A Travel Guide to Dubai’s Buddhist Temples
Is your idea of traveling the “Eat, Pray, Love” kind?
Luckily, you can feed your soul in Dubai, thanks to the many places of worship that you can visit while you’re in the city!
So, if you’re ready to learn more about Buddhism and see pilgrims while you’re in the city, read on!
Mahamevnawa Buddhist Temple
Originally from Sri Lanka, the Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery is an organization that works under the teachings of Gautama Buddha.
With more than 40 branches around the world, the monastery established the Mahamevnawa Buddhist temple in Dubai in 2009.
For many years, this was the only Buddhist temple in the country to cater to more than 500,000 Buddhist residents.
The Mahamevnawa Buddhist temple is located in the quiet part of the Jumeirah neighborhood, and it hasn’t only become a place of worship but also an oasis for Buddhists.
Those who visit the temple would often say that this place is their refuge from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and it allows them to practice their faith freely despite being away from home.
Things to Know
If you’re planning to visit the Mahamevnawa Buddhist temple, here are some things that you need to know first:
- The temple is open daily from 6:00 AM onwards, but it has the most people on Fridays when most Buddhists visit the temple. So, if you want to avoid the crowd, it’s best to visit during other days.
- There’s a designated parking space in the area, but it can get easily full, especially on Fridays. So, if you’re driving your own car, it’s best to visit the temple early to get a parking slot.
How to Get Around
Trains: There are no direct metro lines to the temple. But if you want to take the metro, stop at the Financial Center Metro Station. From here, you can ride a taxi going to the Buddhist temple.
Buses: A bus is the most convenient public transport since there are several lines that stop near the Buddhist temple. You can choose from Bus Line C15, 7, 12, 8, C10, 88 X28, F12 and C26. Stop at the Al Bada’a Station, Wasl Emarat Petrol Station, Beach Center 01 Station, Century Plaza 02 Station and Wasl Park Terminus Station.
Taxis: If you don’t want to switch rides, it’s best to book a ride through Uber or Careem to take you to the Mahamevnawa Buddhist temple.
Car service: You can arrange for your hotel to take you to the temple through their private chauffeured car.
Where to Stay Near the Mahamevnawa Buddhist Temple
Rove La Mer Beach
Address: La Mer Beach – Jumeirah 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 241 9600
Pricing: $$$
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Just a few minutes away from the Buddhist temple is one of Dubai’s best beach hotels.
Rove La Mer Beach Hotel offers beachfront views of Jumeirah where you can enjoy a relaxing stay and dine at one of the trendy restaurants and cafes in the area.
The hotel gives you beach access, a fitness gym, a beach bar and other amenities for you to enjoy during your holiday.
Royal Prestige Hotel
Address: La Mer – Jumeirah 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 491 9536
Pricing: $$$
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If you want to be near one of Dubai’s best beaches, you should book a room at the Royal Prestige Hotel.
Just a few steps away from La Mer Beach, the hotel offers the best beachfront views, a stunning garden and a swimming pool where you can relax after a day of exploring the city.
Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah
Address: Jumeirah Beach Road – Jumeirah 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 777 2222
Pricing: $$$
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Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah gives you the crystal clear waters of the Arabian Gulf and the stunning Dubai skyline in one place.
This beautiful urban resort is a getaway in the middle of the city where you can enjoy well-designed rooms, a long outdoor pool and a relaxing vibe that makes for the perfect holiday.
Where to Eat Near the Mahamevnawa Buddhist Temple
Stomping Grounds Cafe DXB
Address: 98 12 D St. – Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 344 4451
Pricing: $$
Website
One of the best cafes in Dubai is just a few minutes away from the Buddhist temple.
Stomping Grounds Cafe offers an extensive coffee menu and dishes that you can enjoy all day.
You can start the morning with an Exotic Acai Bowl or Breakfast Pizza. You can also go with Steaks and Eggs or a Baked Egg Boat any time of the day.
Seven Seeds Cafe
Address: Villa 15 51st St. – Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 56 422 0427
Pricing: $$
Website
Seven Seeds Cafe is a casual dining restaurant that combines international flavors with a relaxing ambiance.
This dining spot offers everything from avocado toast to burgers paired with an extensive menu of drinks that will surely make your day.
Lankaramaya Buddhist Temple
Located in Al Garhoud is the second Buddhist temple in Dubai, which was opened in 2015 by a Buddhist organization from Sri Lanka.
Here, Buddhists can come to worship and visitors can also explore the temple to understand the Buddhist faith more and experience what it’s like to be part of this community.
Things to Know
Here are some tips that will make your visit to the Lankaramaya Buddhist Temple more productive:
- The temple is open 24 hours daily, so you can visit any time. But if you want to experience it without the heavy crowd, it’s best to go early in the morning or at night, especially if you’re going in the summer.
