Visiting Dubai, UAE in September — 2025: Our review

Is September a good time to visit Dubai? Yep, September in the UAE is not exactly peak tourist season yet. As a result, travelers believe that the weather is simply too hot for a pleasant vacation in Dubai.

Personally, I think that there are plenty of benefits to booking your next vacation for that month. In this article, I set out to tell you all the weather details, emirates general differences, and must-see tourist attractions that shine the much-needed light on the topic of planning your trip to the UAE for September 2025. Buckle up, this one is a doozy!

P.S. At least what really made up for our not-so-easy time in Dubai was the hotel prices. We stayed at a place that cost $50 per night instead of the high season’s $110!

Article contents

1. Dubai weather in September
2. Which Emirate to choose for your trip?
3. Our best Dubai hotel recommendations
4. Must-do UAE experiences
5. Is going to Dubai in September worth it? Our review

Dubai weather in September

Me and VERY few people at one of Dubai’s beaches in the middle of September

Okay, let’s start with a burning topic of weather in Dubai in September. It is kind of a pun, since the average scorching-hot temps of summer months have not yet receded in the beginning of September, and the added high humidity levels do a good job of amplifying the feeling of entering a sauna every time you go outside.

• Is September still hot in Dubai? Yes, and objectively so: The usual day temperatures are fluctuating somewhere around +38°C / 101°F. There’s even an official ban on outdoor work during midday hours up until 15th!

Our September experience: We spent most of the time at the hotel and in shopping malls or visiting museums and ticking off observation decks we hadn’t explored yet. Every time we’d been outside for more than 20 minutes, I got focused only on getting back to the hotel and cooling off in more adequately temperature-controlled room. And I only realized once we checked in how good our hotel choice was, thanks to its almost direct entrance to the metro station (4* Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights). Turned out, it’s important for September, too.

How hot is Dubai on a run-of-the-mill September night? When the sun finally settles behind the horizon, people start to show their noses from their climate-controlled dwellings and the city comes back to life. Yet, it’s just as humid, only without the scorching sun (feels like someone just turned off the lights).

As the days go on, there are more and more people in the streets of Dubai, and by the end of September the emirate is back in high gear — peak tourist season is finally here.

Here’s a little table of average temperatures that you can refer to when starting to think about your holiday in the UAE:

Emirate	Average air temperature	Average water temperature
		Start of September	End of September
Dubai	+38°C / 101°F	33,7°C	33,1°C
Sharjah	+38°C / 101°F	33,7°C	33,1°C
Ras Al Khaimah	+39°C / 102°F	32,7°C	32,3°C
Abu Dhabi	+39°C / 102°F	33,9°C	32,1°C
Fujairah	+36°C / 97°F	31,3°C	31,3°C

End of September and early October are great times for a family vacation, as the prices are just starting their climb, but the weather is already manageable enough to get the most out of your trip. To learn more about the best time to travel to UAE, and Dubai specifically, head on over to my article here.

As for average September water temperatures by Dubai shoreline, +33°C is the number you can expect to see the majority of the time. For people who are bad with numbers: Imagine you’re swimming in your morning cup of coffee. And no, it’s not a cold brew or an iced latte, it’s regular black coffee with just a dash of cream, on a hotter side of things. I barely saw anyone getting into the water of this temperature even at Dubai Marina beach (which is a very popular place!).

You can expect water to be this way along all the Emirates that face the Persian Gulf. But if you want to experience a more temperate climate, choose Fujairah, which faces the Gulf of Oman, and is always a couple degrees cooler than its Persian Gulf-facing sisters.

Is September a good time to visit the UAE?

Exploring Alserkal Avenue in Dubai and appreciating its air-conditioned art galleries and coffee shops

Visiting the UAE in September is not a bad idea, after all! Probably, you’ll struggle enjoying activities requiring time outside, like going to the beach or taking part in tours. But there are lots of things happening indoors — museums, theaters, even some of the theme parks are covered. And by the end of the month all experiences are already tolerable enough for you to have a great time (like desert safari and camel rides). Keep reading to see my list of fun things to do in the UAE in September!

