Parks & nature

Khalifa Park Abu Dhabi: Entry, Timings & What’s Inside

Published 5 min read

Khalifa Park in Abu Dhabi is open daily from 3pm to 11pm, with the train and the Maritime Museum running from 3pm to 10pm. Entry costs a few dirhams, about AED 2 for adults and children over 3, and attractions are paid separately: the train about AED 3, the museum with its aquarium about AED 5, and Murjan Splash Park about AED 50. It is one of the capital’s biggest family parks, with lawns, fountains, BBQ areas, horse rides and play areas, a short drive from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

At a glance

Park hours
Daily, 3pm to 11pm
Train and museum
3pm to 10pm
Ramadan
5pm to 1am; attractions start after iftar
Entry
About AED 2; under 3 free
Extras
Train about AED 3, museum about AED 5, Murjan Splash Park about AED 50
Where
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street, Al Muntazah, Abu Dhabi
Allow
2 to 4 hours

Last checked: 13 October 2026. Hours are from the official Khalifa Park website; prices come from recent visitor listings, as the park does not publish them online.

On this page
  1. What is open inside: status table
  2. The Maritime Museum and aquarium
  3. Murjan Splash Park
  4. Everything else in the park
  5. Rules
  6. Best time to visit
  7. Getting there and parking
  8. About Khalifa Park
  9. Combine it with
  10. Khalifa Park FAQs

What is open inside: status table

AttractionStatus on 13 October 2026HoursPrice
Park grounds, lawns and fountainsOpen3pm to 11pmAbout AED 2
Mini train rideRunning, per the official site3pm to 10pmAbout AED 3
Maritime Museum and aquariumOpen, per the official site3pm to 10pmAbout AED 5
Murjan Splash ParkListed by the park; water play is seasonalCheck on the dayAbout AED 50
Horse ridesListed by the parkAfternoons and eveningsPaid per ride
Living History hallsListed by the parkWith park hoursCheck at the gate
Arts and Sports Arena and amphitheatreFor eventsEvent daysVaries

Many older guides give Khalifa Park’s hours as 10am to 10pm or 11pm; the park’s official website now shows a 3pm opening. If you are planning a morning visit, check its Instagram (khalifapark_abudhabi), call +971 56 522 9272 or email info@khalifapark.ae first.

The Maritime Museum and aquarium

The Maritime Museum tells the story of the UAE’s relationship with the sea, from pearl diving and dhow building to fishing and trade. Part of the visit is a boat ride through scenes of the past, after which you go upstairs to the park’s small aquarium, a row of tanks with local Gulf fish and marine life. It takes 30 to 45 minutes and suits children from about 4. Do not confuse it with the large National Aquarium at Al Qana, which is a separate, much bigger attraction.

Murjan Splash Park

The park’s water play area has slides, splash zones and interactive fountains aimed at children of about 2 to 12, with lifeguards and shaded seating for parents. Entry is around AED 50 and covers the water park only. Bring swimwear, towels and a change of clothes, and check it is operating before you promise it to the children, as water parks in the UAE often run on a seasonal timetable.

Everything else in the park

  • Lawns, fountains and ponds: large shaded lawns, lit fountains and ponds that look best after dark.
  • BBQ areas: grills, tables and sinks on a first-come, first-served basis; bring your own charcoal and food.
  • Play areas: several playgrounds for different ages around the park.
  • Horse rides: short rides for children and adults.
  • Living History: walk-through halls showing the UAE’s cultural roots and traditional life.
  • Walking, jogging and cycling paths: loops through the gardens.
  • Arts and Sports Arena: an open-air venue for performances, school events and celebrations, including Eid and National Day events.
  • Food: food trucks and kiosks near the entrance and a restaurant; outside food is allowed.

Rules

  • No pets; service animals only.
  • Barbecues only in the designated BBQ areas.
  • No alcohol.
  • Children must be supervised at the splash park and play areas.
  • Keep the lawns and BBQ areas clean; bins are provided.

Best time to visit

  • October to April for evenings outdoors; the park is at its best from 4pm to 8pm in the cooler months.
  • Weekdays are quieter; Friday to Sunday evenings and Eid are busiest, especially around the BBQ areas.
  • Summer: arrive at sunset, and head for the museum first while it is hot.
  • Ramadan: the park opens 5pm to 1am, and attractions start after iftar.

Getting there and parking

Khalifa Park is on Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street, still often called by its old name, Al Salam Street, in Al Muntazah, about 10 minutes from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and 15 minutes from the Corniche. There are car parks around the park and at its edges; on weekend evenings they fill quickly, so arrive early. Taxis drop off at the main gate.

About Khalifa Park

Opened in 2007 and named after the late President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Khalifa Park covers around 50 hectares of landscaped gardens, lakes and attractions in the heart of the city. It remains one of the cheapest family days out in Abu Dhabi, popular with residents for evening picnics and weekend barbecues.

Combine it with

  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, 10 minutes away, for a visit before sunset.
  • Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island, about 20 minutes away, for a cultural morning before a park evening.
  • Umm Al Emarat Park, for its animal barn and gardens, 15 minutes away.
  • The National Aquarium at Al Qana, for the big aquarium experience.

More in Abu Dhabi

  • The best parks in Dubai: entry fees, BBQ rules and which park for what.
  • Abu Dhabi city parks: Umm Al Emarat, Reem Central and Electra Park compared.
  • Abu Dhabi with kids: family days out across the capital.
  • Free places to visit in Abu Dhabi: more cheap days out.
  • Places to visit in Abu Dhabi: the capital’s highlights.

Khalifa Park FAQs

What are Khalifa Park timings?

The official website lists Khalifa Park as open daily from 3pm to 11pm, with the train and Maritime Museum running from 3pm to 10pm. In Ramadan it opens 5pm to 1am.

How much is Khalifa Park entry?

Entry is about AED 2 for adults and children over 3, and children under 3 go free. The train, museum and Murjan Splash Park are paid separately.

Is there an aquarium in Khalifa Park?

Yes, a small aquarium visited as part of the Maritime Museum. It is separate from the large National Aquarium at Al Qana.

Can you have a BBQ in Khalifa Park?

Yes. The park has BBQ areas with grills, tables and sinks on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring your own charcoal and food.

Are pets allowed in Khalifa Park?

No. Pets are not allowed; only service animals are permitted.

Where is Khalifa Park in Abu Dhabi?

On Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street in Al Muntazah, about 10 minutes from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Sources linked in this guide

External references cited in the article.