I Wish I Had All the Time in the World for All These Things to Do in Al Barsha
Before I moved to Dubai, I did a lot of research on the best neighborhood to live in. And one name always comes up – Al Barsha. Now that I live here, I know why everyone loves this place.
Offering a mix of residential bliss and commercial convenience, Al Barsha gives you that unparalleled lifestyle that you won’t find anywhere else – and it’s exactly what I need.
But Al Barsha isn’t just a place where you could live. It’s also one of the best places to visit in Dubai if you’re a tourist. In fact, I would tell all my friends who are visiting that exploring Al Barsha is a MUST.
To make everything easier, I rounded up all my favourite spots and things to do in Al Barsha, so you could enjoy my neighborhood too!
Experience Thrill and Chill at Ski Dubai
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Website: https://www.skidxb.com/en-ae/ski-dubai
Address: Sheikh Zayed Road – Al Barsha 1
Contact details: +971 4 409 4000
Operating hours:
- 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Monday to Thursday
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM every Friday
- 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM from Saturday to Sunday
Price: $$$
Who would’ve thought that you can ski on the ice in the middle of the desert? But hey, everything is possible in Dubai and Ski Dubai is a must-try in the things to do in Al Barsha.
And this isn’t just a room filled with artificial ice. Ski Dubai is as close as you can get to a real Alpine experience without spending a fortune.
Here, you have different obstacles, including slopes and hills where you can enjoy a good ski session. They even have chairlifts that take you up and down the hill!
The best part is that Ski Dubai is located inside a mall. So if you feel like shopping or eating after skiing, you can definitely do that.
Pro tip:
Do you want to see what’s inside Ski Dubai but you still don’t have the budget for it? There’s a viewing area within the Mall of the Emirates where you can see some parts of the snow park for free.
Get a Breath of Fresh Air at Al Barsha Pond Park
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Website: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/places-to-visit/al-barsha-pond-park
Address: Opposite Al Barsha Mall – Al Barsha 2
Operating hours:
- 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday
- 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Friday to Saturday
Price: $
As exciting as Dubai is, sometimes I need a breath of fresh air from the hustle and bustle. And when that happens, I only go to one place – Al Barsha Pond Park – one of my favourite things to do in Al Barsha.
And yes, there’s plenty of things to do here – all 50 acres of it. You can go on a picnic under one of those shaded areas, walk around the massive pond and let your kids run free on one of the playgrounds.
But what I really love about Al Barsha Pond Park is that everything here is easy. You have massive parking, several washrooms and other amenities that make visiting this park more enjoyable.
Pro tip:
If you want to do more than just explore the park, you can go boating on the Al Barsha Pond to enjoy this massive body of water right in the heart of Al Barsha Pond Park.
Be Mesmerised by the Flower Installations at Dubai Miracle Garden
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Website: https://www.dubaimiraclegarden.com/
Address: Street 3- Al Barsha South
Contact details: +971 4 422 8902
Operating hours:
- 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM from Monday to Friday
- 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Saturday to Sunday
Price: $$
I’ve been to the Dubai Miracle Garden so many times, but I still get mesmerised by it every single time. This is why it’s one of the best things to do in Al Barsha, especially if you want to take great photos.
Because of the intense summer heat in Dubai, the Dubai Miracle Garden is only open from October to April to preserve the integrity of the floral installations on display.
And really, you won’t believe your eyes once you see these stunning creations – from the massive Emirates A380 aeroplane decked in millions of flowers to the giant animals and cartoon characters filled with different blooms.
So if you’re gunning for the best photos for your Instagram feed, I promise you won’t run out of spots to pose inside this massive garden.
Pro tip:
Do you want to enjoy the garden without having to wait in long queues? Book the Skip-the-Line tickets that give you instant access to have more time to explore the garden.
Shop in Style at Mall of the Emirates
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Website: https://www.malloftheemirates.com/en?srsltid=AfmBOorUM6YMxh4dDFsUBSu0pN2YcgGnDU1R-d8-4agHxUWmmrF-xzJZ
Address: Sheikh Zayed Road – Al Barsha 1
Contact details: +971 800 6636255
Operating hours:
- 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Monday to Thursday
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM from Friday to Sunday
Price: $$
I love to treat myself to some retail therapy every now and then. Thankfully, I have Mall of the Emirates in my neighborhood, which is one of the things I love to do in Al Barsha.
Sure, there are other bigger malls in Dubai. But Mall of the Emirates is extra special because its design makes you feel like you’re shopping somewhere in Europe and not the Middle East.
