Dubai Rainy Day Activities

Dubai is a modern and luxurious metropolis where the weather is generally good. However, rain can occur, especially between November and March, but don't worry! On those days, there is no shortage of things to see and do in Dubai. On the contrary, you can admire the views of the city from the Burj Khalifa, get to know the aquatic life at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, go skydiving in an air tube, see the sculptures of your favourite characters at the wax museum, attend the acrobatic show La Perle de Dragone or visit amazing theme parks such as Blacklight Minigolf 3D or AYA Universe. Here are the most interesting options.

Although Dubai is a city known for its warm and dry climate, some rainfall can occur eventually , especially if you visit Dubai in November, when the winter season starts. For those rainy days, one of the ideal plans is to visit the Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world.

This architectural marvel , inaugurated in 2010, stands 828 metres tall and offers unique experiences, such as the chance to see the city from above, sample Arabic snacks and coffee, and take a 36km/h lift ride.

The sightseeing experience at the Burj Khalifa includes a visit to the At the Top observation deck, one of the most famous in the city . Here you'll find state-of-the-art telescopes with which you can view some of Dubai's iconic landmarks. You'll also climb another 23 floors to reach the 148th floor Sky platform, which offers incredible panoramas from 555 metres above.

Useful information

• Price: around €128 per person.
• Duration: The experience lasts between 1 and 2 hours.

If you're in Dubai in February (one of the winter months) or any other month where rain is common, another must-do is to discover the underwater world at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. This is one of the largest aquariums in the world, where you'll find some 150 animal species.

This visit is ideal if you're travelling with children, as it's fun and educational. You will meet, for example, the King Croc, one of the largest captive reptiles in the world. You will also see sharks, rays, seals, crocodiles, piranhas and many other marine animals that live in the more than 10 million litres of water that the structure holds.

Of course, you will be delighted by the famous aquatic tunnel in which, along 48 metres, you will see marine species of all kinds swimming above your head in this immense tank. It will be an immersive experience, where the only thing separating you from the fascinating creatures is the aquarium glass.

Useful information

• Price: around 42€ per person.
• Duration: depending on your time and interest. This area usually takes between 1 and 3 hours.

One thing that goes well with the coolness of a rainy day in Dubai is going to enjoy the snow. Yes, that's right. In the middle of the desert area of Dubai you will find nothing less than one of the largest ski resorts in the world, with dimensions exceeding 20,000 square metres.

During your visit, you can choose a full-day or two-hour experience . During this time, you can go skiing or snowboarding, according to your interests. You will have a total of five slopes, one of which is 400 metres long with a 60-metre slope, for the most daring and expert skiers.

You will also be provided with the necessary equipment (clothing and helmet) for the practice of these activities. If you just want to stay on site and play in the snow, you can do that too. You can also enjoy snacks and hot drinks at North 28, an Alpine-inspired restaurant located near the resort.

Useful information

• Price: The snow adventure usually costs €62 per person.
• Duration: You can choose a 2-hour or full-day experience.

If you're a lover of art and spectacle and you happen to be in Dubai on a rainy day, you can catch the La Perle de Dragone acrobatic show. This performance combines acrobatics, special effects and staging, taking place in an aquatic theatre with a huge pool that empties and fills in record time, leaving spectators in awe.

This event is also one of the best things to do in Dubai at night and brings together some 65 acrobats and actors who will tell you the story of pearl harvesting as it was traditionally done in Dubai. You will also be impressed by the mind-blowing acrobatics both in the air and in the water, which include somersaults, pirouettes and synchronised movements.

The activity lasts about an hour and a half and you can usually choose between two performances during the night, with times varying according to the month of the year. You could also incorporate other activities into your itinerary, such as joining a food tour of Dubai for dinner, ideal if the rain has subsided.

Useful information

• Price: approximately €35 per person.
• Duration: The show usually lasts an hour and a half.

If you thought you couldn't defy the laws of gravity in Dubai because of the rain, you're wrong, because even with rainfall you can still experience the thrill of indoor skydiving in an exciting and safe way.

This experience is similar to skydiving, except that you'll be in a vertical wind tunnel. You will be able to soar and float just as you would in the open air, but this time in a more controlled and safer environment (without being thrown out of a helicopter or light aircraft), but this doesn't detract from the fun and adrenaline of the activity.

