Temperatures in Dubai frequently soar past 40°C in the summer months, making outdoor activities a sweaty endeavour, but this shouldn’t put you off a visit. Travelling to the UAE during this season means cheap flights, low accommodation prices and discounted attractions. There’s plenty to do indoors in the emirate’s comfortable air-conditioned spaces, including full indoor theme parks, innovative museums, cultural attractions and unique only-in-Dubai experiences.
1. Step into the Future
Ever wondered what Dubai will look like in 100 years? Step inside the Museum of the Future – a multi-floored, egg-like space etched with Arabic calligraphy – and let your immersive sci-fi fantasies begin. Exhibitions range from space travel and AI to wellness and climate of the future. Children will love the Future Heroes area where they can play, take on challenges and help solve some of the problems of the future.
2. Zoom down a slope of real snow
Ski Dubai, a giant fridge containing a ski slope, has been open for 20 years now, but it’s still one of Dubai’s most beguiling attractions and a truly incredible feat of engineering. No matter the weather outside, whether it’s a desert storm or 50°C, this snow park (with real snow) maintains a temperature of -4°C, making it one of the coolest places to be in the emirate. It has five slopes to ski, with the longest clocking in at 400m, plus a colony of king and gentoo penguins for Peng-Friend encounters. A giant snow-filled room may seem like one of Dubai’s most decadent places, but experts claim that it uses less energy than a typical 120-room hotel. A ski or snowboarding lesson or session is one of the best ways to escape the heat outside.
3. Dive into the world's deepest pool
Descending 60 metres into a pool of 14 million litres of water is a surefire way to cool down from the Dubai heat. Deep Dive Dubai is not just a swimming pool – it’s been designed to look like a sunken city. There’s nowhere in the world offering an experience like this, which you can do in full scuba gear or try your hand at free diving (although most people will only make it around 5 metres deep without an oxygen tank). Swim lower into the eerie cylinder and have a game of chess, push a shopping trolley, sit on a loo or play a piano in the various scenes set up for deep divers.
4. Become Pac-Man for the afternoon
Retro gamers rejoice, Dubai’s fully indoors and air-conditioned Pac-Man Live Experience is an immersive live chase game where participants step inside the maze from the Japanese Namco console game with all the neon lights and sound effects you know and love. Dodge ghosts and collect pellets in a bid to be the last player standing in this thrilling and fun experience. Perhaps book something chilled-out to do post game to catch your breath.
5. Ride indoor rollercoasters
Naturally, Dubai, the land of biggest and boldest, has one of the world’s largest indoor theme parks. IMG Worlds of Adventure is a colossal 1.5-million-sq-ft, air-conditioned space with seven zones to explore, featuring Marvel-themed rides like the Hulk coaster, a green-monster 360-degree immersive movie experience, and Thor Thunder spin ride. There are animatronic dinosaurs and a Velociraptor in the Lost Valley, but you don’t need any SPF to visit these exotic places.
6. Take afternoon tea at The Royal Tearoom
Bring your heart rate down with a decadent afternoon tea at The Royal Tearoom, in a setting full of pomp and ceremony at Atlantis where delicate finger sandwiches, date cake, warm scones, and sweet pastries are served with stunning views of the Palm and Arabian Gulf beyond. It’s an incredibly peaceful escape from Dubai’s adrenaline-filled buzz.
7. Go to an aquatic dinner show
La Perle is not just a show or dinner – it’s a jaw-dropping spectacle. Imagine Cirque du Soleil meets synchronised swimming and diving, in an aquatic theatre; expect acrobatics, aerial stunts, and performers diving into water from dizzying heights. The whole production is mesmerizing, with lights, music and storytelling that grabs you from the first minute. Pair that with a pre-show or post-show dinner nearby and you’ve got an unforgettable night. It’s perfect for date night, family outings, or even solo adventurers who want a taste of Dubai’s theatrical flair. You’ll walk out in a state of awe and wonder, and probably want to see it again.
8. Step inside the Dubai Frame
Scale one of the most unusual architectural feats in Dubai. No, not the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, but the Dubai Frame – built like a giant picture frame in the middle of the city, with two towers adjoined by a horizontal bridge. One side looks out over the past, Old Dubai’s historic neighborhoods, and the other looks over the future, ultra modern Dubai. Those with a head for heights can walk the glass skywalk at the top. Don’t forget to visit the museum, telling the story of how Dubai came to be the metropolis that it is. The ride up in the speedy lift is all part of the adventure.
9. Time Out Market Dubai
There are food halls, and then there’s the Time Out Market. Set in Souk Al Bahar with balcony views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain below, this cluster of laid-back street-food style vendors is ideal for foodies who want to try some of Dubai’s best chefs and eateries under one roof. You can order a sushi starter, a shawarma pre-course, and some delicious Italian, followed by gourmet dessert and enjoy it in a laid-back communal dining room. Wash it all down with some refreshing drinks.
10. Step inside an open book
Dubai’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is housed in a building that looks like an open book. Step inside the giant tome to discover rare manuscripts from the ancient Arab world and themed floors. It’s one of the most understated, relaxing and calming places in Dubai to escape the heat, grab a book (with genres spanning thousands of topics) and a much-needed cultural fix in a land of tech and shopping malls.
