Quiet Places in Dubai: Libraries and Gardens, With Hours and Fees

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Al Jaddaf opens from 9am to 9pm Monday to Saturday, from 2pm on Fridays, and closes on Sundays, according to its visitor page. On Al Wasl Street, Al Safa Art and Design Library sits directly opposite Safa Park. These are two of the places in Dubai where a few quiet hours are easy to find, alongside a handful of free and low-cost gardens.

At a glance

PlaceAreaEntryHours Mohammed Bin Rashid LibraryAl Jaddaf, Dubai CreekFree on opening in 2022; registration required thenMon–Sat 9am–9pm; Fri 2pm–9pm; closed Sun Al Safa Art and Design LibraryAl Wasl Street, opposite Safa ParkOpen to Dubai Public Library membersSun–Thu 8am–8pm; Fri 8am–12pm (Oct 2025) Quranic ParkAl KhawaneejFree (small fee for Cave of Miracles and Glass House)Daily Al Barsha Pond ParkAl Barsha 2FreeFrom 8am Al Ittihad ParkPalm JumeirahFree24 hours Safa ParkAl WaslAED 3From 8am Mushrif National ParkMirdifAED 3; AED 10 per carFrom 8am

Mohammed Bin Rashid Library

The library stands on the bank of Dubai Creek. When it opened to the public in June 2022, Khaleej Times reported more than 1.1 million books across 54,000 sq m, seven floors and nine libraries, including a General Library of over 100,000 books, a Children's Library, a seventh-floor collection of rare manuscripts and a temporary exhibition space that changes every three months. Entry was free at opening, with visitors asked to register through the library's website or app; check the current arrangement before you go.

House rules on the library's visitor page are specific:

• Children under five are not allowed in the library.
• Dress must cover shoulders and knees, or entry is refused.
• Flash photography is not permitted, and commercial use of images needs the library's permission.

Getting there: Creek Metro Station, at the end of the Green Line, is a 5 to 10 minute walk, and bus C04 stops there too. By road, use Al Khail Road (D68) near the Dubai Creek crossing and follow the signs to the main car park, which also has bicycle parking. An abra runs from Dubai Festival City Marine Station to Al Jaddaf Marine Station, about 20 minutes' walk from the library.

Al Safa Art and Design Library

Run by Dubai Culture, this branch of Dubai Public Library was established in 1989 and renovated in 2018. It has spaces for reading, working and research, an art gallery showing local and international artists, a children's section, and materials in Arabic, English, Hindi, Chinese and French, plus Braille. Its collection leans towards fine arts, architecture, Arabic calligraphy, performing arts and design. Any Dubai Public Library member can use it.

Gulf News listed Dubai Public Library hours as Sunday to Thursday 8am to 8pm and Friday 8am to 12pm, closed Saturdays, in October 2025; Dubai Culture's own page shows two different schedules, so call 800 33222 before a special trip. For membership fees and study-room bookings, see our guide to Dubai Public Library membership.

Gardens for a slower hour

Large Dubai Municipality parks generally open at 8am and close at 10pm, later at weekends, according to Gulf News's October 2026 park guide.

• Safa Park is directly across Al Wasl Street from the library, with open lawns next to the Dubai Water Canal. Entry is AED 3 and parking is free.
• Quranic Park in Al Khawaneej has gardens and a lake. Entry is free; the Cave of Miracles and Glass House carry a small separate fee.
• Al Barsha Pond Park covers about 20 hectares around a large pond. It is free, and barbecues are not allowed.
• Al Ittihad Park on Palm Jumeirah is free, open 24 hours and planted with labelled native species.
• Mushrif National Park in Mirdif is woodland, with trees and sandy picnic areas. Entry is AED 3 per person or AED 10 per car.

For walking routes through these parks, see nature walks in Dubai's parks.

Before you go

• Check holiday timings: park and library hours change on public holidays.
• At the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, dress to cover shoulders and knees and leave under-fives at home.
• Children aged two and under, and People of Determination, usually enter Dubai's public parks free.
• More places to spend unhurried time are listed in our Directory.

For general information. Details can change; check with the library or Dubai Municipality before relying on them.