Dubai, with gold souks, trailblazing architecture, and over 1,000 km of coastline to explore, offers a potpourri of diverse experiences. While most mainstream attractions find their way onto our itineraries, hidden gems often go unnoticed. One such unmissable marvel in the Gulf Tiger is the Dubai Miracle Garden — the world’s largest natural flower garden.
Launched on Valentine’s Day 2013, the garden houses over 150 million flowers and 250 million plants. It can be best described as a dramatic symphony of blossoms, offering a host of experiences including a flower parade, candy bar, live entertainment shows, photo booths, and much more.
A day of delight: Things you can’t miss at Dubai Miracle Garden
Whether you’re hitting the park with your toddlers or planning a romantic rendezvous, there’s something for everyone.
1) Explore the floral displays
Saunter through the floral displays spanning a Heart Passage, a 12-metre high teddy bear made of flowers, and a floating lady made entirely of red and white petunias.
Make sure to visit the Emirates A380, a life-size replica of the aircraft made from 5,00,000 fragrant flowers and plants, making it the world’s largest floral installation.
The floral clock, a 15-metre timepiece that changes its flowers with the seasons, is another unique attraction. Additionally, a series of floral villas adorned with lilacs, lavender, orange, and white-lily flowers were added to Dubai Miracle Garden in 2014. The garden is replete with 3D floral designs like giant mushrooms, humanoid ants, and swans.
2) Head to Dubai Garden Glow in the evening
As evening falls, Dubai Garden Glow transforms into a glow-in-the-dark wonderland with over 500 nature-inspired installations.
One of the main attractions is the floating aquatic life installation, featuring a giant jellyfish that glistens in the sky and casts an ethereal reflection in the lake below. Another section is dedicated to the Jurassic Era, which comes alive with life-size installations. Acrobatic performances elevate the fervour and guarantee a memorable night.
3) Stroll at the Cabanas
Take a break from the myriad offerings and tiptoe through the Cabanas, one of the most romantic spots in the garden.
Decorated with floral drapes and curtains, the cabanas offer a sensory retreat with floor cushions for relaxation.
4) Entertainment galore
Dubai Miracle Garden offers a wide range of entertainment options, including group yoga, a kids’ play zone and Zumba sessions for the whole family. The Flower Parade, featuring performers in vibrant costumes and mystical masks, is a must-see.
There’s also an amphitheatre for live performances and theatrical shows. Post all the floral excitement and fun activities, you can relish a meal at the garden’s cafe, fruit juice kiosks, coffee shops, and candy stores, with delicacies from over 30 food and beverage vendors catering to all palates.
5) Visit the Floral Castle
Nestled within Dubai Miracle Garden, the Floral Castle is a dream come true for Disney lovers.
Surrounded by fragrant beds of sunflowers and daisies, this castle features fortress towers, dining facilities, seating arrangements, and resplendent floral decor.
6) Shop till you drop
Once you’ve pocketed memories, it’s time to purchase souvenirs. Postcards, keychains, T-shirts, magnets, hats, and more are available at the souvenir shops and in-house bazaar. These shopping stalls also sell handmade accessories, traditional Arabic items, and trendy clothes, providing the perfect mix to take back a piece of the garden’s charm. Don’t forget to visit the photo booth, where you can capture fun Polaroids with your friends and family.
Dubai Miracle Garden — location & how to reach
Located in the Dubailand district of Dubai, the garden is easily accessible by train, bus, or taxi. If you prefer the train, take the Dubai Metro and alight at the MOE (Mall of the Emirates) metro station on the red line. If you opt for the bus, we recommend taking the RTA bus route 105 from MOE to Dubai Miracle Garden. And if public transport isn’t for you, any local taxi will easily take you to this delightful destination.
Best time to visit Dubai Miracle Garden
Unlike other tourist attractions in Dubai, the Miracle Garden is typically open only during the winter months, which usually run from November to March. This year, however, the garden opened its gates to the public on September 29. So, if a Dubai vacation is on your radar, there’s no better time than the cooler months to fully enjoy the Dubai Miracle Garden, when the installations are at their most lavish and alluring.
Spread across 72,000 sq m, the garden offers plenty to explore, so ensure you have ample time to roam the lawns. Visiting during the early hours on a weekend is ideal. The Dubai Miracle Garden is open from 9 am to 9 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 11 pm on weekends (Saturday and Sunday).
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Tickets, price & reviews
The ‘Dubai Miracle Garden: Skip the Line’ ticket retails for AED 95 (HKD 202) and is available for purchase online. It’s advisable to buy tickets in advance. Visitors laud the garden for its breathtaking topiary, scrumptious meals, and hassle-free ticket booking. Some also recommend arriving around 5 pm to enjoy the sunlit vistas along with the glow-in-the-dark sights.
FAQs
Are there any restaurants inside Dubai Miracle Garden?
Yes, there are several dining options at Dubai Miracle Garden, including coffee shops, candy stores, and fruit juice kiosks.
Is Dubai Miracle Garden open for children & family?
Yes, adults as well as children can visit the garden.
Can I buy souvenirs at Dubai Miracle Garden?
Yes, the Dubai Miracle Garden has souvenir shops and an in-house bazaar. Here, you can purchase souvenirs like T-shirts, postcards, magnets, traditional Arabic items, and much more.
Are there any special events or shows held at Dubai Miracle Garden?
Yes, Dubai Miracle Garden organises several special events and shows, including acrobatics, live performances, theatre, Zumba and yoga sessions, and more.
Main and Feature Image Credit: Kirill Neiezhmakov/Shutterstock
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Written By
Yashita Vashishth
Writer by day, reader by night, Yashita has a flair for all things travel, wellness and food. She has previously worked at Condé Nast India and Times Internet. When not working, you can catch her binge-reading the latest thriller on the block, re-watching Friends, trying a new recipe or hosting her friends.
