Indoor activities in Dubai that feel like outdoors

Time Out Dubai

2 days ago

Over the next few months, you'll likely be seeking cooler activities as the summer sun kicks in. AC-friendly options get an extra gold star.
You might think this means bidding adieu to your favourite outdoor attractions, but we've found a way to get your fix whilst beating the heat.
Dubai is a city that's well and truly prepped for summer, with some impressive indoor activities that give you a taste of your favourite outdoor hobbies.
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Get in and amongst nature, have a picnic date-night indoors and even play a round of golf without stepping one foot outside.
Here are some of the best Dubai summer alternatives for being outdoors.
Can't do yoga on the beach? Try yoga under the water
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Get your wellbeing nature fix indoors this summer, by swapping yoga by the beach for yoga under the sea, with a soothing session at The Lost Chambers Aquarium in Atlantis the Palm.
Surrounded by calming blue lights and more than 65,000 marine animals, focus on your breathing and move through some sequences as sharks and stingrays sidle by.
Running early morning on the weekends, book in for sessions until it's cool enough to resurface outdoors again.
Dhs175. Sat-Sun, 8am-9am. The Lost Chambers Aquarium, Atlantis the Palm, Palm Jumeirah, atlantis.com (04 426 1000).
Desperate for a nature walk? Try Green Planet
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A little tropical oasis in the middle of the desert, this indoor zoo and garden is packed with over 3,000 species of plants and animals, offering the perfect summer swap for nature-lovers.
While it's not quite a mountain hike, the experience will weave you through a vertical rainforest, where you can get up close with some sleepy sloths, or if you're feeling brave, opt in for the reptile encounter. The accompanying birdsong and light sprays of water will make you feel like you're outdoors even when you're not.
To finish off, grab a pizza or some churros in the jungle-themed Green Planet Café before heading back home.
From Dhs129 (resident offer). Open daily 10am-6pm. City Walk, Al Wasl, thegreenplanetdubai.com (800 2629464).
Missing Dubai Garden Glow? Head to Museum of Illusions
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Got an eye for visual art? If you enjoy the light-filled spectacle of Dubai Garden Glow in the winter, for summer you can swap illuminations for optical illusions with a visit to Museum of Illusions — you won't believe your eyes!
One of the most curious venues in Dubai, it's the perfect place for some reality-shifting selfies, as you explore the museum's clever trickery visual trickery. Take a deep breath as you trundle through the vortex tunnel — it's sure to leave your head spinning!
Dhs90 (adult), Dhs30 (kids aged 3-15). Open Mon-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sun 10am-11pm. Al Seef, Dubai Creek, museumofillusionsdubai.com (04 357 3999).
Missing alfresco Pilates classes? Try Studio14
Work on your technique under the clouds (kind of). A boutique wellness space with a community- focused approach, the studios are some of the best spots in the city for an elevated workout.
Dedicated solely to reformer Pilates, you can expect expert-led classes designed to get the most out of the equipment.
Located both in Jumeirah and Motor City, the two branches offer easy access no matter which side of the city you live on.
Jumeirah and Motor City, studio14.ae
Can't go to Global Village? Try Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Haven't been able to haggle in a while? If you're missing getting lost in the stalls, take yourself to the market in Souk Madinat Jumeirah and get a flavour of Arabic culture.
Whether it's a trinket for the house or a new fragrance you're after, once the retail therapy is over reward yourself and dine out at one of the restaurants nestled in the souk – for the authentic Middle Eastern experience, try one of the platters from Al Makan.
Open daily 10am-11pm. King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St, jumeirah.com (04 366 8888).
Kids desperate for the playground? Try KidZania
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If your little ones are desperate to let off a little steam over the summer months, swap an outdoor playground for an indoor play town, and let them go crazy at KidZania.
Here, they can try their hand at all sorts of career options, be it a firefighter or radio presenter, a pilot or even a surgeon! There are all sorts of other cool grown-up roles for them to test their skills at too, so a few hours here should burn off plenty of energy.
From Dhs195 (kids aged 4-16), Dhs90 (adult). Open daily 10am-11pm. Dubai Mall, dubai.kidzania.com (04 448 5222).
Feeling like a round of golf? Give a simulator a go
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It might not be nine holes at Emirates Golf Club, but it's as close as you can get indoors. So switch trundling around the course in the heat for a simulator at Five Iron Golf.
To get a real taste of the action, choose from a selection of simulator courses, where you can even play back your shot on the fake grass and measure everything from club speed to spin axis. Or if that's a bit too technical and you'll simply be happy if you can hit the ball, opt for a good old-fashioned game of putt putt instead.
From Dhs90 (30 minutes). Open Tue-Thu 7am-1am; Fri-Sat 7am-2am; Sun-Mon 7am-midnight. The Westin, Dubai Marina, fiveirongolf.ae (04 396 6867).
Love roller-skating at Kite Beach? Try Roll DXB
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Swap the beach path for the retro rink and whizz around to your heart's content.
Ideal for a cool Instagram pic, hire a pair of light up skates at RollDXB and strike a pose next to the neon signs. If you're really a beginner, there are newbie classes every Saturday morning so you can practice before showing off to your friends.
From Dhs90 (own skates), Dhs105 (skate hire). Open Mon-Thu 11am-10pm; Fri noon-11pm; Sat-Sun 11am-11pm. Marina Cubes St, Dubai Maritime City, Port Rashid, rolldxb.com (055 800 6868).
Can't plan a picnic in the park? Try lunch at Eugène Eugène
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The main part of a picnic is being surrounded by nature and eating great food, right? Luckily that's exactly what you can do at the Eugène Eugène, where the entire venue is covered in plants and leafy greenery.
Tucked away next to Mall of the Emirates, step inside the air-conditioned greenhouse and get someone else to prepare the picnic for you. Graze away on oysters Gillardeu and burrata, or try the grilled beef tenderloin for something a bit more filling.
Open daily noon-11.30am. Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, eugeneeugene.ae (04 379 8963).
Missing wildlife? Swap Ras Al Khor for Dubai Butterfly Garden
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There are no birds here, but there are 15,000 other creatures with wings that you can admire.
Swap out the Ras Al Khor outdoor wildlife sanctuary for the enclosed garden, where you can watch the fluttering bugs and even have a few land on you, if you're lucky.
Showing you the lifecycle from start to finish, the guides may even be able to let you watch some butterflies hatching from their pupa right in front of your eyes.
From Dhs60 (adult), Dhs55 (child). Open daily 9am-6pm. Al Barsha South 3, Dubailand Area, dubaibutterflygarden.com (04 422 8902).
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