While I’m on the topic, let’s figure out what to wear in Dubai in September. Weather-wise, stick to light-toned clothing made out of natural materials (cotton, linen, and silk are lifesavers in hotter climates). Culture-wise, try to be conscious of the dominant religion of the Emirates (Islam) and avoid showing too much skin.

Is it hot in the UAE in September? As I’ve already mentioned before, harsh hot climate is still very prominent during the first part of the month. If you’re a person who doesn’t handle heat well, plan your trip for October and later.

Which Emirate to choose for your trip in September?

Unfortunately, Dubai beaches are unsuitable for midday heat — too little shade!

Given the title of the text, I will start my list with the star of the show, the wonderful emirate of Dubai. I’ll also cover other emirates I feel you’ll enjoy staying at, each different in style, climate, location, and entertainment options.

• Dubai

Dubai is often referred to as the “city of superlatives”, with the most over-the-top buildings, infrastructure, entertainment options, and quality of living one can imagine. It’s also the most famous emirate, despite not being the actual capital of the UAE.

Now Dubai is a hub of glitz and glamour (just watch a couple of episodes of The Real Housewives of Dubai to get the full scope of lavish lifestyles the well-to-do emirate residents practice and preach), as well as a scientific forefront of all the latest discoveries happening in areas ranging from space exploration to microbiology.

Visiting Dubai in September seems like a decent opportunity to combine city-style vacation (hitting the clubs, Michelin-star restaurants, and shopping till you drop) with a cultural (yes!) getaway. If not in humid September, then when is the best time to give up on beach time and finally stop by the Museum of the Future or Dubai Frame?

Pro tip: If you’re eager to take a dip in September, I suggest switching things up a little bit: Instead of hitting the burning hot sand of Kite Beach or JBR Beach, wait for the sun to go down and hire a taxi to Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach — it’s equipped with guards and huge spot lights.

As expected, prices in Dubai are higher than in other emirates, but the level of care and thought put into every tourist’s time spent here is truly worth it. Imagine yourself a sheikh for a day, at least that’s what we did and we loved every second of it!

Best hotel deals in Dubai >>

The more we travel to Dubai, the more useful articles we post on our blog about this destination:
— Our perfect itinerary for 1 day in Dubai
— Best beaches in the Emirate of pure luxury
— Where to find the best views in Dubai (from observation decks to rooftop swimming pools)
— Neighborhoods of Dubai — explained in details!

Given all the great things I have to say about Dubai of United Arab Emirates, it’s not the only place here worth looking into. Some of my recommendations extend to the following emirates.

• Sharjah and Ajman

Located just an hour away from Dubai, these two emirates feel like an entirely different world. While it’s true that these emirates carry more of a historic allure, when compared to the bigger UAE cities, they’re not in any way recluses of the modern world. Truth be told, any city will feel outdated and regressing into the past when compared to Dubai.

Sharjah and Ajman sport more spacious beaches with a lot fewer people. Hotels here are less expensive, but still uphold a level of luxury service. The majority of the hotels are very kid-friendly, providing ample entertainment and food options for little ones. Because of that, I advise you to look into booking your vacation in a resort inside either Sharjah or Ajman if you’re traveling with children. Or if you just want to getaway somewhere that’s quiet, peaceful, and far away from the hustle and bustle of Dubai.

Resort hotels in Sharjah >>

Where to escape the heat: Check out a couple of new places like Rain Room installation and House of Wisdom, which is a library and museum, in Sharjah or Museum of Ajman in, well, Ajman. If local tourist attractions seem too dull for you, you can always hop on the bus (or a taxi) that will take you to Dubai’s best locations in record time.

• Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost emirate out of all the UAE. Its inherent flair is most closely related to that of Turkey’s all-inclusive resorts.

The emirate is great for people who love to be dropped off at a resort and then picked up only when the time is up. Resorts here can be compared to small cities, where you can find anything you could possibly need while on vacation.

