The top 17 theme parks and water parks in the Middle East

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is the first-ever Ferrari-branded indoor theme park. Home to thrilling rides and spectacular shows, the attraction is located on Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Rides at the Ferrari-themed destination include Formula Rossa; the world’s fastest coaster, and Flying Aces; a dynamic coaster with one of the tallest loops in the world. Mission Ferrari, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s immersive coaster, opened in 2022.

Ferrari World is owned and operated by Miral – Abu Dhabi’s developer of immersive attractions and experiences. It is joined on Yas Island by Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld.

"Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is a truly iconic theme park that is built on 11 years of Ferrari-inspired experiences,” said Deana Taylor, vice president of operations, innovation and transformation at Miral Experiences.

Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi

Located on Yas Island, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is the first Warner Bros. branded indoor theme park in the world. Home to 29 exhilarating rides, family-friendly attractions and live entertainment, it covers 1.65 million square feet and boasts six immersive lands, as well as shopping and dining experiences.

Opened in 2018, Warner Bros. World brings to life DC superheroes such as Superman and Batman, as well as animation characters like Bugs Bunny and Scooby-Doo. "We wanted every area to be interactive and fun," Don Strickler, former general manager of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, told blooloop.

In 2022, Miral announced a Harry Potter expansion for Warner Bros. World. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Miral, said the company is “excited to be bringing this spellbinding first to the Middle East and the world in the future”.

The Harry Potter expansion could open in 2029, and will feature recreations of the iconic Hogwarts Castle and Diagon Alley locations, as well as a Forbidden Forest.

Global Village, Dubai

Global Village, a multicultural festival park in Dubai, offers cultural, retail, dining and entertainment experiences across 30 pavilions representing more than 90 cultures. Part of Dubai Holding Entertainment, it houses more than 3,500 shopping outlets and over 250 dining options. It also includes the Carnaval funfair, which features games and attractions.

Since opening in 1997, Global Village has welcomed more than 100 million guests.

“Last year, we had more than 10.5 million visitors in just six months," Dubai Holding Entertainment’s CEO Fernando Eiroa told blooloop,

"That makes Global Village one of the top five most visited parks in the world. And, given we operate only half the year, probably in the top three.”

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the region’s first marine life theme park, officially opened to the public on Yas Island in May 2023.

The park, developed by Miral in partnership with SeaWorld, covers five indoor levels and more than 183,000 square metres. It offers eight immersive realms with family-friendly experiences such as animal encounters and presentations, more than 15 rides and attractions, 18 dining experiences, and 13 retail outlets.

The destination contains more than 58 million litres of water and houses more than 100,000 animals, including sharks, fish, rays, sea turtles, and puffins, penguins and flamingos. There are no orcas.

Scott Ross, SeaWorld's chairman, said the first SeaWorld venue to open outside of the US “marks a significant chapter” for the company. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is “unlike anything the world has seen to date, truly representing a next-generation SeaWorld experience”, he added.

Six Flags Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia

Six Flags Qiddiya City, the first Six Flags theme park outside of North America, launched in Saudi Arabia on 31 December. The new park is home to 28 rides and attractions, including the world's longest, fastest and tallest roller coaster.

Located just 40 minutes from Riyadh, Six Flags Qiddiya City combines immersive entertainment with innovative technology across its six themed lands.

Highlights include Falcons Flight; the world's tallest, fastest and longest coaster, as well as Iron Rattler; the world's tallest tilt coaster, and Spitfire; the world's tallest inverting coaster.

"This world-class destination combines cutting-edge, record-breaking attractions, immersive experiences for all ages, and the signature thrills that have made Six Flags a global leader,” said John Reilly, president and CEO of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation.

Aquarabia, Saudi Arabia

Another new attraction at Saudi Arabia's Qiddiya City is Aquarabia. Described as the kingdom's first and largest water theme park, Aquarabia was created by Qiddiya Investment Company in collaboration with Falcon’s Creative Group.

Covering more than 250,000 square meters with eight themed zones and 22 attractions, Aquarabia offers record-breaking slides by WhiteWater, adventure sports including an Endless Surf lagoon, and family-friendly activities within a story-driven setting. The park is inspired by regional wildlife and natural landscapes.

Aquaventure World, Dubai

Aquaventure World at Atlantis the Palm in Dubai features several world firsts and award-winning water rides, many of which were created by WhiteWater. The water park is home to zip lines, slides racing through shark-filled lagoons, and family-friendly offerings.

Kerzner International opened its second Aquaventure water park on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah in 2008. The first attraction launched on Paradise Island in the Bahamas in 2007, and the third opened in Sanya, China, in 2018. ProSlide provided 17 waterslides for phase three of the 2021 Dubai Aquaventure expansion.

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi

Spread across 37 acres of land on Yas Island, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi includes more than 70 rides, slides and experiences at various thrill levels. Designed to celebrate the UAE’s pearl-diving past, the water park features the world’s largest surf-able sheet wave, and the region’s first and only 5D water adventure.

