The Best Time to Visit Dubai

Tourists visit Dubai all year round, but some seasons suit certain kinds of holiday better than others. In this guide we explain the best time to visit Dubai, so you can get the most out of your trip.

Beach Season in Dubai

April to October is the best time to go to Dubai for a beach holiday. During these months the weather is very hot and sunny, which is ideal for lazing on the beach.

Between April and October, average daytime temperatures in Dubai range from +30°C to +40°C. At night they drop to between +25°C and +30°C. The water in the Persian Gulf warms up to a comfortable +26°C to +30°C, which is perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Here is Dubai's beach-season weather, month by month.

If you want to swim in Dubai with children, April or October is the better choice, as you avoid the hottest months. In summer you can still enjoy the sea in the early morning and evening, and Dubai also has night beaches where you can swim after dark.

Best Time to Go to Dubai for Shopping

If you are heading to Dubai to shop, plan your trip for one of the following periods.

Winter Sales Season in Dubai

Dubai's winter sales run from December to February. This is the city's most popular shopping season, with big sales in all the major malls and shops. The best time to shop is around New Year, from 2 weeks before to 2 weeks after, when the malls offer their most generous discounts.

Winter is also when Dubai's weather is most comfortable for relaxing, strolling and sightseeing: sunny and warm by day, cool at night. However, demand for hotels and flights rises too, so prices are higher.

Summer Sales Season

Dubai's summer sales run from June to August. These are also large-scale, and prices are usually lower than in winter. However, the summer weather is very hot and humid, so it is hard to combine shopping with exploring the city – spending time outside the malls is uncomfortable.

Demand for hotels and flights is lower in summer, so it is easier to find good deals.

Dubai Shopping Festival

The famous Dubai Shopping Festival runs from mid-December to mid-February. It is a huge annual celebration of shopping, entertainment and discounts.

The festival is when you will find the best offers and promotions in the shops. It also coincides with the winter season, when the weather is at its most comfortable.

The festival lasts around a month and features not only huge sales but also entertainment shows, colourful fireworks, prize draws, carnivals, concerts by big-name stars and much more. During DSF, Dubai's malls, shops and markets offer visitors massive discounts – often up to 75–90% on a wide range of goods.

Best Time for Holidays and Sightseeing in Dubai

October to May is the best time to visit Dubai for a holiday. This is when the weather is at its most comfortable:

1. Pleasant temperatures. In autumn and winter, temperatures range from +20°C to +30°C – far more pleasant than the gruelling summer heat, when they can reach +45°C.
2. Little rain. Between October and May it rarely rains in Dubai, so you can enjoy walks, sightseeing and days out.
3. Ideal conditions for getting out and about. The milder temperatures make these months perfect for walking tours, beach days, exploring architectural landmarks and other outdoor activities.

If you want good weather without paying high-season prices for flights and hotels or battling the crowds, choose November or March for your trip to Dubai.

When to Visit Dubai with Children

April and October are the best months for a beach holiday in Dubai with children. The air and water temperatures are comfortable enough for a family day on the beach.

For sightseeing with children, the ideal time is November to April. The weather is at its most pleasant and not too hot, so you can explore the sights, go on rides and visit theme parks with ease.

We would not recommend visiting Dubai with children in summer, as the gruelling heat can be hard on young travellers. With temperatures of +35°C to +45°C, it is difficult for children to spend time outdoors or join in activities.

When to Visit Dubai on a Budget

For a budget-friendly trip to Dubai, consider the following periods:

1. The summer months – June to August.
2. Ramadan.
3. The shoulder season (May, September–October). The periods between peak seasons also bring lower prices for flights, hotels and other services.

If you are looking for the cheapest time to fly to Dubai and want an affordable holiday, consider the summer months, Ramadan or the shoulder season. You will find good deals and save on your trip. Let's look at each one in more detail.

Summer in Dubai

Summer is when you can holiday in Dubai for much less. Flight prices and hotel rates are significantly lower than at other times of the year.

The obvious downside of a summer holiday is the heat. During the day it can be very hard to spend time outdoors. But there are alternatives: the huge malls and shopping centres, where there is plenty to keep you entertained, and the night beaches, where it is cooler and pleasant to swim in the sea. So despite the heat, a summer trip to Dubai can be excellent value – you save on flights and accommodation and find your fun in air-conditioned indoor spaces and on the night beaches.

Ramadan

A holiday in Dubai during the holy month of Ramadan can also be very good value. Bear in mind that the dates of Ramadan change every year, as it follows the Islamic lunar calendar.

During Ramadan, Dubai's hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues run plenty of special offers and discounts. Tourist numbers drop significantly at this time, so businesses try to attract visitors with lower prices.

However, visiting Dubai during Ramadan does come with a few things to bear in mind. Many restaurants and cafés open for shorter hours, and the pace of city life slows down. Some attractions may have limited hours or be closed. Visitors are also expected to respect the strict customs of Ramadan. During daylight hours, Muslims may not eat, drink (even water), smoke or listen to music in public, and these rules apply to everyone, regardless of religion.

That said, some restaurants, mainly those in hotels and malls, do stay open during the day. They have special screened-off dining areas where visitors can eat and drink in peace.

The Shoulder Season

You can also get good value in Dubai in the shoulder season – November and March to April. It strikes an excellent balance between comfort and price.

Unlike the summer months, when temperatures can soar to a gruelling 40°C and above, the weather in November, March and April is much more pleasant. Daytime temperatures generally stay below 30°C, and at night they cool to a comfortable 20–25°C. These conditions make sightseeing, beach time and other activities far more enjoyable.

At the same time, flights, hotels and restaurant meals in the shoulder season are generally much cheaper than in the peak winter months. So a trip to Dubai in November, March or April gives you a high-quality holiday at a more affordable price.

The Best Time to Visit Dubai

You can visit Dubai at any time of year – the key is knowing what each season offers and planning your trip accordingly.

The summer months are the hottest, but they still offer plenty of opportunities for beach time, water parks and outdoor pools. Prices at this time of year are affordable, too.

Winter, by contrast, brings more comfortable weather and draws large numbers of tourists from all over the world. From December to February, accommodation and flights cost more, but this is also when Dubai hosts a range of festivals, celebrations and seasonal sales.

The shoulder season – November, March and April – offers the best balance between cost and quality. The weather suits most types of activity, and prices are lower than in peak season.

Dubai welcomes visitors all year round, and with careful planning you can make the most of your trip whatever the season.