beach clubs dubai

Things to do in Dubai in Summer

By Dom Bewley

Summer is most people's favorite time of year. The sun is out, the sky's no longer grey, and it's the time of year when vacations often turn from dreams into reality. So, where do you choose to go on your summer vacation? Dubai - one of the hottest cities on the planet. Fair play, we respect the commitment to summertime. So, you'll be wanting to know about the best things to do in Dubai in summer, won't you? Right this way, please. The doctor is ready to see you. Dr. ...Fun. Dr. Summer Fun, MD.

Including:

  • Cool off at Dubai's excellent waterparks
  • Check out the relaxing beach club scene
  • Chill out on the slopes
  • Kick back on the beach
  • Take to the seas and tour the sunny surroundings

Make a splash

When it comes to summertime, water is a human's best friend. We drink it to hydrate us, we spray it on our faces to cool down, and we like to submerge ourselves in it when the temperature rises. But why settle for swimming when you can cannon down a water slide and make a real splash?

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Dubai waterpark scene is popping off, with a number of the wonders dotted about the city. Arguably the best is Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm. You'll find a good mix of kid-friendly entertainment and stuff for the grown-ups and opportunities to relax between the action. Make sure you check out the Leap of Faith, which drops you nine stories into a transparent tube surrounded by deadly sharks; Aquaconda, which is a snakey slide that will leave your head spinning; and Aquaventure Beach, which lets you relax and dry off after a hectic splash.

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If you're willing to travel, take a boat over to the beautiful Yas Island and check out Yas Waterworld. Featuring over 40 unique rides and appealing to all ages, it's the perfect remedy to the summer heat. Our recommendations are Bandit Bomber, a suspended rollercoaster that cannons around the track and splashes you with water; Liwa Loop, another plummeting ride that drops you into winding tubes; and Cinesplash, a thrilling 5D cinema experience that will leave you mouth agape and your legs thoroughly soaked!

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If you've got the little ones with you, why not treat them to a waterpark built just for them? That would be LEGOLAND® Water Park, where the wonderful world of colorful building blocks comes to life. With 20 LEGO®-themed rides featuring some recognizable faces, your kids will love it. The Joker Soaker will pit you against LEGO® Batman's arch nemesis, as you splash around his playground. At LEGO® Slide Racers, you'll board your mat and bomb your way down this white knuckle ride. Thrills, chills, and hopefully, no spills await you. And, at Splash Out, you'll plummet down into the water in a kid-friendly way this time.

Go clubbing, Dubai style

We're not talking about busting some moves at the discotheque here; we're talking about beach clubs. These hubs of rest and relaxation can be the perfect answer to a long, hot day in Dubai. So it's no wonder that you'll find plenty of them lining the coast. Providing great views, great food, and good vibes, they're one of the best things to do in Dubai in summer.

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We recommend Twiggy by La Cantine. Its Central European splendor is exemplified by its all-white decor. Think white loungers draped in white sheets, and you're halfway there. But alongside the ambiance and a delightful menu of Mediterranean bites, its biggest selling point is unarguably the near-330ft infinity pool.

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Or, if the discotheque sounded like music to your ears, then you'll have your head turned by Surf Club. There, you can join the dancing masses on the dancefloor while DJs spin bouncy cuts, or simply sit back, admire the atmosphere, and feast on some delicious seafood. Whichever way you like your beach clubs, Surf Club's got you covered.

Ski for your life

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When things get too hot outside, it could leave you wishing you'd gone somewhere cold instead. Rather than hiding inside, you could be hitting the slopes. Well, turn that frown upside down, you warm devil, because Ski Dubai is here to bring the chills and thrills where you'd least suspect them. How can snowy hills exist in Dubai, which is categorically hotter than the sun? Well, thanks to the largest indoor ski center on planet Earth, that's how!

With plenty of slopes to conquer, lifts to scale, and even adorable penguins to see, it's about as close as you can get to an authentic mountaintop experience in the middle of the desert. Oh, and they provide you with all the equipment and teach newbies too, if you need the guidance. Easily one of the best things to do in Dubai on a hot summer day.

Son of a beach, I'm in

And finally, after all our recommendations for avoiding the heat, let's end with one that embraces the furnace. After all, it may have been the white dunes and pristine beaches that brought you here in the first place. So buckle up because it's beach time, baby. Let's talk about some of Dubai's finest sand factories.

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One of the biggest and arguably best beaches in Dubai, and well worth adding to your travel itinerary, is the Jumeirah Beach Residence - or JBR. This massive beach has everything you could ever want - clean white sand, warm blue water, and enough space to stretch out and make the most of it. It's also open 24 hours, though swimming is not permitted after the sun goes down due to the risks involved.

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Our other recommendation goes to Umm Suqeim Beach, which has a bigger focus on water sports and activities. You'll find more than a few surfers riding the waves here, and while they're hardly magnificent, they're about as good as you'll get in the Persian Gulf. It's a 24-hour beach too, but this time you can swim until midnight thanks to Smart Power lights that flood the beach.