Despite the fact that there’s not much to see and experience outside resort limits, it’s what’s inside that counts: Pearly white sand beaches, crystal clear water (pretty shallow by the shoreline, great for kids), top-notch dining options, and overall luxurious accommodations. Lots of well-to-do clans choose Ras Al Khaimah for their family vacations, as the plentiful children entertainment options and fun animators can guarantee the parents a relaxing time away from their usual duties.

Hotels in Ras Al Khaimah >>

Ras Al Khaimah in September means starting the day early with a tanning session, followed by a swim in a pool, and a couple of mimosas (as this part of the Emirates is totally okay with alcohol consumption).

• Abu Dhabi

Was it challenging to walk down the Corniche beach for pictures and then slip into the nearest cafe? Yes!

Abu Dhabi is a main rival of Dubai when it comes to the best place to be at in September. Beach vacation here is not a priority, as the local beaches aren’t impressive and infrastructurally developed.

Tourists usually come here to expand their knowledge of the Emirates and to seek the thrill of many adventures the city has to offer. All of this takes place under roofs which is perfect for hot weather days. Abu Dhabi is a capital of the United Arab Emirates in every sense of the word — culturally, historically, and economically.

That’s where the sister museum of the Louvre stands, a highly anticipated Guggenheim museum is under construction, a just opened teamLab studio is receiving its first reviews, and the crazy-looking giant attractions of theme parks flicker in the background. Pay a visit to the Ferrari World to see the impressive distinction of adventure and the neighboring historical sites!

• Fujairah

Fujairah is as different from the other emirates on my list as the usual Instagram post is from reality, but not in a bad way! Geographically, it’s the only emirate that faces the Gulf of Oman and not the Persian Gulf, creating a much milder climate. The surrounding mountains contribute greatly to the weather abnormalities of the region, and you can feel it right away. Fujairah is usually a few degrees colder than Dubai, for example.

The emirate is for people who are tired of the pretentiousness that exudes from other Arabic megapolises. In Fujairah, skyscrapers give way to mountains, and luxury shopping to snorkeling by the reef together with brightly-colored fishies.

Most of the resorts here are all-inclusive, which is a good thing, since there’s nothing much to do outside their limits. Fujairah is not as crowded as the other emirates, but not for the lack of nice experiences, — the location of the emirate is a tricky one. It sits off the beaten track, and the journey here, while not impossible, is longer than to other emirates.

Resort hotels in Fujairah >>

Our best Dubai hotel recommendations for September 2025

If you’re visiting Dubai in September (meaning my answer to how hot is it in Dubai in September didn’t scare you away), you’ll be more than happy with hotel prices. High tourist season hasn’t kicked in yet, meaning you can have your cake and eat it too — lounge at one of the many five-star dwellings for the price of the usual three-star hotel room. And even three-star hotels pride themselves on top-notch guest experiences and eat-off-the-floor level of clean rooms.

No matter which booking website you use — however, I often notice that Trip.com gives better rates in the UAE than Booking — one thing stays the same: The ample number of Dubai hotels, fluctuating around the seven hundred mark. The almost absurd pool of options can lead to a full-on indecisiveness disorder, if undertaken without any additional help of info. Don’t worry though: Here’s where we come into play, as the sheer quantity of options doesn’t scare us even a little bit!

Now, for the actual Dubai hotel recommendations: I’ve compiled a list of the best-reviewed hotels in the general emirate area. I hope that at least one of them will be a great match for your holiday expectations!

