Dubai Business Hours
When shops, banks, malls, and souks are open
⚡ Quick Answer
Weekend: Friday-Saturday (not Saturday-Sunday!). Malls open late 10 AM - 10 PM (until midnight Thu-Sat). Banks 8 AM - 3 PMSun-Thu. Government offices 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM. During Ramadan, hours shift significantly.
⚠️ Important: Friday-Saturday Weekend
The UAE switched to a Friday-Saturday weekend in January 2022. Sunday is a regular working day. Friday mornings are quieter due to Friday prayers (Jummah) around 12:30 PM.
🏦 Banks & Financial Services
| Service | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Banks (Sun-Thu) | 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Some branches open until 5 PM |
| Banks (Sat) | Some open 9 AM - 1 PM | Mall branches more likely open |
| ATMs | 24 hours | Widely available in malls, metro stations |
| Currency Exchange | 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM | Mall locations open later |
🛍️ Malls & Retail
| Venue | Sun-Wed | Thu-Sat |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Mall | 10 AM - 11 PM | 10 AM - 12 AM |
| Mall of the Emirates | 10 AM - 10 PM | 10 AM - 12 AM |
| Supermarkets (Carrefour, Spinneys) | 8 AM - 12 AM | 8 AM - 12 AM (some 24h) |
| Gold Souk | 10 AM - 10 PM | 4 PM - 10 PM (Fri) |
💡 Pro Tip: Malls are essentially indoor cities in Dubai. They stay open late and are busiest from 7-10 PM when families come out after the heat of the day.
🍽️ Restaurants & Dining
| Type | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Restaurants | 6 AM - 12 AM | Often serve alcohol |
| Mall Food Courts | 10 AM - 11 PM | Later on weekends |
| Street Cafes/Cafeterias | 6 AM - 2 AM | Many 24-hour options |
| Fine Dining | 7 PM - 11 PM | Reservations recommended |
🕌 During Ramadan
Ramadan significantly changes daily life in Dubai. While non-Muslims can eat in private, public dining is restricted during fasting hours.
- • Working hours: Reduced to 6 hours for Muslims (typically 9 AM - 3 PM)
- • Restaurants: Closed or screened off until Iftar (sunset)
- • Malls: Open later (often until 2 AM during last 10 days)
- • Iftar time: Everything comes alive after sunset (~6-7 PM)
- • Music/entertainment: Reduced in public spaces
🏛️ Government & Services
| Service | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government Offices | 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM | Sun-Thu only |
| Post Offices | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM | Some mall branches open late |
| Dubai Metro | 5 AM - 12 AM | Fri 10 AM - 1 AM |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What days are businesses closed in Dubai?
Friday and Saturday are the weekend. Most malls/restaurants still open, but banks and government offices are closed. Friday mornings are quieter due to prayers.
Are shops open on Friday in Dubai?
Yes! Malls open around 10 AM (some later on Friday morning). Souks typically open after Friday prayers, around 4 PM.
What time do malls close?
Major malls close at 10-11 PM on weekdays and midnight on Thu-Sat. During Ramadan and sales festivals, they often stay open until 1-2 AM.
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Last updated: December 2024.