New attractions to check out in Dubai

An entertainment destination in Al Ghurair Centre, GLITCH features over 30 different indoor games for all ages. Take on a ninja warrior-style course, zoom down a 10m-high slide or defy gravity on their climbing walls, there's something for everyone. Round up the family for a round of bowling or buckle up for SkySurf, the city's first roller glider experience where you can 'float' around the venue.

Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday, 10am - 11pm, extended to midnight on weekends
Contact: glitcharabia.events@al-ghurair.com
Price: From AED25

Located in the iconic Atlantis The Royal, Cloud 22 promises exclusivity and indulgence, unlike anything you have experienced before. The rooftop pool destination is available only to in-house hotel guests, guaranteeing a dip among VIPs and A-listers. Come here for unmatched views of the Arabian Gulf and Palm Jumeirah, which you can take in lounging in one of the duplex cabanas or the submerged sunbeds in the 90-foot infinity pool. There's nothing more relaxing than soaking up some sun, with delicious French-Mediterranean favourites on the side.

Opening Hours: 10am-7pm

Contact: +971 4 426 2626

Price: Free entry, but only for in-house hotel guests

Named after its up-and-coming neighbourhood, Dubai Islands Beach is emerging as the next best spot for families and nearby hotel guests seeking fun in the sun. While watersports enthusiasts can get their fill of adventure on the waves, others can enjoy a friendly game of football or volleyball in the sand. Best of all, this beach is the first in the city to fully cater to dogs, allowing pet owners an unprecedented swim or shoreside playtime with their furry pals. Accessible by water transportation, holiday-makers arriving by boat or yacht can also dock, dine and soak up all this beach has to offer – with plenty more set to be unveiled over the coming months.

Opening Hours: Sunrise to sunset

Contact: +971 800 625 4335

Price: Free

Dubai Parks and Resorts’ scenic outdoor precinct Riverland Dubai has been given a boost of energy with a multi-level indoor adventure playworld. Neon Galaxy is spread across 860sqm and designed for children and young teens to enjoy. The park features exciting ninja courses, slides, a rope climbing area and ball pits, as well as a wipe-out challenge and space-themed educational activities. There’s fun for the little ones too, with a dedicated toddler area.

Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11am-8pm, Friday and Saturday 11am-9pm

Contact: +971 800 262 9464

Price: AED60-125

Adjacent to the nature-focused Mushrif Park, Dubai Crocodile Park measures 20,000sqm and is home to more than 250 Nile crocodiles. The family-friendly venue allows guests to see these fascinating creatures living happily between three vast climate-controlled basins, featuring placid waterfalls and perfectly-placed sandbanks, and even interact with them at various feeding stations. Meanwhile, an onsite museum delves into myriad crocodile facts, should you care to learn more about them.

Opening Hours: 10am-10pm

Contact: +971 4 266 3700

Price: AED75 (Ages three to 12) and AED95 (Ages 13 and up)

Already the world's largest shopping and leisure destination, Dubai Mall has expanded yet again with the addition of its own Chinatown. Taking over large expanses of the mall's first floor, the new experience brings more enticing retail, dining and wellness offers to visitors. Enter its halls and you'll be transported across the world with themed aesthetics all around – from classic red lanterns and a flurry of neon lights to a giant panda sculpture and traditional hip-and-gable roof styles decorating the outdoor storefronts. It's also home to the Dubai outpost of Singapore's famed Hawker Chan food stall. While Chinatown isn't fully operational, several restaurants and a few stores are open, with many more to follow in the coming weeks.

Opening Hours: 10am-12am

Contact: +971 800 382 246 255

Price: Free

Enjoy unbeatable panoramas of Dubai's coastal sights and glittering skyline from The Dubai Balloon, a tethered helium balloon which takes guests to heights of up to 300 metres. During your 10-minute trip into the sky, you’ll get the best possible view of Palm Jumeirah, and be able to see the full extent of this man-made marvel. On a clear day, you can even see as far as Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai.

Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 9am-11pm

Contact: +971 800 225 5666

Price: Free (Below three years old), AED75-275 (Ages three and above)

It's ideal for Instagrammers looking to light up their social media feed, but AYA, situated in the atrium of WAFI City Mall, offers much more than just an opportunity for photos. From the moment you step into this sprawling 40,000 square foot space, you're surrounded by high-tech sound, lights and graphics with 12 distinct zones, each telling a different story in this family-friendly space.

Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday 10am-10pm, Friday and Saturday 11am-9pm

Contact: +971 4 542 0300

Price: Free (Below three years old), AED99 (Ages three and above)

Admire the city’s sparkling coastline from Dubai Harbour, a seafront district in Dubai Marina that boasts the most advanced cruise terminal and the largest marina in the region. With the ability to berth up to 700 luxury yachts and boats, Dubai Harbour also features a 120,000sqm cruise facility with two terminals on a 910m-long quay. The world-class maritime destination is already open for the public to explore, though new hotels, cafes, retail outlets and restaurants in the area will be opening in phases.

Opening Hours: All day

Contact: +971 4 208 9222

Price: Free