You might think summer in Dubai is too sweltering to move, with high temperatures and unrelenting sun, but within the heat exists an Emirate as rife with opportunity as it is devoid of tourists. Here we explore the seven best reasons to spend the summer months in Dubai, from sale season to the blissfully uncrowded sights.

Family friendly

With the lower levels of tourism, many of Dubai’s most family-friendly adventures become all the more appealing. Not only are the queues far, far shorter, but many family-friendly locations offer special family-friendly summer deals that make Dubai a perfect place to spend some of the long summer holidays. The iconic Gulf waterpark, Wild Wadi, has a summer pass for repeated coolings off, and several other outdoor parks, including Yas Waterworld and Legoland Water Park, offer discounted entries. Meanwhile, indoor activities, such as the Dubai Mall’s ice rink or IMG World of Adventure offer similar discounted entry passes and ride prices.

Cooling off potential

If there’s one thing the summer months will make you appreciate, it’s the blissful relief of ice-cold temperatures. As such, it is the best time of year to visit some of Dubai’s lesser-known, frosty marvels. In addition to the Olympic-sized Dubai ice rink, explore Ski Dubai — with indoor powdered slopes that will leave you in awe as soon as you step through its doors. Test your slaloms here, or opt for snowboarding, or even view Ski Dubai’s resident troupe of King penguins, which can be seen daily during the March of the Penguins. Prefer something more stationary? Perhaps Chillout Ice Lounge’s cocktail menu will be more to your liking. All drinks are served, of course, in blocks of ice.

Better watersports

While the midday heat might turn away some from Dubai’s pristine coastline, the early morning sees temperatures of little-over 30 degrees, just perfect for morning exercises. Additionally, the summer swelters remove the crowds lining the shorelines, making not only for blissful sunbathing, but for clearer traffic lanes in the jet ski-patrolled waters, cleaner seas for swimming, and even more potential if you take to the deep seas for fishing.

Perfect spa time

Despite common misconception, sunlight has a host of beneficial properties for your skin, from reducing blemishes to eliminating skin conditions. While taking advantage of Dubai’s copious summer sunshine, be sure to visit Dubai’s cutting-edge spas, which know how best to accentuate the sun’s natural remedy. From collagen and Myoxinal Margy’s facials at Talise spa to the latest in cryotherapy (the precise application of incredibly cold temperatures to the body) at CRYO, you’ll find your perfect treatment in Dubai this summer.

Retail therapy

Dubai’s many malls are a centrepiece of any UAE vacation, but in summer they come alive with the unmistakable bright colours of sales displays. This year, over 700 brands across 3,000 outlets are participating in Dubai’s legendary Summer Surprises, six weeks of sales with up to 75% reductions. Local stores and internationally acclaimed brands flaunt the year’s best merchandise, making summer an ideal time to rebrand yourself or get a head-start on the holiday season.

Mountain exploration

Outside Dubai, an unimaginable desert wilderness stretches for miles, culminating in the impressive peaks at Hatta. While hiking or mountain biking might seem like the last thing to do in the summer heat, the temperature cools massively as you ascend the mountain roads, and the lack of tourist traffic augments the landscape’s rugged, natural splendour. And if you feel like cooling off there’s always some scenic kayaking in the Hatta Dam to be done.

Happy hour

A staple in Dubai summer life is the rooftop happy hour, celebrated by thousands across the capital city. As the sun begins to decline and the weather cools, take to one of Dubai’s many rooftops to experience expert mixology, live DJs, and a vibrant atmosphere as the city begins to stir once more. Perhaps our favourite happy hour venue is Ambar, Jumeirah Al Naseem’s romantic rooftop enclave with gorgeous vistas overlooking the Burj al Arab.

Enjoy all the best Dubai has to offer this summer, from sale season to the blissfully uncrowded sights, when you stay at Jumeirah Dubai.