10 things to do in Dubai in June

There are still plenty of things to do in Dubai during the month of June, even though it's a very hot period - don't let the temperatures put a damper on your travel plans!

At this time of year the city presents many events (with cool air conditioning) and activities in its outdoor theme parks so you can cool off and enjoy the sunny days. Take a look at the 10 ideas I propose you!

If you're travelling to Dubai in June, whether you're travelling as a couple, with friends or with kids, one of the best things to do is to book tickets to Atlantis Aquaventure, the city's water park where locals and visitors alike flock to enjoy the good weather and make a splash in the open air.

Among its attractions are 79 slides to keep you entertained for a minute, a private beach of more than a kilometre long to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis, and for the more sporty, a wave machine to get into the surfing spirit. You'll feel like you're in Hawaii, in the world's surfing mecca!

Practical information about Atlantis Aquaventure

• Where: The Palm, Crescent Rd.
• Average ticket price: adults €82 and children approximately €70. If you are staying at the Atlantis The Palm Resort Hotel, entry to the Atlantis Aquaventure water park is free.
• Opening hours: Every day from 10am to 9pm (times may change seasonally).
• Recommended if... you want to spend a fun day out with family or friends and experience an adrenaline rush.
• Find out everything you need to know to enjoy your visit to Atlantis Aquaventure.

For a breath of fresh air, one of the best things to do at sunset is to cross the Dubai Estuary in an abra, a small wooden boat, and enjoy one of the most unique sunsets. Dubai's busy estuary has been the city's driving force for centuries and continues to attract curious travellers today.

The price? For just AED1 (€0.24) the boat will take you from Bur Dubai to the Deira district of downtown Dubai. These unique water taxis pass through four stations on the estuary every few minutes throughout the day and each journey takes just 5 minutes- a short but very authentic trip!

Sail for 1 hour

For a more complete experience, I suggest you hire an abra on your own to explore the estuary for an hour for less than €30. From here, you will have the opportunity to see the exchange of goods between the locals and admire the old and new Dubai and the architecture of its traditional houses, towers and minarets. A unique perspective of the city. And if you're looking for a more premium experience, you can book a traditional sailing cruise with dinner in Dubai.

Visiting Dubai in June, visiting Dubai in July and visiting Dubai in August has its advantages, such as being able to book your ticket to the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest and most impressive skyscraper at 828 metres (excuse the Empire State Building in New York), without waiting in the horrendous queues that form during the peak season in the winter months.

If you're curious to know more about this flagship of modernist architecture, check out these articles on what you can see and do inside the Burj Khalifa and the views from the Burj Khalifa- it's well worth it!

My advice is to enter the Burj Khalifa at night where you'll get a fascinating view of Dubai's illuminated buildings - the views are magical!

One of my favourite pastimes in June was touring the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, one of the largest aquariums in the world with 10 million litres of water and home to more than 33,000 marine animals, including the largest group of bull sharks on the planet.

The aquarium, which can also be seen from the Dubai Mall, has a fantastic 48-metre tunnel from which you can dive into the depths of the seabed, but without getting wet. You can also enjoy a boat ride with a glass surface, become a mermaid or for those who like thrills, get into an underwater cage and watch the sharks.

But with the Dubai Aquarium tickets, one of the experiences that fascinated me the most was watching the aquarium divers feed the sharks and rays - they were eating like there was no tomorrow! If you're travelling with children, they'll love to listen to the biologists on site, who will share the underwater secrets of the aquarium's inhabitants.

• Where: Ground Floor and Floor 2, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai
• Opening hours: daily from 10am to 10pm.

Late in the day you can book a cruise along the 7-kilometre, palm-lined Dubai Marina and watch the sunset from any of its terraces. This lively and picturesque waterfront area is a must-see in summer, where you'll see a multitude of luxurious yachts lazing in the emerald waters. If you feel like cruising, you can do so by booking a cruise around the Dubai Marina.

Summer is also one of the best times to cycle (avoiding the middle of the day) and finish the day, after cycling, with dinner at one of the restaurants overlooking the marina. Another option for the more intrepid is to ride the XLine, the world's largest urban zip line, and get a bird's eye view of the city. Ready, set... Go!

June weather is ideal for booking a desert excursion from Dubai and enjoying dinner. If after exploring all the nooks and crannies of the city, you're in the mood for some exotic scenery, just a 30-minute drive away is the Al Qudra Lakes, an oasis near the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve. Getting there is easy!

