11 ‘Cool’ things to do in Dubai summer
Dubai summer is not for the faint-hearted. We’re talking 45°C (113°F) heat and humidity that feels like walking through a sauna, making you question your life choices if you’re outside for more than ten minutes.
However! Don’t let that put you off. Dubai was built for this.
Summer in Dubai is one of the best-kept secrets because whilst some residents head home and the tourist season slows, the deals come out to play. All while enjoying being gloriously less crowded. As someone who has lived here through many a Dubai summer, I promise you there is still plenty to keep you busy.
In a rush? These are my top 3 summer activities:
1. Bustronomy – See all the classic Dubai sights from the comfort of a luxury air-conditioned bus while enjoying a meal
2. Green Planet – Explore an indoor rainforest, a fun day out for the whole family!
3. Learn how to make Emirati food and enjoy like a Bedouin afterwards in the desert under the stars
1. Bustronomy experience
Want to see all of Dubai’s famous iconic buildings but don’t want to struggle seeing them in the heat? Bustronomy is the perfect summer solution and one which few tourists even know exists. Honestly, it might be my favourite on this entire list.
Bustronomy is a luxury double-decker bus with a stunning panoramic glass roof, and a whole experience that is fully air-conditioned. You get to sit back, sip premium tea, and cruise past Dubai’s most iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, Museum of the Future, Dubai Frame, Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah.
Not a single drop of sweat required!
Most tourist buses have open top decks that are unbearable from June to September, but Bustronomy has solved that problem beautifully. Choose from a high tea, brunch or 5-course menu option.
📍 Departs from Museum of The Future
👨👩👧 Family verdict: Great for families with children older children who’ll sit and enjoy the experience. Smart casual dress code applies.
2. Green Planet
This one is another gem that is often overlooked but is definitely worth a visit! Plus it’s perfect for families.
The Green Planet is a fully enclosed tropical bio-dome built across four levels inside a stunning glass structure, home to over 3,000 species of plants and animals. We’re talking sloths, reptiles, free-flying bats, exotic birds, and one of the most impressive living tree structures you’ll ever see indoors anywhere in the world.
Everything inside is perfectly temperature-controlled to mimic a tropical forest, meaning it’s a great escape from the summer heat while still feeling like you’re outdoors. Kids will be absolutely transfixed from the moment they walk in, and adults will be sneaking taking photos with the sloths. Don’t worry, let your inner kid out, we’re a judgement free zone here.
It also feels educational without taking a school trip!
📍 City Walk, Al Wasl
👨👩👧 Family verdict: Perfect for children of all ages, younger toddlers love the colours and animals while older kids love spotting the more unusual species. A real winner for families.
3. Take a refreshing night swim
Here’s a Dubai summer secret that most tourists completely miss and it is genuinely one of my favourite things about living here.
Due to the popularity of the 1st night swimming beach in Umm Suqeim 2, Dubai expanded the designated night swimming beaches to Jumeirah 2 and Jumeirah 3 also. It’s one of the most unique things to do in Dubai plus at the Umm Suqeim location you’ll get the amazing backdrop of the Burj Al Arab glimmering at night.
Just make sure to only swim at designated spots! Dubai Municipality installed smart floodlighting towers along each stretch of shoreline, illuminating both the beach and around 30 metres out to sea, so you can swim safely under the stars with lifeguards on duty.
It’s also one of few great things in Dubai that is free. Well, excluding buying snacks for the kids.
Each beach has changing rooms, toilets, showers and food kiosks nearby. There’s even mini libraries if you forgot to bring a book and want to read while the kids swim.
📍 Umm Suqeim 1 (near Wild Wadi), Jumeirah 2 & Jumeirah 3.
👨👩👧 Family verdict: Brilliant for all ages and completely free, lifeguards on duty, calm shallow waters for little ones, and open from sunset until midnight daily.
4. Dubai Mall Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
The Dubai Mall Aquarium is one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world and is genuinely impressive. If live in Dubai you’ve probably walked past it many times in Dubai Mall.
You can view the aquarium from the outside for free or pay to go inside for more experiences.
Inside you’ll find three themed zones in the Underwater Zoo, Rainforest, Rocky Shore and Living Ocean which is home to over 33,000 animals across 140 species, including piranhas, otters, penguins, sea turtles, seahorses and the star of the show, a king croc.
Depending on the ticket you buy, certain activities are included and I definitely recommend to go for the ‘Ultimate Experience’ which includes the incredibly unique glass boat ride. You can also choose to add on animal encounters.
Easily a full half-day activity if you go for the Explorer ticket.
📍 Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai
👨👩👧 Family verdict: Perfect for all ages, the fish will transfix toddlers, older kids will lose their minds over King Croc, and adults can upgrade to the shark dive if they’re feeling brave.
5. Dubai Frame
I think many of us know already, we can go inside Burj Khalifa; however, due to its outdoor terrace that closes during summer, it’s not one of the attractions I recommend during summer. That’s where Dubai Frame steps in.
Dubai Frame is enclosed with no outside elements, however, you will have a short walk through Zabeel Park from the outdoor parking. If the queue is long you may need to wait outside but that would be unusual for summer.
