Global Village

The draw is the mix: pavilion after pavilion of countries, with music, street food, crafts and shopping under one open-air sky, plus rides and stages. Regulars call it their favourite place in the UAE and return season after season, and many single out the evening, when the park lights up and the atmosphere is at its most colorful. It is a cultural night out more than a thrill park.

It is large, so plan a few hours and expect to walk. It gets extremely crowded, especially on weekends and holidays, which is the most common complaint. Buy tickets online before you go, reviewers note it is cheaper and saves a long wait at the counter.

Go in the evening for the lights and cooler air. It is seasonal, running roughly winter into spring rather than year-round. Be careful with the prepaid card: several visitors were caught out when balances or cards did not carry over between seasons and found refunds hard, so load only what you plan to spend.