Things to do inside in Dubai
The weather in Dubai can get particularly hot, making things to do inside an attractive choice.
Since there are countless things to do in Dubai – including during the hottest months in summer - you’ll still be spoilt for choice even if you’re looking for indoor attractions with the refreshing coolness of air conditioning.
Discover an incredible selection of exciting things to do inside in Dubai below, from breathtaking aquariums and museums to fine dining and acrobatic performances. Start planning an action-packed indoor itinerary today.
At a glance: things to do inside in Dubai
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Escape to the AYA Universe
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See a spellbinding show at La Perle
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Get amazed at The Museum of the Future
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Indulge in fine dining on the move with Bustronomy
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Step into a world of 24-carat gold at the Burj Al Arab
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Enjoy breathtaking views from At The Top Burj Khalifa
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Be bewildered by the Museum of Illusions
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Explore an underwater universe at Dubai Aquarium
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Venture into The Green Planet ecosystem
Wander through dazzling light displays at AYA Universe
The AYA Universe is a wonderous collection of indoor light attractions, ranging from luminous gardens to gravity-defying waterwalls.
This enchanting combination of art and technology spans over 4,000 square metres, making it an extraordinary escape for several hours.
There are 12 unique zones at AYA Universe:
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Drift: a river of floating stars
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Aurora: cosmic portraits generated by your movements
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The Pool: an infinite energy vortex
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Flora: a bioluminescent garden
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Tides: a chamber of rippling energy pillars
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The Falls: a gravity-defying waterfall
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The River: a rush of colour between The Pool and The Falls
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Celestia: glistening stars above a bath of orbs
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Luna: an infinite chamber filled with shimmering moons
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Outland: glowing creatures that mimic your movements
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The Source: dancing blooms and infinity pools
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Harmonia: a robotic orchestra of light
AYA Universe: good to know
Location: Wafi City, Oud Metha, Dubai
Opening times: 10:00-22:00 Sunday to Thursday, 10:00-00:00 Friday to Saturday
Accessibility: AYA Universe is wheelchair-accessible and there are more than 2,500 covered parking spaces with direct access to entrances and designated spots for people of determination. The park may not be suitable for those sensitive to flashing lights, loud noises or dark spaces.
Catch a world-class show at La Perle
As Dubai’s only permanent performance venue, La Perle is an ideal choice if you’re looking to spend some time indoors in Dubai – and enjoy world-class entertainment.
Here, you’ll be blown away by jaw-dropping acrobatics and technology-driven productions, with each show telling a captivating story. You’ll enjoy uninterrupted views of this spectacle thanks to an immersive 270-degree seating layout, which let you get as close to the action as you feel comfortable with.
With platinum and VIP packages, you can also enjoy lounge access, mouth-watering canapes, soft beverages and complimentary valet parking.
You could even book a dinner and ticket package to complete an unforgettable evening with a meal at one of Al Habtoor’s many gourmet restaurants.
La Perle: good to know
Location: Al Habtoor City, 260 Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Show times: 18:30-20:00 and 21:00-22:30 Tuesday to Saturday.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible seating is available in Silver, Gold, Platinum, and VIP sections only. The Bronze section does not offer wheelchair seating.
Discover a world of possibilities at the Museum of the Future
Dubai boasts several world-class museums, which make for brilliant things to do inside. The Museum of the Future is one of these awe-inspiring centres, featuring a riveting selection of forward-thinking displays that showcase the future - not just the past.
You can easily spend hours exploring this breathtakingly designed building, which is filled with mind-blowing exhibits that showcase imaginations of the future. Travel forward in time to 2071 as you voyage to a space station and see a concept of a renewable energy plant on the moon.
You’ll also find a mixed reality recreation of the Amazon rainforest and a DNA library of thousands of species, as well as an array of near-future technologies that could change our world.
There’s also a dedicated space for children, Future Heroes, which provides opportunities for young ones to explore, play and learn in a futuristic environment.
Museum of the Future: good to know
Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre, Trade Centre 2, Dubai
Opening times: 09:30-21:00 every day
Accessibility: All facilities are accessible to wheelchair users and there are also wheelchairs at the museum that are free to use, subject to availability.
Enjoy a unique gourmet dinner with Bustronomy
Bustronomy is one of Dubai’s more unique indoor experiences, allowing you to combine exquisite fine dining with a tour of the city’s iconic sights.
