Time Out Dubai

Dubai’s transport authority has announced that four important bus routes to the hugely popular Global Village will return for the park’s 31st season. With no direct Dubai Metro link, it’s only possible to get to Global Village via taxis, buses or cars. Public transport is a handy option for the millions of Global Village visitors every season. So it’s welcome news that four bus routes to the park have now returned.

Dubai’s outdoor dining season is officially back, which means it’s time to start making the most of waterfront terraces, long lunches and rooftop drinks before the temperatures have us running back indoors. Over in Dubai Marina, InterContinental Dubai Marina is marking the start of the cooler months with a fresh line-up of dining experiences, from a new weekday Business Lunch to Mediterranean seafood Fridays and the return of one of the Marina’s rooftop favourites.

Some of the longest and most significant public holidays in Dubai are centred around Eid celebrations. Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are observed by Muslims around the world, while Eid Al Etihad is a uniquely UAE celebration. As outlined in the UAE public holiday law, there will be a minimum of 12 official days off throughout next year, with the Eid holidays accounting for the vast majority of those days.

Saving money is always a good idea, but what if your savings account came with the chance to win some seriously big cash prizes too? That’s the idea behind Emirates Islamic’s Kunooz Millionaire Account, a Shariah-compliant, profit-generating savings account that gives customers the chance to win cash prizes while building up their savings. And there’s more than one way to win. The headline prize is hard to miss.

One of Dubai’s oldest malls is all set for a huge expansion. Ibn Battuta Mall is adding 38 exciting new shops, dining options and entertainment spots by the end of 2027. A total of 21 have recently opened with a further 17 scheduled to open in the next year. The mall is, perhaps, best known for its six architecturally themed courts each inspired by the travels of the 14th-century explorer Ibn Battuta.

Dubai’s cooler season is officially getting a whole lot wilder. Dubai Safari Park has opened its doors for Season 8, inviting families, animal lovers and anyone looking for a fun day out to get closer to wildlife right in the heart of Dubai. Open daily from October 12, the 119-hectare wildlife sanctuary is home to more than 3,000 animals across 300 species, with plenty to see and do across its six themed zones.

Looking for a new spot for a leisurely breakfast now that Dubai’s cooler season is rolling in? There’s a hidden garden tucked away inside Mall of the Emirates that’s worth knowing about. HuQQabaz Garden has reopened its Secret Garden terrace, a lush outdoor space where you can tuck in for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between. And yes, that means you can now take your morning coffee and breakfast outdoors, too.

flydubai has announced a series of flight cancellations to Saudi Arabia this week. The airline, based at Dubai International Airport, will not fly to Riyadh, Dammam or Abha up to and including Wednesday October 14. Flights across the region have been disrupted as a result of the ongoing situation in neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

The Dubai Metro is only getting bigger. Already helping millions of residents and visitors get around the city via its Red and Green Lines, there are some major expansion plans in the pipeline over the next few years. That includes two brand-new routes: the Blue Line, set to launch in 2029, and the Gold Line, which is expected to follow in 2032. And with new lines come plenty of new stations, meaning a Dubai Metro stop could soon be arriving much closer to home.