Jet away: holiday destinations under six hours from Dubai

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Holiday destinations under 1.5hours from Dubai

Manama, Bahrain

Flight time: 1h15min.
Airlines flying direct from Dubai: Emirates, FlyDubai.
Known for its date palms, oil, rich cultural history, there are loads of reasons why Bahrain, and its capital Manama, should be on your list. Enjoy crystal clear water, beautiful beaches and more – all under an hour and a half away. Don’t miss a visit to Bahrain National Museum and go on a pearl diving tour for a taste of the past.

Muscat, Oman

Flight time: 1h10min.
Airlines flying direct from Dubai: Emirates, FlyDubai, Oman Air, Salam Air.History, nature and culture, Oman has something for everyone, and its capital Muscat is just over an hour from Dubai. From its open deserts to stunning wadis and rocky mountains to serene beaches, the Sultanate is a hidden gem on the edge of the Arabian Peninsula. Head to Muscat to marvel at the beauty of the Omani capital, taking in the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Mutrah Souk and museum Bait Al Zubair.

Doha, Qatar

Flight time: 1hr15min.
Airlines flying direct from Dubai: FlyDubai, Qatar Airways
The capital of Qatar, Doha has expanded hugely in recent years and is a top place for culture, history and world-famous hotel and restaurant names. There’s loads to see and do, from culture, sport and entertainment and more. There are only a few spots in the world where the sea meets desert, which is why paying a visit to Khor Al Adaid, aka the Inland Sea, is essential on any visit to Qatar. For art-lovers, the Museum of Islamic Art (ma.org.qa) is a stunning collection of work, while the National Museum of Qatar (mia.org.qa) is a must-see for history buffs. The spectacular Education City Mosque is worth admiring. For adrenaline-seekers and families, check out Quest (dohaquest.com), Doha’s first indoor theme park.

Holiday destinations under 2 hours from Dubai

Kuwait

Flight time: 1h40min.
Airlines flying direct from Dubai: Emirates, FlyDubai, Jazeera, Kuwait Airways.
Want to visit a cultural city just a short journey from Dubai? Check out Kuwait City. Expect museums, beautiful parks and landmarks such as the Kuwait Towers. When it comes to shopping there’s something for everything from handicrafts to perfumes, jewellery and carpets.Head to the 200-year-old souq named Souk Al Mubarakiya for souvenirs – and a lesson in haggling.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Flight time: 2hr.
Airlines flying direct from Dubai: Emirates, FlyDubai, Flyadeal, Flynas, Saudia.
Experience true Middle Eastern luxury roaming around Riyadh’s huge malls, or climb up the Skybridge skyscraper if you don’t know what being on top of the world feels like. But if you’re more on the adventurous side, turn to dune bashing in the deserts of Riyadh or take in the breath-taking uninterrupted view of the horizon from atop Edge of the World mountain range.

Salalah, Oman

Flight time: 1hr45min.
Airlines flying direct from Dubai: FlyDubai.
Ready for a lush, green escape? Explore beautiful waterfalls and enjoy the greenery of Salalah over the long weekend. There’ll be sunshine and the weather will be brilliant for surfing this time of year. Keep an eye out for the dolphins. Check into one of the resorts in Salalah and enjoy wildlife spotting, all just one hour 45 minutes from Dubai. Dreamy.

Holiday destinations under 3 hours from Dubai

Baku, Azerbaijan

Eid al Fitr holidays: direct flights from dubai — Credit: Shutterstock

Flight time: 3hr.
Airlines flying from Dubai: Azerbajian Airlines, FlyDubai.
Baku is just a short flight away from the GCC, nestled on the Asia-Europe border, and is packed with intriguing history, stunning scenery and delicious food. Baku has seen an increase in tourism in the past few years, but it’s still a hidden gem as far as capital cities go. As the capital of Azerbaijan, it has loads of tourist attractions. There are restaurants next to historical ruins and mosques set against skyscraper backgrounds. There’s also loads of natural beauty to explore. You should plan to sample the local food, explore medieval palaces and stroll through the city, admiring the contemporary architecture. Baku is also a very affordable place to explore, so you can enjoy an entirely new landscape without breaking your budget. Tourism is still lower than other countries nearby, yet Baku remains a super safe place for travellers with a lovely blend of modern and historical elements to see. You’d better start packing your bags.

