dubai, it needs a special mention as it is the only F1 racing theme park in the Middle East. It is located on Yas Island and covers an area of 200,000 square meters. Being an indoor theme park, Ferrari World is home to some of the most adventurous and thrilling rides, the most exciting being the Formula Rossa which runs at the speed of 240 km/hour, making it the fastest roller coaster on earth. Some other attractions of include Galleria Ferrari, The Racing Legends, Junior GT, Junior Grand Prix, Fiorano GT Challenge, Scuderia Challenge, etc.

Opening Timings: 11 AM to 8 PM (Sunday to Wednesday) and 11 AM to 10 PM (Thursday to Saturday)

Location: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Duration: 10 hours

Tip: Get a waterproof electronic wristband that you can charge with money to be used at rides, attractions, restaurants, stores, etc. It is the best way to keep your money safe.


Things to Know Before Visiting Dubai

Before you pack your bags to visit the Emirate city, here are a few things to take note:
  • Check if you need to apply for a visa for travel.
  • The best time to visit Dubai is during the winter months (between October and April). The heat during the summer months is unbearable. 
  • If you are visiting Dubai during Ramadan, you must not eat or drink anything in public.
  • Although Dubai does not have a strict dress code, dress modestly in public places as a sign of respect.
  • Weekends in Dubai fall on Friday and Saturday. The weekday starts on Sunday.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol in public. You should completely avoid drinking and driving. This could lead to jail, fine and even deportation.
  • Public display of affection is a complete no-no in Dubai or UAE. It is illegal and can cause jail or fine. 
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