Dubai public parks footfall climbed 18 per cent year on year in the first half of 2026, with the city’s beaches and recreational facilities drawing record numbers as Dubai Municipality unveiled new offerings including a 24/7 ladies-only beach and a work-from-park concept.
The figures were released by Dubai Municipality at Arabian Travel Market 2026, where the authority showcased its expanding public destinations portfolio. Growth was strongest at Quranic Park, up 47 per cent, and Mushrif National Park, up 20 per cent.
For context, the municipality’s parks and recreational facilities drew over 16.7 million visitors in the first half of 2025, a 3 per cent increase on the prior year, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Al Mamzar Lagoon Beach passes 1.75 million visitors
Al Mamzar Lagoon Beach, the first phase of the renovated Al Mamzar Beaches, has welcomed more than 1.75 million visitors since opening in May, bringing the municipality’s public beach count to seven.
The site spans 2.75 million square feet and includes a 300-metre night beach. The second section, Al Mamzar Corniche, covers 1.25 million square feet and will cater to visitors seeking privacy and a premium experience.
Dubai Municipality projects annual visitation at Al Mamzar Beaches will reach 7 million, according to its investment opportunities announcement. The full development increases beach visitor capacity by 170 per cent and covers 31,000 square metres, per a separate municipality completion update.
Al Mamzar Corniche is being prepared for opening as the city’s eighth public beach. It will include the world’s first 24/7 ladies-only beach, with facilities covering night swimming and dedicated female lifeguards.
Mushrif Park expands cycling offer; ‘Work from Park’ concept under development
Mushrif National Park has added to its outdoor offering with the recently opened Young Rangers Cycling Track, which has already drawn more than 18,000 visitors. The park’s broader cycling infrastructure includes a 50-kilometre trail network introduced as part of the Mushrif Hub, launched by Dubai Municipality in May 2025 per the Dubai Media Office.
A new 102-metre bridge has also been opened at the park, creating an uninterrupted mountain biking route, Gulf Business reported.
Separately, the municipality is developing a Work from Park concept, which would allow residents to work within public parks, blending professional activity with outdoor recreation.
Dubai Frame has welcomed around 8.8 million visitors since opening. A spokesperson said the attraction is in talks with several schools to organise educational trips and is receiving more local visitors.
Bader Anwahi, chief executive of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, said the authority’s priority is giving people more reasons to be outdoors. ‘Residents and visitors can experience an iconic landmark, spend time at the beach, cycle through a forest, discover a public park or explore Hatta’s natural landscape, all within one city,’ Anwahi said. ‘Our focus is to continue creating attractive public destinations that give people more reasons to explore Dubai.’
The announcements came as Dubai reported its strongest monthly international visitor volume since February 2026, with approximately 869,000 international overnight visitors in August 2026, taking the eight-month total to 6.97 million, according to the Dubai Media Office.
The opening of Al Mamzar Corniche, which will include the 24/7 ladies-only beach, is the next concrete milestone for the municipality’s public beach programme.
