Things to do in Dubai When it Rains - Wet/Rainy Activities

Published: July 18, 2024
rain dubai

Rain - the bane of many a made-up mane, falling water is something many of us would rather avoid entirely. In a desert oasis like Dubai, you may think you're safe from the sprinkly pestilence. But you'd be wrong. Dead wrong. See, it turns out Dubai does experience rain. But don't let a little rain spoil your vacation. Instead, seek shelter from the storm, and fun undercover. Below, we've detailed the best things to do in Dubai when it rains. You don't even have to lift a finger. Now, prepare your eyes for an onslaught of useful information.

Including:

  • Ski Dubai
  • IMG Worlds of Adventure
  • Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
  • Wavehouse
  • VR Park Dubai
  • and more!
Image of Person, Outdoors, Water, Nature,

Ski with the roof up

Even at its coldest or wettest, Dubai's temperature never really dips below 65-70°F. So even when it's raining sideways, you might be looking to chill out those warm bones. Well, if it's chill you want, look no further than Ski Dubai - the world's biggest indoor ski center.

Featuring slopes, ski lifts, and even penguins, stepping inside this icy park is like being transported to another country entirely. You're free to ski, snowboard, or toboggan to your heart's content. You can even descend in a giant snowball, if that's your sort of thing.

With all your equipment provided and instructors on hand for newbies, it's the perfect place to try out winter sports if you've never partaken. If you're a seasoned vet, feel free to go ahead and tear it up however you like.

Image of Fun, Amusement Park, Person,

Themed park

"Theme parks? But they're outside!" We hear your cries, but they are in vain. Stifle your screams into your nearest pillow and listen up. IMG Worlds of Adventure isn't just your average, weather-friendly theme park. It's not only an inside theme park; it's the biggest indoor theme park on the planet.

With thrilling rides themed around beloved characters from pop culture, including Cartoon NetworkTM and MARVEL, you'll spend hours exploring and enjoying each of its five zones.

Will you survive a night in the Haunted Motel? Can you help the Avengers stop Ultron? Are your legs strong enough to outrun a velociraptor? Only time, and a visit to IMG Worlds of Adventure, will tell. Who says the rain has to keep you away from the rollercoasters? Not Dubai, that's for sure.

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Beneath the waves

With all the rain tumbling down outside, the last thing you might want to do is surround yourself with water. But you'd be wrong, rain avoider! There's a whole world to explore under the ocean, so go check out Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo and see it for yourself.

The bulk of the experience takes place in a massive underwater tunnel, where you'll be able to see all sorts of aquatic species going about their day all around you. Perfect for photo ops, as well as a strangely serene stroll, it's a one-of-a-kind experience in Dubai, and well worth a visit.

After you've wandered along the tunnel, you'll reach the Underwater Zoo, where you can get up close and personal with tons of exotic fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic wonders. You'll meet spider crabs, otters, piranhas, penguins, and other colorful characters. Despite its watery nature, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is easily one of the best things to do in Dubai when it rains.

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Wave for the camera

Even the oldest of us like to pretend we're young again every once in a while. For some, that can mean buying modern clothes to help us look young. For others, it can be doing silly things our bodies aren't capable of achieving anymore. But what if there was a way to relive your youth without any unnecessary embarrassment? Just head to Wavehouse in the Atlantis Hotel and transport yourself back to the good old days of 80s arcades!

They've got bowling alleys, arcade games, and even a surfing simulator to embarrass yourself on. Plus, you can pair all that fun with a host of delicious American diner-esque dishes, from succulent burgers to mouthwatering pizzas. Just make sure you surf those calories off; your metabolism isn't getting any younger, either.

Image of Photography, Face, Head, Person, Portrait, VR Headset,

Explore worlds without rain

If you want to avoid the rain, why not travel to another world entirely? It may sound farfetched, but thanks to the state-of-the-art technology on offer at VR Park Dubai, your dreams of a rain-free world can become a reality.

For four hours, you'll have the opportunity to choose 7 from 25 games and enter virtual reality. Simply slip the headset on, pick your poison, and play away. Can you make your way out of the VR Maze? Can you stop the robot uprising in Robocom? You can even challenge your friends or family to competitive games, including sports, platforming, and puzzle-solving genres.

And who knows, maybe when your four hours are up, the rain will have passed, and you'll be free to roam the sunny streets once more?

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Find a way out

Of course, escaping the rain is your top priority. But what if your rain escape leads you into a trap?! Imprisoned in a room that demands all your wits and grit to escape? An...escape room, if you will. Well, lucky for you, all your nightmares can come true thanks to No Way Out escape rooms!

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, and 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 showing 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 when it rains!