Holiday destinations under 4 hours from Dubai

Amman, Jordan

Flight time: 3h40min.
Airlines flying from Dubai: FlyDubai, Royal Jordanian.
Jordan is an incredible place to visit, and is just a stone’s throw from the GCC. With stunning scenery and a historical capital, Amman, it’s a brilliant place for a short escape – as you’ll need just a few days here to pack in a lot. Petra, the ancient city in the desert looks like something straight out of a fantasy novel, and Wadi Rum is one of the most gorgeous desert landscapes in the world. Don’t skip a visit to Amman; the city is packed with history, including a Roman theatre, maze-like Souq Alias Market and loads of stunning mosques. Amman is also the ideal spot for foodies with some incredible street food, too, from shawarma to falafel and karak.

Cairo, Egypt

Flight time: 3hr45min.
Airlines flying from Dubai: Air Arabia, Emirates, Egypt Air
Set on the banks of the River Nile is Cairo. Egypt’s capital is a must-visit for history buffs, being home to the Pyramids of Giza – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. In Cairo you’ll also find fascinating museums – such as the Egyptian Museum, which holds more than 120,000 items. There are architectural monuments dating back from the Roman and Ottoman empires as well as stunning resorts, top shopping and world-class restaurants to check out, too. These include Dubai home-grown favourite Reif Kushiyaki Cairo. Plus, it’s all less than four hours away.

Mumbai, India

Flight time: 3hr30min.
Airlines flying direct from Dubai: Air India, Emirates, FlyDubai, Indigo, Spice Jet.
The birthplace of Bollywood, Mumbai is often referred to as the city of dreams. And city of dreams it is. A colourful explosion of culture, food and life, the capital city of Maharashtra is almost always bustling. A holiday here will see you eating rich cuisine from street food vendors along with high-end restaurants, relaxing on the beach and getting lost in the bustle of India’s culture capital. Found on the west coast of India, Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) is the largest city in India and the financial centre. More than six million tourists visit annually, making it the 30th most visited destination in the world, with the modern, vibrant feel, cultural highlights and even beaches being among the many draws to the city. And with a very short flight – under four hours from the UAE – there’s no excuse not to visit.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Flight time: 3hr10min.
Airlines flying from direct Dubai: Emirates, FlyDubai, Flynas.
There are many cultural marvels in the city, especially when you go to the historic Al Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But we suggest going the aqua adventure way when you head to Jeddah. Located by the Red Sea, it’s got unfiltered access to waters rife with turtles, sharks, fish and corals.

Tbilisi, Georgia

Flight time: 3hr55min.
Airlines flying from Dubai:

Not to be confused with the US state on Ray Charles’ mind, the Eastern European country is rich with history and brilliant cuisine. Take in the charming old architecture of Tbilisi on your way to grabbing some authentic homemade shoti bread. Or, if you want to hit the slopes then Gudari at this time of year is the place to be. Flights to Kutaisi from Abu Dhabi start from around Dhs150 per person. Visa free

Holiday destinations under 5 hours from Dubai

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Flight time: 4hr20min.
Airlines flying from Dubai: Emirates, FlyDubai, FitsAir, SriLankan.
The city of Colombo is home to ancient temples, bustling bazaars and colonial relics that will entice any culture-loving traveller. Check out the stunning buildings in the Fort Area that date back to the Dutch and British eras, plus Gangaramaya Temple, where you’ll feel the itch to count the Buddha statues. Want to explore further? Explore the gorgeous and beaches and tea plantations that call Sri Lanka home.

Istanbul, Turkey

Flight time: 4hr35min.
Airlines flying from Dubai: FlyDubai, Pegasus, Turkish Airlines.
Connecting two continents – Asia and Europe – Turkey’s Istanbul is a rich melting pot of culture. There’s an old-meets-new feel in the city, which makes sense due to its colourful past. Formerly known as Constantinople, the city was only officially named as we know it in 1930, although many people had been calling it Istanbul for centuries before. A visit to Istanbul will leave you wishing you had more time to explore. And it’s not just historical haunts that draw in the crowds. The Turkish spot has firmly secured itself as one of the most popular city breaks in the world, with its colourful art and culture offerings, extensive dining offerings as well as brilliant shopping. Just make sure you leave some time to try some Turkish coffee, visit a traditional hamman to really unwind and a browse around the bazaars.

