January in Dubai averages highs of 24 °C (75 °F) and lows of 15 °C (59 °F), with about 2 rainy days and 10 h 44 min of daylight. The sea is pleasant for swimming, around 23 °C (74 °F).
January weather in Dubai at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is January a good time to visit Dubai?
Great time to go: comfortably warm and fairly dry. January is usually high season in Dubai: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in January 2026
- Dubai Shopping Festival usually runs into January event
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Dubai in January
January's weather suits a mix of outdoor sights and museums, so the open-air ones come first.
- Al Fahidi and the creek abra — old Dubai, best in cooler hours outdoors
- Desert safari — late afternoon into evening outdoors
- Jumeirah and JBR beaches outdoors
- Burj Khalifa — book a sunset slot indoors
- Dubai Mall and the fountain shows — evenings indoors
- Museum of the Future — timed tickets indoors
- Beach and swimming — the sea averages 23 °C (74 °F) in January. outdoors
Where to stay: Downtown for the Burj Khalifa and metro; Dubai Marina or JBR for the beach; Deira for value and the creek.
What to pack for Dubai in January
- Light layers for the day.
- Swimwear.
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for mosques and temples.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Dubai costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €70–160 | €200–450 |
Excluding flights. January is usually high season in Dubai: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
January in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petra | 13° / 6° | 6 | Tough month |
| Tbilisi | 6° / -2° | 4 | Tough month |
| Cairo | 20° / 9° | 1 | Great time to go |
Plan your Dubai trip
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FAQ
Is January a good time to visit Dubai?
By the numbers, January is a great time to go: comfortably warm and fairly dry, with average highs of 24 °C (75 °F) and about 2 rainy days. January is usually high season in Dubai: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest. The best months for weather are January, February, December.
How warm is Dubai in January?
Average highs are 24 °C (75 °F) and lows 15 °C (59 °F) (2015–2024 averages). The sea is pleasant for swimming, around 23 °C (74 °F).
Does it rain a lot in Dubai in January?
Very little: about 2 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 23 mm in total.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.