Dubai
United Arab Emirates · Asia
The best time to visit Dubai is January, February, March, April, November, and December. In summer, daytime highs average 42°C (108°F), with peaks around 46°C (115°F); in winter, nights average 17°C (63°F), dropping to around 13°C (55°F) on the coldest. During the best travel months, the sun shines up to 9 hours per day — ideal for beach and outdoor activities.
Dubai – What you should know
Dubai lies in the Arabian desert — and the climate is correspondingly extreme. From June to September, temperatures as a monthly average reach 40–42°C (104–108°F); on individual heat days even higher values are recorded. Combined with high coastal humidity, outdoor activities at this time are virtually impossible. Life then shifts entirely to air-conditioned malls, hotels and interiors.
The ideal travel time is November to April: temperatures are then pleasant (typically 22–30°C (72–86°F)), the sun shines daily, and the sky is deep blue. October, with a monthly average of 36°C (97°F), is still too hot for outdoor activities. The winter months also host most events and festivals, including the Dubai Shopping Festival and the Dubai Food Festival.
Rain falls so rarely in Dubai that it regularly makes headlines. The city is poorly prepared for precipitation — even moderate rainfall leads to flooded streets and chaos. In winter (January/February), brief rain showers are possible but uncommon.
Climate Overview
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ø day, range from coolest to warmest dayØ dayrange | 25° (77°)21– (70–)29 (84) | 26° (79°)21– (70–)33 (91) | 30° (86°)23– (73–)36 (97) | 34° (93°)27– (81–)40 (104) | 39° (102°)32– (90–)43 (109) | 41° (106°)36– (97–)45 (113) | 42° (108°)38– (100–)46 (115) | 42° (108°)38– (100–)46 (115) | 40° (104°)35– (95–)44 (111) | 36° (97°)32– (90–)40 (104) | 31° (88°)27– (81–)35 (95) | 27° (81°)23– (73–)30 (86) |
Ø night, range from coldest to warmest nightØ nightrange | 17° (63°)13– (55–)21 (70) | 18° (64°)14– (57–)23 (73) | 21° (70°)15– (59–)26 (79) | 25° (77°)18– (64–)30 (86) | 28° (82°)23– (73–)32 (90) | 31° (88°)28– (82–)34 (93) | 33° (91°)29– (84–)36 (97) | 33° (91°)30– (86–)36 (97) | 31° (88°)27– (81–)33 (91) | 28° (82°)24– (75–)30 (86) | 23° (73°)19– (66–)27 (81) | 19° (66°)15– (59–)23 (73) |
☀️Sunshine | 9h | 10h | 10h | 11h | 11h | 11h | 10h | 10h | 11h | 10h | 10h | 9h |
🌊Water Temp | 22° (72°) | 22° (72°) | 24° (75°) | 27° (81°) | 31° (88°) | 33° (91°) | 34° (93°) | 35° (95°) | 34° (93°) | 32° (90°) | 28° (82°) | 24° (75°) |
🌧Rain Days | 1d10mm (0.4") | 1d7mm (0.3") | 1d12mm (0.5") | 1d9mm (0.4") | 0d1mm (<0.1") | 0d0mm (<0.1") | 0d1mm (<0.1") | 0d0mm (<0.1") | 0d0mm (<0.1") | 0d1mm (<0.1") | 0d4mm (0.1") | 0d4mm (0.2") |
Best travel timeØ = average · small figures = range: coolest–warmest day / coldest–warmest nightClimate data 2005–2025 · Source: ERA5 + station data
Travel Tips
In May, June, July, August, September, and October, temperatures can exceed 34°C (93°F) — during physical activity or with children, it's best to stick to morning and evening hours.
May offers great weather in Dubai with fewer tourists and lower prices — ideal for those who want to avoid the peak season crowds.
The travel year in Dubai
October – March
Dubai in travel winter: temperatures between 20 and 30°C (68 and 86°F) and everything is possible outdoors — desert safari, beach, Dubai Frame, sunset from the Burj Khalifa. The Dubai Shopping Festival in January/February brings bargains citywide. This is the season everyone comes for.
April – May
Shoulder season: still pleasant, but the heat is announcing itself. Prices are already falling and there are fewer tourists — a good window before summer.
June – September
Extreme summer: 40–48°C (104–118°F) outside, and life moves into air-conditioned malls, hotels and restaurants. Almost exclusively business travellers. Anyone who comes anyway finds the cheapest room rates of the year and empty beaches early in the morning.
Events & Festivals
January
- Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF)· January to February (approx. 4–5 weeks)
The biggest shopping festival in the Middle East: discounts of up to 75% across the city, daily prize draws for gold and cars, concerts and fireworks at the Dubai Fountain.
March
- Dubai World Cup· last Saturday in March
The richest horse race in the world (total prize money: US$30.5 million) at Meydan Racecourse — Dubai's social event of the year, with haute-couture grandstands and concerts after the race.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the best time to visit Dubai?
- The best time to visit Dubai is January, February, March, April, November, and December. These months offer the most favourable combination of sunshine, temperatures, and low rainfall.
- How warm does it get in Dubai?
- In summer, daytime highs in Dubai average 42°C (108°F), with peaks around 46°C (115°F); in winter, nights average 17°C (63°F), dropping to around 13°C (55°F) on the coldest.
- How much rain does Dubai get?
- Dubai has a relatively even rainfall pattern with an average of 0 rain days per month. The driest months are June, August, and September.
- How warm is the water in Dubai?
- Water temperature in Dubai ranges from 22°C (72°F) (February) to 35°C (95°F) (August). During the best travel months (January, February, March, April, November, and December), the water is most pleasant for swimming.
Best Travel Time by Vacation Type
🏖️
Beach Holiday
Warm, sunny, little rain
MarNovDec
🏙️
City Trip
Pleasantly mild, not too hot
JanFebDec
