Dubai in July

By Dom Bewley
dubai scorching summer sun

Interested in visiting Dubai this summer? July might be the right month for you. Check out our guide to Dubai in July below, and see what's on offer!

Including:

  • Dubai weather in July
  • Dubai's beaches
  • Dubai's best water park
  • Cool nighttime tours
  • Chilled out skiing
  • and more!
Image of Summer, Nature, Outdoors, Sky, Tree, Palm Tree, City, Landscape, Sunlight, Grass, Metropolis, Urban, Sun, Scenery, Sunrise, Sunset, Vegetation, Cityscape,

Dubai in July: What to Expect

Dubai is notoriously warm all year round, and July is the hottest year you can visit. And when we say hot, we mean hot. On average, you can expect highs of 105°F or more and lows of around 91°F. As such, you really need to be prepared for your summer vacation if you decide to go in peak summer.

If you're of the paler sensibility, perhaps pick another month, or plan to spend most of your time inside during the hotter hours. If you're brave and insist on July, then pack the lightest clothes you own, your largest hats, and enough sunscreen to cover yourself tenfold. Due to the high temperatures, we'll discuss some inside and outside experiences below. That way, you'll always have an escape from the intense heat and sun, should you need it.

Dubai in July: What to Do

Image of Summer, Beach, Coast, Nature, Outdoors, Sea, Shoreline, Water, Shelter, Sky, Tree, Chair, Furniture, Palm Tree, Child, Female, Girl, Person,

Dubai's beautiful beaches

Let's kick things off with some of the braver forays you can make into Dubai's heat. Dubai is known for many things, and its stunning beaches might just be the jewel in her crown. With endless white sand, crystal clear waters, and plenty of space to stretch out and relax, Dubai's beaches are magnificent. However, rather than heading there during the day, we'd recommend avoiding the sizzling sun and instead heading there after dark. You'll still get all the goodness of the beach, just minus the third-degree burns.

Jumeirah Beach Residence - or JBR, is one of the city's biggest and best beaches. And while you can't swim there after dark, you can certainly lounge on its pristine beachfront through the night.

Umm Suqeim Beach, on the other hand, does allow you to swim in its calm seas until the clock strikes midnight. Thanks to its Smart Power lighting system, the sea stays safe after the sun goes down. And, like JBR, you are free to lounge there after dark for as long as you like.

Both are brilliant during the day, but on a sweltering July in Dubai, maybe settle for some post-sun fun instead.

Image of Summer, Water, Amusement Park, Water Park, Person, Swimming, Pool, Palm Tree, Tree, Potted Plant, Swimming Pool, Face, Head, Photography, Portrait, Boy, Child, Male, Adult, Female, Woman,

Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm

If you insist on the sun, at least compliment it with a healthy splash of cold water. At Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis the Palm, you'll get just that and a spoonful of fun while you're at it!

With rides such as the plummeting Leap of Faith, which drops you into a massive tube surrounded by exotic aquatic life, even adrenaline junkies are catered to! Or, if heights aren't your things, test your mettle at The Rapids, which puts you on a raft battling choppy waters for a mile. Even kids will get their fix thanks to the Splasher's Children's Play Area,

which features tons of mini slides, climbing frames, and even tipping buckets, so they won't miss out on all the fun.

Just make sure you bring your supplies of sunscreen with you and reapply it fastidiously. Waterslides can easily wipe the sunscreen off your back and leave you exposed to the intense sun. We speak from experience - reapply regularly! And if you need a break, they even have their own beach if you need to relax under a parasol.

Image of City, Arch, Metropolis, Urban, Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, Cityscape, Landscape, Panoramic, Water, Waterfront, Arch Bridge, Bridge,

See the sights at night

If you want to see all of Dubai's highlights but fear the sun's merciless rays, why not do so at night instead? On a Dubai Magical Night Tour, you'll get just that.

With the cool Dubai breeze running through your hair, you'll join your guide on an open-top trip around the city. See the most recognizable Dubai landmarks, and do it all under the relative coolness of Dubai's July night sky.

But will you see? Well, be sure to snap pictures of the grand Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), Dubai Mall, the Burj Al Arab, Dubai Harbour, and more. You might not be in Dubai to see the sights specifically, but that doesn't mean you can't dedicate a cool night to learn more about them.

