Travel
What are the best things to do in Dubai in summer?
When it is 45 degrees out, Dubai moves indoors: Ski Dubai, IMG Worlds, the Dubai Aquarium, The Green Planet, indoor padel and ice skating, plus free gallery-hopping at Alserkal Avenue and the Dubai Summer Surprises sales.
Summer in Dubai means planning your fun around the air conditioning, and honestly the city is built for exactly that. When it is 45 degrees outside, there is still a huge amount to do, you just do most of it indoors or in the water. Here is how to enjoy the season without melting.
What indoor attractions are worth it?
Dubai does indoor spectacle better than almost anywhere:
- Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates, a real indoor snow park where you can ski and toboggan while it bakes outside.
- IMG Worlds of Adventure, one of the largest indoor theme parks in the world, fully climate controlled.
- The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo inside The Dubai Mall, with its walk-through tunnel.
- The Green Planet, an indoor rainforest full of exotic plants and animals.
- The Museum of the Future, seven floors of immersive, beautifully designed exhibits, worth two to three hours.
Are the water parks good in summer?
Surprisingly yes, because being in the water keeps you cool even when it is hot. Aquaventure at Atlantis on the Palm is enormous, with a Guinness record of over 105 slides, and Wild Wadi in Jumeirah, right by the Burj Al Arab, is a compact, dramatic option at around 295 dirhams. Go early or late in the day, stay hydrated, and use plenty of sunscreen between rides.
How can you stay active indoors?
Padel is the sport the whole city is obsessed with, and indoor air-conditioned courts make it a summer staple. There is also the year-round Dubai Ice Rink for skating, indoor climbing walls, and of course the gym. For options across the city, see my guide to the best gyms in Dubai.
What is good for families?
The Dubai Dolphinarium runs air-conditioned shows, and indoor play and edutainment centres are everywhere. The aquarium, The Green Planet and the Museum of the Future are all winners with children too, combining a cool escape with something genuinely interesting.
Are there free or cheaper options?
Yes. Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz has a cluster of art galleries and creative spaces you can wander for free, which makes for a lovely, low-key cultured afternoon. And through the season, Dubai Summer Surprises, running from early July to the end of August in 2026, brings big discounts across shopping, dining and entertainment. If you fancy leaving the city for the day, my list of the best day trips from Dubai has water-based escapes that work even in the heat.
More from Aastha's travel world: explore here.
