When you think of Dubai, the images that flash by are the ones of the luxurious Atlantis, The Palm, the cityscape as viewed from atop the Burj Khalifa, dune bashing while in the dessert safari, kite surfing or watching the sun set across the Arabian Gulf from the breathtakingly beautiful beaches, strolling along the traditional gold souk, indulging in customary retail therapy at the world’s largest shopping destination (The Dubai Mall), and cruising along the Marina followed by dining at some of the best restaurants (including Michelin starred ones) the city has to offer.
So last year when I was visiting Dubai to tick off some of the bucket list goals in this man-made wonderland, a friend recommended I include Miracle Garden in my itinerary. My immediate response was “Yeah sure! You must be kidding right? How could one possibly grow a garden in a dessert?” … That’s the Miracle, my friend replied.
And two weeks later, in the end of November, there I was, marveling at what I’d call a dream sequence from ‘Alice in Wonderland’
Memories of 2019..
Gardens have long been a source of inspiration for artists and photographers – and it’s not hard to see why when you enter Dubai Miracle Garden – one of the most stunning attractions in Dubai, attracting millions of visitors every year to soak in the beauty of this 72,000 sq m flower park.
I’m a sucker for all things Disney, so my favorite display is the 18-metre floral structure of Disney’s beloved Mickey Mouse, featuring nearly 100,000 flowers and weighing 35 tonnes that also holds a Guinness World Record for World’s Largest Topiary Structure. Some of the other famous attractions that bowled me over as well include the record-breaking Emirates A380 display; the floral castle which transported me back to the years spent admiring the castles in England and Scotland; and of course the ‘Aerial Floating Lady’, who is truly a stunning showstopper!
The vibrant colours offer a brilliant canvas for artists, and the beautiful installations make each corner an instagrmmable spot for photographers and tourists.
Dubai Miracle Garden Opens for Season 2020
The largest natural flower garden in the world, returned for its ninth season on November 1, promising visitors a truly memorable experience with its magnificent display of intricately designed blooms. The park is set to reopen under stringent health and safety protocols designed to ensure visitors can continue to enjoy a fun-filled experience within a safe environment.
This Year’s Attractions:
The attraction this year features the largest display of the most fragrant and colorful blooms, with over 150 million flowers of more than 120 varieties, including some of which have never been cultivated in the Gulf region making it a bucket-list spot for residents and tourists alike.
Among the many notable concepts at the park will be the ‘aerial floating lady’ dressed in exotic flowers. Other attractions at the park include the record-breaking Emirates A380 display along with the 18-metre floral structure of Mickey Mouse within the garden’s Disney Avenue, which I have already mentioned earlier. Other visual treats returning this year include the Floral Castle that accommodates a garden dining experience, illuminated nightscape, and the distinctive Caribbean and Asian hammocks.
One of the most famous sights at Dubai Miracle Garden is the Hearts Passage – a series of hearts made from thousands of flowers that makes frequent appearances on Instagram. Say it with flowers as they say!
Walking Track
A 400-meter walking track at the park offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy leisurely walks in the midst of the floral artistry on display. The track will also be used for daily entertainment shows including costume and floral parades, street performances, Zumba sessions and other physical and recreational activities.
Safety Protocols
Dubai Miracle Garden places the health and safety of its visitors as its top priority. “All necessary measures and protocols have been put in place in line with government health authority’s requirements and procedures. The venue will strictly monitor the body temperature of visitors entering the garden and hand sanitizers will be available across all areas. Social distancing rules will also be strictly implemented across the park. The park’s team has been trained to fully carry out health, safety and security measures,” says Abdel Naser Rahhal, Creator and Co-founder of Dubai Miracle Garden and Vice Chairman of Cityland Group, the developer of the ambitious botanical project.
Guinness World Records
The Dubai Miracle Garden has been recognized thrice by the Guinness World Records. While the garden held the Guinness World Record in 2018 for ‘The Tallest Topiary Structure (Supported) forming a shape of Mickey Mouse’, it broke the record for the world’s largest floral structure forming the shape of A380’ in 2016. The garden has also earned the distinction of featuring the ‘Largest Vertical Garden’ back in 2013.
Some of the international awards include ‘The International Prize for Leading Tourist Gardens from Canada’ in 2017; the ‘Grand Prize for Commercial Design’ from the National Organization for Professional Gardens in the UK in 2017; and the ‘World Garden Tourism Award’ for the Garden of the Year category in 2015.
Schedule Your Visit: Dubai Miracle Garden will be open daily from 9:00am until 9:00pm during weekdays and from 9:00am until 11:00pm on weekends (Friday and Saturday) and public holidays. Admission tickets are priced at AED55 for adults (over 12 years old) and AED40 for children aged 12 and below. Children below the age of three and people of determination can access the park for free. For more information visit www.dubaimiraclegarden.com.
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Sanjay has been navigating the stormy waters of the Indian media and entertainment industry for nearly 3 decades, and has worked with some of the leading Indian and international media brands in this time. His travels to various international destinations for work and leisure has led him to appreciate the connection between food and travel, and he likes to share his experiences through his articles on Travel and Food Network. He lives in Mumbai, but considers himself a global foodie-citizen.
