These 8 Cheap Indoor Activities in Dubai Saved My Savings
This always happens. It’s nearing the end of the month and I’m already struggling not to touch my savings because I’m running low on dirhams. It’s 45°C outside and I just wanted to treat myself to somewhere fun—and perhaps with the coldest AC I can find.
Out of desperation, I reached out to my little brother no more than 7 years old for a loan from his Christmas money. But the moment he snitched to my parents? Yeah, that was a brutal reality check. My ego has never recovered since.
That’s why I made it my mission to scour the internet for the cheapest indoor activities in Dubai. And I was surprised. Who knew I could have the time of my life around the city without draining my wallet? Check out my top reasonably-priced favorites below.
What affordable things can I enjoy in Dubai indoors?
There are plenty of affordable things you can enjoy in Dubai indoors! Notable budget-friendly picks include marveling at free galleries, skating in a public ice rink, bowling at an inexpensive venue, and checking out an indoor zoo.
Explore the Alserkal Avenue Art Galleries
Media credit: alserkalavenue
Website: https://alserkal.online/
Address: 17th St – Al Quoz – Al Quoz Industrial Area 1
Contact Details: +971 4 333 3464, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 7 AM to 10 PM
Fees: Free entry
Facebook
An artsy hub for cheap indoor activities in Dubai, Alserkal Avenue features various galleries providing local and international talent. I love that most of these offer free entry. Not to mention that many places have air conditioning—a fine way to escape the heat!
There are a bunch of modern art, photos, and sculptures as well. Also, you can look out for complimentary workshops, talks, and even movie screenings. For me, these are perfect for a casual group hangout or even a romantic (yet economical) date.
And if you need motivation for your latest art project, I believe this open space can help. It houses several concept stores, design studios, indie cinemas, and cultural spaces so you can have a playground for creativity.
Coffee hack:
Tired of walking and exploring art all day? I recommend going to Alserkal Avenue’s cool, artsy cafes like Nightjar Coffee and Wild & The Moon, where you can grab reasonably priced coffee and just chill!
Enjoy Ice Skating at Dubai Ice Rink
Media credit: dubaiicerink
Website: https://www.dubaiicerink.com/
Address: Dubai Mall – Unit GF – 207 – Financial Ctr St – next to Ice Rink – Downtown Dubai
Contact Details: +971 800 382246255, +971 4 448 5111, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 12 AM
Fees:
- Off Peak Sessions (Monday to Friday) – AED 90
- Peak Sessions (varies) – AED 110
- Disco Night (Friday to Sunday) – AED 135
Love the winter feels? Conveniently located in The Dubai Mall, Dubai Ice Rink offers public skating sessions for people of all ages. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a pro or a beginner—I like that it provides support frames if it’s your first time skating!
In my opinion, this is among the most budget-friendly ways to cool off from a sunny day. But to save more, I find it best to skate during off-peak hours.
And if you want to shake things up from your usual skating experience, the ice rink provides disco skating, snowfall sessions, and even DJ nights.
Cool ideas:
I say, combine skating at Dubai Ice Rink with other affordable activities like a cool stroll or window shopping at the mall. You can even view fantastic marine life from the Dubai Aquarium’s free viewing panel!
Play Bowling at Dubai Bowling Center
Media credit: dubaibowlingcenter
Website: http://www.bowlingdubai.com/
Address: Al Quoz 1 – Meydan Rd
Contact Details: +971 4 339 1010, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 10 AM to 12 AM
- Thursday to Sunday – 10 AM to 1 AM
Fees:
- Weekdays
- Monday to Thursday
- 10 am to 6 pm
- Game per person – AED 24
- Hour per lane – AED 114
- 6 pm to closing time
- Game per person – AED 35
- Hour per lane – AED 170
- 10 am to 6 pm
- Monday to Thursday
- Weekend & Public Holidays
- Friday to Sunday
- First Hour – AED 225 per hour
- Next Hour – AED 185 per hour
- 10 am to 6 pm – AED 45 game per person
- 6 pm to closing time – AED 55 game per person
- Friday to Sunday
Coming in with a large crew? A fun and affordable venue to spend time indoors, Dubai Bowling Center offers bowling lanes, arcade games, and a casual cafe.
But even with the reasonable fees per game, I still like that this bowling alley has sleek lanes, comfy seating, and a lively vibe. If you’re feeling particularly competitive, friends—and even strangers—can cheer and root for you.
When you’re feeling peckish, it’s handy for me that there’s cheap food and drinks from in-house. I reckon you need hearty fuel after a long day of bowling, after all.
Insider scoop:
If you get bored or restless waiting for your turn at the Dubai Bowling Center, I say explore the other fun stuff here! There’s an arcade, billiards, VR experiences, and even trampoline areas around the multipurpose entertainment venue.
Explore the Green Planet
Media credit: thegreenplanetdubai
Website: https://www.thegreenplanetdubai.com/
Address: City Walk – Al Wasl
Contact Details: +971 800 2629464, +971 800 7699, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 6 PM
Fees:
- Adults (11+ years) – AED 175 for a day pass
- Children (2 to 10 years) – AED 150 for a day pass
- Infants (under 2 years) – Free
- Non-Residents (13+ years) – AED 75 for a ticket
- Residents (3 to 12 years) – AED 47 for a ticket
Should you dream of going to a real rainforest, The Green Planet offers an inexpensive indoor nature experience in Dubai. It features a biodome with more than 3,000 exotic plants and animals.
