United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi in January
☀️ Dry seasonPleasant and mostly dry.
🎒 Pack: sunglasses & hat
Why January scores 8.8What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort9.8
- ✓Comfortable temperatures (25°C highs / 14°C lows)
- ✓Slightly humid (dew point 13.6°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~13 mm rain)
- Air quality6.8
- !Elevated (PM2.5 ~26 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline5.0
- ·High caution
| Jan | Feb | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.8 Excellent | 8.8 Excellent |
| Season | ☀️ Dry season | ☀️ Dry season |
| High / low | 25° / 14° | 27° / 16° |
| Rain | 13 mm | 8 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 14° | dew pt 14° |
| PM2.5 | 26 µg/m³ | 28 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Abu Dhabi weather-station normals. Rainfall: Abu Dhabi weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsJanuary 2027
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- New Year 1–3 Jan · 3 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore Abu DhabiEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyThe capital of the UAE, visited for its grand mosque, world-class museums on Saadiyat Island, theme parks on Yas Island and warm winter sunshine.
Dubai Shopping FestivalAcross United Arab Emirates
Month-long sales, concerts, fireworks and raffles across Dubai malls.
Coming up later
RamadanDate variesIslamic lunar calendar — moves about 11 days earlier each year
The holy month of fasting, with iftar meals at sunset and quieter daytime streets.
Why go: Eating and drinking in public during daylight should be avoided out of respect; evenings are lively.
Where: Citywide
Abu Dhabi Grand PrixDate variesUsually late November or early December, often the final race of the F1 season
The Formula 1 race held under floodlights as the sun sets, with concerts during the weekend.
Why go: Hotel prices rise sharply that weekend, so book well ahead.
Where: Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad)Every year2 December every year
Celebrates the 1971 founding of the UAE with fireworks, flags and parades.
Why go: Expect public holidays, decorated streets and evening fireworks along the Corniche.
Where: Citywide
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
One of the largest mosques in the world, built in white marble with vast courtyards, chandeliers and a huge hand-knotted carpet.
💡 Modest dress covering arms and legs is required, and women must cover their hair.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
A museum of world art and history on Saadiyat Island, set under a large latticed dome that scatters light like palm shade.
Qasr Al Watan
A working presidential palace complex open to visitors, showing Arab craftsmanship and the UAE's system of government.
Qasr Al Hosn
The city's oldest stone building, a former fort and royal residence now restored as a museum of Abu Dhabi's history.
Yas Island
An entertainment island with Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld and the Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit.
Mangrove National Parkgreat in Jan
Mangrove forest close to the city centre that can be explored by kayak or on boardwalks.
💡 Go early morning or late afternoon; summer midday heat is extreme.
Machboos
Spiced rice cooked with meat or fish, often considered the Emirati national dish.
💡 Emirati restaurants and heritage cafés
Luqaimat
Small fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup and sesame.
💡 Cafés, heritage festivals and Ramadan tents
Harees
Slow-cooked wheat and meat porridge, especially popular during Ramadan and Eid.
Balaleet
Sweet saffron vermicelli topped with an omelette, a traditional Emirati breakfast.
Arabic coffee and dates
Cardamom-spiced coffee (gahwa) served with dates as the standard gesture of hospitality.
Dates
Many varieties of local dates, including stuffed and chocolate-coated versions.
💡 Date shops and malls
Oud and bakhoor
Agarwood perfume oils and incense used to scent homes and clothes in the Gulf.
💡 Perfume shops in malls and souks
Al Sadu weaving
Traditional Bedouin woven textiles with geometric patterns, recognised by UNESCO.
💡 Heritage shops and craft centres
Airport transfer Kiwitaxi
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