It might feel like Eid Al Adha has only just come and gone, but the next long weekend is already around the corner. A three-day break, including the weekend, is expected to start on August 12 to mark Islamic New Year.
While the summer heat makes it hard to spend much time outside in August, there is still plenty happening across the UAE to keep you and your loved ones entertained.
So whether you are looking for a summer staycation, or to indulge in delicious dining offers, find some inspiration below...
Take a desert staycation
Escape the city heat with Bab Al Shams’s Desert Breeze summer staycation offer. The famous desert resort has announced a special summer deal, running until the end of August, with one-night stays starting at Dh449 per room. Guests also have the choice to upgrade their packages to either a stay inclusive of breakfast the next day at Al Forsan Restaurant or a half-board option, inclusive of dinner, too.
Until August 31; from Dh449; Bab Al Shams; 04 809 6150, www.babalshams.com
Treat yourself to a couples’ spa weekend
If you're looking for some pampering, the newly opened SLS Dubai Hotel is offering a staycation with relaxation at the forefront. The couples' "spa-cation" offer includes an overnight stay with breakfast the next day, alongside a 90-minute couples' treatment at the Ciel Spa, from Dh1,300.
On top of that, guests will be able to make use of the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool, which offers incredible views over Business Bay and Downtown Dubai, and is the perfect place to catch the sunset against the backdrop of the Burj Khalifa.
Ongoing, from Dh1,300; SLS Dubai, Business Bay; 04 607 0757; www.slsdubai.com
Get feasting
Dubai Summer Restaurant Week is taking place between Wednesday, August 11 and Saturday, August 21, allowing diners to try some of the city’s top eateries at affordable prices. Restaurants including the likes of Bella, The Pangolin, Bistro des Arts, Rhodes Twenty10 and Carnival by Tresind will be offering special set menus, with great deals on offer.
Wednesday, August 11 to Saturday, August 21; prices vary; locations vary, Dubai Summer Restaurant Week;www.visitdubai.com
Take a Deep Dive
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Deep Dive Dubai pool, at 60m at its deepest, offers divers a unique experience -
One of the Deep Dive Dubai pool’s biggest attractions is its sunken city -
Divers are able to explore an underwater world, complete with an abandoned streetscape, apartment, garage, arcade and other interesting features. -
Freediving and scuba diving experiences, along with courses, are offered to people of all abilities by international diving professionals -
Other features include two underwater habitats with a dry chamber, 56 underwater cameras covering all angles of the pool, and an underwater sound and mood lighting system -
It can hold 14 million litres of water, the equivalent of six Olympic-sized swimming pools -
Water is filtered and circulated every six hours, while the temperature is maintained at 30°C -
Deep Dive Dubai pays tribute to the UAE’s pearl diving heritage -
The facility opened to the public on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 -
Deep Dive Dubai offers experiences and courses across three categories: Discover, Dive and Develop, which are open to anyone aged 10 and above, from beginners to professional divers -
All experiences have a guide and equipment rentals, as do the courses -
Underwater gear, and photo and video equipment are available for rent, with videos and photos included with Discovery Dives. -
The venue is also home to the region’s largest underwater film studio, complete with a media editing room and a video wall
Be among the first to explore the newly opened Deep Dive Dubai, the world’s deepest indoor diving pool. The 60-metre-deep pool, which houses an entire sunken city, is open to experienced divers, for snorkelling, or for complete beginners just dipping their toes into the world of diving. All experiences come with a guide, with prices starting from Dh400.
Wednesday to Sunday, noon-8pm; from Dh400; Nad Al Sheba, Dubai; www.deepdivedubai.com
Explore the night skies
Dubai’s newest viewing platform, The View at The Palm, doesn't only offer perspectives of the city’s impressive skyline. For the month of August, it has partnered with Dubai Astronomy Group to offer visitors the chance to explore the night skies. Taking place on Friday and Saturday, August 13 and 14, the sessions at 8.30pm will give visitors the chance to learn more about astronomy, ask questions and stargaze. Sessions cost Dh125 for adults and Dh95 for children. Pre-booking is required.
Friday and Saturday, August 13 and 14, 8.30pm; Dh125 for adults, Dh85 for children; The View at The Palm, Palm Jumeirah; www.theviewpalm.ae
Get racing
Dubai Autodrome, the multipurpose motorsport and entertainment facility, has an array of BMW M cars available to the public, so visitors can experience them on the track. There's also a 20 per cent discount on the BMW 330i M Sport driving experience until Tuesday, August 31. If you buy any two driving experiences at the Dubai Kartdrome, an indoor and outdoor track facility for racing activities for all age groups, the third one is complimentary.
