Expo City Dubai Took Us to the Future and We Bet You’d Want to Join in the Fun
Is Dubai really living in the future? We heard the chit chat and got curious! So we figured, why not explore that one place in Dubai that can prove if it REALLY is living in the future?
Expo City Dubai is a mini city born out of the Expo 2020, one of the biggest events Dubai has ever hosted and dubbed as “the world’s greatest show.”
And because it precedes such a historic event, everything in Expo City is just as grand, innovative and unique. So let’s get to exploring this people-centric district!
What is Expo City Dubai?
Expo City Dubai is a future-centric development that was established in October 2022 in the site where Expo 2020 was held.
Being the first world expo to be hosted by a city from the MENA region, Expo 2020 became a huge success that Dubai had the idea of creating a mini city of the future to preserve its legacy.
Expo City started as a commercial and entertainment development that brought back the expo’s most popular pavilions and attractions including the Surreal water feature and Al Wasl Plaza.
Since then, this development has evolved into a self-sufficient community where there’s a place for business, entertainment and living.
But what really makes Expo City such a special place is its sustainability. In fact, it’s the first community in the Middle Eastern region to be WELL-certified.
It’s also free of single-use plastic with the goal of showing people that a city can thrive while being good to the environment, which is a part of the Dubai 2040 Master Plan.
Best Time to Go
While Expo City is open all-year round, it’s best to visit between October and March when the weather is cooler in Dubai, making it the perfect time to explore the development.
Ramadan is also a good time to visit Expo City because of all the events being hosted around the community.
Just check Expo City’s calendar of events to make sure that you catch the best ones while you’re in town.
Things to Know
There’s so much to know and learn about Expo City Dubai! So, we rounded up some fun facts about this amazing development:
- General entry to Expo City Dubai is FREE, which includes access to Al Wasl Plaza and the Surreal water feature.
But there are entry fees for different pavilions, although most of them are free for children under 12 and people of determination.
If you want to visit these different pavilions, we suggest going for the one-day pass for AED 120 with access to all these pavilions as well as the Stories of the Nation exhibits.
| Pavilion | Entry Fee |
| Terra: The Sustainability PavilionSustainability District | AED 50 |
| ALIF: The Mobility PavilionMobility District | AED 50 |
| Vision PavilionSustainability District | AED 50 |
| Women’s PavilionSustainability District | AED 50 |
| Stories of the NationOpportunity District/ Sustainability District/ Mobility District | AED 50 |
| Garden in the SkyJubilee District | AED 30 |
| Around the WorldMobility District | AED 20 |
- The attractions at Expo City Dubai open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily except for Al Wasl Plaza and Surreal that are open 24 hours.
- Expo City Dubai welcomes businesses of all kinds to find their space within the development.
Being a free zone, you can easily set up shop here and take advantage of sustainable offices, state-of-the-art technology and a great working environment for you and your team.
- You can call Expo City Dubai your home. Several residential developments are underway in the community including Expo Valley and Expo Central that will feature townhouses, villas and plots where you can build your dream home.
How to Get Around
Where to Stay in Expo City Dubai
Rove Expo City
Address: Horizon Avenue – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 879 2020
Pricing: $$$
Rove Expo City is the first hotel within the development where you can stay close to the different attractions or near the Dubai Exhibition Center (DEC) if you’re attending a business event.
After a long day of exploring Expo City Dubai, you can relax comfortably in your room, grab a drink in the lounge or take a dip at the pool overlooking Al Wasl dome.
Rove Expo City is also just a few steps away from the Dubai Metro, so it’s easy to go around the city.
Delta Hotel by Marriott Dubai Investment Park
Address: Dubai Investment Park 1 – Green Community Village – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 801 8888
Pricing: $$$
Delta Hotel by Marriott is a luxury hotel in Dubai Investment Park, just a few minutes away from Expo City Dubai.
With the signature Marriott brand of hospitality, you’re sure to be treated like a VIP from the moment you step inside your room or suite.
The hotel has a restaurant and bar, a swimming pool, a fitness center and the famous Soul Senses Spa that’s guaranteed to take all your stress away.
Where to Eat in Expo City Dubai
Grand Beirut
Address: Mangrove Avenue – Sustainability District – Expo City Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 56 216 2216
Pricing: $$$
Grand Beirut is an institution in Dubai when it comes to authentic Lebanese food, so it only makes sense that it has a branch in Expo City.
The restaurant’s interiors will instantly transport you to the Lebanese capital with its traditional elements.
And the food is top notch here with dishes made using fresh ingredients and traditional spices to give you a true feast for the senses.
From kebab to tabbouleh, oh you wouldn’t want to leave this amazing restaurant!
Al Fanar Restaurant and Cafe
Address: Expo City Dubai – Al Wasl Avenue – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 234 1258
Pricing: $$
Feeling hungry while exploring Al Wasl Dome? Al Fanar Restaurant and Cafe should take care of that hunger.
Known for offfering authentic Emirati cuisine, Al Fanar makes you feel like you’re in an Emirati home with its cozy and relaxing ambiance.
But the food here will make you forget about everything else because every single dish is truly a flavor bomb.
PXB Rooftop
Address: Terra Sustainability Pavilion – Expo City Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 50 892 3585
Pricing: $$
PXB Rooftop combines healthy plant-based food with panoramic views to give you the best dining experience at Expo City Dubai.
