The United Arab Emirates is a federation on the southern shore of the Gulf, best known for Dubai's skyline and Abu Dhabi's grand mosque and museums. Beyond the cities there is open desert, a rugged mountain range in the north-east and a quieter coast on the Gulf of Oman. Travel is easy and the clock never changes; the one thing that really shapes a trip is the heat, which makes winter the main season.
The UAE for visitors
The federation is made up of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Most visitors fly into Dubai, which combines the tallest towers and biggest malls in the region with beaches and the older districts along Dubai Creek, where small wooden boats called abras still cross between the souks.
Abu Dhabi, the capital and the largest emirate, is a short drive down the coast. Its main sights are the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the museums on Saadiyat Island, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the theme parks on Yas Island. Sharjah, next to Dubai, is the cultural emirate, with museums and a restored heritage quarter.
Desert, mountains and the east coast
Desert trips from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with dune driving and an evening at a camp, are a standard part of a visit. The dunes of Liwa, on the edge of the Empty Quarter in southern Abu Dhabi, are higher and much quieter. Al Ain, inland in the east of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, is a green oasis town with date palm gardens and old forts.
In the north, Ras Al Khaimah has beaches and the Hajar Mountains, with Jebel Jais, one of the highest peaks in the country, reached by a long mountain road. Fujairah, on the Gulf of Oman, faces the open sea, with good snorkelling and diving and a slower pace than the Gulf coast.
Getting around
Distances are short: you can drive from one end of the country to the other in a few hours. Dubai has a driverless metro and a tram, and taxis and ride-hailing apps are easy to use everywhere. Intercity buses link Dubai with Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the northern emirates, and many visitors rent a car, since the roads are wide and well signposted.
Time in the UAE
The whole country uses one time zone, Asia/Dubai, known as Gulf Standard Time. It is UTC+4 all year: the UAE does not use daylight saving time, so the clocks never go forward or back. Our post on why Dubai has no daylight saving time explains the background.
Right now Abu Dhabi and Dubai are 4 hours ahead of London, 9 hours ahead of New York and 1 hour 30 minutes behind Mumbai. The gaps with Europe and North America change by an hour twice a year, when those places switch to and from summer time.
The official weekend is Saturday and Sunday, and Friday midday prayers shape the end of the working week, so many offices close early on Fridays. During Ramadan, working hours are shorter and daily life shifts towards the evening, when families break the fast together; out of respect, visitors should be discreet about eating and drinking in public during the day.
The UAE is a common stopover between Europe and Asia, so on a long connection your body clock may be hours away from both ends of the trip.
Climate and weather
The UAE has a hot desert climate. There are really two seasons: a long, very hot summer from about May to September and a short, warm, sunny winter from November to March, with brief transitions between them. Along the Gulf coast, where Dubai and Abu Dhabi are, the summer air is also very humid, which makes the heat feel worse. Inland, at Al Ain and in the desert, the air is drier, days can be even hotter and nights cooler. The Hajar Mountains are noticeably cooler, especially on the higher slopes in winter.
Dubai is a good guide to the coast. Its average highs range from 24°C in January to 42°C in August, and summer nights stay very warm, with average lows of about 32°C in August. Abu Dhabi, further along the same coast, has a very similar pattern. The Dubai guide has the full month-by-month table.
Rain is rare. Dubai gets about 79 mm a year, mostly in winter, and March is the wettest month there. When heavy storms do come, they can flood roads quickly, because the ground and drains are not built for much water.
Winter mornings can bring fog on the coast, and the shamal, a north-westerly wind, can raise dust and sand. In summer, plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening; our guide to extreme heat covers how to cope with it.
Best time to visit the UAE
November to March is the main season. Days are warm and sunny, evenings are pleasant for eating outside, the sea is comfortable for swimming and desert trips are at their best. It is also the busiest period, especially around Christmas and New Year.
October and April are good shoulder months, warm to hot but still manageable, with fewer crowds. From May to September the heat is intense, and life moves indoors to malls, museums and air-conditioned cars. It is the low season, fine for a city break centred on hotels and indoor attractions.
Hiking in the Hajar Mountains is for the cooler months only. Ramadan moves through the calendar from year to year; travelling during it is easy, and the evenings are lively.
Practical facts
- Capital: Abu Dhabi, not Dubai.
- Population: about 11 million (UN World Population Prospects 2024, 2023 estimate).
- Currency: UAE dirham (AED). Cards and contactless payment are accepted almost everywhere; cash is handy in souks and small shops.
- Language: Arabic. English is used everywhere in tourism, business and on signs.
- Calling code: +971.
- Tipping: appreciated but not compulsory. Some restaurant bills already include a service charge.
- Driving: on the right.
- Dress: casual clothes are fine in hotels and on beaches; in malls, old districts and government buildings, cover shoulders and knees.
- Emergency numbers: 999 for the police, 998 for an ambulance and 997 for the fire service ([1]).
Plan your trip with hoyoopin
- Dubai city guide: the desert climate month by month, why the summer heat feels worse than it reads, rare floods, what to pack, and how Gulf Standard Time works with the rest of the world.
- World Clock: UAE time next to your own and other cities.
- Weather: live conditions and the forecast for Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah or anywhere in the country.
- Asia: time zones and key facts for every country on the continent.
- Further reading: why Dubai has no daylight saving time and how to prepare for extreme heat.
Frequently asked questions
What time zone is the UAE in?
The UAE uses Gulf Standard Time, UTC+4, all year, with the IANA identifier Asia/Dubai.
Does the UAE have daylight saving time?
No. The clocks stay the same all year. The time difference with Europe and North America changes only because those places change their clocks.
Is Dubai the capital of the UAE?
No. The capital is Abu Dhabi. Dubai is the largest city and the main airport hub.
When is the best time to visit the UAE?
November to March, when days are warm and sunny rather than very hot. In Dubai, the coolest month is January, with average highs of about 24°C.
How hot does it get in summer?
Very hot. In Dubai, average highs reach about 42°C in August, and the humidity on the coast makes it feel hotter still.
What is the weekend in the UAE?
Saturday and Sunday. Friday is a working day, but many offices close early for midday prayers.
Sources
- UAE Government portal: Handling emergencies: 999 for police, 998 for ambulance, 997 for the fire department (civil defence).