Our Trip to Wafi City in Dubai Is Like Going to Egypt but Better
I’ve always been a fan of Egypt. Ever seen “The Mummy”? I did many times. I even got in trouble once for “mummifying” myself in paper towels. Not because I wasted them—I just nearly gave our neighbor a heart attack when he saw me by the window!
All that silliness aside, I truly wanted to visit the land of the pyramids when I grew up. Still, I didn’t want to burden my parents, so I’m still hustling until I finally earned enough dirhams to make this happen.
But before that, I wanted to know what it’s like to see magnificent Egyptian structures, intricate decor, and all that jazz. So, I took my parents and little siblings to WAFI City in Dubai to show them why I’m so obsessed. Here’s a handy travel guide from our trip!
What is WAFI City known for?
WAFI City is known for its distinct Egyptian-style architecture, luxury shopping experiences, and family-friendly fun. It showcases fine restaurants, a traditional souk (market), and other leisure options.
Best Time to Go
The best time to go to WAFI City is from November to March when the weather is cooler. That way, shopping, watching a show, going to a restaurant, and the like are more convenient.
Things to Know
How to Get Around
- Trains: The nearest metro station to WAFI City is Dubai Healthcare City on the Green Line, only a short walk away.
- Buses: Multiple RTA bus routes stop nearby, making it accessible by public transport.
- Taxis: Being the most efficient option, taxis are readily available at the entrances or via ride-hailing apps.
- Car: Just follow the signs to Oud Metha Road from Sheikh Zayed Road before taking the exit to Dubai Healthcare City. There are many parking spaces too, so bringing your car to the mall is likely a breeze.
What to Do in WAFI City
Marvel at the Egyptian Aesthetics
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Besides being among Dubai’s first massive shopping centers, WAFI City is intricately decorated with a magnificent Egyptian theme, so we say explore the art and culture around this mall first!
For us, it’s impossible not to notice the striking sphinx statues, towering obelisks, and other huge statues. In our view, the entrance is so visually stunning that you must stop for a while and take it all in. Take lots of photos too when you can!
This theme also extends indoors with stained-glass pyramids, pharaoh sculptures, and hieroglyphic columns. We feel it really gives off the ambiance of Egypt—just way fancier with the many luxury shops and dining spots around.
Watch a Movie at the WAFI Roof Gardens
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Thinking of a romantic date idea? At the WAFI Roof Garden, you can hold hands and take a serene stroll through the gorgeous landscape.
But our favorite activity hands down is the open-air cinema! This is held every Sunday from 8:30 pm onwards if you want to watch a classic film or a modern blockbuster.
This space is used for various events as well, including yoga sessions and private meetups under the stars. But if you only want to unwind, you can select from several dining options and shisha (flavored tobacco) lounges as well.
Bring the Kids to the Arcade
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Website: https://www.magicplanetmena.com/en-ae/explore/store-wafi-mall
Address: Address: Wafi Mall, Dubai Wafi City Mal – Podium 2, Unit 822
Contact Details: +971 600 599905
Taking the kids for a family-friendly activity? Magic Planet is an entertainment center at WAFI Mall offering arcade games, skill-based attractions, and indoor rides.
The way we see it, you’ll need to allot at least 2 to 3 hours so you can make the most of it. But if you think you’ll be spending more time here, we recommend getting a Magic Planet Card. You can use this on the redemption games and win lots of tickets!
And when you need a little break (like all parents or guardians do), we suggest buying some snacks like chocolates while the kiddos use up all their energy playing games.
Relax at Cleopatra’s Spa
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Website: https://cleopatras-spa.com/
Address: Ground Floor, Pyramids at WAFI, Oud Metha District
Contact Details: +971 4 324 7700, [email protected]
Of course, the adults need to unwind too! Cleopatra’s Spa provides an elegant and relaxed atmosphere for guests to get a well-deserved “me time” through massages.
Our top picks are the chakra-balancing head massage and foot reflexology. We also love the sauna and jacuzzi, which we think completes the whole experience.
