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Dubai Expo 2020-2021

    Dubai Expo 2020: The Ultimate Guide

    The Dubai Expo 2020 is undoubtedly the event of the year: over 190 countries for a total of over 200 amazing pavilions to visit, with the state of the art of technology and world scientific research.

    The Dubai Expo 2020, which will take place from October 2021 to the end of March 2022, is an important meeting point for peoples and cultures: here you can take an incredible journey through the food, stories and traditions of hundreds of countries around the world.

    What you will find in this guide to visiting Dubai Expo 2020-2021:

    Dubai Expo 2020 Dates and Location

    Dubai Expo 2020 will be held from 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022 in Dubai.

    It was supposed to take place in 2020, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been postponed. Expo 2020 Dubai will also coincide with another very important event for the UAE: in 2021 we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the United Arab Emirates, the so-called Golden Jubilee. So the months of the Dubai Expo will undoubtedly be one of the best times to visit the UAE.

    The Dubai Expo is the first World Expo to be organized in an Arab country and will be held in the impressive location of the DEC Dubai Exhibition Center, the brand new venue for exhibition and congress events, destined to become one of the most important exhibition centers in the Middle East. .

    The area where the Dubai Expo will be held is located on the southwestern outskirts of the city, in the district known as Dubai Trade Center – Jebel Alì, adjacent to the new Al Maktoum International Airport and halfway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

    The Dubai Expo is spread over an area of ​​over 45.000 square meters and will be able to welcome over 300.000 visitors a day.

    TOP Things to Do In and Around Dubai:

    ☞ Visit Burj Khalifa
    ☞ Experience an exciting Dubai Desert Safari
    ☞ Spend a full day in the glamorous Dubai Marina district
    ☞ Spend a day of fun & relax in the best Dubai’s waterparks
    ☞ Visit Abu Dhabi
    ☞ Pay a visit at the marvellous Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque
    ☞ Explore the other Emirates!

    What is the theme of Dubai Expo 2020?

    The theme of Dubai Expo 2020 is “Connectings Minds, Creating the Future” and is inspired by the ancient name of Dubai, “Al-Waṣl” which means connection.

    The main square of the Dubai Expo is called Al-Waṣl and from here three large petal-shaped areas branch off, representing the three themes of Expo 2020 Dubai:

    Opportunities: create new opportunities for people to be connected to each other, and each country to be interconnected with the rest of the world, so as to enhance the potential of each individual and create a successful future;

    Sustainability: to increase the progress of new technologies for the development of sustainable production with the aim of respecting and protecting our world;

    Mobility: creating new connections with people will allow us to understand the cultures and ideas of different countries and to increase the mobility of people, goods, tools and infrastructures.

    The Dubai Expo will present to the world new technologies, new innovative projects in the field of global, digital and virtual communications. It will also convey the importance of creating a future that is as sustainable as possible for the next generations.

    What to see and what to do: the pavilions of Expo 2020 Dubai

    The Dubai Expo 2020 site is divided into three districts representing the three themes of the Exhibition: Opportunity, Sustainability and Mobility.

    A total of 191 countries participate in Expo 2020 Dubai, each with its own Pavilion. In addition to the country pavilions, there are also Special and Partner Pavilions for a total of over 200 pavilions to visit.

    You will discover different cultures, you can try traditional dishes from all over the world, have fun in various innovative activities and learn about the stories and curiosities of each nation.

    Let’s see some of the best activities and experiences to do and see at Dubai Expo. The tour will be divided according to the 3 districts of Expo 2020 Dubai.

    Sustainability

    This Dubai Expo 2020 district will allow you to see the new technologies and new projects that various countries are developing as a contribution to a sustainable future.

    You will be able to walk under tents of photovoltaic material, which generates part of the energy needs of Expo 2020 Dubai, you will be able to admire the traditional but innovative “falaj” irrigation systems and attend musical performances.

    In this district you will find:

    Earth Pavilion: entirely dedicated to our planet and its wonders. The visit will allow you to discover more about the different ecosystems, walk in a tropical forest and explore the ocean floor.

    Brazil Pavilion: you can walk inside a waterfall and immerse yourself in the wild atmosphere of the Amazon, in a path that stimulates the senses with images, sounds and scents.

    Czech Republic Pavilion: you will be able to discover innovative irrigation methods for desert areas, based on the extraction of water vapor from the air through solar energy.

    Singapore Pavilion: you can immerse yourself in a rainforest and experience the thrill of a walk among trees over 9 meters high.

