9 Best Activities for the Coolest Summer in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Escape the summer heat of the UAE!

In the desert nation of the United Arab Emirates, the summer climate can be quite challenging if you’re not used to the heat. However, it shouldn’t discourage you from experiencing summer in Dubai and Abu Dhabi because there are plenty of fun and exciting things to do in the cool indoors!

Many visitors to UAE usually look for places to visit in Dubai in the summer, one of its seven emirates, and opt to go on a day trip or two to Abu Dhabi, its capital. With that in mind, we’ve listed several top activities, perfect for a summer in Dubai and Abu Dhabi!

If you are traveling to the UAE, chances are you’ve scheduled a stop in Dubai! Plenty of activities will help you cool off during summer in the desert city of Dubai. From some of the best water parks in Dubai, like Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark, to awestriking indoor aquariums, there is something for everyone in this city.

Just because you’re indoors doesn’t mean you'll miss out on the wonders of nature! In fact, of the many indoor activities in Dubai, this first activity is one we strongly recommend for nature aficionados. Located at City Walk, The Green Planet is the UAE's first tropical forest in an enclosed bio-dome and is touted as an engineering and architectural wonder.

Home to more than 3,000 plants and animals, you can witness the incredible beauty of nature right in the heart of Dubai. You can learn about the different varieties of flora and fauna that thrive within the four floors of this bio-dome—from exotic birds and snakes to a variety of rainforest trees and plants.

If the scorching heat of summer in Dubai is really getting to you, would you believe us if we said you could experience a magical winter in this desert city? In comes Ski Dubai, the world’s largest indoor snow park located conveniently in the Mall of Emirates! With the multitude of things to do in Dubai malls, there’s truly no mall experience that is up to par. 

Spend a cold winter day in the middle of the desert with activities like bobsledding, tobogganing, and more. There’s even a penguin show that is just too cute to believe. No need to worry about packing or dressing appropriately because your ticket includes all the necessary winter garb. One of the best bits? You’ll even get to keep the gloves and socks! Score!

Step into a mind-boggling wonderland like no other with interactive installations and mind-bending works of art that will deceive your senses! Museum of Illusions Dubai will have you questioning reality with its optical illusions and trick art, giving you a fun-filled experience with the whole family during the hot summer! 

Get ready for a thrilling adventure as you enter the Vortex Tunnel and feel the ground shift beneath your feet, or be amazed by the never-ending space of the Infinity Room! Plus, don't miss out on educational opportunities as you explore the playroom, which is filled with fascinating puzzles and some of the best indoor games in Dubai!

When it comes to Dubai indoor activities, IMG Worlds of Adventure reigns supreme! With over 1.5 million square feet and 4 themed areas or “Epic Zones” (Marvel, Cartoon Network, IMG Boulevard, and The Lost Valley), there’s plenty to explore. 

Hop on the exhilarating rides from the different themed areas, brace yourself for jump scares at the theme park’s famous haunted hotel, and dine at the themed restaurants when you feel famished from all the thrill. With so much to do and fit into a day, you can skip the queues with the IMG World Of Adventures Fast Track Combo Ticket! 

You can also opt for tickets that give you two-way transfers to and from your hotel, a meal combo, or access to attractions such as Lost Chambers Aquarium, Dubai Frame, and Storm Coaster.

Another exciting indoor activity you can do during summer in Dubai is indoor skydiving—a safe and exciting first step to skydiving. At iFly Dubai, you can experience the thrill of skydiving, base-jumping, and bungee jumping in this unique and state-of-the-art facility!

If you’re new to this, don’t fret! Experts and professional instructors will guide you every step of the way. In fact, even beginners under the age of 18 can enjoy this activity (you just need to present a signed iFly waiver form and permission from a parent or guardian).

One of the most recommended indoor activities in Dubai for the family is the Dubai Aquarium. Get ready to set on an underwater adventure in the heart of the Dubai Mall! Explore the wonderful sights of underwater nature and marine life, even from within an indoor place.

Be amazed at the sight of the grand 48-meter aquarium tunnel that makes it stand out as one of the best attractions in Dubai so far. On top of the amazing immersive aquariums, you can even hop aboard an Aquarium Glass Bottom Boat to observe more marine creatures from a different perspective. If you’re looking for a cooler experience (literally!), say hello to the Gentoo Penguins in the Penguin Cove!

If Dubai is not your main UAE stop, don’t worry—the desert nation’s capital, Abu Dhabi, has many other COOL activities in store! You can find attractions similar to those in Dubai (a snow adventure awaits you in Abu Dhabi as well), but you can also embark on other unique adventures!

Enter Warner Bros.'s vibrant, action-packed creations in this indoor theme park located at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi! In this zone of action and adventure, you’ll encounter familiar animated worlds like Tom & Jerry, the Flintstones, Looney Tunes, and more. Immerse yourself in different themed areas like Warner Bros. Plaza, Gotham City, Metropoli, and Dynamite Gulch.

When you book your Warner Bros. World tickets on Klook, you can opt for a quick pass, which allows you to zip through queues. You can also avail extra access to these parks—Ferrari World, Warner Bros., or Yas Waterworld. The more, the merrier, right? 

In this world’s first and only Ferrari-branded amusement park spanning across the size of 7 football fields, you can escape the heat and enjoy a day in the climate-controlled park. F1 fans will love the motion-based simulator to experience the thrill of F1 racing and the interactive game show with Fast Lane!

Ferrari World is also home to the world’s fastest roller coaster, the Formula Rossa. This exhilarating ride starts from the indoor theme park and then zips through the dome to head outside the park and then circles back towards inside the building. 

The excitement doesn’t end here. There are plenty of other exciting rides and activities in this theme park to feed your craving for thrill! 

Tickets to Ferrari World also come in three options: a quick pass, a free shuttle, or access to one of any two parks among Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World. 

Head to the highest vantage point (a whopping 300 meters high!) in the UAE’s bustling capital for unrivaled 360-degree views—the Etihad Tower Observation Deck! As you take in the impressive city below, you can indulge in refreshing afternoon tea at the Etihad Tower.

Aside from the city skyline, you can also bask in the stunning sight of the Arabian Gulf, all the while saving you and your companions from the summer heat. Sounds like a cozy way to spend your day!

Now that you know you don’t have to spend summer in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the sweltering outdoor heat, it’s time to plan your visit to any of these attractions! Which one are you most excited to explore?