Dubai is associated with luxurious buildings, tall skyscrapers, fine dining restaurants, opulent hotels, gigantic shopping malls, and world class theme parks. Most Dubai holiday packages would take you to the most popular attractions like Burj Khalifa, Desert Safari, Dubai Museum, Dubai Frame, Ski Dubai, etc. While there are some of the star attractions that you should not miss, they can be overwhelming and crowded, especially during the holiday season. But this does not mean that you have to coop yourself in your hotel room. Rather, there are several hidden gems of Dubai that are worth adding to your itinerary.
Why Explore the Hidden Gems of Dubai?
The best part about the lesser-known places to visit in Dubai  is that it is way less crowded than the popular attractions of the city. They ooze with local charm, giving you the chance to savor the authentic Arabic experience. Some of these places offer delicious food while others give you the perfect backdrop for your social media pictures. Most of these secret hideouts are frequented by locals and seasoned travelers. All in all, you can enjoy these places in peace with fewer crowds but without missing the vibe of the city.
Hidden Gems of Dubai Worth-Visiting
The lesser-known attractions in Dubai can be divided into different categories like nature, culture, history, art, and food. Here are some of the hidden gems you should visit in Dubai.
Nature Escapes
When it comes to nature escapes, most people think about the desert safari, the busy beaches, and the zoos in Dubai. But here are some of the offbeat nature escapes that are some of the best reasons to visit Dubai.
Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve:Â A visit to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is much more than a desert safari experience. An initiative of the UAE Government, the Desert Conservation Reserve is a protected nature reserve that is home to more than 43 mammals, 120 birds, and almost 50 plant species. The tour of the reserve begins with a visit to the Visitor Centre, where you will learn about the conservation reserve and why it is considered as an eco-friendly destination. Several interesting activities and attractions await you here, including camel riding, horse riding, wildlife safari, night safari, camping, sandboarding, dune bashing, and star gazing.
Black Palace Beach: Dubai has some of the coolest beaches. Not only are they gorgeous but also offer plenty of water sports and adventures. But these beaches can also get very crowded. If you want to enjoy beauty, peace, and quietude at a Dubai beach, Black Palace Beach is where you should head to. Also known as Al Sufouh Beach, the Black Palace Beach is a secret beach located somewhere between Palm Jumeirah Island and Hotel Burj Al Arab. It gives you a stunning view of the hotel along with the chance to watch a beautiful sunset. The beach does not have any facilities or amenities, but without too much crowd or activity, it is the perfect place to lay on the sand and relish the view of the waves. The waters are also shallow here, giving you the chance to swim in the ocean.
Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary: Another spot that not many know about in Dubai is the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Tucked away in the corner of the Dubai Creek, this is a conservation project of the Dubai Municipality. A wetland reserve, the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary has different habitats, including lagoons, mangrove swamps, low-lying saline flats, and intertidal mud and sand flats. This is the reason the place is home to more than 45 species of flora and 450 species of fauna. It is a bird’s paradise, as it attracts a variety of migratory birds every year, including flamingos. There are different bird hides here, which you can use to check out the birds here without disturbing them. The best part is that there is no entry fee to Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, making it one of the best things to do in Dubai for free.
Art Inspirations
Dubai is not usually considered as an artistic place. But this is far from the truth. In the recent years, the art scene in this Emirate city has grown exponentially. It is one of the lesser-known facts about Dubai. Here are some of the artistic places you can visit in Dubai.
Alserkal Avenue: Alserkal Avenue is the art centre that put Dubai on the art map. Located in Dubai’s Al Quoz area, Alserkal Avenue was once an industrial area with more than 90 warehouses. Today, most of these warehouses have been converted into art galleries. You will find around 70 art galleries here, showcasing the work of local and international artists. Green Art Gallery, Carbon 12, etc., are some of the best galleries here. Apart from art galleries, you will also find a private museum and numerous design studios at Alserkal Avenue. There is also a space for performing arts here. Alserkal Avenue has numerous quaint cafes and restaurants where you can savor some experimental food.
Dubai Design District: Dubai Design District or D3 is a community or area dedicated to art, design, and fashion. Considered to be the creative hub, D3 is home to numerous art galleries, art studios, boutiques, and such other creative spaces. It not only has room for heavyweights of the art and fashion industries but also for startups and new entrepreneurs. A visit to the Dubai Design District will give you the chance to check out unique exhibitions, insightful talks, commissioned installations, culinary popups, trendy boutiques, and so much more. It is also an architectural delight to explore the place, check out the galleries, and try out the dining spots at the Dubai Design District.
Cultural and Historical Attractions
Dubai Museum, Museum of the Future, and Dubai Opera are some of the popular cultural attractions of the city. But there are some underrated cultural and historical attractions to checkout in Dubai.
Coffee Museum: Almost everyone knows about the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, the oldest neighborhood in Dubai with its narrow alleys, wind towers, and traditional homes. But not many know that the many of the old houses are home to museums, and the Coffee Museum is one that you should not miss. The Coffee Museum, with its oriental setting and international standards, will give you the chance to know about the history of coffee and the coffee culture of the Emiratis. The museum is filled with exhibits where you get to see different types of coffee beans, coffee grinders, brewing pots, and so much more. At the end of the visit, you also get to taste the most delicious and aromatic Arabic coffee.
The Hatta Heritage Village: If you want to know about the essence of Dubai, it would not happen in Downtown Dubai. For this, you need to travel southeast, at the base of the mighty Hatta Mountains. We are talking about the Hatta Heritage Village, which will take you back to the days when life for the Emiratis was simple. This ancient Arabic village is home to old (restored) homes, a fort, several watchtowers, and a museum as well. You also get to know about the Hatta Falaj or irrigation system. The place also has a museum that gives you a glimpse into the history of this mountain village. Apart from exploring the place, the Hatta Heritage Village also offers exciting activities like kayaking, biking, and hiking.
Off-Beat Dining and Chillout Spots
Want a break from the fine dining restaurants and cool cafes in Dubai. Check out these quaint dining places where you can enjoy delicious food and some unique experiences as well.
Emirates Bio Farm: The Emirates Bio Farm is more than just a restaurant. It is an actual farm that produces the most authentic and organic, fresh produce and truly one of the best secret hangouts of Dubai. You can enjoy a self-guided farm tour where you get to see what and how fruits and vegetables are grown here. One of the star attractions at the Emirates Bio Farm is the Farmer’s Table restaurant, an agrarian restaurant, which serves food cooked with ingredients grown right on the farm. The menu changes every week as per the produce available. This is a restaurant where you can enjoy the most scrumptious vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free food as well. This is the perfect location to spend a slow day with your family and friends. The Emirates Bio Farm also organizes corporate events, workshops, and birthday parties.
Ripe Market Dubai: Ripe Market Dubai is not exactly a restaurant. However, it is a gourmet experience that you must enjoy when in Dubai. Ripe Market Dubai is an open-air community market where locals and tourists arrive to check out the fresh fruits and vegetables sold by local farmers. Apart from buying local produce, you can also enjoy the delicious food served at food kiosks and trucks all around the place. Other than farmers and food vendors, the Ripe Market also showcases the work and products of small businesses and local artists, giving you the chance to check out a variety of items like jewelry, candles, handicrafts, clothes, and more. The Ripe Market happens every weekend during the winter months. During the summer months, it happens indoors.
Conclusion
Venturing into the lesser-known places in Dubai will give you the chance to know about the pulse of the city a little more. So, if you want to get to know Dubai a little more deeper, a visit to the secret hideouts in the city is a must.
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