• 3* Rove Trade Centre — super sleek and modern-looking hotel that sits on the intersection of new and old Dubai. It’s located close to the metro station, yet a 15-minute walk in September might not be a pleasant experience. Your life-saver would be a free transfer to the metro (5 times a day) and to Dubai Mall (3 times a day). The service here is impeccable, the rooms are fresh and clean, providing all the usual hotel amenities. Great Wi-Fi, a gym, a pool, and breakfast buffet are the highlights.
  From $80 a night
• 5* voco Dubai — the most budget-friendly five-star hotel I’ve ever seen. All thanks to the month of September (the price triples in the high season!). It is extremely well-reviewed, and for good reasons: even its standard rooms have a bath with the unbeatable views of Dubai and are 41 square meters in size. Metro station is 5 minutes away. Bonus point: Rooftop pool means evening swims with a drink in hand, and first-row seats to the magical show that is sunset in Dubai.
  From $90 a night
• 4* Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef — located on the side of the Dubai Creek, this four-star hotel is heaven for the younger crowd. With the focus on modern design and eco-friendly materials, your stay here is guaranteed to be exciting. In the evenings, go down to the restaurant and enjoy the meals accompanied with live music; or, if you want a little more action, — head to the bar, grab a drink, and join a party. Leave at least one day to explore the neighboring historical Al Fahidi district, famous for being home to Al Shindagha Museum, which was definitely a highlight of our latest trip to Dubai.
  From $85 a night
• 5* Park Hyatt Dubai — this hotel has everything: Lush green territory filled to the brim with flowerbeds and made alive by birdsong, a lagoon with an artificial white sand beach, a golf course, and an attentive personnel. Yes, this hotel is among the top luxury Dubai hotels, and it (literally) comes at a hefty price. If you (God forbid) don’t have a clue where to start experiencing the lavish lifestyle as the Park Hyatt’s guest, go down to the lagoon and watch the sunset, and then, as the weather gets a little chilly (by Dubai’s September standards), head over to a lounge by an open fire. Ah, the dream! One can easily spend an entire month like this.
  From $470 a night
• 4* Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights — our choice was this standard, popular high-rise with generic interiors. Everything’s as expected: The rooms are moderately comfortable, and we really appreciated the location right next to the metro. Both indoor and outdoor pools with loungers are for relaxing, while a chain (!) gym — free if you stay at the hotel — is for relentless gymbros.
  From $50 a night

Must-do UAE experiences in September

Can you imagine there’s The Barn coffee shop in Dubai??

As I’ve established above, Dubai’s September weather assumes that you’re not here to lounge on the beach for long. We managed to reach at least 10k steps a day, walking around shopping malls and other indoor spaces, though.

Visiting Dubai in September seems like a decent idea because, unlike other emirates, there are many places to explore, and, thankfully, most of them have air-conditioning:

• Burj Khalifa — the world’s tallest building draws hundreds of tourists each day to its viewing decks for a chance to see the emirate from above. A few of the floors, namely 124, 125, and 148, are open to the public (the ticket price starts from $49). And let me tell you: The price could be higher for the awe-striking 360-degree view of Dubai that opens up from the decks. This activity isn’t for people who suffer from vertigo: The city looks more like an anthill when you look at it from above (through glass floors, no less!), which adds a degree of unease to the whole experience.

Side note: The Dubai Fountain’s show is closed for renovation throughout September 2025! As well as Dubai Miracle Garden, but this one doesn’t operate due to the heat.

Where else to catch the best Dubai views? I made an entire post about it (including 4 well-known observation decks and some free viewpoints).

• Desert Safari — taking a jeep out on a desert safari in Dubai is an Arabic equivalent of getting on a scary-looking roller coaster, as the adrenaline you get from literally jumping over dunes in trucks is on par with that of a ride in a theme park, if not stronger.
  Choose the tours that fall on the second part of the day, so that you can watch the sunset in the desert and even walk on a slowly cooling sand without the fear of burning your feet. Depending on the added activities, be it camel rides or lunch, the prices differ greatly. Plan on spending at least $40 per person.

• Palm Jumeirah — one of the many artificially created islands by the coast of Dubai (don’t confuse it with its younger (and bigger) sister — Palm Jebel Ali — which is still under construction), Palm Jumeirah is a must-see place when you come to Dubai. If you want, you can actually walk around the island but you won’t feel the scale. To get the best view of the Palm, head up The View at the Palm — an observation deck that sports 360 degree panoramas of the island, the water, and Dubai’s skyline. The deck is located on the 52d floor and costs $30.
  On the Palm, you can have more bone-chillingly extreme experiences: Skydive over the Palm with a parachute (get on it if you want to get the reputation of a daredevil!) and its alternative in the form of a helicopter tour. Granted, it feels way safer and more manageable for average folks.

