This guide covers the month of February. To compare with other months, see our page on the best time to visit Dubai.
February is one of the best months to visit Dubai: it is around 26 °C (79 °F) in the afternoon and 16 °C (61 °F) at night, there is almost no rain (9.9 mm, 0.4 in, over the month on average) and both the beach and the desert are pleasant all day. The flip side is high season: flights and hotels are expensive, especially during winter holiday periods.
February falls in the heart of the Emirati winter, the mild season that runs from November to March. It is the time when you can do everything outdoors without suffering from the heat: walking around Old Dubai, spending the day on Jumeirah beach, going on a safari or hiking in Hatta. Two things need watching, though: the Ramadan calendar, which now falls in the middle of winter, and school holiday dates, which push prices up.
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Dubai in February: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ ideal, one of the three most pleasant months of the year along with December and January
- Temperatures: 26.1 °C (79 °F) in the afternoon, 16.4 °C (62 °F) at night (1991-2020 normals)
- Rain: 9.9 mm (0.4 in) on average over the month, often in one or two showers
- Crowds and prices: very heavy crowds, high prices, especially during winter holiday periods
- To check: the dates of Ramadan, which can start in February depending on the year
- Time difference: in February, Dubai (UTC+4) is 4 hours ahead of London (GMT) and 9 hours ahead of New York (EST)
What is the weather like in Dubai in February?
February is only slightly warmer than January, the coolest month of the year. In the afternoon the thermometer reaches 26 °C (79 °F) on average at Dubai airport; at night it drops to around 16 °C (61 °F). Seafront areas (Jumeirah, Dubai Marina) are a little more humid, while the inland desert is a little hotter by day and much cooler in the evening. The little rain there is falls as showers or short storms: most days are dry and sunny.
| City | Max | Min | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai (airport) | 26.1 °C (79 °F) | 16.4 °C (62 °F) | 9.9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Abu Dhabi (Zayed airport) | 26.5 °C (80 °F) | – | 8.1 mm (0.3 in) |
| Ras Al Khaimah (airport) | 27.0 °C (81 °F) | – | 19.9 mm (0.8 in) |
Ras Al Khaimah, in the north, gets a little more rain than Dubai at this time of year because of the nearby Hajar Mountains. Abu Dhabi is the driest of the three. In all cases, the temperature gap between the emirates is small in February.
Compared with the neighbouring months, February offers a good balance: January is a little cooler (24.4 °C, 76 °F, in the afternoon) and wetter, March a little warmer (28.9 °C, 84 °F) but with more chance of storms.
Things to do in Dubai in February
February’s mild weather lets you enjoy all outdoor activities, including in the middle of the day.
- The beach: Jumeirah, Kite Beach or JBR. The air is mild; the water is cooler than in autumn, which can put off those who feel the cold.
- The desert: a safari, dinner or an overnight camp in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Bring a jacket, as evenings are cool.
- Old Dubai: the historic Al Fahidi district, an abra ride across the Creek, the Deira souks. Pleasant walks at any time of day.
- Hiking: Hatta or Jebel Jais, in Ras Al Khaimah, can be done during the day from November to March.
- Evenings out: terraces, markets and the Global Village pavilion park, whose season generally runs from autumn to spring.
- A day in Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Events and Ramadan in February
February has no major fixed date in Dubai: most winter festivals (Global Village in particular) are under way and their dates are announced by the organisers. The point to check is Ramadan. Its lunar calendar moves forward by about 11 days each year, and it falls around February to March in 2026 and 2027. During this month, the UK FCDO says it may cause offence to eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in the daytime, including in your car (GOV.UK, updated 24 July 2026). Many restaurants stay open for people who are not fasting, and the evenings after the fast is broken are lively. Exact dates are only confirmed at the last moment: check them before you book.
Crowds and prices in February
February is in high season. Demand is strong all month and peaks during winter holiday periods, which spread over several weeks. Flight and hotel rates are then among the highest of the year, after the festive period. To pay less with the same weather, aim for weeks outside school holidays, or shift to early March if your dates are flexible. Book your flight and hotel 3 to 5 months ahead if you are travelling during the holidays.
What to pack for Dubai in February
- Light clothes for the day, covering shoulders and knees in the city and in shopping malls
- A sweater or light jacket for evenings (around 16 °C, 61 °F, at night on average) and desert dinners
- A swimsuit, to be worn only at the beach and pool
- Sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen: the sun stays strong, even in winter
- For women, a scarf to cover the hair when visiting a mosque
- Your medication in its original packaging with the prescription (some medicines need approval in the UAE)
If February does not suit you
January offers the same mild weather, with higher prices at the start of the month. March is a little warmer and often a little cheaper outside holidays, with a more pleasant sea. For December, see Dubai in December. If you are looking for other winter sun in February, compare with the best time to visit Egypt, the best time to visit Oman or the best time to visit the Canary Islands, or see our selection where to go in February.
Planning your trip to Dubai
Entry rules differ by nationality. According to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated September 17, 2026), US citizens with a regular passport can get a free visitor visa on arrival for stays of 30 days or less. According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 24 July 2026), UK citizens get a free visa on arrival valid for up to 90 days over a 180-day period; both need a passport valid for at least six months after arrival. Details are on our page on entry requirements for the UAE. The time difference in February is +4 h with London and +9 h with New York. To plan your stay on the ground (neighbourhoods, sights, routes), see our Dubai travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is it hot in Dubai in February?
Mild rather than hot: around 26 °C (79 °F) in the afternoon and 16 °C (61 °F) at night according to the 1991-2020 normals for Dubai airport. It is ideal for sightseeing on foot and spending the day outdoors.
Can you swim in Dubai in February?
Yes, the air is warm enough for the beach. The water is cooler than in autumn and some find it cold: hotel pools are often heated.
Does it rain in Dubai in February?
Very little: 9.9 mm (0.4 in) on average over the month. When it does rain, it is usually a single shower or a brief storm.
Is February a good month to visit Dubai?
Yes, it is one of the best months of the year for weather. You just have to accept high prices, especially during winter holiday periods, and check the dates of Ramadan.
Does Ramadan fall in February?
It can start in February: its lunar calendar puts it around February to March in 2026 and 2027. Exact dates are only confirmed at the last moment.
What is the difference between February and March in Dubai?
March is warmer (28.9 °C, 84 °F, against 26.1 °C, 79 °F, in the afternoon) and a little wetter, with possible storms. Outside school holidays it is often a little cheaper.
Our sources
- World Meteorological Organization (NOAA archive): 1991-2020 normals for the Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah airport stations, taken from our page on the best time to visit Dubai
- Entry and Ramadan information read on 24 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, United Arab Emirates country information (travel.state.gov, last updated September 17, 2026), and UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for the UAE (GOV.UK, updated 24 July 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.