We’ve crafted a one-day itinerary to help you maximize your time and visit all the best pavilions at Expo 2020, along with some unique and amazing experiences and the BEST food we’ve eaten all year.

A few Dubai Expo 2020 tips:

• Eat a full breakfast and be there at 10am. The Expo opens at 10am and it’s least busy for the first few hours. It gets busier and busier throughout the afternoon and busiest after sunset, so lines will get longer and longer the later it is. Because of this, you’ll want to do the most popular pavilions as early as possible, and eat lunch as late as you can – so make sure you eat a great breakfast.
• Everything takes longer than you think it will. Lines will go a little slower. Walking from one place to another takes forever. Large pavilions take an average 30 minutes to get through. But time flies even in small ones.
• Minimize walking as much as possible. Walking from point A to point B takes the most time (it’s one mile from one end to the other). Plan your pavilions and food accordingly so you walk as little as possible.
• Beware of closing times. Expo is open until midnight (2am on Thursday and Friday), but pavilions close at 10pm. If there’s a line, pavilions will often cut off the line by 9:30pm or sometimes even by 9pm if it’s really popular.
• Don’t have Covid. If you haven’t been vaccinated, you need to show a negative PCR test from within the past 72 hours. If you have been vaccinated, you’ll show your vax card at the front, then you’ll go through the metal detector, then you’ll show your tickets. Try to be prepared in that order.
• Download the app. Even without service, GPS will still work on your phone, and the app’s map feature is very helpful in navigating the Expo. You can also use the app to skip lines by using the “Smart Queue” but beware – it’s buggy and usually only works if you have internet, which is spotty throughout the park.

For the itinerary, I’m assuming you enter from the Metro and walk straight in through the Expo Center. If you drive there, park wherever you want and make your way to the UAE pavilion. From the Metro, follow the herd of people and keep walking straight. Once you get through security, you can buy a passport in the gift shop to your left as you’re walking toward Al Wasl Dome (it’s fun, we recommend it – just one per family is fine). Go straight to the dome and veer slightly to the left and head toward the white building with wings, shaped like a hawk. This is the UAE pavilion. We’ll start our day here. For brevity, I’ll give you a list in order to see all the cool things at Dubai Expo 2020, and then we’ll dive into it a bit more.

One Day in Dubai Expo 2020 itinerary:

1. UAE Pavilion
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Switzerland
4. ENOC
5. India
6. Germany
7. Netherlands
8. Brazil
9. African Dining Hall or Talabat Kitchen for lunch
10. Water Feature
11. Garden in the Sky
12. Hungary
13. Korea, but just the show
14. Bread Ahead – directly across from Belgium
15. Thailand, but just the show
16. Alif Mobility Pavilion
17. Russia
18. Al Wasl Dome
19. Luxembourg
20. Dinner
21. Saudi Arabia night show
22. China night show
23. People mover up to Sustainability
24. Brazil night show
25. Terra Sustainability Pavilion

What is a “pavilion” at Dubai Expo 2020?

Each country gets their own space at the World Expo, and that space is called a pavilion. Sometimes it’s a really big, really fancy building, and other times it’s pretty small and plain. For the most part, countries use their pavilion for one of three purposes, and sometimes all three:

1. Convince people to travel there
2. Convince people to do business there
3. Showcase some cool innovation they’ve created that is making the world a better place

A pavilion is basically a billboard for each country. The Expo attracts visitors from all over the world, so countries are able to share their message with people that may have never considered it before. For example, because of the Saudi Arabia pavilion, we can’t wait to visit. It wasn’t on our list before, but they really wowed us.

How do I get around Dubai Expo 2020?

Dubai Expo is shaped like a flower with three petals. Each petal is a different theme (Mobility, Opportunity, and Sustainability). The pavilions around the outside of each petal are the “larger” pavilions that take the most time. These are also the coolest pavilions. In general, you want to start on one petal and just work your way around it, hitting all the large pavilions in a row. Inside each petal are the smaller pavilions, restaurants, and the giant anchor pavilion for which each district is themed (Alif for Mobility, Mission Possible for Opportunity, and Terra for Sustainability).

Most of the time you just walk around Dubai Expo. You can rent bikes and even rent a golf cart if you’ve got the money, but the only other mode of transportation we took was the people mover buses that run around the outside of the park and connect the anchor pavilions. They’re comfortable, fast, and convenient.

