One of the city’s newer landmarks, and definitely one of the most fun for families to explore, welcome to the Dubai Frame.
The Dubai Frame is an iconic architectural landmark, as well as an observation deck.
Can you go up the Dubai Frame?
Yes, far more than just a novelty attraction, the Dubai Frame is purposefully built to be visited and enjoy spectacular city views.
Whilst it cannot possibly rival the Burj Khalifa in height, it does provide some pretty spectacular city views. A visit to the Dubai Frame is designed to take you from Dubai’s past, to the present and into the future.
The structure is literally a giant gold frame. From ground level, you look through the void from one side of the city to the other. To the northeast lies “Old Dubai”, the Dubai Creek & Deira and beyond to the Emirate of Sharjah. To the southwest, the modern skyscrapers of Downtown Dubai.
How to experience the Dubai Frame
Your journey starts with admiring the Frame from underneath (wide angle lense essential if you want to fit it all in your camera frame! ). Tickets are issues in half hour slots and you may enter any time during that half hour.
They will only allow 200 guests at a time maximum on the bridge of the frame, so you may have a short wait outside even if you arrive during your slot.
While you await your turn, there is a fountain show entertaining visitors, set beautifully to Arabian music. (In our experience this line has moved fast but friends have visited at peak times and reported lining up).
After a quick security search, you ascend some escalators to the mezzanine floor and start your frame journey. First, you are transported through the Old Dubai Gallery. 3D projections and special effects are used to help assimilate the sights and smells of a bygone era. They are more to set the scene rather than an in-depth history (you are better visiting the Dubai Museum for this).
Your journey then takes you up the glass elevator 48 floors above Zabeel Park. The bridge or sky deck is made of both concrete and solid glass panels, allowing you to walk along the glass and see everything beneath the frame.
There are interactive displays, souvenir purchasing opportunities and a coffee shop to enjoy at spectacular heights, as well as the views to admire of course. Buildings and landmarks are signposted.
Your journey does not end at the bridge. After completing the descent down the opposite side of the Frame, you are then taken to the Dubai Future Gallery, an interactive display of Dubai 50 years into the future that lasts around 15 minutes.
The Dubai Frame certainly offers you one of the more unique views of Dubai and is a fabulous educational experience.
How to get to Dubai Frame
The Dubai Frame can be found at Gate 4 Zabeel Park. Without your own transport, it can, unfortunately, be a little tricky to get to the Dubai Frame.
The complicated looping freeways that surround the park can cause a headache for taxis, and the multiple park entrances within Zabeel Park cause confusion.
We recommend getting a pre-booked Uber of Careeem (you can also prebook a Hala Taxi using the Careem App) that can drop you at the entrance gate, or attend as part of a guided city tour.
The closest Dubai Metro station is Al Jafiliya. Do note there is no direct access to the Dubai Frame from here, it’s approximately a 25-minute walk around the outside of the park to get in.
How much is the Dubai Frame?
- Adults 50 AED
- 3 to 12 years old 20 AED
- Infants under 3 years old FREE
- People of determination and 2 companions FREE
It is best to purchase your tickets for the Dubai Frame in advance. You can purchase tickets from online retailers such as Get Your Guide.
The Dubai Frame is also available on the Dubai Pass.
Check out these tours that include a stop at the Dubai Frame
What is the best time to visit the Dubai Frame?
The Dubai Frame is open daily 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
The Dubai Frame is stunning at sunset, but also the busiest. If you like to visit without crowds, mornings are always best as its a very late to start city. But there is certainly something magical about seeing day turn into night over the city.
Interesting facts about the Dubai frame*
- It is officially the largest frame in the world
- The frame is 150m high and 93m wide
- The building involved over 9,900 cubic metres of reinforced concrete and 2,900 square metres of reinforced glass
- The exterior is made of 15,000 square metres of gold-coloured stainless steel
- The journey 48 floors to the bridge takes 75 seconds
Frequently asked questions about the Dubai Frame
It is not the best location for acrophobia. If you don’t like heights, the top of the frame is nearly all glass, it’s hard to avoid the windows or the glass floor.
Dubai infrequently has storms bad enough that your visibility is impaired, but if it is visibly stormy, then yes we’d reconsider visiting that day. You may also experience fog, particularly in Dubai’s winter months. Whilst the Burj Khalifa can still offer some spectacular views sitting, in fact, above the cloud levels, fog at the Dubai Frame will block out your view and is not recommended.
You can learn more about unusual weather patterns for Dubai here.
There is a small cafe on the bridge, as well as a small cafe outside of the Dubai Frame but inside the entry gate.
Strollers and any large luggage need to be left at the security gate. You will be security screened on entrance to the Dubai Frame.
Standing 150m tall, the Dubai Frame bridge is 48 floors above ground level.
You should allow at least one hour to visit the Dubai Frame, longer in peak times depending on queues.
Stay near the Dubai Frame
There are plenty of Hotel & VRBO options to stay at near the Dubai Frame, many offering superb views of this iconic structure.
Have you visited the Dubai Frame? We’d love to hear your visitor tips and experiences in the comments below
Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai
- Pop into our essential planning information page, it includes everything you need to know about getting around Dubai, a handy guide on what to pack, and top tips for first-timers on the do’s and don’ts, laws, and customs to be aware of.
- Check out this incredible list of 150+ places you should visit when you’re in Dubai.
- Pick up a Dubai Pass from iVenture or a Go City Dubai Pass to save up to 50% on top Dubai attractions.
- Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!!!
- Discover the best areas to stay in Dubai, or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:
Take me back to the Dubai Attractions guide
Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE and transit passengers self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our recommendation links.
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*information sourced from dubaiframe.ae