Dubai stands as one of the world’s most attractive destinations, where endless skyscrapers meet traditional Emirati culture.
While Dubai offers tons of experiences suitable for every budget, ranging from pristine beaches and high-thrill adventures to even world-class shopping, timing your visit can significantly improve your experience.
Whether you’re looking to avoid the crowds, vacay on a budget, or want the perfect weather, this comprehensive guide by Borderline Nomad will help you pick the best time to visit Dubai!
Weather, Crowd & Pricing in Dubai
Dubai is definitely a year-round destination, but when you visit can greatly influence your experience in the city. When is the best time to visit Dubai depends on your preferences, be it cool weather, budget-friendly hotel prices, or fewer crowds.
Weather in Dubai
Talking about the overall weather of Dubai throughout the year, you can either find pleasant winter weather (between October to March) or hot summer weather (between April to September), with a few months of shoulder period, which we will discuss later in the article.
Crowd in Dubai
Dubai is one of the most famous tourist destinations, so you will find a reasonable crowd year-round, although the crowd level does fluctuate based on the season.
The tourist crowd peaks during the winter season as people flock to the city to experience the indoor and outdoor attractions of Dubai, in pleasant weather. You will find fewer visitors in the summer season, making it quieter and ideal for people who love indoor activities and smaller crowds.
Prices of Hotels, Attractions & Transport in Dubai
The pricing of flights, accommodation, attractions, and transport in Dubai is at its peak during the winter months, moderate during the shoulder season, and at its lowest during the summer season.
With higher crowds during winter months come higher prices, and similarly, during the summer, tourism in Dubai takes a dip, which means lower prices for visitors. So if you are a budget traveller, visiting during summer or shoulder season would be the best option for you.
Now that you know the overall picture of Dubai throughout the year, let’s discuss each of these seasons in detail and why it might be the best for you, based on your preference!
Best Time To Visit Dubai
To describe the best of all worlds (seasons), we have divided the seasons into 3 categories: low season, peak season, and shoulder season. Let’s discuss each one in detail.
Low Season (June to August)
The low season in Dubai is the summer months when the temperature in the UAE reaches 40°C (104°F)! Due to the hot weather, the outdoor activities get uncomfortable, and tourist footfall significantly drops.
However, in the low season, you will find the best deals on hotels, flights, activities, and car rentals, making it ideal for budget-conscious travelers or those focusing on indoor attractions like malls, spas, and museums.
By Author: I recall visiting Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi on a sweltering July afternoon, struggling to walk from the entrance to the fort in the scorching heat. So if you are sensitive to heat (like me) and want to visit the beautiful outdoor attractions of the UAE, consider the shoulder season or the winter season.
Pros of visiting Dubai during low season
- You can enjoy discounted prices on accommodation, attractions, and car rentals, perfect for budget-conscious travellers.
- If you prefer air-conditioned indoor activities like visiting Dubai Mall, museums, spas, or the Dubai beaches and beach clubs, the low season might be a good choice for you.
- If you are planning to book a rental car and not rely on cabs or public transport, the heat will not bother you so much, leading to a nice, budget-friendly trip. (You can check out Localrent for your car rental needs in Dubai: more than 700 car options, everything from economy class to convertibles)
- You can enjoy a quieter trip as you will find fewer tourists at the iconic spots of Dubai.
Cons of visiting Dubai during low season
- Daytime temperatures often exceed 40°C (104°F), making outdoor sightseeing and desert activities extremely uncomfortable.
- Dubai is famous for hosting amazing events throughout the year. But these events and festivals are minimal during this time, offering fewer cultural experiences.
- Many outdoor attractions, like Dubai Miracle Garden and open-air markets, may be closed or operate on limited hours.
Peak Season (November to March)
The most pleasant time to visit Dubai is between November and March, when the daytime temperature ranges from 18°C to 30°C (64.4°F to 86°F). When visiting during this season, you will witness clear skies and low humidity, perfect for outdoor and adventure sports activities in Dubai!
However, with clearer skies and more activities to do comes higher crowd levels and higher hotel prices, which might not be the best option for budget travellers.
But if you are willing to spend a little extra for comfort and are not bothered by the crowd too much, the peak season would be the best for you!
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of visiting during the peak season in detail!
Pros of visiting Dubai during peak season
- If you like exploring beyond indoor malls and museums and love outdoor activities, Dubai in the winter months has the perfect weather to enjoy them.
- Dubai is the hub for exciting events and festivals, and most of them happen in the peak season. So, if you visit during this time, you can enjoy events such as the Dubai Shopping Festival and New Year celebrations.