And those were our picks for the best things to do in Dubai when it rains! 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
Go City Travel Expert

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A child decorates a Christmas tree on the beach
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Things to do in Dubai in December

December is a popular time to visit the desert state of Dubai. It’s one of the coolest times of year when it comes to the climate, whilst still providing the warmth that many will be missing back home. The emirate’s venues and attractions are alive with events too. Fancy a pre-Christmas break, or even spending the festive season amongst the souks, beaches and skyscrapers of Dubai? Check out our guide to Dubai in December! What’s the weather in Dubai in December? Usually weather sections are good news/bad news. Not so with Dubai in December, where it’s pretty much all positive. Whilst cold by Dubai standards, average daily temperatures hang around the mid-twenties Celsius, dropping to 16-19°C by night. That’s warm enough for most people to take a turn on Dubai’s beaches by day and head out and about by night with nothing more than a light coat, which are also useful additions for anyone entering the fierce air conditioning of the city’s malls and other indoor attractions. Describing it as rain probably makes too much of the showers that appear across two to four days of the month, since just 14 mm of precipitation is usually recorded for all of December. Like much of the rest of the year, days are dominated by sun, with eight hours of sunlight and 11 hours of daylight. Humidity levels hover around 60%, ensuring this isn’t much to worry about either. No wonder December in Dubai is peak tourist season! Making the most of the weather Out of bounds for several months because of the extreme heat, December welcomes people back to the dunes of the desert beyond the sky-piercing structures of downtown. An extraordinary contrast to the modern center of Dubai, the traditions of the sands can be explored with a desert safari and BBQ dinner. Capturing the dunes at sunset, this evening of Arabian delights includes authentic hospitality in the form of food, drink and entertainment. You’ll also have the chance to have your hands hennaed and ride a camel. Morning desert safaris and 4x4 quad bike rides are other ways to explore these landscapes. Further contrasts can be found at Miracle Garden. Never one to do things on a small scale – we give you the Burj Khalifa as an example – the Miracle Garden is the largest flower garden in the world, containing around 250 million individual plants. Open from October to April each year, December is a great time to visit both it and its attached butterfly garden – home to 15,000 of the insects from 26 different species. But if you’re somehow already missing the winter, you only need to head as far as the Mall of the Emirates, where amongst its boutique stores you’ll find Ski Dubai. It’s artificial mountain slopes provide over 22,000 square meters of skiable snow, alongside a small colony of gentoo and king penguins. Honor National Day If you hadn’t realized it already, behind its brash contemporary exterior Dubai has a soul that traces its heritage back to the pearl fishers of the Middle Ages. Saved from destruction, it’s Dubai Creek where much of this history is easiest to discover. The ideal place to start is Dubai Museum, occupying the 18th-century walls of Al Fahidi Fort. It is joined by the attractions of the Shindagha historic district, incorporating ancient structures in the heritage village and the Crossroads of Civilization Museum to boot. Cross the creek by boat or metro and you’ll be standing in the alleyways of the city’s souk marketplaces, from the reflected light of the gold souk to the rich aromas of the spice souk. It can all be enjoyed from the waters on a dhow dinner cruise of Dubai Creek. These are all the more special on the UAE’s national day on December 2, with skies lit up with major fireworks displays come evening. Christmas in Dubai Dubai has become a favorite destination for Christmas escapes. Acting as an international vacation and business hub has helped to ensure the season doesn’t go unnoticed, even if the vast majority of Dubai’s population are Muslim and don’t abide by the religious aspects of December 25. Large Christmas trees decorate many public spaces and santas set up workshops in many of the city’s malls with the help of their elves. Dubai Harbor and Souk Madinat Jumeirah are just two of the Christmas markets that appear, with ice rinks, food stalls and gift buying some of the attractions that await. Homely festive meals such as roast turkey with all the trimmings are easy to find in the restaurants of downtown, whilst those keen to attend mass are able to do so at Dubai’s churches. How to spend New Year in Dubai You only have to wait a few days after Christmas for the next celebration – New Year’s Eve. From quiet beginnings, midnight on December 31 has become an important way to advertise Dubai on the world stage. Celebrations usually center around the Burj Khalifa, with crowds gathering beside the Dubai Fountain next to it for several hours in preparation for the light show on the side of the building and the fireworks display above it. If you’d rather have a gala experience, there are plenty to choose between, with most of the city’s top venues the location of parties of one form or another, including the QE2. You’ll want to dress up for the occasion, so don’t forget to pack a cocktail dress or rent a three-piece suit in good time. Enjoy all Dubai in December has to offer Sun, sea, sand – and snow too if you want it – Dubai in December is everything you’ll want from a vacation destination during the festive season. Cool enough to explore the desert but warm enough to hit the beach, the Christmas events aren’t the only reason to holiday in Dubai in December. Grab your vacation time with both hands by taking advantage of the reduced attraction admission provided by Go City. Travel with one of our passes in tow and huge savings on many of the city’s top attractions will be at your finger-tips!
Ian Packham
dubai in april
Blog

