United Arab Emirates
Umm Al Emarat Park is a 16-hectare landscaped public park in the Al Mushrif district of central Abu Dhabi, and one of the oldest green spaces on the island. Originally opened in the 1980s as Mushrif Park — and famously the first ladies-only park in the emirate — it was comprehensively rebuilt and reopened in 2014 under the name Umm Al Emarat, meaning "Mother of the Nation", in honour of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. Today it combines a botanic garden, an animal barn, an outdoor amphitheatre, an illuminated evening garden, a preserved ladies-only section, and the Great Lawn — a single open expanse used for picnics, family days and free public events. This guide covers everything inside the gates, how to get there, when to visit, and how it differs from the larger Mushrif Central Park nearby.
At a Glance
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | 15th Street, Al Mushrif district, central Abu Dhabi |
| Total area | Approximately 750,000 sq ft (~16 hectares) |
| Established / Renovated | Originally Mushrif Park (1980s); rebuilt and reopened 2013–2014 |
| Opening hours | Approximately 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. Tuesday–Sunday; Friday opens ~2 p.m.; closed Mondays |
| Admission | Approximately AED 5 per adult; children typically free |
| Lighting | Fully lit; the Evening Garden is designed specifically for night visits |
| Parking | Free street and lot parking outside the gates |
| Best for | Family days, evening picnics, botanical walks, the Animal Barn, cultural events |
| Distance from central AD | ~10–15 minutes by car from the Corniche |
What's Inside
The park is divided into clearly themed zones connected by paved walkways. Most visitors enter from the main gate on 15th Street and loop the grounds in 60–90 minutes; families with children at the Animal Barn typically stay longer.
The Botanic Garden
The Botanic Garden is the largest themed zone and the reason many regular visitors return. Beds are arranged by region and use, mixing native UAE flora — date palms, ghaf, sidr, desert wildflowers — with exotic species suited to the Gulf climate. Interpretive signage labels each bed in Arabic and English, which makes it a quietly educational walk for children. The botanic paths are shaded by mature trees and remain pleasant to walk well into the warmer months.
The Great Lawn
The Great Lawn is a single, very large open lawn at the heart of the park. It is used for picnics, kite-flying, frisbee, family birthdays, school visits and the public events the park is best known for — National Day shows, Eid celebrations and weekend cultural markets. There are no formal barbecue facilities; visitors bring blankets, cushions, cold food and shade tents.
The Animal Barn
The Animal Barn is the most popular zone with children. It is a small, well-kept educational facility housing goats, sheep, ponies, ducks and free-range chickens, with feed cups available for a small extra charge at the entrance. Staff supervise interactions with the larger animals. The barn is open during normal park hours, but morning and late-afternoon visits are best — the animals are most active when temperatures are cooler.
The Shade House
The Shade House is a covered glasshouse-style botanical zone designed to extend the gardens' usable hours into Abu Dhabi's hottest months. Filtered light, a denser planting scheme, and active misting keep it noticeably cooler than the open beds outside. It is a good summer alternative for visitors who still want a botanical walk but cannot stand under direct sun.
The Evening Garden
The Evening Garden is a section designed specifically for night visits, planted with night-blooming species and lit with low landscape lighting. It is deliberately quiet — paths are narrower, seating is set back from the main routes, and the lighting is dim enough to keep the garden feeling like a garden rather than a stage. Couples, photographers and post-dinner walkers tend to head here first.
The Amphitheatre
The outdoor stepped Amphitheatre is one of central Abu Dhabi's most-used public event venues. It hosts evening concerts, film screenings, talks, religious lectures during Ramadan, and seasonal cultural programming around National Day and Eid. Most events are free or very low-cost; tickets, when required, are sold at the gate or through the park's official channels.
The Ladies-Only Garden
A walled garden in the southern corner is preserved from the original Mushrif Park and remains open to women only. It has its own seating, lawn, and shaded pavilions. Signage at the entrance is clear; men and boys above a certain age are not admitted.
Children's Playgrounds and Café
Multiple fenced children's playgrounds are spread across the grounds with shade canopies, swings, climbing frames and rubberised flooring. An open-air café and several small kiosks sell coffee, soft drinks, ice cream and light snacks. The café terrace overlooks the Great Lawn and is a reliable evening meeting spot.
Getting There
By Car
Umm Al Emarat sits between 15th Street and Karama Street in the Al Mushrif district, roughly in the geographic middle of Abu Dhabi island. From the Corniche or Downtown Abu Dhabi, the drive is 10–15 minutes. From Yas Island or Saadiyat Island, allow 20–25 minutes, and from the mainland over Sheikh Zayed Bridge, around 20 minutes. Free parking is available on the surrounding streets and in lots immediately outside the gates; weekend evenings fill up after 6 p.m., so arriving slightly earlier is wise.
By Taxi or Ride-Hailing
Standard Abu Dhabi taxis, Careem and Uber all serve the park. A one-way ride from the Corniche is roughly AED 15–25; from Yas Island, AED 50–70. Drivers know the park well by either name — Umm Al Emarat or "Mushrif Park".
