Geographical location
According to abbreviationfinder, Abu Dhabi is the largest of the United Arab Emirates and is best known for the capital of the same name, Abu Dhabi. In fact, the city of al-Ain as well as smaller cities such as Madinat Zayed, Ruwais and the Liwa Oasis also belong to the area of the emirate.
Outside the city limits, there are mainly mangroves and a large desert area in the coastal area. The emirate is home to around 2.4 million people, the quota of foreigners is over 80% according to official surveys. The city center of Abu Dhabi actually stretches on an island in the Persian Gulf, which is, however, directly connected to the mainland by three large bridges.
In general, the United Arab Emirates (Arabian Peninsula) borders Saudi Arabia in the south and Oman in the east. The best-known travel destinations in the region are of course Abu Dhabi as well as Dubai and, with increasing importance, the smaller emirates Ras Al Khaimah as well as Fujairah / Fujairah and Sharjah.
Climate in Abu Dhabi
The United Arab Emirates are characterized by a tropical climate, which, especially in the hot and humid summer months, has daytime temperatures of over 50 ° C and a humidity of almost 100%. Inland, the air is drier, but temperatures can sometimes rise even higher.
For the climate in Abu Dhabi, however, similar to Dubai, there is a restriction in that the modern buildings, shopping centers and sights are cooled with gigantic air conditioning systems. Daily values below 30 degrees are usually only possible from mid- December to mid- March, all other months are sometimes significantly higher and reach their peak in August.
The summer months in Abu Dhabi are so hot that many hotels have to ask for the favor of the holidaymakers with absolute bargain offers. From the beginning of July to the end of August, the thermometer no longer drops below 29 degrees, even at night. There is no rainy season in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have almost no rainfall all year round. The duration of sunshine is between 8 hours in winter and 11 hours in summer.
When to go to Abu Dhabi?
Due to the extreme heat, an Abu Dhabi vacation in midsummer is only recommended for experienced tropical vacationers and consistently healthy people. In particular, travelers with cardiovascular problems should avoid the months May to October. If you can’t resist the cheap offers in summer, you should have your family doctor checked in beforehand and avoid physical exertion on site and ensure that you are drinking enough fluids. We therefore refer to the period from mid- June to early September as the “hot phase”.
The so-called off-peak times and transition months, for example early May or late October, are much more recommendable. However, we recommend the months of February, March, April, November and December as the best travel time for Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates. Also of January is suitable with about 24 degrees daily temperature (at night to 14 degrees) and about 22 degrees water temperature well for a holiday. A nice contrast to the mostly cold, gray winter in Europe!
Temperatures, precipitation, sunshine
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Daytime temperature | 24 ° C | 25 ° C | 28 ° C | 33 ° C | 38 ° C | 39 ° C | 40 ° C | 40 ° C | 39 ° C | 35 ° C | 30 ° C | 26 ° C |
| Night temperature | 14 ° C | 15 ° C | 17 ° C | 21 ° C | 25 ° C | 27 ° C | 29 ° C | 29 ° C | 27 ° C | 23 ° C | 19 ° C | 16 ° C |
| Water temperature | 22 ° C | 21 ° C | 23 ° C | 25 ° C | 27 ° C | 30 ° C | 31 ° C | 32 ° C | 32 ° C | 30 ° C | 27 ° C | 25 ° C |
| Precipitation in mm | 8 | 21st | 14 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Hours of sunshine | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Sunrise | 7:05 | 6:55 | 6:30 | 6:00 | 5:40 | 5:35 | 5:40 | 5:55 | 6:10 | 6:20 | 6:35 | 6:55 |
| Sunset | 17:55 | 18:15 | 18:30 | 18:45 | 18:55 | 19:10 | 19:15 | 18:55 | 18:25 | 17:55 | 17:35 | 17:35 |
Temperatures
The annual average temperature is 26.9 ° C. For comparison: Munich reaches an average of 8.6 ° C, in Berlin it is 9.6 ° C. The warmest month is August (34.1 ° C), coldest month of January with mean values of 18.5 ° C. The maximum water temperature is 32 ° C. Comfortable bathing is possible at these temperatures. All months have a water temperature of at least 21 ° C and are therefore suitable for a beach holiday.
Precipitation
The annual precipitation is 58 mm. For comparison: In Munich, 967 mm, in Berlin 570 mm, precipitation is measured annually. There is no rainy season, i.e. months with more than 175 mm of precipitation. Snowfall is generally not expected in any month.
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, June is the sunniest month with an average of 11.2 hours of sunshine per day. In the annual mean, the sun shines an average of 9.5 hours per day. For comparison: In Munich and Berlin, the sun shines an average of 4.7 hours per day throughout the year.
Cities nearby
The following major towns are nearby and have a similar climate: Musaffah.
Highlights and sights
One of the most important sights in Abu Dhabi, in addition to the luxurious Emirates Palace Hotel, is the imposing Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Non-Muslims are also very welcome here (except during prayer times, especially on Fridays), admission and guided tours are free.
On the island of Yas Island there is a mall and the popular Yas Waterworld water park, as well as the Ferrari World amusement park in the immediate vicinity of the Formula 1 Yas Marina Circuit.
The Corniche, a beautifully designed promenade, is located in the northwest of the main island and faces the open ocean. The best view in Abu Dhabi can be enjoyed from the Observation Deck at 300 in the Etihad Towers, the most beautiful beach in the United Arab Emirates is located on the artificial island of Saadiyat about 500 meters east of the port of Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi weather in March, April and May
Average daily temperatures between 28 ° C and 38 ° C can be expected over the next three months. In Abu Dhabi, it gets warmest in May, while March is noticeably cooler.
Do you want to go on a beach holiday? The water temperatures are in March, April and May 23-27 ° C. This is great weather for a great time on the beach and in the water.
In the period from March to May the sun shines on average between 8 and 11 hours a day. The sunniest weather in Abu Dhabi is in May, but with less sun you will have to get by in March.
