Dubai ranks as one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. Looking forward to 2021 and beyond, take a look at 10 upcoming tourist attractions in Dubai worth the visit.
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10 Upcoming Attractions in Dubai
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Dubai offers various experiences and attractions that continue to appeal to millions of visitors year after year. Nearly a decade ago, I laid over in Dubai for 48 hours on my way to Thailand. Dubai gifted me with an amazing cultural and cosmopolitan experience — and two nights at the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, the world’s tallest hotel (at the time) topped off my first Arabian luxury vacation.
With COVID-19 affecting international travel and global tourism, Dubai also had to postpone some of its main attractions in 2020.
With hopes for normalcy in 2021, those ready to traveling the world again should consider Dubai as a destination. Here are the top 10 upcoming attractions in Dubai, worth a visit in 2021.
Palm Fountain
Did you know that the world’s largest fountain in the world can be found in Dubai? The Palm Fountain at the Pointe in Palm Jumeirah recently opened in October 2020 and has joined the list of Dubai’s must-see attractions.
The dancing Palm Fountain is massive: 7237 square meters high (nearly 24,000 feet!) and spread over 14,000 square feet of seawater. It can shoot up to more than 105 meters high (over 344 feet). Fountains magically dance to classical, Arabic, and western music. From sunset until midnight, lights jets of sea water are illuminated by 3,000 multicolored lights.
Dubai Shopping Festival
Both shopaholics and casual shoppers will love the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). Scheduled from December 17, 2020 to January 30, 2021, the six-week festival promises a memorable shopping experience for all visitors. Expect sales, promotions, and chances to win spectacular cash prizes across the city.
Even non-shoppers and non-travelers can join in the fun with the Dubai Shopping Festival. Other offerings include live concerts, art installations, unique markets, stage shows, and more. Visitors will also love the mild weather, perfect for retail therapy and exciting events.
Museum of the Future
Designed by Shaun Killa, the Museum of the Future is set to become one of the most iconic landmarks in Dubai. The museum is known for its complex design in the shape of a torus with its round shape representing the earth and the sky, and the space in the middle represents the unknown. The Museum of the Future is a 30,000 square meters, seven-story column-less building that stands at a height of 77 meters (over 252 feet!). Its façade panels come with a 1,024 Arabic calligraphy design as well.
The Museum is set to be a destination for varied cultural, philosophical, social, and spiritual outlooks. As a place of tolerance, it aims to bring together inventors, designers, and researchers – all representing different types of technologies. The Museum hopes to be an incubator for ideas and designs from inventors and entrepreneurs all over the world, united in the goal of driving innovation for the future.
The exact opening date is yet to be finalized. With the construction now in the final stages, people can hope for an announcement of a much-awaited opening date in 2021.
Ain Dubai
Ain Dubai, also known as the Dubai Eye, is the world’s largest Ferris wheel. The giant Ferris wheel boasts a height of 210 meters and can give its passengers a 360-degree view of Dubai’s spectacular skyline including Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, and Burj Khalifa. To give you a better idea of its massive size, Ain Dubai is almost double the height of its UK counterpart, the London Eye, which stands at 135 meters (more than 442 feet).
The Ain Dubai comes with 48 capsules, which can accommodate a seating capacity of 1,400 people. The Ain Dubai is located on Dubai’s Dubai’s new Bluewaters Island, which visitors can access from the Dubai Marina.
Expo 2020 Dubai
Originally set top open in October 2020, the Expo 2020 Dubai rescheduled to October 2021 to March 2022. With the theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, the Expo 2020 Dubai is a six-month-long global celebration, showcasing Dubai as a cross-continental getaway. The expo will showcase spectacular experiences in Dubai to millions of visitors from all over the world. The theme highlights Dubai’s historical role in connecting east and west, north, and south.
For the six months of the Expo, Dubai will go on a global stage to feature the best entertainment, technology, food, and culture — and the largest event ever held in the Arab world. Expo 2020 will be the first of its kind to be held in the Middle Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region.
Palm West Beach
Dubai’s Palm West Beach recently opened in October 2020 and is the latest addition to the shores of Palm Jumeirah. Visitors will love taking a stroll in this walkable waterfront destination. Showcasing 1.6 km (just under one mile) of promenade and beachfront, people can do several things on Palm West Beach. Whether you enjoy relaxing over beachfront breakfasts or prefer being active and going on morning runs or trying water sports, Palm West beach offers something for everyone.
Atlantis Aquaventure’s Trident Tower
Atlantis Aquaventures is a famous waterpark in Dubai with more than 20 rides and rivers spread across 17 hectares (over 42 acres) at Palm Island. In 2019. Atlantis announced that they will be adding a third tower called “Trident Tower”.
With a height of 34 meters (more than 111 feet tall), the new Tower introduces 12 exciting new rides making Atlantis Aquaventures one of the world’s biggest water parks and a must-visit destination for water park lovers and thrill-seekers. While there is no exact opening date announced yet for Trident Tower, people can hope it opens in early 2021.
Art Dubai
The 14th edition of Art Dubai on March 17 to 20, 2021 celebrates its unique title as the most international art fair. Various galleries join every year to showcase extensive collections with artists from the wider region joining as well.
Art Dubai presents the largest selection of galleries from the MENASA region as well as the South. Visitors will find art and social activations on the beach, the Creek, and other outdoor settings in Dubai. It also showcases ambitious projects such as the Theatre of Digital Art which allows visitors to experience classic works in contemporary ways.
Dubai Garden Glow
If Singapore has Gardens by the Bay, Dubai has Dubai Garden Glow, one of the most creative and innovative attractions in Dubai. Visitors will feel as if they have stepped into a magical land when they enter Dubai Garden Glow and see the mind-blowing art and illuminations. It features art installations made from recyclable materials and garden landscapes with bright lights and neon illuminations. A stroll through the garden is bound to be a magical experience.
Visitors can also enjoy street-style food, acrobatic performances, and even visit a dinosaur park! Season 6 of Dubai Garden Glow opened in October 2020 and will run through until May 2021.
Hatta
For visitors looking for attractions outside the city, take a 90-minute road trip from the city to Hatta, found amidst the Hajar mountains. It is a perfect destination for photographers, adventurers, or for people who just want to unplug for a while.
Adventurers go to the Hatta enclave, known as an area for extreme sports. For those not into sports, the area’s farms and mountains (including the Hatta Dam, Wadis) offer breathtaking views.
Dubai has many other attractions to offer. Whether visit Dubai next year or sometime in the future, start planning now to travel later. Planning your dream vacation is a fun activity to do by yourself or with your friends!
Read more about this on Nomad’s Ultimate Guide to Dubai to help you plan for that awesome trip!