12 things to do in Dubai in August

There are plenty of things to see and do in Dubai, the capital of one of the country's seven emirates, in August: from climbing the world's tallest skyscrapers to get some fresh air to stargazing at night in the hottest month of the year. Besides, you are in luck, because due to its very high temperatures (which can reach 50º C) it is the most economical time and you will be practically on your own.

Although it is the hottest month of the year, don't let Lorenzo get the better of you. To do so, be well prepared**(sunglasses, hat and factor 50 sunscreen**). Take a look at these suggestions to cool off and live a scary vacation in one of the most unknown but most exciting metropolis in the world, a jewel in the rough!

One of the golden rules of Dubai is that it is forbidden to get bored. The leisure offer is so wide that you will feel like you are missing days to discover this marvel and its theme parks, you will feel the adrenaline rush and you will have fun like there is no tomorrow!

The most effective way to fight the scorching heat in August is to spend the day in a water park. Here are some of the main options:

• Aquaventure water park in Dubai, which is considered the largest in the world, has numerous attractions and more than a hundred slides, as well as a one-kilometer private beach.
• LEGOLAND® Water Park, which has more than 20 attractions and shows ideal for the whole family to enjoy.

In addition, if you are a lover of the underwater world you can:

• Visit The Lost Chambers Aquarium in Dubai, which has more than 65,000 marine animals.
• Get your ticket for Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, which is one of the largest and most impressive aquariums in the world with more than 150 species. Its underwater tunnel will not leave you indifferent.
• And you can also book a dolphin encounter at the Atlantis Dubai water park where you will put on your wetsuit and play with the dolphins.
• Or if you want to get a closer look at the treasures of the sea, I recommend you to book a snorkeling excursion to Fujairah from Dubai or even diving excursion to Fujairah from Dubai.

The beaches of Dubai, with their turquoise waters, white sand and hardly any tourists, are one of the best alternatives to spend your vacation in August. You will feel in the Caribbean, but with the magic and charm of the Arab Emirates. Believe me, relaxing alone, as a couple or with your family in this dream enclave is a unique experience.

And what are you: public or private beach?

There are two paradisiacal options: on the one hand, those who want to save money can visit the public beaches, which are totally free and where it is advisable to bring water and soft drinks so as not to die of dehydration in the attempt, since many of them do not have services.

On the other hand, you can lie on one of Dubai's private beaches. A good idea to access these places is to book at one of the restaurants in Dubai' s waterfront hotels and relax in one of their comfortable loungers. I suggest you go to La Mer on Jumeirah Beach, one of the trendiest areas with the youngest atmosphere and a wide range of bars and restaurants.

And if the dip in the beach was not enough for you and you want to enjoy more actively the waters of Dubai, I recommend you to book a ride on a yacht, boat or sailboat. The options are diverse. Here is a list of some of them:

• Yacht ride in the Dubai Marina, from $47.
• Speedboat ride in Dubai, from $40.
• Traditional sailboat cruise with dinner in Dubai, from $37.
• Dinner cruise in Dubai, from $41.
• Fountain show and traditional boat ride in Dubai, from $63.
• Mega yacht cruise with dinner in Dubai, from $69.

In addition, you can opt for a more original plan with a 30-minute ride on a jet ski in Dubai. And if you think you can fall short, do not hesitate to hire the one-hour jet ski ride in Dubai. In both proposals, an instructor will accompany you permanently, will guide you and offer indications of the city, while you have the opportunity to capture the best snapshots.

And if you are looking for even more adventure, you can choose to live a session of 30 minutes in Jetpack in Dubai or a session of 30 minutes in Flyboard in Dubai in which you will fly over the water.

As you can imagine, the heat in Dubai in August is very intense. So if you want a respite, I advise you to schedule a visit to some of its museums such as:

• The Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Dubai, which has seven themed areas dedicated to soccer, American cinema, royalty, Bollywood or fashion, with more than 60 popular characters.
• The AYA Universe in Dubai, where you will be immersed in an immersive experience through its 12 rooms that merge art and technology in order to show you the mysteries of the universe - an unparalleled experience!

The little ones (ages 2 to 12) will have a blast at Legoland, a theme and water park where they can test their skills with the legendary plastic bricks, ride on the water rides in cars created by these iconic pieces or enjoy the nightly performances, all created with great care!

In addition, the most artistic children will be amazed and can dance in Bollywood Park, a park set in India with very entertaining performances. There they can see plays at the Rajmahal Theater, the elegant theater located in the heart of Bollywood, inspired by the majestic Indian palaces and whose stage imitates the old cinemas and auditoriums of the country but with the latest technology. You will be fascinated!

Want to see the views of the city from a skyscraper and socialize and have a cocktail? If you don't have vertigo, a fabulous plan to end the day, when the heat wave gives you a break, is to go up to one of the rooftops overlooking the skies of the city, where you can feel a little breath of fresh air.

Level 43: an elegant venue

Open from 2 p.m. every day, the glamorous Level 43 terrace located on the 43rd floor of the Four Points by Sheraton is right in the heart of the city, on Sheikh Zayed Road, so it offers incredible views of the city's main attractions from above. My advice is to go when it's getting dark to see the city lit up.

The venue offers outdoor seating, perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail or a beautiful sunset. You'll enjoy the cool breeze, ice-cold drinks (your best ally in August) and chillout music. In addition, you can snack on their innovative Japanese menu that offers many options, especially fish and seafood.

• Where: Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road, Sheikh Zayed Road.
• Opening hours: 2pm to 3am.
• Entry policy: 21 and over.
• Dress code: smart casual.

