Escape the Crowds: 20 Hidden Places to Visit in Dubai

Hidden Gems in Dubai City

Within a city with several million, you can be sure there are plenty of small neighbourhood coffee shops, parks, and gardens that don’t often capture the eye of tourists but might be well-known by the locals.

While our list will only scratch the surface, let’s take a look at some of these unsung heroes that are relatively straightforward and within a taxi ride for adding to your Dubai itinerary.

Dubai Coffee Museum

If you’re exploring the laneways of Al Fahihdi Historical neighbourhood, this small museum is well worth a look. This converted traditional house contains coffee-making apparatus from around the world and offers the chance for you to try coffee brewed in the traditional local way.

Open daily from 9.00am until 5.00pm. To learn more, click here.

Alserkal Avenue

This is definitely becoming more well-known, but it’s still frequently overlooked. This forward-thinking arts and cultural district is located in the Al Quoz area of the city.

Featuring homegrown and international talent Al Serkal is home to a variety of permanent galleries, immersive installations, and temporary exhibits, and includes everything from modern sculptures to intricate Indo-Persian miniatures.

You’ll also find the cosy and quirky Cinema Akil, which brings art-house movies from around the world and across the ages to Dubai.

Open Daily 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Courtyard Playhouse

Al Quoz, although quite industrial on the exterior, contains many hidden gems, including kids’ play areas like the innovative OliOli as well as the Courtyard Playhouse. Dubai’s only KHDA-licensed improvisation theatre and training centre, which offers acting classes as well as frequent comedy and drama performances.

Open 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM weekdays, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM weekends

The Block

This park located in District 3 (Dubai Design District) offers a whimsical escape from the hustle and bustle of Dubai. With designated areas for relaxation, fitness, and meditation, the block park is the perfect place to get active or chill out. Many of the spaces here are available to hire for public events.

The Block features, a huge skatepark, open air basketball and volleyball courts, climbing walls and an urban beach, as well as excellent play facilities for younger children.

The Block is open daily 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM

The Farm, Al Barari

With its lush garden, The Farm at Al Barari, is far more than a chic breakfast spot, offering delicious food and a tranquil atmosphere, it’s more of a retreat-type wellness experience!

Found on the city’s outskirts (though increasingly being sandwiched into urban Dubai), it’s hard to believe such an oasis exists in the desert. Definitely worth the drive out if you’re after one of the city’s more unique dining experiences.

Jumeirah Fishing Harbor 1

With the feel of a small fishing harbour village, Jumeirah Harbour is the perfect place to relax and unwind at the end of a busy day. Enjoy watching the sunset as you tuck into a delicious meal in one of the nearby cafés or restaurants.

Quranic Park

Nestled in suburban Al Khawaneej, the beautiful Quranic Park is the perfect place to gain wonderful insights into the Holy Quran.

The 64-hectare park includes two main attractions, the ‘Glass House’, a temperature-controlled greenhouse for plants, and ‘Cave of Miracles’, a man-made cave illustrating some essential stories from the Quran.

The park itself is free to enter (a strict dress code is enforced in keeping with the religious nature of the park), however, the two attractions have a small entry fee of AED 5 each, which can be paid with Nol.

Iranian mosque

The Imam Hussein Mosque in Satwa is a stunning example of Shia architecture. The blue tiled (Kashani) decorative niches contrast sharply with the cool and understated mosques more typical of the region.

The mosque is open to visitors with guided tours at 8.00am and 1.00pm. All visitors are kindly reminded to dress appropriately. Ladies should be covered from their wrists to their ankles in loose-fitting clothing. Female visitors are also advised to wear a headscarf.

Men should dress respectfully in long trousers and a shirt or a t-shirt. If you do not have suitable clothing, robes are available for borrowing, subject to availability.

Click overhere to see our complete guide to all mosques in Dubai open to visitors

The Camel Farm (Dubai)

No trip to the UAE is complete unless you’ve got at least one photo of a camel. These fluffy desert natives really have come to epitomise the culture of the country whose original Bedouin residents relied on camels to carry them from place to place and to provide wool and sustenance in the harshest of environments.

A trip to the Camel Farm offers so much more than camel rides, although these are available should you want to see the desert by the region’s most traditional mode of transport. Visitors can also participate in Camel Therapy which includes a camel hugging session.

