9 Top Indoor Summer Activities In The UAE To Beat The Heat in 2023

In the desert nation of the United Arab Emirates, the summer climate can be quite challenging if you’re not used to the heat. However, it shouldn’t discourage you from experiencing summer in the UAE because there are plenty of fun and exciting things to do in the air-conditioned indoors!

Many visitors to UAE usually stay in Dubai, one of its seven emirates, and go on a day trip or two to Abu Dhabi, its capital. With that in mind, we’ve listed down several top indoor activities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for the perfect summer in the UAE!

Just because you’re indoors, it doesn’t mean that you will be missing out on the wonders of nature! Located at City Walk, The Green Planet is the UAE's first tropical forest in an enclosed bio-dome, and is touted as an engineering and architectural wonder.

Home to more than 3,000 plants and animals, you can witness the incredible beauty of nature right in the heart of this desert city. Separated into four different levels, you can learn about the different varieties of flora and fauna that are thriving within this bio-dome.

#KlookTip: You can also select the Green Planet + Dubai Frame combo ticket to get more bang for your buck!

If the scorching heat of summer in the UAE is really getting to you, would you believe us if we said you can experience a magical winter right in the desert city? In comes Ski Dubai, the world’s largest indoor snow park located conveniently in the Mall of Emirates!

Spend a cold winter day in the middle of the desert with activities like bobsledding, tobogganing, and more. There’s even a penguin show that is just too cute to believe. You don’t even have to worry about packing or dressing appropriately because your ticket includes all the necessary winter garb and you’ll even get to keep the gloves and socks!

Step into a mind-boggling wonderland like no other with interactive installations and mind-bending works of art that will deceive your senses! Museum of Illusions Dubai will have you questioning reality with its optical illusions and trick art, giving you a fun-filled experience with the whole family during the hot summer! 

Get ready for a thrilling adventure as you enter the Vortex Tunnel and feel the ground shift beneath your feet, or be amazed by the never-ending space of the Infinity Room! Plus, don't miss out on educational opportunities as you explore the playroom filled with fascinating games and puzzles. 

When it comes to Dubai indoor activities, IMG Worlds of Adventure reigns supreme! Covering over 1.5 million square feet with 4 themed areas or “Epic Zones” (Marvel, Cartoon Network, IMG Boulevard and The Lost Valley), there’s plenty of ground to explore. 

Hop on the thrill rides from the different themed areas, brace yourself for jump scares at the theme park’s famous haunted hotel, and dine at the themed restaurants when you feel famished from the fun. With so much to do and fit into a day, you can skip the queues with the IMG World Of Adventures Fast Track Combo Ticket! 

You can also opt for tickets that give you two-way transfers to and from your hotel, a meal combo, or access to attractions such as Lost Chambers Aquarium, Dubai Frame, and Storm Coaster.

Another exciting indoor activity you can do during summer in the UAE is indoor skydiving, a safe and exciting first step to skydiving. At iFly Dubai, you can experience the thrill of skydiving, base-jumping, and bungee jumping in this unique and state-of-the-art facility!

If you’re new to this, no fret. You’ll be guided every step of the way by the experts and professional instructors. In fact, even beginners under the age of 18 can enjoy this activity (you just need to present a signed iFly waiver form and permission from a parent or guardian).

Enter the vibrant, action-packed creations of the Warner Bros. in this indoor theme park, located at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi! In this zone of action and adventure, you’ll come across animated worlds you’re familiar with like Tom & Jerry, the Flintstones, Looney Tunes, and more. Immerse yourself in the different themed areas like Warner Bros. Plaza, Gotham City, Metropoli, Dynamite Gulch, and more.

When you book your Warner Bros. World tickets on Klook, you can opt to get a quick pass, which allows you to skip queues. Or you can get access to any two of these parks: Ferrari World, Warner Bros. or Yas Waterworld—or get access to all three of them!

In this world’s first and only Ferrari-branded amusement park spanning across the size of 7 football fields, you can escape the heat and enjoy a day in the climate-controlled park. F1 fans will love the motion-based simulator to experience the thrill of F1 racing and the interactive game show with Fast Lane!

Ferrari World is also home to the world’s fastest roller coaster, the Formula Rossa, which starts from the indoor theme park, through the dome, and outside the park, then back again inside the building. Aside from these, there is plenty of other exciting rides and activities in this theme park!

Tickets to Ferrari World also come in three options: a quick pass, a free shuttle, or access to one of any two parks among Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World.

Head over to the highest vantage point (a whopping 300 meters high!) in the UAE’s bustling capital for unrivaled 360-degree views—Etihad Tower Observation Deck! As you take in the impressive city below, you can indulge in afternoon tea at the Etihad Tower.

Aside from the city skyline, you can also take in the stunning sight of the Arabian Gulf, all the while saving you and your companions from the summer heat. Sounds like a cozy way to spend your day!

If you’re going to Abu Dhabi with rambunctious little ones, then KidZania is a fantastic place to beat the heat! Enter an indoor miniature city where they can choose between 60 occupations (from fire fighters, chefs, dentists, doctors, and more), slip into the appropriate attire, and  immerse themselves in the job for a day.

It’s a fun and interactive play that that not only lets the kiddos have a good time, but helps broaden their horizons as they learn about the world! 

Now that you know that you don’t have to spend summer in the UAE in the sweltering outdoor heat, it’s time to plan your visit to any of these indoor attractions! Which one are you most excited to visit?