How to copy with the heat in Abu Dhabi? I have experienced that, more or less in all periods of the year, you should follow the classic tips to beat the heat. Particular caution is required from late April to early October, and especially during the summer months.
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Beat the heat in Abu Dhabi: grandma tips
Ok, the following are what we Italians call the “consigli della nonna” and the rest of the world speaking-some-kind-of-English call “grandma suggestions”.
Common sense suggests: high sun protection, even during “cooler” months, cap, sunglasses, stay hydrated, eat fruits and vegetables, avoid elaborate foods, wear “smart” clothing.
Local rules in Abu Dhabi require a dress code in public places: legs and shoulders covered, clothes not transparent or too tight. Also because minimalist clothing does not help you to defend from the heat, and from the air conditioning. Instead, it helps dressing in a strategic way: light clothes, cotton or linen, defend from the sun and from the dangerous blows of air conditioning.
Special tips for pedestrians and urban explorers
Dear colleagues, pedestrians or “urban explorers”: forget to get around on foot in Abu Dhabi during the heat peak times. In the other months of the year, on hot days, just avoid going around in critical hours, usually between 2 pm and 3 pm.
In general, a few small suggestions that comes from my direct experience of “urban explorer”
- Identify the oasis along your path: mall, shops, cafes, bar you can find in the hotels. Before entering, wear a protective “armor” against the air conditioning: a pashmina or a sweatshirt (trust me, the changes between the exterior and the interior are considerable). Enter your oasis, breathe in and out a little air conditioning, drink something cool. Before leaving, take off your pashmina or your sweatshirt, and you’re ready to proceed to the next oasis. Forget to do this in July and August, during the period of Ramadan, when malls and shops are closed in the morning and the first afternoon.
- Surprise: Abu Dhabi is rich in green areas: the generous shade of a palm tree can be a precious help.
- If you’re curious to know more about climate in Abu Dhabi, here is some more information on Abu Dhabi climate phenomena, from sandstorms to air conditioning.