Now, you don’t have to be vegan to enjoy the food at PXB because its plant-based menu can rival its meat-loving counterparts.
You have to try their satay skewers, mushroom tacos, lion’s mane steak and kofta.
What to Do in Expo City Dubai
Explore the Different Pavilions
The pavilions are definitely the highlight of Expo City Dubai and each highlights a theme that’s related to sustainability and the future.
- Terra: The Sustainability Pavilion celebrates nature and all its wonders. But more importantly, it also highlights the real world problems that are slowly killing the only planet we call home. It also presents solutions on how we can be more sustainable to help save the planet and our future.
- ALIF: The Mobility Pavilion takes you on a fantastic journey across time where you get a first glimpse of the Emirates Mars Mission mission control deck. Here, you also get to experience the world’s largest lift and different exhibitions that connect both physical and virtual worlds.
- The Women’s Pavilion celebrates the women of the country and the world and everything they’ve accomplished to help shape the future. This beautiful pavilion tells the story of women throughout history and how they play an important role in humanity.
- Vision Pavilion tells the story of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai and the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE. Here, you’ll see how Dubai has evolved through the efforts of His Highness and his dreams for the future through stunning exhibits and displays.
Travel Around the World at Stories of the Nation
The Expo 2020 was such a success that it put the UAE on the world map. To preserve that legacy, Expo City Dubai opened Stories of the Nation.
This exhibit is dedicated to the 200 nations that participated in Expo 2020 and celebrates their history and culture through memorabilia, displays and musical instruments.
As you wander around this exhibit, you’ll easily feel like you’ve traveled around the world by learning so much about each country’s heritage.
Stories of the Nation also gives you a glimpse of how great Expo 2020 was through original items that were used during the fair.
There are 80 of these memorabilia still available at the exhibit, so make sure to stop by. Don’t forget to check out those swings at the Germany pavilion!
Feel Surreal in Surreal
You can’t visit Expo City Dubai without seeing the majestic Surreal water feature. Aptly named for its magnificence, you’ll honestly feel like in a different world as you stand in the middle of this spectacle.
You’ll be treated to a wonderful show using water, fire and music while trying to grasp if what you’re seeing is real.
And believe us, you’ll feel like you’re in a dream as you witness gushing water seemingly defying gravity and flames creating such magical colors.
Spend the Afternoon at Al Forsan Park
If you’re already overwhelmed by all those exhibits and shows that you’ve seen as you explore Expo City Dubai, take a breather at Al Forsan Park.
This massive 2.2 hectares of open space is inspired by those beautiful Arabian carpets and you can relax in one of the many bean bags around the park to relax before exploring the rest of Expo City.
The kids also have a dedicated play area where they can run free, explore and just enjoy their time at this vast park.
See Expo City From Above at Garden in the Sky
If Expo City Dubai is already majestic on the ground, wait until you see it from the top. Garden in the Sky takes you 55 meters up in the air on a deck that gives you a bird’s eye view of the entire development.
Not for those who have a fear of heights, this beautiful observatory is lined with trees to really make you feel that you’re one with nature even when you’re up top.
Walk Around Al Wasl Plaza
Al Wasl Plaza was definitely the highlight of Expo 2020 and it continues to wow visitors by being the largest 360-degree project surface in the world.
This magnificent structure is located right at the heart of Expo City and it has hosted some of the expo’s biggest events including concerts and performances by global artists.
Yes, this stage hosted Alicia Keys and Coldplay as well as local artists through the years.
Al Wasl Plaza is symbolic of Dubai’s heritage as Al Wasl means “the connection,” and it was the same name travelers used to call Dubai referring to their meeting point.
The structure’s dome is already majestic during the day. But when night comes, it becomes a large projection screen that runs until 1:00 AM every day.
So, if you’re in Expo City, make sure to end your visit at Al Wasl Plaza and enjoy this amazing structure for the most memorable experience.
Where to Shop in Expo City Dubai
Big Mart
Address: Mobility District – Expo City Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 54 289 8622
Whether you need to grab a snack or buy some essentials while exploring Expo City Dubai, Big Mart has you covered with its wide variety of products.
This convenience store is a go-to for many visitors in the neighborhood, especially since the nearest mall is still a few minutes away.
What to Expect from Weather in Expo City Dubai
Winter: Dubai experiences winter from December to March where you can enjoy the best weather and even some chilly nights, making it the best time to explore the city.
Summer: Dubai has extremely hot summers running from June to September. With temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius, people are advised to stay indoors during this time.
Transition period: Between the seasons are two transition periods from April to May and October to November. Here, you can expect the weather to be unpredictable, so always be prepared.
Apps to Download When Visiting Expo City Dubai
Expo 2020 Dubai: This app contains all the information you need for visiting Expo City Dubai including attractions and upcoming events
Expo City Eats: Be in the know of all the restaurants, food stalls and cafes that you can find around Expo City Dubai through this app
RTA Dubai Drive: Makes it easier for you to navigate around Dubai with its detailed maps and parking suggestions
Uber: The go-to app for booking a private car to take you to and from Expo City Dubai
S’hail: Useful if you’re commuting around Dubai because it has all the information that you need about the city’s public transport system including the train, tram, bus and water taxi