Over the years, the posh city of Dubai has become one of the most iconic travel destinations of our time. If you’re seeking thrills and the occasional adrenaline rush, few places possess the range of adventure activities that Dubai has to offer. Whether it’s skydiving, zooming down the world’s longest zipline, or sailing down a snowy mountain at ski Dubai, the jewelled city has it all. And now with the introduction of The Arch Dubai, things are set to get even more extreme.
The Arch Dubai
The Arch Dubai - Things to know
Best time to visit - Weekdays
Suggested duration - 4 Hours
Launched in - November 6, 2020
Closest Bus Stop - Al Badia residence 1&8,A2 2
The Arch Opening Hours
• Saturday - Wenesday : 02:00 PM to 10:00 PM
• Thursday - Friday : 02:00 PM to 12:00 AM
• Monday - Closed
Must-do at The Arch
Climbing Wall
Bag Jump
Quick Flight
Zipline
The Arch Dubai Address
Dubai Festival City, Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Get Directions
What Is The Arch Dubai?
The Arch Dubai’s latest top-notch adventure activity destination, located in Dubai Festival City. It’s a space where one can dive into a variety of adrenaline-fueled activities and has, over time, become a hub for exciting experiences with family and friends.
In short, the Arch DFC is a state-of-the-art extreme adventure park, with activities like zip-lining and wall climbing, designed for all ages. It’s set up so customers can experience a variety of thrilling adventures all within close proximity of one another.
Aside from the adventure activities, the Arch is also focused on curating and hosting different types of events for people to come to be a part of. During an event, the venue doubles up as a multipurpose space capable of containing over 20,000 people. Thanks to space, the availability of easy entertainment, and the overall energetic vibe of The Arch, events like Christmas fairs, fitness gatherings, and festivals are common at the Arch. They have even managed to host concerts at The Arch, with internationally-renowned artists taking centre stage.
So in essence, The Arch Dubai is a space for re-energizing oneself through adventure and exciting experiences, and it’s located just 5 minutes from Dubai International Airport.
While you may have visited numerous other adventure parks, few can provide the experience offered at The Arch.
- All activities at the Arch are set up to be highly flexible, based on a customer’s level of fitness and on how much ‘thrill’ they’re seeking from a particular activity.
- The rides at the Arch are accessible to everyone above the age of 6 and can be customized/adjusted based on an individual’s height and weight.
- During festivals and events, the Arch is especially beautiful and offers an atmosphere of energy and adventure among throngs of happy, excited people.
- You can grab a bite and enjoy the sunset at the Sunset Lounge which offers a spectacular view of downtown Dubai and Dubai Creek.
- The Arch also features the Arch Village which is a collection of snack bars, food stalls, and coffee shops set up amidst picnic tables and bean bags.
Top Things To Do At The Arch Dubai
1Climbing Wall
The climbing wall at the Arch adventure park Dubai offers a variety of different routes suitable for beginners all the way up to experts. The 9-metre high wall can be quite intimidating, but all participants are strapped to a harness so you can let go of the fear of falling and put all your effort into scaling up the wall. It’s an experience you won’t forget!
2Bag Jump
Bag jump is one of the safest adventure activities for those who love the experience of free-falling. At The Arch, you can choose between a 4-metre and a 6-metre drop with no harness or protective gear; just a giant, cushioned bag to catch you!
3Quick Flight
This one is similar to the Bag Jump in some sense as you’re required to step off a platform raised to an elevation of 13 metres. But in this case, you’re secured to a harness that allows you to free fall for a few seconds before it catches you and controls the descent.
4Zipline
If you haven’t been ziplining before, there’s no better place to give it a go! The 250-metre line is set up alongside the beautiful fountain at the Arch Dubai Festival City, so you’re guaranteed an epic view as you zip past. The park has two zip lines running next to each other, so you can enjoy the experience along with a friend or family member.
5Pump Track
This fun and fairly low-intensity activity can be done on either a cycle or a scooter. You need to navigate a 96-metre ‘pump track’ riddled with bumps and turns. What makes the task challenging and enjoyable is that you’ll need to shift your body weight to ‘pump’ and accelerate on the track, which can make for some really fun moments.
6 Fountain Views Terrace
Fountain views terrace is the spot where you can get a nice look at the beautiful fountain centrally located at The Arch. In the evenings they even have an ‘imagine show’ during which time characters are projected onto the towers at the Arch Dubai and guests can simply enjoy the light show.
