TOP 9 HIDDEN GEMS IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
The UAE doesn’t just have the business and tourist destination of Dubai with all its wonders or the capital Abu Dhabi and the seat of government, it has more to offer. Not always visible or known to tourists. However, I present to you the 9 amazing hidden gems of the UAE. Let yourself be surprised and try it out.
Table of contents:
1.) Masdar City in Abu Dhabi
2.) Al Madam Buried “Ghost” Village in Sharjah
3.) Love Lake in Dubai
4.) UAE Pygmy Zoo in Ajman
5.) Al Qasba Canal in Sharjah
6.) Chillout Ice Lounge Dubai
7.) Shees Park in Khor Fakkan
8.) Umbrella Beach in Fujairah
9.) Queen Elizabeth II Hotel in Dubai
1.) Masdar City in Abu Dhabi
To be honest, Masdar City is by far one of my favorite places in Abu Dhabi. Not only is it an architectural masterpiece, but a great place to stay and relax. Just 5 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Masdar City is a sustainable eco-city and technology hub, home to the UAE Space Agency and the University of Artificial Intelligence. Right next to the university is Central Park with a few food stalls and lots of attractions for children. It is particularly crowded in the evenings. You will definitely like it – so put this hidden gem on your list. You can park at the shopping mall “City Center Masdar” for free and walk to Central Park.
2.) Al Madam Buried “Ghost” Village in Sharjah
Behind the town of Al Madam lies the so-called “Ghost Village” buried in the sand. This deserted village became famous for tourists, but the reason for its abandonment is still unknown. The “Buried Village” is believed to have been built around 1970 and were inhabited by the Al Kutbii tribe. According to local legends, the residents fled from supernatural creatures called “Djinn” who take possession of places and people. It’s still a mystery and that makes this special place a hidden gem that you should visit.
If you go there, you can find many comments on the Internet about driving a 4×4. This is partly true, depending on which side you enter the village from. In this case you can use a normal rental car. Therefore, my recommendation is to enter via Al Madam Industrial from the south as seen below. Make sure you check the correct navigation settings as Google Maps will try to guide you from the north.
Once you enter the industrial area, go to the end and stay to the right. There you simply follow the path that leads you to the entrance. You can easily park your car on the right hand side as seen below.
Here we go. From there you can enjoy the show. Find the location of the parking here.
If you are lucky, you can also find some camels around you.
3.) Love Lake in Dubai
Opened in November 2018, the artificial Love Lake connects two lakes through interlocking heart shapes. The whole complex is called Al Quadra which consists of some lakes and is also home to over 170 species of exotic animals, flowers and plants. Along with various heart sculptures, it gives you a sense of peace, freedom and love. In addition, it shows you many ways to take great, beautiful pictures.
So what is there to do? Besides taking photos, you can also walk around the lake or even jog if you feel like it. However, it is very popular to have a picnic, there are also areas where you can camp and have a barbecue. Although it is forbidden to feed the birds and fish in this area. Admission is free, parking spaces are available.
The Love Lake from above
Entrance of the Love Lake
In front of the heart
4.) UAE Pygmy Zoo in Ajman
Wow, it’s one of my favorite zoos I’ve ever visited and I’ll explain why. It is a petting zoo with lots of encounters and you have the opportunity to feed the animals or even take photos with them. Absolutely family-friendly, you also have the opportunity to take great photos because of the scenery. So why not hug a snake or pet a rabbit? Feed camels or take a picture with a parrot?
Admission per person is AED 15 / USD 4, for children under 12 years old it is AED 10 / USD 2.7 and under 2 years old it is free. Parking is free and if you want to grab a snack or a drink there is also a cafe at the Pygmy Zoo. Opening hours are in general from 2 pm until 11pm – on Friday and Saturday it’s open until midnight.
5.) Al Qasba Canal in Sharjah
Al Qasba is a family-friendly waterfront community and a landmark in Sharjah that offers numerous outdoor attractions and the Maraya Art Center. Previously there was the Emirates wheel, but it was moved to Al Montazah Parks in 2018. Despite this, it offers you different ways to spend your time in this picturesque place. You can walk around and try one of the restaurants that offer different cuisines, from Middle Eastern to Italian dishes. Or why not go for a coffee or an ice cream? There are well-known coffee brands and stalls in this area.