That’s what you witness from The View at the Palm (with a bit of help from your phone zoom)

• Aquariums — perfect for families with children, or just for adults who like to relax while looking at the fish (I don’t judge!). There are a few places to catch Zen energy when met with marine creatures, but the most notable is (of course) one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world — Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Located inside the Dubai Mall, it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions of the emirate.

Pro tip: There are many experiences you can get inside the Aquarium, the most worth it, in my opinion, are a visit to the Penguin Cave, a glass-bottom boat tour, and a King Croc sighting.

Another cool place to see the fish and other sea animals is the Lost Chambers Aquarium, located at the Palm. The whole space is done in a style of a long-lost city of Atlantis, which adds a nice twist to the whole experience.

Both of the aquariums’ entry tickets are not absurdly priced (by Dubai standards, at least): You will pay around $30–$50 for a standard experience. Plus, hiding out in an air-conditioned, dimly lit spaces when the sun is at its highest outside is a great tip to enjoy your trip to Dubai in September.

• Museum of the Future — one of the newer tourist attractions of Dubai that has managed to get the world’s attention long before it opened: The Museum of the Future is one of the most daring architectural experiments that the UAE have undertaken in recent years. Unique in shape and design, the space isn’t just nice to look at — it’s what’s on the inside that’s even more impressive. Basically, you can look into the future of the world (namely, its state in the year 2071): Each component, be it space exploration, robotization, artificial intelligence, or preserving of the species, is mind-blowing, to say the least. General entry to the museum is $43 per person.

• Ain Dubai — the world’s tallest Ferris wheel, this tourist attraction is best to be admired from one of Dubai’s beaches: Marina Beach being the prime spot to get a look at this giant beauty in its full glory. One ride takes about 40 minutes to complete, that’s how ginormous the wheel is. Surprisingly, it’s not a super scary experience: The pods have windows, the wheel turns extremely slow, and the 360-degree views of the prominent Dubai structures will make you forget about the actual heights the ride takes you to. The ticket price starts at $40 per person.
• Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi — given the close proximity of Dubai to Abu Dhabi, you can easily book a day trip to the capital of the UAE. The cherry on top of the tour is a visit to the pearly-white Sheikh Zayed Mosque, one of the rare instances when non-Muslims can enter the mosque’s premises. The building looks like something out of The Thousand and One Nights: No pictures, even professional ones, can do the mosque justice, as it’s simply too beautiful to be captured. Day trips from Dubai to Abu Dhabi range greatly, but the basic tour that gets you inside Sheikh Zayed Mosque will cost you around $70.

Dubai’s Miracle Garden which doesn’t work in September. Just a reference for your travels in other months!

Truthfully, there are countless of entertainment options and places of historical significance peppered all around Dubai. It’s really hard to list them all (especially with the astronomical rate the emirate creates new spaces and structures), but if it’s your first time in Dubai, you’ll be set by visiting the spots I’ve mentioned above.

What about Dubai holidays in September? Turns out, there is a major holiday that celebrates the birthday of Muhammad, which is very important for people practicing Islam. In 2025, Mawlid (the actual name of the holiday) is celebrated on the 5th of September. Muslims spend this holy day fasting and reading the Quran, meaning there are virtually no celebrations, only quiet observations.

Prices in Dubai in September

If you zoom in, you’ll see the typical Dubai drink prices at a trendy ‘healthy’ spot

Tourists are known to show super-human abilities, being more than able to withstand harsh environments if it means they do so at a profit. So, bargain-oriented travelers are starting to flock to Dubai as early as the beginning of September.