Opened in 2013, Yas Waterworld is owned and operated by Miral. Speaking to blooloop, Miral CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi said the group's focus is to develop Yas Island "as one of the top family entertainment and leisure destinations in the world".

“We are gradually increasing the number of attraction facilities on the island and raising its profile worldwide,” added Al Zaabi. “Year after year, we have been striving to push the envelope and to deliver something unique and new. Our vision is to have more options for our customers to come and visit."

In 2026, Yas Waterworld opened its latest expansion, including 11 new slides by WhiteWater, a leading waterpark manufacturer. It was later awarded the Guinness World Records title for the most waterslides in a water park.

Wild Wadi Waterpark, Dubai

Located in Dubai and overlooking the Burj Al Arab, Wild Wadi Waterpark is an outdoor water park with 30 rides and attractions. Opened in 1998, Wild Wadi is operated by Jumeirah.

Aquatic attractions include the Breaker’s Bay wave pool, the Wipeout and Riptide surfing experience, and the Juha's Journey lazy river. Waterslides on offer include Burj Surj, Tantrum Alley, and Jumeirah Sceirah.

Motiongate Dubai

Motiongate Dubai is the flagship theme park at Dubai Parks and Resorts, which also offers Legoland Dubai, Legoland Water Park, and until its closure in early 2022, Bollywood Parks Dubai.

Dubai Parks and Resorts, which debuted in October 2016, is the region’s biggest multi-themed leisure and entertainment destination.

Motiongate Dubai, also the largest Hollywood-inspired theme park in the Middle East, is spread across four zones – Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, Smurfs and Lionsgate. Featuring 27 thrilling rides and attractions inspired by movies including Shrek, Madagascar and Ghostbusters, Motiongate Dubai occupies 1.9 million square feet.

The theme park’s Lionsgate area has expanded with the addition of two new coasters based on John Wick and Now You See Me.

Dreamland Aqua Park, UAE

Inaugurated in June 1997, Dreamland Aqua Park is located in Umm Al Quwain, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates. It is the largest water park in the region, boasting more than 250,000 square metres of land.

The venue includes 15 waterslides and attractions, as well as camping facilities and cabanas. It also features a mini zoo, and has several F&B outlets.

Legoland Dubai Resort

Together, Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park feature 60 interactive rides, water slides, shows and Lego building experiences. Also part of Dubai Parks and Resorts, Legoland Dubai opened in 2016.

The region’s first Legoland Hotel has now been added to the site. "Dubai Holding opened the Legoland Hotel as a destination in the region," Fernando Eiroa, chief executive officer of Dubai Holding Entertainment, told blooloop.

"We offer a sufficiently rich, wide and diverse range of attractions and experiences to ensure a family staying for 10 days has different things to do every single day."

Al Montazah Parks, UAE

Al Montazah Parks in Sharjah, UAE covers an area of more than 126,000 square metres. It consists of two parks – a theme park called Island of Legends and a water park named Pearls Kingdom.

The latter is home to more than 25 thrilling rides and attractions, including a wave pool and slide tower. Island of Legends takes visitors on a journey through nine nations. Previously the Al Jazeera Park, Al Montazah reopened in 2018 following extensive renovations.

IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai

Owned by IMG Group, IMG Worlds of Adventure is a vast indoor theme park that covers four zones, which include Cartoon Network and Marvel lands.

IMG Boulevard and Lost Valley – Dinosaur Adventure are original experiences created by the group. Launched in 2016, IMG Worlds of Adventure covers an area of more than 1.5 million square feet, and houses roller coasters, thrill rides and themed attractions.

Saraya Aqaba Waterpark, Jordan

Saraya Aqaba Waterpark opened in July 2021 as Aqaba’s first world-class water park, as well as the largest water park in Jordan. The attraction features more than 25 rides, slides and experiences across more than 28,500 square metres.

Inspired by Jordan’s iconic landmarks, highlights include Dead Sea Drop, Wadi Rum Race and Aqua Jerash. Saraya Aqaba was developed by Eagle Hills and is operated by Miral Experiences, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Miral.

Quest, Qatar

Also opened in 2021, Quest is Qatar’s first-ever indoor theme park. The park covers 32,000 square meters within a mixed-use leisure and entertainment hub called Doha Oasis. It features more than 30 rides and attractions, from thrill rides to simulators and virtual reality (VR) experiences. EpiQ Coaster is the world’s tallest indoor roller coaster, while Magma Blast is the tallest indoor drop tower ride in the world.

In addition, Quest offers a 3D flying theatre attraction called Wings of Destiny and a 3D motion simulator called Legend of the Golden Oryx. It also has a spinning swing ride called Gravity Swing, the Jumpin’ Star mini drop tower, and the Time Travel thrill ride.

The Lost Paradise of Dilmun, Bahrain

The Lost Paradise of Dilmun, Bahrain’s biggest water park, is set in 77,000 square metres of desert oasis. Opened in 2007, it boasts more than 20 slides and other offerings, including a lazy river, a wave pool and a raft ride. Relaxing pools and spas are also available at the Lost Paradise of Dilmun, which is inspired by Bahrain’s ancient history.