7Sunset Lounge
Sunset Lounge can be found at the top of Tower 1, and it’s an exquisite space overlooking the fountain and offers a clear view of Dubai Creek and the downtown skyline. It’s also a spot for some of the best sunsets in the entire city and makes for an ideal location for exclusive events or birthday parties.
8The Arch Village
The Arch Village can be considered the leisure and relaxation zone at the adventure park. Here you’ll find picnic tables and bean bags set amidst an array of food stalls, coffee shops, and snack bars. You can eat, relax, and enjoy performances from some of Dubai’s most incredible local artists.
Aside from their current attractions, the Arch is setting up a few more adventure activities so guests can enjoy a wider array of experiences. These include bungee jumping, a giant swing, a skywalk, and a SCAD tower, all of which are sure to take your adrenaline levels to an all-time high!
The Arch Dubai Tickets
How Much Do Arch Tickets Cost?
Tickets to The Arch Dubai price differs based on the kind of activities you’re choosing to try out. However, if you’re looking for a wholesome adventure experience here, you can purchase an all-access pass for AED 340 which will grant you entry to any of the rides. Alternatively, you can even purchase individual tickets for each activity, which should cost you roughly AED 70 per activity.
Insider Tips To The Arch Dubai
Tips To Keep In Mind When Visiting The Arch
Every activity at the adventure park is completely safe and accessible to a variety of different body shapes and sizes. However, there are a few tips to keep in mind when visiting.
- While it’s not an absolute necessity, it’s important to work on your fitness level before trying out the activities at the Arch. This way the experience is a lot less taxing and will be more enjoyable.
- If you’re planning to bring kids along for the experience, they must be over 6 years of age to be allowed on any ride, so keep that in mind when making travel plans.
- To make the most of the experience, it’s best to go on all the rides and attractions before you sit down to relax and eat. That way you can go for a second round after your food has digested or simply relax if you’re done with the rides.
- It’s best to wear comfortable, loose clothing on your visit to the Arch as some of the attractions require you to be strapped on to a harness.
- If you’ve got to make a trip to the airport at some point during your visit to Dubai, it’s best to pair this with a trip to the Arch as Dubai Festival City is just 5 minutes away from the airport.
- It’s best to visit on weekdays as the weekends are usually a lot more crowded and you might need to wait longer in the queue.
- If you’ve got the whole day free, plan a visit in the late morning so you’re able to enjoy all the rides and then relax at the Sunset Lounge after.
Visiting The Arch Dubai
Opening Hours
The Arch at Dubai Festival City is open on 3 days of the week and during the weekend as well.
It’s open between 3:00 PM and 10:00 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. On Fridays and Saturdays, it stays open for an additional 2 hours, closing only at 12:00 AM.
Getting There
Metro
It’s fairly easy to get to the Arch from anywhere in Dubai. All you have to do is take a bus or metro to Dubai Festival City Mall and head to the bay, around the fountains from where you can get to the Arch.
Bus
Alternatively, you can take a bus to the international airport and hail a taxi or cab from there as it will be less expensive than booking a cab directly to the venue.
Car
If you’re taking a car, you can use the private car park set up for those visiting the Arch.
The Arch has all the necessary basic amenities anyone could ever need on an outing. Aside from washrooms, changing rooms, and eateries, the Arch even offers its own private parking and special services for physically-disabled guests.
They have also taken strict safety measures in lieu of the pandemic to ensure proper sanitation among their workers as well as on the rides. Temperature checks are routinely conducted and social distancing is maintained throughout the park whenever possible.
Parking
There are two ways to find parking before entering the Arch.
- You can either head to Dubai Festival City where you can avail yourself of the VIP services to get your car parked.
- There’s a private car park accessible just 250m past the VIP car park at the mall.
Typical Duration Of Visit
Ideally one should set aside roughly 4 to 5 hours when planning a trip to the Arch. This will give you enough time to walk around between activities and to enjoy the park. This will also give you enough time to try out all the rides, without rushing, before relaxing at the Arch Village or heading to the Sunset Lounge for a scenic evening.
Best Time To Visit The Arch Dubai
What’s The Best Time To Visit?
Keep in mind that weekends in Dubai include Fridays and Saturdays, while Sunday is a working day. So plan your visit on any day except Friday and Saturday as the park is likely to be more crowded on the weekends.
Dubai is best experienced in the winter months of November, December, and January. While the city may be more crowded at the time, the weather is pleasant and the heat is quite bearable. If you can, visit the Arch around this time of the year, as it’s sure to be a far more pleasurable experience. If you want to experience all the rides at least once, it’s best to visit the Arch post-lunch, when your food is digested. This way you can comfortably complete one round of all the attractions and head to the Arch Village to relax and re-energize.
