Best Time to Visit Dubai

January comes with pleasant weather, the kind of weather that will make you want to spend all of your day outdoors. Although it is generally a coldest month in the city, to many people, the month still feels refreshingly warm, with temperatures ranging from 19°C (66°F) to 20°C (68°F). It can even go as high as 23°C (73°F) in the afternoons.

If you are coming from a place with relatively warmer climate, you will find the weather a little too chilly for a swim at the beach. Don’t be surprised to see people from the UK or Russia taking a dip in the sea. Regardless, don’t forget to bring with you a bathing suit because most of the hotels in this neighbourhood feature heated pools. Other activities best suited for January are sky diving, hot air ballooning or zip lining.

Although summer clothes are acceptable, women have to dress more modestly while strolling through the city. In the evenings, you may need a light sweater because it tends to get only slightly chillier. Sometimes you may not even need it.

Despite the pleasant weather, not so many tourists visit during this period because it’s the same time the international holiday season comes to an end. Nonetheless, you can get to enjoy discounted rates during the annual Dubai Shopping Festival running for month. If you are a Shopaholic, hit the designer stores and shopping malls and fill up your trolley. You can also attend a live show like the Quoz Arts Festival for a taste of arts and culture.

February sets in and the temperatures gradually start rising. Temperatures could to a high of 24°C (75°F). However, you can’t be surprised if the temperatures hit 30°C (86°F) or higher. Although rainfall can increase to an average of 40mm over a period of four days, you may likely experience the rains as February comes to an end. Therefore, any plans you may have at this time may be dampened.

Despite the high temperatures, the sea remains a cool place to visit because it remains at a pleasant 21°C (70°F). Depending on the weather you are used to back at home, this may or may not be ideal for a swim.

The month is essentially a blend of pleasant temperatures and sunny days. That makes the month ideal for going on desert safaris, camel riding or go ahead and enjoy dune bashing among other traditional desert living activities. You can also otherwise choose to go Dhow cruising in the evenings. During this time, Dubai Food Festival is full on, meaning that it is a great season to stuff yourself with good food and music. Since this is a school season, it is unlikely to see family crowds.

March marks the arrival of spring. This is when temperatures start climbing noticeably. Temperatures increase from 24°C (75°F) to highs of 27°C (81°F). With such highs, the chances of a downfall reduce significantly, with lows of 10mm of rains falling over a period of 6 days. This creates a near-perfect weather to hit the beach. Chances are that you will find the sea temperatures more suitable for swimming.

It is the best time to put on your bright shorts, bathing suit or light t-shirt and spend the rest of the day in them. Unless you want to go for dinner at a local swanky restaurant. During this time, you should ensure that you bring the most essential items with you including sunglasses, wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen. They will come in handy to protect yourself from the searing sun shining for a whole 9 hours of the day.

Since Dubai is full of spectacular private resort beaches (some offer an All-Inclusive formula) and many public beaches. These are incredible spots to go for some adrenaline spiking activities like jet skiing, leisure paddle boarding, parasailing or flyboarding. The city is also rapidly becoming a cultural hub and March hosts some amazing cultural events like the Annual Festival of Literature and Sikka Art Fair.

In March, it may not have started feeling like summer, but when April comes, you will definitely start feeling it. It is indeed a very hot time in Dubai since temperatures can rise up to highs of 32°C (90°F) although temperatures of 40°C (104°F) or not unheard of. April only experiences an average of 10mm of rainfall for a period of 2 days. This means that the chances of you seeing the rain in April are very minimal.

You have to take care of yourself because the searing sun can be very intense, shining up to 10 hours a day. It could easily cause sunburns. That is why it is not advisable to take sunbaths for a very long time in April. The better option would be slathering on a high SPF sunscreen and wearing a wide-brimmed hat anytime you want to go out. Since the skies can bring glaring light, ensure that you bring with you strong UV-filtered sunglasses. You can enjoy some sightseeing adventures during the day and leisurely swim in the pool in the evening.

Although the days seem longer, the evenings are a complete contrast because they cool down fast. Therefore, you should expect a shift of all the interesting activities from daytime to the evenings. This is a great time to go and enjoy the Global Village or WOW JBR among other amazing activities in different theme parks around Dubai. The famous event in April that you can look forward to is the Middle East Film and Comic Con. It brings out tourists travelling from different parts of Asia.

This is the team you will start experiencing the intense summer heat. The temperatures soar to sizzling highs of 37°C (99°F) and it some cases it may exceed 42°C (108°F). The lows can range from 24°C (75°F) to 27°C (81°F). The evenings will also feel fairly warm. You may not experience any rainfall during this month. Clouds are pretty uncommon to see. This means there is sun’s coverage for up to 11 hours a day up to a little after 7pm. This continues until the end of the month.

When packing to visit Dubai in May, think packing light and loose. Cottons and long linens will do the trick. You will find them especially useful in protecting your skin from the scorching sun but also giving your skin a chance to breathe. Furthermore, long linens are just a sign of respect to the local Muslim religion, especially at this time when the locals are celebrating Ramadan/Ramazan. It is the biggest festival in Dubai’s calendar.

