Compared to Dubai, Abu Dhabi seems a bit boring. Abu Dhabi cannot keep up with all the hype, glitz and glamor of Dubai, but the emirate has retained more history and culture, which you can experience with a visit to the Heritage Village or the impressive Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Due to the desert climate and the extreme heat in summer, you should plan your travel time well.
Due to its rich oil reserves, Abu Dhabi is in no hurry to open up to tourism. What Dubai lacks in natural beauty, Abu Dhabi distinguishes itself through its mixture of gentle sand dunes, green oases, expansive beaches and high mountains. The city is bustling with activity, with a multitude of shopping centers, gourmet restaurants and luxury hotels.
A visit to the old Al Jahili Fort in the city of Al Ain, a camel hike in the Rub al-Chali (the largest sandy desert in the world) or lessons in the ancient art of falconry in the suburbs of Abu Dhabi are particularly recommended. The skyscrapers are omnipresent, but if you include a few traditional experiences in your vacation, it makes every trip an unforgettable experience.
Climate
According to pharmacylib, Abu Dhabi is a travel destination with almost all year round sunshine, almost no precipitation and almost perfect winter temperatures. The city has a subtropical, dry climate. You can count on sunny blue skies and high temperatures practically all year round. Precipitation is sporadic (if at all) and occurs mainly in winter (November to March). In Al Ain, the emirate’s second largest city, rain is more frequent due to its proximity to the Hajar Mountains.
The night temperatures range between around 13 ° C in winter and 42 ° C on summer days. The cooler months (November to April) are the most pleasant times to visit when the temperature is around 24 ° C during the day and 13 ° C at night.
Best travel time
The best travel time for Abu Dhabi is between April and May in spring. As temperatures rise and hover around 33 ° C, hotel prices fall after the peak winter season. If the climate is still too hot for you, you should travel to Abu Dhabi in the winter months. Then it is very pleasant with temperatures averaging 18 ° C and maximum values of 24 ° C, but also, as just mentioned, significantly more expensive. Kayaking, enjoying the beaches or visiting animal reserves are also nicer during these months. Anyone who intends to be outdoors and experience culture, architecture, nature and the city is in good hands at this time of the year.
If you can tolerate high heat or are mainly indoors, there are very good price options in summer . Since the thermometer regularly rises above 40 ° C in July and August, you can get real bargains at almost all hotels.
Optimal travel time after months
April May
In springtime, the climate in Abu Dhabi is very pleasant. The daily highs range between 28 to 35 ° C – sometimes even up to 38 ° C – depending on the month, while hotel prices begin to fall again after the high season. In addition, several cultural festivals and sporting events take place at this time.
June August
Spending the summer in Abu Dhabi is like a holiday in the sauna: The temperatures are up to 42 ° C and the humidity is high despite the low rainfall. If you don’t mind the heat, you can find very good travel deals during these months. To attract tourists, most hotels regularly cut prices by up to 50%.
September October
In autumn, temperatures in Abu Dhabi drop again from around 40 ° C in September to around 33 ° C towards the end of October. For those who still don’t mind the high temperatures, this is an optimal travel time, as the prices are still moderate before the upcoming high season in winter. From November / December, prices will pick up again significantly.
November – March
In terms of the weather, winter is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi. The daytime temperatures are between 25 and 29 ° C – ideal conditions for exploring the emirate’s main attractions or relaxing on the beach. Unfortunately, this is the main travel season and a correspondingly large number of tourists are in the country and the prices are very high.
Language
In Abu Dhabi, the official language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken and most signs and menus are available in both languages. The further you move out of the city, the more the Arabic language becomes more important.