Daily; 9am to midnight (the outdoor Kartdrome is open 9am to noon and 3pm to midnight); Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Motor City; www.dubaiautodrome.ae
Get lost in a world of art
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The immersive art gallery at The Dubai Mall will host immersive art exhibitions and hopes to become a platform where tech-driven artists can create, innovate and present their works, its director said. -
Spread over 2,700 square metres, the venue has more than 130 projectors, 58 speakers and 3,000 HD digital images working together to create moving artworks. -
Infinity des Lumieres, one of the largest digital art centres in the GCC, set inside The Dubai Mall, opened to the public on Thursday. -
A production by Danny Rose Studio pays homage to the widespread influence of Japanese art, culture and tradition on famous artists such as Van Gogh. -
A production by Danny Rose Studio pays homage to the widespread influence of Japanese art, culture and tradition on famous artists such as Van Gogh. -
Three exhibitions are currently being shown. The first one is a light, sound and visual presentation of Van Gogh’s works, including from The Potato Eaters (1885), and Sunflowers (1888), to and Starry Night (1889). -
Dreamed Japan, Images of the Floating World will take visitors into 19th century Japan, blending artist Katsushika Hokusai’s portraits with landscapes and images of his famous waves. -
Dreamed Japan, Images of the Floating World will take visitors into 19th century Japan, blending artist Katsushika Hokusai’s portraits with landscapes and images of his famous waves. -
Shows at Infinity des Lumieres last one hour and 15 minutes each. -
The centre also houses a boutique where art lovers can buy collections from artists from the region and beyond. -
A light, sound and visual presentation of Van Gogh’s works, including from The Potato Eaters (1885), and Sunflowers (1888), to and Starry Night (1889) is currently showing at the centre. -
Shows at Infinity des Lumieres last one hour and 15 minutes each. -
The centre also houses a boutique where art lovers can buy collections from artists from the region and beyond. -
Tickets to Infinity des Lumieres start at Dh75 for children up to aged 13 years and Dh125 for visitors over 14 years. Shows run daily, with the the first starting at 10am. -
Dreamed Japan, Images of the Floating World will take visitors into 19th century Japan, blending artist Katsushika Hokusai’s portraits with landscapes and images of his famous waves. -
A light, sound and visual presentation of Van Gogh’s works, including from The Potato Eaters (1885), and Sunflowers (1888), to and Starry Night (1889) is currently showing at the centre. -
Dreamed Japan, Images of the Floating World will take visitors into 19th century Japan, blending artist Katsushika Hokusai’s portraits with landscapes and images of his famous waves.
Visit The Dubai Mall’s latest art gallery, Infinity des Lumieres. The attraction uses more than 130 projectors, 58 speakers and 3,000 HD digital images to create an immersive experience for visitors. Three exhibitions are currently being shown, with the first being a light, sound and visual presentation of Van Gogh’s works, including The Potato Eaters (1885), Sunflowers (1888) and The Starry Night (1889). The centre also houses a boutique, so you can pick up pieces of art afterwards.
Daily; Dh125 for adults, Dh75 for children under 13; The Dubai Mall; www.infinitylumieres.com
Try some underwater yoga
Enjoy some morning yoga in front of an underwater world at Atlantis The Palm’s The Lost Chambers Aquarium. The one-hour class costs Dh160 and involves a calming sequence of postures, breathing exercises and relaxation in order to improve strength, posture and balance. Advance booking is required.
Friday, August 13, 8am; Dh160; The Lost Chambers Aquarium, Atlantis The Palm; 04 426 1000; www.atlantis.com
Make a splash
As part of Dubai Summer Surprises, Legoland Water Park is hosting Splash Fest throughout August. There are a number of offers available, including 20 per cent off admission when you book online at least one day in advance and 50 per cent off cabanas, plus kids can eat for free at Waves Bistro after 5pm with a paying adult. It’s the perfect way to cool off from the summer heat.
Thursday to Tuesday, 10am-7pm; Dh275, children under 3 go free; Legoland Water Park, Dubai Parks and Resorts; 04 820 3123; www.legoland.com
Watch a skydive show
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Clymb Abu Dhabi is hosting an indoor skydive show every Friday throughout summer. -
Five of Clymb's skydive instructors will show off their skills during the weekly shows. -
Clymb is home to the world's biggest indoor skydive chamber. -
The five-minute show is free to watch. -
Onlookers watch as Clymb's instructors show off their skills. -
The instructors show off their tricks during the free 'Dare to Soar' show. -
The instructors show off their tricks during the free 'Dare to Soar' show. -
The instructors show off their tricks during the free 'Dare to Soar' show. -
The instructors show off their tricks during the free 'Dare to Soar' show. -
The instructors show off their tricks during the free 'Dare to Soar' show.
Clymb Abu Dhabi recently launched Dare to Soar, a free indoor skydiving show, where the instructors showcase their best moves. The shows take place every Friday at 6pm, and if you’re tempted to imitate their stunts after, you can scan QR codes to get 20 per cent off on your first flight.
Fridays, until August 28; 6pm; Clymb Abu Dhabi, Yas Island; www.clymbabudhabi.com
Hit the malls
Now may be the best time to shop the sales as shopping deals and discounts can be found in more than 3,500 stores across several malls in the capital until Tuesday, August 31, as part of the Abu Dhabi Shopping and Dining Season. Some participating brands include Burberry, Chaumet, Dior, Fendi, Gucci, IWC Schaffhausen, Max Mara, Panerai and more.
Shoppers can also take part in the Shop & Win promotion, run in partnership with Visa, in which Visa cardholders spending Dh200 or more in participating outlets can win prizes, cars and a share of four million Etihad Guest Miles.
Daily, until Tuesday, August 31; www.retailabudhabi.ae
Brunch and swim
Guests heading to Friday brunch at Rosewood Abu Dhabi can also enjoy access to the pool for an after-brunch dip to cool off, as well as 20 per cent off any further poolside snacks or drinks. The brunch includes staples such as oysters, sushi and tacos, all for Dh350. Free-flowing drinks are an additional Dh125.
Fridays throughout August, 12pm-3pm; from Dh375; Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island; 02 813 5550, www.rosewoodhotels.com
Indulge in some beachside luxury
Visitors seeking a luxury stay can try The Oberoi Beach Resort, Al Zorah in Ajman, where there’s 15 per cent off room rates, and 10 per cent off spa treatments this summer. Making the most of the oceanfront location is Aquario, the hotel’s speciality seafood restaurant while Vinesse is open for elegant all-day dining. The spa at The Oberoi features private treatment rooms with open-air showers and private hammams. Book by Tuesday, August 31 for stays until Thursday, September 30 to take advantage of summer deals.
Throughout August, from Dh850 per night, including breakfast; book using promo code SPLSMR via Reservations.TOAZ@oberoihotels.com; The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah, Ajman; www.oberoihotels.com
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