At a Glance
Compared to this destination's peak season
Dubai in February — Travel Guide
By Harry Nara · Last updated
Dubai in February offers some of the best conditions of the year, ideal for foodies & beach lovers. Expect temperatures of 16–25°C, around 2 days of rain, and high crowds across the city. Daily budgets typically land around AED 280–650 for mid-range travellers. Book accommodation two to three months ahead — the most popular rooms sell out fast during peak visiting windows.
Contents14 sections
#Weather in Dubai in February
Dubai in February averages 16–25°C (61–77°F) with around 2 days of rain, and crowds are high.
| Measure | February in Dubai |
|---|---|
| Daytime high | About 25°C / 77°F |
| Overnight low | About 16°C / 61°F |
| Wet days | About 2 |
| Sunset | 6:03pm on the 1st, 6:20pm by the 28th |
| Ramadan | Expected to begin around 8 February 2027 |
| Tennis | Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, 14–27 February |
Figures are UAE National Center of Meteorology and NOAA averages for Dubai.
What that actually means for your trip:
- The weather is as good as Dubai gets. Warm, dry days and cool evenings, with rain on only a couple of days in the month; the beaches, the desert and the outdoor terraces all work.
- Most of the month is expected to be Ramadan. The holy month is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, confirmed by moon sighting shortly beforehand, and to run into early March. The first week of February is the normal high season; the rest runs on Ramadan's rhythm.
- Evenings turn on sunset. In Ramadan the city breaks its fast at sunset, just after six, and the busiest, liveliest hours of the day move into the night.
- February is still peak season. Hotel rates stay high, and the tennis fortnight adds demand around Garhoud and the airport.
Is February a good time to visit Dubai? For the weather, yes, it is one of the two or three best months. In 2027 it is also mostly Ramadan, which suits travellers interested in the city's culture and its long, social evenings, and suits party-focused trips much less: nightclubs and live music are muted for the month. Come in the first week of February for the classic winter break, or later in the month for a quieter, more traditional Dubai.
#What to Do in Dubai in February
Ramadan in Dubai (from about 8 February 2027)
Ramadan changes the rhythm of Dubai more than its rules. Visitors are not required to fast, and restaurants and cafés serve through the day; most of the city's attractions keep normal hours. The changes are in the evening and the night: at sunset the fast breaks with iftar, the city's hotels set up Ramadan tents for long iftar and late suhoor meals, and the streets of the older districts stay busy until the small hours.
- Eat iftar out at least once. Hotels, restaurants and community tents serve iftar spreads at sunset; the atmosphere is generous and family-centred.
- Expect a quieter nightlife. Nightclubs and live music close or run a muted programme for the month.
- Dress and behave with a little more care in public, especially near mosques.
The first week of February
Before Ramadan, February runs on the usual high-season calendar.
Taste of Dubai, a weekend food festival with stalls from the city's restaurants, was held on 6–8 February in 2026 at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre; check the 2027 dates.
Note that the much larger Dubai Food Festival has moved to the spring, April and May in recent years, so an older guide's February promise no longer holds.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (14–27 February 2027)
The tournament at the Aviation Club in Garhoud runs for two weeks, a WTA women's week followed by an ATP men's week, and in 2027 it falls inside Ramadan. The stadium is small, so you sit close to the court, and the early-round tickets are good value. Evening sessions run after iftar.
The old city
Walk the wind-towered lanes of Al Fahidi in Bur Dubai, then cross the Creek by abra to the Gold and Spice Souks in Deira. February mornings are the best time for it, before the midday sun.
The desert
February is the ideal month for the dunes: warm days, cool evenings and clear skies.
A desert safari with a sunset dinner is the classic trip; the Al Marmoom conservation reserve south of the city has Arabian oryx and gazelles, and in Ramadan many camps serve an iftar at sunset.
The beaches, before the heat
February is the last month of truly comfortable beach days before the spring warms up.
Kite Beach in Umm Suqeim, with the Burj Al Arab in the distance, and La Mer in Jumeirah are free public beaches with cafés and showers; JBR beach by the Marina is livelier. The sun is warm, the sand is not yet scorching and the evenings are made for the promenades.
