When to visit

Home > Visitors > Visiting UAE

General Information

The best time to visit the UAE is from October up until May.In October the weather may still be quite hot (up to 35C), blue skies are the norm and the evenings are warm. At this stage the tourist season is well under way.

Daytime temperatures are ideal during November, December, January and February (around 24C) although the evenings may be a little cool (13C). North-westerly winds (shamal) sometimes blow during these winter months, bringing choppy seas. Most of the annual rainfall occurs between December and March, but this tends to be in the form of short heavy downpours that rapidly clear away. Indeed some winters are totally dry. By March-April, temperatures are beginning to rise during the day (early 30s) but humidity is still low and the evenings are warm. May can be quite hot again (late-30s).

June-September are to be avoided, especially the July-August period which is very hot (high 40s) and humid (100 per cent). However hotels and golf clubs and other facilities offer very good deals during the summer months and it is worth remembering that hotels, shops, in fact all buildings, cars, buses etc are air-conditioned.

Click Here for satellite images and other weather details

Special Events

You may like to time your trip to coincide with one of the many special events staged in the UAE each year. The following is a list of the more popular events but dates may change from year to year so check before you go.

• World Cup Indoor Trials January
• ATP Men's Tennis Open & WTA Tournament February/March
• Abu Dhabi Shopping Festival March
• Dubai World Cup (Horse racing) March/April
• Dubai Shopping Festival March
• Dubai Desert Classic (Golf) March
• Dubai to Muscat Sailing Race March
• Dubai Pro Beach Soccer Tournament April
• Dubai Summer Surprises July/August
• UAE Desert Challenge Motor Rally November
• UIM Formula One Power Boat Championships December
• UIM Class One Power Boat Championships December
• Dubai International Rugby Sevens December

Ramadan

You should also consider whether you would like to visit during the Muslim holy month of Ramadam. During Ramadan (the exact dates move forward by approximately 11 days each year), Muslims do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. Visitors are requested not to eat, drink or smoke in public places during this time. Most restaurants are closed during the day, although you will generally be served food in your hotel, either in your room or in a secluded area of the hotel. In general, the sale of alcohol is prohibited during Ramadan, however alcohol is served in some emirates after sunset.

Despite these restrictions, there are certain advantages in visiting the UAE during at this time. You may be able to obtain discount rates on some hotels and once the daily fast is broken (by the iftar meal after sunset) the streets are a hive of activity which lends a carnival atmosphere to the towns.

Approximate dates for commencement of Ramadan:

• 25/10/03
• 14/10/04
• 04/10/05