10 things to do in Dubai in April
If food, fashion and partying are things you enjoy, it wouldn't hurt to consider a trip to Dubai in April.
Even though April is a low season month, there are events that will surprise you. There are gastronomic events of great interest such as the royal dinner in Dubai Lima, the Be Gluttonous dessert fair or Fashion Access Dubai to remodel your closet and give a modern touch to your outfit.
April is also a very festive month that gives away parties of great global impact such as the Big Party of The Palm. So: Get ready and come with energy!
1. Enjoy Aquaventure Atlantis at the best time of the year.
While you can go to Aquaventure Atlantis water park at other times of the year, April is the ideal month to enjoy its water attractions and its own beach. Temperatures are not as high and there is not much tourism as it is low season.
Aquaventure Atlantis is usually open from 10 am to sunset. Considering the multiple attractions that this gigantic park has, I recommend you to buy tickets for Aquaventure Atlantis to avoid the queue.
2. Take a cruise in Dubai and take advantage of the mild temperatures
Another favorite activity for this time of the year when it's getting warmer, but still far from the hot summer months, is to take one of the Dubai Marina cruises. You will have incredible views of the main monuments of the city such as the Burj Khalifa, the palaces, the Jumeirah beach or the impressive mosques of the city.
You have boat trips for all tastes and budgets: from about 40 € the cheapest in traditional boat or speedboat, to yachts or mega yachts for about 60 €. Here is a list of the best options for you to book in advance the one you are most interested in:
- Cruise on a traditional sailboat with dinner, from $60.
- Cruise with dinner, from $58 €.
- Yacht trip in the Marina, from $27.
- Speedboat ride, from $41.
- Mega yacht cruise with dinner, from $68.
3. Don't miss the Madame Tussauds Museum in low season
Taking advantage of the fact that there are fewer tourists in Dubai during the spring months, you can visit some of the museums in the city and avoid the stress of the closed museums.
One proposal is the Madame Tussauds Museum that brings to the city of Arab Emirates the best representations of celebrities from around the world.
Imagine rubbing shoulders with the super realistic wax figures of characters such as Queen Elizabeth II, Messi or Miley Cirus. If you book your ticket for the Madame Tussauds wax museum you have more than 60 celebrities with whom you can take a selfie along the different thematic areas. A great plan if you go to Dubai with your family.
4. Climb the Burj Khalifa with the best weather
The month of April is ideal to climb the Burj Khalifa and enjoy the best panoramic views of the city from a height of over 500 meters.
An ideal way to delve into the history of Dubai and its most popular and imposing skyscrapers thanks to the guided introduction with which you will start the visit. To enjoy this plan you have the possibility of:
- Book your tickets to the Burj Khalifa with access to the 124th and 125th floors, where you will have breathtaking views of the city.
- Book your tickets tothe Burj Khalifa with access also to the 148th floor, which is my favorite option and, in addition, you can enjoy an Arabic coffee and a snack.
Take your time to take pictures and contemplate Dubai from the telescopes available to visitors. An experience that will amaze you.
5. Delight yourself with the wonderful desserts of Be Gluttonous
Magnolia Bakery 's Be Gluttonous offers exquisite and exclusive desserts during the month of April and especially during the first 15 days of the month, as tourist demand is expected to be higher than in the usual months. Not to mention that, for many, the first days of April are the end of the high season in Dubai.
In short, during this festival, the bakery offers every visitor the possibility to fill a plate with small sweets of their choice, sweets made with great care and passion. Something similar to a "gourmet" dessert.
I recommend you try the Red Velvet and the banana pudding; believe me, you will surely be left wanting more.
Magnolia Bakery
Magnolia Bakery is one of the most famous bakeries in the whole city, and I have to say that it is gaining more and more worldwide fame thanks to its incredible sweets.
So much fame gained this bakery in Dubai that it decided to create a tasting fair during the month of April which it called Be Gluttonous, and in which the best sweets of this bakery are served during the days that lasts the month of April.
It is worth noting that the demand for this bakery is incredible, and that many of the sweets it offers are usually finished in record time; hence many baptize it as the best dessert bakery. And if you haven't had enough, book a gastronomic tour of Dubai.
6. Take home a souvenir of the night market
While Ramadan, the holiest month for Muslims and where most regional and religious items are sold, varies from year to year. On the other hand, the Dubai Night Market is always held during the first 10 days of April from 8 am to 2 am.
It is a huge market that is organized at the Sheikh Rashid Hall in the Dubai World Trade Centre, where all the cultural heritage and a variety of typical products of the old Dubai are exhibited.
