Up your ‘gram game…
For the ultimate guide to Instagrammable indoor attractions in Dubai, these spots are designed for scroll-stopping content. From candy-coloured rooms and snow-filled scenes to immersive art and surreal backdrops, these indoor attractions in Dubai are not to be missed.
Here are 11 indoor attractions in Dubai that will pop on your Instagram
Arte Museum
This magical multi-sensory experience here in Dubai features 13 immersive spaces and one tea bar with a floral immersive dining experience. You are sure to go snap-happy and will be sure to get a lot of messages asking where the photo was snapped.
Cost: Ticket prices are Dhs149 per adult (over 18s) and Dhs79 per child (ages four to 17).
Deal: With two adults tickets purchased, one child can enter for free | 30% off on second adult ticket for couples
Get your tickets here.
Where: Arte Museum Dubai, Dubai Mall, Level 2, Dubai
When: Mon to Thurs 10am to 11pm, Fri to Sun 10am to 12am
Contact: @artemuseum_dubai
At The Top Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa outdoor observation deck is one of the highest in the world. That can only mean one thing: gorgeous views with a fully immersive experience. You can go at sunset to see the city illuminated in an orange hue, or if you’re a sunrise chaser, you can book a spot over the weekend. However, the views are just as stunning at any other time of the day – we just have to have our fingers and toes crossed and hope it’s not dusty.
Get your tickets here.
Where: Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai
When: Open daily, timings vary based on experience
Cost: From Dhs199
Contact: @atthetopburjkhalifa
AYA
Hitting up an immersive entertainment park sure sounds like a neat way to pass a few cool and sun-free hours – and if you’re a social media whizz, you already know about Aya Universe. If not, now’s a great time to get acquainted. From the moment you enter this sprawling 40,000 square-foot space in Wafi City Mall, you’re surrounded by high-tech sound, lights and graphics with 12 zones that comprise the Aya universe, each telling a different story.
Get your tickets here.
Where: Aya Universe, Wafi City Mall, Dubai
When: Daily, 10am to 8pm
Cost: Various offers available, from Dhs99 for UAE residents
Contact: @ayauniverse
Chinatown Dubai Mall
Chinatowns across the world – from New York to London – have served as hubs of community, love and culture. And when walking these streets, one thing is abundantly clear: the area’s restaurants are a key part of what keeps the heartbeat of Chinatown pulsing. Can Dubai’s very own fully indoor Chinatown – which opened quietly in Dubai Mall in March – recreate that same magic? It’s certainly giving it a shot with a wave of new restaurants opening up, including Haidilao Hot Pot, Singaporean import Hawker Chan, and Ri Hua Xuan, the restaurant said to have invented the inimitable xiao long bao soup dumpling.
Where: Chinatown Dubai Mall, opposite Dubai Ice Rink, Dubai
When: Daily 10am to midnight
Contact: thedubaimall.com
*52 great indoor activities in Dubai to try this summer*
Deep Dive Dubai
Deep Dive Dubai is a cool record-breaking indoor attraction in Dubai you have to try. It’s the world’s deepest pool, measuring 60.02 metres deep. That’s the equivalent of 11 giraffes. What do you do inside? Well, you can explore a whole sunken city with graffitied alleyways, an apartment, a library, board games, an arcade zone and even a fancy car, all available for aquatic perusal. It is open to those 10 years and above, and there’s no maximum age limit. Have more questions? You may find your answers here. Prices start from Dhs400. Discover the programmes here.
Get your tickets here.
Where: Deep Dive Dubai, Nad Al Sheba 1, Dubai
When: daily 9am to 6pm
Cost: From Dhs400
Contact: deepdivedubai.com
Museum of Candy
This sweet attraction is a colourful, immersive and interactive experience spread over 15 rooms. The first-of-its kind museum fuses facts and fun, inviting visitors to unleash their inner child as they go from room to room. A cotton candy bath, a gummy bear pool, and a thrill-and-chill ice cream room are just a handful of the Instagrammable highlights. And what would a candy museum be without being able to sample some sweet treats?
Get your tickets here.
Where: Museum of Candy, Umm Hurair Street, Dubai
When: Daily, Mon to Fri 11am to 9pm, Sat and Sun 10am to 9pm
Cost: 1 adult and child Dhs119, per adult Dhs90, child ages three to nine Dhs75
Contact: @museumofcandy
Ski Dubai
Think icy indoor activities in Dubai don’t exist. Think again. Ski Dubai is arguably the coolest attraction in the city spanning 22,500 square meters in the Mall of the Emirates. Home to loads of activities, including a ski slope for skiers and snowboarders, a ‘Snow Park’, Zorb balls, penguin encounters and more. Ski school is available to help you learn the basics. Afterwards, warm up with a hot chocolate at the Avalanche Café. Costs vary depending on your choice of activity.
PS. Check out our encounter with the penguins, complete with a full dining experience, here.
Get your tickets here.
Where: Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
When: Open daily
Cost: From Dhs160
Contact: 600 599 905, skidxb.com
Souk Madinat Jumeirah
If you want to get a cool snap showcasing the look and vibes of Old Dubai, head to Souk Madinat Jumeirah. You will get a feel of an old Arabian town but with a contemporary twist, that will really look cool on the ‘Gram. If you can brave a minute or two outside in the heat, you’ll find a neat spot to snap up a photo with the Burj Al Arab in the background.
Where: Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Al Sufouh 1, Dubai
Cost: Free to enter
Contact: (0)4 366 8888, jumeirah.com
The Green Planet
It’s hard not to be impressed by nature in this indoor tropical rainforest that’s home to over 3,000 plants and animals. Experiences include encounters with a sloth, an anteater, an armadillo, birds and more. The whole family will love it. Over summer, they usually hose a camping overnight session, too.
Get your tickets here.
Where: The Green Planet, City Walk, Dubai
When: Daily 10am to 6pm
Cost: UAE residents offer Dhs129; Tourists Dhs135 per child ages two to 10 and Dhs155 per adult (over 11)
Contact: 04 317 3999. thegreenplanetdubai.com
Lost World Aquarium at Aquaventure World
At The Lost Chambers at Atlantis, The Palm, you will explore a number of amazing marine life spread across 14 chambers that form the shape of an octagon. The biggest is a stunning 11 million litre aquarium which is home to over 65,000 fascinating marine animals. You can even include a behind-the-scenes tour to complete your experience. Prices start from Dhs65.
Get your tickets here.
Where: Atlantis, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
When: Daily 11am to 8pm
Cost: From Dhs65
Contact: 04 426 1040. atlantisthepalm.com
*Last chance: Top outdoor attractions to visit in Dubai while it’s still cool*
Theatre of Digital Art
The Theatre of Digital Art offers a sit-down experience as artworks come to life in front of your eyes and surround you. ToDA, as it is most commonly known, is located at Souk Madinat Jumeirah and is a must-visit whether you love art or not. There are shows featuring the greats such as Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet and more, and for the first time, there is a show focusing on the one and only Frida Kahlo. The theatre also hosts jazz nights, meditation programmes and more.
See the shows here.
Where: Theatre of Digital Art, Souk Madinat, Dubai
When: Open daily
Cost: Varies based on show
Contact: 04 277 4044, toda.ae
Images: Supplied and Getty Images
