United Arab Emirates, Middle East

Abu Dhabi in July

Stepping outdoors feels like opening an oven. Gulf summer holidays still fill the indoor parks.

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

July is a month to think twice about visiting Abu Dhabi. Stepping outdoors feels like opening an oven. Gulf summer holidays still fill the indoor parks.

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

What July is like in Abu Dhabi

July is extremely hot and humid, with highs near 106F (41C). Stepping outside feels like opening an oven, and midday outdoor activity is dangerous. Hotel rates are near their lowest of the year. Gulf summer holidays still bring families to the indoor theme parks, so those can be busy.

Avoid July unless your trip is entirely indoors, such as a theme park and pool holiday on a tight budget or a short stopover. Families with young children should be especially careful in the heat. For outdoor Abu Dhabi, the season runs November through March.

Make the most of July

What is especially good about Abu Dhabi this month.

Liwa Date Festival

In the Liwa Oasis, the date harvest is celebrated with competitions for the best fruit, usually in July. Dates vary, and it is very hot, so go early in the day.

Indoor Yas Island

Warner Bros. World and Ferrari World stay cool inside, though Gulf school holidays can bring crowds.

Low summer rates

Five-star hotels drop to prices that can make a short stopover very good value.

What to pack for July

A wide-brim hat and strong sunscreen
Breathable, loose clothing
A large water bottle and electrolytes
A warm layer for cold malls and cinemas

Our timing tip

Visit indoor theme parks on weekdays, since Gulf summer holidays fill them on weekends.

Book Abu Dhabi for July.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Abu Dhabi
Opens a hotel search for Abu Dhabi in July, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for July
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 July. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in July

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.

Liwa Date Festival

Summer, usually July, varies by year

A celebration of the date harvest in the Liwa Oasis, with competitions for the best fruit.

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 July, quick answers

Is July a good time to visit Abu Dhabi?

July is a month to think twice about visiting Abu Dhabi. Stepping outdoors feels like opening an oven. Gulf summer holidays still fill the indoor parks.

What is the weather like in Abu Dhabi in July?

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

Is Abu Dhabi crowded in July?

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

What is happening in Abu Dhabi in July?

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (shifts about 11 days earlier each year; check the current dates); Liwa Date Festival (summer, usually july, varies by year).