Al Qudra Lakes and Love Lake

Al Qudra Lakes are the easiest way to feel the open desert on your own terms, without a tour, and they are free. About forty-five minutes south of Downtown by car, off the Al Qudra Road in the Saih Al Salam area, a chain of man-made lakes lies among low dunes and ghaf trees, fringed with reeds and visited by an extraordinary number of birds for a desert: flamingos, herons and ducks gather on the water, and the area is also home to foxes and Arabian oryx, which are sometimes spotted in the distance. The best known spot is Love Lake, a pair of lakes shaped like interlocking hearts, a favourite with couples and photographers, especially from above in drone footage. Around the lakes you find picnic and barbecue areas, quiet places to watch the sunset over the dunes, and, on the horizon, the distant towers of the city, which at dusk seem to float above the sand. Al Qudra is also the home of Dubai's best-known desert cycling track, a long dedicated loop through the dunes with a cycle hub where you can rent bikes, and of informal camping in the cool season. The lakes border the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, and the whole area is meant to be enjoyed lightly: there are few facilities, no shops at the lakes, and the sand is fragile. Go in the cool season, ideally late afternoon to stay for sunset, with a full tank, water and snacks. Fit: couples, photographers, cyclists, families who like the outdoors, and anyone with a car and a free afternoon.

The lakes were created as part of a wider project to green this edge of the desert, and they have become one of the most loved informal escapes for Dubai residents, which is why weekends, especially Friday and Saturday afternoons in winter, are busy. Weekday visits are far quieter, and early mornings are best for birds, when flamingos are feeding and the light is soft.

How to do it well: you need a car, since there is no public transport; a normal saloon car can reach the main lakes on paved roads, but do not drive off-road onto the dunes. Bring everything you need, including water, snacks, a blanket or chairs, insect repellent and a bag to take your rubbish home. Keep your distance from wildlife and do not feed the birds. If you want to cycle, rent a bike at the cycle hub and stick to the track; it is long and exposed, so start early and carry water. Camping is popular in the cool season; follow posted rules and current guidance on fires and barbecues. Drones are restricted in many parts of the UAE, so check the rules before flying one.

Practical note: Dubai and its desert parks are operating normally, but some governments currently advise caution or reconsidering travel to the UAE, so check your own government's advice and your insurance before heading out to remote areas. For a guided desert evening with dune drives and dinner, see our desert safari; Al Qudra is the quiet, independent alternative.