Many visitors and new residents in Dubai are surprised by just how many parks and green spaces there are to explore across the city – most are free or at a very low cost and are exceptionally family-friendly.
Here we give you a run-through of all our favourite parks and outdoor spaces in Dubai, along with entry fees and what extra facilities you can find for families.
Several of the city’s parks are run by Dubai Municipality, and a small cover charge is payable for their maintenance and upkeep, which is payable on your RTA Nol card.
Before we dive into the details, you may also be interested in:
Best parks and playgrounds in Dubai – read on for details
Al Barari Playground
This stunning new nature spot in Dubai has gone from a hidden gem to a local favourite. Known for its adventure playground and relaxed setting, kids can enjoy water play to climbing, giant swings to pirate ships, even exploring the veggie patch, and all in the lush setting of luxury estate Al Barari.
Parents love the Hideout lounge where you can enjoy a beverage while the kids play, plus there are ice creams, burgers, and shawarma on hand if you want to grab a bite. Pre-booking for this luxury nature play park is essential, especially on weekends.
- Entrance: Paid weekdays 25 AED for 2 hours/weekends 35 AED (kids under 90cm free)
- Facilities: Playground, cafe, toilets
- Opening times: 10.00 am to 8.00 pm Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays)
You can learn more about Al Barari Playground here.
Al Barsha Park
A beautifully manicured 52-acre park set around a large man-made pond. You can hire pedal or solar-powered boats on the water, as well as pedal Go-Karts, bikes, and e-scooters for exercise around the park.
There are two park areas, suitable for toddlers and your older children, as well as plenty of grassy spaces for picnicking and a running track.
- Entrance: Free
- Facilities: Park House Café kiosk and toilets
- Opening times: 6.00 am to 11.00 pm daily
Al Ittihad Park
Found on the trunk of Palm Jumeirah, this is a long park that appears under a 3.2km stretch of the Palm Monorail. A great path for strollers and scooters, the park is spotted with playgrounds and water features, as well as fitness equipment, shops, and cafes you can stop at along the way. You may also hear this one referred to as Palm Jumeirah Park.
- Entrance: Free
- Facilities: Toilets, shops, and restaurants along the way
- Opening times: 24 hours
Al Khazzan Park
Centrally located opposite Dubai’s City Walk, the distinctive blue and white striped water tower is easy to pick out in this urban park. There are two shaded play areas with swings, slides, and climbing frames for both toddlers and older children. A good spot for bringing your own picnic; look out for the small little children’s library here too.
- Entrance: Free
- Facilities: Toilets, shaded seating and play areas
- Opening times: 8.00 am to 10.00 pm Saturday to Wednesday & 8.00 am to 11.00 pm Thursday and Friday
Al Sufouh Park
Located in a quiet suburban area of the city between Hessa Street and Al Sufouh Road, you will find two children’s play park areas in this cosy little park. It’s better for your younger kids, but also includes a running track, sports courts, and a small coffee shop.
- Entrance: Free
- Facilities: Toilets, sports facilities, coffee shop
- Opening times: 8.00 am to 10.00 pm Saturday to Wednesday & 8.00 am to 11.00 pm Thursday and Friday
Al Wasl Park
Another small suburban hidden gem just off Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1. It is not huge, but enough space to unleash the kids on scooters and bikes as well as have a play in the partly shaded playground.
- Entrance: Free
- Facilities: Toilets
- Opening times: 8.00 am to 11.00 pm
Bay Avenue Park
Bringing a touch of green to the otherwise concrete jungle of the Business Bay Area, the Bay Avenue Park includes two outdoor gyms, a skatepark, a trampoline area, and plenty of grassy spots where you can pull up a picnic rug, as well as obligatory playground equipment, mostly under shade.
A nearby Spinneys supermarket is perfect for picking up a bite to eat, and the park often hosts a farmers market and yoga in the park
- Entrance: Free
- Facilities: Toilets, skate park
- Opening times: 24 hours
Dubai Creek Park
Situated on the western bank of Dubai Creek, this is one of the city’s larger outdoor spaces with plenty of extra facilities and entertainment to enjoy. It’s a popular spot for picnics and barbeques, as well as having a large botanical garden, mini-golf and a go-kart track. There are several children’s playgrounds dotted around the park.
For added extra’s within the park, check out the Dolphinarium and Children’s City, an edutainment and learning centre including Planetarium. In the winter, the Creek Cable Cars run daily across the park (summertime evenings only).