Hatta, in the mountains
About an hour and a half south-east of the city, Hatta sits in the Hajar Mountains, and February is the best month to go: cool mornings, clear air and green wadis after any winter rain.
Paddle a kayak on the turquoise water of Hatta Dam, walk the restored mud-brick Hatta Heritage Village, and eat lunch overlooking the mountains.
Solo Travellers
Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz, the city's arts district in converted warehouses, is free to wander and its galleries change through the season.
In the evening, Global Village, open for its season from October to May, is a cheap, lively night out; in Ramadan its hours shift later.
Couples
Valentine's Day falls on Sunday 14 February, in the first week of Ramadan; restaurants serve set menus after iftar rather than all evening.
A sunset walk on La Mer or the Marina promenade, then dinner on a terrace, makes the most of the weather.
Families
The Dubai Miracle Garden is open for its season, with millions of flowers shaped into displays; go in the morning.
Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates and the Aquarium at Dubai Mall suit any time of day, and in Ramadan family attractions are busy after iftar rather than before.
Groups
A dhow dinner cruise on the Creek or along the Marina suits a group, and in Ramadan many run iftar cruises at sunset. For sport, the tennis fortnight is the event of the month.
#Getting Around
From Dubai International, the Metro Red Line runs from Terminals 1 and 3 into the city, and metered taxis queue outside every terminal. Pay for the Metro, buses, the tram and the water buses with a Nol card, bought at any station.
Across Dubai Creek, the traditional wooden abra still crosses between Bur Dubai and Deira for a dirham or two, and it is the best short ride in the city.
The UAE moved to a Saturday–Sunday weekend in 2022, with Friday a shortened working day around the midday prayer. In Ramadan, working hours are shortened by law and the roads change shape: quiet in the early afternoon, then jammed in the hour before sunset.
#Budget & Costs
| Travel style | Per day | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | AED 300–500 | Deira or Bur Dubai guesthouse, street food, Metro |
| Mid-range | AED 800–1,400 | Marina or Downtown hotel, restaurant meals, an attraction |
| Luxury | AED 3,000+ | Five-star resorts and fine dining |
February is peak season; rates ease a little once Ramadan begins, but the tennis fortnight keeps hotels near Garhoud busy.
Costs worth knowing:
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Abra across the Creek | A dirham or two |
| Burj Khalifa, At the Top | From AED 159 at sunrise |
| Tourism Dirham fee | AED 7–20 per room per night, by hotel rating |
| Global Village entry | A few dirhams |
- Book iftar ahead at popular hotels; many sell out on weekends.
- The Tourism Dirham is added to your hotel bill on top of the room rate.
- Tip about 10% in restaurants where service is not included.
#Food & Dining
February brings the best eating weather of the year and, from about the 8th, the food of Ramadan:
- Iftar spreads: dates and water to break the fast, then soups, salads, grills and sweets.
- Luqaimat, sweet fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup, the Emirati dessert of Ramadan.
- Harees and thareed, slow-cooked wheat-and-meat and bread-and-stew dishes served at iftar.
- Shawarma and falafel, from the street counters of Deira and Karama, at any hour.
For Emirati cooking year-round, Al Fanar in Al Seef and Logma in Jumeirah are good introductions.
#Nightlife
Outside Ramadan, February is peak season for rooftop bars, beach clubs and hotel lounges. During Ramadan, nightclubs close or run quietly, live music largely stops and the city's nightlife moves to Ramadan tents, shisha cafés and late suhoor gatherings. Alcohol is still served in licensed hotel bars and restaurants, usually after sunset.
#Shopping
The Gold and Spice Souks in Deira and the Textile Souk in Bur Dubai are best in the morning. In Ramadan the malls stay open late, often past midnight, and many run Ramadan promotions, while Ramadan night markets pop up around the city. Dates, Arabic sweets and oud perfume make good gifts.
#Culture & Etiquette
- Respect the fast in public. Restaurants and cafés serve during the day, but eating, drinking and smoking openly in the street, especially near mosques, is discourteous in Ramadan.