It's a very special place in Dubai, as it's the place where you're most likely to see wild animals in their natural habitat, such as foxes, swans, geese, ducks and flamingos. You may also spot some endangered birds such as the steppe eagle. Pay close attention!

Foodies can also indulge at the nearby food trucks or buy takeaway food and have a picnic outdoors overlooking the desert dunes. It's a plan with a difference that you'll love.

Dubai's beaches are one of the city's great secret spots. Who would have imagined that behind these skyscrapers there would be endless kilometres of fine white sand and transparent waters... To dazzle the traveller and enjoy all kinds of activities such as a ride on a jet ski along Dubai's beaches.

There are two types of beaches: public beaches, where you pay nothing (only, in some cases, the entrance fee to the natural park) and private beaches, which belong to the big hotels in the area. A little tip: you can eat in one of the restaurants and enjoy these beaches for free.

Take note of the best public beaches:

• Al Mamzar Beach Park.
• Jumeirah Beach Park.
• Umm Suqeim Beach.

Who said there are no mountains in Dubai? If you thought there were only desert lands, you were wrong. About 130 kilometres from the centre of Dubai lies Hatta, a fantastic mountain town and an oasis of tranquillity with rugged mountains, clear springs and valleys that contrast with the modern buildings of the city.

In this town you will travel back in time thanks to its fortifications and towers. You will also learn first-hand what life was like for the ancient inhabitants, who made their living by growing palm trees and harvesting dates.

Biking, kayaking, canoeing and more

The more adventurous will have the time of their lives at the Hatta Dam, an idyllic spot where you can take in the scenery from the water and get some exercise with kayaking, canoeing and pedal boating facilities. There is also a large 12-metre high water slide to take a dip in.

Another option for the more fit is to hire a mountain bike and ride along the 52-kilometre network of trails, with routes colour-coded according to difficulty, or hike through the Hatta Mountains. Don't forget the water!

If you're the kind of person who comes back with a suitcase full of souvenirs and foodie gifts for the family (guilty!), I recommend a trip to Deira Market, where as well as fresh seasonal produce, there are sections dedicated to honey and dates, succulent delicacies.

This is a very old fish market, which has been in operation since 1958, but was modernised in 2017 and the result is a state-of-the-art, air-conditioned facility - a big deal in June!

Nevertheless, the magic of the old souk has been retained and customers can find a superb variety of seafood such as lobster, mackerel and permit at cost price. By the way, the best time of day to visit is early in the morning when the produce is at its freshest, or late in the afternoon when prices have dropped. A tip for your wallet: don't forget to bargain.

In the middle of Dubai's asphalt jungle, you can visit the green heart of the city, The Green Planet, Dubai's rainforest, where you can enjoy the freshness of the vegetation. It's a trick, though - it's a custom-built space, but it looks the part!

The Green Planet Artificial Rainforest

This exotic flora and fauna exhibit is home to more than 3,000 species of plants, animals and birds housed inside a specially heated glass dome and supplied from sustainable sources. Here you will see lizards, crocodiles, snakes and different reptiles.

The Green Planet is located in City Walk, one of the city's trendiest districts with a wide range of eateries to refuel before setting off on your tropical adventure.

The weather in Dubai in June is very hot, especially in the second half of the year when summer starts, so if you have a choice I suggest you travel in the first half of the year when temperatures are more pleasant. In general, these range from a low of 28°C to a high of 40°C.

Although the sun can be tiring, Dubai is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world and its buildings are designed to withstand the high temperatures. In fact, in some places the air conditioning will keep you cool, so a neckerchief might be your best ally. Forewarned is forearmed.

If you think that travelling to Dubai in the summer is an unfortunate idea, you're very much mistaken. Although it's not the best time of year to travel to Dubai, you'll enjoy much lower prices than the rest of the year and you'll have direct entry (no waiting in queues) to many of the city's attractions. There is so much to see and do in Dubai regardless of the time of year.

What I liked most about touring Dubai in June is that I was able to enjoy luxury hotels at half the price. The winter months, which have cooler temperatures, are the busiest months (there are open-air festivals, races and shows) and therefore prices soar, while in the warmer months, if you look ahead, you can stay in very top accommodation at a good price.