Thanks to the many, many incredible sites to see in the city, if you’re headed to Dubai, you might just find yourself wondering, is it worth going to Palm Jumeirah?
A landmark in and of itself, never mind all the stuff on it, Palm Jumeirah is one of those quintessential Dubai experiences that you have to actually see to understand the scale of it – but if you’re still um-ing and ah-ing about whether or not to make the detour, we’ve answered your burning questions below.
What is Palm Jumeirah?
Right, so you’ve probably heard of Palm Jumeirah. You’ve probably even heard on the news about it being visible from space or something (it is, NASA said so). But what exactly is it? Well, picture this: they’ve gone and built a massive palm tree-shaped island right off the coast. It’s got a trunk, fronds, and even a crescent that wraps around the top like some fancy halo. Because, why stick to a regular old rectangle when you can have a palm tree, right? Also because…Dubai.
And what’s on it? Some of the city’s fanciest hotels and resorts, fancy beach clubs, and fancy restaurants. It’s just very fancy in general. You’ve got everything from Atlantis, The Palm (yes, the one with its own waterpark – the biggest in the world, by the way – and aquarium) to beach clubs like Nobu by the Beach, where the sand’s probably been imported to be just the right shade of perfect.
The construction of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai took about six years from start to finish. They kicked off the project in 2001 and wrapped up the land reclamation and basic infrastructure by around 2006. Of course, the finer details like the hotels, villas, and other developments carried on after that, but the bulk of the work—literally moving millions of tons of sand and rock to create the island—was done in those six years. Not too shabby.
Where is Palm Jumeirah?
Imagine looking at a map of Dubai—now, if you head towards the coastline, you’ll see the iconic silhouette of Palm Jumeirah, which is shaped like, well, a palm tree. Easy to spot. Well, that’s if you don’t mix it up with the other palm-tree-shaped island just down the road, Palm Jebel Ali, which is currently incomplete.
But down on the ground, Palm Jumeirah is located on the coast of Dubai, just a bit south of the city’s central business district. It’s nestled in the area of Jumeirah, which is one of Dubai’s most upscale neighbourhoods. If you’re in Dubai Marina or around the JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence), you’re practically next door.
Palm Jumeirah is also pretty close to some of Dubai’s major attractions like the Mall of the Emirates and the Burj Al Arab. It’s pretty well-connected, so whether you’re coming from Downtown Dubai or the Marina, you can’t miss it. The Palm is out in the water, but the trunk connects directly to the mainland via a road, making it easy to get to from pretty much anywhere in the city.
Can you enter Palm Jumeirah for free?
We’ve done a lot of talk on how fancy Palm Jumeirah is, but you don’t need to be a fancy-pants to enjoy it – Palm Jumeirah is completely free to access. It’s an open area, so you don’t need to pay anything just to drive or walk around. The main road, called the trunk, is free to access, and you can explore the public areas, like the Boardwalk along the outer crescent, without spending a penny.
Obviously, if you’re looking to check out some of the bars or restaurants at the resorts, or to head to one of beach clubs, or even just one of the private beaches, that’s where you’ll have to drop some dirhams. But a lovely evening stroll after dinner, pretending which one of the yachts in the marina is yours, won’t cost you a thing (apart from maybe a bit of envy.)
Why do people visit Palm Jumeirah?
There’s a fair few reasons why Palm Jumeirah has become such a popular spot in recent years, one of its largest draws being the sheer number of the city’s best resorts being based here – it’s practically a luxury playground.
Home to icons like Atlantis, The Palm and its brand-spanking new sister property, Atlantis, The Royal (yep, the one where Beyonce sang at the opening do), there’s also ultra-modern luxury at the Waldorf Astoria or Jumeirah Zabeel Saray—think private beaches, top-notch spas, and rooms with views that could make even a sunset look plain.
And if you’re a foodie, you’re also in for a treat. Palm Jumeirah’s dining scene is not to be sniffed at. Nobu by the Beach offers posh Japanese fare with a view, while Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay dishes up some hearty British comfort. For seafood, Ossiano provides an underwater dining experience with views into a giant aquarium. And if you’re after something more laid-back, The Beach House serves casual meals by the Arabian sea.
And then there’s the beaches. Soft, white, and absolutely gorgeous – the Dubai skyline as a stunning backdrop helps too, and that’s something you don’t get to appreciate as much at the beaches hugging the coast. Most of the prime spots here are attached to resorts, so if you’re staying at one, you’ve got access to some of the best beaches around. But even if you’re not a resort guest, you can still lap up the luxury by visiting beach clubs like Nikki Beach Club, Riva Beach Club, and Club Vista Mare with a day pass.
To wrap it all up, you’ve got Palm Jumeirah’s Boardwalk – an 11-kilometre stretch of delightful strolling or biking. It’s a perfect way to take in the Dubai skyline and the open sea, and is one of the best walks in the city.
Fancy Palm Jumeirah? You’ll need some cheap flights to Dubai first
