Month guide · Dubai · United Arab Emirates
Dubai in May
What May is really like in Dubai: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jason7825, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 38°C (100°F), lows of 25°C (77°F), about 0 rainy days and roughly 13.4 hours of daylight. Hot, with highs near 38°C; keep outdoor sightseeing to early morning and evening.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 38°C (100°F) / 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days
- About 0
- Daylight
- About 13.4 hours
- Sea temperature
- 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Dubai: days average 38°C (100°F) against a yearly average high of 34°C (93°F), and nights fall to about 25°C (77°F). Rain falls on roughly 0 of its 31 days. Compared with April (33°C (91°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 40°C (104°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:34
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:56
- Daylight
- About 13.4 hours
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F)
Spring (March–May). Pleasant in March, hot by May; the sea warms up, crowds thin after Easter and hotel prices begin to fall.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Dubai, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Downtown Dubai
Dubai Mall
Go on a weekday morning, and use the air-conditioned walkway from Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro station.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Free
- Food
Museum · Sheikh Zayed Road
Museum of the Future
Opened in 2022, the torus-shaped building wrapped in Arabic calligraphy is one of the city's most photographed.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Neighbourhood · Al Quoz
Alserkal Avenue
Visit on a weekday afternoon when most galleries are open, and have lunch at one of the avenue's cafés.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
Museum · Jumeirah
Etihad Museum
Beside Union House, where the rulers of the emirates signed the agreement founding the UAE on 2 December 1971, this museum's manuscript-shaped building tells the story of the country's creation through films, documents and personal belongings.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
The sea averages 28°C (82°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Dubai.
What to pack
For highs near 38°C, lows near 25°C and 0 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Dubai?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, November–March are better overall. Compare every month.
Dubai in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Dubai?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Hot, with highs near 38°C; keep outdoor sightseeing to early morning and evening.
+How warm is Dubai in May?
Average highs are around 38°C (100°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Dubai in May?
Expect rain on about 0 days of the month, so it is usually dry.