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Top 15 theme parks and water parks in the Middle East

Discover the best attractions in the region, from SeaWorld Abu Dhabi to Legoland Dubai

The Middle East is home to a diverse cluster of theme parks and water parks. The majority of these are located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and other emirates. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is the latest to open in the Middle East. It can be found on Yas Island, home to myriad unique experiences.

Saudi Arabia is creating a host of attractions in order to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil. However, the country’s existing parks are slightly smaller than the world-class attractions on our list. New developments include Six Flags Qiddiya, the kingdom’s first water park, and the world’s first Dragon Ball theme park.

top theme parks middle east yas island abu dhabi ai service

Due to the hot and dry climate, many Middle East parks offer water-based entertainment. Keep reading for our selection of the top theme parks and water parks in the region, from Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Motiongate Dubai to Yas Waterworld and Atlantis Aquaventure.

1 Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

ferrari world abu dhabi

First on our list is Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the Middle East’s leading theme park, and the first-ever Ferrari-branded indoor theme park. Home to thrilling rides, amazing attractions and spectacular shows, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is found on Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Deana Taylor, deputy general manager at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, said: “Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is a truly iconic theme park that is built on 11 years of Ferrari-inspired experiences.

“The park has made its mark on the global tourism map and continues to be a fan-favourite to date. We are delighted to be offering guests of all ages an unmatched immersive experience as a family-friendly attraction that leaves them with unforgettable memories after every visit.”

Rides 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 new 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 Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.

2 Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi

yas waterworld abu dhabi

Spread across 37 acres of land on Yas Island, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi includes more than 40 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.”

3 Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi

warner bros world abu dhabi

The first Warner Bros.-branded indoor theme park in the world, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, is also located on Yas Island. 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.

According to Guinness World Records, Warner Bros. World is the world’s largest indoor theme park. Opened in 2018, it 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, general manager of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, told blooloop.

“So, when you walk our areas, you’ll run into Bugs Bunny or Daffy Duck, you’ll run into Superman or Batman. The level of detail that we put into the theming and the music restaurant is incredible. Every restaurant you walk into is a different experience. Each retail space is different; different merchandise, different experiences, different feelings.”

In 2022, Miral announced a new Harry Potter-themed land for Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. 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”.

Pam Lifford, president of Warner Bros. Consumer Products, added: “Together with our lands at Universal parks, this will add a wholly new and spectacular destination for fans to immerse themselves in.”

4 Global Village, Dubai

global village dubai

Global Village, a multicultural festival park in Dubai, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022. Home to culture, shopping, dining and entertainment, the attraction offers more than 150 street food outlets and 27 shopping pavilions. It also includes the Carnaval funfair, which features games and attractions.

“Global Village is a truly unique and world-leading entertainment concept, offering guests the opportunity to experience the culture and diversity of more than 78 countries in a single location. Due to the immense scale of our operations, and the various subsystems involved, we are often presented with distinct business challenges,” said Bader Anwahi, CEO at Global Village.

“It’s a nice story to tell,” Anwahi told blooloop. “Global Village was launched in 1997, with a small project on Dubai Creek – around 18 kiosks. Today, we are a 1.6 million-square-metre destination with 3,500 retail outlets, 40,000 shows in a season, more than 300 F&B outlets, and more than 160 rides, skill games and arcades.”

Global Village welcomed more than 9 million visitors during its 27th season in 2022 and 2023 – the highest number of guests in the festival park’s history.

5 Motiongate Dubai

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 inspired by John Wick and Now You See Me. “The opening of the world’s first John Wick roller coaster and the world’s fastest spinning roller coaster are an example of the breadth and diversity of entertainment experiences in Dubai,” said Fernando Eiroa, chief executive officer of Dubai Holding Entertainment.

Motiongate Dubai has now teamed up with technology company Amsaan to offer a deaf-accessibletheme park experience.

6 Legoland Dubai Resort

legoland dubai

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, the resort 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,” Eiroa told blooloop. “Lots of tourists and local residents come to Dubai Parks and Resorts to vacation with their families, so more generally, one of the things we are planning to do is bundle our attractions, offering a one-stop shop. 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.”

7 SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

seaworld abu dhabi opening

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the region’s first marine life theme park, officially opened to the public on Yas Island on 23 May 2023. The new 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.