- Dubai offers numerous outdoor cultural experiences, including the spice souk, gold souk, walking tours of cultural destinations, and Old Dubai, among others. The best time to experience these is during the cool weather.
- If you love a bustling, vibrant atmosphere with tourists such as yourselves, the peak season crowd might not be bothersome and might in fact add to your experience!
Cons of visiting Dubai during peak season
- The biggest con of visiting Dubai would be the high prices of flights, hotels, and activities due to the high influx of tourists in the city. But if you are looking to splurge on your Dubai vacation, don’t worry, you will have a great time!
- Another con for Dubai’s peak season would be the large crowds in popular tourist spots like shopping malls, beaches, and iconic attractions—which may not be ideal for tourists looking for a relaxed vacation or a romantic getaway in Dubai with their partner.
- If you are booking your tickets last-minute during the peak season, you may not be able to find great options for your budget. Try booking with Agoda, as you can find great deals and discounts even during peak season!
Now that we have discussed the 2 basic seasons in Dubai, there is something called ‘Shoulder Season’ that can provide your best of both worlds! Let’s discuss in detail.
Shoulder Seasons
After discussing the cons of low season and peak season, you might be worried about the crowd, high prices, or the scorching heat, but if you book your Dubai trip for specific months, you can enjoy the perfect balance of reasonable prices, moderate crowd, and manageable weather!
There are two main shoulder seasons in Dubai, let’s find out which one suits you best!
September to October
September marks the beginning of Dubai’s weather transition from summer to winter, and prices for accommodations and activities start gradually increasing as well.
While the first three weeks of September can still have generally higher daytime temperatures, ranging from 26°C to 38°C (79°F to 100°F) along with high humidity levels, late September and October have much more pleasant daytime temperatures ranging from
24°C to 35°C (75.2°F to 95°F) and a significant decrease in humidity!
In this shoulder period, the crowds begin increasing but are still manageable, and daytime exploration becomes much more comfortable! The prices for hotels and activities are slightly higher as well, but still well below peak season prices.
If you’re looking to explore Dubai on a budget without compromising too much on the comfort level, the period between late September and October can be the perfect time for your vacation!
April to May
The period from April to mid-May can be one of the best times to visit Dubai, as daytime temperature ranges from 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F), and both the crowd and hotel/activity prices are lower compared to the peak season!
As the crowds start to decrease, activities like Desert Safari and Watersports have lower prices but are still enjoyable if you can tolerate slightly higher temperatures! Hotel prices are lower too, but still higher compared to the low season.
The second half of May, however, has higher daytime temperatures ranging from 26°C to 35°C (79°F to 95°F) with higher humidity levels, and can make outdoor activities like Desert Safari, Beach activities, and Dubai exploration less fun during the day.
April to mid-May can be one of the best times to visit Dubai as you get a perfect balance of crowd, prices, and the weather!
Best Time for Specific Activities
Now that you know the best time to visit Dubai according to the seasons, let’s discuss the best time to visit Dubai for specific activities:
Beach and Water Activities
Due to consistent beachwater temperature and no lack of sunshine, Dubai’s beaches and water activities are open year-round! However, we highly recommend visiting Dubai’s beaches during the winter season (from November to April) for the most comfortable experience, avoiding the intense summer heat.
During winter months, beach days and water activities are absolutely perfect with comfortable temperatures, gentle breezes, and ideal conditions for swimming, snorkelling, and water sports.
If you’re not bothered by a slight beat of heat, then the shoulder season (April-May) could make the perfect balance of budget, crowd, and comfort!
During the summer (June to August), early morning (before 9AM) and evening (after 5PM) are the only tolerable times for a beach visit with your family; however, water sports are relatively cheaper due to summer being the low season and can make for a compelling budget vacation.
Desert Safari and Outdoor Adventures
While Desert Safari and other outdoor activities in Dubai are available year-round, participating in any outdoor activity, especially during the summer months, can become an endurance test instead of a fun time with your family due to extreme temperatures.
The summer months do present an advantage in the form of lower prices, and most operators will limit their activity timings to either early morning (before 9AM) or evening (after 5PM). If you’re looking to enjoy these activities on a budget and don’t mind the heat, summer can still be a great time to enjoy these activities!
However, Desert Safari and other Outdoor Activities are the most enjoyable from November to April due to pleasant temperatures and generally cooler weather, making for a comfortable and fun experience when you get into some dune bashing, camel riding, and desert camping!
The best part? You can still save money if you opt to visit specifically in April or May, as prices as still lower than the general peak season with only slightly warmer temperatures!
Dubai Exploration and Sightseeing
Dubai’s incredible traditional and modern architecture, historic areas, and outdoor attractions can be explored year-round, but again, exploring Dubai in the peak summer sun can end up being a not-so-enjoyable experience, and you would be limited to exploration in the evening.
