The moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived! The results are in for Tiqets’ 6th Annual Remarkable Venue Awards, a celebration of the best attractions and museums in top destinations around the world (including the UAE).
Highlighting the best museum and attractions in the tourism industry, this annual tourism awards series aims to shine a spotlight on the places that provide guests with an incredible experience.
The winners are decided based on real reviews by over 1.1 million customers, as well as a panel of local industry experts. We are proud to announce this year’s UAE tourist attraction winners in their first-ever nominations for this awards series.
Without further ado, let’s meet the museums and attractions in the UAE that are worth the visit in 2023. The following UAE winners continue to provide stellar experiences across five different categories, making these venues truly remarkable.
Best Hidden Gem: The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi
“Very very beautiful. I would definitely recommend coming!”
– Shlomo, Israel
A true diamond hidden in the rough of the Middle Eastern desert, the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi swept away the competition with its state-of-the-art facility. Consistently ranking as a great place for families, it’s no wonder this tourist attraction in the UAE was awarded a Remarkable Venue Award.
Nearly 46,000 marine animals flourish inside a manmade ocean, with flooded forests, caves, and frozen seas spanning from the Amazon to the Arctic. The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is stunning not only for its sheer size and biodiversity, it’s also a leader in the care and keeping of hundreds of rare and endangered species, including 25 species of sharks and stingrays.
Most Innovative Venue: Aquaventure Waterpark
“This waterpark is the best. You don’t have time enough in a day to enjoy all the slides! Besides, a new tower with new attraction slides was in 2021 added. Come in the first hours of opening and stay till the end of the program!“
– Camelia, Romania
Creating a desert oasis packed with water rides is no easy task, but the geniuses behind the Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis: The Palm have done just that. Over 17 glorious hectares of wet and wild fun can be found at this family-friendly UAE tourist attraction, which made a big splash as the UAE’s Most Innovative Venue.
Claiming to be the world’s largest waterpark, this venue boasts 105 rip-roaring slides, lazy rivers galore, a creative splash area for little ones, and over 1 km of private sandy beach to enjoy.
As if a beach day in the UAE isn’t fun enough, Aquaventure Waterpark also offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences like swimming with dolphins, playing with sea lions, and even a Shark Safari where you are submerged with sharks, stingrays, and thousands of colorful fish.
Most Remarkable Venue: Dubai Frame
“Amazing! Completely worth it for the views of old and new Dubai. The Frame is something everyone who visits Dubai should see! “– Gretel, United States
The Dubai Frame is a feat of modern architecture, and currently holds the record for the largest frame in the world at 140.24 meters tall and 95.53 meters wide. The views from the top are probably why it was selected as the Most Remarkable Venue in the UAE, an award given to attractions that impress guests with innovative design and memorable experiences.
Described as magical and mesmerizing in its reviews, the Dubai Frame is made of glass, concrete and steel. It rises from the desert sand with a glass-bottomed walkway and an observation deck that gives visitors unobstructed views of shiny skyscrapers, glittering hotels, and sparkling Dubai Marina.
The unique design of the Dubai Frame is what makes it stand out from the crowd – and the Dubai skyline. When you look through the Dubai Frame, you can see how this humble fishing village on the Arabian Gulf magically transformed into the swanky city it is today.
Best Museum: Louvre Abu Dhabi
“This was the absolute highlight of my stay in Abu Dhabi. Brilliant collections, phenomenal architecture, well-organized with efficient staff.” – Frederick, South Africa
The Best Museum award uses customer reviews on Tiqets.com to recognise the best museum or art gallery in the country.
A unique and groundbreaking collaboration between the Parisian Louvre and the UAE government gave birth to 2022’s best museum in the UAE – Louvre Abu Dhabi. Incredible architecture and an even more incredible collection of 600 global masterpieces inside, Louvre Abu Dhabi truly has it all.
The exterior of Louvre Abu Dhabi takes center stage, composed of over 7,850 metallic stars attached to criss-crossing beams to create an intricate domed roof that plays with light and shadow.
What steals the show is the extensive collection of unique and valuable treasures organized chronologically – not geographically – throughout the Louvre Abu Dhabi interior.
This revolutionary method allows ancient Egyptian artifacts to be displayed alongside pieces from European antiquity. Original artwork from Van Gogh and Monet pairs seamlessly with small folk artworks from across the globe to remind visitors that creativity is universal.
Best Attraction: The Yellow Boats
“AMAZING. The tour was well-organized, the staff was well-prepared and super kind. Excellent tour for taking pictures of the amazing view of Dubai Marina.” – Francesco, Belgium
From theme parks to zoos to guided visits and tours, the Best Attraction award honors the venues that stand out thanks to their appeal to a range of visitors.
On a day of sightseeing on Dubai Marina, you can’t miss the bright yellow motorboats mingling with the super yachts in the Arabian Gulf. There’s no better way to see the extensive shimmering skyline of Dubai than from the water.
The Yellow Boat guides will help you flood your feed with picture-perfect photos as you gain entertaining insight about Dubai – an excellent excursion for locals and visitors alike. The Yellow Boats consistently boasts friendly, welcoming staff season after season, keeping its slot at the top of the best tourist attractions in the UAE.
Best Landmark: Qasr Al Watan Palace
It was awesome! It’s a must-see place when you visit the UAE. You might want to go there last – no other place will compare after seeing the Qasr Al Watan Palace. – Heidy, UAE
The Best Landmark category recognizes venues such as sacred sites, castles, natural landmarks, historic or iconic buildings, and observation decks.
The Qasr Al Watan Palace was completed in 2017, making it one of the more recent tourist attractions in the UAE. It is one of the few places open to the public at the Presidential Palace Complex, which makes it all the more rewarding.
The grand facade of this building pays homage to the rich architectural design and time-honored traditions of Arabian culture, with gracefully curved archways, glimmering golden detail, and opulent materials used throughout.
Once you’ve managed to tear your eyes away from the immaculate entrance, a treasure trove of precious artifacts awaits. Intricate mosaics of Emirati design, a 1,000-year-old copy of the Quran, and a 37-meter wide central dome – one of the world’s largest – can be found inside.
Best Onsite Experience: La Perle by Dragone
“It was like nothing I’ve seen in my life. Breathtaking from the first minute to the last!” – Gabriela, Israel
Keeping the visitor experience at heart, the Best Onsite Experience award is selected based on customer ratings and reviews from Tiqets.com that highlighted staff interaction and information available at the venue.
La Perle by Dragone mopped up the competition with its underwater and airborne entertainment performance. Located in a custom-built venue, 1,300 spectators can watch a mesmerizing program full of actors, acrobats, stunt performers, and artists who perform aquatic and aerial feats in front of your eyes.
Temporarily suspend your beliefs about what you think you know about physics – the laws of gravity and natural limitations of the human body magically disappear within the parameters of showtime at La Perle by Dragone in Dubai.
