Best time to visit Dubai: weather by month

Dubai is a year-round destination – but not a pleasant one every month. Between January and July the average daytime high differs by 17 degrees: in winter it feels like a warm summer's day in northern Europe, in high summer it is so hot that life moves into air-conditioned spaces. We analysed the weather data for 2015 to 2024 and tell you what to expect in every month.

Dubai's climate: all 12 months

Temperatures and rain: monthly averages 2015–2024 from the ERA5 reanalysis (Open-Meteo), rounded. Values apply to a grid cell of about 25 km and can be slightly lower right on the beach and slightly higher in the desert.

The short answer

• Best time: November to March. 24 to 31 °C by day, 15 to 21 °C at night, hardly any rain. Ideal for city, beach and desert.
• Transition months: April and October. Already hot at 32 to 35 °C, but mornings and evenings are still fine. Fewer crowds than in winter.
• High summer: May to September. 37 to 41 °C by day, and nights don't drop below 25 to 30 °C. Only for travellers who mainly want the hotel, the pool and air-conditioned malls.

Rain is not a big issue in Dubai: even in the wettest month, January, only 23 mm fall on average – usually on a few days. When it does rain, though, it can be heavy, and because the city isn't built for it, roads flood quickly.

Dubai month by month

January and February

The coolest months: 24 to 25 °C by day, around 15 °C at night. Warm enough for sunbathing, but the sea is noticeably cooler than in summer. This is the most pleasant time for sightseeing on foot, the old town along the Creek and trips into the desert. You'll want a light jacket in the evenings, especially in the desert. It is peak season – hotels cost more and book up earlier.

March

At 28 °C by day and 18 °C at night, for many the best month of all: warm enough for beach and pool, not yet too hot for excursions. In February and March only 15 to 16 mm of rain fall on average.

April

The transition to summer: 32.5 °C by day. Beach and pool are at their best now; schedule sightseeing for the morning and evening.

May to September

The hot season. May reaches 36.8 °C, July and August average 41.1 °C by day and around 30 °C at night. Add high humidity on the coast, and it often feels even hotter. Outdoors is only comfortable early in the morning and late in the evening; during the day everything moves into malls, museums, indoor theme parks and hotel pools. The upside: many hotels are much cheaper than in winter.

October

The heat eases, but at 35.3 °C it is still hot. Towards the end of the month it gets noticeably more pleasant, and many seasonal outdoor venues reopen.

November

The start of the best season: 30.6 °C by day, 20.8 °C at night and almost no rain. One of the finest months for combining beach and city – and for travellers from northern Europe, the month with the biggest contrast to the grey weather at home.

December

26.4 °C by day, 16.9 °C at night. Around Christmas and New Year Dubai is very busy, and flights and hotels are at their most expensive. If you are flexible, go in early December or from mid-January.

What to do in the best months

In winter, everything outdoors in Dubai is worthwhile. Start in the morning in the old Al Fahidi district with its wind towers and the old Al Fahidi Fort, then cross Dubai Creek on an abra, the traditional wooden boat, to the spice and gold souks of Deira. The view from the Burj Khalifa is best in the evening, as the city lies in the last light. On the beaches of Jumeirah or at the Marina you won't be alone in winter, but it is pleasant.

An afternoon trip into the desert with sunset over the dunes is part of most visits. These tours run in summer too, but only in the late afternoon – and even then it is hot.

Dubai trip planDay by day, with map and tips

Ramadan in Dubai

During the fasting month of Ramadan, observant Muslims do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. Ramadan follows the Islamic lunar calendar and therefore moves forward by about eleven days every year – check before booking whether it falls within your travel dates. Travelling during Ramadan is perfectly possible: hotels, sights and many restaurants are open, though some opening hours change. Be considerate about eating, drinking and smoking in public during the day. After sunset people break the fast together (iftar), and the evenings are especially lively.

How YesTrip helps with this trip

In YesTrip you'll find a ready-made city plan for Dubai with the old town, souks, Burj Khalifa and desert, which you can adopt and fit to your travel days. The weather forecast covers your travel days, so you can see whether to move excursions to the morning. The packing list suggests suitable clothes – light things for the day, a jacket for winter evenings and air-conditioned interiors – and the right plug adapter. Travelling with others, you share the trip and log shared expenses.

What to know before you go

• Entry: UK and EU citizens do not need to apply for a visa in advance for tourist stays. Your passport must be valid for at least six months. Check the current rules on gov.uk or with your own government.
• Flight: from London, direct flights take about 7 hours.
• Power: 230 volts, mostly with UK-style three-pin sockets (type G) – travellers from the UK need no adapter, others do.
• Clothing: cover shoulders and knees in malls, the old town and mosques; swimwear only on the beach and by the pool.
• Mobile data: roaming in the Emirates is expensive on most plans. A travel eSIM is usually much cheaper.