One of the places I visited in Dubai was the Dubai Frame, a 150-meter-high structure with an observation deck at the top. The creators of the Frame envisioned it as a symbolic link between the city's past and future.
Observation Deck at the Dubai Frame
The idea that the Frame connects two different eras in the city's history is evident from its observation deck: on one side, you can see the small houses of the old part of the city, while the other side faces Dubai’s modern center with its towering skyscrapers and the Burj Khalifa. The Frame not only symbolizes the connection between old and new but also highlights the city’s extravagant wealth—its exterior walls are designed to resemble gold.
I visited the Frame to go up to its observation deck, which is located at the very top of the structure. Some sections of the floor are made of transparent glass, allowing visitors to walk over a 150-meter-high void. When I first read about this feature, it seemed like quite a thrill-seeking experience, but in reality, there was nothing scary about it—both children and elderly visitors confidently walked on the glass floor.
The observation deck has several interactive screens where visitors can draw patterns, which then appear on the display. For those who want a snack or a coffee break, there is a small café. At the entrance, visitors are offered the chance to take a photo, which can be printed at the top of the Frame for 100 dirhams.
The lower part of the Frame houses a small exhibition about Dubai’s development, and at the exit, visitors can watch a short video about the city's future. I visited on a weekday, and there was a short queue at the entrance—I waited for about ten minutes. There was also a small crowd near the elevators on the way down. By the way, the Dubai Frame’s elevators take guests up and down in just one and a half minutes.
Dubai Frame: How to Get There
Although the Frame is not far from two metro stations, Max and ADCB, my journey took longer than expected. I walked from Max station, and along the way, I came across the entrance to one of the city parks. The ticket cost five dirhams, and the security guard told me that I could reach the Frame through the park. While this was true, I later realized that I could have reached the Frame without entering the park at all. The park itself was mostly empty, with just a few palm trees, two visitors, a cat, and a semi-abandoned planetarium. Moreover, to exit the park and get to the observation deck entrance, I had to take a long detour.
The ticket price for the observation deck is 52.5 dirhams, and both cash and international bank cards are accepted. You can use online maps to plan your route from the metro to the Frame, though the app may sometimes suggest a dead-end path through the park.
In my next article about Dubai, I will talk about the unique Museum of the Future building.
Have a nice trip!
