How to beat midday heat during summer in Dubai?
Summers in Dubai can be a nightmare, especially if you are a first-time visitor to this desert region. The temperature starts to rise from mid-April, and it is not just the heat but the humidity levels too. By June, the weather is too dry, and the entire region is blazing hot by August. It lasts for a while, and it isn’t until the end of September that the weather begins to cozy up again.
The temperature typically reaches 50°C (122°F) during peak summers, and the way global warming is fast becoming an issue, the temperatures are expected to go extreme each passing year.
The crux is that the outdoor conditions in Dubai during summers are overwhelming. As a visitor, you may not be sure about how to spend your time. Being holed up in an air-conditioned hotel room may not be the ideal thing to do. So, what are the options to keep yourself occupied amidst such incredibly high temperatures, especially during the mid-day?
Interestingly, Dubai still gets a fair share of overseas visitors during the summers. A significant chunk of this may be attributed to the Dubai government’s judicious expenditures in artificial facilities that provide exceptional tourist experiences. Some of these escapades are out of this world and, in many aspects, much surpass those found in natural settings.
Dubai City is well-prepared to counter the excessive summer heat
Whichever place you visit, you will be greeted by highly effective air-conditioning. From your hotel rooms to airports, cars, Metro trains, and more! In some places, even bus stops are air-conditioned. And the entire system is highly effective, to say the least! At some places, it gets pretty cold too.
Not just that, most hotels and private residential complexes ensure that the pool water in their premises is chilled. It makes swimming a refreshing and popular activity during summers. However, it is always best advised to go swimming during the early morning and in the evenings.
The natural ocean water also offers some good relaxation options. However, the water is usually hot during mid-day, so the best time is to avoid going out this time of the day. If you still wish to hang around the beach, it is recommended that you apply sunscreen, keep yourself hydrated and keep a tab on how you are feeling through the day.
Places to visit in Dubai during summer
Dubai provides unbeatable indoor experiences to look forward during summer. To beat the heat, there are several ways to keep yourself occupied. Below are a few of them.
1. The Dubai Mall
Located in the prestigious Downtown area, The Dubai Mall is one of the iconic structures in the city. It is an end-to-end entertainment zone with more than 1,300 retail outlets and 200+ F&B outlets. Every kind of experience is available under one single roof! From world-class dining experiences to leisure activities, luxury shopping rendezvous, this Mall is the fashion capital of this region.
Besides shopping and dining, the place is home to the world-famous Dubai Aquarium, and Underwater Zoo. It offers a one-of-its-kind journey into the world of aquatic animals with a 270-degree walkthrough tunnel. You can also visit the world’s deepest swimming pool.
Besides that, there is KidZania for kids’ edutainment, a VR Park offering a top-notch virtual reality experience, the mammoth Dubai Ice Rink, the Burj Khalifa Observation Deck, the Real Cinemas megaplex, and the evening fountain show. Here one can spend hours and days without getting bored or repeating activities. The Mall is surrounded by several five-star hotels and directly connected to the Dubai Metro via Link Bridge.
2. Mall of the Emirates
About ten minutes from Dubai Marina is the Mall of the Emirates. It is a shopping zone with 630 retail shops, 100+ eating joints and cafes, 250 flagship and 80 luxury stores spread over 255,489 sq meters. However, there are many more attractions open to exploring at this place, besides shopping. For example:
- The Ski Dubai is also the area’s first indoor snow park and ski resort. Here one can encounter penguins, and it is awesomely welcoming during the summer heat.
- A specialized VR Room called Dreamscape.
- Magic Planet – offers a complete family entertainment zone with a ten-pin bowling alley, amusement machines, racing simulators, billiards and pool table, and more.
- Vox Cinema complex for movie lovers
- Gravity Air Park for some never-before adventure experiences like the trampoline.
- Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre featuring music schools, studios, art galleries, and more.
3. City Centre Mirdiff
Right on the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, the place has everything under one roof. There is so much to do from a fitness center, spas, parlors, personal grooming outlets, medical clinics, and dedicated community areas. Of course, there are more than 200 stores for shopaholics. Plus, there is Playnation featuring:
- iFLY Dubai – a sky-diving zone indoors
- Soccer Circus – an interactive football zone
- Little Explorers – an edutainment center for kids
- Yalla! Bowling – a ten-pin bowling area with 12 lanes
- Magic Planet – perfect place to play video simulation games.
To add to all this, there is AquaPlay, known for being a water-based edutainment center.
4. Blacklight Minigolf
It’s a unique experience awaiting you. The Indoor minigolf venue has a black-light setting with the walls, floors, and ceilings hand-painted by some of the most popular 3D artists from the world. It is all very bright and colorful inside.
5. Brass Monkey Arcade
Another ideal venue indoors to beat the heat is entertaining activities like bowling, VR Driving Simulators, Retro Arcade Games, Snooker, plus wining and dining outlets.
6. 3D World Selfie Museum
This is the first of its kind 3D museum where you can click 3D selfies. Interestingly, more than 185 three-dimensional reality-defying artwork serves as the perfect background for your clicks! This is the chance to be a kid again.
7. La Perle by Dragone
It is a permanent exhibition produced by the Al Habtoor Group and held at Al Habtoor City. The show combines immersive creative acts with cutting-edge technology. On stage, you get to see some fantastic stunts and special effects. It is an aqua theatre in which the platform is inundated with water and then quickly drained. Aerial feats include artists diving from heights of up to 25 meters.
Outdoor experiences during summer
Dubai has numerous outdoor activities and water parks that offer respite from the heat. Some of the famous ones are:
- Wild Wadi Water Park
- Laguna Water Park
- Atlantis Aquaventure Water Park
- Legoland Water Park
- Yas Waterworld
Summery
Dubai is a mega-metropolis for a good cause. Even though the summer weather is oppressively hot, there are plenty of things to do and eat to cool yourself all day. The list above extensively covers the majority of the venues to keep you entertained during your trip.
