July isn’t just a brilliant time for affordable hotel deals in Dubai. It’s an action-packed month with plenty of cool indoor activities to keep families entertained.

Within the vast Mall of the Emirates, Magic Planet is a neon playground for kids, with arcade games, rides and simulators galore. Around the corner, Vox Cinemas offers luxury film-watching Gold Packages with business class-style seats, a menu of fast-food treats and table service. 

At fellow mega-retail emporium Dubai Mall you’ll find the likes of KidZania Dubai, dedicated to children’s role play, with a convincing miniature world created just for them, and PlayDXB, the region’s biggest indoor virtual reality park where anything can happen, thanks to augmented reality headsets that whisk users into alternative universes. The indoor roller coaster – simulating an out-of-control helicopter spinning between Dubai’s skyscrapers – is scarily realistic. 

You can do your own bouncing around at one of Dubai’s popular indoor trampoline parks. Bounce in Al Quoz is the original ‘jumpfest’ complete with Parkour training platforms. 

Swimmers have some interesting options too, with Deep Dive Dubai out at NAS Sports Complex providing a 60m-deep underwater world with abandoned living rooms and street scenes to explore in scuba gear. It’s the world’s deepest pool, filled with 14 million litres of fresh water kept at a comfortable 30C, and welcomes everyone from licensed experts to novices wanting to plunge beneath the surface for the first time and learn to dive in a controlled, exciting environment that comes with a fully immersive light and sound system, as well as that vast underwater city to explore.  Another option is night swimming on Dubai’s allocated public beaches in Jumeirah. The water is warm, safe and restorative and can bring out the big kid in anyone. 

If you only have 24 hours

There’s no better place to chill out on a hot summer’s day than at Ski Dubai. The indoor ski slope in the desert with real snow offers ski school, five runs of varying difficulty, a chair lift and snow tube rides for kids.

Events

Running from late June to early September, the whole of July is a shopping spree with Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) taking over malls. The festival, dedicated to retail and in-mall entertainment, includes prize draws, super sales, family-friendly shows – and lots of lovely air-conditioning. In addition, during the school holidays, kids’ summer camps are hosted at various indoor attractions across the emirate, including at Ski Dubai. Check ahead for schedules. 

Where to eat

Indoor culinary hub Time Out Market Dubai, located at Souk Al Bahar, directly opposite Dubai Mall, is the perfect spot for fussy eaters. Choose to order from whichever concession you prefer and share a big table together with your tribe. The vendors are carefully selected homegrown brands of the highest calibre. Pitfire Pizza, Vietnamese Foodies and Pickl Burger are delicious national treasures. 

Chef Akmal Anuar’s 11 Woodfire in Jumeirah specialises in fire-cooked fare. The calming zen space in muted tones makes for a relaxing lunch, while the flame-grilled burgers prove how elevated this humble dish can be. It may even be the reason 11 Woodfire won its Michelin star. 

Two-Michelin-starred Il Ristorante – Niko Romito is an outpost of the three-Michelin-starred Reale, Niko Romito’s flagship in the harder-to-reach village of Castel di Sangro in the hills of Abruzzo, Italy. Located at the opulent Bulgari Dubai, here’s where to get your posh pasta fix   at one of the UAE’s most luxurious resorts, complete with a superyacht marina. 

Where to stay

One of the most novel sleepovers in the world can be had at Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates. This fun upscale hotel is home to the UAE’s only ski chalets. Overlooking the snowy slopes of Ski Dubai, the suites have electric log fires framed by mantelpieces that look like they should have Christmas stockings pegged to them. The contrast from cosy nights by the fire with a window framing a frosty vista to vividly sunny days by the outdoor pool is remarkable. 

25hours Hotel is another quirky hotel, tucked away in One Central, next to Dubai Trade Center. Loaded with Instagram-friendly features, the millennial-focused hotel has a co-working space and lively restaurants, including Dubai’s most famous German eatery, Ernst, where you can indulge in authentic bratwurst. Lederhosen are optional. 

Nearby, The Dubai EDITION in Downtown Dubai is infused with grown-up sophistication within easy reach of the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, and the gigantic Dubai Mall. Inside, you’ll find minimalist décor, marble en suites and beds dressed in founding hotelier Ian Schrager’s signature fur throws. Accommodation is complemented by seductively chic dining rooms at Japanese restaurant Sumosan, and colourful and contemporary Indian restaurant Masti. 

What to pack

Summer has officially begun. While Dubai is high on the list of sun-drenched holiday destinations, it’s also custom-designed to tackle heat. You’ll find air conditioning in all hotels, malls and restaurants, so pack for cool interiors as well as the guaranteed sunshine, along with high-factor sunscreen, hats and long-sleeve swimwear for kids. 

Insider

“As Dubai’s residents depart for summer, my commute time halves, along with the hotel rates and the queues at some of the big attractions. It’s a great respite from the usual hectic pace. I’ve acclimatised after 16 years in Dubai, so I still go to a hotel pool or the beach for a few hours in the morning or late afternoon, but at the height of the day, I go to the cinema, escape rooms, spin classes and long lunches. I love LPM for the best cheesecake in town and SALT for burgers on Kite Beach with the family. My kids adore Dubai’s water parks and theme parks. They often have great deals in summer – sometimes kids go free – and there’s never any wait time for rides and slides.”  
Helen Farmer, senior presenter, Dubai Eye 103.8, @helenfarmer,

Broaden your horizons in Dubai 

In Dubai, you’ll find all the right ingredients for a sun-soaked trip. The sophisticated metropolis by the sea provides unforgettable experiences, from serene safaris in the desert to dining in the world’s tallest building.

Broaden your horizons with a trip that takes in its exhilarating mix of record-breaking architecture, traditional neighbourhoods and white sand beaches. You’ll return home with plenty of tales to share.

Find out more at visitdubai.com