🏜️ Summer holidays in the UAE: top 10 activities

Summer holidays in the United Arab Emirates are something extreme, I’ll explain why later. But you shouldn’t immediately reject this idea – there are also plenty of advantages, and not just price ones.

The UAE is the most popular country for tourism. A place where you can find anything: modern megacities, various antiquities, masterpieces of futurism and technology, exotics, endless beaches and the best service. But many tourists still doubt the wisdom of the decision to travel to the UAE in the summer. Let's weigh all the pros and cons together.

The heat is unbearable for most people 

The Emirates in summer is a real challenge. It is highly not recommended for pregnant women, children, the elderly and people who have health problems, especially blood pressure and heart problems, to go there at this time. 

Summer in the UAE is low season. Travelers often joke that the local summer is divided into two sub-seasons: a good summer and a terrible summer. The worst happens in June – August, when the air temperature is above +40 °C and reaches +50 °C. The water warms up to +35°C and no longer seems so comfortable for swimming. There are often sandstorms.

Summer in the Emirates is hot and humid, and is suitable only for the most resistant, since not everyone can withstand even an average temperature of +34-38ºC. It is imperative to take precautions when going outside: always wear a hat, sunscreen, drink plenty of still, unsweetened water, and do not leave the room in the hottest heat of the day. 

But! The same Dubai is constantly being built up and landscaped, the microclimate is also changing, albeit gradually and slightly. Air conditioning works great in shopping centers and other public spaces. But you still need to relax by the sea in the morning. Otherwise, not even the most powerful SPF will save you from burns and meltdowns.

Shopping

Now to the positives. For avid shopaholics, summer in the UAE is the best season. Sales are taking place en masse in all malls and fashion stores in Dubai and other major cities. Every summer the Dubai Summer Surprises festival takes place, all the shopping centers of the metropolis participate in it. Discounts reach up to 70%, and numerous promotions and sweepstakes are held.

Hotel bonuses

Hotels in the summer also offer a lot of pleasant things: big discounts and all sorts of bonuses. For example, sometimes you can change your room to a higher class for free or change the food system and get dinners in addition to breakfast. Even in the summer you can relax in 5-star hotels for the same price at which in winter you could afford a maximum of 4 stars. Discounts reach up to 60%. Even many restaurants, including Michelin restaurants, offer a special menu with bonuses and compliments in the summer. If you are traveling on a tourist package, it will also be at a big discount.

SPA

Hotels can include their spa complexes in the bill of stay or give big discounts. And this is an excellent alternative to the beach, which in the summer is a dubious pleasure and requires visiting at strictly certain hours. And swimming pools, jacuzzi, massages will be waiting for you almost around the clock. In swimming pools, the water is specially cooled to a comfortable +25°C. 

No crowds

For those who are tired of noisy crowds, the summer Emirates are a ticket to paradise. There will be few people, noise and queues too. Viewpoints, restaurants, attractions – visit them at your leisure and enjoy everything in silence.

Entertainment and alternative to walking

Even with a thick layer of protective cream and a Panama hat, you won’t be able to withstand the scorching sun for long. But not just walks. In Dubai, you can easily teleport from season to season. For example, go snowboarding in a shopping center!

Mall of the Emirates has placed a full-fledged ski resort under its roof, where even penguins can be found.

You can also go on rides at the IMG World of Adventures indoor amusement park. The park is almost the size of 30 football fields and has four themed areas. There are 20 types of roller coasters of any complexity – you can hang out for a couple of days.

You can also try even more extreme sports: skydiving, diving, surfing, helicopter flight over the desert.

Water parks

From dry slides to wet ones. Dubai has some of the best water parks in the world. For example, Wild Wadi is located next to the famous “sailing hotel” Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. The 32-meter water slide alone is worth it – for the most courageous! Descending at a speed of 80 km/h, you can’t drive a car like that everywhere.

And here are more records: the world's tallest water slide, the longest family attraction – entertainment is located and waiting for you at Aquaventure Water Park. There are many water parks in the UAE; in the summer all you can do is wander around them.

Night Safari

Going on a safari on a summer day is really not the best idea, but you have a unique opportunity to go on a night safari. And this is a completely different experience. Driving through the dunes in a jeep at sunset, having dinner in a Bedouin camp, spending the night with them, a stunning sunrise, breakfast and a camel ride – you’ll feel like you’re in an Arabian fairy tale. I am sure that the music from the Aladdin intro will not let go of your thoughts. You can choose the price according to yourself, sometimes you can bargain, some programs even include seeing the sunrise in a hot air balloon – it’s amazing. 

On the contrary, some freelancers and digital nomads prefer to take tours to the UAE in the summer. During the day they work in a hotel under air conditioning, and in the evening they walk comfortably and look at skyscrapers, singing fountains, mosques, a 3-meter aquarium and much more. Visa-free entry and discounts on tickets will help everyone. So if you like an unusual vacation, unlike everyone else, buy a ticket to the colorful eastern summer.