By Bus
DARB bus routes serve 15th Street and Karama Street with stops within a 5–10 minute walk of the park gates. Bus is a workable option for residents already on the network but rarely the fastest choice for visitors arriving from outside the Mushrif area.
Best Time to Visit
- October to April — comfortable at any time of day. Weekday mornings are quiet and good for the Botanic Garden and Animal Barn; Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest family slots and the most likely to have live programming on the Amphitheatre.
- May to September — daytime visits are uncomfortable; outdoor temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C. The park comes alive after sunset, and the Evening Garden, Shade House and Amphitheatre are all designed to make late visits worthwhile. Aim for 7 p.m. onwards.
- Ramadan — the park typically extends evening hours and runs a denser cultural programme, including Iftar markets and night talks at the Amphitheatre. Confirm timings before travelling, as the schedule shifts each year.
For event-driven visits, the busiest periods are National Day (early December), Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha and the satellite events of the long-running Liwa Date Festival, which uses Umm Al Emarat as one of its Abu Dhabi-island venues.
Practical Notes
- Modest sportswear and family-appropriate dress are appreciated
- Pets are not permitted in Abu Dhabi public parks
- Outside food is allowed; alcohol and shisha are not
- Cycling and electric scooters are restricted to designated paths and not allowed on the Great Lawn
- The Animal Barn closes slightly earlier than the rest of the park on hot days — confirm at the gate
- Free public Wi-Fi covers parts of the park
- Tickets are sold in cash and by card at the gate; there is no advance online booking for general entry
- The park is closed all day Mondays for maintenance — confirm before travelling
- Strollers and wheelchairs roll easily on every main path; the Botanic Garden and Evening Garden are fully accessible
Nearby
Umm Al Emarat is centrally placed on the island, which makes it easy to combine with other Abu Dhabi landmarks. The much larger Mushrif Central Park is a 5-minute drive west and is a separate destination — a 12-hectare municipal park with its own play areas and walking loops. The Corniche Beach Running Track is 10–15 minutes north for a long flat run or seafront walk. Khalifa Park, with its canals and Heritage Museum, is around 10 minutes east. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a 15-minute drive south over Mussafah Bridge, and Abu Dhabi Mall is 10 minutes north for shopping or a meal after an evening visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Umm Al Emarat Park?
Umm Al Emarat is a 16-hectare landscaped park in the Al Mushrif district of central Abu Dhabi. It combines a botanic garden, an animal barn, an evening garden, a shade house, an outdoor amphitheatre and a preserved ladies-only garden. Originally opened in the 1980s as Mushrif Park, it was rebuilt and reopened in 2014 under its current name, which means "Mother of the Nation".
How much does it cost to enter Umm Al Emarat Park?
Admission is approximately AED 5 per adult, paid at the gate. Children typically enter free. Some Amphitheatre events are ticketed separately, but most cultural programming is free or very low-cost.
What time is Umm Al Emarat Park open?
Approximately 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Friday opening is later, around 2 p.m., and Mondays the park is closed all day for maintenance. Hours can shift slightly during Ramadan and around major public events.
Where is Umm Al Emarat Park located?
In the Al Mushrif district of central Abu Dhabi, between 15th Street and Karama Street. It is a 10–15 minute drive from the Corniche and roughly in the geographic middle of Abu Dhabi island.
Is there an animal area at Umm Al Emarat Park?
Yes. The Animal Barn is one of the park's most popular zones, with goats, sheep, ponies, ducks and free-range chickens. Feed is sold at the entrance and staff supervise interactions with the larger animals. Mornings and late afternoons are the best times to visit.
Is parking available at Umm Al Emarat Park?
Yes. Free street and lot parking is available immediately outside the gates along 15th Street and Karama Street. Weekend evenings get busy after 6 p.m., so arriving slightly earlier is helpful.
Is Umm Al Emarat Park family-friendly?
Very. The park is designed primarily for families: the Animal Barn, Great Lawn, multiple fenced children's playgrounds, paved stroller-friendly paths and an open-air café all sit within the same grounds. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest family slots.
What was Umm Al Emarat Park called before?
It was originally Mushrif Park, opened in the 1980s as the first ladies-only public park in Abu Dhabi. After a comprehensive renovation, the park reopened in 2014 as Umm Al Emarat — "Mother of the Nation" — in honour of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. The original ladies-only garden is preserved within the new layout.
When is the best time to visit Umm Al Emarat Park?
Between October and April, the park is comfortable any time of day; weekday mornings are quietest and weekend evenings have the most events. Between May and September, evening visits from 7 p.m. onwards are far more comfortable, and the Evening Garden, Shade House and Amphitheatre are designed specifically for night use.
How does Umm Al Emarat Park compare to Mushrif Central Park?
They are different parks. Umm Al Emarat is the renovated former Mushrif Park, focused on themed botanical gardens, the Animal Barn, the Evening Garden and the Amphitheatre. Mushrif Central Park is a separate, larger municipal park about 5 minutes' drive away, with its own play areas, walking loops and lawns. Many local families visit both in the same week.