What's the Weather like in Abu Dhabi in September
Temperature
Average temperatures in Abu Dhabi finally start to fall in September, but it's still the uncomfortable hot season. The average temperature in September is 33°C. Daytime averages still reach 40°C and nights only cool down to 26°C.
Rainfall
Like the other months in the hot season, rainfall totals are imperceptible in September. The chances of rain are close to 1%.
Sunshine Hours
Abu Dhabi's length of days decreases from 12 hours 38 minutes in the beginning of September to 11 hours 57 minutes by the end of September. Abu Dhabi still gets an average of 12 hours of sunshine every day thanks to decreasing chances of an overcast or mostly cloudy sky in September.
Humidity
Humidity levels in September are still as miserable as August, though they do start to slightly recede going into October. The average relative humidity is 64%, but remember the average temperature is 33°C.
Wind
Average winds gradually decline for a short period in September before slowly rising again. The average wind speed is 3.4 m/s and mostly out of the north. There are small periods of easterly and westerly winds.
Sea Temperature
The average sea temperature will start to decline again and is 33°C in September.
Dress Code
Local customs, and laws, call for conservative clothing, even for tourists. Men are expected to wear long pants and shirts with sleeves. Women must at least cover the shoulders, midriff, and knees, and should not wear form-fitting clothing. Linens and light cotton clothing works the best for comfort.
Additionally, if you plan on visiting a mosque, women must be completely covered except for the face and hands. Beachwear can include shorts for men and conservative two-piece bikinis for women. Check the Abu Dhabi 14-day forecast for the most current information before leaving home.
Abu Dhabi Hotels in September
Hotel St. Regis Saadiyat Island
The St. Regis is one of Saadiyat Island's premium five-star resorts and is a popular destination for non-guests as well, who mostly visit their outstanding restaurants. This Meditteranean-style resort offers luxurious rooms, suites, and villas, each with their own patio overlooking the ocean or hotel gardens. Hotel St. Regis has its own private beach with cabanas, three swimming pools, and an Iridium Spa with numerous treatments available. The dining options available at Hotel St. Regis range from an elegant Mediterranean restaurant, a swanky steakhouse, and a casual Asian restaurant. A number of lounges and a beach bar are also available at the St. Regis. You'll have everything you need here.
Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche
The five-star Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche is a popular destination resort along Abu Dhabi's Corniche Road. This luxurious high-rise hotel features 280 rooms with chic art deco furnishings and spacious, modern bathrooms. Upgraded rooms and club suites offer panoramic sea views, separate living rooms, and butler service. Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche also has acclaimed dining options, including a swanky poolside Mediterranean restaurant, a casual Lebanese restaurant, an international buffet, a cozy Italian restaurant, and a couple of cafes breakfast is included for guests. Other hotel amenities include an outdoor pool, fitness center and sauna, and spa offering massages.
City Seasons Al Hamra
City Seasons Al Hamra is a casual four-star hotel ideally situated in downtown Abu Dhabi. This hotel features 310 rooms offering modern amenities, comfortable furniture and bedding, spacious bathrooms, flatscreen TVs, and minibars. Large suites are available and perfect for larger families, and include club access with free breakfast. City Seasons has one international buffet-style restaurant and a chic Thai restaurant. Other hotel amenities include a swimming pool fitness centre and free beach shuttle. City Seasons Al Hamra is within walking distance of Capital Garden, multiple restaurants, and within minutes of the Abu Dhabi Mall and Corniche Beach.
Marriott Hotel Al Forsan
The five-star Marriott Hotel Al Forsan is located within the Al Forsan International Sports Resort, a fun location for anyone who loves sports and adrenaline. The Marriott features 400 comfortable rooms with featherbed mattresses, WiFi, flatscreen TVs, and luxurious marble bathrooms. Upgraded rooms grant club access, offer private balconies, and add separate living rooms. There are also six restaurants and bars on-site, including a delicious steakhouse and a chic terrace bar. Other amenities include two outdoor swimming pools, a fitness centre, and a day spa offering a traditional marble Hammam steam bath & massage.