    Comoros Pavillon: Come and learn more about the turtles, whales and other wonders of this amazing Pacific island, and admire flower and animal sculptures made from recycled plastic.

    Opportunities

    This Dubai Expo 2020 district is all about connecting people and sharing cultures and experiences. You will be able to participate in activities to increase your skills, attend conferences of professionals and be inspired by their stories.

    Among the pavilions that you cannot miss are:

    Monaco Pavilion: a sensory journey through exhibition spaces made of mirrors and labyrinths, creating new perspectives and exploring reproductions of the places and smells of the Côte d’Azur.

    Swiss Pavilion: Discover the wonders of Switzerland, crossing a room full of fog or climbing on a magic carpet to admire the wonderful landscapes of Switzerland. Taste delicious Swiss specialties and indulge in the famous chocolate that you can find in the pavilion café.

    Malawi Pavilion: discover the history of Malawi and the impact that technological development has on its population. Explore new methods and new innovative solutions in agriculture, tourism and science.

    Enoc Pavilion: discover the history, power and strength of energy, play with electric paint and meet with industry experts.

    German Pavilion: set up as if it were a campus, it allows visitors to explore topics such as The Energy Lab, The Future City Lab and The Biodiversity Lab. Wear state-of-the-art devices and live a fantastic digital experience. Watch the robot concert and taste some of the best German food.

    Pavilion of Belarus: find out how an innovative printer is able to reproduce living cells thanks to 4D technology.

    Mobility

    This district of Dubai Expo 2020 aims to highlight the importance of creating connections between the physical and digital ways by creating an ever faster exchange of information and ideas.

    You will be able to admire the vehicles of the future, explore space and find out how to build a robot.

    Alif Pavilion: houses the largest elevator in the world, capable of carrying 160 people. See the track of over 300 meters with the new vehicles of the future. Here you can also design and build your own spaceship.

    Mexico Pavilion: immerse yourself in Mexican culture, among exotic flowers and butterflies. The pavilion is a real explosion of color and one of the best things to do is to taste the delicious specialties of Mexican cuisine and discover the most famous local drinks.

    Russia Pavilion: Learn about Russian culture, with exhibitions and presentations. Take part in the numerous shows and taste the typical cuisine of the country.

    There are also numerous activities that also take place in the main square, the Al Wasl Plaza, from musical events to wonderful light shows in the gardens, but also parades and traditional dances and concerts.

    Dubai Expo Tickets: Prices and Discounts

    Dubai Expo 2020 tickets can be purchased online on the Expo 2020 Dubai website or from some authorized resellers.

    The different types of Dubai Expo 2020 tickets are:

    • Adults ticket (18-59 years) for single entry: 95 AED (about 27 $ or 23 €)
    • Kids and youth ticket (6-17 years): FREE
    • Senior ticket (60 +): FREE
    • Student ticket: FREE

    In addition, there are different types of seasonal or multi-day passes, for those who intend to visit the Dubai Expo several times.

    • Season Pass: unlimited admissions for the duration of the Exposition – 495 AED
    • Multi-day Pass: 30 consecutive entries from first use – 195 AED
    • Premium Experience: includes admission for all six months of the Exhibition and admission to some business events – 1750 AED

    Opening hours of Expo 2020 Dubai

    Expo 2020 Dubai will be open 7 days a week, according to the following times: from Saturday to Wednesday from 10.00 to 00.00, Thursday and Friday from 10.00 to 2.00.

    How to get to the Dubai Expo

    The Dubai Expo area is located quite far from the city center, however various public transport solutions have been set up for the occasion.

    How to get to Dubai Expo by Metro

    For the occasion, a new station of the Dubai Metro was built, called “EXPO 2020 Metro Station“, located right in front of the entrance to Dubai Expo.

    Dubai Metro is the fastest way to reach Dubai Expo. You can take the Red Line of the Dubai Metro and get directly to the entrances, the new metro line is a branch of the Red Line of the Dubai Metro.

    From Saturday to Thursday the first metro arrives at the Dubai Expo station at 6.15am. On Friday instead at 9.15.

    For the return to Dubai, the last departures from the Expo Station are at midnight from Saturday to Wednesday and at 1 am from Thursday to Friday.

    You can find more info on how to get to Dubai Expo by metro here.

    How to get to Dubai Expo by Public Bus

    Visitors to the Dubai Expo will be able to take advantage of 750 buses, called Expo Riders, which are completely ecological. The service is free for visitors to Dubai Expo and can be picked up from different points in the city.

