January in the Emirates is the coldest month, but do not expect snow and cold weather here. Weather in January in any city of the country will please you with warm days and cool nights. Because of the night fall in temperature, January is considered the coldest period of the year. The water temperature in the sea ranges from +19 to +16 degrees. Daytime +24 is quite enough to go for a walk in a light T-shirt or even go to the beach. But at night, to feel comfortable enough, it is advisable to wear a warm sweater. If there is anywhere else you can go skiing it’s at Ski Dubai, a large indoor ski resort in Dubai with five pistes of varying degrees of difficulty, where the temperature is maintained at any time of year at -1 … -2 degrees.
There are plenty of sunny days, so if you come here to celebrate the New Year, you can bring home from a two-week trip with a beautiful tropical tan. A gentle breeze from the sea will deceive you and you may even get burnt unnoticeably in the unseasonably bright sun. It may rain, but not more than a couple of times a month, so it is probably not worth taking an umbrella with you on a trip and weighing your luggage.
Since January is a little cold for a beach holiday, the time of rest in the UAE can be devoted to its other forms. The most famous tourist and popular excursions are trips to Abu Dhabi – the capital of the country and Dubai – the world center of engineering and technology with many man-made wonders of the world. More traditional and having a “flavor” of Arabian traditions are tours to the “Stables of the Sheikh”, a visit to the Marrocan baths and the national zoo. Unusual Oriental flavor inherent in the camel race, which takes place from October to April inclusive. For the local population, it is an attempt to preserve national traditions. The races involve one-humped camels with small mounts. The current legislation limits the age of the jockeys to no younger than 15 years. Presumably, in the near future, radio-controlled robots will take their place.
For lovers of hunting offers participation in a desert safari, which comes right up to the walls of the cities. And for lovers of underwater beauty perfectly suits the rest with scuba diving and explore the beautiful underwater world of coral reefs of the Persian Gulf. Diving in the UAE is not as developed as, for example, in Turkey, and the flora and fauna of the Persian Gulf is largely losing to what can be seen in the Red Sea in Egypt. However, in Fujairah you can admire the coral reefs with their inhabitants, and in Dubai – to explore the many preserved remains of shipwrecks from different eras. The temperature of sea water is much colder than in summer and varies at the coast of the Persian Gulf (here it is a little warmer) and the Gulf of Oman (here the water is cooler). However, the sea is still suitable for swimming, albeit not as long as in summer. For longer underwater walks you will be offered a special suit for diving.
Sea waters are densely inhabited by turtles, eels, sea bass and octopus. With a little luck you can meet a hammerhead fish and parrot fish or even a reef shark. While snorkelling in Fujairah you should also be prepared for whales, which sometimes come here from the Indian Ocean.
The many and unusual wonders and treasures of the Orient are what make a trip to the UAE extremely attractive.
Weather in the main regions of the United Arab Emirates
In January on the coast of the Persian Gulf in the daytime is not hot weather. The daytime temperature stays within the range of +24 degrees in the resorts of Ajman and Ras-al-Khaimah, while in Sharjah and Dubai it is a degree lower. The night-time temperatures drop to around 12 degrees and sometimes the temperature at night can be lower.
The rainfall in January on the Arabian Gulf is not heavy, it rains more often in Sharjah and sometimes in Dubai.
The capital of the country and the largest of the seven emirates, Abu Dhabi, located further south on the coast, the midday temperature is +23, while in the evening the air cools down to 11 degrees. The water in the coastal Persian Gulf during this period is cool, no higher than nineteen degrees, which is not too comfortable for swimming.
You must be prepared for the fact that in January the strong winds from the coast blow dust and sand into the air. So you need to bring a scarf or headgear.
A slightly different situation in the second winter month on the shores of the Gulf of Oman in the northeastern region of the UAE, where the influence of the Indian Ocean is strong. Here, the sandy beaches of the emirate of El Fujairah, which stretches along the coast of the Gulf, are almost directly approached by mountain ranges.
The daytime temperature in mid-winter is 23 degrees, the night temperatures are not so critical, only +18 degrees. The temperature of the sea water on the coast of Fujairah is even a degree lower than in the Persian Gulf. Precipitation at this time here is rare.
In mid-January on the coast of the Gulf of Oman there are strong winds, so it is better not to experiment with swimming in cold water.
If from the coast to go inland to explore the largest city of the emirate of Abu Dhabi – Al Ain, you can feel that here in the desert area is much warmer. The daytime temperatures reach 26 degrees, you can even get burnt by the sun, although in the evening it gets cooler, up to +15.
What to do in the UAE in January
Because a beach holiday in January in the Emirates is not relevant, besides on the coast is often windy weather, it is better to devote time to excursions and exploring the country.
In the capital, Abu Dhabi, you should start with a grandiose building of the Great Mosque of Sheikh Zayd. An unusual museum – the Louvre Abu Dhabi will attract art lovers. Be sure to climb to the 74th floor of the skyscraper and enjoy the panoramic view of the capital from the Observation Deck at 300. The unusual modern architecture of the city strikes the imagination of tourists.
The first thing tourists do in Dubai is to admire the tallest building in the world – Burj Khalifa. The height of the skyscraper is almost 830 meters. From the observation deck of the building offers fantastic views.
If in the middle of January in the Emirates want some winter entertainment, in the Mall of Emirates operates a huge ski complex “Ski Dubai” – a year-round resort. Children will enjoy the snow slides and the penguin show.
A visit to the IMG Worlds of Adventure amusement park will add thrills for adult tourists and be memorable for children. Exploring the Jumeirah Mosque, walking through the historical Bastakia area, Al Fahidi Fort, the butterfly garden and the Flamingo Sanctuary will leave a good memory of Dubai, as will the flower park. Nowhere else is there a spice market like in this city.
Sharjah will surprise you with the giant Eye of the Emirates Ferris Wheel, the Gold Market, the Museum of Islamic Civilization, and the opportunity to go on a safari in the Arabian Desert.
The holidays in January in the Emirates begin with the New Year’s Eve. The sky lights up with thousands of fireworks. You can’t find fireworks like this anywhere else. Everywhere there are festivities and concerts, but all this is exclusively for European tourists, Muslims celebrate the New Year’s Eve at a different time.
Every year in January, there is the Trade Festival, which lasts all month. This is where most tourists go shopping, discounts on goods there are up to 90 percent.
The most common things you see in the Emirates are gold jewelry with emeralds, sapphires and other stones, colorful Arabic carpets, incense, clothing and fabrics, perfumes. Of course, Arabic coffee, spices, and oriental sweets.
Another event in January is the annual Dubai Marathon. It starts at half past seven in the morning while it’s still cool. The prize for the winner is quite attractive – $200,000.
What clothes to bring
In addition to summer clothes for the daytime, be sure to take warm clothes for evening walks, in case of wind and rainy weather. Jacket, sweater or sweater, pants and closed shoes must be in the suitcase. Do not forget an umbrella or raincoat. But a bathing suit for sunbathing and the pool will be very helpful.
Remember that even on warm days in January in the Muslim country to appear on the streets in the mini and decollete are not allowed. Suitable is a long and closed clothing of free style.
Tourism Specialist in the UAE. Higher professional education. Paperwork and booking tours in the UAE. Professional management of clients at all stages of the journey – from the application to the return.
