One of the many reasons people visit Dubai is for its year-round sunshine – though it's well known that when summer settles over the desert city, life moves indoors. There are just as many reasons to visit when the weather’s less than perfect. You may be less inclined to enjoy the beaches, but there are an overwhelming number of indoor activities to try, museums to visit, shows to see, and restaurants to sample. Here's where the city creates moments worth staying inside for.
Cultural Highlights
Dubai Opera
The dhow-shaped opera boasts acoustics on par with Europe's finest concert halls and has a seating capacity of 2,000. The 2025 season features over 50 international performances, including opera, ballet, musicals, and concerts. For a more personal viewing, the private boxes offer clear, pure sound, with butlers discreetly serving champagne between acts. The Opera Garden, a rooftop space overlooking the Burj Khalifa, is ideal for a pre-show drink or a casual post-performance gathering.
Location: Downtown Dubai
Theatre of Digital Art (ToDA)
At ToDA, art breaks free from its frames. Centuries-old paintings take on new life through light and sound. Large-scale 360-degree projections present masterpieces like Van Gogh’s sunflowers, blooming across walls, and Monet’s water lilies rippling underfoot. In addition to the exhibitions, ToDA hosts theatre performances, VR experiences, and workshops.
Location: Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Museum of the Future
Behind Dubai’s calligraphy-covered icon, the Museum of the Future explores tomorrow’s possibilities through interactive exhibits on themes like artificial intelligence, sustainability, space exploration, and biotechnology. VIP access showcases selective displays, accompanied by private guides who share insights into thought-provoking advancements. The Future Talks series invites global visionaries to discuss ideas and technologies that will shape the world to come.
Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre
Culinary Escapes
Atlantis The Royal
A remarkable collection of Michelin-starred talent fills this Palm Jumeirah landmark. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, known for its theatrical presentations, uncovers classic British dishes such as Meat Fruit and Tipsy Cake. At La Mar by Gastón Acurio, Peruvian flavours come alive through signature dishes like ceviche and lomo saltado, served with waterfront views of the Palm. The Royal Cellar houses an impressive collection of rare vintages, including First Growth Bordeaux and Grand Cru Burgundies, available for bespoke tastings where sommeliers share stories of their provenance and the vineyards that produced them.
Location: Crescent Road, Palm Jumeirah
At.mosphere at Burj Khalifa
From the Burj Khalifa's 152nd floor, At.mosphere offers a view of Dubai only a few ever see. Chef Yannis Sgard, with his decade of Michelin-starred expertise, brings French finesse to dishes like fresh oysters and Wagyu tenderloin. Window tables catch both the Fountain show and the moment when day turns to night over Downtown's towers. The afternoon sees silver trays of pastries arrive for high tea.
Location: Downtown Dubai
Luxurious Relaxation
Bulgari Resort Dubai
On its own seahorse-shaped island minutes from Downtown, Bulgari Resort Dubai reflects the intricacies of Italian craftsmanship. Gold-leaf mosaics inspired by the ancient Caracalla Roman baths line the vitality pool, while treatment rooms extend over the water. Villas open to private pools and gardens, and La Galleria displays Bulgari collections alongside international designers. At Il Ristorante, Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito serves Italian classics, while the Yacht Club overlooks boats moored in the marina.
Location: Jumeirah Bay Island
Talise Ottoman Spa
The Talise Ottoman Spa occupies 8,200 square metres of Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, making it the Middle East's largest spa. Marble from Afyon and Kutahya is paired with dark wood and handmade ceramics, while mother-of-pearl details evoke Ottoman heritage. Paying tribute to Turkish bathing traditions, the spa features a grand hammam with beautifully designed domes, heated marble slabs, and serene alcoves. Its facilities include 42 treatment rooms, thalassotherapy pools, snow rooms, and heated marble beds.
