Imagine a vast ocean of brilliant colours, a living fairyland where 150 million plants flourish in the blazing desert sun. Welcome to Dubai's Miracle Garden, a place where nature and human ingenuity create an unforgettable visual symphony.
Located in the Al Barsha district, the Garden of Miracles is one of the most unusual places in the city. Spread over 7 hectares, this unique floral park is the largest of its kind in the world. As soon as you step inside, you are enveloped by a delicate fragrance and an explosion of colour. Geraniums, roses, jasmine, petunias, marigolds, coleus, gaillardia, sunflowers, daisies... each petal seems to converse with the light. More than 120 different varieties are brought together in this oversized oasis, set in the heart of the desert like a stubborn dream of greenery.
A lush, ecological flower garden
It's the perfect place to take a stroll, enjoy a drink in one of the cafés lining the garden or simply be inspired by its beauty. Much more than a tourist attraction, this garden is a horticultural feat and a feat of engineering and ecology. A sophisticated irrigation system recycles water, allowing all the plants to flourish despite the hot, dry climate. Particular attention is paid to waste management: around 100 to 150 cubic metres of waste are produced every day, transformed into compost or organic fertiliser. This feat is thanks to a dedicated team of over 400 people, around 85 of whom are % from Pakistan.
At the entrance, visitors are greeted by two topiaries in the shape of giant horse heads. At their base, carpets of petunias and begonias create colourful arabesques. Visitors are astonished to stop in the shade of these plant giants, a living poetry of animal grace and gentle flowers.
The winding paths lead us through monumental floral sculptures: majestic arches formed from thousands of flowers, an enchanted castle inspired by fairy tales, a reconstructed fortress, and so on. Each installation is an ephemeral work of art, meticulously designed to amaze young and old alike.
As you visit, you'll discover themed areas where each floral creation tells a story. From beds of vibrant red roses to multicoloured petunias and artistic compositions depicting animals and cultural symbols, the Miracle Garden is a sensory and emotional journey.
An enchanted world of classical Arabic culture
You'll be impressed by the 15-metre diameter floral clock (which works like a real clock!), the heart-shaped arches and, above all, the Emirates A380, dressed in over 500,000 flowers and plants, reminding us that tourism is essential to the city.
The story of Aladdin did not appear in the original Arabic manuscripts. It was added by Antoine Galland, the first translator of the Arabian Nights into French, in the early 18th century. And it was made popular around the world by Disney's film The Blue Genie.
Every year, new flower sculptures are created. This year, a Smurfs village plunges visitors into the enchanting world of the famous blue creatures created by Belgian cartoonist Peyo. Nestling in an enchanted glade, the Smurfs' houses rise up like giant mushrooms, faithful to those in the comics and films. They are decorated with flowers and colourful plants, watched over by the little blue characters. Their domed roofs, round and colourful - pink, sky blue, buttercup yellow - look like something straight out of a storybook. In Dubai, progress is definitely not smurfed!
At sunset, when the golden light grazes the flowerbeds, the garden is enveloped in softness. And you can savour the last sighs of the day.
This sensory experience attracts 2 million visitors every year, many of them families at weekends. The garden is open every day from October to the end of May, from 9am to 9pm.
Find out more : Miracle garden
Text and Photos : Brigitte Postel
Beautiful report!