    How to get to Dubai Expo by Taxi

    A fixed rate has been set for routes to or from Dubai Expo. The fixed rate is AED 20 per trip. You can take a taxi directly from the various taxi ranks in the city (in front of the airport terminals, in front of the Dubai Mall or near the main bus stations), or you can book a taxi by phone or from the RTA Taxi website or with the Careem or Uber apps. .

    How to get to Dubai Expo by Car

    Dubai Expo is only a 20-minute drive from Dubai and offers a wide choice of parking spaces, accessible via E77 Expo Road and E311 Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.

    The Dubai Expo car parks are free. Hours are from 08:30 to 00:30 from Saturday to Wednesday and from 08:30 to 02:30 from Thursday to Friday. There are also guarded parking spaces at a cost of AED 95.

    Very frequent shuttles leave from the various car parks to the entrance of Dubai Expo.

    How to get to Dubai Expo from Dubai International Airport

    The closest airports to Expo 2020 Dubai are Dubai International Airport (DXB), Dubai World Central (DWC) and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).

    Most flights arrive at DXB and AUH. Despite the fact that the DWC is really close to Dubai Expo, only very few airlines fly to this airport.

    If you fly with Emirates from 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022, the airline will give you a free ticket to Dubai Expo. If yours is just a stopover in Dubai and if your stopover is longer than six hours, you can still claim your free ticket to visit the Dubai Expo.

    Most European and American citizens can enter Dubai with a free visa on arrival. For more information on UAE visas, check here.

    How to get around the Dubai Expo area

    The best way to explore Dubai Expo is undoubtedly on foot. But there are also other possibilities:

    • Free shuttles: they will allow you to move very quickly from one side to the other and are also accessible with strollers and wheelchairs. Runs every 3 minutes.
    • Golf buggy with driver: it is a premium service (for a fee), available in limited numbers
    • Expo Explorer train: it is a tourist train that takes you on a sightseeing tour of the site. Also accessible to people of determination.

    Best Hotels near Dubai Expo 2020

    The best hotels near Dubai Expo 2020 are:

    Courtyard by Marriott Dubai Green Community

    Courtyard by Marriott Dubai Green Community is located just 5 km from Dubai Expo 2020, offers great air-conditioned accommodation with private bathroom and free toiletries. There is a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, relaxation terrace and gym.

    It boasts several excellent restaurants offering local and international cuisine, including the Cucina Italian restaurant, the Neighborhood British pub and the SOBO, overlooking the pool, serving delicious local dishes.

    Fortune Park Hotel

    Fortune Park Hotel is located just 15 minutes from the Dubai Expo and offers good air-conditioned accommodation with private bathrooms. The reception is open 24 hours and has a spa, sauna and various restaurants.

    Abar Hotel Apartments

    Abar Hotel Apartments is located 5 km from the entrance of the Dubai Expo and offers air-conditioned accommodation with private bathroom and jacuzzi.

    It has a gym, a garden and a beautiful outdoor swimming pool. The rooms have a small kitchenette, refrigerator, and microwave. Parking and wi-fi are free and you can rent a car at the 24-hour reception.

    Best places to eat at Dubai Expo 2020

    Inside Dubai Expo 2020 you will find a huge choice of restaurants, cafes and street food, ranging from the various cuisines of the world, favoring organic and sustainable food.

    In our opinion, these are the best places to eat at Dubai Expo:

    • The Future of Food Epochal Banquet: this curious restaurant located in the Opportunity area, offers a gastronomic journey: a two-hour dining experience inspired by space, microbiology, technology and artificial intelligence, with innovative and future dishes. There are 3 sessions a day and they offer 3 packages with different courses.
    • Farm2table: this restaurant located in the Mobility area, offers dishes based on local agricultural products, grown organically, and cooked using spices and flavors typical of the Silk Road.
    • Maraheb Restaurant Yemeni Cuisine: a place specializing in delicious Yemeni cuisine, located in the district of Opportunity.
    • Farrago: This restaurant serves excellent international cuisine, including a wide choice of vegetarian and vegan specialties. It is located in the Sustainability district.

    Other interesting things to do in Dubai

    In Dubai there is much more than the Dubai Expo 2020!

    Don’t miss the chance to see the amazing Burj Khalifa, go shopping at the Dubai Mall and experience the exciting adventure of a Desert Safari, perhaps enjoying a delicious traditional dinner right among the majestic desert dunes, spending the night under the starry sky.

    Planning your trip to Dubai? 
    Then you should check out the GUIDE TO THE BEST THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN DUBAI.

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