My 15 tips to embrace the UAE summer

Hotter months are a time to unwind, reflect and try new experiences

Sharjah's House of Wisdom is one of the many fascinating and cool places to visit during the summer. Photo: House of Wisdom

Here is a piece of advice from a seasoned UAE resident: the summer is not your enemy.

With the mercury rising, so does the worry from friends and colleagues about handling the sweltering temperatures. My answer to such pangs of anguish over the years is simple: be cool.

I am not only referring to ramping up the air conditioner at home or in the workplace, but also to discarding the concerns and embracing the languid rhythms that summer presents.

The relatively slower pace of UAE life over the next few months provides plenty of opportunities to recalibrate, reorganise, explore and, yes, also have plenty of fun.

I did not realise this immediately, of course. Instead, I gradually adjusted over the 14 years I have called the UAE home.

Each summer presented new opportunities to strengthen my bonds with the country, in addition to appreciating the calmer pace of life before the frenzied hustle and bustle returns in the cooler months.

Here are some tips that helped me and, now, hopefully yourself in making this a summer to remember.

1. Embrace the morning

The sun rise jog is perfect during the summer months. Victor Besa / The National

If you ever aspired to be a morning person, this is your chance. This is a lesson passed on by my parents when I was living in Abu Dhabi as a child.

My parents, both night owls, would switch up their routines. My dad would see his friends for breakfast while my mum and her crew changed their daily evening strolls to the morning hours. Our night-time visits to our Emirati friends also changed to the morning in order to have tea and a chat on the patio.

That golden hour, beginning from sunrise, is also the perfect time to exercise. If you are lucky, you may get kissed by a cool breeze or two.

2. Check out some amazing indoor venues

A decade ago, I used to exchange notes with friends on which malls had the most impressive air conditioning systems (Al Wahda Mall remains my go-to), and I would head there to roam aimlessly while keeping cool.

Fortunately, the UAE now boasts a growing number of great indoor venues to visit that are not shopping centres. These include the majestic Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island, the Museum of the Future in Dubai, and the mega House of Wisdom library in Sharjah.

Not only are they beautiful to experience and engrossing for children, but their indoor temperatures are cool at all times, too.

3. Catch a concert, musical or comedy show

Comedian Bill Burr is set to perform at Etihad Arena on July 12. Photo: FilmMagic

There was a time when big pop concerts in the UAE summer felt like the stuff of pure fantasy.

Fortunately this has transformed over the years with the arrival of first-class indoor venues such Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena, Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai Opera and The Agenda.

Not only has this made the UAE concert calendar open for all seasons but has allowed organisers to tap into the busy European summer festival market and bring high-profile acts to the UAE.

Scan the UAE event listings between now and September. There is a show for everyone this summer.

4. Check out the various UAE theme parks

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is a new attraction on Yas Island, which is also home to Yas Bay Waterfront. Photo: Miral

While Disneyland Abu Dhabi is highly anticipated, the UAE already boasts an enviable number of family theme parks – many of which are situated in sprawling indoor spaces.

Take the kids to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, while film buffs should visit Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi. If you've watched F1 The Movie, you'll know Abu Dhabi played a big part in the film starring Brad Pitt - so make time to visit Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, as it's an ideal spot to indulge in the splendour of the competition.

Dubai is also home to its own suite of attractions, such as IMG Worlds of Adventure, featuring rides inspired by Marvel characters, and Motiongate, which showcases pavilions inspired by popular children's films, including Madagascar and Hotel Transylvania.

Adventureland Sharjah is a family-friendly affair with rides, musical performances and dining options.

5. Book the hotel deal of a lifetime

Some of the UAE's most prestigious hotels, such as the Burj Al Arab, launch summer staycation deals for UAE residents. Photo: Butj Al Arab

The summer is a time when even the most popular resorts experience a steep decline in room reservations. As a result, many launch eye-catching “summer staycation deals” where you can stay at the most lavish hotels at a discounted price.

If you have a bucket list of resorts you want to visit, now is the time to make those bookings.

6. Taste test Michelin-starred and newly opened restaurants

Tresind Studio in Dubai recently became the first Indian restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars globally. Photo: Tresind Studios

Those who love to eat out also have a lot to look forward to during the hotter months.

With the industry’s “off season” already underway, this is a time when you will find new venues quietly opening up as part of their soft launch phase.

This is also a great time to embark on your very own UAE Michelin restaurant trail before you're faced with a waiting list during busy season.