Image of Nature, Outdoors, Person, Boy, Child, Male, Adult, Man, Snow, Vehicle,

Skiing. Yes, really

If it all gets too much and the heat has you beat, you may debate whether Dubai in July was a mistake. Should you have booked a winter holiday instead, full of snow, skis, and other chilly goodness? Well, wipe those hideous thoughts from your mind. You needn't settle for one or the other, thanks to Ski Dubai. It's the world's largest indoor ski center, and it is mind-bogglingly awesome.

Inside, you'll discover lovingly-recreated ski slopes where you can strut your stuff. There's even a ski lift up to the top of the slopes! And every few hours, the festivities are stopped to welcome a family of penguins across the slopes.

There's no need to pack all your ski equipment either, as everything is provided on arrival. Never skied before? Never fear; they'll teach you on-site.

Image of Dancing, Person, Adult, Female, Woman, Male, Man, People, Performer, Solo Performance, Shoe, Lamp, Cup,

An evening stroll in the desert

And finally, we'll end things on another evening escapade. Because, if it wasn't evident enough, we'd recommend avoiding the sun as much as you can if you visit Dubai in July. So why not try a desert safari and BBQ dinner?

You'll receive 5-star treatment from the get-go, with a plush 4x4 picking you up from your hotel and taking you deep into Dubai's dunes. Once you reach camp, you'll be treated to a delicious BBQ featuring grilled meats, veg, and other delights. But that's not all; there are also activities and entertainment for you to enjoy long into the night. Watch a belly dancing show, smoke some authentic shisha, ride a camel, and even get some henna painted on you! Then, you'll be taken right back to your hotel when the night is over. Nice.

And that's our guide to Dubai in July! If you're looking for more fun experiences on your Dubai vacation, try Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want.

