Weather in Dubai
Dubai gets hot in the summer. Not regular hot, but genuinely scorching hot. We're talking about temperatures exceeding 40 °C or even 50 °C, and humidity as high as 90% from June to September. So is it still worth planning a vacation or long holiday to Dubai over the hot summer months?
In short, Yes! It's going to be hot, but that doesn't mean you can't have a good time. The city was designed to withstand extreme temperatures. Dubai during the summertime may not be as unbearable as you think. Let's find out!
How to beat the summer heat in Dubai
Visitors to Dubai don't have to worry about the summer heat as much as they might think. Almost everywhere in Dubai is air-conditioned, sometimes even to the point of excessive coolness! You'll enjoy air conditioning at the airport, in cars and taxis, on public transport like the Metro, at bus stops, in shopping malls and of course in hotels. However, for those times when you'll be out in the open air, we recommend stowing the following essentials in your backpack or handbag:
- Water (crucial)
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Personal fan (there are some great USB-rechargeable fans available that can be easily stowed in handbags or pockets, and even models that can be worn around the neck for hands-free cooling)
- Lightweight floaty scarf or shawl (to protect you from the sun and cover up in more conservative areas)
Dressing for the heat in Dubai
You may have heard that Dubai is strict on dresscode. But how strict is it exactly? And how should that influence your travel wardrobe? On the whole, you'll find that Dubai is a very progressive emirate. At beaches, pools, malls and tourist destinations like the Burj Khalifa you can wear what you want, within the realm of normal public decency. In slightly more conservative public places like Deira, souqs, the Global Village and Old Town it’s more appropriate to cover up, especially for women. This means no short trousers or skirts, no exposed décolleté, sleeves over the elbow and having a shawl on hand to cover the head. Rules are much more liberal for men. While holidaying in Dubai during the summer it is important to choose your outfits carefully, ensuring you keep cool and respect the culture. To combat the effects of the heat you should wear loose, lightweight, comfortable clothing in light colours made from natural fibres like linen and cotton. To tie together the requirements to respect the culture and stay cool in the heat (and stay warm in the air conditioning!) we recommend garments like maxi-skirts, long dresses, loose trousers, t-shirts, button down shirts, and comfortable sandals or sneakers. Finally, don't forget to bring your swimwear so you can cool off at the beach or in a hotel pool.
Things to do in the summer
Some popular tourist attractions in Dubai close during Dubai summer. For example, Dubai Miracle Garden closes in the summer and other places such as the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain are often briefly closed for maintenance during this time. Make sure to check attractions' opening hours before you visit to avoid disappointment. Even though a few attractions may be closed, there are still plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in Dubai over the summer months. Visit the city beaches for a day of swimming, take an evening dinner cruise, stay cool on a Creek or Marina sightseeing cruises, hop on an open-top bus tour, and even venture into the desert for an exciting safari. Many tourists who visit Dubai in the summer question if they can go on a desert safari due to concerns about heat, not realising that the desert is often much cooler than the city, especially in the late afternoons and evenings. This means that taking a Desert Safari in Dubai during the summer is a great activity. Our air-conditioned Landcruisers keep you cool as you explore the desert, and on arrival at our desert camps you'll discover a perfect peaceful oasis as night falls and stars come out.
In summary, go ahead and book your summer holiday in Dubai without fear of the heat - just don't forget to pack your essentials!