How To Beat the Heat in Dubai

Dubai’s temperatures peak between 1–5pm, so skip sightseeing during these times. Instead, view the A-list attractions morning and evening, with an afternoon siesta to recharge at your air-conditioned accommodation. Luckily, most Dubai tours are timed to sidestep the harshest sun though.

Many people’s desert survival guide in Dubai includes early forays into the dunes to enjoy the morning’s relative cool. The desert is also stunning at dusk: Join one of the popular afternoon-and-evening desert safaris to experience its ethereal beauty and twilight’s temperature drop. If you’re staying urban though, beat the heat with a morning tour of the flagship sights, such as the Burj Khalifa. Or, book Dubai night experiences to view the floodlit landmarks in the comfortable evening air.

Dress like the sun-savvy locals with loose, lightweight clothes that keep the air circulating. Aside from on beaches where swimwear is fine, cover your core, legs, and arms against UV rays, and top it off with a brimmed hat—aim for long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and light-colored, thin (but not see-through) fabrics.

Fortunately, covering up like this accords with Dubai’s conservative culture, especially when you’re exploring traditional areas such as Bur Dubai. It’s also sensible for women to carry a lightweight wrap to wear as a head-covering while touring sensitive sites including mosques.

Did you know?: Add to your wardrobe at Bur Dubai’s reasonably priced indie tailors. They’ll rustle up custom garments super-quick: Order one day and collect the next.

Dubai’s water parks are oases when you need relief from the city’s scorching sidewalks. The mothership is Aquaventure World, whose corkscrew chutes rise like a chemistry set from the haze-hung Palm Jumeirah. With more than 105 slides and attractions (making it officially the planet’s biggest water park), it’s a glorious antidote to the heat.

Book a day pass, perhaps adding entry to the next-door Atlantis’ Lost Chambers Aquarium as a welcome breather from the aquatic thrills.

Insider tip: If your kids are on the younger side, you might prefer the city’s Wild Wadi Waterpark or LEGOLAND® Water Park. Out of all the Dubai waterparks and pools, both lean toward more toddler-friendly attractions and rides.

Dubai has indoor fun down to a fine art, so there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy time away from the rays. Topping the list of indoor attractions in Dubai are its gigantic malls, for their sheer variety of entertainments. Dubai Mall leads with draws such as the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Combine admission and prebook tickets to both attractions before swanning around its perfectly chilled stores and food courts.

Otherwise, enjoy the tech- and culture-themed displays of Dubai’s climate-controlled museums, or the thrills of indoor draws such as IMG Worlds of Adventure. Or, chill out in style at one of Dubai’s luxury spa experiences, melting into a Balinese massage or invigorating thermal shower.

Dubai’s 19th-century settlers congregated along Dubai Creek for its natural harbor and sea breezes. Take their cue by heading here when modern Dubai feels too oppressive, and relish pockets of cool on Deira’s sidestreets and covered arcades.

Traditional Dubai walking tours typically lead you around the shaded alleyways of Al Fahidi—home to the city’s original, air-circulating barjeel (wind towers)—and Deira’s Gold Souk, whose wood-roofed corridors are lined with air-conditioned stores.

Insider tip: For some cool air, ride an open-sided, public abra (water taxi) across the creek for a glorious 5-or-so minutes of light breezes. Many old-and-new Dubai sightseeing tours include crossings so you can skip negotiating fares and abra stations alone.

For a fun-filled break from Dubai’s heat, visit Ski Dubai, one of the globe’s biggest indoor ski centers. Located inside the glossy Mall of the Emirates, this state-of-the-art complex boasts snow-coated slopes maintained at a steady 25°F (-4°C), making it a true cocoon of cold.

Attractions include runs for almost all levels of skier, plus a snow park offering everything from tobogganing to tubes and ziplines. There’s also a penguin encounter experience where you can get close-up to the world’s true ice connoisseurs: Gentoo and King penguins. An easy way here is via one of Dubai’s hop-on hop-off buses.

For a quick fix against the heat, try some soothing scoops of Dubai’s camel milk ice cream. Rooted in the camel milk central to ancient Bedouin diets, this icy treat is creamier and saltier than regular ice cream, and comes in flavors including pistachio and date. Find it at kiosks and stores around Jumeirah Beach and districts such as Deira.

Equally refreshing is lassi, an Indian yogurt-based drink packed with ice for maximum mouth chill. For the inside track on these and other treats, book a food tour with a guide to help you choose and order some of the city’s most flavorsome dishes.

Related: Food in Dubai: 10 Quintessentially Dubai Dishes and Where To Eat Them

Dubai’s refreshing Persian Gulf waters are irresistible when the sun’s beating down. Aside from plunging in from the city’s beautiful beaches, you can choose from a plethora of boat trips and water sports to get you out on the waves.

Reserve a deluxe yacht cruise for some A-lister indulgence, sailing past landmarks including the Burj Al-Arab and Atlantis while savoring bubbly and canapés. Alternatively, take an exciting Jet Ski ride or join a dinner cruise that sails from Dubai Marina into the open Gulf for panoramic views of the illuminated city.

Considering the UAE’s mercury regularly tops 104°F (40°C) from June to September, maybe summer isn’t exactly the best time to visit Dubai? Keep in mind, too, that Dubai’s dense urban environment actually compounds the heat, often making it feel much hotter than the temperatures touted in Dubai summer travel tips and guides.

While the cooler climes of winter (peak tourist season), spring, and fall mean more crowds, they come with their own compensations. October–March sees the city at its liveliest, with draws such as Global Village, New Year celebrations, longer opening hours, and the year’s widest range of tours and activities to keep you happy. Summer? Who needs it?