Epic Things to Do in Dubai in Summer (Without Melting in the Heat)
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It’s that time of year again. The summer weather is officially upon us, which means many outdoor attractions and activities are unavailable for the season. But if you’ve got a trip lined up for the summer, fear not. There are plenty of incredible things to do in Dubai in summer without melting in the heat!
Experiencing the very best of Dubai is still very much possible in the summer. My list includes fun indoor activities (with AC!), outdoor activities you can realistically tackle, and a few water parks and pools to visit to cool off. Oh, and at the end of this article, I’ll also give some tips on how to take advantage of the amazing summer deals to be found in Dubai, as well as a list of major attractions that are closed for the summer season, just so you’re in the know.
Summer Activities in Dubai: Quick Tips
• Best indoor activity: Going to the top of the Burj Khalifa.
• Best outdoor activity: Avoiding the sun with an evening desert safari.
• Best way to get wet: Splashing around at the Aquaventure World Waterpark.
• Best free activity: Exploring the many free attractions in the Dubai Mall.
• Best pool with a view: AURA SKYPOOL is the “world’s highest infinity pool.”
• Best summer deals: The 60-day Dubai Summer Surprises festival offers events, sales, and discounts at malls, restaurants, hotels, and venues all summer long!
Things to Do in Dubai in Summer
See the Dubai Fountain Show without going outside
The famous Dubai Fountain Show actually takes place directly outside of the Dubai Mall (one of the largest shopping malls in the world). But there are a variety of ways you can see the spectacle without ever setting foot outside!
There are tons of restaurants and vantage points inside of the Dubai Mall where you can enjoy the fountain show from the comfort of an air-conditioned space. A few of the many options are the Social House, Carluccio’s, Joe’s Café, and Third Avenue Boutique, all in the Dubai Mall.
Tick off Dubai Mall’s most famous attractions
In addition to the Fountain Show, Dubai Mall is also home to some of the best indoor activities in Dubai – perfect for beating the heat! I’m not kidding when I say that the Dubai Mall is massive. It’s so massive, in fact, that it is currently the second-largest mall in the entire world.
The 12-million-square-foot space is home to a whopping 1,200 retail stores, 200+ food and beverage outlets, and a wide range of attractions. And the best part is it’s all air-conditioned!
You can easily spend an entire day marveling at the sea creatures at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, eating your way through Chinatown, taking selfies in front of the four-story Dubai Mall Waterfall (pictured above), ice skating at Dubai Ice Rink, and so much more!
READ MORE: 12 Fun Things to Do at Dubai Mall
Go to the 148th Floor of the Burj Khalifa
While you’re at the Dubai Mall, you might as well take the air-conditioned walkway to the Burj Khalifa to go to the top of the world’s tallest building! This is another one of the best indoor activities in Dubai, and it’s a must if this is your first visit to the city – the experience is like nothing else!
With more than 160 stories, the Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building, and it easily dominates the Dubai skyline at 828 meters (2,716.5 feet)! General admission tickets will get you access to floors 124 and 125. But I always recommend upgrading to the “At the Top SKY” tickets so you can skip the long line and get exclusive access to Level 148, which sits at a whopping 555 meters (1,821 feet) high in the sky.
After that, you’re free to explore the 360-degree observation decks on both Levels 124 and 125. Be sure to have your camera at the ready because you’ll get unreal 360-degree views of Dubai and the Arabian Gulf.
Go on an evening desert safari
Just because it’s hot out doesn’t mean you can’t embark on a safari in the beautiful Dubai desert. But instead of going midday, most tour operators will either offer sunrise or sunset tours. I recommend this Evening Desert Safari (Golden Hour Experience) because it starts at 5 pm, allowing you to witness the magical colors of sunset as well as the star-speckled night sky.
Of course, you’ll get to partake in all the quintessential Dubai desert activities, including dune driving, camel riding, sandboarding, desert photo-ops, falcon demonstrations, and stargazing. It’s truly an unforgettable experience and one of the more unique summer activities in Dubai.
Watch the sunrise at AURA SKYPOOL
If you’re looking for things to do in Dubai in summer for epic views, you’ll want to splurge on tickets to the AURA SKYPOOL. Located at the top of Palm Tower on the famous Palm Jumeirah, AURA SKYPOOL is the “world’s highest infinity pool,” offering insane views of the Dubai Marina skyline, Ain Dubai (the world’s tallest Ferris wheel), Burj Al Arab, and Palm Jumeirah.
You can go at any time of day, but if you really want to avoid the heat, book the Sunrise Pool Experience. You can splash around the climate-controlled pool from 6 am to 9 am while you watch the sunrise over Dubai. The experience really is pure magic.
Splash around at Aquaventure World Waterpark
Also located on Palm Jumeirah, Aquaventure World Waterpark is the world’s largest waterpark – and it’s open all summer long. With over 100 slides, a wave rider, and a private beach, spending the day cooling off at Aquaventure is easily one of the most fun things to do in Dubai in summer. Plus, in the summer months, they often offer special deals, like buy-one-get-one tickets!
Check out the Museum of the Future
When it comes to indoor activities in Dubai, there’s a reason the Museum of the Future is so popular. From the outside, the calligraphy-clad, torus-shaped building is nothing short of a work of art. But step inside and you’ll get a glimpse of what the world could look like in 2071. The interactive experience takes you through five themed floors. Along the way, you’ll see how the world will be impacted by everything from climate change to AI, space travel, and more.
Go skiing at the Mall of the Emirates
It may be boiling outside, but this is Dubai, so of course, hitting the slopes is an option! Located inside the Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai is easily one of the most unique indoor activities in Dubai, and it’s surreal to be shivering in the snow when it’s over 40°C (104°F) outside.
You can ski or snowboard down the slopes, take a lesson, go bobsledding, dance around in live snowfall, and even see an adorable penguin march. No matter what age you are, Ski Dubai is always a fun and unique experience!
Ride the Ain Dubai
Located on Bluewaters Island, overlooking the beach at JBR, the Ain Dubai is the tallest observation wheel in the world. And thanks to its air-conditioned glass pods, it’s technically one of the coolest indoor activities in Dubai in summer!
During the 38-minute journey – which is how long the Ferris wheel takes to make one revolution – you’ll get to take in jaw-dropping views of the Palm Jumeirah, the Dubai Marina skyline, and the Arabian Gulf. In addition to the general admission tickets, there are also boozy packages in case you want to sip some bubbly as you spin. You can check out all of the ticket options on the official website.
Summer deals in Dubai
One of the bigger perks of visiting Dubai in summer is taking advantage of the many discounts and deals. Did you know that Dubai has a 60-day shopping festival during the months of July and August each year? Well, we do!
During the Dubai Summer Surprises shopping festival, you can take advantage of free concerts, pop-up events, maga-sales at malls, and discounts at restaurants, hotels, and venues all across the city. So if you’re looking for things to do in Dubai in summer, be sure to check the official website to see what’s going on at this year’s Dubai Summer Surprises!
A few things that will be closed over the summer…
- Global Village
- Dubai Miracle Garden
- Dubai Glow Garden
- Dubai Safari Park
- Ripe Market (Academy Park)
- Beaches (the water actually gets quite hot!)