The main attraction is the sky bridge, a glass-floored walkway 150 metres in the air. Be warned though, the glass flooring is not for those afraid of heights!
In addition to the cool views across both new and old Dubai, the museum takes you through Dubai’s remarkable transformation along with how Dubai Frame was constructed.
If you have a baby or toddler, I highly advise to bring a carrier. Also be aware that the cafes at the top don’t have seating.
📍 Zabeel Park, Al Kafif
👨👩👧 Family verdict: Great for all ages, but be aware strollers can’t be taken inside the top and children who can’t walk will need to be carried for the entire duration of your visit.
Affordable tickets for Dubai Frame 🎟️
6. Ski Dubai
Of course what Dubai summer list wouldn’t be complete without Ski Dubai?
Inside Mall of the Emirates is genuinely one of those Dubai experiences that never gets old, no matter how long you’ve lived here. A real ski slope with real snow. Plus rides, attractions and even a snow park for the little ones.
If you’re a Dubai resident, Ski Dubai offers summer camps for kids to learn the basics of skiing.
Ski Dubai is the ultimate “only in Dubai” moment and the perfect way for the whole family to escape the summer heat in the most dramatic way possible.
📍 Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha
👨👩👧 Family verdict: Brilliant for all ages, from younger kids who can push around the penguins on ice to adults who’ll ski down one of the world’s largest indoor ski slopes.
Save 40% as a Dubai resident or book regular tickets 🐟
7. Deep dive dubai
This one is bucket list material. Deep Dive Dubai is the world’s deepest pool at 60 metres and submerged inside is an entire abandoned underwater city. Furnished apartments, a games room, a spiral staircase even a sunken car.
The pool is fully climate controlled too, making it an absolute dream escape from the Dubai summer heat.
No diving experience needed and you can pick an experience that suits each member of the family.
📍 Nad Al Sheba, Dubai
👨👩👧 Family verdict: Good for kids aged 6+, as snorkelling is available for younger kids while kids from 8 can take scuba lessons.
Will you go for snorkelling? or sunken city exploration? 🐟
8. Explore a Museum
The Museum of the Future is unlike any museum you’ve ever visited and would be my top-recommended museum in Dubai. Plus there’s an air-conditioned bridge from the metro so win win.
The building alone is worth the trip, but what’s inside is even more impressive. Immersive, forward-thinking exhibits take you into potential futures for humanity, technology and the planet in a way that genuinely stays with you long after you leave. Older children and teenagers find it completely mind-blowing, and adults will come out feeling inspired and oddly emotional.
The good news for summer visitors? While this one sells out weeks in advance during peak winter season, you can usually grab tickets around a week ahead in summer.
📍 Sheikh Zayed Road, Downtown Dubai
👨👩👧 Family verdict: Suitable for all ages, though younger children might not understand everything. Ideal for older kids and teenagers who love technology.
Be transported into the future 🤖
9. experience a real life arcade game
Bring back your childhood memories of playing Pac-Man to life in this crazy, unique experience in Dubai.
The Pac-Man Live Experience puts you inside a real life-sized maze, dodging actual ghosts and collecting power pellets. Watching your kids fall in love with something you grew up obsessing over is genuinely one of those parenting moments.
Chaotic, hilarious, and completely unique to Dubai, you will absolutely forget you’re the responsible adult while running around. Fun exercise is definitely a bonus with this one.
📍 Active Games UAE, Al Quoz
👨👩👧 Family verdict: Brilliant for families with children aged 6+. Go in competitive, come out with the biggest smiles.
10. Learn to cook emirati food
If there’s one thing I’m passionate about, it’s encouraging visitors to go beyond the skyscrapers and actually connect with Emirati culture and this is the perfect way to do that.
At Al Marmoom Oasis, you’ll learn to cook authentic Emirati dishes from scratch with a local chef such as Chicken Salona and Lamb Madrouba before sitting down to eat what you’ve made in a traditional Bedouin-style camp. Add in henna painting, cultural storytelling, and fascinating tales for a truly unforgettable evening.
The experience starts at 4pm when the desert begins to cool down and thankfully further out in the desert is cooler. It is still outdoors though, so make sure to dress comfortably and be prepared for a warm start.
Due to the location, I’d definitely recommend to hire a car for this one. Also it’s not very suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
📍 Al Marmoom Oasis, Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve
👨👩👧 Family verdict: Great for families with children aged 6+. Children under 5 go free. One of the most meaningful and memorable evenings you can have in the UAE
Experience authentic Emirati culture 🇦🇪
11. enjoy a la Perle show
If you want one show-stopping evening the whole family will talk about for years, La Perle is it. A cast of 65 world-class artists perform jaw-dropping acrobatics, 25-metre high dives and aquatic stunts on a stage that floods with 2.7 million litres of water and drains again in seconds. All in a purpose-built, fully air-conditioned aqua-theatre.
Directed by the genius behind Cirque du Soleil, it’s a unique experience you cannot see anywhere else in the world. One show per evening at 6:30pm and thankfully runs through summer, unlike Dubai Opera or other theatres.
📍 Al Habtoor City, Sheikh Zayed Road
👨👩👧 Family verdict: Not suitable for under 2s. Smart casual dress code applies — no shorts or flip flops.
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