So it’s Dubai summer. The temperature is too hot outside and you’re asking yourself, what can I do today? Or what can I do to keep the kids entertained? So whether you live here and just want ideas for something to do or whether you’ve booked a holiday and didn’t realise you’d be entering a giant outside sauna. Here are some activities and things to do in Dubai summer.
EVENING POOL PARTY OR EVENING SWIM
Depsite the fact it can still be pretty warm outside even at night, taking a dip in the pool can be very refreshing. Depending on whether you want more of a party or a more relaxed vibe here are some of my picks.
Shades at Address Hotel, Dubai Marina – Thursdays – Aqua Vita – 250 per person you get five beverage and a sunbed. 6pm until Midnight. It’s a relaxed but high end evening. (Shades)
Umm Suqeim Beach 1, Umm Suqeim – Every Night – This one is totally free, Dubai Municipality now allow people to swim until Midnight at this beach. Thanks to the lifeguards and smart poles illuminating the sea keeping everyone safe.
Horizon Pool Bar at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina – Daily 11am till 11pm & Midnight on weekends – This one has a swim up bar so you don’t even need to get out for a drink! (Horizon Pool Bar)
VISIT A SHOPPING MALL
The malls are always a popular choice in Dubai. There’s lots of options to choose from than just wandering around the shops. Cafes, restaurants and cinemas feature in most of the large malls. However Dubai Mall even has a theme park, an ice rink and a Kidz Zone where they can try out being a fire fighter or a surgeon.
Mall of Emirates has a ski slope, complete with an alpine style hut where you can have a hot chocolate with marshmallows. Perfect for pretending you’ve taken a short trip to a ski resort. Parking is free for most of the malls (except Mall of Emirates) and it’s easy to just wander around for a few hours, forgetting your in Dubai in summer.
INDOOR THEME PARKS OR INDOOR ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
Due to Dubai being the city that it is, already adaptions for Dubai’s summer have been made. There are lots of adventurous activities that are contained indoors. Leaving you to enjoy the air conditioned coolness. Some of my picks are:
IMG World of Adventure, City of Arabia – Rides & adventure areas – 257 AED per person, though you can regularly find discounts on this price in my deal saving group “Live for Less- Dubai, Abu Dhabi & UAE” (Live For Less)
Bounce, Al Quoz – A large trampoline park, suitable for adults and kids – 85 AED (75 if you book online) per person over 3 years of age or over 110cm tall for your first session. (bounce.ae)
Adventure Zone, Sheikh Zayed Road – Rock climbing, skate boarding and other adventurous activities! – Prices starting from 65 AED (adventurezone.ae)
SPA DAY
Dubai is a city of hotels so it’s never hard to find a nearby spa to escape the Dubai summer. My top picks are:
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah – Treatments prices vary (Talise Ottoman Spa)
Park Hyatt, Dubai Creek – Treatment prices vary (Amara)
Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, Pearl Jumeirah – Treatment prices vary (Nikki Spa)
Palace, Downtown Dubai – Treatment prices vary (The Spa)
CAMP OR TREK INTO THE MOUNTAINS
If you go high up enough in the mountains you can feel like it’s a Dubai winter instead of a Dubai summer! It’s up to 10 degrees cooler in the mountains than at sea level. At night, you might even need a jacket plus you get a beautiful clear view of the stars. If you already own a tent, then it can be a low cost solution where you can choose from many locations. Alternatively, can go for a mountain camp and have a taste of old bedouin culture.
Staying in Dubai, you can make your way to Hatta mountains. If you don’t mind going further; Jebel Jais is in Ras Al Khamiah, Jebel Al Akdar in Oman or head to the Omani peninsula for Jebel Al Harim. The higher up you go, the cooler it is!
Have you done any of these this Dubai summer? Let us know what you think if you did!
MISSED LAST WEEKS ARTICLE? Check out Dubai’s best healthy eating restaurants here!