10 things to do in Dubai in July

Dubai, considered the jewel of the Arab world, reaches very high temperatures in July, but don't let the heat get the better of you as there are still plenty of things to see and do in Dubai despite the high temperatures, such as booking a guided tour of the city. During this time of year you can cool off and enjoy the sunny days, buy tickets to the Atlantis Aquaventure water park, the world's largest, and do many other activities.

The most cosmopolitan metropolis in the UAE offers something for every type of traveller: for the foodie, the adventurer, the festival-goer, the cultural traveller... Check out 10 things to do in July in this exotic city of a thousand and one nights!

If you're travelling to Dubai in summer, one of the most original plans you can make, especially with your family, is to book your tickets to the Legoland Dubai water park, where you can test your skills with the classic plastic bricks, go on its attractions or cool off in its aquatic area, designed specifically for children aged 2 to 12, accompanied by their parents. Ideal for the month of July!

One of the activities I liked the most was watching the night show in Miniland, a big lego city with roads, cars and full of impressive skyscrapers in the style of the Big Apple, in which more than 15,000 buildings were illuminated. It was magical!

Practical information about the park

• Where: Legoland is located on Sheikh Zayed Road, between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
• Average ticket price: From €74. You also have the option of general admission to Legoland without the water zone for the same price.
• Recommended if... you want to spend a fun family day out and cool off with the little ones at Legoland Water Park.

Watching a picture-perfect sunset as you cruise the city's main canal on board a boat is an unforgettable experience, so this is one of my top picks for this time of year. Dubai Marina cruises usually last two hours.

However, depending on how adventurous you are, you can do it on board a small boat, a speedboat or if you want to feel like a big businessman for a day, you can book a luxurious excursion on an impressive yacht for a small fee.

With the latter tour, you'll cruise along Dubai's coastline while taking in the city's iconic buildings. These excursions usually include breakfast in the morning, a barbecue in the afternoon or a moonlit tour in the evening - romantic!

Here are some interesting options:

• A dinner cruise in Dubai, which costs around €41, and for which you can book your tickets here.
• A traditional dinner cruise on a sailboat from around €39, for which you can buy your tickets in advance.
• Alternatively, you can book a mega yacht dinner cruise for around €63.

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the metropolis, you can visit Bluewaters, an island created with a lot of care for tourists. You can access it via the bridge that connects the island to Sheikh Zayed Road, the longest in the country, and be prepared to see a lot of luxury!

There you'll find the world's largest Ferris wheel, which at 250 metres dwarfs the London Eye, the Singapore Flyer and even the Las Vegas High Roller. It's well worth the climb as, unlike other installations where the experience lasts a blink of an eye, here a full ride takes about 40 minutes, giving you one of the best panoramic views in Dubai! Almost as good as the views from the Burj Khalifa. You can take advantage of this and book your guided tour of Dubai with tickets to the Burj Khalifa.

The Middle East's first Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

Can you imagine meeting Justin Bieber or Vin Diesel on Bluewaters Island? Well, at the iconic Madame Tussauds wax museum, which recently opened its doors in the Middle East, it's possible. Visitors can enjoy 60 international characters, including several famous faces from the Middle East.

One of the most anticipated events this month is the classic Dubai Summer Surprises festival , in which retailers and shopping centres agree to offer great sales in shops, hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues. What I liked most is the way they decorate and light up the whole city!

The event, which lasts about ten weeks, usually starts on 1 July and ends in mid-September. If you're travelling to Dubai around this time, don't miss the opening fireworks, projections and shows at the Burj Khalifa, The Palm fountain and events at the Dubai Festival City Mall.

Sample the best restaurants in the Middle East

Foodies will enjoy the gastronomic events that accompany this festival, such as the Summer Restaurant Week, when the thirty best restaurants to eat in Dubai offer colourful and spicy menus to delight visitors. Enjoy your meal! You can also book a food tour of the city to discover the local food and produce.

At 40 degrees Celsius in the sun, you may not feel like doing much sightseeing - normal, I totally understand. However, summer is the perfect time to relax on the beaches of Dubai, the Caribbean of the Middle East. You can lie on the white sand or dip your feet in the crystal-clear waters. By the way, the sea is quite warm! Most of the beaches are private and belong to the big hotels in Dubai, but you'll find some very nice public beaches.

Here's my list of the best public beaches:

• Al Mamzar Beach Park: the park was opened in 1994 and since then thousands of tourists have been enjoying its palm trees and greenery to protect them from the sun, its calm waters and pristine sand. It is, without a doubt, my favourite choice. The only downside is that it is far from the centre. Important fact: on Mondays and Wednesdays only women and children are allowed.
• Jumeirah Beach Park: if you are looking for an oasis near the city, this is the best option. This beach is surrounded by pleasant green areas, barbecues, bars and a wooden promenade.

You can also use the day to immerse yourself in the country's culture and visit the Jumeirah Mosque, the only mosque that allows entry to non-Muslims and organises talks to learn more about Islam and dispel myths.

