Dominated by low-rise buildings decorated with colourful murals, Al Karama is a densely populated residential district in Dubai. It’s one of the city’s older communities and centres around a sprawling commercial area with a lively fish market. Al Karama offers easy access to Zabeel Park and the banks of Dubai Creek.
Things to do in Al Karama
Spread across several buildings is the Karama Centre, which is home to more than 300 stores selling everything from clothing to handbags and sporting goods. At the Al Karama Fish Market, you’ll find a wide variety of freshly caught fish and shellfish within an indoor setting. In addition to seafood, there are stalls selling meat products, fruits and vegetables.
On the southern edge of Al Karama is Zabeel Park, a recreational green space with impressive views of Dubai’s skyline. It’s home to thousands of palm trees and a 2.5-kilometre-long jogging track, as well as a skate park, a boating lake and children’s play areas. Gaze up at the Dubai Frame, which rises to more than 150 metres in height and serves as both a museum and an observatory.
Travelling with kids? Plans a visit to Children’s City, a science-based learning centre in nearby Creek Park. It is packed with hands-on exhibits that will appeal to all ages, as well as boasting a planetarium for learning about the night sky. After your visit, you can stretch your legs on the scenic walking trails that hug Dubai Creek.
Getting around Al Karama
Al Karama is around five minutes’ drive from the historic heart of Dubai, Al Fahidi, and 10 minutes from Dubai International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Subway services connecting along the Dubai Metro’s Red line stop at ADCB Station and buses travel throughout the district.