What's the Weather like in Abu Dhabi in January
Temperature
January is the coldest month in Abu Dhabi with a comfortable average temperature of 18°C. The daytime average does it hit 24°C, but nights bring the average down by falling to 12°C. The record temperature ranges go from 34°C to 5°C.
Rainfall
January is one of the wettest months in Abu Dhabi, but the rainfall totals are only nearly 10mm over six days of measurable precipitation. The chances of rain in Abu Dhabi in January are only 5%.
Sunshine Hours
Abu Dhabi has the least amount of average sunshine in January. Each day only averages nine hours of sunlight. This is mostly due to the shorter days, increasing from 10 hours 39 minutes at the beginning of January to 11 hours 2 minutes by the end of January. Abu Dhabi only has a 22% chance of cloudy skies in January.
Humidity
January is one of the most comfortable months in Abu Dhabi. The average relative humidity is the highest of the year at 69%, but the lower temperatures mean that the air will be mostly comfortable throughout the month. If you're averse to humid conditions, January is the best time to visit.
Wind
The average wind speed in Abu Dhabi slowly increases throughout the month. The average speed is 4.2 m/s. Wind directions are mostly out of the north and west, with smaller periods of southerly and easterly winds.
Sea Temperature
The surface temperature of the waters around Abu Dhabi is coolest in the winter but still warm. The average water temperature in January is 22°C.
Dress Code
Visitors are asked to respect local customs when visiting Abu Dhabi. Dress code enforcement is actually one of the police functions. For most daytime activities, women are asked to cover everything from their shoulders to their knees.
Men should refrain from wearing shorts in most public spaces. Loose, short-sleeve shirts are okay for men and women. Conservative swimwear is acceptable at the beaches (two-piece bikinis are okay). Women entering a mosque will need to cover everything except their hands and faces and yes, this includes visitors.
You may also want to bring a light jacket for the cold air conditioning found indoors, and for going out at night. Check the Abu Dhabi 14-day forecast for the most up-to-date information before leaving home.
Abu Dhabi Hotels in January
Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan
The five-star Khalidiya Palace is a highly rated modern hotel with its own 200m-long beach. This family hotel is on Corniche Road near many other beaches, restaurants, and hotels. Suites are available with either one or two rooms and offer separate living areas. Some of the 443 rooms also have balconies and kitchenettes, while all have flatscreen TVs and minifridges. There are two alcohol-free bars at the Khalidiya Palace as well as two restaurants serving international & local fare. Khalidiya Palace also has a business centre, watersports centre, enormous lagoon pool, fitness centre, and spa.
Park Inn Yas Island
The Park Inn is an affordable three-star hotel at Yas Plaza and a Radisson property. The hotel features 204 clean, comfortable rooms with modern amenities. Standard rooms are available with flatscreen TVs and free WiFi, while suites offer separate living rooms and upgraded rooms offer balconies. Park Inn has an outdoor pool with bar and restaurants that offer Mexican, Belgian, and Italian cuisine. There is also a business centre, fitness centre, spa, and hot tub at the Park Inn. The Park Inn is within walking distance of the beach and 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi's business centre.
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi is a four-star hotel located in Abu Dhabi's happening business district. This hotel features 353 luxurious rooms situated in a modern high-rise building. Some of the outstanding amenities that you'll find at the Southern Sun include a rooftop outdoor pool, Middle Eastern restaurant with sushi bar, and a sauna & gym. Southern Sun has standard rooms with minibars, flatscreen TVs and free WiFi; there are also other suites and upgraded rooms that offer living rooms, dining rooms, sitting areas, and studies. Southern Sun also has an outstanding steakhouse and a sports bar. Nearby attractions include the Falcon Hospital, Ferrari World, and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
The Etihad Towers are one of Abu Dhabi's iconic building complexes, and house the five-star Jumeirah hotel. This is one of Abu Dhabi's most luxurious five-star hotels. The hotel features 382 contemporary rooms of all sizes, offering spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf and surrounding landscape. In addition to the luxurious standard accommodations, Jumeirah also offers 199 apartments for longer stays. Other hotel features include three swimming pools, a private beach, day spa, fitness centre, and a number of bars. Jumeirah also houses 11 different restaurants with a range of styles and prices. The hotel is just a few minutes' walk from the Corniche waterfront.
Beaches in Abu Dhabi in January
Corniche Beach
Corniche Beach is one of the main beach areas of Abu Dhabi, part of the 8km-long Corniche Road waterfront. Entry to the public beach is free; there is a small charge for the family and singles section of the beach. You can swim out 40m from the beach where a floating fence will prevent you from going further. There are a number of lifeguards watching over the length of the beach. If you're visiting on the weekend you may want to get there early, as the umbrellas and prime beach areas can get snagged quickly. Corniche Beach is one of the handful of beaches in the world with Blue Flag status, acknowledging the eco-friendly practices and clean bathing water. There is a large promenade surrounding the beach with a variety of shops and restaurants.
