With summer temperatures getting ready to soar, it’s time to make the most of the great outdoors for our favourite four-legged friends.

There are plenty of places to take dogs for a walk around the city, play in a dog-friendly park, and give them off-lead time – even better first thing in the morning or after dusk when the mercury has dropped.

Here’s our guide to where to walk your dog in Dubai.

The best dog-walking spots in Dubai

Dubai Islands Beach Park

This dedicated dog-friendly beach park is relatively new to the city and is the perfect place for a cooling dip after a dog walk. Located along Dubai’s northern coastline around Deira’s waterfront, Dubai Islands Beach is free to access, dog-friendly and, the most important bit, fully pooch-approved. Spread over 460sqm on Nakheel’s Dubai Islands Beach, dogs can run and play off-leash, and then enjoy splashing around in the sea. There’s also an obstacle course complete with slalom posts, a hoop ring for dogs to jump through, a platform for practicing high jumps and an agility seesaw. To make their visit even better, dogs have access to their own pet shower and drinking fountain.

Free. Open daily, 8am-6pm. Deira Waterfront, near Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai

Damac Hills Dog Park

Another lovely spot for your best friend, Damac Hills has a gorgeous park that’s perfect for on-leash walks, with ponds and ducks to provide a picturesque backdrop. For when they want a run and a play, there’s also a small off-leash area with an agility course. There are two parks — one for small dogs and one for big dogs — so you can choose what works best for your four-legged friend.

Damac Hills Park, Damac Hills

Burj Park

Best visited on weekdays to avoid weekend crowds, this green spot has both grassy and paved areas in the shadow of Burj Khalifa, making it perfect for a morning or evening walk. There are designated doggie bins throughout – please make sure you use them. You can even hire bikes, should you wish, and have a little pootle along with your pooch.

Burj Park, Burj Khalifa Boulevard

Al Ittihad Park

The best thing about Al Ittihad Park on Palm Jumeirah is that it’s fun for both pooch and parent. This nature-filled sanctuary that runs up the trunk of the Palm is ideal for leisurely on-leash strolls. A running track loops around the park, with little areas in the middle for dogs to sniff around. Water fountains are dotted around the outskirts of the park too, perfect when your pup needs a cool down. And for you… there are plenty of coffee shops, restaurants and cafes to reward you after your exercise, many of which are happy to provide water for pet.

Palm Jumeirah

Jumeirah Lakes Towers

This pet-friendly neighbourhood has a network of waterside walkways, promising to set tails wagging. There are even bins and even baggie dispensers along the route, helping to ensure the walkways are kept clean. The circuit is around 6.5 kilometres, so you can do as much or as little as you like – or, perhaps, as much as your pooch persuades to do!

Throughout Jumeirah Lakes Towers. jlt.ae

The Meadows and The Springs Lakes

One of the prettiest spots to walk your pooch, these two inter-linking neighbourhoods back onto the lakes around Emirates Hills, with plenty of room to stretch your legs. Flanked by flowers, palm trees and patches of grass, it’s easy to see why dog owners flock here to set up home with their hounds. Plus, you can have a pit-stop at Meadows Village and sip a cup of coffee at Boon or tuck into a manakeesh at Mama’esh, before taking your pup for a play at the dog park, which has an agility course and beautiful lake views.

Meadows Village, www.ubyemaar.com

Expo City Dubai

While Expo City might be your first thought when it comes to perfect places for a dog walk, the wide-open avenues of this dog-friendly neighbourhood make it an ideal place for a leisurely stroll. Dogs do have to stay on leads throughout, but there’s plenty of room to roam. It’s also free to get in, and there are water fountains dotted around, so you can refill your pup’s bowl or bottle at leisure.

Off Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, expocitydubai.com

Bark Park

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This might more of play park than a place to enjoy a long stroll, but your four-legged friend will definitely thank you for bringing it here! Located on a traditional farm in Al Awir, the park has acres of space for dogs to socialise, exercise, train, play, swim and enjoy being off the lead. There’s also a chlorine-free swimming pond, and smaller cool down pools, drinking water, an agility course, plenty of shade and a little shop.

Tues-Sun 6.30am-9am and 5pm-9pm. Al Awir, barkparkdubai.com (050 625 2422).

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