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Dubai Frame: A Stunning View of Old & New Dubai Dubai frame building

Dubai Frame: A Stunning View of Old & New Dubai

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Written By Arabiers Digital & Reviewed by Robeena Brown

24 March 2025 | 12 min

You are immersed into the essence of the thrilling transition of Dubai, a harmonious blend of architectural artistry and glorious history, all impeccably framed within The Dubai Frame. It delights its visitors through multi-layered activities such as museums, the unique skyline deck, and the brilliantly designed glass bridge. Such experiences make one question how to spend more time at such a remarkable place.

The Dubai Frame building is a perfect structural blend that epitomizes the best of the old and new Dubai that adorns the city. This structural piece, which came to life in 2018, is the brainchild of Fernando Donis and is located in Zabeel Park. Upon its inception, this landmark became a classic emblem of the United Arab Emirates.

It contains cross sections that take you through time, and help you envision how Dubai used to be versus Dubai in present times. This site has immense educational value and tips off younger generations on some vital events that lead to Dubai’s success. From being a small port town, Dubai is now a central financial hub, which this frame, along with a museum at its base depicts.

For people who are considering a trip to Dubai, feel free to reach out to Arabiers for visa extension services and we can make your trip a whole lot smoother.

History

The premise of the Dubai Frame building was that it would depict the history of Dubai while also signifying its potential future. As designer Fernando Donis had won developer Dubai Industrial City’s international architecture competition in 2009, he was then instructed to develop the building. In Donis’ perspective, a significant structure must be captivating and simple enough that it complements the city’s progression while simultaneously delivering an exciting story to the users.

The iconic structure is both simple and rich in symbolism with its frame-like architecture that is 150m tall and is 93m wide. The golden color that exterior has, which mirrors how Dubai Expo 2020’s logo looks, displays Dubai’s aspirations. 

Commencing from the top of each of the two towers is a 100-square meter bridge that has a glass floor, adding a somewhat humorous element for people that stroll above it. The Dubai Frame was opened for the public on January 1 2018 and has now become a center point for tourists in the UAE.

Visiting Information

The operating hours of the Dubai Frame are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The price for the tickets is quite reasonable and there are options available for adults, kids, and families. However, online reservations are always advised, especially during busy periods to save time. Residents and special group categories might also get available discounts. The Dubai Frame tickets can be purchased online or at the location and they are available at the entrance too. If you’re considering going there, make sure to go early to avoid the sheer crowds and enjoy the mesmerizing views the location has to offer. 

If you want to enjoy your time, it is better to visit the Dubai Frame building sometime during the October to April period when the temperature drops a bit and is comfortable. If you want to avoid being in a big populated area, try going here on a weekday morning right when it opens. 

The time just past sunset is one of the most popular times to take photographs of the wonderful and breathtaking view of the city as the sun sets its light and the night begins. Always check for updates during the specific time period which is Ramadan, certain limits on food services and times when it's operational may change.

Key Attractions

The exhibitions, alongside media-rich content, seamlessly tell the story of Dubai's past, present, and future as one coherent tale. The story is told in three acts with the first half taking place on the ground floor with 'Old Dubai,' the museum on the ground floor, which serves as a time-machine for the visitors. 

The flashback is vividly expressed with interactive displays focusing on Dubai's Bedouin roots, the pearling industry, and overseas trading. Having absorbed the ancient culture through the exhibition, step into the lift that smoothly takes you up some 492 feet in less than 80 seconds. While working one's way up to the Sky Deck, catch a glimpse of the present-time view of Dubai's modern metropolitan skyline, stretching toward the silhouette of Deira district with its own rich history. 

Future Dubai' lets you gaze at what the city can be in the future; thanks to AR. Just imagine how it would be standing among the skyscrapers and flying taxis; that is what the Dubai Mars Mission exposed at this exhibit, adding depth to the tale of the future. The Dubai Frame building is a photo shoot location, featuring a glass bridge that stands 492 feet above the ground. Give yourself a mild adrenaline rush by walking on the glass structure. It's a good idea to take a selfie there with the skyline in the background.

The Godiva kiosk located on the rooftop sells many types of luxurious chocolate while offering the best view of Dubai. Check out the souvenir store located right next to the frame which sells unique souvenirs and mementos to allow the visitors to take a piece of Dubai with them. 

The interactive tours of ‘Future Dubai’ are also a delight and make for a fun and interesting virtual tour. Zabeel Garden too has lots of things that would pique anyone’s interest such as barbeque spots, tracks for jogging, a mini golf course, and a cricket field. All of these things make it not only fun but also a great place to relax.

Extending Your Dubai Stay

Once people finish visiting the most iconic sights in the UAE like the Dubai Frame, many tend to feel like prolonging the duration of their trip. Luckily, this need has been met since UAE now has visitor visa extension services which grants visitors the access to stay in the country for a longer duration. People can now apply for these extensions from the comfort of their homes or through designated centers.

With extensions, visitors have the ability of spending more time in Dubai which helps them increase their spending time with the rich culture and mesmerizing architectural beauties that the city has to offer. 

For instance, instead of rushing while visiting the Dubai Frame building, tourists could book tickets for additional slots at different times of the day and witness the stunning scenery during sunset and at night. 

Furthermore, over the course of the additional days, people have the option of visiting Zabeel Park, which combines breathtaking nature and the urban jungle, or shopping at local souks. And, these are just a few of the countless attractions in Dubai.

With increased time spent on vacation in Dubai, your schedule can also be changed drastically which leaves time for enjoying Dubai’s other perks. You can never run out of time in Dubai, whether it’s the futuristic galleries or there’s the Sky deck of a Dubai Frame where the views are simply stunning. Either of those can be experienced. With a longer stay, you do not miss out on anything else.

Conclusion

The interactive museums, Sky Deck, Glass Bridge and so much more make up for the perfect visit that shows all the evolutions which Dubai went through.

This explains the purpose of the offering, which is to give people a clear promising future. Visiting it is crucial for every guest as the view and information that one would receive is absolutely one of a kind. Be sure to make the Dubai Frame building one of your key stopovers during your Dubai trip.