Working Hours In Dubai

Working Hours in Dubai (2025): Shops, Offices & Attractions

See 2025 working hours for Dubai malls, souks, offices, and attractions—plus Ramadan and summer changes. Official sources, tips, and planning links inside.

Solid Cars

• 6 min read
Dubai Mall exterior at evening with crowds showcasing late shopping and dining culture
  • TL;DR:
  • Malls: 10:00–22:00/23:00 on weekdays; often till midnight (or 01:00) on weekends. Dining runs later. See official hours for The Dubai Mall.
  • Private offices: Up to 8 hours/day or 48/week (typically Sun–Thu). Source: UAE Labour Law overview.
  • Public sector: Generally 07:30–15:30 Mon–Thu; 07:30–12:00 Fri. Source: UAE Government Portal.
  • Summer protection: Midday outdoor work ban from 15 June to 15 September, 12:30–15:00. Source: MOHRE.
  • Attractions: Broadly 09:00/10:00–18:00/23:00, but check last entry times. See Visit Dubai.
  • Ramadan: Shorter office hours; retail and dining shift later into the evening.

Why Dubai’s Hours Feel Different (and How to Plan)

Dubai is a city built for both sun and skyline. Government and private offices skew earlier, while retail thrives in cooler evenings. Add Ramadan schedules, summer heat protocols, and a late-night dining/shopping culture, and you’ve got a rhythm that’s unique—and very visitor-friendly.

Helpful trip planning reads:

1) Shops, Malls & Souks

Major malls (Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates & co.)

Related planning guides:

Convenience stores & supermarkets

  • In key districts (e.g., Dubai Marina, Downtown), 24/7 options are common (great for late arrivals and night owls).

Traditional souks & independent stores

  • Expect split schedules (e.g., ~09:00–13:00, then ~16:00–22:00), with Fridays often opening later in the afternoon—typical around heritage areas like the Textile Souk. A useful orientation: UAE Free Zones/Local biz hours overview.

Seasonal & cultural adjustments

  • Ramadan: Retail shifts later, with post-Iftar peaks and trading well past midnight. (General overview: Two Continents – Working Week & Holidays, plus mall pages above.)
  • Some malls introduce quiet/silent hours; always check in-mall directories or QR codes on the day.

2) Office & Work Hours (Public vs Private)

Private sector (most companies)

Morning view of Dubai DIFC business district highlighting government office working hours

Public sector (government entities)

Summer flex & heat protections (2025)

  • Flexible Summer (DGHR): Government entities piloted four-day workweeks or reduced Friday hours (entity-specific) from 1 July to 12 September 2025.
  • Midday Outdoor Work Ban: 15 June–15 September, 12:30–15:00—applies citywide to protect outdoor workers.
Construction workers in Dubai resting under shade during summer midday work ban

Working on the move? Try:

3) Tourist Attractions & When They’re Open

Observation decks & headline landmarks

  • Burj Khalifa (At The Top) runs broad daily operating windows; last entry is typically 30–60 minutes before closing, and hours vary by weekday/weekend and by experience (e.g., At The Top SKY).
Tourists at Burj Khalifa observation deck overlooking Dubai skyline and city attractions

Seasonal closures & evening-led venues

What’s new in 2025?

First-timer and family picks:

After-dark ideas:

4) Ramadan & Public Holidays: What to Expect

  • Offices: Reduced daily hours for Muslim employees; many employers publish adjusted schedules in advance.
  • Retail & dining: Later starts, post-Iftar surges, and extended late-night hours—malls and food courts are buzzing.
  • Attractions: Some adjust entry windows around prayer and Iftar; always confirm last entry times on the day via official pages.

Culture-savvy reads:

5) One-Look Summary (2025)

Category Typical Hours Notes
Major malls 10:00–22:00/23:00 (wkdays); till 00:00–01:00 (wknds) Dining runs later; check official mall page (e.g., The Dubai Mall).
Convenience/groceries Often 24/7 District dependent (Marina, Downtown, etc.).
Private offices Up to 8h/day or 48h/wk Straight or split shifts; Ramadan reduction. (Raad Recruitment)
Public sector 07:30–15:30 (Mon–Thu); 07:30–12:00 (Fri) UAE Gov Portal.
Summer flexibility (gov’t) 1 Jul–12 Sep 2025 Four-day week or reduced Friday hours (entity-specific). (People Matters ME)
Midday outdoor work ban 12:30–15:00, 15 Jun–15 Sep MOHRE.
Attractions (general) ~09:00/10:00–18:00/23:00 Last entry varies; see Visit Dubai.
Dubai Fountain (2025) Renovations/seasonal closure in summer 2025 Check status near your visit; context via Gulf News.

Practical Planning Tips

  • Government errands: Go early (public offices close mid-afternoon).
  • Shopping: Evenings are cooler and livelier; weekends run late.
  • Heat-sensitive plans: Avoid 12:30–15:00 outdoors (15 Jun–15 Sep) or shift activities indoors.
  • “Last entry” traps: Observation decks/museums often stop admitting 30–60 minutes before closing—check your attraction’s page on the day.
  • Ramadan: Book dinners/attractions ahead; expect vibrant late-night hours in malls and dining districts.

More Dubai essentials from Solid Cars:

FAQ

1) What are normal mall hours in Dubai?
Most major malls open 10:00 and close 22:00–23:00 on weekdays; weekends often run till midnight (dining later). Check the mall’s page—e.g., The Dubai Mall.

2) What are typical office hours?
Private sector: up to 8h/day (48h/week), commonly Sun–Thu, with straight or split shifts. Public sector: generally 07:30–15:30 (Mon–Thu) and 07:30–12:00 (Fri). Sources: Raad Recruitment, UAE Gov Portal.

3) How do hours change in Ramadan?
Offices reduce daily hours for Muslim employees. Retail/dining shift later with busy post-Iftar evenings.

4) Is there a summer restriction on outdoor work?
Yes. The Midday Work Ban prohibits outdoor work 12:30–15:00 from 15 June to 15 September. Source: MOHRE.

5) When should I visit the Burj Khalifa?
Timings and last entry vary by weekday/weekend and ticket type. Check official pages when booking: Visit Dubai or your ticket provider (e.g., Dubai Tickets).