Board a luxurious double-decker bus, complete with a panoramic glass roof, and indulge in gourmet dishes prepared by top chefs as you cruise around key landmarks. Among an opulently decorated interior, you’ll find interactive tablets at each table while audio commentary in multiple languages tells of the city’s rich history while you eat.
You’ll pass by the majestic Burj Khalia and have short stops to admire the Dubai Frame, Jumeirah Mosque, Citywalk and Burj Al Arab.
Bustronomy: good to know
Departure point: Museum of the Future, Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre, Trade Centre 2, Dubai
Departure times: 11:00 (Brunch Experience), 16:00 (Afternoon Tea), 19:00 (Sunset Dinner). Tours last approximately two hours.
Accessibility: Bustronomy isn’t suitable for wheelchair users.
Explore the wonders of the Burj Al Arab
As impressive as it is from outside, heading inside the Burj Al Arab provides a totally different experience.
Built on a man-made island off Dubai’s glittering coastline, this iconic seven-star hotel oozes luxury at every turn. Walk in the footsteps of royalty and celebrities as you explore its dazzling interior, lavishly decorated with 24-carat gold. See one of the world's tallest hotel atriums, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, aquariums and a waterfall, and admire the exquisite, two-story Royal Suite.
You can then take a gold-plated, panoramic elevator to the 25th floor where you can enjoy sweeping city views – and an award-winning dining experience at an additional cost.
You’ll also have time to browse a boutique shop – exclusive to guests and those on the tour - where you can buy unique, stylish souvenirs.
Burj Al Arab: good to know
Location: Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai
Tour duration: 90 minutes, running daily between 10:00 and 19:00
Accessibility: The Burj Al Arab tour is fully accessible for wheelchair users.
Admire incredible views from At the Top Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is one of Dubai’s most iconic attractions, and ascending this record-breaking tower makes a fantastic option when you’re looking for something to do inside.
At the Top Burj Khalifa is a famous observatory and lounge, affording breathtaking views across the city skyline. Soar up the tower in the world's fastest double deck elevator and view the world below through high-powered telescopes.
Book tickets to floors 124, 125 and 148 to enjoy the full Burj Khalifa experience. Floor 124 and 125 are approximately 456 metres above ground, offering incredible 360-degree views, a virtual reality experience and a green screen photo opportunity. Floor 148 is a more exclusive experience, playing host to the world's highest observation deck and a lounge area to unwind at a staggering 555 metres.
For an alternative Burj Khalifa experience, book a combined ticket to Sky Levels and Sky Views. Sky Levels provide access to floor 148 of the Burj Khalifa, while Sky Views grants you entry to the adjacent Address Sky View hotel, allowing you to admire the stunning tower from a different perspective.
At the Top Burj Khalifa: good to know
Location: Burj Khalifa, 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Dubai
Opening times: 09:00-23:00 Monday to Friday, 05:00-00:00 Saturday-Sunday
Accessibility: The entire At the Top, Burj Khalifa experience is wheelchair accessible.
Experience sensory sensations at the Museum of Illusions
If you’re looking for an interactive indoor experience in Dubai, look no further than the Museum of Illusions.
This mind-bending assortment of illusion rooms, installations and images will have you scratching your head and snapping incredible pictures for hours. Below are some of the astonishing exhibits you’ll find in this wonderful world of perceptive trickery.
Illusion rooms at the Museum of Illusions:
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Tilted Room: a leaning space where things aren’t quite right
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Vortex Tunnel: hold on tight as the world spins around you
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Reversed Room: lose yourself in a room where up is down
Installations at the Museum of Illusions:
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Cloning Table: make cloning possible at this table of trickery
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Beuchet Chair: a famous chair where kids can appear bigger than their parents
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Head on a Platter: serve your head up on a plate and snap a hilarious photo
There is also a collection logic-defying images, holograms and optical illusions to explore and attempt to wrap your head around. The Museum of Illusions is certainly one of Dubai’s most immersive indoor attractions.
Museum of Illusions: good to know
Location: 7873+RP9 Dubai Creek, Heritage Area, Al Seef Street, Al Hamriya, Dubai
Opening times: 10:00-22:00 Monday to Thursday, 10:00-23:00 Friday to Sunday
Accessibility: The building and grounds, including parking, are wheelchair accessible, except the Vortex Tunnel exhibit.
Marvel at marine life at Dubai Aquarium or the Lost Chambers
Dubai is home to a wealth of world-famous aquariums which are superb indoor experiences.
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is an unforgettable excursion, with over 140 aquatic species including hundreds of sharks and rays. Walk through a 48-metre glass tunnel at the bottom of the main aquarium, providing an immersive view of stunning underwater creatures.