7. Go on that great UAE road trip

Al Bidyah Mosque in Fujairah. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National

The UAE is blessed with seven distinct emirates, all accessible by car. This is what makes the country a perfect location for a family road trip.

With the motorways less congested during these times, it is recommended to set aside a week or a number of weekends to visit the hidden gems, such as the coastal city of Khorfakkan in Sharjah and the UAE's oldest functioning mosque, the 100-year old Al Bidyah Mosque, in Fujairah.

8. Volunteer and thrive

Food distribution to workers as part of the 1000 meals initiative part of the UAE Food Bank programme held at Zabeel park in Dubai. Volunteers distributing food boxes to the workers for iftar. Pawan Singh / The National

Such is the community and social benefits of volunteering that UAE authorities have designated it as a service that can qualify for a golden visa.

There are plenty of official online portals and organisations where you can register your interest in volunteering as an individual, groups or organisation. These include the Emirates Red Crescent, which conducts numerous local campaigns and projects.

Dubai Volunteering Centre and its Sharjah counterpart also provide opportunities in their respective emirates.

9. Do the things you have been putting off

Getting tasks like a wardrobe clear up ticked off in the summer months can feel rewarding. Photo: Pixabay

Summer is the ideal time to tick off personal admin work.

A few friends of mine use the summer to undergo an annual health check in clinics, give cars a service, and declutter their homes and workplaces.

It may not sound like much, but ticking off those important boxes will bring you satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.

10. Enrol in that class you always dreamt about

Enroll in a new class over the summer months. Photo: Unsplash

It sounds simple, but sometimes we get so swept up with work and other commitments that we don’t have time for new experiences.

With most major entertainment and cultural festivals on ice until winter, you can use the weekend or post-work time to learn and take on new skills.

The UAE has a thriving vocational sector and institutions offering classes for everything ranging from cooking to DJ courses to robotics for children.

With more time on our hands, this is the opportunity to upskill and have fun along the way.

11. Chill with a pool pass

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi has four swimming pools and 9km of private beach. Photo: Park Hyatt

The off-season in UAE resorts means more opportunities for local residents to savour the lavish sites. An ideal and cost-effective way to do this is to take advantage of the pool and beach pass offers at leading UAE hotels. The best part of all is that the cost of passes often includes redeemable food and beverage items.

12. Catch a summer film

Check out smaller venues such Cinema Akil as well as the bigger names. Photo: Cinema Akil

The UAE’s cinemas are not only well air-conditioned but also increasingly creative with their programming. In the summer months, venues like Cinema Akil in Dubai often run themed film festivals or retrospectives, from global cinema to cult classics.

Even multiplexes like Vox and Reel occasionally offer throwback screenings or discounted weekday showings. It’s the perfect way to escape the heat for a few hours and discover a new favourite film – or revisit an old one.

13. Explore indoor wellness and fitness options

Courtesy The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery

While outdoor workouts can be limited in the summer, indoor wellness centres flourish. This is the time to sign up for trial classes at boutique studios offering yoga, Pilates, indoor cycling or even martial arts.

Many gyms and studios run summer packages at reduced rates to attract new members. It’s also an ideal season to book a day pass at a spa or try out wellness offerings such as salt rooms, cryotherapy, or hammam treatments. Places such as The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery run affordable 24-hour retreats during the summer months too, if you need more than just an hour-long session to unwind.

14 . Discover lesser-known cultural spaces

Visit one of the many art galleries in Alserkal Avenue. Photo: Alserkal Avenue

Beyond the big-name museums, the UAE is also home to numerous hidden cultural gems. Visit the Etihad Museum in Dubai for a deeper understanding of the country's founding, or explore Alserkal Avenue’s many contemporary art galleries and studios.

Sharjah’s Heart of Sharjah district offers a historical experience indoors, with traditional architecture and museums such as Bait Al Naboodah and Sharjah Calligraphy Museum. Many of these spaces also offer workshops, exhibitions and talks throughout the summer.

15. Finally … relax and be still

There is always that temptation to fill your time in the summer by constantly travelling abroad.

While many don’t have the financial means to simply book a flight and leave, the reason to resist the urge is not only monetary but mental as well.

In addition to the daily pressures of working in the peak season, UAE residents have also been blessed with a packed winter season of events and countless concerts, festivals and conferences.

While fun and stimulating, all that action is exhausting. So take it easy, unwind and enjoy these quiet days of relative calm.

Considering the heightened anxiety of our times, we surely need it.

An earlier version of this story was first published on June 20, 2024