How to see all the Best Pavilions at Expo 2020:

Start at the UAE pavilion

You’ll grab a number from the attendant and wait your turn. You shouldn’t have to wait long since you’re here so early. The inside of this pavilion has multiple parts – walk around real sand dunes with projections, interact with a digital wall, and watch a movie in a theatre that rises to a second floor. The interior of this pavilion is worth the visit just to see the architecture.

Saudi Arabia

Behind and to the left of the UAE pavilion is the Saudi Arabia Pavilion. You won’t miss it.

This was one of our absolute favorite pavilions in the entire Expo. It’s simple, but highly interactive, engaging, and unique. From the waterfall at the front entrance daring you to hop in and out without getting soaked, to the immersive videos that take you to various locations throughout the Kingdom…

…to the mind-bending digital floor and mirror display at the bottom…

…the whole thing is incredible. In fact, this pavilion alone holds three Guinness World Records.

Switzerland

Behind and off to the left of Saudi Arabia, you’ll walk past Egypt to Switzerland.

Unlike the umbrellas in the Netherlands (which you’ll see a bit later), these umbrellas are just for shade while you’re outside and for taking fun pictures in the mirror.

The Switzerland Pavilion at the Dubai Expo has one of the coolest rooms ever. It’s called the fog room, and you walk up through the fog and emerge at the top of the mountains.

If it helps, here’s a map of the three pavilions you’ve covered so far.

ENOC

From Switzerland, you’re going to head up into Al Forsan Park district (the pink area on the map) and check out the ENOC pavilion. ENOC is Emirates National Oil Company, one of the sponsors for the Expo. In addition to the country pavilions, all the sponsors get a space, too. ENOC’s is the best.

India

Full disclosure, we didn’t make it into India, but based on the videos we’ve seen, it’s worth a visit. So check it out since it’s right around the corner from ENOC. Next to India is Italy – you’re going to want to go in there, it looks really enticing, it’s so big, and it’s Italy so you know it’s going to be good, right? No. I assure you you’ll be disappointed.

Germany

Only go to Germany if the line isn’t long – this line moves SLOW. Do not believe the posted signs saying “30 minutes from here.” We waited for about 45 minutes before we finally bailed because we hadn’t moved very far at all. If you can get in, it’s fun and interesting, but not worth the wait.

Netherlands

To be honest, I don’t really understand what was going on in here – I think they figured out how to make rain? Regardless, the experience is unique and really cool. They give you these white umbrellas and a show is projected down on your umbrella like it’s your own private movie screen.

You’ll probably be hungry by now, so grab a Stroopwafel from the little cafe in the back. It’s SO good. Just like they make them in Amsterdam.

Brazil

The floor is made of water. It feels really good after walking around all day.

The rest of the Brazil pavilion isn’t really worth exploring, so just meander through the water for a bit and then go get some lunch. If you’re not hungry yet, go play in Terra (the giant Sustainability pavilion right across from Brazil) and then go eat. Here’s a map of what you just visited.

African Dining Hall or Talabat Kitchen for lunch

Each of these buildings have multiple options for food. Talabat is more fast food and Alkebulan (the African dining hall) has more of a sit down restaurant feel. You can find cheap or expensive options at both places, and lots of good food at both. Bon appétit!

Garden in the Sky Tickets

Before you play around in the Water Feature, go buy a ticket for Garden in the Sky. Those are timed tickets and it should give you about 15-20 minutes to play in the Water Feature before you go up. If you’d rather go up Garden in the Sky for sunset, you can ask for a ticket for any time later. These won’t sell out since you can’t buy them online, but if you’re there on a weekend, you may need to wait an hour or so for the next available ride.

• Tip: There’s a ticket booth directly below the Garden in the Sky AND there’s another one across the walkway on the Water Feature side. Use that one because there’s rarely a line.

Water Feature

The Water Feature is an amazing sensory experience. You’re basically in the middle of a 360° waterfall set to music. You also get to walk into it, but don’t go too high up or you get reprimanded.

The Water Feature is even cooler at night, so definitely make sure you stop by after dark.

It’s hard to tell the scale and really get a good mental image of the Water Feature from these pictures, since I can only point the camera in one direction, but you might get a better idea when you see it from above, so here’s a 5-second clip from the Garden in the Sky.

Garden in the Sky

Every World Expo creates a unique observation deck. Seattle did the Space Needle, Paris built the Eiffel Tower for theirs, and the first Ferris Wheel was created for the Chicago World Fair in 1893. Dubai’s isn’t quite as grand or as tall as those, but it’s elegant and nice. The Garden in the Sky is a round platform that starts at ground level and then rises to a height of 55 meters (180 feet) while slowly rotating to give you a full 360° view of Expo 2020 from above.