Burj Khalifa

Another option is to book your ticket for Burj Khalifa, which will give you access to the 124th and 125th floors, where the At the Top observation deck is located, from where you will have the most breathtaking views of the UAE.

Also, on the way up to the observation deck, you will enjoy its fast elevators and a multimedia presentation that will give you the keys to the history of Dubai and the building. A unique experience!

One of the advantages of buying tickets for the Atlantis Aquaventure water park that you should consider is that your ticket entitles you to free access to the Atlantis aquarium, where in addition to observing more than 65,000 species of animals you can dive with them and even see sharks up close. An experience only suitable for the most daring!

Do not worry if you have never dived because there are experiences for all levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced. If you are traveling with your family, you will be happy to know that there are also courses and lectures, given by the center's biologists, specially designed for children.

The most anticipated plan of the summer is to attend the Dubai Summer Surprises festival program , in which the city is decked out and shopping malls offer great sales for a limited period in stores, hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues. Shopaholics will be in their boots and will find some real bargains.

The event usually starts on July 1 in Dubai and ends in early to mid-September in Dubai. One of the things I enjoyed most was the spectacular opening with fireworks, the light projections on the Burj Khalifa and the events organized by the Dubai Festival City Mall.

Take note of the best natural parks around the public beaches so that you don't spend an extra euro and make the most of the coastline and nature. My advice is to try to avoid lunchtime to visit these desert orchards.

• Al Mamzar Beach Park: this is my favorite park and beach, for me the best thing about it is its palm trees that transport you to faraway places and serve to put you in the 'shade' (or at least try to!). On Mondays and Wednesdays only women and children can go. If you have doubts about what to wear or what swimsuit to bring, take a look at how to dress in Dubai.

• Jumeirah Beach Park: if you don't want to go too far from the center, this is the best option. In this park you will find green areas, a place to barbecue, restaurants and a wooden walkway. You can take a break from the sun and visit the Jumeirah Mosque, which allows access to non-Muslims.

• Umm Suqeim Beach: if you want to enjoy a fascinating sunset with the impressive Burj Al Arab hotel in the shape of a sailboat on the horizon, come to this postcard enclave.

The most adventurous can not miss the sunset over the desert dunes in a very Arabian atmosphere and contemplate the starry skies of the summer season. Half an hour from Dubai by car, the terrace of Bab Al Shams, Al Sarab, whose Arabic expression means "gateway to the sun", takes us back to the Far East and the tales of 'The Thousand and One Nights'.

Arabic music concerts

The sunsets there are transformed and go from intense gold to a clear sky full of stars. If you go in August, you are very lucky, because you will be able to see the cosmos in all its splendor. The lanterns, cushions and clay decorations offer a magical atmosphere. You can also enjoy live Arabic music concerts and the aroma of the traditional 'shisha'.

• Where: Al Qudra Road, opposite Endurance City, Dubai.
• Opening hours: 04:00PM to 01:00AM.

If you are looking for a different plan to save you from a possible sunstroke in the middle of the day in August, a good idea might be to spend a day of your vacation at the Ibn Battuta Mall, the world's largest themed shopping mall with more than 400 stores.

Explore the countries of Ibn Battuta Mall

This is a large complex inspired by the travels of the famous Berber explorer of the same name. Each floor recreates the different regions through which Ibn Battuta traveled: Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, the Persian Empire, India and China. What's so special about it? For starters, its façade symbolizing a majestic Egyptian temple surprises everyone before entering.

Once inside, on the Persian Empire floor you will be amazed by the fascinating hand-painted dome; in Egypt you will see amazing pyramids; in the **Andalusia area you will think you are in Granada thanks to the majestic lion fountain, while in India there are statues of dragons, among other attractions.

Become a traveler's tummy

If after a day of shopping and sightseeing in this original shopping mall, which could well be a museum of cultures, you work up an appetite, you have more than 50 culinary options of international cuisine. Your stomach can also travel to every corner of the planet!

Most of the outdoor festivals in Dubai take place in winter, when the weather is more pleasant and gives a little respite. However, I suggest you take a look at the Coca-Cola Arena's summer schedule. It is fully climate controlled and has amphitheater seating, which you will appreciate in the hottest month of the year!

This multi-purpose hall, located in the heart of the busy City Walk neighborhood, is the largest air-conditioned multi-purpose indoor venue in the Middle East and the only year-round venue in the region. Its building is easily recognizable in the cityscape thanks to its cylindrical exterior illuminated with colorful LED lights that light up and change color at night. You'll love it!

With a capacity of 17,000 people, the Coca-Cola Arena hosts concerts by top international artists, music festivals, sporting events, comedy shows, gala dinners and much more due to its spectacular design. Are you up for a festival in Dubai?

• Where: City Walk, Al Safa Street, Jumeirah.
• When: Open all year round.

The weather is very extreme in the month of August but, even so, there are plenty of things to see and do in Dubai. Temperatures range from 31°C and can go up to a high of 41°C. The good news (especially if you come from a rainy city) is that there is never any rainfall at this time, so forget the "just in case" in your suitcase!

To help you organize your day, expect sunrise around 6am and sunset at 7pm. You will have plenty of time to explore the city, rest and let yourself be seduced by the charms of this desert land. However, if you still have doubts, in this post I detail the best time to visit Dubai.

The million-dollar question: "Are there many tourists in Dubai in August? The answer is no, since, as you might imagine, many are fleeing the heat. Which is a great opportunity to take in the views from the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper, or other tourist attractions without waiting in the long lines.

Now that you know what to do and what to see in August, here is a list of practical tips for traveling to Dubai and a guide on how to get around the city of Dubai. And if you get hungry, don't miss this article on where to eat in Dubai, I advise you to read it with a full stomach because you will want to try all the restaurants!