The UAE gets guaranteed sunshine from May to September, with temperatures topping out at 40C during summer in Dubai. Air conditioning is set to arctic and the city’s soothing shopping malls become honeypots for eating, drinking and staying cool. To take the heat off around this time, the long-running Dubai Summer Surprises shopping festival helps to invigorate the city with an unprecedented retail extravaganza.
If you can brave the heat and intense humidity, early or late summer can be a great time to visit Dubai, particularly as the city’s attractions are at their quietest. At no other time of the year will the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, or the Dubai Fountain be almost exclusively yours. As for dune bashing or beach hopping? Come back in the cooler winter months, from November to February, when average temperatures hover around the mid-20Cs.
High season runs from November through to February and you’re best booking hotels direct to get the most competitive rates. Make sure there’s a pool (you’ll need one for the heat) and ask for a free or discounted upgrade.