Here’s what it looks like at night.

Hungary

The Hungary pavilion is based on water, but it doesn’t actually use any water. For example, they have this “stream” running through the middle of the path…

…and lots of little exhibits and interactive stations about the famous baths and various uses of water. But the pièce de résistance is definitely the final room with the ball pit, meant to feel like you’re in a spa.

Korea, but just the shows

At this point, the line for the Korea pavilion will likely be pretty long, and honestly it’s not really worth it. They use some Augmented Reality tech but it’s pretty underwhelming. The shows and events in the atrium are open so you can just walk in and watch them without standing in line. You can watch a K-pop dance group or participate in some Squid Game events. Both are very fun.

Bread Ahead

Stop for a Vanilla Custard filled donut at Bread Ahead. It’s the best thing you’ll eat this year. Bread Ahead is directly across from the Belgium pavilion. I’m going to spell it out on the map because it’s that important that you don’t miss it. Bread Ahead is a bakery from London and to be honest, this alone is worth the admission price to Expo 2020.

We tried a bunch, but the vanilla custard was by far the best. Only thing is, we ate it way too fast and never got a picture of it. Here’s the inside of a cookies and cream donut:

Thailand, but just the show

We love Thailand, and the pavilion really focuses heavily on reasons to do business in Thailand, probably because it doesn’t really need to convince people to travel there. But there’s nothing truly unique or mesmerizing inside, and that’s what we’re going for on this itinerary. However, there’s a show outside that is really cool to watch.

Alif: Mobility Pavilion

The mobility pavilion starts off slow – you’re in a giant elevator with lights and sounds representing various forms of travel throughout history. Then you walk around giant models of important Arabic explorers (created by Weta Workshop, that worked on Avatar, Hobbit, and Lord of the Rings). For scale, you can see a regular-sized person just above his hand on the right side of the picture.

But the cool part of the mobility pavilion comes just after the explorers, when the place explodes into color.

Here’s a map of where you’ve been since lunch.

Russia

It should be getting dark about now, and if so, you can’t possibly miss Russia. It’s like a giant ball of rainbow yarn, lit up so bright you can see it from space. I didn’t get a picture, but here’s a screenshot from our video.

Once you get upstairs, you’re treated to an immersive digital display explaining how the brain works and how new ideas and innovations are created.

Al Wasl Dome

The highlight of any day at Expo 2020 is watching a show in Al Wasl Plaza. Shows start at various times throughout the evening, so check the app for times.

Even if timing doesn’t work out to watch an actual production, the lights are always on throughout the night at Al Wasl dome, and it’s mesmerizing and serene to just sit (or lay) and watch it. We could literally stay here for hours and not get bored.

Luxembourg

Skip through the pavilion as quickly as you can – you don’t have to wait until the end of the videos to move on. None of the pavilion is all that interesting – the fun part is at the very end. It’s a 7-meter high slide (23 feet). It’s fun, potentially not worth the line that may be there right now. You can decide for yourself.

Dinner

At this point, you’re pretty much on your own. You’ve done all the really cool, really memorable experiences at Expo 2020. Lines are long and crowds are everywhere now. Go grab some dinner. We recommend eating the burger at the Hungry Dane (in the Denmark Pavilion back past Russia).

Or go eat at the other food hall that you didn’t eat at for lunch. If you do that, you can check out the Water Feature at night. After that you have a few other night show options, and if Terra is still open you should check that out.

Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and China night shows

The entire mirror underside of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion becomes a screen for night shows, and traditional music and dancing takes place below it.

Brazil has a band on a platform over the water, and they project scenes on all of the interior walls of their pavilion. China puts on a digital light show with music and (weather permitting, which it was not when we were there) a drone show.

Terra: Sustainability Pavilion

The last thing on the itinerary is Terra. When you first enter, you’re inside a giant atrium with lots of games to play. The purpose of these games is to teach you that when it comes to sustainability, it takes balance and teamwork. We all need to work together. The games are fun, but the best part is the Under the Sea exhibition. It’s highly informative – you learn all about why keeping plastics out of our oceans is important – but it’s also really well-designed, immersive, and interactive.

And that’s it! You’ve seen the best pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai, you’ve done the best experiences at Expo 2020, and you’ve eaten the best food at Expo 2020. And you did it all in one day. Congratulations!