Summer in <br /> Abu Dhabi

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Summer in
Abu Dhabi

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What summer in Abu Dhabi actually feels like

You don't need to know the city to feel at home here in summer. The pace just shifts. Mornings start in air-conditioned galleries. Afternoons happen in malls the size of small towns. Evenings open up around 7PM, when the breeze comes in off the coast and the city walks out again.

Hotel rates drop between June and August. Flights are cheaper. The queues at various attractions are shorter. The reefs off Saadiyat Island are warmer than a swimming pool, so the snorkelling at sunrise is worth setting an alarm for.

None of this is a workaround. It's just how summer works here, and once you know it, the whole city opens up.

Summer-friendly places to visit

If you're looking for the coolest place in the UAE during summer, you're already in it. These five Abu Dhabi indoor summer activities all sit somewhere between 21 and 23 °C, regardless of what the weather app says.

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Walk Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at sunset
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Ride 29 coasters and meet your heroes
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A cool escape, surrounded by marine life
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Explore 13.8 billion years of natural history
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Abu Dhabi's biggest mall, made for a day
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See groundbreaking digital art
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Abu Dhabi Do's

Whether you're travelling with little ones or looking for your own next great story, there's a version of Abu Dhabi made for you.
Explore Abu Dhabi Do's

Outdoor Abu Dhabi summer activities

Summer evenings here are warm, not punishing. Around 32 to 34°C, with a breeze off from the ocean. From around 6 PM, the city walks out again. These are some ways you can spend that time.

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Evening strolls and views on the Corniche
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Traditional dinner at Mina Markets
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Sunset kayaking in the mangroves
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Party into the night at Yas Bay
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Drive on a Formula One circuit
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Cool off at Yas Waterworld

More to do this summer

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Abu Dhabi's waterparks, beaches and pools
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Summer camps for kids in Abu Dhabi
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Summer nature and desert experiences
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Indoor things to do in Abu Dhabi

Frequently asked questions

Abu Dhabi is hot in summer, but not too hot to visit, provided you build the day around indoor venues and post-sunset outdoor time. Highs reach 42 °C in July and August, with humidity around 60 per cent on the coast. From 6 PM the temperature drops into the low 30s with breezes often coming in from the ocean, and the city moves outside again. Mornings before 9 AM are also workable for outdoor activity.

Summer weather in Abu Dhabi is hot and humid. Daytime highs sit at 38 to 42 °C between June and September, with overnight lows around 29 to 32 °C. Coastal humidity reaches 60 per cent or more. Rain is rare in summer; the heat is dry early in the season and humid by late August.

The best things to do in Abu Dhabi in summer are indoor attractions during the day and outdoor experiences after 6 PM. Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi are the strongest indoor picks. After sunset, the Corniche, Mangrove National Park kayaking and dinner at Al Mina are all comfortable outdoors.

Summer in Abu Dhabi runs from June to September, with the hottest months being July and August. Temperatures begin to climb in May and ease in October. The peak heat window is roughly mid-June to mid-September; this is also when hotel rates drop and indoor attractions are at their quietest.

Yes, by a lot. Five-star hotels on Saadiyat Island and Yas Island drop their rates up to 40 per cent between June and September. Theme parks and museums always have bundle packages available as well.

Light, loose, breathable cotton or linen. A reusable water bottle — free refill stations are everywhere. A light scarf or shrug for indoor air conditioning, which is set strong. For Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and traditional souks, clothing that covers shoulders and knees.