United Arab Emirates in May

38–40 °C (100–104 °F); outdoor sightseeing only early or late; Eid al-Adha about 26–29 May 2026 (check).100–104 °F (38–40 °C); outdoor sightseeing only early or late; Eid al-Adha about 26–29 May 2026 (check).

May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• NovemberGreatSeason opens: 28–30 °C, beaches perfect; Abu Dhabi Grand Prix late in the month (check) lifts prices.
• DecemberGreatPeak season; National Day 2–3 Dec and New Year's Eve fill hotels at the year's highest prices.
• JanuaryGreatCoolest month (20–24 °C days); Dubai Shopping Festival; desert nights cold — pack a layer.
• FebruaryGreatWarm and dry; in 2026 Ramadan starts about 18 Feb, in 2027 about 8 Feb (check) — shorter hours by day, lively nights.

• Gulf coast · Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah townhot

  November to March runs 20–30 °C (68–86 °F); June to September sits at 40–46 °C (104–115 °F) with humidity that makes nights sticky; shamal winds bring dust in spring and early summer.November to March runs 68–86 °F (20–30 °C); June to September sits at 104–115 °F (40–46 °C) with humidity that makes nights sticky; shamal winds bring dust in spring and early summer.

• Hajar mountains · Hatta, Jebel Jais, Wadi Shawkafine

  Jebel Jais summit is 8–10 °C (14–18 °F) cooler than the coast and can drop near freezing on winter nights; wadis flood after rare storms.Jebel Jais summit is 14–18 °F (8–10 °C) cooler than the coast and can drop near freezing on winter nights; wadis flood after rare storms.

• Inland desert · Al Ain, Liwa, Al Wathba, Sweihanhot

  Drier heat, often above 48 °C (118 °F) in July and August; Sweihan has recorded above 50 °C (122 °F). Winter nights in the dunes are cold.Drier heat, often above 118 °F (48 °C) in July and August; Sweihan has recorded above 122 °F (50 °C). Winter nights in the dunes are cold.

• East coast · Fujairah, Khor Fakkan, Dibbahot

  Gulf of Oman side: slightly cooler sea breezes, but July–August humidity is extreme; calm water for snorkelling Oct–May.

• Abu Dhabi: Coast (Abu Dhabi city, Yas, Ruwais) · Gulf shorelinehot

  Humid in summer; sea breeze keeps evenings bearable. Winter days sit around 24–28 °C (75–82 °F).Humid in summer; sea breeze keeps evenings bearable. Winter days sit around 75–82 °F (24–28 °C).

• Abu Dhabi: Interior (Al Ain, Liwa) · Oasis and Empty Quarterhot

  Drier and hotter than the coast; desert nights in Dec–Feb can drop near 10 °C (50 °F), so pack a layer for dune camps.Drier and hotter than the coast; desert nights in Dec–Feb can drop near 50 °F (10 °C), so pack a layer for dune camps.

• Sharjah: Sharjah city and the Gulf coast · main block bordering Dubaihot

  November to March is the walking season; May to September is 38–45 °C (100–113 °F) with high humidity, so museums and malls are the daytime plan.November to March is the walking season; May to September is 100–113 °F (38–45 °C) with high humidity, so museums and malls are the daytime plan.

• Sharjah: Khor Fakkan and Kalba · Gulf of Oman exclaveshot

  Slightly cooler and breezier than the Gulf coast, but the same summer heat; the east coast is the better beach choice in shoulder months.

• Dubai38 °C (100 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 0 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 0 rain days
• Ajman38 °C (100 °F) / 27 °C (81 °F), 0 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 81 °F (27 °C), 0 rain days
• Dibba39 °C (102 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 1 rain days102 °F (39 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 1 rain days
• Fujairah38 °C (100 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 0 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 0 rain days
• Hatta38 °C (100 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 0 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 0 rain days
• Khor Fakkan38 °C (100 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 0 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 0 rain days
• Liwa Oasis40 °C (104 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 0 rain days104 °F (40 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 0 rain days
• Ruwais38 °C (100 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 2 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 2 rain days
• Umm al Quwain38 °C (100 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 0 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 0 rain days
• Yas Island38 °C (100 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 0 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 0 rain days
• Abu Dhabi39 °C (102 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 0 rain days102 °F (39 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 0 rain days
• Sharjah38 °C (100 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 0 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 0 rain days
• Al Ain41 °C (106 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 0 rain days106 °F (41 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 0 rain days
• Ras Al Khaimah39 °C (102 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 0 rain days102 °F (39 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 0 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha big impact

  About 26–29 May 2026; about 15–18 May 2027 (check)

  Several days off; resident travel peak; some shops closed on the first day.

• Eid al-Adha check

  About 27 May 2026 (check) · Dubai

  Holiday; family crowds.

Crowds · United Arab Emirates

Low

Prices · United Arab Emirates

Medium

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in United Arab Emirates, side by side.

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

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Rated best or good this month

• Dibba

  Best months: Oct–May

• Fujairah

  Best months: Oct–May

• Khor Fakkan

  Best months: Oct–May