Summer in Dubai is just around the corner, and it’s ready to bring the scorching heat and rising temperatures with it. During these peak months, everyone’s favorite outdoor locations close their doors to avoid the summer sun.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time in the city. Dubai offers a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities that are perfect for the summer months. Whether you like adventure, nature, art, history, or culture, there is plenty of things to do for everyone.
Here are some of the best things to do in Dubai during the summer.
The Best Places to Visit in Dubai In Summer
The Green Planet
Ever visited a rainforest in the midst of the desert? Now you can.
The Green Planet is an indoor tropical rainforest located in City Walk that houses over 3,000 plants and animals, including a variety of birds, butterflies, and insects, and is one of the top things to do in Dubai with family in summer.
You can explore the different levels of the rainforest and learn about its various species, ranging from creatures of the night to sloths and piranhas. The indoor forest hosts many fun and interactive sessions with the animals and features knowledgeable guides throughout to help you learn more about the ecosystem.
The temperature inside the rainforest is cool and comfortable, making it a great escape from the summer heat.
Dubai Waterparks
Waterparks are one of the best places to visit in Dubai during summer.
These parks offer a range of attractions, including water slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools, perfect for kids and adults, making them the perfect place for a fun and refreshing family day in the summer.
There are many exciting waterparks in Dubai, including Aquaventure Waterpark, the largest waterpark in the world, Wild Wadi, Laguna Waterpark, and LEGOLAND Waterpark, which is the region’s only waterpark made exclusively for kids.
Read more about Dubai’s best waterparks in our complete guide!
Visit IMG Worlds of Adventure
IMG Worlds of Adventure is the world’s second-largest indoor theme park, covering an area of 1.5 million square feet.
The park features four themed zones: Marvel, Cartoon Network, Lost Valley, and IMG Boulevard. It features various rides, attractions, and shows based on everyone’s favorite childhood characters and movies, including Spiderman, Powerpuff Girls, and many more.
The rides range from thrilling to relaxing and can be enjoyed by everyone in the family, making it a perfect friends and family retreat. With the park being indoor and air-conditioned, it’s also a perfect escape from the summer heat.
Find out everything you need to know about IMG Worlds of Adventure with our full guide!
Ekart Zabeel By Emaar
In the mood to go-kart but can’t take the summer heat on the outdoor track? Not a problem; you can now head to Ekart Zabeel.
Ekart Zabeel is a one-of-a-kind indoor go-karting track featuring electric go-karts that can reach speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour. It’s the first electric go-kart circuit in the city.
You can enjoy racing around the indoor, air-conditioned track and compete against friends in this modern and exciting attraction in The Dubai Mall’s Zabeel extension.
AYA
Explore a fantastical world at AYA, a one-of-a-kind park offering a mesmerizing journey through cosmic realms, radiant gardens, and vibrant rivers. Spread across 40,000 square feet, AYA is divided into 12 zones, each presenting a unique experience where you can play, relax, and marvel at spectacular celestial displays.
The Museum of Illusions, Dubai
Prepare to be amazed at The Museum of Illusions, Dubai, a place where reality is turned upside down through mind-bending illusions. This interactive museum is perfect for all ages and is one of the best places to see in Dubai in summer. It offers a blend of education and entertainment – experience the bewildering Vortex Tunnel, where you’ll feel like the ground is moving beneath you. Test your balance in the Anti-Gravity Room, and challenge your mind with a variety of puzzles and optical illusions.
Dubai Butterfly Garden
Step into a fairytale at the Dubai Butterfly Garden, the world’s largest covered butterfly garden and one of the most fun things to do in dubai in summer. Wander through 6,673 square meters filled with over 15,000 butterflies of various sizes and colors, all fluttering around you in ten custom-built domes. Learn about the fascinating life cycle of butterflies from egg to adult, and watch these delicate creatures in every stage of their development. The garden also features a dedicated kids’ cinema, ensuring that younger visitors are entertained and educated.
Lost Chambers Aquarium
Dive into the mysteries of the ocean at The Lost Chambers Aquarium, one of the top places to visit in Dubai during summer. This incredible aquarium is home to over 65,000 marine animals and features 20 unique exhibits that replicate the lost city of Atlantis. Walk through the tunnels and passageways to encounter everything from piranhas to jellyfish. The centerpiece, The Ambassador Lagoon, offers breathtaking views of marine life amid ancient ruins.
Dubai Ice Rink
Cool off at the Dubai Ice Rink, the largest ice skating rink in the city, located within Dubai Mall. This Olympic-sized rink offers a fun and exhilarating skating experience for all ages and skill levels and is one of the best places to visit in Dubai during summer. Join a casual skating session with family and friends, or take your skills to the next level with the Dubai Ice Rink Skating Academy.
Dubai Museums
Dubai has a rich cultural heritage and history that is waiting to be explored in one of the city’s many museums. If you are looking to discover the country’s past, head down to traditional museums like Al Shindagha Museum that give you an insight into the life of the early rulers of Dubai with unique exhibits.