And that's our list of the best things to do in Dubai in summer! If you're in the market for some more unforgettable activities, look no further than Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want.

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winter dubai
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Things to do in Dubai in Winter

When we think of winter, certain images may spring to mind; runny noses, driveways caked in snow, and the desire to wear all your clothes at once. Winter time isn't without its charms. After all, snow is pretty, and for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, Christmas takes place in the midst of the cold. But sometimes, the run-up to winter can be a bit disheartening. Vacation season is in the distant past, and if the roads aren't salted, you may be in for a bad time. But what if we told you there's a magical place where none of that is true? What if we told you this magical place is temperate all year round and the perfect winter vacation destination? Well, that's what we're telling you. That place is Dubai, and during peak winter, temperatures only drop as low as 70°F. With temperatures like that, you could do any number of things in Dubai in winter. So, in the spirit of winter, let's explore the fun things you'll find indoors, where even the sun won't harm your withered frame. Including: Ski Dubai IMG Worlds of Adventure Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo Wavehouse VR Park Dubai and more! Snow, but not as you know it If, for some reason, you miss the winter chill, why not carve some sick powder at Ski Dubai? As the world's biggest indoor ski center, you'll find slopes aplenty and even a ski lift to take you all the way to the top. Yes, it's that big. Whether your poison is skiing, snowboarding, or sledding, you'll find plenty to do at Ski Dubai. Even newcomers are welcome, with instructors on hand to show you the ropes. And all your equipment is included, so you needn't stuff your suitcase with appropriate attire. Oh, and every few hours, everything grinds to a halt. Why, you ask? Well, because that's then the freaking penguins turn up to tour the premises. Penguins? In Dubai? What sorcery is this? Theme park life From inside ski resorts to inside theme parks, Dubai has it all. Yes, even their theme parks are under-roof. Well, not all of them, but certainly IMG Worlds of Adventure. Oh, and it's also the biggest indoor theme park on the planet, because of course it is. Across 5 unique zones, you'll find rides of all shapes and sizes and featuring characters from the likes of Marvel. Now you, of all people, can join the mighty Avengers and help them stop the newest world-ending threat. To them, it's just a Tuesday. But to you, it's the chance to finally be that hero you tell yourself you can be. There are also spooky mansions to escape from, dinosaurs to outrun, and plenty of other mischief to be had. Glorious, and easily one of the best things to do in Dubai in winter. Another Dimension If the reality-bending winter weather in Dubai isn't mind-blowing enough for you, why not enter another reality entirely and see how you get on? Thanks to VR Park Dubai, you can do just that. Over the course of four wonderful hours, you'll enter seven worlds full of weirdness and whimsy. Well, some of them are less whimsical and more deadly, but you get the idea. If you have friends, they can join you as you enter virtual reality and dual it out with zombies, robots, or each other in a number of sports-related games. Do you have the brains, brawn, and other 'b' words to grind them to dust? Or will you lose, again, and never hear the end of it? There's only one way to find out, and that way is to go here and do the thing. Escape mediocrity A harsh winter can leave us feeling trapped in our homes. Snowed in with an empty fridge and no delivery drivers nearby is enough to bring tears to the eyes. If you miss that feeling while on your warm winter getaway, why not head to No Way Out escape rooms and get trapped all over again? With 10 spooky rooms on offer, including authentic offerings from the IT and Ring universes, you and up to 8 prisoners - sorry, friends - will battle the clock, devious traps, puzzles, and contend with creepy actors playing their parts as they try and scare you senseless. And if that wasn't enough, you can even stay after your game and sit down for a bit of interactive horror cinema. Each show features wind, water, and other special effects that will assault your senses as you watch. But, be careful. You never know when one of the actors will be creeping right behind your seat. If you have the stomach for it, No Way Out is definitely one of the best things to do in Dubai in winter! Surf's up Ever time traveled? We'd bet on no, but if you ever want to relive the glorious nostalgia of the 80s arcade scene, give Wavehouse in the Atlantis Hotel and good go. On top of the myriad arcade cabinets with old-school games and pinball machines, you'll find bowling alleys, a surf simulator, and even a stacked menu of American delights like burgers, pizzas, and hotdogs. You can even take your food and drink outside, if you dare face the unbearable 70°F sunshine. You brave soul, you. Beneath the surface In a place where water doesn't freeze, you may enjoy exploring the depths of the sea and making some new friends. Well, what are you waiting for? Go check out Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo and meet some underwater buddies! You'll explore a massive underwater tunnel, where you'll be immersed in sea life all around you. Make sure to snap some pics for your social media - if you dare to go nose-to-nose with a shark, imagine the flood of likes and dopamine that will come your way! Validation is the sweetest medicine, after all. Then, you'll enter the Underwater Zoo, stacked with tanks showing off specific species of exotic underwater critters. Water's never been so fun unless you're thirsty, in which case, drinking it is pretty awesome. And those were our picks for the best things to do in Dubai in winter! Looking for some sunny activities when the weather finally clears up? Check out 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
Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm
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Yas Waterpark Vs Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis Palm