The November-March period provides the most comfortable conditions for extensive sightseeing and walking tours, and will make it enjoyable to explore areas like Old Dubai, Dubai Marina waterfront, and outdoor markets!
If you want to explore Dubai on a budget but don’t want to compromise too much on having a comfortable experience, you can also opt for going in April, as the temperatures are only slightly warmer, but the prices are lower as well!
Additionally, a lot of tourists visit Abu Dhabi for a day trip, explore its popular attractions, and head back to Dubai. If you are considering the same, the shoulder season and winter season would be an ideal time to visit the UAE.
Shopping and Indoor Activities
Are you even going to Dubai if you aren’t visiting Dubai Mall? The best part about visiting Dubai is that almost all shops, malls, and indoor museums have ACs installed!
Whether you’re visiting during the winter or summer, shopping malls, indoor attractions, and activities are open year-round. Regardless of the time you visit, you can be assured that you will always have a comfortable experience indoors in Dubai!
Pro Tip: If you’re visiting during the summer, you can strategically opt to visit only indoor attractions such as museums, observation decks, and indoor experiences during the daytime, and explore outdoor areas such as Old Dubai and the beaches during late evening. This way, you can still have a generally comfortable vacation on a budget!
Best Hotels in Dubai
Are you looking for a great stay during your visit to Dubai and are struggling to find good options for your preferred price range? Here are our recommended hotels in Dubai, ranging from quality budget and mid-range stays up to luxurious retreats.
Budget stays in Dubai
Here are the best budget-friendly yet amazing hotel options for your Dubai stay:
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Dubai Deira
If you’re looking for a superior stay at a great price, then Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Dubai Deira might be your best bet! The property provides premier amenities, a large, comfortable room, and a great indoor swimming pool that will help you avoid the heat!
FORM Hotel Dubai, a member of Design Hotels
FORM Hotel Dubai offers the most bang-for-the-buck stay that you can get in Dubai! Featuring superior amenities, stylish rooms, a rooftop swimming pool, an exceptional breakfast, and a great location, FORM Hotel Dubai provides everything that you might be looking for at a great price!
Book your stay at FORM Hotel Dubai, a member of Design Hotels here!
DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Al Jadaf
For a premier stay on a budget, the DoubleTree by Hilton Al Jadaf is an exceptional choice! The property provides cozy but spacious rooms, premium amenities, a great breakfast, and an awesome location, making for a comfortable budget stay!
Mid-range stays in Dubai
If you are willing to spend a little extra for a more premium experience and prime location, here are the best options for you:
Ramada by Wyndham Downtown Dubai
Ramada by Wyndham Downtown Dubai offers a superior stay in one of the most prime areas in Dubai. Featuring great amenities, chic rooms with amazing views, and a large outdoor pool, you can’t go wrong by staying here!
Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek
Located just a short drive away from attractions like the Dubai Frame, Gold Souk, and the airport, Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek offers exceptional rooms with superior amenities and an awesome view!
Book your stay at Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek here!
Grand Cosmopolitan Hotel
The Grand Cosmopolitan Hotel features elegant, comfortable executive rooms, a large outdoor pool, a 24-hour fitness centre, an amazing breakfast, and even complimentary transfers to Jumeirah Beach and Mall of the Emirates!
Luxury retreats in Dubai
If you are looking for luxurious experiences, here are the best options for luxury hotel options for you:
Palazzo Versace Dubai
Featuring 16th-century Italian architecture with hints of Arabian style, Palazzo Versace Dubai offers one of the most aesthetic stays in Dubai. Located at Al Jadaf Waterfront, this hotel features multiple restaurants, a beautiful outdoor pool, and luxurious rooms with creek views.
The Biltmore Villas Hotel and Spa
Located in Al Barsha near the Mall of the Emirates, The Biltmore Villas Hotel and Spa was designed from the ground up to provide the utmost amount of luxury and comfort a hotel could offer. Featuring two, three, and five-bedroom villas, each villa has a large rooftop, a bar, an outdoor pool with a jacuzzi, and even an indoor cinema theatre! You can’t get a more luxurious stay than this!
Time to Decide: Best Time To Visit Dubai!
Now that you have all the information you need to decide when to book your flights and hotels, it’s time to match your travel plans to what matters most to you: be it low crowds, cool weather, low prices, or the best of both worlds!
Although before you go, remember that Dubai has something to offer year-round, whether you’re chasing adventure, relaxation, luxury shopping, or cultural experiences. By planning around your priorities, you can make the most of your trip.
Happy Travels!
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