Dubai in April

Dubai is fast becoming one of the most exciting places to visit on the planet. Thanks to an explosion of outside investment, a growing expat community, and year-round sun, plenty of folks flock to its shores every year to see what all the fuss is about. If you're one of them, or you're teetering on the edge of decision, let us help. Is April the perfect month to plan your vacation in Dubai? Read on, and discover our guide to Dubai in April. Including: Dubai in April - weather Water parks Beaches Desert shenanigans and more! Dubai in April: What to Expect Unlike most places in the northern hemisphere, where summer kicks into gear at the end of May/early June, Dubai sees its summertime rise in April. With highs of 93°F and lows of 72°F, it's probably the most comfortable summer weather you'll get if you're not into baking heat and mid-afternoon siestas. Leave the jackets at home, ladies and gentlemen - you won't need them. Instead, pack light, airy clothes that will keep you as cool as possible. As this is peak summer temperatures in much of the world, let's explore some fun summertime experiences that will help you make the most of the heat and let you cool off too! Dubai in April: What to Do Water is wet, and you can be too When the temperatures reach the 90s, are there many better places to cool off than a water park? Turns out Dubai feels the same way, as you'll find a number of brilliant water parks around the city. Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm is one of the best, with plenty of amazing rides to tickle the fancy of kids and big kids alike. From death-defying drops to snakey slides, you'll find a world of wet wonder within its walls. You'll also find a kids-only area for the really little ones. And, if you need a break from all the excitement or just a sliver of shade, head to the park's beach area and lounge beneath a parasol. Over on Yas Island, one of the landmasses around Dubai's coast, you'll find another amazing waterpark at Yas Waterworld. Visitors will be treated to a wealth of over 40 rides, including the world's largest sheet wave machine for your surfing pleasure and Slithers Sliders, which sees you twisting and turning through a snake's body before crashing out of its open maw. And then, for a kid-centric water park, you have LEGOLAND® Water Park. Featuring a colorful cast of LEGO characters made popular by the companies' cinematic outings, your little ones will enjoy over 20 rides of varying shapes and styles. Into the dunes April might be the last time to make the most of Dubai's dunes before the long and unforgiving summer grips the city. And rather than venture in on your own with no idea how to survive the sea of sand, why not take a curated tour of the dunes and take part in some activities? For the grease monkeys out there, you can try your hand at quad-biking or driving a dune buggy. Animal lovers might prefer a slower, natural tour atop a camel. And, if you're in the market for some good food and great relaxation, you'll want to check out the desert BBQ tour. No matter which you'll choose, you can expect 5-star service. A kitted-out 4x4 replete with delicious air-con and comfortable seats will pick you up from your hotel and take you out of the city. And, when the experience is over, they'll bring you right back. The perfect way to avoid all the hassle of booking cabs or planning public transport routes, our desert tours ensure you get to see stunning sights and thrilling experiences without worrying about planning! Refuel at one of Dubai's amazing restaurants After all the excitement of Dubai's myriad experiences, you'll need to get some food in you. Thankfully, Dubai has a metric ton of restaurants of all shapes, sizes, and cuisines within its walls. Italian-lovers will appreciate the upmarket sophistication of Armani/Ristorante, which has delicious lobster, wagyu beef, foie gras, and braised lamb ravioli, among many, many others. For a modern take on Indian culinary classics, waddle over to Masti. Thanks to award-winning chef Prashant Chipkar, you'll be surprised by the small plates and delight at the variety of spicy delights on offer. And, for a more aquatic affair, try Long Teng and its specialist seafood dishes. Thanks to its large aquarium, you can pick out the perfect fish or crustacean for your dinner, or sit down to some of its many vegetarian choices. View from the top If you want to see Dubai from up on high, why not ascend the world's largest building and get another perspective on this desert oasis? Thanks to Burj Khalifa, you can do just that. At over 2,700ft, you won't be taking the stairs. Thankfully, a double-decker elevator is there to help you on your way. Traveling at 10 meters per second, it still takes long enough for you to read the video displays that explain Dubai's history and how the Burj Khalifa came about. Then, when you reach your destination above the clouds, you'll find telescopes to zoom in on the people and places below. Then, head up to the top deck, snap some pics on your camera, and speak to the attendants to learn more about the landmarks visible below. Beach life And finally, we couldn't let you go without mentioning Dubai's sandy shores. There's plenty of spots to choose from, but we recommend you hit up 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. You can't swim after sundown due to the lack of light in the water, but you can certainly pitch your tent on its shores all night long. So, no matter the weather, you'll find the perfect time to lay a towel, slip on your shades, and kick back. And that's our guide to Dubai in April! Want to know what other delights await you in Dubai? Why not 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. 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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