Summer Dubai: 9 ways to spend your vacation at +43 °C
In Dubai in July and August, the air heats up above +43 °C (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia: Climate of Dubai). The heat doesn't cancel the trip, but it changes the daily plan: the city lives in the morning and after sunset, and during the day you hide in malls, parks, and hotels. The sea near the shore warms up to +37 °C, and humidity exceeds 90% (as of 09/2026, monthly data for Dubai).
Summer in the Emirates falls in the low season, and that's your main bonus. Hotels and malls compete for guests with discounts, there are almost no lines at observation decks, and slots for popular attractions are still available the same day. We've put together nine activities that don't depend on the temperature outside: from a ski slope inside a shopping mall to a night safari across the dunes.
If you're planning a trip for July and August, treat it as an indoor vacation. Below you'll find the honest catches of each option.
Ad: this article contains affiliate links. We earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
What to expect from the heat in the Emirates
💡 In short:
- Go outside before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m.: at noon there's almost no shade.
- Wear a hat and drink still water; air conditioning works in malls and the metro.
- Save the sea for the morning: by lunchtime the water becomes warm and doesn't refresh you.
- Ski Dubai conditions were checked 09/2026 on the official Ski Dubai website.
The heat in the Emirates tests even healthy people. It's not recommended to travel in summer for pregnant women, small children, the elderly, and those with heart or blood pressure problems. Sandstorms and high humidity add to the high temperatures here.
Dubai, meanwhile, is constantly being developed and greened, and the city's microclimate is gradually changing. Air conditioning is available in shopping malls, the metro, and hotels, so you can plan a route between two indoor locations without risk. Save the beach for early morning: without that, no SPF will protect you from heatstroke.
Why there are no crowds in the Emirates in summer
The low season works in your favor. You visit observation decks, restaurants, and museums without lines, and you can often get tickets for the slot you want the same evening. In winter, you'd stand in line for at least half an hour for the same spot.
1. Dubai summer surprises: discounts across Dubai
The Dubai Summer Surprises festival runs from July 2 to August 30, 2026 (as of 09/2026, Visit Dubai). The city's malls, boutiques, and restaurants take part, and discounts at individual stores reach tens of percent.
The rule is simple for you: major purchases in summer cost less than in the high season. Besides sales, you'll find lotteries, kids' zones, and special summer menus. The catch: on weekend evenings the malls are packed, so arrive at opening time or take a taxi.
© Tim Reckmann from Hamm, Deutschland · CC BY-SAPhoto: Tim Reckmann from Hamm, Deutschland, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons2. Ski Dubai: winter inside Mall of the Emirates
Ski Dubai has five slopes of varying difficulty and a 3,000 m² Snow Park (as of 09/2026, Mall of the Emirates). Snow is there year-round, so you can snowboard in the middle of summer, and you get a jacket and boots at the entrance. Penguins live in the park, and instructors are available for beginners.
Tickets are sold in sessions, and weekend slots get booked in advance. Checked on 09/13/2026 on the resort page at Mall of the Emirates: package contents and schedules change by season, so check the price before buying.
- Who it's for: families with kids and those trying skiing for the first time.
- Not for: experienced riders who need a long slope.
© Frédéric VINEE · CC BY-SAPhoto: Frédéric VINEE, CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), Wikimedia Commons3. IMG Worlds of Adventure: an indoor park for the whole day
IMG Worlds of Adventure is considered the largest indoor theme park in Dubai (as of 09/2026, IMG Worlds). It has four zones: Marvel, Cartoon Network, Lost Valley, and IMG Boulevard. The rides are designed for both kids and adults, so one day solves the question of what to do with the family in the heat.
Buy tickets in advance: at the entrance you stand in line, and some attractions go on maintenance in the summer. Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide are cheaper on weekdays.
© Jeremy Thompson · CC BYPhoto: Jeremy Thompson, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons4. Water parks: Wild Wadi and Aquaventure
A water park replaces the beach: the water is chilled, and the sun is easier to handle. Wild Wadi sits next to the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, and the Jumeirah Sceirah slide accelerates you to 80 km/h on a nearly vertical drop (as of 09/2026, Wild Wadi).
