There is another side to Dubai apart from humongous skyscrapers and shopping malls. A side that is much different than what you’d expect. A side dotted with some of the most exotic gardens and parks in the world. What’s more, Zabeel Park is undoubtedly one of the most fabulous ones from this futuristic city.
Today, we take a deep dive into Zabeel Park to get a fair idea of things to do, how to get there, facilities and more!
An Introduction to Zabeel Park Dubai
Zabeel Park is one of the largest green spaces in Dubai but there is more to surprise you. This park is also one of the first technology-driven parks in the Middle East.
Zabeel Park is a fabulous destination where you and everyone else in your family will get enough scope to have fun and excitement unlimited. The strategic location of the park allows visitors to behold the incredible sights of both the newer and older neighbourhoods of Dubai.
In addition, Zabeel Park is a wonderful place to gift yourself a moment of tranquillity and peace right at the heart of the city. This park covers an extensive area of 117 acres which can amount to 17 football pitches! Unbelievable but there’s nothing to deny this fact.
The park is divided into three separate areas – A, B and C. These areas are inter-connected with pedestrian bridges so that you don’t have to confine yourself to one area only.
The whole area encircles captivating greenery, perfectly manicured gardens and lawns, sports facilities, a children’s play area, food courts and exhibition centres.
Where is Zabeel Park?
Just a 10-minute walk from Al Jafiliya Metro station, Zabeel Park is located in the district of Za’abeel, in between Dubai Creek and Downtown Dubai area.
Things To Do at Zabeel Park
No matter what your tastes are, Zabeel Park is not going to disappoint you. This park aims to entertain every age group with the right kind of activities and entertainment. There is no dearth of attractions in this park, so check out the list of things to do at Zabeel park below.
1. Click a Photo at Dubai Frame
When it comes to the top attractions from Zabeel Park, Dubai Frame is the sure-shot winner. This magnificent piece of work is an iconic tourist landmark in Dubai.
Dubai Frame marks its towering presence with a height of 150 metres and a width of 93 metres. The largest and certainly most expensive photo-frame in the world is decked up with 15,000 sqm of gold plating featuring the Dubai Expo 2020 logo design.
Opening Hours: All days a week. 9.00 AM – 9.00 PM
Location: Zabeel Park Gate 4
Tickets: AED 50 per adult. AED 20 for children aged 3 -12 years. Free to kids below three years and People of Determination with two companions. You can book your ticket via this official link.
2. Take a Magical Stroll at Dubai Garden Glow
Dubai Garden Glow is the most unique of all gardens in Dubai. This garden is truly magical and it depicts the most distinctive concept of enthralling its visitors.
The garden is laced with numerous fascinating installations that gleam at night with bright lights. The Pearl Tower, Jellyfish Pond, Underwater World, Galaxy and Animal Kingdom sections offer more exquisitely lit LED illuminations to give your visual experience a firm push.
This amazing world of imagination and creativity is a seasonal event starting usually from October and it is a fantastic experience for young children. This place is already open and expected to be open till May 2023 for the current season. Check out our Dubai Garden Glow Guide to plan your visit more wisely.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday. 5.00 PM – 11.00 PM | Saturday & National Holidays, 5 PM to 12 Midnight
Location: Zabeel Park Gate No.6 and 7, Area B
Ticket: AED 70 per entry including 5% VAT. This ticket also includes the right to entry to Dinosaur Park. Entry is free for children up to 3 years. To skip the queue, book your ticket here.
3. Live the Jurassic Days at Dinosaur Park
Dubai Glow Garden awaits you with some of the most exciting surprises for kids as well as adults with none other than the Dinosaur Park. You may have seen many other dinosaur parks around the globe, but nothing can come close to the Dinosaur Park at Garden Glow.
The Dinosaur Park will take you back to the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous eras when these beasts used to wander on the face of the earth freely. This avant-garde animatic experience has been crafted with more than 120 animatronic creatures who move, roar and attack visitors in flocks.
You will be almost pushed to the edge and run for life but you can never miss this super exciting zone while exploring Zabeel Park.
Opening Hours: Saturday to Friday, 5.00 PM – 10.30 PM | Saturdays and National Holidays, 5.00 PM – 12.00 AM. The booking counter will be open till 9.45 PM.
Location: Dubai Glow Garden, Gate No.6 and 7, Area B, Zabeel Park.
Ticket: AED 70 per entrant including 5% VAT. Entry to Dinosaur Park comes complimentary with Dubai Garden Glow ticket. Free for children up to 3 years of age. Click here to book your ticket online.
4. Children’s City
Located at Al Riyadh Street, Children’s City is the first and exclusive educational park in the UAE. It’s less than 4.5 kilometres away from Zabeel Park and a great place to bring your kids. This carefully developed educational plus amusement park is perfect for children from 2 and teenagers up to 15 years old.
Children’s City aims to stimulate young minds to explore, investigate, play and learn about the world and environment they are living in.
With the help of interactive and group learning, this park allows parents to accompany their children. Earth Science Gallery, Space Exploration, Planetarium, Al Ajyal Theatre, Past and Present, Human Body, Nature Centre, Resource Centre and Toddler’s Area are the major attractions at Children’s City.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00 AM – 8.00 PM | Saturday and Sunday 2.00 PM – 8.00 PM
Location: Al Riyadh Street, Creek Park, Dubai
Ticket Price: Free for toddlers less than 2 years. AED 10 for children between 2 – 15 years. AED 15 for adults. AED 40 allows entry of 2 adults with 2 children. AED 5 per student for school trips. AED 10 per person for private group trips. Online ticket booking can be done via this link.
5. Float over the Zabeel Park Lake on a Boat
Despite the fact of having too many alluring attractions on the land, visitors at Zabeel Park long for a peaceful boat ride on the rippling water of its lake.
The boating area of the park is located in Area B. The lake is also fitted with a 30-metre geyser fountain which is immensely popular among children.
To enjoy a pristine boat ride at Zabeel Park’s lake you have to pick a boat of your choice. You can go for pedal boats, row boats or motor boats for an exciting floating experience at the park.
Ticket Price: AED 40 for two persons (small boat). AED 50 for a large boat with a seating capacity for four. Each boat ride can last for a maximum of 20 minutes.
6. Shop at the Flea Market to Grab Amazing Deals
The Zabeel Park Flea Market is one of the most anticipated and highlighted events among the local community of Al Karama and adjoining areas.
Visitors at Zabeel Park can’t hide their excitement to explore its flea market. This famous market is surely a crowd-puller. A large number of tourists land here to grab second-hand products at fabulous prices. Furthermore, having a good bargaining skill is essential to get great deals in any market in Dubai.
The flea market at Zabeel Park is the biggest flea market event in Dubai. No wonder people wait for this marketplace to open the doors for buyers. This place is a wonderful spot to buy things that you need at a very low price.
Opening Hours: 6.00 PM – 10.00 PM
Location: Gate No.1, 2 and 3 in the Zabeel Park
Tickets: AED 6 per person
7. Have a Family BBQ
Thanks to its soothing greenery and blissful set-up, Zabeel Park is a celebrated picnic spot in Dubai.
Local people often visit this park and set up an authentic barbeque picnic party amidst its elevating surroundings. The park sports a dedicated area for barbeque parties and family picnics.
You can fire up a grill and cook whatever you wish. Then sit along with your family or friends to spend some quality time. A barbeque picnic is probably the best way to unwind over great views, calming surroundings and great foods. Zabbel Park BBQ Area is therefore a huge hit among city-dwellers.
8. Careem Bikes
Zabeel Park comes with a massive land area and frankly speaking, it is hard to cover the whole area in a single day. Walking is not the best option to explore the park. If you want to take a round of the entire park, grab a seat on the tourist train. This train will take you all over the park without leaving you exhausted.
If the train ride fails to evoke your interest, then hire a bicycle at Zabeel Park. Riding a bicycle is the healthiest and most exciting way to explore every nook and corner of this enormous park. With a bicycle, you can pick up your own destinations and explore them at your own pace.
Tourist Train Ticket Price: AED2 per person
Careem Bike App
9. Be a Part of Yoga & Fitness Sessions at Zabeel Park
Zabeel Park doesn’t just entertain people, it also offers an excellent platform to indulge into some fitness regimes to boost both physical and mental health.
Several organizations have already launched yoga and fitness classes right at the premises of the Zabeel Park. If you are willing to improve your fitness through exercise, then sign up for any of these sessions. There is no better place than the sprawling glistening lawns of Zabeel Park to start your fitness journey.
10. Running at Zabeel Park
Looking for a jogging track at Zabeel Park? You will not be disappointed. This park understands the need for fitness enthusiasts and designed a 4.3-kilometre long trail for joggers.
Walk along the walkways and take a short rest under the shadows of palm trees whenever you feel tired. Area A and Area B of the park are the most preferable spots to take a leisure walk.
Running around the park’s Amphitheatre is both relaxing and alluring at the same time.
11. Climb up the Dubai Frame for Amazing Panoramic Views
Your trip to Zabeel Park is not complete without visiting Dubai Frame. This tower is designed to give a spectacular 360-degree view of the park and the city.
To reach the observation deck of Dubai Frame, you have to cover a height of 147 feet from the ground. From there, you can enjoy Zabeel Park’s gorgeous landscapes, activities of people and all of Dubai’s beguiling skyline.