The farm is home to a number of other animals, and children can enjoy feeding and petting donkeys, rabbits, and chickens. The Camel Farm is open every day except Monday (Tuesday to Thursday 2.00 pm until 5.00 pm and Friday to Sunday 10.00 am until 5.00 pm). They seasonally close to visitors over the hottest months from June to October.

Learn more about The Camel Farm here.

Wadi Showka

Offering a peaceful escape from the city, deep in the Hajar Mountains, is the beautiful Wadi Showka. This seasonal watercourse includes a number of natural pools as well as a man-made reservoir and features a hiking trail which is well-known to UAE residents.

The best time to visit is during the winter months when the pools are likely to be full and the cooler temperatures make for a more comfortable hike. The trail does include a lot of steps and some sections which are a little unstable underfoot so remember to dress appropriately.

While toilets are available, be sure to carry plenty of water and snacks to keep you going throughout the day.

Sail to Moon Island

Located approximately 60 km off the coast of Dubai, Moon Island offers a tranquil escape from the urban sprawl. Many companies offer boat trips that include a barbecue and drinks, one of the best is with Sea Escape DXB.

Liwa Oasis (Abu Dhabi)

If you’ve grown up with romantic images of the desert and want to indulge in the magic of the Arabian Nights, then a trip to the Liwa Desert is a must. For those wishing to push the boat out for a truly exceptional experience, we recommend a stay at Ananatara’s Qasr Al Sarab.

If you don’t want to blow the budget completely, it is possible to stay at a more economical desert resort, or take a 1 day desert safari. However, you will miss out if you don’t stay overnight in this utterly beautiful setting.

Khor Fakkan (Sharjah East Coast)

Khor Fakkan, a small town on the East Coast (an exclave of Sharjah), has gained popularity in recent years and now features many interesting and worthwhile places to visit.

The white sandy beaches of Khor Fakkan have long been a draw for visitors and locals alike; however, other local features, such as the Al Rafisah Dam, Wadi Shees, and the Khor Fakkan waterfalls, are now also attracting tourists in large numbers.

As an area of outstanding natural beauty, the mountains of Khor Fakkan are well worth hiring a car for a visit. You’ll be rewarded with some breathtaking views and a completely different perspective of the UAE.

Note that Sharjah (including Khor Fakkan) is a ‘dry state’ and that carrying and consuming alcohol here is prohibited.

Hatta Dam (Dubai)

Hatta Dam is a serene mountain reservoir situated in the Hajar Mountains, approximately a 90-minute drive from central Dubai. Surrounded by rocky hills and calm, clear waters, it’s a popular spot for kayaking, paddle boating, and enjoying scenic views.

Originally built to help with water storage and electricity for the Hatta region, the dam is now a popular weekend getaway for both residents and visitors seeking to relax in nature, go hiking, or explore the surrounding heritage village and mountain trails.

It’s a refreshing contrast to Dubai’s fast-paced city life and absolutely glorious in the winter months.

Read more about planning a visit to Hatta and accommodation options here

Al Madam Abandoned Village (Sharjah)

Known as the Al Madam Ghost Village, this abandoned village, half buried in sand, is something a little bit quirky to add into your Dubai holiday schedule. Whilst some believe the village was abandoned because of supernatural occurrences, others will tell you that people left because of the frequent sandstorms and more attractive housing prospects in the city.

Definitely worth a stop if you’re on your way to Hatta, or as part of a desert safari. Wear sensible footwear and take plenty of water. And If you’re visiting on a winter weekend don’t expect to be the only one to find this ‘hidden gem’.

Hatta Honey Bee Garden (Dubai)

Hatta is gaining in popularity as an adventurous escape from Dubai, but aside from the dam with its hiking opportunities and water sports, there are plenty of interesting stops to be had on the way. These include the Al Madam village mentioned above, and our current favourite, the Hatta Honey Bee Garden.

The Hatta Honey Bee Garden and Discovery Centre is the first of its kind in the region and offers a unique blend of education and adventure. With over 300 active beehives amidst a garden of vibrant flora the garden offers the perfect opportunity to learn about sustainable beekeeping, and the vital role that bees play in our ecosystem.

The centre offers guided tours, workshops, and hands-on activities and is open from 9.00 am until 5.00 pm daily.

Learn more about Hatta Honey here