When you think of the fall, you may think of golden forests, brisk nights, and pumpkin spice lattes. You may not think of sand and skyscrapers, but you should, as Dubai is an ideal fall getaway.
Seriously. Sure, the desert metropolis might not look like your typical fall setting, but it’s got the comfortable temperatures, long days, and appealing attractions that make it a great spot to visit in the fall. Even better, the fall offers smaller crowds and more affordable prices, as it’s the shoulder season before the peak crowds of winter.
If you’re planning a fall getaway this year or looking ahead to the future, put Dubai on your list.
Why should you visit Dubai in the fall?
Dubai is warm in the fall
In many destinations in the fall, you have to forgo the heat of summer to enjoy the smaller crowds and quieter conditions. Not so in Dubai. For sure, it’s not as hot as the summer, but Dubai remains warm throughout the fall, with temperatures averaging between the mid-20s°C and mid-30s°C. That means the temperature is great for days at the beach and the waters of the Persian Gulf remain warm throughout the season. You’ll also enjoy around 12 hours of daylight a day, meaning that you have plenty of time to spend outdoors and take advantage of the warmth.
Dubai is more affordable in the fall
Oh, the beauty of the shoulder season! Winter is peak season in Dubai, summer is the off season, and fall lies in the shoulder season, that amazing time of year when destinations are still appealing and beautiful, but more affordable and with fewer crowds than during peak season. Take advantage of great prices on flights, tours, and accommodations and explore the city and surrounding desert when there are smaller crowds to deal with.
Dubai is safe and accessible
Dubai is one of the safest and most versatile destinations in the world. Whether you’re travelling with your family, going it solo, or visiting with a small group of friends, you’ll find so many activities to occupy you and you’ll never have to worry about safety and security. Furthermore, Dubai is quickly becoming one of the most accessible destinations in the world. With wheelchair accessible beaches and hotels that accommodate mental and physical ailments, Dubai is an easy destination to visit and enjoy if you’re living with a disability.
Dubai is a great standalone destination
You may think it’s just a city, a single emirate in the United Arab Emirates, but that doesn’t mean Dubai is lacking in attractions. You’ll find all you could ever hope to do and more in a single visit here. Head on a desert safari. Tour the souks. Enjoy a boat ride on the gulf. Head up to the Burj Khalifa for unforgettable views. Take in the state-of-the-art museums or dine out every night on world-class international cuisine. There’s a world of things to do on a visit to Dubai.
But it also makes for a great stopover
Dubai is also one of the most appealing stopover destinations in the world. You can easily combine it with a longer visit to destinations in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Fly with Emirates Airways and spend a few days in Dubai before you continue to South Africa to go on safari, Israel to explore the biblical treasures of the Holy Land or the Maldives for a beach getaway. It makes for an ideal pairing with most spots across the region, which combined with more affordable prices in the fall, makes for an even more appealing vacation option.
What is there to do in Dubai in the fall?
Experience one of the city’s classic sites
Ride up to the observation deck on the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa and enjoy the views of the city from the world’s tallest tower. Relax on the warm sands of Jumeirah Beach. Go on a tour of the gold souk and barter for some goods to take back home or head to Dubai Mall to shop for designer fashions. Ride a dhow from the marina or book a desert safari to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, where you can enjoy a barbeque in a Bedouin tent under the stars. There’s no shortage of classic experiences to enjoy in Dubai in the fall.
Visit Expo City Dubai
Expo City Dubai is a miniature city located on the grounds of Expo 2020 Dubai, which saw over 24 million people visit the exhibition over six months. Many of the favourite spots from the expo are preserved at Expo City Dubai, including the Garden in the Sky observation tower and fan favourite pavilions, including the Sustainability Pavilion. In the future, Expo City Dubai will become a centre of business and commerce, but today it remains one of the most exciting new spots to visit in Dubai.
Go glamping at Terra Solis by Tomorrowland
How about a fall glamping experience at a desert oasis? That’s what you can enjoy at Terra Solis by Tomorrowland, a brand-new luxury camping site that offers exclusive, ultra-lux tents, lodges, and poolside cabins. Be one of a handful of exclusive guests until June 2023 and enjoy the beautiful sunrise over the desert, take a dip in the pristine pool, and enjoy gourmet cuisine at the on-site restaurant, MESA.
Savour the international flavours of street food
When you’re not dealing with the summer heat, it’s easy to wind your way through the open-air alleys and markets of Dubai and discover some of the best street food in the Middle East. Dine on savoury Palestinian falafels at Sultan Dubai Falafel on Al Muraqqabat Road, get the best chicken tikka this side of Punjab at Sind Punjab in the Meena Bazaar, or enjoy pistachio-dusted jam cookies at Sadaf Iranian Sweets. The street food flavours of Dubai are international and among the best in the world.
Dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant
This year marked the inaugural edition of the Michelin restaurant guide for Dubai. So you can finally dine in Michelin-starred restaurants in this global city. There are two restaurants that secured two stars—the Italian restaurant Il Ristorante and the French restaurant STAY at The Palm—and 21 restaurants that got one star, as well as many spots that got Bib Gourmand status, which recognizes affordable eats at great restaurants. Plan the ultimate night out in the fall and enjoy some of the best cuisines the world has to offer.
There’s so much to like about Dubai in the fall: warm temperatures, smaller crowds, affordable prices, and an incredible mix of attractions and activities. And when you come back, you’ll know that nothing says fall like the cool desert breeze after a warm day at the beach.
What do the experts say?
For me, the best months are November to April. Anything in between that is too unbearably hot. Temperatures commonly reaching 50 degrees and higher are so unpleasant and even in Dubai, the little bit of humidity can make them dangerous. This is why even bus shelters on the streets are air conditioned, and very few people are actually outside during the daylight hours.
Directly opposite of Dubai, on the eastern Golf of Oman, in the Emirate of Sharjah, lies Khor Fakkan. This beautiful little gem has mountains, clear blue water with white sand beaches and coral reefs. Shark Island, right off the Coast of Khor Fakkan, has some of the best snorkeling in the UAE.
For that Instagram shot, nothing beats the symbol for the Emirates that is the Burj al Arab hotel in Dubai. This is generally one of the most asked after spots, and where people can get the best photos. In reality, from the ground it is lovely, however, photos from the air on a helicopter pass show just how amazing this structure is and the effort that went into the world's only 7 Star hotel.
I always recommend that people go to the Camel races on Fridays, at Al Mormoon Race Track. Over the start line, there is a overhead walkway where you can watch the camels line up for their heats. As there is no gambling in the UAE, here the winners are the camels rather than the owners, and the camels are awarded the gifts.
Eid Al-Fitr or Eid Al-Adha are celebrated with large gatherings and public events. These are always accompanied by smiling, happy people with loads of new foods to try and sample. As the UAE has over 150 varieties of dates, and it seems that every single kind is brought out to celebrations and they are delicious!!
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