And you can do some serious shopping here, thanks to more than 630 shops that range from luxury brands to local stores offering the best selection of products.
If you ever get hungry while shopping, you have plenty of options for restaurants in the mall to indulge your cravings.
But if your budget is a little tight, you can always visit the mall’s attractions instead. There’s Ski Dubai, Magic Planet and VOX Cinemas.
Pro tip:
Do you want to stay near Mall of the Emirates during your holiday? Book a room at the stunning Kempinski Hotel or the Sheraton Hotel that are both connected to the mall.
Feel the Magic Inside the Dubai Butterfly Garden
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Website: https://www.dubaibutterflygarden.com/
Address: Al Barsha South 3 – Dubailand Area beside Dubai Miracle Garden
Contact details: +971 4 422 8902
Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
Price: $$
What’s a flower garden without butterflies? Right beside the Dubai Miracle Garden is the Dubai Butterfly Garden, another attraction to add to your things to do in Al Barsha.
This massive butterfly garden is the largest in the world where it’s home to more than 50 species of butterflies from all over the world.
The Dubai Butterfly Garden has ten custom-built domes that’s maintained at 18 degrees Fahrenheit all year round to make sure that the butterflies and plants are kept comfortable even during the summer.
The garden also has a butterfly museum that displays some of the most amazing art exhibits made from pressed butterflies, a beautiful koi pond and a souvenir shop where you can buy memorabilia to take home.
Pro tip:
Do you want to visit several attractions in Dubai but you’re on a budget? Don’t worry because you can always book combo tickets that give you access to the Dubai Miracle Garden, Global Village and Dubai Butterfly Garden.
Feel Like a Kid Again at Magic Planet
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Address: Mall of the Emirates – 2 Sheikh Zayed Road – Al Barsha 1
Contact details: +971 600 599905
Operating hours:
- 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Monday to Thursday
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM from Friday to Sunday
Price: $$
I love feeling like a kid again, and Magic Planet is one of my favourite things to do in Al Barsha for that hint of nostalgic fun.
Being the largest indoor family entertainment center in the city, Magic Planet is filled with amusement rides, arcade games, a 4XD movie theatre and even a bowling alley.
I especially love their selection of rides that I can spend hours just going around trying them. The Bumper Boats are always a hit but make sure to bring extra clothes in case you get wet.
If you’re craving for some adrenaline rush, try G Force, a ride that gives you the feeling of being launched into space and then free falling.
The XD Ride and Space Pilot are two interactive rides that I also recommend while Drop N’ Twist gives you a thrilling experience.
They even have a Foam Factory where the kids can have all the fun being covered in foam. Ah, the list goes on for the things that you can do in this place. So make sure to pack a lot of energy for the day.
I also love that it’s located inside Mall of the Emirates, so I can still do other things after riding, playing and just having fun. I can eat at the many restaurants or go shopping in one of the best malls in the city.
Magic Planet is designed for kids of all ages and adults who want to have some unadulterated fun. So whenever I have family and friends over, I never miss taking them to this place.
Pro tip:
Going to Magic Planet for the first time? Enjoy discounts and exclusive offers by buying your Magic Planet Card with different packages on their official website. You can earn game points every time you load your card, so you can use them in other games.
Sample the Best Turkish Food at Besh
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Website: https://www.beshdubai.com/
Address: Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel – Al Barsha 1
Contact details: +971 4 377 2353
Operating hours: 24 hours
Price: $$$
I’ve been to Turkey several times and I’ve always loved their food. So whenever I’m craving Turkish food but can’t travel to Istanbul yet, I treat myself to a good meal in Besh instead.
The moment you walk in, you’re instantly transported to Turkey with the restaurant’s classic interiors combining modern details with traditional design.
Taking centre stage is the restaurant’s traditional domed oven, which is also the reason its food tastes more authentic than any other restaurant in Dubai.
Then there’s the food – ah, I love their food! You must try their Lahmacun, Peynirli Pide and Bergama Pide, all of which are cooked in their oven.
I also love their selection of kebabs, grilled meats and of course, their Baklava. Besh is definitely a place I’d highly recommend if you want to enjoy authentic Turkish food for special occasions.
But of course, you can still treat yourself to a great meal here even if it’s just a regular day. Just make sure to book ahead since this place easily gets packed, especially during the weekend.
Pro tip:
Don’t have a huge budget? You can still enjoy a three-course meal at Besh for only AED95 per person if you book their business lunch offer from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM.