13 things to do in Dubai in October

One of the best times of the year to travel to Dubai is autumn and especially October. The city of skyscrapers shines with a special light and the temperatures, unlike the scorching summer, are pleasant enough (between 24º and 35º degrees) to do outdoor activities.

Find out, in this article, how to live a unique experience during the month of October.

If you want to put the finishing touch to your trip to this magical city, I recommend you book a dinner and show excursion in the Dubai desert, as this is the time of year when you can enjoy the pleasant evening weather and say goodbye to the city in style. You'll also be safe from the sandstorms that occur during other months of the year.

The adventure of sleeping in the Dubai desert usually includes a dinner full of local aromas and flavours, ending with an oriental-style show in a Bedouin camp under the starry night. You'll see the clearest sky ever! Is there a more romantic way to end your getaway?

There is no better plan for October in Dubai than to book a dinner cruise, a time when the weather will allow you to make the most of this romantic experience.

On this approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes tour on a luxurious boat, you can admire wonderful panoramic views of the illuminated city and its main buildings such as the Arabian Tower or the Burj Al Arab, while enjoying a delicious buffet-style dinner with Arabic and international dishes, including a welcome drink.

And the unique and incomparable plan for your trip to Dubai in October is a hot air balloon ride, an experience from a height of between 600 and 1,200 metres where you will be amazed by the impressive skyscrapers by the sea.

This way, you will be able to admire the best panoramic views for between 40 and 70 minutes. However, if you decide to book this balloon flight, bear in mind that the total duration is four hours because it includes the transfer to and from the hotel and a complimentary drink.

In addition, you will be accompanied by a certified driver who will guide you through the entire activity.

My favourite experience if you wake up on a hotter day than usual is to book a dolphin encounter at the Atlantis water park in Dubai. You'll have the chance to swim alongside the dolphins and learn all about the habits and routines of these marine mammals. And if you have a certain respect for them, don't worry because you'll be accompanied by a professional guide at all times.

And don't worry about the equipment, as you'll be provided with a wetsuit and lifejacket before the dive.

Plus, this experience includes free access to Dubai's impressive Aquaventure water park and discounts to access the Lost Chambers Aquarium and enjoy like a kid all the rides and slides, more than a hundred of them - start early and make the most of the day!

If you are lucky enough to spend a minimum of four days in the exotic city of Dubai, I suggest you save one of them to book an excursion to Abu Dhabi, which is only an hour and a half away. October is one of the best months to visit because temperatures drop by 5 degrees Celsius (you'll average around 30 degrees Celsius) and it's a great time for sightseeing.

In this article I explain in detail how to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi the easy way. In my case, I chose to make the trip to Abu Dhabi with a guided tour so I wouldn't miss anything.

What to see in Abu Dhabi?

• Sheikh Zayed Mosque, popularly known as the Great Mosque, is one of the most beautiful and impressive temples you will find. A true architectural masterpiece.
• Louvre Abu Dhabi: a modern and futuristic building worth visiting, even if only from the outside. It reminded me, in a way, of the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia.
• Qasr Al Watan: this is the presidential palace of the United Arab Emirates. If you travel to Abu Dhabi you are lucky because this jewel opened its doors to the public recently, specifically in March 2019.
• Ferrari World: the only theme park dedicated to the famous Ferrari brand, located on Yas Island, an artificial island next to the city, perfect for speed lovers!

With the Americans' permission, Halloween is one of the most exciting holidays in the city. The holiday is celebrated in style on 31 October with Dubai' s hotels and shopping m alls decked out in typical decorations such as pumpkins, witches, monsters and skeletons for a day of frightful fun for locals and tourists alike.

At the end of October, the IMG Worlds of Adventure theme park, where Marvel and Cartoon characters come to life, often hosts a special Halloween event where visitors can experience the zombie apocalypse, get lost in the haunted maze and have a terrifying experience. Don't hesitate to book a night bus tour of Dubai to start the night and get a taste of what it's like to celebrate the holiday in Dubai.

After enjoying your tickets to the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper, do you think you've seen everything Dubai has to offer? I'm sure the Diwali Festival of Lights, which takes place in Dubai in October or November (depending on the year), will change your mind with its breath-taking display throughout the city.

Dubai is one of the most cosmopolitan metropolises in existence. With a population of almost 3 million Indians, this community represents the largest demographic group in the country. As a result, the city welcomes Diwali, the Indian Christmas celebration, with great enthusiasm and is an important event in the city's calendar of activities. In fact, for Hindus this festival is as respected as Christmas is for Christians.

Dance, music and colour across the metropolis

You'll see a light show in the main square. There are also performances and dances by Dubai's famous fountains, which are transformed into a colourful stage set to the rhythm of Indian music for the occasion. The day usually ends with fireworks at major points around the city, including Bluewaters Island.

Camels are an integral part of Emirati culture and life, which is why it is so common to book a camel ride in Dubai. These animals provide food, sustenance, transport and also entertainment for the locals. One of the most long-established traditions, and one that continues to this day, is camel racing, a sport that begins its season in October.

The camels train all year round, have a special diet and undergo veterinary checks, as if they were top-level athletes. The races generally start early in the morning, around 7 a.m., and finish around 8:30 a.m., when the sun gives the inhabitants a break. It should be noted that admission to this event is free and it is held two or three days a week.

And if you want to be the star of the show afterwards, don't hesitate to book a camel ride around the Al Marmoom oasis.

Practical tips for watching the races

• Cameras are not allowed on the race tracks.
• Soft drinks are available for purchase inside.
• Youcannot bet on the winning camels.
• If you can, don't forget to pack a small pair of binoculars in your suitcase.

If you thought Oktoberfest, the popular beer festival that has been celebrated in Munich, Germany since 1810 and has spread to countries all over the world, hadn't arrived in Dubai, you'd be very, very wrong - never doubt the power of barley!

In fact, the festival is one of the best ways for tourists to welcome autumn in the city of a thousand and one nights. Oktoberfest is celebrated every year in October in several hotels in Dubai, such as the Sheraton Jumeirah, the Grand Hyatt Hotel and the JW Marriott. Check out the programme and if you finally decide to go, don't forget to toast to the cry of... "Prost!

Sausages, beer in abundance and lots of fun

Before you go, you should learn rule number one: just like in Germany, here beer is ordered and served by the litre. Train first! The UAE Oktoberfest replicates the spirit of the original event, but at thirty degrees. In many hotels you can probably drink your Paulaner lying on a sun lounger. Not a bad change, eh?

In addition, hotel staff often copy the attire and dress in one of the typical regional costumes. German food (sausages and savoury doughnuts) have also arrived in this Persian Gulf city for the festivities - you'll feel like a real Bavarian!

One of my favourite things to do in autumn is to observe the seasonal hues in the parks. At this time of the year, the Miracle Garden opens its gates and looks especially beautiful. And like everything else in Dubai, it's a flower-filled space... big time! The park is in the Guinness Book of Records thanks to, among other attractions, the world's largest flower clock and a recreation of one of its legendary aeroplanes.

In addition, it also offers daily parades and shows featuring its fantastic floral floats accompanied by live music and street dancers. Important fact! Although no food can be brought into the grounds, there are over 30 food and drink stalls, including restaurants, cafes, sweet shops and a tempting fresh fruit juice kiosk - ideal for refreshment!

What to see in the Miracle Garden?

• Clock: this marvel of an installation, measuring over 15 metres in diameter, is constructed from real flowers and plants, the designs of which change with the seasons - particularly relevant in a country with such an arid climate.
• Emirates 380: can you imagine flying in a plane designed with flowers? Well, even if you can't travel with it, in the garden you can see the Airbus A380, a life-size version of the Emirates A380 aircraft, Dubai's flagship airline, which has become the largest floral installation in the world created with 500,000 fresh flowers. Super curious!
• Smurf Village: this is an attraction especially designed for children. Here you can see a village full of these blue characters made with flower arrangements. At night, they organise fun shows to liven up the evening.
• Lake Park: a very cute lake surrounded by little houses and boats covered with flowers, frogs designed with bushes and flamingos (but fake ones). It is worth a visit!

If you are an inveterate traveller, you will probably love Global Village, an entertainment area that opens every year at the end of October and consists of the recreation of more than 40 countries that aim to bring visitors closer to their culture through dances and dances, typical products and crafts.

My favourite show, which takes place in the heart of the theme park, was the fire-breathing dragon show next to it. On its shores you will also find the iconic floating market, where you can sample cuisine from all over Asia, while enjoying the performance. A perfect plan!

How did the idea come about?

The origins of this unique park date back to 1996 on the banks of Dubai Creek, where vendors set up stalls where you could buy typical products from different countries. However, little remains of these humble beginnings, as the facility has now been converted into a large park.

Watching migratory birds in their natural habitat is one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have on your October trip to Dubai. In the wetlands, just a few metres from the bustling city of Dubai, lies theRas Al Khor Wildlife Reserve, home to thousands of species.

What species will I be able to spot?

Although the reserve is closed to protect the animals and the ecosystem of the area, you will be able to access the bird observatories free of charge and capture on camera the many pink flamingos that migrate each year in search of a better climate for shelter and food.

Among the pink feathers, you can spot grey herons, cormorants, common storks, ospreys and many more species. The reserve, made up of 6 kilometres of wetlands, comprises a series of salt marshes, mudflats, mangroves and lagoons where birds nest.

A more feasible and cheaper alternative to traditional safaris in Kenya or Tanzania is to visit Dubai Safari Park, which resumes operations in October after closing for the summer due to high temperatures. Exploring the interior of the park can take four to five hours and if you prefer, you can purchase a night pass that will make you feel like you're in an Indiana Jones movie.

Dubai Safari Park, located at Al Warqa 5, is home to approximately 3,000 animals from all over the world. The focus is on environmental education and animal conservation and welfare and consists of five key areas: African Village, Asian Village, Arabian Desert, Explorer Village and Adventure Valley.

There are two types of entrance to the park:

• Visitors who purchase the general admission ticket can access all of the park's villages except for one attraction, the Safari Journey, a 35-40 minute experience where you can see lions and giraffes up close in a vehicle as if you were in the African savannah.
• Visitors who purchase a Safari Journey ticket will also have access to all of the park's villages.

Nuria's Traveller Tip

One of the rules for entering the park is to cover your shoulders and knees. Failure to comply with this dress code could result in you being locked out.

You're probably wondering when is the best time to visit Dubai in terms of temperatures to enjoy all that there is to see and do in Dubai. Specifically, in October you can expect lows of 24ºC and highs of around 35ºC. You'll be able to enjoy the good weather, but without getting scorched to death like in July in Dubai and August in Dubai. At this time of year the thermometers are up to 5 degrees cooler.

In my experience, I suggest you avoid the middle of the day and make the most of the mornings and evenings. The good news is that it never rains during this month, so forget about packing an umbrella because you won't need one! That's nice, isn't it? In this article I'll give you some other practical tips for travelling to Dubai.

Can you imagine relaxing in one of Dubai's best hotels at a great price? In October it's possible. Unlike the winter months, which are the most expensive months of the year because it's high season, you'll find plenty of bargains in autumn because it's the mid-season.

In terms of tourist numbers, you'll find that the city isn't as crowded as in other periods. In October, many of the theme parks resume their activities after the summer break due to the high temperatures and the metropolis starts to get back to life - you'll feel like an Arabian sheikh with the city almost all to yourself!