Other body treatments include facials, cupping, and body scrub. You may also get a few body maintenance services, like threading, mani-pedi, or waxing to keep you looking pristine!
Explore the Light and Sound Show
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Website: http://www.aya-universe.com/
Address: Wafi City – Oud Metha
Contact Details: +971 4 542 0300
Even if you can’t go to space in this lifetime, Aya Universe can offer you magnificent optical illusions that can be pretty close. Basically, it’s a 40,000-square feet tourist attraction offering interactive experiences combining art and tech.
With its 12 rooms, you’ll find the beauty of the cosmos! There are plenty of stars and celestial lights, as well as flowers, plants, and even an illusion of rain. What’s more, we love that each zone reacts uniquely to the visitors, so no two trips would be the same.
For us, it’s best to book in advance to avoid any hassle. Each ticket costs AED 135 and children under 3 years old may enter for free!
Where to Eat in WAFI City
Elements Cafe
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Website: http://www.elementscafes.com/
Address: Address: Wafi City – Oud Metha Rd – Umm Hurair 2
Contact Details: +971 4 324 4252, [email protected]
Pricing: $
Elements Cafe is a bustling place offering a mix of Arabic, Western, and Japanese cuisine, as well as unique Eastern sweets. This dining spot occasionally provides deals and discounts too, so we think you should keep on the lookout.
Also, this WAFI City restaurant is divided into 2 halls. The internal hall is non-smoking for families and kids, while the external hall looks fantastic for adult groups. We appreciate that the latter offers singing performances and shisha (flavored tobacco) too!
As for the grub, we recommend the chicken shawarma, mixed grills, and cream pasta with mushroom and chicken. And have you tried a pasta dessert? We say go for something new with the intriguing fettuccine (ribbon pasta) crepe!
WAFI Gourmet
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Website: https://www.wafigourmet.com/
Address: Wafi Mall – Oud Metha Rd
Contact Details: +971 4 324 4433, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
WAFI Gourmet is an authentic Lebanese restaurant that’s also a retail outlet. It offers purely Lebanon-originated products for connoisseurs and travelers wanting a taste of this culture.
For a hearty meal, we suggest going for the WAFI gourmet barbeque, hummus plate, and salmon with creamy mustard sauce.
And to end on a sweet note, we like Arabic sweets like cheese kunafa (layered pastry) and fresh Lebanese kashta (rich or clotted cream) with honey. Otherwise, classic desserts like cheesecake are also available.
McCafferty’s Irish Pub
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Website: https://mccaffertyswafi.com/
Address: Pyramids Wafi – Oud Metha – District
Contact Details: +971 58 507 3623, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
If you’re looking for a fun place in WAFI City to hang with your crew, McCafferty’s Irish Pub is a jolly place to be! It’s got Irish and craic (the Irish way of saying “good time”) that we reckon can keep everyone going all night.
And should you be drinking lots of beer, we recommend filling up with some roasts first. We think the crispy pork belly or half-roasted chicken with some sides like sweet potato fries should do the trick.
Of course, we can’t forget about the classic apple crumble—we like that it’s served warm and has proper custard and vanilla ice cream on top for ample texture and a full dessert experience!
Where to Shop around WAFI City
Kudu Arts
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Website: https://www.kuduarts.com/
Address: Khan Murjan Souk – Lower Floor Shop 6084
Contact Details: +971 50 212 9096, [email protected]
Kudu Arts is a glassware store in WAFI City where you can snag all kinds of souvenirs and gifts. It offers custom, engraved luxury items, and is proud of its eco-friendly practices—the glasses don’t contain lead or other toxins!
The artworks on the glass products are uniquely designed too. You can choose from many coffee and tea sets, dinnerware and serveware, drinkware, and home decor. Moreover, you can get bulk orders for events, groups, weddings, or corporate events.
L’Heritage
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Website: https://sites.google.com/view/impexheritage/home
Address: Wafi City – Oud Metha Rd – Umm Hurair 2
Contact Details: +971 52 829 1402, [email protected]
L’Heritage is an elegant clothing store that showcases rich history through curated art. It offers a selection of traditional attire, carpets, shawls, and scarves with intricate designs.