It would be akin to bringing the city's past into the present and showing tourists and locals the beauty of Arab culture.
7. Taste a royal dinner in Dubai Lima
Among the things you can do during your vacation in Dubai there are options full of surprises that border on the surreal, but this is certainly one of the most unexpected.
Have you ever imagined dining a few meters from a head of state? Well, in Lima Dubai it is not so strange, since this giant restaurant has the custom of inviting a head of state to dinner one day in April. As a curious fact, the restaurant is owned by chef and businessman Virgilio Martinez, and during the month of April the restaurant entirely moves to the style of salsa every weekend.
Well, even if you are not lucky enough to be photographed and dine near the king of any particular country, at least you can enjoy a good meal to the rhythm of Peruvian salsa. And remember that you always have the option to book a gastronomic tour of Dubai.
8. Experience a bit of nostalgia at the classic movie marathon.
If cinema is your weakness and you are in Dubai in April I recommend you to include in your tour of Dubai to attend the famous Dubai Classic Movie Marathon held at the Akil Cinema.
For your convenience, tickets for the event can also be purchased from the official Akil Cinema website. However, they will only be available closer to this highly anticipated movie marathon.
The films are shown in their original language and are classic films that received awards or had a lot of impact; however, English subtitles will appear in all of them. They are screened every day in April; however, schedules may vary. So now you know where to go if you want to refresh your memories with nostalgia in the city of Dubai.
9. Dive into the digital world of Comic Con Festival
Comic Con Festival is an annual event held in April at the Dubai World Trade Center and is attended by cosplayers, top video game players and influencers related to the world of comics and video games from all over the world!
Not only that, but there are also exhibitions related to the latest developments in the field of film and gaming technology, talks starring celebrities in the world and sales of exclusive products in high demand.
So if you like anime, manga, cartoons or video games, don't miss the opportunity to engage in conversations with people you're sure to have a lot to talk to.
10. Join the big party at the W Hotel - The Palm
One of the most anticipated one-off events in April is the Big Party of The Palm, a very important event attended by major celebrities and elite athletes from around the world. It is a unique event where fun, night parties, dancing and light shows are the main attractions.
As if it were the New Year's Eve party, but extended during the first two weeks of April. However, to enjoy all this incredible atmosphere, it is necessary to book a room at the W Dubai - The Palm. It is located on a palm-shaped island 4 km from the Aquaventure water park and 39 km from Dubai International Airport.
You don't need to book a two-week hotel if you can't afford it; however, if you plan to visit Dubai for 7 days or more, at least try one day at the Big Party of The Palm, as it is a unique night festival.
11. Enjoy the Meydan Race
At times, it is difficult to disassociate Turf (horse racing) from the leisure of Dubaiites; that said, the Meydan horse race held in the month of April is one of the events that has the most impact during the month of April.
Held at the Meydan racecourse, this event offers the opportunity to feel the excitement of Dubaiites and turf fanatics up close.
Such is the magnitude of the event that picnics and fast food outlets are randomly organized. All in order not to miss a single detail of this annual event held in the first week of April. So, if you also like horse racing, don't miss it.
Find out about Dubai's weather in April
In April, Dubai has a mostly warm climate, the sunshine hours are around 10, the average daytime temperature is 29 degrees, and the average nighttime temperature is 27 degrees.
Although rainfall is scarce it is possible to reach 10mm. of rain throughout the month.
April is the month in which temperatures begin to rise, but without reaching exaggerated maximums as in later months; hence it is a good time to visit the city, make plans and enjoy the good atmosphere.
Is April a good time to go to Dubai?
Obviously, weather-wise, I would recommend going to Dubai in November or going to Dubai in March; however, the notorious price drop does justice to this month; also, if you like the beach and summer plans it is a good month without a doubt.
Where to stay in Dubai during April
Dubai is an excellent destination to spend a nice vacation; although the legend says that Dubai is a very expensive city, the reality is not as clear-cut as it may sound; and from there it doesn't hurt to tell you that there are accommodations for all tastes, colors and economic situations.
What to bring in your suitcase to visit Dubai in April
Remember that during the month of April there can be high temperature peaks, so: Lots and lots of sunscreen! So perhaps this is the most essential item to include in your packing list before visiting Dubai in April. It is also important that you bring a cap, hat and comfortable clothes.
Also remember that you are in Dubai and you should also include full body clothing in case you wish to visit more conservative, religious or less "modern" places. In any case, I recommend you to know a little about how to dress in Dubai before packing your suitcase.
It is also important to bring comfortable shoes, as it is not always so easy to find a cab, and you may have to walk more than you need to.