Even though the first half of the month is, as a rule of thumb, cheaper; try to plan your vacation on the second part of September. While it’s true that there are more people out on the streets, but the number of tourists is nowhere close to that of high season. Plus, the weather is much more bearable, meaning you can enjoy early morning tanning sessions and evening long walks through the bustling megapolis streets.

While Dubai-in-September’s main topic of discussion is the weather, it doesn’t mean that tourists have magically forgotten about their most feared topic: Prices. I have a full article that details our budget for our recent trip to Dubai, which can help you plan your spending accordingly. A bar of Dubai chocolate (not the ✨real✨ one, but still with kunafa and pistachios) costs around 25 AED / $7. Just saying!

Is going to Dubai in September worth it? Our review

Ultimately, traveling to the UAE in September of 2025 is not for the faint-hearted. If you tolerate heat well, however, then you’ll get the best of both worlds: Mostly empty beaches and low-season hotel prices (with the level of service so high it reaches the top of Burj Khalifa).

Whether you want a beach holiday or a strictly shopping tour of the emirate, don’t forget about the importance of SPF. Sun protection is no joke here, as even ten minutes under the midday sun can turn your skin into a color of a freshly cooked lobster. Reapply your sunscreen religiously, and always wear a hat.

Bonus content alert! Being huge foodies and coffee aficionado myself, I’m always looking to further my list of food places worth looking into when visiting a new city. If you’re anything like me, you’ll appreciate the following short list of my favorite Dubai establishments:

• The Grey Al Wasl — extremely trendy place in the general Jumeirah area, perfect for breakfast or brunch. Get yourself a cold brew and pair it with either an order of Turkish eggs or croque madame. Both options are finger-lickin’ good!
• % Arabica — originally Japanese chain of quality coffeeshops that prides itself on the exceptional coffee it serves in each and every location. You can find %Arabica at any major area in Dubai: Be it the Dubai Mall, the Palm, Dubai Marina, and others. I like the one at City Walk!
• SALT — with a huge Instagram following (look at their page, it’s very unique and enchanting), this food-truck-turned-restaurant burger joint is the ultimate destination when you’re in any Dubai neighborhood. The name SALT was inspired by sea water, so naturally, you can find these spots by the beach.

Pros and cons of going to Dubai in September

While arguably not being the best time to visit Dubai, September should still be on the table when planning your vacation to the UAE. It’s way more tolerable than the temperatures of the preceding three months. Summer months in Dubai can only be described as hell on Earth, where no living being can survive a walk in a not air-conditioned space.

As for the pros and cons of this decision (and just general for and against points), here are a few I could think of:

+ Prices of flights to Dubai in September have not yet reached their peak numbers

+ Plenty of (air-conditioned) entertainment options

+ Possibility to easily rent a car through LocalRent service, with plenty of car options to choose from

+ Great water temperatures, perfect for swimming if you’re not a fan of the cold

+ Great prices on hotels that provide a higher level of service than stated (take, for instance, a three-star hotel — you’re guaranteed to get a five-star experience 99% of the time)

+ Virtually certified positive answer to the question “Is Dubai safe to travel?”

+ Continuous development of infrastructure, people-oriented establishments, luxury everywhere you look… And have I mentioned air conditioners yet?

— Travel prices have gone up significantly in recent years

— Cannot yet spend the entire day on the beach in fear of getting either a sunburn or a heatstroke, forcing you to plan around the sun position in the sky

— The heat, paired with high humidity levels, might be too much for travelers with certain health conditions (or crazy hair, have you seen that Friends episode when Monica’s hair gets super frizzy?)

— The water might seem too hot for some people

— You may fall in love with Dubai, making you rearrange your entire life so that you can move here! That’s the ultimate travel fear though, so keep strong!

Visiting Dubai in September, in my opinion, is a great way to save money on traveling to such an expensive country as the UAE, but only on the condition that you don’t mind working around the still high temperatures.

I hope that my little Dubai travel guide helped you make the ultimate decision of whether or not to keep the month of September in mind for your next trip. Tell me, have you ever traveled to the UAE in September? Did you like it? I’m looking forward to reading your answers in the comments down below!