- Greet with "Ramadan Kareem" once the month begins.
- Dress modestly away from beaches and pools: covered shoulders and knees, more so in Ramadan.
- Photograph people only with permission, especially Emirati women.
- The weekend is Saturday and Sunday, with Friday a short working day around the midday prayer.
#Essential Local Phrases
| English | Arabic | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (peace be upon you) | As-salamu alaykum | As-SAH-lah-moo ah-LAY-koom |
| Have a generous Ramadan | Ramadan Kareem | Ra-ma-DAN ka-REEM |
| Thank you | Shukran | SHOOK-ran |
| How much? | Bikam? | Bee-KAM |
| Delicious | Ladheedh | Lah-DHEEDH |
| God willing | Inshallah | In-SHA-lah |
| Welcome | Ahlan wa sahlan | AH-lan wa SAH-lan |
#Packing List
- Light clothing for warm days
- A light jacket or wrap for evenings, desert nights and cold air-conditioning
- Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees, especially for Ramadan
- Swimwear for beaches and pools
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- Comfortable walking shoes for the souks
- A scarf for mosque visits
- A smart outfit for an iftar or a hotel restaurant
#Backup Plans
If a shamal wind blows sand: spend the day indoors at Dubai Mall, the Museum of the Future or the Etihad Museum.
If the nightlife you wanted is closed for Ramadan: go to a Ramadan tent for shisha and late food, or to Global Village after iftar.
If the tennis is sold out: the early-round day sessions are the easiest tickets to find, and the practice courts are part of the experience.
#Safety & Health
Dubai is very safe. February's weather brings no heat risk, but the sun is still strong. Rare heavy showers can flood roads and underpasses quickly. Some medicines that are legal elsewhere are controlled in the UAE, so carry prescriptions and a doctor's letter. In Ramadan, drive with extra care in the hour before sunset.
Emergency: 999 for police, 998 for an ambulance.
#What's New for February 2027
- Ramadan is expected to begin around 8 February, subject to moon sighting, with Eid expected around 10 March
- The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships run from 14 to 27 February
- Valentine's Day falls on Sunday 14 February, inside Ramadan
- The Dubai Food Festival now runs in the spring, not February
- The UAE weekend is Saturday and Sunday
#About This Guide
By Harry Nara (founder of WhenToWander), updated October 2026 for February 2027. Climate figures are UAE National Center of Meteorology and NOAA averages. Dates and facts verified against:
- Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships for the 2027 dates
- Gulf News for the UAE weekend change
- Time Out Dubai for Taste of Dubai 2026
- Visit Dubai for Ramadan and seasonal events
- UAE National Center of Meteorology for climate averages
For Ramadan in full, see Ramadan in Dubai, and for the season as a whole, Dubai in the cool season.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is February still cool season in Dubai?
Yes — February is one of the best weather months. Average highs of 23–25°C, low humidity, and zero rain on most days. Ocean swimming is comfortable (around 22°C), the desert is perfect for safaris, and outdoor dining is at its peak.
What is the Dubai Tennis Championships?
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships run for two weeks at the Aviation Club in Garhoud: a WTA women’s week followed by an ATP men’s week. The 2027 tournament runs from 14 to 27 February, inside the expected Ramadan period, so evening sessions run after iftar. The stadium is small and the early-round tickets are good value.
Is February good for desert safaris?
Excellent — February is the prime month. Daytime temperatures are perfect (22–25°C), evenings are cool but not cold, and the dunes light up beautifully at sunset. Book a sunset desert safari with dinner under the stars. Reputable operators include Platinum Heritage and Arabian Adventures.
Is February cheaper than January in Dubai?
Slightly — February rates are still in the year's top tier but ease 5–10% from January peaks. The exception is the half-term week (mid-February for UK schools), when European families flood Dubai and rates spike. Avoid that week if budget matters.
What’s the weather like in Dubai in February?
Dubai in February typically sees temperatures of 16–25°C with around 2 days of rain across the period. Pack lightweight layers that suit both cooler mornings and warmer afternoons.