Exploring the Unexplored in Dubai: 10 hidden gems for Dubai wanderlusts

Want to make your Dubai holiday special? Steer away from the quintessential Dubai holiday and explore the emirate's uncharted places. By uncharted, we do not mean going off the map on a bizarre adventure, just that you discover places not yet known to people. There are many of these in Dubai but here are our top 10 picks for you. Check them out!

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

Though not so unknown to visitors anymore, it still counts as a hidden gem of Dubai as it is a calm waterscape filled with pink flamingos you can visit without leaving Dubai City. The best part is that you get to explore one of the hidden gems in Dubai for free!

The Junction Dubai

Enjoy a day amid local talent at The Junction located at Warehouse 72, Alserkal Avenue. Dubai’s only black box theatre, The Junction is a platform for emerging artists to showcase their talents. You can spend your time enjoying live music performances, stand-up comedy shows, dance performances, instrumental music and more.

Buhayra Lounge

Image Credit: nightsindubai.com

Palace Downtown offers you a palatial experience like none other with a spectacular view of Burj Khalifa! This opulent restaurant with a garden and pool setting is one of the underplayed romantic restaurants in Dubai. It is teeming with Arabian vibes and a menu that plays with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours moulded in an exotic gourmet flair. Located in the heart of Dubai, the view is mesmerising as you enjoy your favourite drink and casually converse while taking in the glittering Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa.

Al Jiyad Stables

Did you know that you can also go horse riding in the Dubai desert? Take an excursion to Al Qudra Road where Al Jiyad Stables is where you can saddle up on a horse and explore the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve. Looking for a touch of luxury? Then spend a night at Bab Al Shams where you can get a guided horse riding experience along with other eloquent amenities such as enjoying soothing spa and hammam experiences or having an Asian roof-top dining experience under the starlit sky amid the desert surrounds at Anwa - one of the best hidden gems in Dubai restaurants.

Surf House Dubai

Image Credit: hidubai.com

For those seeking adventure sports in Dubai, try your surfing skills at the Surf House Dubai. Experience the thrill of riding the waves with expert guides assisting you in every step in a laid-back beach ambience and warm waters. Set at Umm Suqeim 2, The Surf House Dubai is perfect for beginners and seasoned surfers alike and brings the excitement of the ocean to the heart of the desert.

Life N One Cafe

Keep wellness a priority on your holiday with a visit to the Life N One Cafe. This one-of-a-kind cafe gives importance to holistic wellness and a plant-based lifestyle. Located at Jumeirah Beach Road, the cafe feels like a nature corner detached from modern city sights. Come here for a brunch or even better, sign up for wellness classes to enjoy a tranquil escape from the urban rush on a long weekend in Dubai.

The Farm Al Barari

Another unique restaurant to try out in Dubai, The Farm Al Barari is steeped in lush landscapes making it a hidden oasis amid the city’s towering skyscrapers. The moment you step into this restaurant, you get transported into a calm countryside setting dotted with flowing brooks lined with green shrubs, grasses and woodlands. Enjoy a sumptuous dining experience here where the menu entices your taste buds with a lot of European flavours.

Black Palace Beach

Escape to Black Palace Beach, a hidden coastal beach between Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah for a secluded shoreline experience. Also known as Al Sufouh Beach, this serene spot invites you to relax on pristine sands and indulge in the tranquil views of the Arabian Gulf sans the hoards of tourists. It is a perfect hideaway for those seeking a peaceful, intimate seaside getaway in Dubai.

Crescent Moon Island

Surrounded by the calm waters of the Arabian Gulf, this secluded island isolated from the Dubai coast offers pristine golden sands and azure blue waters. The island is narrow and barren and does not have much vegetation, but tour operators have exclusive trips to this beach to organize fishing, yachting, snorkelling, scuba diving and deep-sea diving activities. With less humdrum of tourists, it is one of the ideal spots in Dubai to enjoy selected water sports without any crowd. The island also has an ideal setting to view Dubai’s iconic city skyline.

Cinema Akhil

Go old-school and watch a cinema in a nostalgic movie theatre setting at Cinema Akhil. Located at Alserkal Avenue at Al Quoz, you can catch carefully curated screenings of movies from all over the world at this hidden cinematic venue that provides an intimate setting for film enthusiasts.

Conclusion

If the usual tourist attractions and theme parks in Dubai are not what you are seeking for your holiday, then these hidden gems in Dubai are definitely perfect for you to have a unique vacation in Dubai. These locations offer exceptional views and experiences of Dubai in a less crowded setting because they are not on the tourist map. Give it a try on your next Dubai vacation!