While you’ll never be short of things to do in the UAE (the theme parks, the incredible malls, the restaurants, the exhibitions, galleries and one-off events), the region does rather come into its spectacular own in the winter. When the temperature goes down, residents in the United Arab Emirates want to take advantage of the cooler months and explore.
Here are the very best things do in winter in the UAE, before the mercury rises.
Be a tourist in your own city
We’ve all got them: the old favourite, UAE-renowned destinations that we breezily recommend to friends and family without ever having actually paid the place a visit ourselves.
Perhaps you’ve never experienced Global Village (despite claiming an afternoon there is a must-do) or raved about Dubai Miracle Garden without seeing those mighty Minnie and Mickey Mouse statues in the flower-bedecked flesh.
Admit it: Are you one of those rare UAE residents who hasn’t experienced the thrills and spills of a desert safari? Or have you somehow skipped the bucket-list spot that is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi? For the top 100 things to do in Dubai in 2022 click here.
Well, time’s up: consider this the winter in which you remedy all those wrongs. Have fun.
Dubai Miracle Garden: Dubailand, dubaimiraclegarden.com. Global Village: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, globalvillage.ae. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street, Abu Dhabi (02 419 1919).
You might also like: Our round up of the best desert safari experiences here
Go to the movies, outdoors
Popcorn, a great flick and an al fresco setting – what could be better? Whether you’re lounging under a canopy of stars on the rooftop at The Galleria Mall, relaxing in a private cabana at Aloft City Centre Dubai, settling in for a movie marathon with the family at Cinema in the Park in Abu Dhabi’s Umm Al Emarat Park or you decide to extend your visit to Zaya Nurai Island (and given the dreamy locale, why wouldn’t you) by staying on to catch a Friday night film at the Oasis Lounge, this is the time to catch a movie outdoors. For all the latest movie releases in the UAE click here.
OUTDOOR by VOX Cinema, Aloft City Centre Deira, Deira, uae.voxcinemas.com (04 210 3335). The Galleria Mall, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah, Dubai, voxcinemas.com. Umm Al Emarat Park, Al Mushrif, ummalemaratpark.ae. Zaya Nurai Island, zayanuraiisland.com (02 506 6222).
Have a staycay at a new glamping spot
From Kingfisher Retreat by Mysk in Sharjah to the boho-style, family-friendly dream that is Bab Al Nojoum on Abu Dhabi’s Hudayriat Island, as well as ultra Instagrammable Long Beach Camping Ground in RAK, there’s no shortage of glamping spots in the UAE.
Fancy trying somewhere new? Abu Dhabi’s newest eco-tourism destination Bab Al Nojoum
Al Mugheira should be top of your list. Set within a vast nature reserve brimming with wildlife and surrounded by a natural forest, the boutique eco-chic vibe here is wonderfully all encompassing and the cabins are well equipped. You’re not roughing it with private plunge pools, comfy beds, private bathrooms, a fire pit with seating area, mini fridges and tea and coffee making facilities. For the top camping spots in the UAE click here.
Bab Al Nojoum Al Mugheira, Al Mugheirah, Al Mirfa. babalnojoum.com (02 895 3777).
Kingfisher Retreat by Mysk, Khor Kalba, Sharjah. myskhotels.com (04 437 6460).
Long Beach Camping Ground, Ras Al Khaimah, binmajid.com (800 5700).
Head for a hike
Those boots are made for walking and this winter, walk (or hike) you should. With the weather teetering around the perfect mark, there’s no excuse not to head out into the great outdoors and raise that heart rate. From the towering heights and tricky terrain of Ras Al Khaimah’s Jebel Jais to the famed trails that make up the Hajar Mountains, not forgetting Al Ain’s Jebel Hafeet Mountain range, the UAE is a keen hiker’s dream.
Casual stroll in peaceful surrounds more your bag? Abu Dhabi’s stunning Jubail Mangrove Park boasts three different pedestrianised routes, each as pretty and fauna and flora filled as the next. If you’re Dubai-based, get thee to Al Qudra lakes and seek out the Expo 2020 lake, pronto. For the best hiking trails in the UAE click here.
Hit up an outdoor market
We mean no disrespect to the UAE’s fabulous malls, but when we say that as soon as winter hits we want to do as much of our shopping in the open air as possible. In Dubai, that means spending many a weekend happily mooching around the Ripe Market at the Academy Park in Umm Sequim (tote bag in hand, of course) or whiling away an evening at the awesome Ripe by the Bay at Festival Bay.
In the capital meanwhile, The Park Market at Umm Al Emarat Park has a great community feel, with a mix of local farmers, designers, artists, jewellers and fashion designers all touting their wares.
Ready to shop in Dubai? For all the latest news and openings click here.
Ripe Market at the Academy Park: Sat-Sun 9am-9pm, Dubai Police Academy Park, Umm Suqeim, ripeme.com (04 315 7000). Ripe by the Bay: Daily 4pm-10pm until May 2022. Festival Bay. dubaifestivalcitymall.com/ripebythebay (04 315 7000). The Park Market: Sat-Sun, 4pm-11pm until March 2022, Umm Al Emarat Park, Al Mushrif, ummalemaratpark.ae.
Eat and drink al fresco
Embracing the fresh winter air doesn’t just have to be about powering up mountains and playing in parks. For a more sedate take on the idea, make it your mission to try as many outdoors restaurants, bars and cafés as possible over the next few months. We’re thinking sundowners and late-night drinks at swanky Dubai spots like SoBe and Mercury Lounge or the capital’s equally chic Annex and Hakkasan. And there’s no need to wait until the evening to eat al fresco. Enjoy afternoons spent lingering over long lunches on lovely open-air terraces Shimmers at the Jumeirah Mina A’Salam is a popular spot in Dubai, while in Abu Dhabi Tashas takes some beating.
For the best places to visit for breakfast with a side order of sun on your face, read our round up of Dubai top spots here and Abu Dhabi dreams here.
Annex, Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen annexabudhabi.com (02 418 2432). Hakkasan, Emirates Palace, West Corniche, hakkasan.com/abu-dhabi/ (02 690 7739). Mercury Lounge: Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah (04 270 7804). Shimmers: Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, Umm Suqeim, jumeirah.com (04 432 3232). SoBe: W Dubai – The Palm, Palm Jumeirah (04 245 5555). Tashas, Al Bateen Marina (02 445 0890).
Pitch up at a park
If you’re not currently spending at least part of your weekend lapping up all that the UAE’s parks have to offer, then you’re missing out. Not only do the majority of the country’s designated grassy spots boast running tracks, adventure playgrounds, prime picnic places and Barbecue areas, many are also kitted out with a whole host of other amenities. Think kid’s edutainment and adventure centres, fab cafés, boating lakes and more. And you know what the icing on the cake is? They’re brilliantly priced, too (and some are even free). You’re welcome. For the best kids’ play areas in the UAE click here.
To help you on your way, our guide to the best parks in Dubai here and Abu Dhabi here.
