Choosing the perfect summer destination is of the utmost importance, allowing you to escape everyday life for a week or two and promising wonderful days of relaxation, adventure, sun, culture and more. If, like us, you like to explore new destinations, along with old favourites, you’ll be intrigued to know that Skyscanner has unveiled the top destinations for UAE travellers to experience this summer.
The popular global travel marketplace has revealed that June also became the most popular month for travel searches, beating out July and August. Here what at the summer destinations for UAE travellers in 2024?
The swimming pool at Luxor’s Al Moudira hotel
Egypt
Topping the list for an easy summer escape is Egypt – just a three-hour flight from the UAE and offering something for every traveller. There’s the capital Cairo for a city break, with its majestic pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, beautiful hotels, thriving dining culture, world-famous museums and more. There’a a Nile river cruise, best taken between Luxor and Aswan to experience the majesty of Ancient Egypt, and there’s its famous beach resort towns like Sharm Al Sheikh, Hurghada and El Gouna – guaranteeing sunshine and good times. Flights start from AED 329
United Kingdom
With such a large expat community, it’s no surprise that the UK is topping the list of summer destinations for UAE travellers. There’s the capital London, of course, an iconic city filled with life, culture, restaurants, museum, gardens, luxury and more, but there’s a wealth of other places to explore – such as Manchester, the industrial epicentre-turned-cool and creative hotspot, the beautiful Scottish capital of Edinburgh and the many coastal towns and counties. For a quintessentially British escape, the UK is also home to myriad beautiful country homes – from luxury mansions to boutique farmstays. The weather isn’t always reliable, but when the sun shines, there are few more beautiful places. Prices starting from AED 376
Thailand
Those embarking on a journey to Thailand this summer can discover the country’s pristine beaches, lush forests and vibrant cities. Thailand offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure and cultural discovery. Dive into the azure waters of the Andaman Sea or the Gulf of Thailand to explore colourful coral reefs and exotic marine life. Indulge in world-renowned Thai cuisine, from street food delights to fine dining experiences. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping activities like zip-lining through the jungle or tranquil moments spent meditating in a secluded monastery, Thailand has something for every traveller. Prices starting from AED 750
Türkiye (Turkey)
The historic landscapes of Türkiye offer so much to travellers. For starters, the nation straddles two continents, Europe and Asia, offering a colourful and heady mix of culture and gastronomy. Jump on an easy four-hour flight to explore Istanbul with its Aya Sofia, Top Kapi palace, Spice Bazaar and Galata Tower, an evening cruise on the Bosphorus and Sulemaniye Hammam, a centuries-old public bathhouse, is an experience in itself. Outside of Istanbul, Cappadocia, with its fairy chimneys, is a dreamy destination for taking a hot air balloon ride, and is hugely popular on social media. The view includes rock-cut churches of the Byzantine Era, nestled into the valleys and the pure white travertine terraces of Pamukkale. But nowhere is better in when the sunshines than Bodrum and the Turkish Riviera – where the country, and world’s, elite flock each summer. Prices starting from AED 328
Everywhere
Skyscanner’s popular search tool ‘Everywhere’ is a top-searched destination among UAE residents, offering travel enthusiasts diverse options and budget-friendly holiday experiences to explore. The Everywhere search enables travellers to discover a multitude of destinations, ordered by cheapest price, all conveniently consolidated from 1200 travel sites into one platform.
A quick Everywhere search on Skyscanner reveals return flights to Italy from AED 1,143, Cyprus from AED 1,371 and Sweden from AED 1,492 round trip. If you already know your preferred destination, but are flexible on dates, use Skyscanner’s ‘up whole month’ tool to see the cheapest days to fly at a glance and pick the right deal for you.