United Arab Emirates, Middle East

Abu Dhabi in August

The most humid month on the coast. The Liwa Date Festival brings date-palm displays in the desert oasis.

Think twiceExtremely hot and humid, highs near 106F (41C)

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at dusk, Abu Dhabi — Abu DhabiPhoto: Nadeemlatifkhan, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

August is a month to think twice about visiting Abu Dhabi. The most humid month on the coast. The Liwa Date Festival brings date-palm displays in the desert oasis.

Weather: Extremely hot and humid, highs near 106F (41C)
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What August is like in Abu Dhabi

August is extremely hot, with highs near 106F (41C), and it is the most humid month on the coast. Even evenings feel sticky, and outdoor attractions run reduced schedules. Crowds are thin and hotel prices are among the lowest of the year. Museums, malls and indoor parks carry on as normal.

Avoid August for beaches, desert trips and sightseeing on foot. It only works for an indoor-focused stay at low cost. If your dates are flexible, late October gives you warm beach weather, and November through March is the real season.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Abu Dhabi this month.

Quiet cultural visits

Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan are calm, with plenty of space to take your time.

Resort pools at low prices

Beach resorts offer summer packages, and shaded pools are the most comfortable outdoor spot.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

The fully indoor marine park on Yas Island is a good full-day escape from the heat for families.

What to pack for August

Moisture-wicking, loose clothing
UV sunglasses and a sun hat
Electrolyte packets
A light cardigan for indoor air conditioning

Our timing tip

Book a hotel connected to a mall or with good shuttles, so you spend as little time outside as possible.

Book Abu Dhabi for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Abu Dhabi
Opens a hotel search for Abu Dhabi in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Abu Dhabi
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Abu Dhabi
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Abu Dhabi for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in August

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr

Shifts about 11 days earlier each year; check the current dates

The city stays open with a slower daytime pace, then comes alive after sunset. Eid brings regional crowds and busy hotels.

Things to do in Abu Dhabi

Full guide

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Free entry with online booking. Go at sunset for the changing light on the marble; closed to visitors on Friday mornings.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Art spanning world history under a dome that filters light like palm fronds. Weekday mornings are quietest.

Tickets and tours →

Qasr Al Watan

The working presidential palace, open to visitors, with a nightly light and sound show.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Yas Island theme parks

Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld are indoors; Yas Waterworld is outdoors and best from October to April.

Tickets and tours →

Mangrove National Park

Kayak through the mangroves at high tide in the cooler months, with herons and crabs close at hand.

Tickets and tours →

Liwa Oasis and the Empty Quarter

Some of the tallest dunes on Earth, including Moreeb Dune. Go in winter; summer is dangerous in the desert.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Visit the Grand Mosque at opening or on a weekday evening rather than on weekend afternoons, when tour groups peak.
Avoid Grand Prix week unless you are going for the race; the whole city's hotel inventory prices up.
Early November and March deliver peak-season weather with slightly lower demand than December and January.
Book Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan for weekday mornings to see them at their quietest.

Know before you go

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is closed to visitors on Friday mornings for prayers, and reopens in the afternoon.
During Ramadan, most restaurants now serve through the day, but live entertainment can pause and hours shift. Be respectful about eating and drinking in public during daylight.
In summer, outdoor attractions like Yas Waterworld, desert safaris, and kayak tours run reduced schedules, and midday outdoor activity is genuinely dangerous.
Most museums and attractions stay open all year. Check hours for Mondays, when some cultural sites close.

Abu Dhabi in August, quick answers

Is August a good time to visit Abu Dhabi?

August is a month to think twice about visiting Abu Dhabi. The most humid month on the coast. The Liwa Date Festival brings date-palm displays in the desert oasis.

What is the weather like in Abu Dhabi in August?

Extremely hot and humid, highs near 106F (41C).

Is Abu Dhabi crowded in August?

August is one of the quieter months in Abu Dhabi; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Abu Dhabi in August?

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (shifts about 11 days earlier each year; check the current dates).