A Dubai Ice Rink Travel Guide
When you think about Dubai, you don’t exactly picture snow and ice skating.
But in the middle of Dubai Mall is an Olympic-sized skating rink where you can beat the heat and have a great time gliding through the ice.
In this guide, we’ll give you all the details you need to plan your visit to the Dubai Ice Rink.
What is the Dubai Ice Rink?
The Dubai Ice Rink is a huge ice skating rink located on the ground floor of the Dubai Mall and extends to the second floor.
With a length of 60 meters, width of 30 meters and 1.5-inch thick ice, the rink passes the Olympic standard size for hosting professional competitions.
But even first timers on the ice are welcome to skate on the Dubai Ice Rink as long as they’re 3 years old and above.
Best Time to Go
The Dubai Ice Rink is open daily from 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM, so you can visit any time of the year, especially since the rink is an indoor facility.
However, you can expect that the ice rink will be packed in the summer with more people trying to escape the heat.
So, if you want to skate along with many people, it’s best to visit during the weekdays and right when the rink opens.
Things to Know
To make the most of your visit to the Dubai Ice Rink, here are some things that you need to remember:
- Purchase your tickets ahead of time.
You can always buy tickets at the Dubai Ice Rink. But it’s still best to pre-purchase them online to make sure that you get to enjoy the ice rink during your visit.
Ticket rates will vary depending on the day and time of your visit:
You also need to set aside budget for gear including:
- Wear comfortable clothing.
You’d want to wear something that will not only keep you warm but also help you move comfortably. If you want extra warmth, you should also wear thick socks and gloves
Avoid wearing loose fitting clothes including coats and pants, especially if you’re taking an IceByke skating session.
- Don’t wear any hazardous items on the rink.
Don’t bring your mobile phone, any electronic or sharp objects while you’re ice skating. You can rent a locker for AED 15 to keep your things safe while you’re on the ice rink.
- Follow the rules.
You can’t skate if you’re pregnant or if you’re carrying children under the age of 3.
You should also avoid eating, chewing gum or drinking while on the ice rink and never skate if you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
How to Get Around
Trains: Take the Metro and stop at the Burj Khalifa/The Dubai Mall Station. From here, you can use the Metro Link Bridge to get to the mall where the Dubai Ice Rink is located. You also have the option to take a feeder bus that bring passengers to the Dubai Mall regularly.
Buses: You can take Bus Line 27 from the Deira Gold Souk Station if you’re traveling from Old Dubai and Bus Line 29 from the Ghubaiba Bus Station. These bus routes travel to the Dubai Mall every 16 minutes and stop at the Grand Drive Entrance on the Lower Ground Floor of the mall. From there, you can walk to the Dubai Ice Rink.
Taxis: Wherever you’re from in the city, you can book a taxi through Uber or Careem to take you to and from the Dubai Mall where the Dubai Ice Rink is located.
Car service: There are many car service companies that offer chauffeured and self-drive cars for you to use for traveling to and from the Dubai Ice Rink.
Where to Stay Near the Dubai Ice Rink
Address Dubai Mall
Address: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard – Downtown Dubai – Duba – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 438 8888
Pricing: $$$
Boasting modern rooms fitted with only the best furnishings and carpeting, the Address Dubai Mall puts you right where the action is in the heart of Downtown Dubai.
Wake up to views of the Burj Khalifa and shop at the Dubai Mall right at your doorstep.
This hotel gives you unparalleled accessibility while still enjoying the tranquility of being in a place where you can enjoy the good things in life.
You can dine at one of the restaurants, indulge at the spa or relax at the lounge. And if you want to go somewhere cold, just walk to the Dubai Ice Rink for some ice skating.
Palace Downtown
Address: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 428 7888
Pricing: $$$
Palace Downtown is as dreamy as you’d want your hotel to be.
Located on the edge of Old Town Island, the hotel sits right in front of Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain Show and the majestic Burj Lake.
But Palace Downtown is not only good for its views. It also promises to give you a holiday that fits your exact needs and preferences.
The hotel is also home to some of Downtown Dubai’s best restaurants, a world-class spa, a modern fitness center and other amenities that you’ll surely enjoy during your stay.
Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown
Address: Marasi Drive – Business Bay – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 210 2222
Pricing: $$
It’s the first boutique hotel in the UAE and it’s located right between the Dubai Mall and the Design District.
No design details were spared in the Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown because the moment you step inside its doors, you’ll be transported into a masterpiece.
Each room is carefully curated with beautiful artwork and you can enjoy amenities like the 25-meter infinity pool, the fully equipped gym and the shisha lounge.
The best part is, you’re located a few minutes away from the Dubai Mall and the best attractions in Downtown Dubai and Business Bay.
Address Downtown
Address: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd. – Downton Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 436 8888
Pricing: $$$
Part of the Address chain of hotels in the Downtown Dubai area, Address Downtown is the perfect choice if you want to be near “where life happens.”
Overlooking the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain show, this hotel lets you experience the true Dubai lifestyle with luxury at every corner.
From modern rooms including its signature spa suite to some of the best restaurants in town, you’re surely in for a treat when you stay at the Address Downtown.
Armani Hotel Dubai
Address: Burj Khalifa – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 888 3888
Pricing: $$$
If you want the ultimate hotel experience, stay at the tallest building in the world with the Armani Hotel Dubai.
From the moment you check in, you’ll be treated like a true VIP with a room that’s designed by Giorgio Armani and fitted only with exclusive furnishings and decor for the hotel.
You can also customize your experience if you’re celebrating a milestone or just indulge in all the amenities that you’ll only find at this five-star hotel.
Of course, nothing beats waking up to views of Downtown Dubai from the Burj Khalifa, an experience that not a lot of people get to enjoy.
Where to Eat Near Dubai Ice Rink
Katsuya by Starck
Address: Level 2 New Extension – Dubai Mall – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd. – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 419 0069
Pricing: $$
Katsuya by Starck is one of the pioneer Japanese restaurants in Dubai Mall and it’s been a local favorite ever since.
Serving traditional Japanese cuisine using fresh ingredients and modern methods, Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi guarantees a dining experience like no other.
Katsuya by Starck delivers on all fronts – from its well-designed interiors to its signature sushi and sashimi platters – so you’re guaranteed a memorable culinary journey every time.
Tribes Carnivore
Address: Level 2 Star Atrium – Dubai Mall – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd. – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 226 4974
Pricing: $$
Celebrating the culture, colors and flavors of Africa, Tribes Carnivore offers a unique culinary experience featuring dishes from the African tribal era.
From the moment you step inside its doors, Tribes will instantly transport you to Afriac with its beautiful interiors.
The restaurant only uses the best ingredients from Africa and around the world prepared using techniques and flavors that you won’t find in any other cuisines.
So, if you’re looking to try something new, you should check out Tribes Carnivore after skating at the Dubai Ice Rink.
Wagamama
Address: Dubai Mall – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd. – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 320 3237
Pricing: $$
Putting a new spin on the way you enjoy Asian food, Wagamama is a must-try restaurant if you want comfort classics reinvented.
This restaurant serves all the familiar flavors that you’ve come to love about Asian food, but with some unique interpretations to give you a completely different experience.
Enjoy favorites like the Chicken Katsu Curry, Chili Sirloin Steak Ramen, Coconut Seafood Broth, Spicy Salmon Soba and Sushi Platter.
New Shanghai
Address: Lower Ground Floor – Dubai Mall – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd. – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 224 6819
Pricing: $$
Take a trip down Shanghai with a restaurant that serves authentic Shanghai-style cuisine.
New Shanghai is everything that you’d want in a Chinese restaurant – from its vibrant colors to its delicious food.
The restaurant is known for using family recipes that have been passed down for generations and given new life using the best ingredients possible.
Feast on noodles, pan-fried buns, dimsum and hot pots in a relaxing ambiance that will surely make you want to come back for more.
Awani
Address: Unit SF – Dubai Mall – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd. – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 243 2758
Pricing: $$$
It’s hard not to notice Awani with its huge pink trees, colorful seats and a vibrant atmosphere that invites you to come in.
But its modern interior is just the beginning of a great dining experience because Awani is known for serving one of the best Levantine foods in all of Dubai.
