Ain Dubai to close for seven weeks until end of Ramadan


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Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest observation wheel, will close from Monday until Eid Al Fitr to allow for “enhancements”.

The Bluewaters Island attraction has established itself as part of Dubai‘s skyline since it opened in October last year.

Standing at more than 250 metres tall – about twice the height of the London Eye – the wheel offers views of landmarks including Burj Al Arab and The Palm Jumeirah from its 48 cabins.

Hundreds of thousands of people have visited the attraction since it opened, the attraction’s website said.

The landmark will remain closed for about seven weeks as it undergoes improvements to “introduce new and exciting offerings”.

“For periodic enhancements, Ain Dubai will be closed from today and throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan,” it said.

“Over the coming weeks and as part of our commitment to continuously develop the unrivalled guest experience, we will work closely with our customer team and key partners to introduce new and exciting offerings bound to wow visitors.

“We look forward to welcoming our visitors back for our planned reopening, scheduled for the Eid Al Fitr holiday weekend.”

Spectacular photos of Ain Dubai taken over a nine-month period

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km

Price: from Dh94,900

On sale: now

Buy farm-fresh food

The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.

In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others. 

In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food. 

In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra. 

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End of free parking

- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18

- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued

- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket

- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200. 

- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200

- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300

Updated: March 14, 2022, 11:48 AM