We also feel it should be easy to explore the shop, with its beautifully organized shelves stocked with fabrics of various colors and patterns. So if you know anyone with sophisticated taste, we reckon they’ll love the refined vibe of this store’s products.
Al Washia International
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Website: http://craftmiddleeast.com/
Address: Oud Metha Road
Contact Details: +971 4 324 3979, [email protected]
Looking for a new artistic pursuit? Al Washia International is a colorful craft store in WAFI City for all your DIY projects, such as knitting, crocheting, and sewing. We think it has some of the most unique yarns, along with the best hooks and needles.
If you don’t know where to start, we recommend going for the themed kits. Our favorites are the puppy, cherry cupcake, and fruit basket kits.
And should you have more time on your hands, we suggest trying diamond painting too! It’s a combo of cross-stitch and paint-by-numbers where you use an applicator to stick hundreds of rhinestones—one by one—on a canvas painting.
Where to Stay near WAFI City
Dunes Hotel Apartments
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Website: https://www.dunesdubai.com/
Address: 68M8+542 – Near GEMS Winchester School Oud Metha 127773
Contact Details: +971 4 358 3333, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
Dunes Hotel Apartments is a 4-star accommodation in Oud Metha that we think would be a hit for shoppers. Not only is it less than 3 kilometers from WAFI City, but it’s also 9 kilometers from the Dubai Mall—more retail therapy for you!
We also like that its open-plan studios have warm furnishings for a chill vibe. It also offers kitchenettes, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi. If you want something more spacious, the airy apartments add 1 to 3 bedrooms and separate lounge and dining areas.
And if you’re up for a day at the beach, we appreciate the free shuttle to Jumeirah Beach Park for a seamless trip.
Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk
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Website: http://sofitel.accor.com/hotels/B197
Address: Wafi – Sheikh Rashid Rd – Umm Hurair 2
Contact Details: +971 4 324 9999, [email protected]
Pricing: $$$
Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk is a 5-star hotel in a high-rise adjacent to the WAFI City Mall. It’s 7 kilometers from Dubai International Airport, which we bet makes it convenient for travelers.
For us, you might also like the sophisticated Art Deco style of the fancy rooms. But if you’re going all out with a suite, we love that this provides separate living rooms, and some feature gyms, bars, dining rooms, and terraces.
Moreover, there are plenty of amenities where you can relax after a whole day of shopping, like a spa and an outdoor pool. You’ll also find 2 hip dining spots, a chic bar, a poolside bar and lounge, and a patisserie.
Rove Hotels
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Website: https://www.rovehotels.com/en/hotels/rove-healthcare-city/
Address: 19th Street – Oud Metha Rd
Contact Details: +971 4 561 9200, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
Rove Hotels is a 3-star haven in a sleek, modern tower among the Dubai Healthcare City medical facilities. It’s 5 kilometers from the Burj Khalifa for sightseers and 9 kilometers from the Dubai Museum for history buffs.
It also showcases minimalist decor with all the essentials, like Wi-Fi, smart TVs, minifridges, and sofabeds. Plus, we find the coin-operated laundry very handy for any stain emergencies.
And if you want plenty of food options, you can indulge in the cafe serving international dishes. There’s a 24/7 convenience store as well if you need some quick snacks for a comfy movie night.
Tips When Visiting WAFI City
Now that you’re familiar with this Egyptian-inspired mall, here are some tips to make your shopping experience more easy-going:
- Check for offers in advance. To save more dirhams, it’s smart to look for seasonal discounts and deals on WAFI City’s official website ahead of time.
- Book events and experiences online. Don’t rely on walk-ins! Otherwise, some WAFI City events or attractions might already be filled up or crowded when you get there.
- Explore in the evening. We think the lights here are more beautiful at night. Capture the well-lit pyramid and obelisk in its prime view when you check them out right after sunset!
- Scout the area for great live music. Several dining spots here host live music performances or themed nights. It’s best to check the schedule for a fun-filled night out with your pals!