Location: Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah
Family-Friendly Activities
The Green Planet
Early morning at this indoor rainforest reveals a world of over 3,000 plant and animal species. The biodome maintains a consistent 25-degree environment, replicating tropical conditions to support wildlife such as sloths, toucans, and sugar gliders. Unique encounters include feeding sugar gliders and observing newly hatched butterflies take their first flight. The facility highlights the importance of tropical ecosystems and raises awareness about biodiversity through its conservation-focused initiatives.
Location: City Walk, Al Wasl
Ski Dubai
Inside Mall of the Emirates, snow falls year-round. Morning lessons for skiers and snowboarders with professional instructors take place on untouched slopes before the doors open to the public. The adjacent Aspen Chalets at Kempinski Hotel feature alpine-inspired interiors with stone fireplaces and views of the indoor mountain slopes. Access to the Executive Lounge for afternoon tea and evening drinks completes this winter-like escape.
Location: Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha
Exclusive Experiences
The Vault at JW Marriott Marquis
Seventy-one floors above Dubai, The Vault is the place for connoisseurs with its selection of rare cognacs, single malts, and hand-rolled cigars. The bar's ambiance is enhanced by wall-length windows making rooms feel suspended above the city. Regular guests know to request the corner seats at sunset when Dubai's lights begin their nightly show. The Vault also features rooms that can be reserved for gatherings, frequently used by collectors to share bottles from the reserve list, including limited-edition spirits sourced from around the world.
Location: Business Bay
Deep Dive Dubai
At 60 metres, Deep Dive Dubai holds the record for the world's deepest pool, certified by Guinness World Records. The submerged city includes apartments with lifelike furnishings, libraries filled with books, garages with vehicles, and nostalgic arcade rooms. Advanced lighting and sound systems amplify the underwater atmosphere. One-on-one sessions with PADI-certified instructors for beginners to technical divers, last for several hours, exploring hidden corridors, secret passageways, and even film sets used for underwater productions. The surface lounge lets you watch others explore while planning your next descent.
Location: Nad Al Sheba
Unique Performances
La Perle
La Perle combines acrobatics and aquatic theater in a way that only Dubai could imagine. This permanent show, created by Franco Dragone, features 65 world-class performers executing daring stunts, from diving 25 metres to synchronised underwater feats. The custom-built aqua-stage holds 2.7 million litres of water, transitioning the stage from wet to dry in seconds. VIP pods include personal butlers and champagne service, while backstage tours reveal the engineering behind the show, including hydraulics and advanced lighting systems. With over 450 performances a year, La Perle is a one-of-a-kind spectacle in the region.
Location: Al Habtoor City, Sheikh Zayed Road
AYA
AYA transforms a warehouse into a futuristic multisensory playground. Its 16 rooms include cosmic voids, luminescent gardens, and surreal soundscapes, each designed with advanced projection mapping and interactive light technology. The concept invites visitors to wander through dreamlike environments, where visuals, sounds, and tactile elements come together. Individual bookings ensure the space is yours to explore at your own pace. AYA’s mission to blend technology with art creates an otherworldly atmosphere.
Location: Wafi City
Elevated Entertainment
VOX Cinemas – THEATRE by Rhodes
THEATRE by Rhodes reimagines the cinematic experience by combining gourmet dining with luxury seating. Chef-curated menus, crafted by Michelin-starred Chef Gary Rhodes, feature fine dining options such as truffle-infused sliders and handcrafted desserts, served directly to leather recliners. The theaters have state-of-the-art sound and projection technology, enhancing every moment on screen. Private screenings become a personal cinema, with concierge service ensuring every detail is flawlessly executed.
Location: Multiple Locations, including Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall
From record-breaking architecture to world-class entertainment, Dubai proves its ambition extends far beyond its famous skyline. The city’s indoor spaces hold their own distinct allure, each providing a unique perspective on Dubai that complements its outdoor attractions. These venues demonstrate that Dubai continues to create destinations worth discovering.