- Entrance: 5AED (under 2 free)
- Facilities: Barbeques, toilets, picnicking,
- Opening times: Sunday to Wednesday, 8.00 am to 10.00 pm. Thursday to Saturday, 8.00 am to 11.00 pm.
Learn more about Dubai Creek Park here
Dubai Garden Glow & Dinosaur Park
A seasonal event held within Zabeel Park in the winter months, watch dinosaurs roar to life and the park light up each night with colourful neon creations.
A pricier evening than most of our parks, but definitely fun for a special treat and one of the top park experiences we recommend to our visitors. The dinosaurs are very realistic, so watch for long kids who may be scared.
- Entrance: 65 AED (under 3’s free)
- Facilities: Toilets, dining
- Opening times: Saturday to Thursday, 4.00 pm to 11.00 pm, Friday, 4.00 pm to 12 midnight
Learn more about Dubai Garden Glow here.
Dubai Hills Park
One of Dubai’s most incredible new community parks, you’ll find this modern, multi-use park inside Dubai Hills Estate. With 1800 trees, it brings a refreshing splash of green to the suburbs; open to all, you’ll find a huge variety of play parks and sports courts to suit all different age groups.
- Entrance: Free
- Facilities: Splash park, skate park, ice rink, dog park, sports courts, playgrounds, restrooms
- Opening times: 24 hours
Dubai Miracle Garden
The largest flower garden in the world by the total number of blooms sits just outside of the city. Follow a magical maze of pathways between floral and topiary creations, larger-than-life cartoon characters, creatures, and famous sites turned into floral arrangements. The centrepiece of the park is an incredible floral A380 Emirates aircraft.
The garden has plenty of eateries, beautiful swings, and play spaces, as well as relaxing swings. Enjoy some lovely family snaps, though do get there early to beat the crowds and heat.
- Entrance: 75 AED, kids 60 AED (under 3’s free)
- Facilities: Toilets, restaurants
- Opening times: (October to April) 9.00 am to 9.00 pm
Learn more about Dubai Miracle Garden with kids here
JLT Park
This is a great little patch of green for the Jumeirah Lake Towers community to explore amongst the urban jungle, between clusters O and P. There are three different shaded playground zones for different age groups, as well as a large spider web climbing frame and zip line.
Plenty of grassy areas to enjoy, and in the cooler months, you will find food, music and open-air cinema amongst a packed entertainment lineup.
- Entrance: Free
- Facilities: Toilets, eateries
- Opening times: 24 hours
JLT Dog Park
Got a 4 legged friend? Then this is the one for you. Located in Cluster H, the JLT Dog park provides a safe space where highrise-dwelling residents in Jumeirah Lake Towers can safely head with their pets for some off-leash fun and exercise, including a sandpit, open green spaces, and seating.
- Entrance: Free
- Facilities: shaded areas
- Opening times: 6.00 am to 9.00 pm (closed for cleaning from 3.00 pm to 4.00 pm)
You can learn more about JLT Dog Park here
Jumeirah Beach Park
Another of Dubai’s recently redeveloped parks, beautifully manicured gardens meet the beachfront in the Jumeirah area of the city. There are plentiful spots to pull up for a picnic, as well as barbeque facilities and children’s playgrounds.
- Entrance: 5 AED or 20 AED per car
- Facilities: Toilets, barbeques, food kiosks,
- Opening times: Sunday to Wednesday, 8.00 am to 10.00 pm. Thursday to Saturday, 8.00 am to 11.00 pm. Women only days on Monday & Wednesday.
Learn more about Jumeirah Beach Park here
Love Lake Dubai
One of Dubai’s more unique parks, you will actually find this beautiful spot of Dubai buried deep in the desert! Well worth the drive, you will be rewarded with a lovely walking/running track that circumnavigates the man-made Love Lakes in Al Qudra, Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve.
Pack a picnic or use the designated BBQ spots. Snap away at the park’s many insta-worthy features and enjoy the tranquillity of this eco-spot.
- Entrance: Free
- Facilities: Toilets (car park only), BBQ areas
- Opening times: Open 24 hours
Learn more about Love Lakes Dubai here
Mamzar Beach Park
Located on the Deira side of Dubai Creek, this is another beautiful park and beach in one. As well as swimming and water sports, there is a large green park attached with everything from kids’ play equipment to picnicking spaces and jogging tracks.
Lifeguards are on duty as well as change facilitates, and small chalets can be rented on a daily basis.
