Dubai on a rainy day

Dubai is built for the heat: most big attractions are indoors and air-conditioned, from the Dubai Aquarium and Ski Dubai to the Etihad Museum and the malls, with opening hours and prices.

Museums

Coffee Museum · Old Dubai · Sun–Thu 09:00–17:00, closed Fri and Sat · Free
A small museum in an old house with grinders, brewing pots and the story of Arabic coffee.
Al Shindagha Museum · Old Dubai · Daily 10:00–20:00, last entry 19:00
Heritage houses on the creek mouth telling how Dubai grew from fishing village to city, with a perfume house.
Etihad Museum · Jumeirah · Daily 10:00–20:00, last entry 19:00 · AED 25
The story of the founding of the UAE in 1971, in a modern building shaped like the unrolled union document.
Jameel Arts Centre · DIFC & Za'abeel · Mon, Wed–Sun 10:00–20:00 (Fri from 12:00), closed Tue · Free
Free contemporary art centre on the Creek with galleries, a sculpture garden and a waterfront cafe.
© Fuzheado · CC0
Alserkal Avenue · Jumeirah · Daily 10:00–19:00 (individual galleries differ) · Free
Former warehouses turned into galleries, design shops, a cinema and cafes: the art district of Dubai.
© Niaz Abbas · Public domain
Museum of Illusions Dubai · Old Dubai · Mon–Thu 10:00–22:00, Fri–Sun 10:00–23:00 · AED 90
Playful museum of optical illusions, mirror rooms and puzzles in Al Seef: a rainy or hot-afternoon option.
© Omar Kamel · CC BY-SA 4.0
Al Ahmadiya School and Heritage House · Deira · Sat–Thu 08:00–19:30, Fri 14:30–19:30 · Free
Dubai’s first school and a merchant’s house from the 1900s, showing old classrooms and family life.

Shopping under cover

© EditQ · CC0
The Dubai Mall · Downtown · Daily 10:00–00:00
One of the world's biggest malls with 1,200 shops, the Fountain Walk and the Aquarium tunnel in the middle.
© Donaldytong · CC BY-SA 3.0
Souk Madinat Jumeirah · Umm Suqeim · Shops daily 10:00–23:00, restaurants 08:00–02:00 · Free
A modern covered souk with wind towers, canals and cafés, with Burj Al Arab views from the waterside terraces.
© Lynnereal · CC BY-SA 4.0
Mirzam Chocolate Makers Factory · Jumeirah · Daily 08:00–23:00
Dubai’s bean-to-bar chocolate maker: factory store and cafe, with chocolate-making workshops by booking.
© TECOM Investments · PD
Dubai Design District (d3) · DIFC & Za'abeel · Shops and cafes about 10:00–22:00 · Free
Creative quarter with design studios, concept stores, galleries and cafes in modern low-rise architecture.

More to see indoors

© imran shahabuddin · CC BY 2.0
Burj Khalifa (At the Top) · Downtown · Daily 10:00–20:00, last entry 19:00 · AED 189
The world's tallest tower: levels 124/125 are the first-visit deck, SKY on level 148 costs extra.
© Maxim Gavrilyuk · CC BY-SA 3.0
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo · Downtown · Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–21:00, last entry 20:15 · AED 169
A 48 m walk-through tunnel with sharks and rays, plus the Underwater Zoo with penguins and otters.
© Jason7825 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ski Dubai (Mall of the Emirates) · Umm Suqeim · Mon–Thu 10:00–23:00, Fri 10:00–00:00, Sat–Sun 09:00–00:00 · AED 150
An indoor snow park at -4 °C inside the mall: sledges, snowball fights and penguins, with gear included.
The View at the Palm · Palm & Marina · Daily 09:00–20:00
A deck on the 52nd floor of Palm Tower with a view of the Palm's fronds, the Marina and the Gulf.
Cultural breakfast at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre · Old Dubai · By booking (office daily 08:00–20:00)
Emirati breakfast on floor cushions in an old courtyard house, with a local host talking about traditions.
KidZania Dubai · Downtown · Sun–Thu 10:00–22:00, Fri–Sat 10:00–23:00 · AED 195
Child-sized city inside the Dubai Mall where kids aged 2–16 try out jobs from firefighter to pilot.

Plan your trip → Put these places in a day plan with walking times.

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Last updated: 12 October 2026