Hosted in Dubai until 31 March 2022, this extraordinary exhibition follows in the ground-breaking footsteps of previous 170 World Expos that have showcased the greatest innovations which shape the world we live in. Expo 2020 continues this tradition, with 192 pavilions from nations of the world, alongside music and dance performances and live shows featuring regional and international stars. Eat your way around the world, with familiar favourites as well as tempting plant-based dishes and restaurants curated by Michelin starred chefs. There’s sport and well-being too: take a cycling tour round the Expo site and participate in physical activities. Expo 2020 is a fascinating, exciting addition to your winter sun holiday in Dubai. You’ll be thrilled by your visit.
While there is plenty to keep visitors entertained for days (perhaps weeks!), here are some of our top picks to include in your Expo visit:
The centre of Expo
The stunning Al Wasl Plaza is home to the Al Wasl Dome, which has defied architectural and engineering limits in its creation. It has the world’s largest 360-degree projection surface and is the heart of Expo. At night, when lit up, the Dome is breathtaking. It’s the place to experience magical performances from opera to K-pop throughout the duration of Expo 2020.
Printing the building blocks of life
In a breakthrough that could have wide-ranging implications for agriculture, healthcare and artificial intelligence, watch scientists from Belarus’s National Academy of Sciences reproduce live cells with a 4D ‘bioprinter’ at the Belarus Pavilion. Science at school was never like this.
Communicate with outer space
Inspired by one of Stephen Hawking’s final projects, ‘Breakthrough Message’, the UK Pavilion invites you to consider what message we would communicate to express ourselves as a planet, should we one day encounter other advanced civilisations in space. A combination of Artificial Intelligence and visitors’ messages, the façade is ever-changing and relies on each visitor contributing a word to enhance the continually growing message.
The biotope
See the biotope in an immersive experience at the Netherlands Pavilion, which focuses on the unity between food, energy and water and explores this connection to create sustainable solutions for water scarcity, food security and the energy transition. The biotope extracts water from the desert air to create an indoor climate where mushrooms and plants are grown. The Pavilion has been built with ecology in mind, using local and re-useable materials where possible.
The UAE Pavilion
Imaginatively designed to emulate a falcon in flight, with 28 moveable wings, this Pavilion celebrates the historical traditions of the Federation, desert and oasis, whilst looking ahead to the future. ‘Dreamers who do’ is the value it espouses, creating a collective approach to progress for all. Looking forward together, holding dear the lessons of the past: visions for everyone.
Beethoven-inspired robo-band
Sounds of things to come – fusing classical, acoustic, rock and electronic music, the robot orchestra at the Germany Pavilion’s Culture Lab will put on a performance for the ages – one that even the great composer Beethoven himself would want to witness.
The age of the robotic penguin
Encounter cutting-edge robotic baby penguins at the Monaco Pavilion, before playing a ‘jump and run’-style game to guide a baby penguin through different challenges, including ice cracks, leopard seals and plastic rubbish, until they reunite with a group of adult penguins. It’s a futuristic life or death scenario for these AI little ones.
Tastes out of Africa
The Alkebulan Food Hall offers 7 renowned chefs from this vast and diverse continent. From West African street food to sizzling BBQs, with East African fish dishes and Afro-Asian fusion cuisine, all rounded off with sweet pastries – doughnuts a speciality. A treat for your tastebuds and the chance, perhaps, to try something new. You won’t be disappointed!
Origami Exterior
With a façade design combining traditional Arabesque and Asanoha patterns, Japan’s Pavilion explores the nation’s history and culture in an otherworldly visual space filled with floating mist. Discover modern Japan and its future through a series of cute, elaborate miniatures (mitate) using day-to-day objects.
Mission Possible
The themes of Expo 2020 are Opportunity, Sustainability and Mobility, the thematic Opportunity Pavilion takes a personal look at how we, as individuals, can contribute and make a difference to changing the world. The ‘small’ actions of 3 people shown here are an example of how communities can benefit in remarkable ways from individual interventions. Feel interconnected to the planet as you consider Sustainable Development Goals. You’ll be inspired and uplifted.
More information
Silver Travel Advisor recommends Visit Dubai and tickets to Expo 2020 can be found here. If you are flying into Dubai with Emirates any time until 31 March 2022, each person on your booking can claim a free ticket to Expo 2020.
Travel to Expo 2020 is easy by public transport: take the Red Line on the metro to the Expo 2020 stop; within Dubai, frequent free buses run to the exhibition site. Taxis and transfers can be ordered from your hotel. Accessibility is designed into Expo 2020.
Plan Your visit with the useful App.