Bars and Restaurants
Vasco's
Vasco's is an upscale international restaurant located in the Hilton Abu Dhabi. The open patio seating area has great views of the Gulf; if it's too hot out there you can enjoy lunch or dinner in their nautical-themed dining room. Vasco's is named after explorer Vasco de Gama and their menu is inspired by the route he took in his explorations. Appetizers include Indian black lentil stew and Mediterranean seafood salad with lobster, calamari, shrimp, and salmon. Main courses include chicken tikka, Portuguese spiced grouper fillet, and Bultarra lamb skewers. Save room for dessert of chocolate soufflé or apple tarte tatin. Vasco's is open every day for lunch from noon until 3:30PM and for dinner from 7PM to 11PM.
Jazz & Fizz Bar
The Jazz & Fizz Bar is a swanky lounge and bar in the Sofitel Corniche hotel. The service is outstanding as are the live musicians who play a great background jazz soundtrack infused with Latin & Arabic beats. The high venue provides wonderful city views. The menu is what you would expect to find in a lounge, consisting of sushi, cheese & vegetable plates, and fries to snack on. Jazz & Fizz Bar also features a menu accommodating to vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free, and halal. Jazz & Fizz Bar is open every day from 5PM to 3AM.
Roberto's
Roberto's is a casual Italian restaurant located in the Rosewood Hotel, on Al Maryah Island. The cozy dining room has a great ambience and is split into a lounge area and a fine dining area, both offering their own different vibes. Outdoor seating is also available. The menu features contemporary and traditional Italian cuisine that can accommodate a number of dietary needs, all made with fresh and authentic ingredients. Menu items include fried calamari, cheese ravioli, grilled lamb with polenta, slow-cooked salmon, tiramisu, and a number of risotto dishes. Roberto's is open daily from 12PM to 3AM and accepts reservations.
Cho Gao Restaurant & Lounge
Cho Gao is a fun, casual Chinese restaurant at the InterContinental Marina Walk. This award-winning restaurant features an ultra-hip décor blending traditional Chinese decorations with modern elements. Both indoor seating and outdoor terrace seating is available, all of which feature great views of the marina. Menu items include a Thai roasted duck red curry, Chinese black pepper beef, and Vietnamese banana blossom salad with chicken. They also have a sushi bar with fresh sushi & sashimi selections. Cho Gao is open Saturday through Wednesday from 9AM to 1AM and Thursday & Friday from 9AM to 2AM.
Things to do in Abu Dhabi in January
Dar Al Shifaa Dragon Boat Festival
The United Arab Emirates has a lively dragon boat scene, and the agency that governs competitive water sports in the U.A.E. puts on a number of dragon boat festivals every year. The Dar Al Shifaa Dragon Boat Festival typically takes place in mid-January. This festival is hosted at Le Meridien Hotel on the east side of central Abu Dhabi. These festivals are very thrilling and exciting to watch, as teams paddle beautifully ornate boats to the beat of the drummer seated at the stern. The fast-paced races are sure to get your heart pumping.
Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
Falconry is a large part of Arabic culture, and like any other animal, these majestic birds need medical care. The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is the best falcon hospital in the world, but they also board and take care of other domestic animals. This is one of the most popular things to do in Abu Dhabi, and you'll see why once you visit. They offer guided tours of the hospital, where the guides will share very interesting facts about falcons, allow you to interact with them, and if you're lucky you may even be able to watch a medical procedure. The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is near the International Airport. Tours must be booked in advance; almost all hotels in Abu Dhabi can do this for you.
Emirates Palace
The Emirates Palace is one of Abu Dhabi's most iconic buildings. Emirates Palace is a grand hotel, but it's much more than a hotel it's also one of the main attractions in Abu Dhabi. The grounds are beautiful, featuring exquisite Arabic architecture, gorgeous landscaping, gold everywhere, fountains, and lagoon pools. There are a number of restaurants to choose from to accommodate all tastes and budgets. Enjoy afternoon high tea or lounge in one of their spectacular bars. Even just walking around the grounds and admiring the luxury and elegance of it all is a great way to spend a couple of hours.
Mushrif Central Park
January is a great time to walk around Mushrif Central Park, located in central Abu Dhabi. This park is also known as Umm Al Emarat Park. The park features a beautiful modern design, incorporating beautiful architecture and lush green spaces. On the weekends you'll find markets, food stalls, live music, and crafts vendors. The park is also a wonderful place to take the kids any day of the week. There is an animal barn where kids can interact with goats, ponies, and camels, and there are a number of children's play areas located throughout the park. An open-air misted garden provides relief from the sun and makes you feel as if you're strolling through a tropical forest. The park also hosts a number of fun events and outdoor movie screenings.
