Mon, Dec 23, 2024 | Jumada al-Aakhirah 22, 1446 | DXB ktweather icon0°C

Revealed: UAE residents are travelling to these European cities this Christmas, New Year holiday

These destinations have become the top choice for UAE's globe trotters despite airfares peaking during this festive season

Published: Mon 23 Dec 2024, 11:29 AM

Updated: Mon 23 Dec 2024, 2:26 PM

Top Stories

A woman poses for a picture with a candy at the New Year and Christmas market in the Red Square in Moscow, Russia December 15, 2023. Reuters file

A woman poses for a picture with a candy at the New Year and Christmas market in the Red Square in Moscow, Russia December 15, 2023. Reuters file

Moscow and London have emerged as the most popular European tourist destinations for UAE residents during the ongoing festive season.

Residents in the country have been enjoying long weekends in December, starting with the UAE National Day earlier this month. Some residents are also merging the New Year holiday with the weekend to enjoy a short vacation at the end of this month.

Strong airline connectivity from the UAE to Europe, as well as easy processing of visas have made European destinations the top choice for UAE's globe trotters despite airfares peaking during this festive season.

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

According to data released by online travel marketplace Wego, Moscow topped the list of searches from UAE among the European destinations during the festive season as the city is best enjoyed in its festivals and brightly decorated streets.

Many popular events such as Journey to Christmas, which includes shows, concerts, and fun workshops, are held at different points of the city. Many Christmas markets also pop up in the Red Square for tourists to buy gifts and souvenirs.

London is a perennial favourite of UAE residents, showing up annually on the list of most-searched year-end destinations from the Emirates. Christmas in London means a lot of things, including Christmas markets, ice skating, theatre shows, and musical concerts.

Recently, dnata Travel listed Thailand, the Maldives, the UK, Sri Lanka and Turkey as top destinations during the long UAE National Day weekend.

According to Wego, Baku – ranked third – woos UAE visitors with a variety of stalls, providing books, craftworks, delectable foods, fireworks displays, and live music at restaurants and hotels hosting special gala dinners.

Georgia’s Tbilisi is another popular destination among UAE travellers.

Among other European cities, Prague ranked 5th in the search for UAE residents who want to explore its Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square for charming Christmas markets, gothic architecture, and traditional Czech food. Ice skating at Letná Park, Vltava River cruise and fireworks during New Year's Eve from Petrin Hill or Charles Bridge are the other popular activities.

Vienna, Paris, Yerevan, Milan, Sarajevo and Munich are other European cities that topped the list of UAE travellers’ chart this season.

ALSO READ:



Next Story