TALAH TURK (ABU DHABI)
In the UAE, compromising on quality of life is never an option. While soaring summer temperatures might seem like a barrier to spending time in nature and enjoying outdoor activities, Abu Dhabi has proven it is a city for all seasons.
Crowd-favourite activities typically enjoyed outside have been brought into the air-conditioned indoor settings, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy them year-round.
Indoor Farm
Al Samha greenhouse invites the public to enjoy their much-needed quality time with Mother Nature without having to endure the summer heat or humidity.
The fully air-conditioned and free-of-charge space offers a casual and engaging learning experience, allowing visitors to stroll through and learn about plants and different types of agriculture.
Visitors shared videos online showcasing fruits and vegetables such as mangoes, pomegranates, lemons and avocados, alongside many other plants. Many have also highlighted the indoor pond and cascading water feature that elevate the overall relaxing atmosphere.
All Sports Under One Roof
Running until August 23 at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi Summer Sports (ADSS) welcomes anyone and everyone who wishes to stay active during the hottest months of the year.
Open every day from 6am to 1am, the inclusive space offers a long list of sports to choose from, such as football, cricket, pickleball, beach volleyball, and obstacle courses.
Aside from the wide range of activities and excellent amenities, one of the best things about ADSS is the motivating atmosphere.
Whether it is someone enjoying a solo walk or run on the track, a family bonding over a game of badminton, or colleagues competing in a tennis tournament, the energy of people exercising together creates an infectious enthusiasm that invites everyone to join in.
All the Way Up
Home to the world's biggest indoor skydiving flight chamber and the region's tallest indoor climbing wall, Abu Dhabi's CLYMB is the perfect summer escape for adrenaline chasers.
Their climbing walls are a great way to get a workout in without it feeling like a chore, with the hardest option the SUMMYT, offering a whopping 550-900 calorie-burning session.
For those interested in trying out skydiving in a controlled environment, their chamber is beginner-friendly, catering to kids as young as three years old.
Winter at the Park
Step into the largest Olympic-sized ice rink in the UAE, where summer is put on hold, and visitors can pretend it is winter for a few hours.
Zayed Sports City ice rink welcomes skaters of all ages and skill levels, offering daily public two-hour sessions that can be booked through the website, as well as figure skating lessons for those who wish to learn the basics or are uncomfortable gliding on ice without a little help.
Butterfly Wonderland
The Butterfly Gardens Abu Dhabi offers a peaceful retreat into nature, where visitors are surrounded by more than 10,000 butterflies. The space features lush tropical gardens, waterfalls, ponds, and tours that offer much more than just butterflies.
Contrary to popular belief, butterflies are just one of many species that visitors get to admire during their time at the gardens. Expect to see many other insects, as well as a sloth, hummingbirds, and even some squirrels.
For an even more memorable experience, visitors can book the garden for breakfast or take part in the Butterfly Release Experience at night.
Under the Sea
Abu Dhabi has even brought the deep blue sea indoors. The National Aquarium, the largest in the Middle East, features more than 46,000 animals representing over 300 species.
For an even closer look at the fascinating sea creatures, visitors can book encounters with sharks, puffins, freshwater rays, and others.
The underwater world can be explored from various perspectives through themed zones, including a shipwreck, a submarine, an Atlantic cave and, last but not least, the region's longest underwater tunnel.