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

A woman points to the opposite side of Dubai Creek
Blog

The best neighborhoods in Dubai to explore

Often thought of as one seamless city of towering modern skyscrapers, Dubai is actually made up of a series of distinct neighborhoods. Each offers visitors something different, from historic mansions to what’s possibly the world’s most famous building – the Burj Khalifa. But which are the best neighborhoods in Dubai to explore? Where should you spend your time – downtown, Bur Dubai, d3 or somewhere else completely? A lot will depend on your interests, with this guide designed to help you decide. Downtown Dubai – the one not to miss It may be the neighborhood in Dubai not to miss, but you probably couldn’t even if you wanted to. At its center lies the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. A structure three times taller than the Eiffel Tower, it’s visible from 95 kilometers away. The emirate’s pride and joy, the Burj’s 124th and 125th floors contain the At The Top observation decks, standing more than 450 meters above the ground and providing unparalleled vistas through floor to ceiling windows. Return to ground level to take in Burj Lake at its best. Created by the same team behind the Bellagio’s fountains in Las Vegas, its jets dance to a jukebox’s worth of international hits every half an hour from 6PM, featuring stars including opera tenor Andrea Bocelli and king of pop Michael Jackson. Right next door is Dubai Mall, which continues the record-breaking theme of downtown by being the world’s largest. Take your pick of more than 1000 stores and 200 places to eat and drink before delving to the bottom of the Earth’s oceans at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Al Barsha – little known but with a huge personality Alongside Barsha Heights, Al Barsha doesn’t trip off the tongue like Dubai Marina or downtown, partly because a lot of it forms quiet low-rise residential dwellings. However, within its bounds you’ll find the Mall of the Emirates. Like Dubai Mall, it’s more than just a place to shop till you drop, being the home of the penguins and snow runs of Ski Dubai, totaling more than 22,000 square meters of indoor snow field in one of the hottest places on Earth. At the southern end of the Al Barsha neighborhood lies another climatic surprise, fittingly called the Miracle Garden. Rather less naturalistic than the other great botanic gardens of the world – there’s a giant topiary form of Mickey Mouse amongst other attractions – it still manages to elicit wows from most of its visitors, since there’s 250 million different plants to see, smell and touch. The same complex contains multiple climate-controlled domes forming an ideal habitat for around 15,000 butterflies belonging to 50 different regional and international species. Though thrilling in their own way, the need for an adrenaline rush can be met at IMG Worlds of Adventure theme park a short distance away. Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm does the same with H2O being the overarching theme – swimwear is the order of the day. Dubai Marina – the best neighborhood in Dubai for nightlife & beaches Water is never far from the center of the action in Dubai, and nowhere epitomizes this better than Dubai Marina. A complex of cafés, stores and high-end apartment buildings edging a completely man made waterway, this traffic-free neighborhood is a good place to relax at any time of day. However, it really comes to life in the evening hours, when expatriate workers returning home take advantage of Dubai’s weather to enjoy a drink or two on an open terrace. One way to enjoy the marina from afar is to drift skyward in one of the plush gondolas of Ain Dubai Ferris wheel. Not to be outdone by the attractions in the other neighborhoods in Dubai, Ain Dubai towers over its international cousins, reaching a maximum height of 250 meters – equivalent to the height of a 75 story building. The wheel is best admired from the Marina’s beaches, facing out into the Persian Gulf. Waterside markets provide further purchase opportunities, whilst the shallows ring with the sound of children having the time of their lives. Cabanas and a range of water sports seal the deal for adults. Bur Dubai – for a sense of old Dubai Is Bur Dubai the coolest neighborhood in Dubai? That’s up to you to decide. Is it one of the best neighborhoods in Dubai to visit to experience its history and culture? There’s nowhere better. Disappearing into residential properties towards its southern end, focus your attention on its northern portions, bounded by Dubai Creek. Stroll along the attractive waterfront at any time of day to disappear back two centuries, or better yet, take to the waters of the creek by kayak to enjoy the sunset in the most evocative part of the city. But to take in one of Bur Dubai’s most important structures, Dubai Museum, you’ll have to stay on dry land. The museum is important not only for its collection of ethnographic objects but also because it occupies Dubai’s oldest building – the Al Fahidi Fort, built in 1787. Not far away a series of historic mansions have also been brought back to their former glory, with several converted into additional museums and public spaces. d3 – Dubai’s design district Tucked into a once unloved semi-industrial area of Dubai enclosed by some of the emirate’s busiest roads, d3 still has the feel of a local secret. The purpose-built home of all manner of independent creatives, its streets are dotted with works of public art and its buildings are crowded with stores, design houses and pop-up exhibitions. This makes d3 a neighborhood in Dubai to escape the hustle and bustle without having to give up those things that make Dubai so special and life worth living, from lazy cups of coffee to November’s Dubai Design Week. Discover Dubai’s neighborhoods with Go City Look beyond the Burj Khalifa and you’ll find neighborhoods in Dubai which tick every box going. It doesn’t matter whether you’re into amusement parks or beaches, history or design, Dubai has a neighborhood worth exploring. Travel with Go City and you can do this whilst saving huge amounts on admission to many of Dubai’s best-loved attractions – including the observation decks of the Burj Khalifa!
Ian Packham
Sunset over Dubai Creek
Blog