By this time, the day will be coming to an end and you can make your way to the Sunset Lounge to experience a beautiful sunset and a spectacular view of the creek and the skyline. After this, you can head back to the park and enjoy any live performances that might be in session.
The Arch Dubai Map
Restaurants Around The Arch
Chili’s is a tex-mex restaurant serving top-notch Mexican food. They must try delicacies are Spiced Onion Rings and The Quesadilla Explosion Salad. It is located inside Dubai Festival City Mall.
Sultan Baba Iskender is a restaurant dedicated to providing exquisite Turkish food at affordable prices. They offer a menu with 30 different varieties of Kebabs which makes the place loved by everyone.
A quaint, simple restaurant serving a wide variety of pan-Asian foods. Mama Fu’s offers excellent service with vegetarian and vegan friendly menu options.
If you’re in the mood for spicy Indian food, there’s no better place than Peppermill at Dubai Festival City. Matar Paneer and Curry Board are people’s favourites.
If you want to kick back with some classic pizza after a long day of adventuring, Papa John’s is just a short distance away. Fly to New York through your taste buds by snacking on the classic of American Pizzas with a middle eastern twist.
Things To Do Around Arch Dubai Festival City
If you’re done with your Arch Dubai experience early, you can always pay a visit to the numerous attractions around Dubai Festival City. Here are a few places you should consider visiting when you’re in the area.
1The Burj Khalifa
Tallest building in world
Just 12 KM away lies the Burj Khalifa; the most famous building in Dubai and synonymous with the image of Dubai itself. Here you can ride the super-fast elevator all the way to the top of the building and soak in some amazing views of Dubai. This building is also home to some of Dubai’s most exclusive restaurants if you’re in the mood.
2 Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Sea life in a dessert
13 KM away from the Arch lies an aquatic wonderland where you can experience a plunge deep underwater, without actually having to do so! The 10-million litre tank contains over 30,000 aquatic species and the largest collection of sand tiger sharks in the world. A visit to Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo would be a refreshing experience.
3 Etihad Museum
Walk through the history of Middle East
If you want to learn a little more about the history of the UAE, there’s no better place than the Etihad Museum. With the help of interactive photos, films, and talks you can dive into the history of the country, its origins, and how it has developed over the years. The museum lies in Jumeirah, roughly 14 KM away from the park.
4 Dubai Frame
Dubai in a frame
The Dubai Frame, located at Zabeel Park, stands 150m tall and almost 100m wide, making it the largest photo frame in existence! Even if you’re not interested in frames, Zabeel Park is one of the first technologically-driven green spaces in the country, and it’s just 10 KM away.
5 Dubai Dolphinarium
A school of Dolphins in the desert
Just 12 minutes (8 KM) away lies Creek Park which houses the Dubai Dolphinarium. Here you can watch water shows and even swim and play with the friendly dolphins at the park. Creek Park is also known for its mirror maze, trampoline, and 7D cinema.
6 Jumeirah Mosque
Testament of post-modern Islamic architecture
Lying 11 KM away from DFC lies the iconic Jumeirah mosque, constructed back in 1976. The mosque is built in a traditional Fatimid style, which originated in Syria and Egypt. The minarets and towers are almost too beautiful to behold, and the mosque can comfortably house up to 1,200 worshippers at one time.
7Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary
Bird watching expanse
This wetland reserve is famous for attracting migratory birds of all kinds and is also home to many small mammals. But if you’re looking for a quiet space where you can simply watch exotic birds in their natural habitat, Ras Al Khor is the place to be. It’s located just 11 KM from Dubai Festival City, and in the right season, you’ll get to observe some unimaginable exotic birds.
8Dubai Creek
Sail in the Arabian Sea
Dubai Creek is a large saltwater canal that extends up to the Persian Gulf. A single boat ride down the creek will infuse you with the energy and pulse of the city, giving you a different perspective on life in Dubai. And the best part? It’s just 7 KM away from the park.
9Dubai Safari Park
Wildlife Ecosystem
The Dubai Safari Park is a pristine land, home to over 3,000 animals from nearly 250 different wildlife species! You can get a close look at some of the largest carnivores and primates on Earth while touring the park. The Safari is divided into sections, with different habitats in each section, catering to the needs of the various animals in that habitat. And it’s just 16 KM away from the Festival City.
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