Using fresh ingredients, ancestral tools and age-old cooking methods, Awani will treat your senses with favorites like Tabbouleh, Nakanek, Maqmoura Kafta and Sayadiah.
What to Do in Dubai Ice Rink
Learn How to Ice Skate from the Pros
Address: Dubai Ice Rink – Dubai Mall – Downtown Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 800 382 246255
If you want to do more than just skate leisurely on the ice rink, you can take up a crash course with the Dubai Ice Rink Skating Academy (DIRSA).
The academy operates on the Dubai Ice Rink and offers a variety of courses depending on your needs and preferences:
If you’re interested in taking a course at the Dubai Ice Rink, it’s best to register online to make sure that you’ll secure a spot on the day of your visit.
The Dubai Ice Rink can also issue a certification from the Ice Skating Institute Asia if you pass these courses successfully and for an extra charge.
Dance on the Ice with DJ Nights
Address: Dubai Ice Rink – Dubai Mall – Downtown Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Make skating more fun with DJ Nights at the Dubai Ice Rink. It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time skater or a professional, gliding through the ice with live music is a must-try experience.
The activity happens every Friday and Saturday night and you can expect a crowd of fun-loving skaters to fill the rink while dancing to their favorite tunes played by an in-house DJ.
This is a great experience to enjoy with your family and friends, and everyone from children to adults are invited to join in the fun.
Celebrate Milestones at the Dubai Ice Rink
Address: Dubai Ice Rink – Dubai Mall – Downtown Dubai – United Arab Emirates
The Dubai Ice Rink is not just a space for ice skating, but it’s also a venue for different celebrations and events.
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary or any other milestone in your life, make it memorable by holding it at the Dubai Ice Rink.
You can choose from different packages depending on how you’d want your celebration to be:
Where to Shop in Dubai Ice Rink
The Dubai Mall
Address: Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 800 382 246255
Aside from enjoying the Dubai Ice Rink, you should also check out the rest of the Dubai Mall, the biggest shopping complex in the city.
With 1,200 retail shops, hundreds of restaurants and cafes, and two major department stores, the Dubai Mall is a retail paradise the size of 200 football pitches.
Here, you can find everything from high-end designer brands to local shops. It’s also home to the first Galeries Lafayette in the Middle East and international department store Bloomingdale’s.
The Dubai Mall is also just beside Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain Show, so make sure to check these tourist spots out while you’re in the area.
Souk Al Bahar
Address: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 362 7011
If you want to experience shopping in an Arabian style marketplace, you should head to Souk Al Bahar, which is just a few minutes away from the Dubai Mall.
This beautiful modern souk is filled with shops that sell everything from Persian carpets to gold jewelry.where you can find a lot of good products to take back home.
Souk Al Bahar is also home to many restaurants, cafes and lounges that offer al fresco dining, so you can enjoy views of the water and even the Dubai Fountain Show as you eat dinner.
This marketplace is one of the most picturesque shopping destinations in Dubai, so make sure that you drop by after enjoying a day of skating at the Dubai Ice Rink.
What to Expect from Weather Around Dubai Ice Rink
Winter: With temperatures dropping to as low as 16 degrees Celsius the months from December to March are the best time to visit Dubai because you get to avoid the sweltering heat that happens for the rest of the year.
Summer: The hottest months in Dubai run from June to September when temperatures can reach a sweltering 50 degrees Celsius. During this time, people tend to stay indoors and explore tourist spots that don’t require them to be under the sun including the Dubai Ice Rink.
Transition period: In between seasons, Dubai goes through two transition periods – from April to May and October to November. The weather can be less predictable during these months, so you can expect sudden rains or extreme heat if you’re visiting during these transition months.
Apps to Download When Visiting the Dubai Ice Rink
Visit Dubai: The app to use for finding information about the city’s top tourist spots including the Dubai Ice Rink
S’hail: Contains useful information about Dubai’s public transport systems including the bus, metro and water taxi
Uber: A must-have app for booking a taxi to take you to and from the Dubai Ice Rink
Careem: The local alternative to booking a private car service to help you go around the city more conveniently
RTA Dubai Drive: A good tool to use if you’re renting a self-drive car and you need help in navigating your way around the city