The Worst Time to Visit Dubai (An Expat’s Advice)
There is some debate about what the actual worst time to visit Dubai is. Some will say you should absolutely avoid traveling to Dubai during the hot and humid summer months; others will tell you that traveling to Dubai during Ramadan is a horrible idea; while many will warn you off of booking a trip during major holidays like New Year’s and Eid.
As an American living in Dubai, I often find myself giving advice to friends and family about the best and worst times to visit. So whether you’re planning a bucket list trip or are coming to the UAE on business, hopefully I can give you some idea about what to expect during what many consider the “worst times to visit Dubai.”
So what is the worst time to visit Dubai, anyway? Well, that depends entirely on you and what you’d like to do during your trip. But here is my advice!
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The Worst Time to Visit Dubai: An Expat’s Advice
Is visiting Dubai during the summer a bad idea?
I’ll just come right out and say it. If there’s one single worst time to visit Dubai, it’s going to be during the hot and humid summer, specifically during July and August. During these months daily temperatures regularly reach (and exceed) 40°C (105°F).
And what many people don’t realize is that Dubai gets astonishingly humid during the summer, too. Most people (including myself before I moved here) assume that Dubai has a dry heat because it’s in the desert. In reality, its coastal location creates super high humidity levels when things heat up in the summer, making the “feels like” temperature much hotter than the actual temperature.
It’s important to note that the ocean also heats up during the summer. So in the months of July and August, taking a dip in the ocean will feel more like soaking in a hot tub. Take it from me – it’s really unpleasant. And finally, a lot of outdoor attractions close for the summer season (like Global Village, Dubai Miracle Garden, many beach clubs, etc.).
Many expats also consider summer to be the worst time to visit Dubai to the point that most of us (myself included) tend to go abroad during the months of July and August solely to escape the heat.
I will say that there are perks to visiting Dubai during the summer. You’ll get huge discounts on some of the coolest hotels in the city, as well as mega sales at malls all summer long and discounts on most of Dubai’s best attractions (like going to the top of the Burj Khalifa!).
And what about visiting Dubai during Ramadan?
Ramadan is widely considered to be the worst time to visit Dubai. But I couldn’t disagree more. Dubai has changed a lot, even in the past few years. And believe me when I say that Ramadan won’t put a damper on your trip, not even in the slightest!
If you don’t know what Ramadan is it’s the Holy Month in Islam, and it commemorates when the first verses of the Quran were given to the Prophet Muhammad.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunup to sundown. And a lot of visitors to Dubai believe that eating and drinking during the day is going to be off-limits to them if they travel to Dubai during this time of year. While it used to be difficult to find restaurants that would serve tourists meals during the day, that’s not the case in Dubai these days.
It’s pretty much business as usual in most parts of the city. Plus, there are actually a ton of perks to visiting Dubai during Ramadan to the point that I actually think this is the best time to visit Dubai!
From Ramadan sales and discounts to festive night markets and lavish evening meals (iftars) when Muslims break their fast to the joyous spirit leading up to the Eid al Fitr holiday, I think this is a truly magical and special time to experience Dubai.
Visiting Dubai during major UAE holidays
Speaking of holidays, major UAE holidays like Eid al Fitr and Eid ul-Adha can be hectic and expensive times to travel to Dubai. In Dubai, these holidays are a huge deal, which basically means all workers get multiple days off of work.
While it’s always fun to relish in the fireworks and festivities, touristy areas like the Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai (including the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa) get insanely crowded with both tourists and Dubai residents.
As someone who lives in Dubai, I tend to avoid going out during these times because the sheer number of people is overwhelming. It won’t break your trip by any means and if you like people-watching, local holidays are always an interesting time to be in Dubai! Just know that things may be a bit more crowded than usual.
Visiting Dubai during New Year’s
As with the Eid holidays, New Year’s is when the city is at its most expensive and crowded. With massive fireworks shows, holiday events, and festivals galore, not to mention the perfect weather, the weeks leading up to New Year’s are arguably the best time to visit Dubai. But if you’re on a budget or prefer not to contend with crowds, then visiting during the New Year’s holiday may not be for you.
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