Abu Dhabi’s three most-searched city parks suit very different outings. Umm Al Emarat Park in Al Mushrif costs AED 10 and is the best day out for families, with an animal barn, a glasshouse garden, splash play areas and outdoor cinema nights. Reem Central Park on Al Reem Island is free, with a city beach, a canal walk and a skate park. Electra Park in the old Tourist Club Area is a small, free neighbourhood park for a quick break downtown. All are best from October to April, in the late afternoon and evening.
At a glance
- Umm Al Emarat Park
- AED 10; under 3 and people of determination free; open from 8am to late evening
- Reem Central Park
- Free; about 6am to 10pm; beach, canal and skate park
- Electra Park
- Free; about 6am to 10pm; small and central
- Best for families
- Umm Al Emarat Park
- Best for runners and skaters
- Reem Central Park
- Pets
- Not allowed in most Abu Dhabi public parks
Last checked: 13 October 2026 against the parks’ published information. Hours change in Ramadan and summer; check before a special trip.
On this page
The three parks compared
| Umm Al Emarat Park | Reem Central Park | Electra Park | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Al Mushrif, central Abu Dhabi | Al Reem Island | Zayed the First Street, Al Zahiyah |
| Entry | AED 10 | Free | Free |
| Hours | From 8am to 11pm or later | About 6am to 10pm | About 6am to 10pm |
| Size | Large, with many gardens | About 1 million square feet along a 2.4 km canal | About 3.9 acres |
| Shade | Good, with a shaded glasshouse | Patchy; best at dusk | Shaded seating |
| Animals | Animal barn with rides and feeding | None | None |
| Water | Splash pads and a pond | City beach and canal | None |
| Best for | Families with young children, picnics, events | Runners, cyclists, skaters, sunset walks | A quick break downtown |
| Parking | On-site car parks | Paid after the first free hours | Street parking, often busy |
Umm Al Emarat Park
One of Abu Dhabi’s oldest parks, it opened in 1982 as Mushrif Central Park, at first for women and children only. After a major redevelopment it reopened to everyone in 2015 and was renamed Umm Al Emarat Park, “Mother of the Nation Park”, in honour of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. It is run by Sinyar Hospitality, and tickets, events and the park map are on the official Umm Al Emarat Park website.
| Area | What it is |
|---|---|
| Animal Barn | Run with Al Ain Zoo: about 26 animals, including ponies, horses, camels, pygmy goats, rabbits and tortoises. Feeding costs AED 10 a bunch, and short pony, horse or camel rides start in the afternoon. |
| Shade House | A climate-controlled glasshouse with about 40 plant species, water features and two upper decks with views over the park. |
| Botanic Garden | More than 200 regional and desert plant species around a natural pond. |
| Children’s Garden | Play areas, a children’s wadi, an interactive water splash and an outdoor cinema. |
| Great Lawn | An 18,000 square metre lawn for picnics, games and outdoor yoga, with two playgrounds. |
| Amphitheatre | An outdoor venue for more than 2,000 people, used for concerts and big events. |
| Wisdom Garden | A quiet garden honouring the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with marble installations and engraved sayings. |
| Evening Garden | Designed for after dark, with soft lighting along the paths. |
| Promenade | A running and walking track around the park, opened in 2020. |
- Tickets: AED 10 per person; children under 3 and people of determination enter free. Buy at the gate or online, up to 10 tickets per order.
- Cinema nights: family films are screened on the lawn on many weekend evenings; bring a blanket.
- Fitness: the park sells a fitness loyalty card for regular runners and class-goers.
- Food: a restaurant and cafés inside, and picnics are welcome on the lawns.
- Nearby: the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Khalifa Park are about 10 to 15 minutes’ drive away.
Reem Central Park
Developed by Aldar and opened in December 2018 after an 18-month build, Reem Central Park stretches over about one million square feet along the 2.4 km canal at the heart of Al Reem Island. It is free to enter and is the city’s best park for an active evening.
- City beach and beach walk: a small sandy beach at the head of the canal, popular at sunset.
- Canal walk: a long promenade for running, cycling and strolling, with cafés and restaurants along the way.
- Reem Island Skate Park: between two bridges in the middle of the park, with obstacles for skateboards, scooters and roller skates.
- Playgrounds and the community lawn: for children and picnics, plus sports courts.
- Public art: colourful murals and installations commissioned with Abu Dhabi Art.
- Mosque: on site.
Water activities such as kayaking are run by private operators and cost extra. Parking around the park is managed by a paid operator: the first hours have been free, then charged by the hour, so check the signs.
Electra Park
Electra Park is a small, free green space of about 3.9 acres on Zayed the First Street, still widely known as Electra Street, in the Al Zahiyah (Tourist Club) area. Maintained by Abu Dhabi City Municipality, it has lawns, shaded benches, walking and jogging paths and a children’s playground, and the Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan Mosque is next door. It is at its liveliest after sunset, when families from the surrounding towers come out. Parking is on the surrounding streets and fills up in the evenings.
Which park for what?
- Young children: Umm Al Emarat Park, for the animal barn, splash pads and playgrounds.
- Running and cycling: Reem Central Park’s canal walk, or the Umm Al Emarat promenade.
- Skating and scooters: Reem Island Skate Park.
- Sunset: Reem Central Park’s city beach.
- Events and concerts: Umm Al Emarat Park’s amphitheatre and lawn.
- A free half hour downtown: Electra Park.
Other parks in Abu Dhabi city
- Khalifa Park: a big family park near Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with a train and lakes.
- The Corniche: parks, play areas and a long seafront path behind the beach.
- Hudayriyat Island: cycling, running and sports by the sea.
- Eastern Mangroves Promenade: a calm waterfront walk beside the mangroves, with kayaking.
Rules and tips
- Pets are not allowed in most Abu Dhabi public parks.
- Barbecues only where signs allow them; most city parks ban them.
- Modest dress, and keep music low.
- From May to September, go after sunset; the parks are quiet and much cooler at night.
- Weekend evenings from November to March are the busiest time.
- Abu Dhabi with kids: family days out across the capital.
- Free places to visit in Abu Dhabi: more days out for nothing.
- Best parks in Dubai: if you are heading north.
- Small zoos and farms: more animal outings for young children.
Abu Dhabi city parks FAQs
Is Reem Central Park free?
Yes. Entry to Reem Central Park is free. Some activities such as kayaking cost extra, and parking is paid after the first free hours.
How much is Umm Al Emarat Park entry?
Entry costs AED 10 per person. Children under 3 and people of determination enter free, and animal feeding and rides cost extra.
What are Umm Al Emarat Park timings?
It opens from 8am into the late evening, usually to 11pm or later. Hours can change in Ramadan, during events and in summer.
Where is Electra Park in Abu Dhabi?
On Zayed the First Street, also called Electra Street, in the Al Zahiyah or Tourist Club area of central Abu Dhabi. Entry is free.
Are dogs allowed in Abu Dhabi parks?
Generally no. Pets are not allowed in most Abu Dhabi public parks, including Umm Al Emarat Park.
Which Abu Dhabi park is best for kids?
Umm Al Emarat Park, for its animal barn with pony and camel rides, splash play areas, playgrounds and weekend cinema nights.