• Umm Suqeim Beach: I highly recommend this postcard-perfect spot for one of the best sunsets in Dubai with the impressive ship-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel in the background, an icon of modern design and architecture. At sunset, the beach is tinged with orange and gold colours and you can immortalise this sunset reflected in the calm waters of the Arabian Gulf.
• Open Beach: Known as the 'Russian beach' due to the large number of visitors from Russia, it's a kilometre long and ideal for strolling, with no gardens or greenery to cool off in in July, unlike Jumeirah and Al Mamzar.

And if you like aquatic activities we suggest you Diving Trip to Fujairah from Dubai for snorkelling and scuba diving. It's a beautiful area located about 120 km from Dubai, and worth discovering for its nature and marine life.

The best way to beat the high temperatures in Dubai in July is to cool off at the Atlantis Aquaventure water park, the largest in the world, which has 79 slides for a great time, a kilometre-long private beach for relaxation and a wave machine to make you feel like a real surfer in the city of skyscrapers.

Snorkel with dolphins and goldfish

You can also book your ticket to Dubai's Atlantis water park and swim with dolphins! You'll be able to dive into the water with these animals, swim with them and learn all about their life and routines.

A perfect plan for the whole family that you'll never forget. This attraction is great fun, especially for families, and what's more, you'll have free access to the Aquaventure water park on the same day, they'll be thrilled!

When the sun goes down, the temperature drops about 10 degrees Celsius in the summer (it can go from 40 degrees Celsius to 29 degrees Celsius). This is the best time to explore the city in the company of a local guide who will show you all the sights and sounds of the city's streets.

The guided tour normally lasts about 4 hours and takes you through Madinat Jumeirah, a modern version of a traditional Arab village, with a souk and canals, reminiscent of a little Venice. You'll be able to see the wonderful Burj Khalifa by night, the tallest skyscraper in the world, and see **Dubai'**s famous fountain show, illuminated with coloured lights, which although not the Trevi Fountain, has become one of the most visited fountains on the planet.

If you're wondering which is the best tour for you in summer, here's an article with the best tours and excursions from Dubai, check them out and take note!

If you want to feel like Scheherezade or Aladdin in his magic lamp in one of the tales of 'The Thousand and One Nights', I advise you to go to any of the souks of Dubai, which will be an open door to the mysteries, aromas and essence of Arab culture. There are three important markets in this metropolis : the Gold Souk, the Bur Dubai Souk and the Spice Souk.

• Gold Souk: this is the main market and the one with the largest number of visitors. Among its products, you will find handmade jewellery at a very interesting price and tax-free. Please note that this place is closed on Friday mornings.
• Souk Bur Dubai: this place was originally dedicated to the sale of cloth only, but nowadays you can find a large number of shops where you can buy a souvenir. Don't forget to bargain!
• Spice Souk: this is another of the most popular and authentic markets in the city. It is the oldest in the city and a festival of aromas, colours and flavours - a journey back in time to traditional Emirati cuisine!

Although in summer there is not as much cultural activity as in winter, due to the extremely high temperatures, live music concerts are also held in July, especially at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Some great figures have come to Dubai, such as the singer Julio Iglesias, who in 2018 starred in a two-hour performance as part of his '50th Anniversary' tour that managed to fill more than 2,000 seats. During your holidays you will find pop, rock, jazz concerts... The offer is endless!

If for Christians Easter is one of the most important and spiritual celebrations, in Muslim countries one of the most significant events in the Islamic calendar is Eid Al Adha, which translates as the Feast of Sacrifice and marks the end of the pilgrimage season to Mecca.

During this celebration, locals gather to enjoy traditional family meals and Dubai adorns the city with spectacular decorations. Don't worry because you can sample the typical food of the festival in restaurants, which often have a special menu. You can also enjoy the many cultural performances throughout the city and the festive atmosphere in the streets.

The weather in Dubai is very warm in July. Temperatures range from the mid-30s Celsius to the high 40s Celsius. The good news is that it never rains during this time, so there's no need to pack a 'just in case' umbrella in your suitcase. Another good news is that sunrise is usually at 05:40 and sunset is at 19:12. You'll enjoy more than 13 hours of planning!

For many, the sun can be a scorcher. Most of your summer activities will have to be refreshing (beach, water parks and swimming pools) and take advantage of the central hours of the day to explore its delicious air-conditioned restaurants and, of course, its magical souks.

As you might imagine, summer is the lowest tourist season in Dubai as it is not the best time to travel to Dubai due to the heat. On the plus side, you'll be able to enjoy the architecture and the main sights like a king practically on your own, compared to the busier and busier winter months.

In addition, you can afford to spend the night in good hotels that would be impossible at other times of the year, as prices drop considerably during this season. Few people dare to travel in July and August. For the daring adventurer, can you imagine enjoying your dream holiday in an accommodation with an infinity pool from which you can see the skyscrapers of Dubai at a great price?

Nuria's Traveller Tip

Warning: Drinking alcohol is not allowed in Dubai for locals. Tourists are allowed to consume alcohol in certain places such as hotels, bars and some restaurants.