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, you're in luck. You're in luck, too, because due to its very high temperatures (which can reach 50ºC) it's the cheapest time of the year and you'll be practically on your own.

Even though it's 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 experience a scary holiday 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 be bored. The leisure offer is so wide that you'll feel like you're missing days to discover this marvel and its theme parks, you'll feel the adrenaline rush and you'll have fun like there's 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, considered the largest in the world, with numerous attractions and more than a hundred slides, as well as a kilometre-long private beach.
• LEGOLAND® Water Park, with more than 20 rides and shows for the whole family to enjoy.

And 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 over 150 species. Its underwater tunnel will not leave you indifferent.
• You can also book a dolphin encounter at the Atlantis Dubai water park where you can 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 book a snorkelling trip to Fujairah from Dubai or even a diving trip to Fujairah from Dubai.

**Dubai'**s beaches, with their turquoise waters, white sand and almost no tourists, are one of the best ways to spend your August holiday. You'll feel like you're 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 completely 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 toilets.

Alternatively, you can lie on one of Dubai's private beaches. A good way to get to these places is to book into one of Dubai' s waterfront hotel restaurants and lounge on one of the comfortable sun loungers. I suggest you head to La Mer on Jumeirah Beach, one of the trendiest areas with a youthful vibe and a great selection of bars and restaurants.

And if the dip on the beach was not enough for you and you want to enjoy the waters of Dubai more actively, I recommend that you book a trip on a yacht, motorboat or sailboat. There are many options. Here is a list of some of them:

• Dubai Marina yacht tour, from CAD 39.
• Speedboat ride in Dubai, from CAD 60.
• Traditional sailboat cruise with dinner in Dubai, from CAD 87.
• Dubai dinner cruise in Dubai, from CAD 85.
• Fountain show and traditional boat ride in Dubai, from CAD 100.
• Mega yacht cruise with dinner in Dubai, from CAD 98.

You can also opt for a more original plan with a 30-minute jet ski ride in Dubai. And if you think you can't do enough, don't hesitate to book a one-hour jet ski ride in Dubai. In both proposals, an instructor will be with you at all times, guiding you and giving you directions of the city, while you have the opportunity to capture the best snapshots.

And if you're looking for even more adventure, you can choose to experience a 30-minute Jetpack session in Dubai or a 30-minute Flyboard session in Dubai where you will fly over the water.

As you can imagine, the heat in Dubai in August is 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 football, 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 fuse art and technology in order to show you the mysteries of the universe. An unparalleled experience!

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

In addition, the more artistic ones will have a blast and can dance at Bollywood Park, a park set in India with very entertaining performances. There they can watch plays at the Rajmahal Theatre, the elegant theatre 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 take in the views of the city from a skyscraper and socialise over a cocktail? If you don't have vertigo, a fabulous way to end the day, when the heatwave gives you a break, is to climb up to one of the rooftops that soar over the city's skies, where you can get a little breath of fresh air.

Level 43: an elegant venue

Open from 2pm daily, the glamorous Level 43 terrace on the 43rd floor of the Four Points by Sheraton is located in the heart of the city on Sheikh Zayed Road, offering incredible views of the city's main attractions from above. My advice is to go after 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. You'll also be able to nibble from their innovative Japanese menu, which 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 years 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 lifts 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!

Don't worry if you've never dived before because there are experiences for all levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced. If you're travelling with your family, you'll be delighted to know that courses and talks are also organised by the centre's biologists, especially designed for children.

The most anticipated event of the summer is the Dubai Summer Surprises festival , when the city is decked out and shopping centres offer great bargains for a limited period in shops, hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues. Shopaholics will be in their boots and will find some real bargains.

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

Take note of the best nature parks around the public beaches so you don't spend a penny too much and make the most of the coastline and nature. My advice is to try to avoid lunchtime to visit these desert-like havens.

• Al Mamzar Beach Park: this is my favourite park and beach, and for me the best thing about it is the 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 are allowed. If you're unsure what to wear or what swimming costume to bring, check out how to dress in Dubai.

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

• Umm Suqeim Beach: For a mesmerising sunset with the impressive Burj Al Arab hotel in the shape of a sailboat on the horizon, head to this picture-postcard enclave.

For the more adventurous, you can't miss the sunset over the desert dunes in a very Arabian atmosphere and gaze up at the starry summer skies. Half an hour's drive from Dubai, the terrace of Bab Al Shams, Al Sarab, Arabic for "gateway to the sun", takes you back to the Far East and the tales of the Arabian Nights.

Arabic music concerts

The sunsets here are transformed from deep 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 splendour. Lanterns, cushions and clay decorations create a magical atmosphere. You can also enjoy live Arabic music concerts and the aroma of traditional 'shisha'.

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

If you're looking for something different to keep you safe from a possible sunstroke in the middle of the day in August, a good idea might be to spend a day of your holiday at the Ibn Battuta Mall, the world's largest themed shopping centre with more than 400 shops.

Explore the countries of the 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 Ibn Battuta travelled through: Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, the Persian Empire, India and China. What's so special about it? For starters, its façade symbolising 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 traveller's tummy

If after a day of shopping and sightseeing in this original shopping centre, which could well be a museum of cultures, you work up an appetite, you have more than 50 culinary options of international gastronomy. 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 provides a little respite. However, I suggest you take a look at the Coca-Cola Arena's summer programme. It is fully air-conditioned inside and has amphitheatre seating, which you will appreciate in the hottest month of the year!

This multi-purpose venue, located in the heart of the busy City Walk neighbourhood, 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 recognisable in the cityscape thanks to its cylindrical exterior illuminated with coloured LED lights that light up and change colour 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 August but there are still plenty of things to see and do in Dubai. Temperatures range from 31 degrees Celsius to a high of 41 degrees Celsius. On the plus side (especially if you're coming from a rainy city), there's never any rainfall at this time, so forget the 'just in case' in your suitcase!

To help you plan 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 any doubts, this post details 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. This is a great opportunity to see the sights from the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper, or other tourist attractions without waiting in the long queues.

Now that you know what to do and see in August, here's a list of practical tips for travelling to Dubai and a guide on how to get around the city of Dubai. And if you've worked up an appetite, don't miss this article on where to eat in Dubai- I recommend you read it with a full belly because you'll want to try all the restaurants!