The hot climate in Dubai is a known fact. However, the temperature here rises above 40 degrees celsius, but the pace of summer activities in Dubai never slows down. Thanks to dynamic evening festivals, first-class indoor attractions, and unrivaled hotel deals, which make summer the best time to explore Dubai.
Whether you are looking for adrenaline-packed adventures, cultural experiences, or family-oriented activities, Dubai offers endless ways to make the season invigorating.
Top Summer Activities in Dubai
If you are planning a visit and don’t know what to do in Dubai in summer? Here’s the guide that takes you through best places to visit in summer:
1. Dubai Underwater Zoo and Aquarium
Designed inside Dubai Mall, the Dubai Underwater Zoo & Aquarium is one of Dubai’s most popular indoor attractions. Escape the summer heat and reach here to encounter 30,000 sea creatures, including sharks, rays, colourful fish.
The 48 meter long tunnel is an ocean itself. Whether you enjoy immersive marina experiences or have kids along, the cool environment makes it a go-to destination for families visiting Dubai in summer.
- Location: Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai
- Timings: Mon – Fri: 10 am–10:15 pm, Sat & Sun: 10 am–11:15 pm
2. Smash Room Dubai
Got some pent-up energy? Release it in the Smash Room. This indoor attraction, in Al Quoz, will provide you with a room featuring old TVs, printers, and plates, a bat or a hammer, and a safety outfit. Your mission? Smash everything in sight. It is half treatment and half adrenal burst.
- Location: Umm Suqeim St - Al Quoz
- Timings: 1–10 pm
3. Dubai Kartdrome
One of the best karting tracks in Dubai is Dubai Autodrome. Kartdrome also has its indoor and outdoor circuits, and as such, you could choose which one to use depending on your mood. The circuits span a 1.2 km with 17 corners that will provide you with a challenge in steering abilities.
This indoor track is ideal for families with drivers as young as seven years old. The entire infrastructure is professional, with lap timing systems and safety officials.
- Location: Motor City
- Timings: 9 am–5 pm
4. Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai is one of the best places to visit in Dubai in summer. Housed inside Mall of the Emirates, this indoor ski resort occupies 22,500 square metres, with a constant temperature between -1 and-2°C (30-28°F).
Whether you want to ski, snowboard, ride a toboggan, or meet the penguin, the incomparable experience at Ski Dubai slips the fact off your mind that you are standing in one of the world’s hottest cities.
- Location: Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha
- Timings: Mon – Fri: 10 am–11 pm, Sat & Sun: 9 am–12 am
5. Dubai Ice Rink
In case snow is not your hobby, you can try some skating on smooth ice instead. Dubai Ice Rink, an Olympic-sized indoor rink in Dubai Mall, is perfect for cooling down. It provides environmentally friendly programmes such as public skating, ice disco with music and lights, and even beginner skating lessons.
Skates and safety gear are provided to both children and adults, and it is a safe, yet exhilarating, afternoon outing. During breaks, you are able to have a bite at one of the rink-side cafes or go to the mall.
- Location: Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai
- Timings: 10 am–12 pm
6. iFly Dubai
Have you ever wanted to experience skydiving, but aren't bold enough to jump out of the airplane? iFly Dubai promises a surreal experience without the fear.
Within a vertical novel wind tunnel at City Centre Mirdif, you will be floating a few metres off the ground as the strong blasts of air support you.
Well-trained instructors lead you through the experience, and your safety is ensured even for beginners. Additionally, VR flying experiences are available, making it the one of the most thrilling attractions to enjoy in the Dubai summer.
- Location: City Centre Mirdif, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road
- Timings: 12–10 pm
7. Dubai Dolphinarium
The Dubai Dolphinarium is both an entertainment and learning center in a single air-conditioned establishment. At this park, dolphins and sea lions can perform amazing tricks, which include jumping through rings, painting, and dancing with trainers.
Children like the interactive parts, and the adults are often amazed at how entertaining the shows can become. Beyond the performance, the Dolphinarium has swimming with dolphins as well as a mirror maze, which makes it more family-friendly and an ideal way of exposing children to ocean life.
- Location: Dubai Dolphinarium Building, Inside the Creek Park Gate 1
- Timings: 9 am–7 pm
8. Escape Rooms
Escape rooms are a sensation in Dubai summer activities. It is an easy, yet enticing idea: you and your friends are in a locked room with a theme and a specific mission to sort out puzzles, crack the codes, and discover secrets until the clock runs out.
Various escape room venues like haunted houses, prison escapes, and treasure hunts keep visitors mentally challenged and entertained.
Locations:
- Hysteria Dubai at Financial Centre Rd, Downtown Dubai
- Escape Reality Dubai at Indigo Sky, Sheikh Zayed Road
- Escape Hunt Dubai at The Galleria Mall, Al Wasl
- No Way Out Dubai at HDS Business Centre, JLT
- Hint Hunt Dubai at Times Square Center, Al Quoz
9. The Green Planet
There is a tropical rainforest in the centre of City Walk, but within the biosphere is a giant glass biodome. More than 3000 plants and animals (toucans and sloths, snakes and exotic insects) call the Green Planet their home.
Strolling along the damp tropical terrain is as if you have entered the Amazon - even without leaving Dubai. The highlight is a large indoor tree that surrounds the four storeys of both levels. Besides one of the best things to do in Dubai in summer, it offers an informative experience for conservation awareness.
- Location:City Walk - Al Wasl
- Timings: 10 am–6 pm
10. Flyboarding
Flyboarding is the best summer activity for water sports lovers. Securely strap a jet board powered by water energy, and within a few seconds, the jet can launch you several metres above the sea.
The majority of the sessions occur on beaches such as the Jumeirah or the Palm Jumeirah. The backdrops of the skyline and Burj Al Arab makes the experience more surreal, making it a must-visit attraction for adrenaline junkies in Dubai.
- Locations: SeaWake Water Sports at Dubai Marina and Water Adventure Dubai at Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR)
Other Things to Do in Summer
Beyond main attractions, Dubai also hosts numerous summer-specific experiences.
Aquaventure Waterpark:The biggest waterparks in the world are the famous "Leap of Faith" slide across a shark tank, and a marine life interaction.
Wild Wadi Waterpark: A classic Dubai water park that offers rides suitable for all ages and a fun water escape in the hot months.
Museum of Illusions: Exhibition, museum of optical illusions, museum of changing minds, virtual interaction - great venue to have fun and take creative selfies.
Closing In
Summer in Dubai proves that the city thrives year-round. The city has perfected the art of overcoming the heat with international indoor spots, adrenaline-charged water parks, and cultural landmarks.
Flowing around the desert skiing at Ski Dubai, venturing inside a rainforest at The Green Planet or chilling in an ice lounge, summer activities in Dubai suit all types of travellers. Plan a summer trip to Dubai and take advantage of hotel discounts and dynamic attractions to make the most of your vacations.
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