You will receive flight instructions from expert instructors, as well as a certificate at the end of the experience. You will be able to perform two flights in which, if you feel confident, you will perform turns and pirouettes in the air. It is estimated that you can reach a minimum height of 4 metres and, all this, while you overcome your fear of heights and the staff take photographs of this indoor adventure so that you have a good memory of it.

Useful information

• Price: around 56€ per person.
• Duration: around 1 hour and a half.

Modernity and futurism are characteristic of the city of Dubai, so you can take advantage of a day when the weather is not good outside to go to the AYA Universe museum, where you will live an immersive experience aimed at showing you the mysteries of the universe.

The museum is composed of 12 rooms where technology, nature and art are mixed to delight its visitors with a visual and auditory spectacle. You will see projections of luminous forests, unknown planets and the immensity of the cosmos, which will make you feel like you are travelling to another time or space line.

This enclosure uses cutting-edge technology for its visual, sound and sensory effects, so you can experience the sensation of the wind on your face, sound vibrations and other stimuli for the senses. In addition, the museum is located in the Oud Metha neighbourhood , which in turn is close to the Bur Dubai neighbourhood , one of Dubai' s 5 must-see neighbourhoods.

Useful information

• Price: from €34 per person.
• Duration: depending on the pace of your visit, it could take between 45 minutes and 1 hour to get to know the place.

A visit to the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Dubai is an ideal option for those days when you don't feel like walking in the rain or it's almost impossible.

There are around 60 replicas of various celebrities from around the world on the premises. The space is divided into different areas that vary from time to time but, in general, you will find an area dedicated to certain personalities from film, fashion, sports, world leaders and the interactive A-List area.

Thus, you can take pictures with a variety of figures such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Cara Delevingne, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Lewis Hamilton, Queen Elizabeth II and many more. You can also take part in interactive experiences such as a private fashion show for Anna Wintour or mould your hands in wax.

Useful information

• Price: from €37 per person.
• Duration: visitors usually take between one hour and 90 minutes to explore the museum.

In case you intend to spend January in Dubai, you should know that rainy days can also occur in this month. But another fun plan in case of rain is to go to the Blacklight Minigolf 3D, where you can compete with your family and friends or simply challenge yourself in the three themed stations of this amazing place.

The idea is that you practice golf while wearing 3D glasses that, in combination with the walls with figures, paintings and abstract colours will make your minigolf practice unique. You will have a total of 18 holes to hit, but remember one thing: the spaces are designed to stand out in the dark, which adds a different touch to the game.

The stations will immerse you in a journey through the United Arab Emirates: and its geography, the bottom of the sea or outer space, very peculiar environments to set the scene for each minigolf shot.

Useful information

• Price: the average cost is 28€ per person.
• Duration: you will be able to complete your game in about 1 hour.

There are many ways to release stress on a rainy day in Dubai and one effective way to do so is to visit the Dubai Smash Room. In this space you can let off some energy and emotions such as anger and stress by smashing objects with a baseball bat.

In this fun experience you can control the level of damage you want to cause by choosing the package for your experience. You can choose a specific amount of objects to smash, which include many glass items such as cups, glasses, computer equipment, DVDs and much more.

Also, you should know that most of the objects to be destroyed come from junkyards, so no unnecessary waste is generated . Be prepared to smash, tear, stomp, and destroy whatever comes your way in the four rooms that make up the place without any consequences, as you will be in a controlled environment. At the end, you'll feel refreshed and ready to continue your tour like a normal tourist.

Useful information

• Price: around 25€ per person.
• Duration: about 30 minutes.

On a rainy day in Dubai you'll probably want to be in surroundings that are cosy. So, an ideal way to make the most of your visit to the city without exposing yourself to the rain is to join a private food tour.

On this tour, you could arrange an itinerary with your guide through indoor restaurants to sample the best of Dubai's gastronomy while enjoying the expert's recommendations and stories. Among the options, I recommend you consider:

• Al Fanar Restaurant & Café, a space where elegance and tradition balance to offer you an Emirati dining experience in comfort.
• The Food Hall at The Dubai Mall, the mall's gastronomic area where you can sample Middle Eastern and Western specialities in one of its restaurants.
• Qbara Restaurant, where Arabic food blends with contemporary cuisine to offer unparalleled flavours in an elegant setting.
• Time Out Market, a gastronomic space of international stature, with a wide variety of renowned restaurants to choose from.

Information of interest

• Price: approximately 153€ per person.
• Duration: Generally, the stipulated time for this tour is three hours.