How to Get Around
Trains: There are no direct metro lines to the Buddhist temple. But if you want to cut down on the taxi cost, you can take the metro and stop at the World Trade Center Metro Station or Al Fahidi Metro Station where you can ride a taxi.
Buses: There are many bus lines that stop near the Buddhist temple. You can choose buses that stop at the Jumeirah Rotana Hotel, Hudheiba, Mahboubi Clinic, Dhifaya Road, Iranian Hospital and Jumeirah 1 since they’re just a few minutes walk away from the temple.
Taxis: if you want a fast and convenient way to go to the Buddhist temple, you can book a ride through Uber or Careem.
Car service: If you’re traveling with a group or a big family, you can arrange for private transfers or rent a self-drive car.
Where to Stay Near the Mahamevnawa Buddhist Temple
Jumeirah Creekside Hotel
Address: Rebat St. – Garhoud – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 230 8555
Pricing: $$$
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Jumeirah Creekside Hotel brings you the luxury of being in a modern hotel with the history that surrounds the Dubai Creek.
Wake up to vies of the water from your suite, enjoy a good meal at one of the topnotch restaurants and take advantage of the world-class amenities that this hotel has to offer.
Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai
Address: Airport Road – Casablanca St. – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 702 8888
Pricing: $$$
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If you want accessibility without sacrificing luxury, the Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai is the right place to be.
Recognized as the Middle East’s Leading Airport Hotel for ten times, this award-winning hotel offers well-designed rooms for you and the family, a pool to relax in and many other amenities.
But the best part about staying in the Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai is that you’re just a few minutes away from the Dubai International Airport and other top attractions.
Movenpick Grand Al Bustan Dubai
Address: Casablanca St. – Garhoud – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 282 0000
Pricing: $$$
Book Now
Part of the Movenpick chain of hotels around the world, the Movenpick Grand Al Bustan Dubai offers five-star luxury paired with the signature Arabic brand of hospitality.
This hotel doesn’t only have some of the best rooms and suites in the area, but it also has seven restaurants and bars, a spa, health club and pool for you to enjoy during your stay.
Where to Eat Near the Mahamevnawa Buddhist Temple
Espana Restaurant and Lounge
Address: Jumeirah Creekside Hotel – Al Garhoud – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 56 134 0633
Pricing: $$$
True to its name, Espana Restaurant and Lounge brings you the flavors and ambiance of Spain.
This restaurant and lounge offers the best decor and a menu that takes you back to the streets of Spain with dishes like Tapas, Plato Iberico and Seafood Paella.
The Irish Village
Address: Al Garhoud – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 282 4750
Pricing: $$$
Website
The Irish Village is exactly what its name implies: a piece of Ireland in the heart of Dubai.
Here, you can enjoy classic Irish fare like Fish and Chips, Cheese and Onion Bites, Fish Cakes and Barbeque Chicken Wings.
Things to Remember When Visiting Buddhist Temples in Dubai
Although these Buddhist temples have become tourist attractions, they’re still places of worship. So, here are some tips that you need to keep in mind when visiting them:
- Wear proper clothing.
You’re visiting a religious place, so avoid wearing anything revealing and make sure that your shoulders and legs are covered, whether you’re a man or woman.
You should also take off your shoes and hat before entering the temple as a sign of respect.
- Never touch or point at statues.
The statues of Buddha should be respected, so avoid pointing at them or touching them during your visit.
If you’re visiting with kids, instruct them to avoid going near or touching any statues, and to avoid running around inside the temple.
It’s also very important to ask permission before taking any pictures and avoid using flash, especially when there are people praying inside.
What to Expect from Weather in Dubai’s Buddhist Temples
Winter: Winter season in Dubai lasts from December to March, and it’s the best time to visit Dubai because of the favorable weather. With temperatures lower than usual, you can easily explore different tourist attractions without worrying about the heat.
Summer: From June to September, Dubai experiences its hottest weather with temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius during the day time. This makes it difficult to go around because of the heat and people would rather stay indoors during the summer.
Transition period: Dubai has two transition periods – from April to May and October to November – where the weather can get more unpredictable as the city switches seasons.
Apps to Download When Visiting Dubai’s Buddhist Temples
Visit Dubai: The official app for tourism in Dubai where you can find information about tourist attractions like the city’s Buddhist temples
iOs | Android
RTA Dubai Drive: A useful tool for navigating around Dubai if you’re renting a self-drive car since it has detailed maps, parking suggestions and other services that you can use
iOs | Android
Uber: Booking a private car to take you around Dubai
iOs | Android
Careem: Booking a private car service to take you around the city
iOs | Android
S’hail: A useful app to know everything about the city’s public transport network including the Dubai metro, tram, bus, taxi and water taxi
iOs | Android