Events at Zabeel Park
Zabeel Park comes with every facility that an event organizer will look for. The whole area is regularly maintained and no wonder why this park hosts parties and cultural events every now and then. Some of the most common events that you can attend at Zabeel Park are below:
- Art exhibitions
- Live musical shows
- Drama
- Performing Art presentations
- Dubai Garden Glow event
- Sports events
- Dandiya Nights during Navaratri
- Holi
- New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Facilities at Zabeel Park
Zabeel Park understands the requirements of visitors pretty well. They put their best foot forward to cater to those requirements by providing the following facilities within the park premises:
- Jogging track
- Tourist train
- Plant and horticulture areas
- Fitness & Yoga sessions
- Public toilets
- Changing rooms
- Prayer rooms
- Dedicated children’s playgrounds
- An area for barbecue picnics
- Bicycle rental service (Careem)
Areas to Play Sport at Zabeel Park
Apart from beautiful lawns, dedicated walkways and thousands of plants; Zabeel Park also houses several sporting venues to cater to your desire for sports activities. This park features the following sporting areas:
- Cricket ground
- Mini golf course
- Skating area
- BMX track
- Skateboarding arena
- Jogging track
And let us not forget you can always use jumpers for goalpoasts!
Other Tourist Attractions Near Zabeel Park
Your exciting journey doesn’t end as soon as you leave Zabeel Park. There are many more tourist attractions near the park that you can explore, particularly with your kids.
- Dubai Ice Rink
- KidZania Dubai
- Galleria Ice Rink
- Adventure Zone
- iFly Dubai
- Magic Planet, City Centre Deira
- Kids Jungle
- Wire World Adventure Parks
- Quranic Park
- Ekart Zabeel
The Best Hotels Near Zabeel Park
There are a few budget hotels within walking distance of Zabeel Park:
- President Hotel
- Fortune Karama Hotel
- Al Waleed Palace Hotel
The above are budget 3-star hotels and are available from as little as 250AED per night. Price flactuates heavily during peak tourist season.
However, if you’re looking for a more up-market stay near Zabeel Park, we’d recommend Movenpick Hotel and Apartments, The H Dubai and Sheraton Grand Hotel; which are all also within walking distance of the park.
The Best Restaurants Near Zabeel Park
For those looking for a quick bite and to cater their fast food cravings, McDonald’s is just across the street.
- Mezbaan Hyderabad Restaurant
- Sallet Al Sayed
- Karachi Darbar
- Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant
- Treat Restaurant
- Dapoer Kita Restaurant
Conclusion
So there you have our guide to Zabeel Park. As yet again, Dubai presents yet another cost-friendly and family-friendly day out!
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Zabeel Park FAQs
What is Zabeel Park’s Opening Hours?
Monday to Thursday 8.00 AM – 10.00 PM
Friday to Sunday, National Holidays, 8.00 AM – 11.00 PM
How Much is Entry to Zabeel Park?
The entry fee is AED 5 per person at the park. There is no entry fee for children below 2 years and differently-abled persons.
What is the Contact Number for Zabeel Park?
You can reach the park authority by dialling +971 50 725 2994
Are There Parking Facilities at Zabeel Park?
Zabeel Park comes with a huge free parking area that can accommodate as many as 2323 vehicles at a time. Among them, 28 parking spots are exclusively reserved for differently-abled individuals.
What is the Nearest Metro Station to Zabeel Park?
The most comfortable and fastest way to reach Zabeel Park is by taking the Dubai Metro. The nearest metro station to this park is Al Jafiliya Metro Station which is located on the Dubai Red Line.
How to Get to Zabeel Park from JBR?
From Jumeirah Beach Residence you can walk to the Jumeirah Lakes Towers metro station, jump on the red line for just 5AED and arrive at Zabeel Park in 1 hour.
How to Get to Zabeel Park by Bus?
You can get to Zabeel Park by bus also. Here is the list of bus stops near the park.
21
88
C10
C3
C26
C15
E304
X28
Again, travelling from the popular tourist area of Jumeirah Beach Residence you make your way to JBR Bus Stop #2, catch the #8 bus to Hubheiba Road, then change onto the #88 to Zabeel park. This costs around 13AED and takes 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Are Pets Allowed in Zabeel Park?
In the past, public places in Dubai used to not favour our furry friends. However, things are changing slowly. Dubai’s society is becoming more accepting and compassionate about pets.
An event called “Walk for Animals” was organized at Zabeel Park itself but we’re afraid the park still doesn’t allow people to take their pets inside the gate.
Before taking your pet to Zabeel Park, it is best to contact the park authority to understand the current status of pet’s entry to the park.
