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Exploring Dubai: 10 Attractions off the Tourist Path

14 June 2024 Written by Jason Hayes

Whether you're looking to refresh your Instagram feed or simply unwind after a long week, Dubai has a lot to offer. To help you explore beyond the city's hustle and bustle, we've curated a list of the top 10 most captivating Dubai tourist attractions that will keep you coming back for more.

10 Underrated Places in Dubai

1. SEVA (Previously, “Life N One Café”) 2. Alserkal Avenue 3. The Banana Beach
4. Love Lake 5. Moon Island 6. The Farm – Al Barari
7. Dubai Ladies Beach Club 8. The Coffee Museum 9. Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve
10. Ripe Market

SEVA (Previously, “Life N One Café”)

dubai tourist attractions

As the name suggests, the café champions the idea of a beautiful and fulfilling life, and is the perfect escape from the grind of the city. Funnily enough, the café is nestled in the busy streets of Jumeirah, yet offers a tranquil escape – all in the spirit of good, and healthy living. Some of the unique options include plant-based, soy-free, gluten-free, and organic delicacies, soothing music, and various types of aroma therapies. At SEVA, You cannot help but feel one with yourself and nature; and its bounties, of course.

P.S: They don’t offer Wi-Fi

Alserkal Avenue

Alserkal Avenue

For those into science fiction and dream of experiencing cyberpunk in real life, look no further than Alserkal Avenue near Madinat Jumeirah Living, Umm Suqeim. The place is designed to let you scratch your artistic itch in the most creative forms possible. From avant-garde art pieces to experimental role plays and musical arrangements, Alserkal Avenue serves as a middle ground for artists and home-grown entrepreneurs to meet, discuss ideas, and collaborate. Plus, there’s no entry fee, anybody can visit the place and get inspired.

The Banana Beach (JA Beach)

The Banana Beach

Love Lake

Love Lake

Despite Dubai being one of the top tourist destinations for couples on honeymoon, the Love Lake is still somewhat shrouded in obscurity. Located in Al Qudra Lake, it is essentially two heart shaped bodies of water intertwined. The lake is just one part of the experience, the surrounding areas are filled with sights such as swans, bbq spots, rustic tree houses, and of course, the orange sun setting in the backdrop of the lake is a sight to behold. The lake is perfect for a romantic getaway with your partner or to have some bbq with your family.

P.S: A trip to the Love Lake is free of any charge.

Moon Island

Moon Island

What better way to tell someone you love them to the moon and back by actually taking them to the Moon Island? Situated about 50 kms off the coast of Dubai, the Moon Island is a crescent-shaped mini island that offers a plethora of activities; such as water skiing, snorkeling, swimming, fish sighting, boat trips and of course, food by the beach side. The only caveat here is that the island is located at a distance of 60km from the main city, but rest assured, the drive would be worth taking to explore this marvelous island.

The Farm – Al Barari

The Farm – Al Barari

If you are looking for a destination where nature takes your breath away, then there are few places that can top The Farm at Al Barari Dubai. The Farm exudes calmness, serenity, and peace. Adhering to the philosophy of sustainability, The Farm offers breathtaking views of lush green flora against water bodies that ebb and flow. In food, you get to choose flavors from around the world – including Thai, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and South Asian cuisines. Despite its obscurity, The Farm advises guests to book with them in advance. You can book your experience simply by going to their website.

Dubai Ladies Beach Club

Dubai Ladies Beach Club

The Coffee Museum

The Coffee Museum

For all the caffeinoholics out there, this is the place to be in Dubai. Located in the historic district of Bur Dubai, the museum pays homage to the art of brewing and features unique artefacts from the coffee world. The museum also offers souvenirs to patrons; such as, vintage barista equipment, book, brewing history, classic recipes and a lot more. Oh, and just for the record, they make some of the finest coffee in Dubai.

P.S: Their signature blended mocha is a delight on the taste buds.

Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve

Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve

The Al Marmoom Desert Conservative Reserve experience takes you an inch closer to the nomadic ways of life. The Bedouin-inspired conservation reserve is home to a plethora of flora and fauna (including rare and endangered species). The site is also home to various archaeological findings; with artefacts such as, gold jewelry, pottery, seals and handicraft that date back to the Neolithic era. For visitors, there are tons of fascinating activities, such as running up a dune, cultural festivals, and the famous heritage festival.

With Al Marmoom, the idea is to preserve the heritage of Dubai, and at the same time, pave way for sustainable ecotourism in the country.

Ripe Market

Ripe Market

What’s beautiful about the Ripe Market is that you can buy fresh, organic produce directly from the farmers. The market defies the standards set by modern supermarkets, and instead has a very minimalistic feel to it. Besides, the market is almost always having fairs, community programs, entertainment for families; and tantalizing food. Ripe Market has several pop-up locations throughout the city and, as the weather cools, now is the perfect time to experience it. You can find more details on their website and social media pages.

About the Author

Jason Hayes

Jason Hayes is the founder of LuxuryProperty.com and is a leading authority on luxury real estate both globally and in Dubai. Taking the Management lead on the Private Client Office, he is internationally recognised for his expertise in high-end property markets.

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