- Entrance: 5 AED per person or 30 AED per car (Swimming pool 10 AED adult/5 AED child)
- Facilities: Chalets for rent, swimming pool, sports courts, barbequing, restaurants, toilets
- Opening times: Sunday to Wednesday, 8.00 am to 10.00 pm. Thursday to Saturday 8.00 am to 11.00 pm. Women only days on Monday & Wednesday.
Learn more about Al Mamzar Beach Park here
Mushrif Park
One of the city’s oldest nature parks, you are in for quite a different experience to the normally perfectly manicured city parks. Busy on winter weekends, the park is popular for family gatherings and barbeques.
You will find a huge range of facilities from bike tracks to sports fields, camel and horse riding, a model house display village, a children’s games area, playgrounds, restaurants even a miniature train service. There are also public swimming pools for men, women and children (additional charge) and Aventura Parks, a ziplining course through the Ghaf forest.
- Entrance: 3 AED per person or 10 AED per car
- Facilities: toilets, restaurants, sports fields, bike track
- Opening times: Sunday to Wednesday, 8.00 am to 10.00 pm, Thursday to Saturday, 8.00 am to 11.00 pm
You can learn more about Mushrif Park here
Nad al Sheba Cycle Park
A park dedicated to cyclists and fitness enthusiasts, you will find Nad al Sheba Cycle Park adjacent to Meydan Race Course (a converted camel racing track!). There are 4km, 6km, and 8km circuits suitable for beginners through to pros in this lush green spot. There is also a special track for younger children to teach them about road safety.
- Entrance: free (bike rental fee 50AED)
- Facilities: toilets and change rooms
- Opening times: 24 hours
Quranic Park
This beautiful new park in the Al Khawaneej area of the city is dedicated to the Holy Quran. Covering 60 acres, the park is open to all faiths, although do note it’s a family park and you should be appropriately dressed.
Inside, you’ll find the Lake, the Orchards, the Cave of Miracles – with interactive displays (in Arabic) – then there is a glasshouse that displays plants mentioned in the Holy Quran. There are also play parks and food carts inside.
- Entrance: Free (additional 5 AED each for Glass House and Cave of Miracles)
- Facilities: Toilets, shaded seating and play areas
- Opening times: Saturday to Thursday, 8.00 am to 10.00 pm. Friday’s 3.00 pm to 10.00 pm
Learn more about the Quranic park here
Safa Park 2
Another of Dubai’s wonderful little community park, it can be found just off Al Manara Street. The park has three different play areas with lots of shade for picnics, a small food kiosk and toilets. It is fairly quiet during the week and spring to life full of families on weekends.
- Entrance: 3 AED (under 2 free)
- Facilities: Toilets, cafeterias, theatre, track and field courts
- Opening times: 8.00 am to 10.00 pm
Learn more about Safa Park 2 here
The Block
A sensational new outdoor space on the waterfront of Dubai Creek. With a little something for everyone, The Block is part of Dubai Design District D3 Park. Featuring a skate park, basketball and volleyball courts, climbing walls and traditional play equipment. You have a great selection of restaurants and cafes nearby in the Design Quarter, so a superb one for grabbing a cuppa and pulling up a seat while the kids play.
- Entrance: Free
- Facilities: Toilets, sports facilities, climbing walls, and cafes nearby
- Opening times: 8.00 am to 10.00 pm
Learn more about The Block here
Umm Suqeim Park
(Also commonly referred to as Burj Beach Park). Situated close to Sunset Beach, this beautifully landscaped park is the perfect urban family escape, popular with locals and expats alike. During the week, it is women only, and at weekends men can visit with family.
There is a playground suitable to slightly older children, as well as a cafe and toilets within the grounds.
- Entrance: Nominal charge
- Facilities: Toilets, small café
- Opening times: 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. Ladies and children during the week, fathers permitted as well on weekends.
Learn more about Umm Suqeim Park
Zabeel Park
Home to Dubai Garden Glow & Dinosaur Park we have already mentioned above, this 52-acre park also has expansive walking paths, barbeques, children’s playgrounds, and shaded areas to enjoy.
There are plentiful additional family entertainment options, including boats to hire on the ornamental lake, bikes to hire, and restaurants.
- Entrance: 5 AED (under 2’s free)
- Facilities: Toilets, restaurants, barbequing, fitness equipment
- Opening times: Sunday to Wednesday, 8.00 am to 10.00 pm, Thursday to Saturday 8.00 am to 11.00 pm
You can learn more about Zabeel Park here
Do you know any other parks and family spaces in Dubai? Share them in the comments below!
Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai
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