The city's other major park: Aquaventure at Atlantis The Palm. It holds world records for slide height and length, and Leap of Faith takes you through a transparent tube straight into a lagoon with marine life. Bring a towel and water: the sun beats down here even near the water.
Buy tickets for both parks online: timed entry saves you an hour in line.
Tours and tickets in Dubai
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.
See offers on TiqetsThe widget loads once you give your consent.
5. Spas and chilled hotel pools
Hotels include the spa complex in the room rate or offer it at a discount. This alternative is convenient: pools, jacuzzis, and massages operate almost around the clock, and the pool water is specially chilled to a comfortable temperature.
Choose a hotel with an indoor spa if you're traveling with kids or planning to work during the day. In the evening you head to the pool, not to scorching sand.
© giggel · CC BYPhoto: giggel, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons6. Night dune safari
During the day, a desert safari turns into an ordeal, but at night it becomes the highlight of the trip. A jeep takes you into the dunes at sunset, then a Bedouin camp, dinner, an overnight stay, sunrise, and a camel ride await. Some programs add a hot air balloon flight.
The price depends on the package: a short evening program or a full overnight stay. Desert tours on GetYourGuide should be compared by duration and dinner, not by the sticker price.
© maltman23 · CC BY-SAPhoto: maltman23, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/), Flickr7. Extreme activities: skydiving, diving, helicopter tours
If parks and water parks aren't enough for you, summer opens up other options too. Skydiving, diving, surfing, and helicopter flights over the desert should be booked in advance, but in the low season open slots come up more often.
Get full insurance coverage with your car rental: the roads in the Emirates are excellent, but the drives between emirates are long. Compare car rental prices more conveniently online, before your flight.
8. Evening observation decks and singing fountains
After sunset, the city comes alive in a different way. You stroll along the waterfront, watch the singing fountain show at Dubai Mall, take in the skyscrapers and the large aquarium inside the shopping center. Mosques and old districts are also best visited in the evening, when the humidity drops.
Book observation deck tickets for sunset: during the day the glass is scorching hot, and your photos come out overexposed.
9. Summer hotel rates: five stars for the price of four
In summer, hotels offer things you won't find in winter: room upgrades, extra dinners, and prices below high season. Some deals come through the Dubai Summer Surprises festival (as of 09/2026, festival calendar on Visit Dubai), and the rest you'll find on the hotels' own websites.
Compare the nightly rate with breakfast included, not just the headline price. Check summer hotel rates on Trip.com: some properties are offering rooms noticeably cheaper than in winter.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How hot does it get in the Emirates in July and August?
July and August are the hottest months of the year here. Sandstorms add to the heat. Plan your day like this: outdoors until 9 am, museums and parks during the day, walks after 6 pm.
Can you swim in the sea in summer?
You can, but only in the morning. By midday the water turns warm and no longer feels refreshing, and the sun is almost directly overhead. If you want to cool off, choose a pool with chilled water or a water park: the temperature there stays comfortable all day.
What to do in Dubai in the heat with kids?
Kids handle summer better indoors. Ski Dubai with its snow park, IMG Worlds of Adventure, plus Wild Wadi and Aquaventure all work well. Plan one attraction per day: getting around the scorching city wears you out more than the rides themselves.
Do you need a visa for the UAE?
EU citizens and most DACH countries don't need a visa for a short tourist trip, but check entry rules before you fly: they change. Your passport must be valid well beyond your stay, and border officers sometimes ask for a return ticket and hotel booking.
When to go to the Emirates if you can't stand the heat?
High season here runs from November to March: temperatures are comfortable for walking and the beach. Summer is for those who come for the deals and don't plan to spend much time outdoors. If you're traveling in July or August, build your trip around the indoor activities on our list.
In short: what to book
Summer in the Emirates rewards those who plan ahead. If you're traveling with kids, book Ski Dubai and IMG Worlds. If you want memorable experiences, put the night safari and the water park on different days. If you want to save money, look at summer hotel rates and the Dubai Summer Surprises sale.
If you only have three days: one day for a theme park, one day for a water park, an evening for an observation deck and the fountains. If you have a week, add an overnight safari and a trip to another emirate.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.