The Dubai Frame is exactly what it sounds like: a giant picture frame, about 150 metres tall, standing on the edge of Zabeel Park. It opened in 2018, and its gold-coloured facade makes it easy to spot from Sheikh Zayed Road. From the bridge across the top, you look north to the older districts around Dubai Creek and south to the towers of modern Dubai, which is the whole idea. A visit to the Dubai Frame is shorter and simpler than the big observation decks, and it gives a different perspective on how the city has grown.
Why visit the Dubai Frame
It works as both a viewpoint and a small museum. At ground level, a gallery tells the story of Dubai before the oil boom. At the top, the enclosed bridge joining the two towers has panels of glass floor that let you look straight down. On the way out, a gallery imagines what the city might look like in the decades ahead.
The frame is also popular for photos from outside, with the Downtown skyline lined up in the middle of the opening.
How to get to the Dubai Frame by metro
The Dubai Frame is inside Zabeel Park, and no metro station is right at the entrance. The closest station is generally Al Jafiliya on the Red Line, which was known as Max for a few years and still appears under that name on some older maps. From there it is a walk of roughly 15 to 20 minutes through or around the park. ADCB station on the Red Line, in Al Karama, is another option at a similar distance.
In the hotter months, walking in the midday sun is not pleasant, so many visitors take the metro to Al Jafiliya and then a short taxi ride to the frame. Check which park gate is closest to the frame before you set off, as Zabeel Park is large.
Dubai Frame tickets and opening hours
You need a ticket to go up, and timed entry applies at busy times. Children under a certain age may enter free. Tickets can be bought online or at the site, with online booking the safer choice at weekends and in the winter season. Use the official Dubai Frame channels, run by Dubai Municipality, for current prices and hours.
Best time to visit
Late afternoon is popular because you see the views in daylight and then watch the city light up. Mornings on weekdays are usually the quietest. Visibility is best in the cooler, clearer months from about November to March, while summer haze can soften the view of the skyline.
Allow one to one and a half hours for the full visit, including the galleries and the bridge. Add time if you want to walk in Zabeel Park.
Highlights
The sky bridge
The glass floor panels at the centre of the bridge are the main thrill. Not everyone enjoys standing on them, and you can keep to the solid sections of floor if you prefer.
Old Dubai and new Dubai
Look north for Deira, Bur Dubai and the creek, and south for Sheikh Zayed Road and the Burj Khalifa. Signs and screens help you pick out landmarks.
The history gallery
The ground-floor exhibits show life in Dubai before the city grew, with recreated scenes of trade, fishing and pearl diving.
Tips for visiting the Dubai Frame
Arrive a little before your booked time, as there is a security check and lifts run in groups. If you are nervous about heights, remember the bridge is fully enclosed, so it feels more like a gallery than a ledge. The best photos of the frame itself are taken from a distance inside Zabeel Park, where you can line up the Downtown skyline inside the opening. Bring water and a hat if you plan to walk from the metro, as the paths around the park have limited shade. Finally, combine the frame with a meal in nearby Karama, which is far cheaper than eating in the big malls.
Nearby on the same stop
- Zabeel Park: a large green park with lawns, lakes and play areas around the frame.
- Karama: a neighbourhood known for inexpensive South Asian restaurants and markets, near ADCB station.
- Bur Dubai and Al Fahidi: the historic district is a short metro ride north.
See the location on our Dubai Frame page, or explore more stations on the Dubai metro guide.