I say keep your eyes open for the wildlife—you can even play “I Spot” with your pals! You’ll encounter sloths, toucans, porcupines, reptiles, and all kinds of free-flying birds as you explore, so be sure not to miss anything.
Beyond looking at the wildlife, I think it’s amazing that guests can have interactive experiences. For one, you can join feeding sessions, whether you’re naturally brave and unbothered or someone dared you to.
Expert advice:
I suggest going to the Green Planet the earliest in the morning or around 5 to 6 pm so you can catch the sunset—use this window to snap as many photos as you can!
Immerse Yourself in Virtual Reality at VR Park
Media credit: rickyrara
Website: https://thedubaimall.com/en/entertain-detail/vr-park
Address: Second Floor – PlayDXB – Dubai Mall – Downtown Dubai
Contact Details: +971 800 382246255
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 10 AM to 12 AM
Fees:
- Free Entry
- Ride Cost Credits – AED 15 to 45 tips
- VR Swipe Card – AED 5
- You can buy a Pay and Play Pass with a bonus credit.
Another convenient entertainment spot at The Dubai Mall, the VR Park gives a range of exciting virtual reality experiences that won’t make you break the bank. Some games are even priced as low as AED 15!
With over 25 virtual and augmented reality attractions, I bet you’ll need plenty of energy to try everything. You can jump from roller coasters and space adventures to zombie survival games and extreme sports simulations and have an absolute blast!
I also appreciate that, unlike other theme parks or arcades, this venue only makes you pay for the rides you select. Highly cost-effective, I say. Other than that, I say maximize the bundle offers so you can enjoy various experiences at a discount.
Savvy suggestion:
Have you saved enough to try it all at VR Park? I recommend getting a Power Pass online for AED 192. This gives you unlimited access to all the rides and experiences for up to 3 hours without paying more than you planned.
Relax at an Affordable Spa
Media credit: yinyangconnectionspa
Website: https://yinyang.ae/
Address: Jumeirah Road – 1st Floor – opp. Jumeirah Plaza The Village Mall
Contact Details: +971 4 385 5155, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 11 PM
Fees:
- Deep Tissue Massage
- 60 minutes – AED 210
- 90 minutes – AED 295
- 120 minutes – AED 380
- 180 minutes – AED 525
- Oriental Foot Massage
- 30 minutes – AED 210
- 60 minutes – AED 260
- Express Massage
- 30 minutes – AED 210
- Back Massage
- 30 minutes to 1 hour – AED 210
- Yinyang Signature Massage
- 60 minutes – AED 260
- 90 minutes – AED 345
- 120 minutes – AED 430
Dubai is home to affordable spas if you just need a day off. One of which is Yinyang Connection Spa, starting from AED 210 for 1 hour of deep tissue, oriental, or express massage.
The spa’s techniques are also rooted in the healing traditions of Chinese medicine, so I believe the massages would feel timeless and effective.
For example, it specializes in Tui na (Chinese therapy) and acupressure massages to relieve stress, headaches, constipation, and insomnia. Plus, its sports massages are perfect for athletes, gym-goers, and anyone needing muscle recovery.
Smart pointer:
I recommend staying hydrated before and after your massage at Yinyang Connection Spa. This helps flush out toxins and keep you feeling refreshed!
Experience Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo (Basic Access)
Website: https://www.thedubaiaquarium.com/
Address: Floor L2 – Dubai Mall – Downtown Dubai
Contact Details: +971 800 382246255, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 10:15 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 10 AM to 11:15 PM
Fees:
- Aquarium Tunnel (outside viewing) – Free
- Underwater Zoo for adults and children aged 2 and over – AED 199
If you don’t want to bother getting a ticket, the Dubai Aquarium in The Dubai Mall offers basic viewing from the outside for free! And if you want, I think entry to the Underwater Zoo is also budget-friendly.
You can see the 48-meter-long aquarium tunnel and watch more than 140 species from the outside. This includes sharks, stingrays, and many schools of fish. Should you bring the kids, I bet this would be effortless family-friendly entertainment.
The Basic Access ticket offers Underwater Zoo entry. This allows you to marvel at otters, piranhas, giant spider crabs, and the famous King Croc—one of the largest crocodiles in captivity!
Nifty trick:
Willing to spend a bit more at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo? I suggest visiting websites like Klook, Groupon, and Cobone—they often have discounted tickets compared to buying them at the counter.
Go to VOX Cinemas’ Budget Sessions
Media credit: kavithaantony
Website: https://uae.voxcinemas.com/cinemas/mall-of-the-emirates
Address: Mall of Emirates – Level 2 – Sheikh Zayed Rd
Contact Details: +971 600 599905, [email protected]
Fees: Standard Ticket – starts at AED 42 to 45 per person
Facebook
Feel like watching a blockbuster film anytime soon? VOX Cinemas offers discounted morning movie sessions or loyalty programs to make movie-going in Dubai more affordable.
At times, the movie theater even provides budget sessions where you can watch more for less at select locations. These offers are usually available on weekdays and during off-peak hours, making them perfect if you have a flexible schedule.
Friendly reminder:
For me, the best way to find Budget Sessions at Vox Cinemas is to download its app where you can find discounted showtimes and locations.