Water parks are big business in the United Arab Emirates, with hundreds vying for your dirham across the region. We took a deep dive at Yas Waterpark and Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis Palm to find out what each has to offer...
Stuart Bak
lusail qatar
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Travel From Dubai to Qatar

2022 has been an odd year for many of us. For some, it's meant a return to the 'normal' that existed before 2020. To others, it meant great uncertainty and displacement. But as we approach the latter half of the year, there's one thing that's obvious. 2022 is a big year for Qatar. It's a World Cup year, and they have the privilege of hosting the most watched sporting tournament on the planet. Usually a summer tournament, due to the average temperatures in the region during the summer months, the Qatar 2022 World Cup is not only the first held in the Arab world, but the first to take place in winter. People from all over the world will come to watch countries face off on the field. And one of those people may well be you. Image courtesy of fifg/Shutterstock However, the sharp-eyed of you out there may have noticed which country neighbors Qatar. We're talking about the United Arab Emirates, and the jewel in its crown, Dubai. So, if you want to make the most of your trip around the world, you might want to split your vacation between the two. Dubai has some of the most highly praised experiences on the planet, so it's absolutely worth a visit. But what is the best way to travel from Dubai to Qatar, so you can go see the games? Let's talk about it. Travel from Dubai to Qatar - the cheapest way As you may expect, the cheapest way to travel from Dubai to Qatar is by car. However, the trip, which pretty much runs along the coast of the Persian Gulf, will take nearly 7 hours to complete. You can expect to pay around $100 for gas, and that doesn't include the price of the rental vehicle, which could set you back another $5-200, depending on the car you choose. So, it's definitely an option, especially if you want to make the most of the views, and time is on your side. However, if neither of those takes your fancy, let's explore the other options on offer. Travel from Dubai to Qatar - the quickest way Unsurprisingly, the quickest way to travel from Dubai to Qatar is by good old airplane. You can take a direct flight from Dubai International Airport to Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, in just over an hour. This could cost anywhere between $180-$500, so if you're lucky and book ahead, you could actually save money when compared to renting a car. However, you will need to take travel to and from the respective airports into account, depending on the location of your hotel or accommodation. If you're lucky, an affordable bus will take you close enough to where you're staying. If you're not lucky, you may have to take a cab. And if you do, the costs could add up. Bear in mind that this is only if you're pitching a tent in Doha. If you're staying in one of the other Qatarian states hosting matches, we'll need to talk about those too! Traveling to other cities in Qatar As with all World Cups, the tournament is held in multiple places throughout Qatar. Rather than cities, these are called states. So, if you're not staying in Doha, and have instead chosen to stay in one of the other states that are hosting matches, let's talk about how to reach them! Al Wakrah Al Wakrah is the closest state to Doha. So close, in fact, that you'll be able to take a 13-minute cab from Hamad International Airport to the center of Al Wakrah. The cab should set you back about $18, so easy peasy. If you hire a car when you arrive at Hamad International Airport, the journey will be the same period of time, so 15 minutes. Al Rayyan Al Rayyan is a little further away from Doha than Al Wakrah, so getting there will be a bit harder. After arriving at Hamad International Airport, you'll need to get a bus or cab to Al Mansoura, and then a train to Education City. These will likely cost around $12 and take around 25 minutes. If you hire a car when you arrive at Hamad International Airport, the whole journey will take around 23 minutes. Lusail Further still from the above is Lusail. To get there, take a 40-minute train from Hamad International Airport to Lusail , which is super cheap at around $2. Then, get a cab from the station to your accommodation. Prices will vary because, unfortunately, we aren't mind readers, and have no idea where you're staying! If you hire a car when you arrive at Hamad International Airport, the entire journey will take you around 38 minutes. Al Khawr (Al Khor) The final and furthest World Cup state on the list is Al Khawr, sometimes referred to as Al Khor. To get there, the recommended route says you should take a bus from Hamad International Airport to Al Khawr Gardens. This will take about an hour, and set you back around $40. Then, hail a cab to your temporary residence. If it's in the center of Al Khawr, it will cost around $7. If you hire a car when you arrive at Hamad International Airport, the journey will take you around 43 minutes. And that about covers everything you need to know about travel from Dubai to Qatar! If you're heading to the World Cup, have fun, and make sure you respect the traditions and laws that govern Qatar. If you're heading to Dubai and looking for fun without the fuss? Look no further than Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want. If you're looking for some extreme sports to get the blood pumping, why not check out our guide to the best thrill-seeking activities in the city? Live for the night? Read up on our recommendations for the best neon-soaked activities. Feeling peckish and want to know what's good? We've got you covered, thanks to your ultimate guide to the best eats in Dubai. There's so much to do, see, and experience that no matter what you decide to do, you'll love your time in the city!
Dom Bewley

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