Al Mamzar lagoon: Place with Dubai on one side, Sharjah on the other

UAE - If you are somewhere near one of the oldest and busiest commercial hubs of Dubai - Deira - and need a break from the hubbub of the city to rejuvenate, then head north-east along the Deira coastline to one of the most serene and scenic locations of the area called Al Mamzar lagoon. Bordering Dubai and Sharjah, Al Mamzar area shares its corniche with both Dubai and Sharjah. It has open sea to its north, Al Wahda to the west, Hor Al Anz to the south and the Emirate of Sharjah to the east.

Apart from a number of commercial and leisure activities, the main attraction of Al Mamzar Dubai is its beach-side that includes a lushly landscaped beach park comprising of a string of five beaches and plenty of infrastructure, including a swimming pool, playgrounds, picnic areas with barbecues, water sports and bicycle rentals, snack bars, lawns, Smart Palms for WiFi access and cabanas. The entry to Al Mamzar Beach Park, maintained by the Dubai Municipality, costs Dh5 via a Nol card, or you can also take your car inside the 106-hectare park by paying Dh30. Mondays and Wednesdays are ladies-only days when boys over the age of six and men are not allowed in the park that also offers chalets on rent.

Being the oldest waterfront developments, Al Mamzar Dubai attracts a variety of residents and tourists who come to the area to enjoy the panoramic views of the sea where they can also go for a swim or jog along the 4km syenthetic jogging track alongside Al Mamzar Lagoon.

What fascinates many tourists and residents about Al Mamzar locality is the fact that they can see both Dubai and Sharjah from the corniche at the same time. The green belt of the busy Deira area, Al Mamzar Dubai has a number of famous snack joints that have made it a favourite hang-out area for bachelors and even families on weekends. One can grab a piping hot safrani cup of tea from Filli Café or Rabbash tea stall or buy the famous shawarma from Al Mallah Restaurant.

Dotted along the quiet, palm-lined streets next to the beach is the residential complex that mostly comprises of sprawling villas owned primarily by Emiratis. It is said that back in 1986 there were only two villas in the area, and the rest was just sand. The other, more commercial part of the neighbourhood includes apartments that are close to Century Mall and the Dubai International Bowling Centre. Some other important landmarks of the area include Hor Al Anz Library, Ahdaaf Sports Club, Seniors' Happiness Centre and Dubai Central and Scientific Association.

Along Al Mamzar coastline in Deira, a couple of breakwaters have also been constructed with a pavement that also houses a beach library. A number of local and international restaurants located on Al Khaleej Road that leads to the Mamzar beach offer family-centric ambience and are known to offer good sea food dishes, snacks and desserts.

The locality is well connected by public transport such as buses, water taxis and cabs. It also offers a number of water sports facilities - including the popular jet ski - for tourists who come here to have some fun in the sun.