There are many ways for children to enjoy their time at Al Qasba in the Kids Fun Zone or Adventure Park. If you feel like it, try a boats tour or the eco-friendly electric water kart and cruise down the canal. Depending on the season, it begins daily at 10 am in winter and at 4 pm in summer and ends at 1 am each day.
If you like art and want to try something special, you can visit various exhibitions or take part in one of the workshops at the Maraya Art Center, which offers among other things, pencil drawing, watercolor, clay workshops for beginners and children. Parking is available on both sides for a fee or free of charge. You can find the location here.
More information about Al Qasba.
6.) Chillout Ice Lounge in Dubai
Dubai is known for its hot temperatures, so why not cool down? There’s no better place than Chillout Ice Lounge in Dubai, located at the Times Square Center. Once you’ve booked your ticket, experience the cold of minus 6 degrees Celsius while snapping photos of the stunning ice sculptures. You will receive the thermal clothing before entering the lounge and will be greeted with a hot chocolate or tea. Still, you should wear something warm to relax without freezing. You can also eat sandwiches or cake – alcohol is not served in the lounge.
Tickets can be booked online and cost AED 59 / 16 USD for adults including chicken skewers and a hot drink. Children aged 5-12 pay AED 30 / 8 USD includes a hot chocolate and a red velvet cake.
You can easily reach the Times Square Center by Bus, Metro, Taxi or car. Parking at the shopping center is free of charge.
7.) Shees Park in Khor Fakkan
Embedded in the mountainous area, you will find the recreational Shees Park on the way to Khor Fakkan. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car from Dubai and is definitely worth it. The family-friendly park offers you various attractions and a lot to see. Grab your camera and snap some great shots over there. It has a 25 meter high artificial waterfall, many viewpoints and lakes to explore. Climb the mountain walkways and enjoy a BBQ or picnic while sitting in shaded areas. Children can have fun at the playground. There is also a cafe and gift shop, as well as toilets.
Admission is free and there is free parking in front of the park. Whilst already in this area you can combine it with another trip to the town of Chaur Fakkan or drive through the Oman exclave to the Nahwa Cave and further to Mirbah.
8.) Umbrella Beach in Fujairah
Umbrella Beach’s vision is to invite people of all ages to the east coast of the United Arab Emirates – Fujairah. The development offers a wide range of different activities including a padel court (reservation required), hiking trails, volleyball, playground for children, water activities and many restaurants. In addition, it is also possible to organize events on the beach such as birthday, wedding or company parties. The reservation can be made here.
Just grab a towel and make yourself comfortable on the umbrella beach. Go swimming and sunbathing in the designated areas. Camping and BBQing are also possible. The location of the Umbrella Beach is here, parking is available for a fee.
9.) Queen Elizabeth II Hotel in Dubai
The Queen Elizabeth II (QE2) is a world famous ocean liner and now a 4-star floating hotel in Dubai. Based in Port Rashid, the ship has circumnavigated the world at least 25 times, crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and carried 2.5 million passengers. Launched by Queen Elizabeth II on September 20, 1967, the ocean liner was in service until 2008. The QE2 briefly participated in 1982 as a troop carrier in the Falkland Islands War.
Now QE2 is indeed a historic gem, home to Dubai’s oldest pub, the Golden Lion. Enjoy a night on the floating hotel or enjoy the Lido restaurant with international specialties. It is also known as a great place for events or birthday and wedding celebrations. A fascination indeed is the theater with its original 515 plush seats and various shows and entertainment. If you want to learn more about the QE2, you can also book a heritage tour and combine it with a 3-course meal. The tour costs 85 AED / 23 USD per person, including 3-course lunch or dinner the price is 130 AED / 35 USD per person. The tour takes place daily at 11am or 5pm and can be booked online. Parking places available free of charge.
It’s definitely worth booking a tour and being part of history – there are so many stories, pictures and sculptures that it feels like stepping back in time to the 1960’s.
More information about the Queen Elizabeth II.
After a $100 million facelift, the QE2 opened in 2018 with seven floors, nine food and beverage outlets and 447 hotel rooms.
I hope you discovered some hidden gems that you would like to see on your trip to the UAE. Also check out the other blog with the TOP 22 best places to visit in the United Arab Emirates.