AYA

It's ideal for Instagrammers looking to light up their social media feed, but AYA, situated in the atrium of WAFI City Mall, offers much more than just an opportunity for photography. From the moment you enter this sprawling 40,000 square foot space, you're surrounded by high-tech sound, lights and graphics with 12 distinct zones that together comprise the AYA universe, each telling a different story.

Be transported into AYA's vibrant universe

Ushers escort you through different rooms, starting from Aurora – which is the heart of the whole experience and features touch technology – before you interact with other worlds in areas like the blooming Flora, Tides and The River.

There's even the opportunity to relax by picking a spot on a sloped space in Drift, while an overhead projection and gentle vibrations make you feel like you're floating on air. The audio-responsive Falls feature droplets that seem to defy gravity, drifting upwards, and reveal doorways that let you step inside and be surrounded by water.

Each zone also reacts to the presence of visitors, ensuring no two trips are exactly the same. So if you're looking for a family-friendly, only-in-Dubai experience, AYA will certainly tick that box. Book your tickets now for AED135, with children under the age of three entering for free.

Nearby attractions

For ultimate relaxation, you're in the right place: there are two stellar spas in the vicinity. The luxurious Raffles Spa is next door, with rejuvenating treatments inspired by Asian, Middle Eastern and European traditions. If you're keen to feel like royalty, the Egyptian-themed Cleopatra's Spa is worth a visit.

Dubai Frame, located with Zabeel Park, is a short taxi ride away; the structure resembles a picture frame where Dubai's historic district can be seen to the north, while looking to the south reveals the city's modern skyline.

Nearby restaurants and hotels

AYA is located in an area with many amazing hotels and restaurants. It's situated right between two luxury properties: Sofitel Dubai the Obelisk and Raffles Dubai. The former has multiple award-winning restaurants such as French concept Brasserie Boulud by Daniel Boulud and trendy Asian restaurant Taiko by celebrity chef Schilo van Coevorden. Japanese restaurant TOMO is located in Raffles Dubai and also showcases stunning views of the city.

Another five-star property, Grand Hyatt Dubai, is situated nearby. It has 13 dining options, including Southeast Asian noodle concept Wox, and is also adjacent to a branch of VOX Cinemas.

Dubai Healthcare City is home to a number of hotels, including Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights and Rove Healthcare City.

In addition to the restaurants within these hotels, WAFI City Mall has many dining options to check out. Enjoy authentic Arabic cuisine in a beautiful setting at Khan Murjan, which can be found in the mall's souk area. Modern Indian eatery Asha's and traditional Lebanese cuisine restaurant WAFI Gourmet are great picks too.

How to get to AYA

You can reach AYA using the following public transport options:

Metro: Dubai Healthcare City metro station is approximately five minutes away by foot, and you can get to this station is on Dubai Metro's Green line. 

Bus: Routes closest to WAFI City Mall, which is where AYA is located is 6, which stops at Wafi Residences bus stop. The same bus route also stops at DEWA Main Office bus stop, along with 32C and 44. 

Please visit rta.ae for detailed public transport schedules.

Alternatively, if you prefer driving, for example from JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, get on Sheikh Zayed Road/E11 from Al Mustaqbal Street/D86 and Al Khaleej Al Tejari 1 Street. Then, continue on Sheikh Zayed Road/E11 to 26th Street. Take the exit toward Dubai Healthcare City/Wafi from Oud Maitha Road/Oud Metha Road/D79/E66 and drive to your destination. Get a preview of your entire trip on Google Maps.

Enjoy other photo-worthy attractions like Madame Tussauds and 3D World Selfie Kingdom, or why not grab a coffee at an Instagram-friendly cafe?