8 Atlantis Aquaventure, Dubai

atlantis aquaventure dubai

Aquaventure at Atlantis the Palm in Dubai opened on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah back in 2008. The world’s largest water park boasts 79 exhilarating slides and water rides, and is one of three Atlantis Aquaventure attractions in the Bahamas, China and the UAE. 

ProSlide Technology provided 17 waterslides for phase three of the recent Atlantis Aquaventure expansion. “The water rides ProSlide installed are second-to-none and are the perfect complement for our vision for Atlantis to be among the world’s best water parks,” said Sascha Triemer, VP of marine and water park at Atlantis, Dubai.

He added: “Their technology, innovation, and creative design have brought Atlantis to a completely new and higher level in the destination industry that could not have been achieved with any other water ride manufacturer.”

In 2023, Atlantis Aquaventure became the first water park in the Middle East to earn a Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation. Kelly Timmins, Atlantis Dubai’s director of marine animal operations and sustainability, said the CAC designation “emphasises our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility“.

9 Wild Wadi Waterpark, Dubai

wild wadi waterpark

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, Wipeout and Riptide surfing experience, and Juha’s Journey lazy river. Waterslides on offer include Burj Surj, Tantrum Alley, and Jumeirah Sceirah.

10 IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai

img worlds of adventure

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 concepts created by the group. Launched in 2016, IMG Worlds of Adventure was the world’s largest indoor theme park until Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi opened in 2018. The park covers an area in excess of 1.5 million square feet, and houses roller coasters, thrill rides and themed attractions.

Lennard Otto, CEO at IMG Worlds of Adventure, previously spoke to blooloop about the use of cutting-edge technology at attractions in the Middle East. “UAE parks are pretty much all new,” he said. “The parks are all using the latest technology in their attractions.”

11 Dreamland Aqua Park, UAE

dreamland aqua park

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. 

12 Al Montazah Parks, UAE

al montazah parks

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. Formerly the Al Jazeera Park, Al Montazah reopened in 2018 following extensive renovations.

“We are certain that Al Montazah Parks in its new avatar will redefine leisure and entertainment for the entire family,” Khalid Al Qaseer, manager of Al Montazah Parks, said in advance of the launch. “The destination is poised to be one of the most thrilling and fun-filled escapes not just in Sharjah but in the UAE.”

13 Saraya Aqaba Waterpark, Jordan

saraya aqaba waterpark

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.

Chris Van Der Merwe, Saraya Aqaba Waterpark’s general manager, said the attraction is “the first of its kind in Aqaba and the largest in the kingdom of Jordan”.

“We are pleased to be home to unique and exhilarating water adventures on the only coastal city of Jordan. This only shows the valuable contribution of Saraya Aqaba Waterpark to the local tourism efforts by providing a holistic experience and offering a myriad of options for locals and visitors alike. It is an enriching and authentic attraction that has it all in one place,” he said.

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.

14 Quest, Qatar

doha quest

Also launched in 2021, Quest is Qatar’s first-ever indoor theme park. Operated by MR-ProFun, the park covers 32,000 square meters within a mixed-use leisure and entertainment hub called Doha Oasis.

Quest 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, and Magma Blast is the tallest indoor drop tower ride in the world.

Quest is divided into three time dimensions – Oryxville, City of Imagination, and Gravity. It features a handful of themed F&B outlets, including Planet Hollywood Doha. In addition, Quest includes 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 (Gravity Swing), the Jumpin’ Star mini drop tower, and the Time Travel thrill ride.

15 The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park, Bahrain

top water parks middle east

The final entry on our list is the Lost Paradise of Dilmun, Bahrain’s biggest water park, set in 77,000 square metres of desert oasis. Opened in 2007, the aquatic attraction has welcomed more than two million visitors.

It boasts more than 20 slides and other offerings, including a lazy river, wave pool and raft ride. Relaxing pools and spas are also available at the Lost Paradise of Dilmun, which is inspired by Bahrain’s ancient history. The park is separated into six themed areas – Dilmun Beach, Qasar Enki, Tylosplash, Kids’ Mesopomania, Falcons’ Dive, and the Oasis Pool. 

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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