United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi in May
☀️ Dry seasonVery hot, a little humid and mostly dry. Watch for extreme heat risk.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · sunglasses & hat
Why May scores 6.2What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort5.9
- !Very hot (40°C highs / 25°C lows)
- !Humid (dew point 20.9°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~0 mm rain)
- Air quality6.8
- !Elevated (PM2.5 ~26 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards7.0
- !Extreme heat: Average daily high 40°C
- Safety baseline5.0
- ·High caution
| May | Jan | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 6.2 Fair | 8.8 Excellent |
| Season | ☀️ Dry season | ☀️ Dry season |
| High / low | 40° / 25° | 25° / 14° |
| Rain | 0 mm | 13 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 21° | dew pt 14° |
| PM2.5 | 26 µg/m³ | 26 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 & crowdsMay 2027
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Eid al-Adha 15–18 May · 4 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.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
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
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
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 Park
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