United Arab Emirates, Middle East

Abu Dhabi in March

Still excellent, warming by month's end. Spring breaks add European families to the beaches.

BestWarm, highs near 84F (29C)

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

The straight answer

March is one of the best months of the year to visit Abu Dhabi. Still excellent, warming by month's end. Spring breaks add European families to the beaches.

Weather: Warm, highs near 84F (29C)
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What March is like in Abu Dhabi

March is still excellent, with warm days and highs near 84F (29C), though it heats up by the end of the month. The sea is warm enough for long swims, and evenings on the Corniche are lovely. Spring breaks bring European families to the beaches, so crowds and prices stay high.

March suits families, beachgoers and anyone who likes it a bit warmer than midwinter. Desert trips work best early in the month. If you prefer cooler air for dune camping and long walks, January or February is better and a touch more comfortable.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Abu Dhabi this month.

End of the Abu Dhabi Festival

The spring music and arts festival often continues into March, with concerts and exhibitions across the city.

Warm beach days on Saadiyat

The sea is comfortable, and the beach is calm and good for kids.

Evening Corniche walks

Warm evenings make the waterfront promenade a pleasant place for a stroll, a bike ride or dinner.

What to pack for March

Swimwear and a wide-brim hat
High SPF sunscreen
Light, breathable clothes
A light layer for air-conditioned malls and museums

Our timing tip

Plan desert trips for early March, and check whether Ramadan falls in your dates, since the daytime pace slows and hours shift.

Book Abu Dhabi for March.

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

What's on in March

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.

Abu Dhabi Festival

Early spring, usually February into March, varies by year

A major classical music and arts festival with international performers.

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 March, quick answers

Is March a good time to visit Abu Dhabi?

March is one of the best months of the year to visit Abu Dhabi. Still excellent, warming by month's end. Spring breaks add European families to the beaches.

What is the weather like in Abu Dhabi in March?

Warm, highs near 84F (29C).

Is Abu Dhabi crowded in March?

Abu Dhabi is busy in March, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.

What is happening in Abu Dhabi in March?

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (shifts about 11 days earlier each year; check the current dates); Abu Dhabi Festival (early spring, usually february into march, varies by year).