For a unique look into the future, visit the spectacular and world-famous Museum of the Future, which deep dives into the modern technology and possibilities of what’s to come, all housed in one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
If you are looking for something different, experience the Museum of Illusions and 3D World Selfie Museum, which will have you questioning reality with their fun exhibits.
Find out more about Dubai’s best museums with our full guide.
Play DXB
Another great indoor venue that is one of the best summer activities in Dubai is Play DXB, a virtual reality theme park that features a range of immersive experiences, including virtual reality games, rides, and simulations, located in the Dubai Mall
Kids and adults of all ages can enjoy a fun and exciting time at the park with a range of experiences, including arcade games, video games, VR experiences, and so much more. It’s the perfect place to end your shopping spree at the mall and one of the best places to visit in Dubai in the summer.
Ski Dubai
Even when it’s 40 degrees Celsius outside, you can have an exciting time skiing on snow slopes at Ski Dubai.
Ski Dubai is a one-of-a-kind indoor ski resort located in the Mall of the Emirates that features real snow and sub-zero temperatures, making it one of the top things to do in Dubai in summer.
The resort features many exciting activities, including ski slopes, a penguin meet-and-greet, and a snow cinema and café, making it one of the best places to visit in Dubai with family in the summer
Smash Room Dubai
If the summer heat is making you a little more frustrated than usual, we know just the best place for you.
Smash Room is a unique indoor location that, as the name suggests, lets you smash, break, and destroy different items using various tools like hammers, bats, and crowbars. It’s an excellent way to release stress and have fun with friends or family.
Watersports
Watersports activities are a great way to stay cool and active and are one of the best summer activities in Dubai. There is nothing better than a sprinkle of cool seawater during the summer heat!
You can try activities like jet skiing, wakeboarding, and flyboarding and explore the beautiful and pristine waters of the Arabian coast. If you feel a little more adventurous, you can participate in a snorkeling or diving experience in Palm Jumeirah.
Deep Dive Dubai
Dubai popularly houses the deepest pool in the world, Deep Dive Dubai reaching a depth of 60 meters.
The pool is made to resemble a sunken city and features many exciting artifacts and areas for swimmers to discover. As the pool is located in an indoor facility and is temperature-controlled, a snorkeling session at Deep Dive Dubai is the perfect summer escape.
This fun and exciting experience allows swimmers to explore the underwater world without leaving the city or feeling the summer heat.
Escape Rooms
If you and your friends like puzzles, then Escape rooms are the perfect summer activity.
Escape rooms are a fun and challenging indoor activity that involves solving puzzles and clues to escape a themed room within a certain time limit. Dubai has several escape rooms with unique themes and stories, making the experience even more exciting.
It’s a great activity to do with friends or family and a fun way to test your problem-solving and team-building skills.
Watch the La Perle Show
For fans of theatre and entertainment, La Perle is an experience not to be missed in Dubai. La Perle Dubai is a spectacular live entertainment show that takes place in a custom-built theater located in Al Habtoor City, Dubai.
This Cirque du Soleil-risque show features a cast of 65 highly skilled performers from around the world, including acrobats, divers, dancers, and aerialists, along with a stunning display of acrobatics stunts and visual effects, set to a soundtrack of live music and special effects.
The stage features a pool of 2.7 million liters of water, which is used to create stunning aquatic displays and dramatic set pieces.
Café Céramique
Combine your love for art and food at Café Céramique. Here, diners can paint and craft ceramic pieces while enjoying delicious meals. Whether you choose to create a small animal figurine or a traditional mug, your masterpiece is fired in a kiln and ready for collection in a week. It’s a perfect spot for a creative and relaxing outing.
Chaos Karts
Experience the future of karting at Chaos Karts in Al Quoz, Dubai. Chaos Karts blends real-life racing with augmented reality, creating an immersive and thrilling adventure. Strap into high-tech karts and race through digitally projected circuits filled with virtual obstacles and fantastical weapons. This cutting-edge technology transforms traditional karting into a video game come to life, offering an adrenaline-pumping experience where the virtual and real worlds collide.
Storm Coaster
Brace yourself for “The Storm,” a record-breaking roller coaster inside Dubai Hills Mall. Reaching speeds of up to 77 km/h, this thrilling ride promises sharp twists, turns, and stomach-churning drops. It’s a must-try for adrenaline junkies looking for an unforgettable experience.
Danube Sports World
Stay active this summer at Danube Sports World, an indoor sports center offering everything from padel and badminton to tennis and foosball. Enroll your kids in the weekly summer camp to keep them moving and making new friends. It’s the perfect place to burn off energy and stay fit during the hotter months.
Brass Monkey
Relive the golden age of arcade gaming at Brass Monkey, an adults-only entertainment venue. With a bowling alley, old-school arcade games downstairs, and billiard tables plus more arcade games upstairs, this spot is a nostalgic paradise for those aged 21 and over. It’s a fantastic place to unwind and have fun with friends.
Attend an Event
No matter the season, there is always an exciting lineup of top artists performing in Dubai. From Hollywood to Bollywood, classical to modern, music and DJ festivals, comedy shows, and so much more, there is always something happening in Dubai.
Plenty of exciting concerts and events occur in the city during the summer, especially during the coveted Dubai Shopping Festival.