During the Ramadan festival, many of the local restaurants and eateries tend to switch up their timing and menus to suit the festival. Therefore, plan accordingly when you want to visit the city during this month. You will have a first-hand experience of the Islamic culture and even be a participant in the feasting just after sunset. This is the time when the locals break their fast. Remember to drink of lots of water, take dips at the sea and wear plenty of sunscreen.

The month of June marks the heart of the hot season. The temperatures during this time average at about 33°C (91°F) with the probability of rising to 38°C (100°F) and sometimes going as high as 43°C (109°F) in the afternoons. The weather is pretty much predictable with minimal chances of rainfall. The days are hot and the sea temperatures are even hotter, going up to 31°C (88°F).

This is not the time to go out, rather just stay indoors, especially in the afternoons. If you have an errand to run, make sure that you try squeeze them within the morning hours so that you spend your afternoon indoors. This is the time when the Dubai sun hottest. Cases of people suffering sunburns are pretty high. You have to make sure that you always have your sunscreen with you at all times.

During this time, you either stay indoors or find them parks or attractions that are free from the sun. Some of the best places to visit include Ski Dubai and Green Planet. You can also visit theme parks like Wild Wadi Waterpark, Dubai Dolphinarium, IMG Worlds of Adventure and Aquaventure. If you are travelling with family, these are great places to go. If you want a more relaxed environment, you can visit the Opera House and watch some classical concerts. Other relaxed places include Sharjah Art Museum, Dubai Museum and Louvre in Abu Dhabi (day trip).

This is one of the hottest months of the city with temperatures ranging from 31°C (88°F) to 41°C (106°F). if you want to comfortably go out, the best chance is during the night. Coincidentally, the nights are also the best times to enjoy and experience the sparkling skyline and glitz of the city.

The heat is too much for many people and that explains why the airfare are quite low in this month. The same trend is also seen in the hotel and accommodation industry. Despite this, people still take to the desert to enjoy the fun, night life and safari that never stop.

If you are a Shopaholic, you have the chance of taking advantage of the amazing offers of the Dubai Summer Surprises. This is the summer version of the Dubai Shopping Festival. Malls, theme parks and night concerts offer amazing discounts.

The temperatures continue soaring ranging from 31°C (88°F) to 42°C (108°F). Everywhere you go in August will be hot. Even the seas won’t offer any respite with temperatures over 30°C (86°F). You can’t expect crowds during this month in Dubai. Although August is an international vacation season, the same can’t be said for Dubai. As expected, the rates for hotels are incredibly low.

If you are planning a budget travel and cheap Dubai hotel, August is the best time for you. You can still enjoy the Dhow Dinner Cruise, Big Bus Panoramic Night Tour or Dubai Night Tour. Furthermore, you can always visit the air-conditioned attractions and museums.

Although temperatures start dropping, marking the beginning of the end of summer, it doesn’t go away with enough speed. Expect to experience up to 3°C (37°F) temperature drops. There might even be some instances of rain. The days start getting shorter and sun starts setting just little after 6pm.

You still have to make sure that you plan ahead by packing light and loose. You will also notice that the live entertainment scene will start picking up. This is the time you could look forward to La Perle Dragone among other concerts held at the Dubai Opera House.

September’s highlight is the Saudi National Day. The event is marked by firework displays and plentiful celebrations in different parts of the city. Shopaholics will still have a great time during September.

After several months of not visiting the beach, you can now start seeing some tourists visiting the sea. The temperatures are now a bit more favourable for water adventure activities and swimming. Temperatures continue lowering. You can expect an average of 25°C (77°F) to 36°C (97°F).

October marks the camel racing season in Dubai. There are always lots of traditional events around this event. If not, you can always consider going on a desert safari or go on a camel ride. If you want to stay in the city, you can always go witness the Opera shows. You can also expect the spirit of Halloween catching up in some of the high-end malls and restaurants.

When other areas the world are experiencing cold weather, it is a great time to visit Dubai and escape the cold. Temperatures range from 21°C (70°F) to 31°C (88°F), very pleasant to temperatures to head outdoors. There are lots of fun outdoor activities you can take part in in November.

This month also hosts several international events including the Downtown Design and Dubai Design Week. The neighbouring city of Abu Dhabi also hosts F1 Grand Prix, you can head there and enjoy thrilling racing. It is also the best time to head to Yas Water World and Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi.

At this time, Dubai’s beauty is at its peak because it is a bit colder, with temperatures ranging from 17°C (63°F) to 26°C (97°F). It is wise to pack some light sweaters to just keep you warm in the evenings. You will find the daytime refreshingly cool and calm.

The month is also full of events including the Rugby Sevens tournament Emirates Independence Day, Dubai International Film and Festival among others. However, the peak of the month features the Christmas and New Year’s Eve festivities ushering in the New Year. Enjoy the cheer while doing Christmas shopping in the Christmas markets with incredible discounts. Don’t forget to join others visiting the Burj Khalifa!