Couples in Dubai face a distinctly postmodern problem: how to choose. The city abounds with plenty – there are thousands of restaurants and bars, miles of beautiful beaches, and pockets of thoughtfully-designed urban playgrounds promising endless entertainment. Whether it’s a first date or a milestone wedding anniversary, getting dinner or catching a movie are sensible date ideas, but venture off the beaten path and Dubai is teeming with hidden romantic spots and activities, from the winding warehouse alleyways of Al Serkal Avenue to five-star spas evoking Ottoman-era Turkey. Here are six things to do in Dubai for couples.
Al Mushrif Park, then finish with dinner at Al Mawashi
Al Mushrif Park is one of Dubai’s best-kept secrets. Located near Al Khawaneej, this 1,297-acre desert park is a sanctuary of native flora and fauna, including drought-tolerant Ghaf trees, rare pallid scops owls, and yellow-throated sparrows. A beautiful spot for a leisurely afternoon away from the city with your partner, the park offers a range of activities perfect for couples, including mountain biking and horseback riding. The biking trails are particularly gorgeous – the green and blue trails open up onto a grand canyon-like expanse with a heart-shaped viewing deck, a perfect setting for a moment of quiet reflection.
After a day in the park, you can refuel at the outdoor Al Mawashi eatery, but you’ll want to book in advance as it is very popular. Every table has its own pre-lit charcoal barbecue with a selection of beautifully marinated meats and freshly chopped salads, giving you the opportunity to go the extra mile and cook for your partner (or don’t – the lovely Al Mawashi team will happily cook it for you if you are both tired after a day in the sun).
Explore Al Serkal Avenue
A destination where art lovers meet coffee aficionados, and film lovers meet filmmakers, Al Serkal Avenue in Al Quoz is the creative heart of Dubai. This bustling, artsy district is replete with beautiful galleries, street eateries, and craft coffee shops. The perfect spot for couples who enjoy wandering through the galleries and museums of European cities, Al Serkal is home to niche venues like an independent cinema (Cinema Akil), an independent rare book shop (Zerzura Rare Books and Prints), and a plethora of small retailers selling soaps and other handmade goods. Winding alleyways, postmodern architecture, and urban warehouse-style venues create a quaint and colourful feeling that is rare to come by in the UAE.
Get a couples massage at a five-star hotel and spa
A couple’s massage is the perfect way to decompress with your partner after a long week. For a generous treat, Anantara Spa on Palm Jumeirah is exceptional, in addition to AWAKEN at the new Atlantis The Royal. A truly otherworldly spa experience can be enjoyed at the award-winning Talise Ottoman Spa in Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, which also has rejuvenating thalassotherapy pools and snow rooms.
For a more casual couples spa experience, Pharaoh's Club in the Pyramids Building in Wafi has a mixed-gender steam room and spa, in addition to an outdoor child-friendly pool with a lazy river (perfect for the days you can’t get a babysitter).
Take to the ice at Dubai Ice Rink
Dubai residents bask in year-round sun, but sometimes, the cold is sorely missed. For an alternative date with a refreshing change in scenery, Dubai Ice Rink offers laughter, rosy cheeks, and plenty of cosy moments on the ice. The Olympic-sized rink has meticulously-maintained real ice, providing a reprieve from the blazing desert sands. Dubai Ice Rink is located in Dubai Mall, opening the doors to a range of things to do and see afterward, from dinner with Burj Khalifa views at Al Hallab, to watching a dazzling Dubai Fountain show in an abra boat on the nearby Burj Lake.
Al Qudra Love Lake
Finding something to do as a couple in Dubai often comes with a price tag, but a free and leisurely afternoon can be spent at the serene Love Lake in Al Qudra. Intentionally romantic, the Love Lake is a body of water shaped like two interlocked hearts, inhabited by beautiful giant koi, swans, and ducks. You can cool off in the shallow waters, set up a picnic or barbecue, or even camp on the grounds. Guided tours in the area offer full-day experiences with camping, wildlife feeding, and dinner, and there’s a lovely cycle track in the area.
Dinner or High Tea with a View
A fool-proof date guaranteed to please, a romantic dinner is the perfect setting to bond, talk, and simply enjoy each other’s company, and it’s even better with a view. For panoramic views of the entire city, fine-dining restaurant At.Mosphere is exceptional. Located on floor 122 of the Burj Khalifa, this world-class restaurant celebrates French cuisine, and it offers a traditional afternoon tea with freshly baked scones, delicate macaroons, and excellent quality teas.
A less conventional dinner date can be enjoyed at the ultra-exclusive Krasota restaurant in Downtown Dubai. This avant-garde, intimate eatery serves a five-star concept menu set against the backdrop of immersive visual art.
Food is central to Middle Eastern culture, a tradition beautifully celebrated at Ninive restaurant in Bab Al Shams, a five-star desert resort. A romantic spot to dine with your partner, Ninive serves a candle-lit dinner with sand dune views in a Bedouin-style tent. To go that extra mile, the suites in Bab Al Shams offer a blissful desert escape on the edge of the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve.
Final take
It is true that enjoyment is more about the company you keep than the setting, but a great setting certainly helps. Whether you choose to tackle the mountain bike trails in Al Mushrif Park or spend an afternoon drifting through Al Serkal Avenue, popping in and out of galleries and stopping for coffee here there, and everywhere, these six date ideas offer what all couples crave on a date: enjoyment, indulgence, and above all, connection.
