Palm Jumeirah was built from sand dredged off the seabed of the Gulf over six years — from 2001 to 2007. Today it's an island home to 80,000+ residents, two Atlantis resorts, and the city's best public beach. For visitors, a full day is all you need: mornings at the waterpark, sunset from the observation deck, dinner on Palm West Beach.
Reference information: confirm prices, ratings and schedules with the operator. Official website
Atlantis: Two Resort Giants
At the top of the PalmYou don't need to be a hotel guest to experience either Atlantis — park tickets or restaurant reservations will get you in.
Opened in 2008
Atlantis The Palm
The iconic pink arch crowning the island: The Lost Chambers Aquarium with 65,000 marine creatures, plus Nobu and Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen.
Photo: Atlantis - The Palm / Google
opened in 2023Atlantis The Royal
A skyscraper built from stacked "blocks" right next to the iconic Atlantis: 90+ pools, a restaurant by Dima Khummar, and the rooftop Cloud 22 bar — reservation required.
Photo: Atlantis The Royal / Google
at Atlantis The PalmAquaventure Waterpark
105+ slides and rides, including the Leap of Faith — a near-vertical drop through a transparent tunnel running through a shark lagoon. Your ticket is valid all day and includes access to the park's beach.
Photo: Lakshay Jhuria / Google
Viewpoints & Beaches
free and almostThe "palm" shape is only visible from above — at street level, it's just regular roads.
Palm Tower, 240 mThe View at The Palm
52nd floor of Palm Tower: the island looks just like a postcard, Atlantis front and center, Marina on the horizon. Sunset slots cost more — book a couple of days ahead.
Photo: The View Palm Jumeirah / Google
western "frond"Palm West Beach
1.5 kilometers of public beach with views of the Marina and the sunset: restaurants, paddleboards, live music. Sun loungers are paid; the sand is free.
Photo: Palm West Beach by Dubai Retail / Google
Gateway → AtlantisPalm Monorail
The region's only monorail runs along the "trunk" of the Palm all the way to Atlantis, with sweeping views of the entire island along the way. Sit at the front, right up against the windshield.
Photo: AAP2 / Google
Getting There
- TaxiReference information: confirm prices, ratings and schedules with the operator.
- Monorailfrom Palm Gateway (by the Palm Jumeirah tram stop) to Atlantis
- Tram + monoraila practical combo from Marina — no taxi needed
- On footon the island — West Beach only; everywhere else requires transport
Reference information: confirm prices, ratings and schedules with the operator.
Daily budget
- BudgetReference information: confirm prices, ratings and schedules with the operator.
- StandardReference information: confirm prices, ratings and schedules with the operator.
- FullReference information: confirm prices, ratings and schedules with the operator.
Reference information: confirm prices, ratings and schedules with the operator.
Good to know before you go
- •The Pointe — the promenade opposite Atlantis — has been closed for renovation since 2023. The Palm fountains are not yet operational; the evening scene has moved to Palm West Beach.
- •At Aquaventure in summer, arrive at opening: by midday, queues for the top slides can reach 40–60 minutes.
- •Reference information: confirm prices, ratings and schedules with the operator.
- •The full "palm from above" perspective only exists at altitude: The View, a helicopter, or a skydive over the island.
- •For a dinner with views of Atlantis, skip the hotel itself — the restaurants on the Pointe side of West Beach offer the same view for less.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you visit Atlantis without staying at the hotel?
- Reference information: confirm prices, ratings and schedules with the operator.
- Is there a free beach on Palm Jumeirah?
- Reference information: confirm prices, ratings and schedules with the operator.
- How much time do you need on the Palm?
- Without the waterpark, half a day covers it: The View, West Beach, and the monorail. Add Aquaventure and you've got a full day. Staying on the Palm makes sense if you're after a beach holiday; for sightseeing, Marina or Downtown Dubai are more practical bases.
- The View or Burj Khalifa — which one should you choose?
- They offer completely different perspectives. From The View you see the Palm itself — it's the only way to actually make out its shape. From Burj Khalifa, you get the entire city skyline. If your trip is short and budget allows only one, Burj Khalifa delivers more of that iconic Dubai experience — and you can always admire the Palm from ground level.
- Is it true that the Palm is sinking?
- This myth surfaces regularly, but there's no official data pointing to any critical subsidence: the island sits on vibrocompacted sand behind a rock breakwater. Banks routinely issue 25-year mortgages on Palm properties, and real estate here remains among the most expensive in the city.
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