There are iftars, free wellness days, indoor fitness options as well as spa and pool deals. Basically, there are plenty of ways to find serenity in the city during the first weekend of Ramadan…

Thursday 9

1. Visit a lavish iftar tent

This is a go-big-or-go-home kind of iftar – the huge Asateer tent at The Atlantis serves up food, activities, oud players, card games and more. Food wise there will be a live chicken muskahan station as well as a range of ice creams – including a saffron camel milk flavour.

Atlantis The Palm, Dubai. 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Dhs205 per person (suhoor then goes from 9pm to 2.30am). More info on website. 

2. Check out a new Pilates studio

Real Pilates has been on Jumeirah Beach Road for a good few years now (it pre-dates some whole Dubai suburbs) and the studio has just opened up a new branch in the fancy new One JLT building so those of you who have wanted to try their classes but live on the ‘new Dubai’ side of town are now in luck. A good option for Pilates machine newbies is the Reformer Core class, which is happening at 6.15pm tonight.

One JLT, Al Sarayat Street, classes from Dhs85 (packages available). Tel: (04) 4585399. More info on website.

3. Go for a jog, inside

Dubai Sports World in Trade Centre has just opened its doors again, spanning 25,000 square metres it has a free gym and running track that you can just turn up and use. The badminton facilities are also completely free. There are football and basketball courts you can rent out too, see the link below for more details.

Dubai Sports World 2016, Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, daily 8am to 1am. Tel: (04) 3064000. dubaisportsworld.ae.

4. Get Uber to deliver you dessert

Uber has paired up with sweet shop Rice Creamery this Ramadan so that you can order a party box with 12 flavours of rice pudding through your Uber app for Dhs70 and an Uber driver will deliver your sweets to you. So yes, it’s basically like getting a delivery, but the novelty of it arriving most likely via Lexus is kind of fun.

Book party pack on your Uber app. 

Friday 10

5. Go for lunch at The Maine (if you’re not fasting)

Remaining respectful of those fasting in public places is very important in Dubai during Ramadan, but many restaurants that are closed off stay open during the day for those not fasting. (Here’s a list of about 80 restaurants that are still open for breakfast and lunch). One of our favourite Dubai restaurants The Maine is open from 12pm to midnight, and is serving its full F&B menu, including its Friday brunch deal.

DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel, JBR, Dubai, daily noon until midnight. Tel: (04) 4576719. Taxi: DoubleTree Hilton. themaine.ae

6. Spend the day here

With summer here the good deals are now rolling in, including this one – for Dhs590 per person you’ll get to use Jumeirah Zabeel Saray’s private beach or 59-metre infinity pool for the day, you’ll also get either a Turkish Hammam experience or a 45-minute Sultan’s Massage treatment, an international set lunch at Sultan’s Lounge Private Dining Room, and one complimentary pass to Sinbad Kids Club if you want to drop any little ones off for the day. All that for basically the price of the massage.

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah. Valid every day from 9am until August 31, Dhs590 per person. Tel: (04) 453 0456. More info on website. 

7. Visit an art exhibition with a twist

At the lobby of the Pullman JLT this month you’ll find the words of 25 to 30 local artists, including 15 young painters from Senses Residential & Day Care Centre for children with special needs. All of the works on show will be for sale, and all collected money will go back to Senses Centre.

Here’s more about Senses:

On display throughout the month in the hotel lobby. More info on Facebook.

8. Get amongst the EURO 2016 action

There are plenty of places to watch the football in the city – here are 24 different options in fact – but there aren’t many places more iconic to do so than Barasti. The first match of the tournament is France vs Romania at 11pm tonight. And while you can still dip your toes in the sand in front of the screens, the giant tent has just been reinstalled for summer, keeping temperatures at a balmy 22 degrees come day or night.

Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort And Marina, Dubai Marina, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3993333. Taxi: Barasti. barastibeach.com

Saturday 11

9. Spend the day at Heart & Soul

Heart & Soul Spa in gorgeous leafy green spot Al Barari will be hosting a full, completely free, Global Wellness Day programme today (just make sure you register). There are heaps of cool things on the programme, including a fitness class at 8am, a ‘cord cutting hypnosis’ at 10am, a gong meditation at 3pm and a ‘breathwork’ activation at 7pm.

Al Barari, from 8am to 8pm. Free (but register here – maximum three activities per person). More info on Facebook.

10. Workout and chill out for just Dhs100

Another great Global Wellness Day deal is at Iridium Spa in the new-ish (yet still very shiny) St Regis hotel where you’ll get to try a 30 minute back, neck and shoulder massage (or a foot or head massage) as well as a 30 minute personal training session both for just Dhs100. We say book as soon as you see this if you’re keen as this deal’s likely to book up. Read more about the St Regis here.

Iridium Spa, St Regis Dubai, off of Meydan Street (near Business Bay). 9am to 9pm, Dhs100. Tel: (04) 435 5500. More info on website.

11. Donate to Dar Al Ber

Over the month of Ramadan you’ll find special donation boxes in Ibn Battuta’s China and Tunisia courts where you can donate books, shoes, clothes and money. The collected items will be distributed to people in need across the UAE by Dar Al Ber Society.

China and Tunisia Courts, Ibn Battuta Mall, Jebel Ali. 10am to 1am, daily. Tel: (04) 390 9999. More info on website.

12. Spend an evening focusing on wellness at the Madinat

To celebrate Global Wellness Day Talise Spa at the Madinat Jumeirah is putting on an evening that’s all about optimal health. Start with a yoga class at 5.30pm, then hear a health talk from Dr Nasim Ashraf from DNA Clinic before tucking into a nutritious vegetarian iftar at Magnolia. The night will finish off with a walk on the beach at 8.30pm.

Talise Spa, Madinat Jumeirah, Al Sufouh Road. 5.30pm onwards, Saturday only. Iftar Dhs185 (other activities complimentary). Tel: (04) 366 6818, bookings essential. More info on website. 

13. Watch a classic movie

At Capital D Studio in Al Quoz tonight you’ll find a screening of classic surf film The Endless Summer at 8pm, as well as a sunset iftar BBQ (how beachy).

Capital D, Al Quoz. Movie screening free. More info on Facebook.  

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