Things to do in Bur Dubai

Contradictorily meaning ‘mainland Dubai’, Bur Dubai is an island separated from the rest of the emirate by Dubai Creek. The term can be used to describe the entire island that results – stretching across to the At the Top observation decks of the Burj Khalifa in downtown. However, it’s more generally used to describe the area immediately opposite the Deira neighborhood around the Al Fahidi Historic District. You’re sure to find yourself here at some point, so what are the main things to do in Bur Dubai? Site of the original settlement that developed into the modern day city, Bur Dubai has plenty of history and atmosphere. Still an important hub for everything from culture to commerce, you won’t want to miss this neighborhood when visiting the region. Grab a bird’s eye view Whilst Dubai as a whole isn’t short of lofty panoramas, the historic nature of Bur Dubai means most of its structures only rise to three or four stories. One way to take in the mix of old and new is at Dubai Frame, whose upper reaches stand 150 meters over Zabeel Park. Forming a physical link between the historic and the contemporary, the frame’s interior contains a museum detailing the city’s past, and features suggesting how it may develop in future. Its upper levels have the expansive vistas you would expect alongside glass-bottomed floors so that visitors can look roughly 40 stories directly down. Described as the world’s largest picture frame, it may be better to think of it as a magical door between one world and another... Explore the quiet streets of Al Fahidi The Al Fahidi Historic District, lining the northernmost parts of Dubai Creek, takes visitors back to Dubai’s humble origins as a trading post between the sea routes of the Middle East and the home of pearl divers. An unofficial living museum, its alleyways are a huge contrast to the thoroughfares of downtown Dubai, whilst many of its structures date back to the nineteenth century when barjeel wind towers provided cooling air currents in homes long before the advent of modern air conditioning. Although home to important historic documents and photographs, it’s the structure itself of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House which holds our fascination, being the residence of one of Dubai’s most important rulers from 1912 until his death in 1958. However, the district’s oldest structure is Al Fahidi Fort, now Dubai Museum. Perhaps best reached as part of a Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus tour, it is Dubai’s oldest surviving structure, dating from 1787. As well as slightly twee dioramas of everyday life before the oil boom, there are some real treasures worthy of any museum in the world. Delve into the culture of Bur Dubai If your visit to Dubai Museum has you yearning to discover more about Emirati culture consider making your next stop the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU). Established in 1998 to foster cross-cultural comprehension, it organizes a range of events designed to bridge the gap between Dubai’s traditions and visitors’ understanding of them. There are regular visits to Jumeirah Mosque whatever your religious beliefs, as well as the chance to take part in a traditional tea ceremony or Emirati meal, with a host of dishes laid out on the floor in the time-honored manner. For dining with a view, we’d instead recommend a dhow dinner cruise of Dubai Creek. Taking place as the sun sets and the lights flicker on over landmarks including the National Bank of Dubai building, you can tuck in to an all-inclusive buffet dinner of international scope. Hit the shops For shopping in Bur Dubai with a touch of the OTT it’s difficult to beat the ancient Egyptian theme of WAFI Mall. Its name means trustworthy in Arabic, and there are few more trustworthy places to laden your arms with shopping bags than here. Passing the ranks of Anubis sculptures, obelisks and giant pharaonic statues you’ll enter a space that’s home to 350 stores and stained glass pyramids decorating the interior with splashes of color. If money’s no object, check out the designer stores, which include Burberry. They stand beside a range of smaller independent boutiques with just as much to recommend them. The same can be said for the Textile Souk back beside Dubai Museum. Each trader’s wealth of silks, cottons, damasks and colorful linens are ideal for anyone planning some interior design or looking for the next viral post on Instagram – in which case why not share them with @GoCity? Pay a visit to Dubai’s ‘Little India’ Bur Dubai has long been a bastion of the emirate’s Indian diaspora. Al Nahdha Street’s Meena Bazaar will whisk you away to the subcontinent, with a blend of wedding jewelry, ceramics and spices forming the stock of the hundreds of merchants eager to sell their wares. Shopping aside, there’s a choice of spots to satisfy your hunger, from stalls selling takeaway samosas for a few dirham to restaurants serving up authentic curries originating as far afield as Kathmandu in Nepal and Karachi in Pakistan. Keep a look out for the too-good-to-be-true prices of some goods, and thanks to its ambience, there’s a good chance you’ll consider it one of the best places to visit in Bur Dubai! How to visit Bur Dubai When it comes to things to do in Bur Dubai visitors aren’t limited in choice. Though it may not offer the beach vibes of other neighborhoods, it’s one of the easiest places to discover Dubai’s often forgotten history, as well as the culture of the emirate and the people who call Dubai their home. Remember too that the rest of Dubai is only a short metro, boat or taxi journey from Bur Dubai, and there’s no reason you can’t explore Bur Dubai one morning or afternoon before heading to Deira, downtown or Dubai Marina. But whatever you decide to do with your time in Dubai, be sure to do it with Go City. That way you’ll get reduced admission to many of the region’s top attractions, meaning more cash for shopping at WAFI Mall or dining at Meena Bazaar!
Ian Packham
Burj Khalifa guide
Blog

Burj Khalifa Tips for Visiting

When you're in the UAE, you simply must see the Burj Khalifa. Step out of the elevators and onto the observation deck and you'll have 360-degree views of the entire city, surrounding desert, and ocean.
Casey Makovich

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.