Every tourist whether he is a first time visitor or has seen the glitz and glamour of Dubai before will vouch for experiencing a surprise element on every visit to Dubai.
It’s hard to imagine how this city of world records is able to amaze the tourists in so many different ways. While most of us know about the best known attractions of the city, there are many lesser known places in Dubai that awaits your gracious visit and surprise you with their charm.
1. Mercato Mall
A hidden gem of Dubai, the Mercato Mall somewhere loses its importance due to the overpowering presence of malls like Dubai mall, Ibn Batuta and Mall of Emirates. In spite of the fact that Mercato mall is smaller than its counterparts, it’s a must visit to experience the Italian style, reminiscent of The Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas. Known for its superb clothing and footwear range, the Mall mesmerizes you with its architectural brilliance.
2. The Abra or the Water Taxis
What was once the only means of transportation in the nascent years of Dubai, Abra today is for some an experience of the historical ride of the bygone era while for many, it is the cheapest way to cross the beautiful Dubai Creek. Whatever be your reason, there’s no better way to understand the essence of the Dubai creek than to take a trip of the historical Abra rides.
3. Dragon Mart
Why Dragon Mart? Because, while it is essentially a Chinese product market, you can buy almost everything here starting from furniture, home decors, gardening equipments and so much more. Housing over 4000 stores, it boasts of the largest number of Chinese traders outside China. The mall is further expanding and in the process of establishing Dragon Mall 2.
4. Jumeirah Beach Residences Walk
The effect of this place will make you wonder whether you are in Dubai or in some urban beach of Europe. An amazing ambience all around, play area for kids, multi cuisine restaurants, open air seating cafes, and food carts offering mouth watering delicacies; JBR walk has it all. A great place to sit back and relax, JBR walk is loved by tourists interested in people watching.
5. Bastakia Quarter
One of the best places in Dubai that almost transports you to the bygone era, the Bastakia quarter has been declared a conservation area. It’s amazing to finally understand the concept behind the wind towers which served as air conditioners in the early era when Dubai was no more than a Bedouin village. This old neighborhood in the heart of the ultra modern Dubai has captivating narrow pedestrian alleys.
6. Wafi Light and Sound Show
With a theme as distinct as ‘Return of the Pharohs’, the Wafi light and sound show starts every night at 9.30pm at the Wafi Mall. The lights are beautifully projected all across the Pyramids and the early Egyptian themed buildings in the mall’s central courtyard. Creating an amazing display, the show captivates the audience and adds a topping to their delightful shopping experience at the mall.
7. Miracle Garden
Located in the Dubai land part of the city, the Miracle Garden is one of the most underrated astonishing places to visit in Dubai. Home to over 15000 butterflies of 26 different species, the Miracle garden is a sensory treat for all the visitors. An exceptionally extravagant outdoor destination, the Miracle garden has jaw dropping 45 million flowers in different shapes and artistic designs, and the arrangements are changed every year.
8. Zabeel Park
Usually missed in the shadow of the famous Safa and Mushrif parks, the Zabeel Park is one of the best parks of Dubai housing plush green garden spaces and fun attractions including a hi- tech theme park for children. An ideal family garden, Zabeel Park beckons you to stroll along the perfectly manicured gardens, food courts, exhibition centers and a beautiful lake for boating.
9. Al Ain Zoo
Amidst the sky rise buildings and record breaking architectures, the intriguing Al Ain zoo often gets missed by tourists. In reality, Al Ain is a huge zoo and a distinctive conservation home for over 197 species of animals. The zoo is a naturalistic habitat of 4000+ animals. Out of the total population, 180 species are endangered ones and a visit to the zoo is both exciting and informative.
10. Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
Comprising about 5% of the total land mass of the Dubai, the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is a 225 sq.km. area dedicated to the conservation of the immense natural beauty and rich biodiversity of the Arabian dessert. With Dubai expanding at an incredible pace, the city’s dedication towards maintaining the innocence of the unspoiled desert is worth applauding. Home to the luxurious Al Mahara desert Resort and Spa, the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is a place worth visiting to admire the untouched beauty and simplicity of the colossal desert.
The journey of Dubai from being an oil exporting city to a world entertainment hub is inspiring. There was a time when travelling to Arabian countries involved a lot of hassles but now with UAE allowing almost half of the world an entry to their country without visa and for the rest of the world, offering Dubai tourist visa online unbelievably easy; Dubai has become one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world.
While we urge you to experience all these beautiful places on your next trip to Dubai, if you have been to any of the lesser known places in Dubai that deserves a mention, do let us know.

I am a very easy going person and love to interact with people and enjoy each moments as this is the last. I work as a freelancer writer. I contemplate myself as an innovative and original person. I love to reading books, travel, cooking and inspire people to find their career goals and to live life to the fullest.
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