Kerala, India

Flight time: 4hr20min.
Airlines flying direct from Dubai: Air India Express, Emirates.
Kerala is a gorgeous state in India, nestled in the south of the country. The state is quite diverse, with the south of it, where you’ll find the capital, more popular with international tourists, thanks to its super easy flight routes, especially from the GCC. Fondly known as the ‘Evergreen City of India’, Thiruvananthapuram is also referred to as Trivandrum or even just TVPM. Either way, it’s surrounded by beach resorts and natural beauty, a true tropical town that you should visit not just to explore Kerala, but for its own unique history and culture. The vibrant art scene will keep you mesmerised, as will the oodles of delicious flavours of South Indian cuisine.

Kathmandu, Nepal

Flight time: 4hr10min.
Airlines flying from Dubai: FlyDubai, Himalaya Airways.
There are landmarks and bazaars galore to explore in the city of Kathmandu. You’ll find more knick-knacks here than you’ll know what to do with. Try some authentic momos and Thukpa (noodle soup), which will keep you warm and energised as you explore.

Larnaka, Cyprus

Flight time: 5hr.
Airlines flying from Dubai:
Offering a lovely change of both scenery and pace of life, a half term holiday spent on Cyprus is pretty much guaranteed to leave all members of the clan feeling refreshed and reenergised. It rather helps that the Mediterranean island is renowned for its family-friendly feel, from the warmth and approachability of the locals to the calm Mediterranean waters, beautiful beaches, pretty coastal towns, plethora of excursions and day trip options and numerous hotels where excellent kids’ clubs feature as a matter of course.

Male, Maldives

Flight time: 4hr10min.
Airlines flying from direct Dubai: Emirates, FlyDubai.
Maldives, found between Sri Lanka and India in the Indian Ocean, is the perfect destination for those seeking a beach getaway. A huge draw for honeymooners, and equally popular with families, it’s a short journey from the GCC, with plenty of direct flights to the capital, Malé. While not many people head to the capital for the entire holiday, it’s where the flights come in, and from where you can get a sea plane or boat to your chosen resort. With its sandy shores, awe-inspiring views and island ambience, the Maldives has become a sought-after spot for beach-lovers. With many first-class hotels (the majority on their private islands) it’s one place where you can reset and recharge without distractions from the outside world. Whether you’re travelling as a couple or with the fam, there’s a resort with your name on it, and with crystal clear blue oceans and white sandy beaches Maldives really is a bucket list destination.

Seychelles

Flight time: 4hr30min.
Airlines flying from Dubai: Emirates.
Staggeringly beautiful beaches resplendent with pristine white sand; world-class scuba diving and snorkelling; dramatic, bedrock-strewn landscapes, verdant forests and UNESCO heritage sites to explore – there’s no hard sell needed when it comes to explaining why a holiday in the Seychelles is a good idea. That said, the island archipelago is better known as a destination for loved up honeymooners than families with school aged kids in tow. Visa-free.

Holiday destinations under 6 hours from Dubai

Athens, Greece

Flight time: 5h10.
Airlines flying from Dubai: Aegean, Emirates.Awe-inspiring history, sparkling waters, sunny beaches and some of the world’s best museums… of course we’re talking about Athens. Athens is the largest city in Greece and it’s also the capital, making it quick and easy to fly to from across the GCC. It’s also one of the oldest cities in the world with its recorded history spanning approximately 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a mega city-state that was a centre for the arts and philosophy. It is the home of Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum and is also referred to as the cradle of Western Civilisation and the birthplace of democracy. The city is jam-packed with ancient monuments, classical works of art and was the home of the first Olympic Games. The city also is well known for brilliant Mediterranean food and truly excellent coffee.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Flight time: 5hr30min.
Airlines flying from Dubai: FlyDubai.
This archipelago in the Indian Ocean is the ideal destination for those looking for a beach break with a spot of history. Part of Tanzania, many tourists combine a trip to the island with that of a safari on the mainland, but with or without a game drive, this beautiful African location is an ideal holiday destination. With beautiful beaches, stunning views and island vibes, it’s a popular beach holiday location, while Zanzibar is also home to many important architectural landmarks such as Maruhubi Palace, The House of Wonders and the ancient Kizimkazi Mosque.

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