The Underwater Zoo section offers a fascinating snapshot of marine life in three ecological zones: rainforest, rocky shore and ocean, while the Penguin Encounter is an up-close meeting with beautiful gentoo penguins.
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo: good to know
Location: Floor L2, Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, Dubai
Opening times: 10:00-23:00 Monday to Thursday, 10:00-00:00 Friday to Sunday
Accessibility: The facility is entirely wheelchair accessible, including the shark tunnel.
There are further aquatic adventures elsewhere in Dubai too, with the Lost Chambers at Atlantis The Palm featuring thousands more marine animals across 21 individual exhibits.
Tour an enchanting tropical forest at The Green Planet biodome
At The Green Planet Dubai, heading inside doesn’t necessarily mean you have to leave the outside behind.
The region’s first biodome is home to a tropical rainforest, teeming with over 3,000 plants and animals. This stunning, enclosed ecosystem is built around the world’s largest artificial man-made tree and features four themed, interactive levels.
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Level 1 (The Flooded Rainforest): a giant aquarium simulating a flooded rainforest floor.
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Level 2 (The Forest Floor): the base of the rainforest, home to ground-dwelling animals and plants.
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Level 3 (The Mid Story): the middle layer of the rainforest, where you can observe the animals and plants adapted to survive off the ground.
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Level 4 (Canopy Level): the roof of the rainforest, an integral part of the tropical ecosystem.
On your expedition through this tropical world, you’ll see many fascinating species, from sloths and anteaters to tree porcupines, anacondas and macaws. You’ll even have the chance to have up close and personal meetings with these incredible creatures.
The Green Planet: good to know
Location: City Walk, Al Wasl, Dubai
Opening times: 10:00-18:00 every day
Accessibility: The biodome is wheelchair accessible, with lifts to every floor
Indulge in international dishes at the Atlantis The Palm Saffron
Whether you’re seeking an indoor activity with your family, friends or a date, a high-end culinary experience is an excellent option.
If you have a particular passion for South Asian flavours, Saffron at the nearby Atlantis the Palm could be an attractive alternative.
With themed nights throughout the week, more than 220 dishes and 20 live cooking stations, Saffron brings authentic regional flavours to decadent surroundings in Dubai.
Saffron at Atlantis The Palm: good to know
Location: Atlantis The Palm: Ground Level, West Tower, Atlantis, Dubai
Breakfast times: 07:00-11:30 Sunday to Friday, 07:00-11:00 Saturday
Brunch times: 13:00-16:00 Saturday
Dinner times: 18:00-22:30 Sunday to Friday, 19:00-22:30 Saturday
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can you go inside the Burj Khalifa?
You can go inside the Burj Khalifa, but not every floor is open to visitors. You can book tickets to floors 124, 125 and 148.
Floors 124 and 125 feature the At the Top observation deck, with floor-to-ceiling windows on the lower floor offering 360-degree views. The higher floor, 125, has an open-air terrace.
Floor 148 provides a more exclusive, less crowded experience with a lounge, outdoor terrace and interactive exhibits
Can you go inside the Burj al Arab?
You can book tickets to go inside the Burj Al Arab on a tour, even if you are not staying at the hotel.
You’ll be able to admire one of the world's tallest hotel atriums – complete with aquariums and a waterfall - and see the two-story, lavishly decorated Royal Suite.
As part of the tour, you can also take a gold-plated, panoramic elevator to the 25th floor to find incredible city views and enjoy award-winning dining at an additional cost.
Can you go inside Atlantis Dubai?
While you can’t go inside the Atlantis The Palm hotel unless you’re a guest, you can access several public spaces around the resort.
There are several designer shops and high-end restaurants at The Avenues Atlantis, a small, luxury mall, which can be accessed for free.
You can also book a one-day Super Pass which gives you access to the incredible Atlantis Aquaventure waterpark and The Lost Chamber Aquarium.
Can you go inside Dubai Frame?
Yes, you can go inside the Dubai Frame by paying an admission fee. While the surrounding gardens and ‘framed’ views of the city are part of this magnificent structure’s appeal, there are further wonders to discover within its air-conditioned interior.
Inside the iconic architectural feat, you can take a high-speed elevator to the spectacular Sky Bridge, a 25-square-metre transparent walkway above Zabeel Park.
You can also enjoy breathtaking views across old and new Dubai, learn more about the city’s transformation with a multi-sensory multimedia exhibition and get a virtual-reality glimpse into the future on the mezzanine level.