Al Qudra Lakes
- Plan for about 1 hour
- Dubai Desert
- Accessibility not confirmed
A cluster of man-made lakes in the desert south of the city, inside the Al Marmoom reserve. It is free to visit and popular for picnics, barbecues, birdwatching and sunsets, and it is easiest to reach by car.
Tickets and prices
| Ticket type | Price and booking |
|---|---|
| Free entryAccess to the lakes and surrounding area. |
Free |
Prices include taxes. Children’s tickets are usually cheaper; the venue’s website shows the exact price before you pay.
Opening hours and best time to visit
- Season
- Open all year; October to March is the most comfortable time.
- Best time to visit
- Early morning, when it is quiet and cool and wildlife is most active, or early evening for the sunset.
- Busiest times
- Weekend evenings in the cooler months.
- Time needed
- About 1 hour
What to see
- Man-made lakes set among desert sand and trees
- About 170 bird species recorded around the lakes, with flamingos in winter
- Picnics and barbecues are allowed if you bring your own container
- Parking area with toilets, bike rental, a petrol station and food trucks
- Love Lake and the Al Qudra cycle track are close by
How to get there
- Taxi
- Taxis can drop you at the parking area; from Downtown the drive takes around 30–45 minutes via the E66, E77 and D63.
- Parking
- Free parking area near the lakes, with toilets, bike rental, a petrol station and a Last Exit food truck park.
Open the location of Al Qudra Lakes in OpenStreetMap (external site)
Tips for your visit
- There is no entry fee.
- Driving is the practical option: the nearest bus stop is roughly a 30-minute walk away.
- A regular car can reach the lakes because the sand is well compacted.
- Barbecues must be in a container, not on the sand, and you should take all rubbish home.
- Dogs are allowed; clean up after them and keep them close when other people are around.
- Desert evenings get cool in winter, so bring a warm layer.
Accessibility
Accessibility not confirmed.
Questions and answers
Is Al Qudra Lakes free?
Yes. Visit Dubai lists the lakes as free to enter.
Can I have a barbecue at Al Qudra Lakes?
Yes. Bring your own equipment and use a container rather than lighting a fire on the sand, then clean up before you leave.
Can I get to Al Qudra Lakes by bus?
RTA routes 67 (from Al Ghubaiba) and 68 stop at Seh as Salam Farm, but that leaves around a 30-minute walk, so most people drive or take a taxi.
Are the lakes natural?
No. Al Qudra is a group of man-made lakes in the Saih Al Salam desert.
Where this information comes from
Official website: dm.gov.ae
- Free entry: visitdubai.com, checked
- Description, wildlife, best time, driving route, bus routes 67 and 68, FAQ on barbecues, dogs, parking facilities; official contact listed as dm.gov.ae: visitdubai.com
- Picnic spot, flamingos in winter, bike rental: visitdubai.com
- Coordinates: nominatim.openstreetmap.org
Photos:
- Representative photo by Eslam Tawakol on Unsplash
- Representative photo by Advantageous Digital on Unsplash
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