Skyscanner has revealed travellers in the UAE are opting for lesser-known destinations for next year’s holidays, with Bulgaria’s Varna and Spain’s Bilbao among the top choices.
According to Skyscanner data, people are turning their attention to
less-travelled destinations that fly further under the radar but offer
something fresh. A total of 61% of people plan to take more overseas
holidays in 2026 than 2025 while 54% have budgeted to spend more per
person on their trips next year.
From Varna’s golden
beaches in Bulgaria to Krabi island adventures in Thailand, these places to
travel are piquing people’s interests and growing in popularity. Located in
Europe and Asia, these destinations offer easy accessibility and flights,
making them ideal choices for UAE travellers.
List of the top 10 trending locations and why to visit
|
Location |
Year-on-Year Growth |
Why visit? |
|
Varna (Bulgaria) |
344% |
With golden beaches
and Roman ruins, this Black Sea gem is an affordable European alternative.
Increasing low-cost Europe links are boosting interest from the UAE. |
|
Bilbao (Spain) |
167% |
This artistic Basque
city blends bold design, great food and medieval streets, with UAE travellers
making the most of the European connections and culinary appeal. |
|
Paro (Bhutan) |
149% |
Home to the iconic
Tiger’s Nest Monastery in the Himalayas, its spiritual charm and Bhutan’s
sustainable travel model are attracting UAE travellers. |
|
Basel (Switzerland) |
70% |
A blend of riverside
charm with world-class art at the crossroads of Switzerland, France and
Germany. New direct flights from Dubai are making this cultural hub more
accessible in 2026. |
|
Beijing (China) |
57% |
Beijing is returning
to the UAE travel radar with reopened borders, new flights and a strong draw
for culture seekers. |
|
Bengaluru (India) |
42% |
A lively mix of
tech, gardens and gastronomy, Bengaluru is a favourite for both business and
leisure with flights from the UAE. |
|
Milan (Italy) |
40% |
A city where
fashion, design and historic landmarks meet. With strong dirham-to-euro value
and new summer routes, Milan is a stylish choice. |
|
Krabi (Thailand) |
38% |
Towering limestone
cliffs, island-hopping and quiet beaches make Krabi a dream Thai escape. With
the baht remaining weak, UAE travellers will get more luxury for less. |
|
Vienna (Austria) |
36% |
Elegant boulevards,
classical music and riverside cafés define Vienna’s timeless charm. With
summer events and favourable exchange rates, it’s a refined European break. |
|
Kochi (India) |
35% |
A historic port city
with colonial charm and art cafés, Kochi offers a laid-back coastal escape.
UAE interest is rising thanks to its cultural buzz and direct flights. |
When it comes to
finding value-for-money holidays, UAE travellers are choosing their next
holiday based on the cost of flights (67%) and cost of accommodation
(60%), while 49% look at visa prices.
Skyscanner has
revealed the top 10 best-value holidays, combining experience and affordability
for UAE travellers, with destinations ranging from Asia to Africa. They are
more popular due to flight price reductions with new routes and seasonal demand
among other factors.
List of the top
10 locations based on average flight price drop
|
Location |
Flight Price Drop |
Why it’s popular |
|
Davao (Philippines) |
21% |
Ringed by forests
and coral reefs, Davao is a laid-back launchpad for island adventure. Lower
prices and a favourable peso rate make it great for budget explorers. |
|
Salalah (Oman) |
20% |
Waterfalls, misty
hills and cooler temperatures make Salalah a seasonal favourite. With easier
access and steady currency rates, it’s ideal for summer travellers chasing
green get-aways. |
|
Phuket (Thailand) |
19% |
With its many charms
including beach clubs, boat tours and spice-rich street food, Phuket offers
tropical variety. With strong baht value and softer fares, it remains a go-to
island escape. |
|
Manila (Philippines) |
17% |
A high-energy city
where heritage meets street life. Manila is seeing better flight rates and a strong
peso exchange, making it a great-value getaway for urban explorers. |
|
Zanzibar (Tanzania) |
16% |
A dreamy blend of
spice markets, Swahili culture and turquoise shores, Zanzibar’s falling fares
and stable shilling rates make it a smart choice for beach lovers in 2026. |
|
Manama (Bahrain) |
15% |
A short hop away,
Manama blends Pearl Trail heritage with cosmopolitan energy. Price dips and
regional proximity make it perfect for affordable cultural escapes. |
|
Kuala Lumpur
(Malaysia) |
12% |
Skyscrapers, street
food and colonial charm define Kuala Lumpur’s appeal. With better ringgit
currency value, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of Malaysia. |
|
Kochi (India) |
5% |
A perfect blend of
backwater houseboats, colonial lanes and spice markets make Kochi a soulful
escape. A strong rupee and more frequent flights add to its travel appeal
this year. |
|
Damman (Saudi
Arabia) |
3% |
Just across the
Gulf, Dammam mixes coastal calm with cultural charm. A flight price drop and
currency parity make it an ideal choice for quick weekend getaways. |
|
Tbilisi (Georgia) |
3% |
Tbilisi’s cobbled streets,
world-famous grape beverages and mountain backdrops mean the city is buzzing
again. Falling fares and strong dirham value make Georgia an appealing
choice. |