Beaches in Abu Dhabi in September
Abu Dhabi Hotel Beaches
There's no shortage of beachfront in Abu Dhabi, and many hotel resorts have taken advantage of this and incorporated the beaches into their hotels. Though these beaches are usually reserved for hotel guests, the general public can also access most of these beautiful beaches by paying a fee. And at Yas Island, guests of any of the island's hotels have free access to Yas Beach. Some of the other great beachfront hotels include the St. Regis, Park Hyatt, Shangri-La Hotel, the Ritz-Carlton, and Emirates Palace.
Bars and Restaurants
Sorso Lounge & Bar
Sorso will offer you an upscale bar experience at the Ritz-Carlton. Sorso has a range of drinks available, from a full bar, numerous wines, and a large selection of cold beer. There are TVs throughout the bar where you can watch your favorite match, or you can just chat with friends while the ambient music plays in the background. Sorso serves traditional pub food as well, but with a touch of class. Menu items include pizza, sliders, and grilled vegetables. Sorso is open daily from 5PM to 1AM. Happy hour is from 7PM to 9PM.
Rosewater
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers is a popular dining destination, and one of their popular restaurants is the critically acclaimed Rosewater. Rosewater is an upscale international buffet open all day long. The chefs take great pride in serving only fresh, delicious meals to the buffet tables. You can also watch some of them in action at the live cooking stations. Seating is available in both an indoor dining room and outdoor terrace with marina views. Rosewater is open for breakfast from 6:30AM to 11AM, lunch from 12:30PM to 3:30PM, and dinner from 7PM to 11PM.
Things to do in Abu Dhabi in September
Quads in the Sand Dunes
There are many tour operators who would love to take you into the sand dunes around Abu Dhabi and play in the sand. Depending on your experience and comfort level, these tour operators will take you into the dunes in air-conditioned 4x4s, ATVs, or even motocross bikes for the more experienced riders. Some tours are just about the vehicles while others also offer a portion on camelback. Some of these tours will also mix in cultural experiences like Bedouin visits, belly dancers, and tea. It's best to do one of these tours in the morning in September as the dunes can get really hot in the afternoon.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi recently opened the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017 under an agreement with the French government. Abu Dhabi's Louvre is in the Saadiyat Island cultural district and is an architectural masterpiece, not to mention what's inside. The museum is over 24,000 square meters in size, which makes it the largest museum on the Arabian peninsula. Artists that wind up going through the rotating displays include Picasso, Da Vinci, and Van Gogh. In addition to the art collections you can also watch informative shows, shop, and enjoy their cozy museum café. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is open from 10AM to midnight.
Walking the Corniche Waterfront
The Abu Dhabi Corniche is a beautiful 8km-stretch of coastline and makes for a great way to spend the day or evening. The entire stretch contains a separate walking path and biking path. The promenade is dotted with beaches where you can stop for a dip in the water, lounge on the beach, or play a game of volleyball. You'll also be able to find a number of refreshment stands, food carts, and restaurants with waterfront views. The best time to walk the Corniche in September is either early morning or late afternoon/early evening. The latter will also let you see all of the beautifully lit buildings of Abu Dhabi.
Yas Mall
If the heat is getting to you and you need some retail therapy, spend a day at the Yas Mall. Yas Mall contains over 400 stores in 2.5 million square feet of air-conditioned space. You'll find all of the major brands, including jewelry, clothing, outdoor outfitters, and culinary goods. Yas Mall's Cineplex has 24 movie theaters and you'll also find a family arcade with kid's games. Yas Mall also has numerous restaurants that will satisfy all tastes and budgets. Yas Mall is close to Yas Waterworld, and you can also find an entrance to Ferrari World connected to the Yas Mall.
