When Should You Visit?
November - February (Peak Season)
- Temperature: 20-28°C (68-82°F) — perfect
- Crowds: Busiest season, book early
- Prices: Highest (December most expensive)
- Best for: Everything — beaches, outdoor dining, desert safaris
March - April (Shoulder Season)
- Temperature: 25-35°C (77-95°F) — warming up
- Crowds: Moderate
- Prices: Better value than winter
- Best for: Good balance of weather and prices
May - September (Summer)
- Temperature: 38-48°C (100-118°F) — extreme heat
- Crowds: Empty
- Prices: 40-60% cheaper than winter
- Best for: Budget travelers, indoor activities, malls
October (Transition)
- Temperature: 32-38°C (90-100°F) — still hot
- Prices: Good deals still available
- Best for: Budget travelers willing to handle heat
Winter Visit (November - March)
- Light clothing: T-shirts, shorts, summer dresses
- Light jacket/cardigan for cool evenings (15-18°C)
- Swimwear for perfect beach weather
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunglasses + SPF 30-50 sunscreen
Summer Visit (May - September)
- Lightest fabrics possible (linen, cotton, moisture-wicking)
- Multiple outfit changes — you'll sweat through clothes
- Light cardigan for freezing air-conditioned spaces
- SPF 50+ sunscreen, wide-brim hat
- Refillable water bottle — hydration is critical
Year-Round Essentials
- Sunscreen (non-negotiable)
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Modest outfit for mosque visits
- UK-style power adapter (Type G, 220V)
Beach & Water Sports
- Best: October - April
- Sea temperature warm year-round (24-33°C)
- Summer beaches only bearable before 9am or after 6pm
Desert Safaris
- Best: November - March (comfortable sand temperatures)
- Summer: Evening safaris only, sand cools after sunset
Outdoor Sightseeing
- Best: November - February
- Walking tours, heritage areas, outdoor markets all comfortable
Shopping & Indoor Activities
- Best: Year-round (everything is air-conditioned)
- Summer: Dubai Summer Surprises festival (July-August) has major sales
Major Events
- Dubai Shopping Festival: January - February
- Formula 1 Abu Dhabi: November
- Dubai Food Festival: February - March
If you're visiting June-September, you need a heat strategy.
Daily Schedule
- 6-9am: Only safe outdoor time
- 10am-5pm: Stay indoors (malls, museums, hotels)
- 6pm onwards: Outdoor activities resume
Heat Safety
- Drink 3-4 liters of water daily minimum
- Recognize heat exhaustion: dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat
- If symptoms appear, get to AC immediately
- Never leave children/pets in parked cars — even for minutes
For complete summer planning: Read our Summer Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
November is the sweet spot — near-perfect weather (22-30°C) at shoulder-season prices. December-February has ideal weather but peak prices. March-April offers good value with warming but manageable temperatures.
Summer (June-September) reaches 40-48°C and is genuinely uncomfortable outdoors during the day. However, hotels are 40-50% cheaper, tourist attractions are empty, and indoor activities (malls, theme parks, museums) are world-class. If you can handle staying indoors during peak heat, summer can work. Not recommended for first-timers or outdoor enthusiasts.
Rarely. UAE gets only 5-10 rainy days per year, mostly December-March. When it rains, it's usually brief showers. Occasional heavy rain can cause flooding because infrastructure isn't built for it. No need to pack an umbrella — you almost certainly won't need it.