Best Christmas Getaways from Dubai in 2026

Are you a Dubai resident? Do you want a drastic change from every day’s boring routine this Christmas? The Christmas Getaways from Dubai is the answer!

December is here, and everyone has already started planning their Christmas holiday destinations and those getaways are the best idea for a change.

If you haven’t started yet, we’re here to help. To know the best Christmas destinations from Dubai, scroll down for the full list of the top countries that enjoy festive snowy weather so you experience the winter vibes.

• Lapland, Finland
• St. Petersburg, Russia
• Vatican City, Rome
• Paris, France
• Beirut, Lebanon
• Tbilisi, Georgia
• Montreal, Canada
• Salzburg, Austria
• Reykjavik, Iceland
• Istanbul Turkey
• Key Takeaways
• FAQs

List of the Best Christmas Getaways from Dubai

On the Christmas break, a close destination yet filled with the winter vibes is all you need to make the best out of your vacation. This is exactly what the list below includes, amazing destinations where you can make a snowman or enjoy a snow fight!

1. Lapland, Finland

What could be better than spending this time of the year in Finland with its fascinating nature and snow everywhere?

The country even has a place called Santa Claus Village! While the distance from Dubai is not considered close, it’s surely worth it.

Getting from Dubai to Lapland, Finland:

• Approximate Flight Duration: 15 Hours
• Average Ticket Price: AED 1,100 – AED 2,500+

Average Cost of Living

• Single room starts from AED 300 – AED 500+ up to AED 800 – AED 2,400+ per night.
• Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of AED 60 – AED 80
• A monthly pass for transportation is AED 200 – AED 400+, while taxis start 40-100 AED for short city rides and 150-400+ AED for longer journeys

Best Places to Visit

• The Northern Lights
• Santa Claus Village
• Santa Park
• Levin Lapinkyla
• Arktikum
• Ice Music Festival
• Lainio Snow Village.

Special Christmas Events in the City/Country:

• Husky, Reindeer, and Snowmobile Safaris
• Yllas Ski Resort
• The Ultimate Sauna Experience.

2. St. Petersburg, Russia

This city is considered one of the best Christmas breaks from Dubai. It’s cheap, festive, and snowy, which can make your Christmas holiday all the more special.

Besides, St. Petersburg has a very rich history and is full of cultural traditions and literature, which makes it even more beautiful and attractive as a holiday destination.

Getting from Dubai to St. Petersburg, Russia

• Approximate Flight Duration: 6 Hours
• Average Ticket Price: AED 1600 – AED 2300

Average Cost of Living

• Single room starts from AED 90 – AED 160 up to AED 900-1400+ per night.
• Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of AED 30 – 40.
• A monthly pass for transportation is AED 100 – AED 130, while taxis start at AED 16 – AED 32

Best Places to Visit

• Hermitage Museum
• Peterhof Palace
• The Church of Split Blood
• Watch a Ballet Mariinsky Theatre
• Boat Tour Around the City Canals.

Special Christmas Events in the City/Country:

• Christmas Markets
• St. Isaac’s Cathedral
• Ice Skating
• International Winter Festival.

3. Vatican City, Rome

This city would be great for you if you love Rome and ancient buildings that are full of history. Vatican City is considered one of the best Christmas getaways from Dubai and one of the best holiday destinations ever.

In addition, it’s a small city that declared its independence from Italy and is ruled by the Pope. It is absolutely full of cheery Christmas celebrations and joyous decorations.

Getting from Dubai to Vatican City, Rome

• Approximate Flight Duration: 9 Hours
• Average Ticket Price: AED 900 – AED 2700+

Average Cost of Living

• Single room starts from AED 195 – AED 250 up to AED 1,500 / AED 5000 per night.
• Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of AED 40 – 48
• A monthly pass for transportation is AED 140, while taxis range from AED 40- AED 80 for short distances.

Best Places to Visit

• St. Peter’s Square
• St. Peter’s Basilica
• Vatican Museums
• Sistine Chapel
• Vatican Scavi Necropolis
• The Swiss Guards.

Special Christmas Events in the City/Country

• Pope Masses
• Christmas Cribs in Rome
• Christmas Shopping
• Ice Skating – Ice Rinks
• Christmas Markets
• Public Transport at the Christmas Holidays in Rome – special decorations at Christmas.

4. Paris, France

What is better on Christmas than watching the lights all over the city standing on the top of the Eiffel Tower? The City of Light, Paris, attracts visitors from around the globe for its culture, visits, literature and haute couture.

Last but not least, if you’re looking for a magical change and want to spend a Christmas holiday abroad from Dubai, Paris is your destination.

Getting from Dubai to Paris, France

• Approximate Flight Duration: 9 Hours
• Average Ticket Price: AED 1100 – AED 3000+

Average Cost of Living

• A Single room starts from AED 150-300 up to AED 1000 – AED 4000 per night.
• Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of AED 55 – AED 80
• Monthly pass for transportation is AED 355, while taxis start at AED 34 plus AED 5.43 for each kilometer.

Best Places to Visit

• Louvre Museum and Old Palace
• Notre Dame Cathedral
• Eiffel Tower
• Impressionist Art at the Musée d’Orsay
• Sorbonne and the Latin Quarter
• Arc de Triomphe
• Sacré Coeur and Montmartre
• Seine River.

Special Christmas Events in the City/Country

• Holiday Lights and Displays
• Traditional Christmas Markets
• Ice-Skating at the Eiffel Tower Ice Rink, and Patinoire Pailleron.
• Enjoy the Champs-Elysées Christmas Lights
• Visit Disneyland for its special Christmas celebrations.

5. Beirut, Lebanon

If all you want for Christmas is a place where you can see the snow, and enjoy being in the Middle East, this city is for you, and it offers one of the most reasonably-priced Christmas holiday packages from Dubai.

It’s known for being a modern country having elite and nice people that will make your Christmas warm and cozy. It is also cheap and very close, making it among the top Christmas getaways from Dubai.

Getting from Dubai to Beirut, Lebanon

• Approximate Flight Duration: 3 Hours
• Average Ticket Price: AED 1000 – AED 2000.

Average Cost of Living

• Single room starts from AED 100 – AED 200 up to AED 450 – AED 2000+ per night.
• Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of AED 18 – AED 73
• A monthly pass for transportation is AED 75 – AED 185, while taxis start at AED 15 plus AED 7 for each kilometer.

Best Places to Visit

• Beirut Souks
• Martyr’s square
• Nijmeh Square
• Hamra Street
• Zaitunay Bay
• Pigeon Rocks, Raouche
• Sursock Museum.

Special Christmas Events in the City/Country

• Christmas Decorations
• Go to Mountain Cabins.

6. Tbilisi, Georgia

You may want to travel, but not too far. Great news! Tbilisi is among the perfect Christmas getaways from Dubai, because it is very close, and it does not require a visa to travel to. It is known for the lovely churches and lights that brighten and decorate Christmas.

Getting from Dubai to Tbilisi, Georgia

• Approximate Flight Duration: 3 Hours
• Average Ticket Price: AED 520 – AED 1100

Average Cost of Living

• Single room starts from AED 22-70 up to AED 400 – 1000 per night.
• Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of AED 10 – 20
• A monthly pass for transportation is AED 40 , while taxis start at AED 2 plus AED 7-20 for each kilometer.

Best Places to Visit

• The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
• Mtatsminda Park
• Georgia Statue
• The Kura River
• Narikala Fortress.

Special Christmas Events in the City/Country

• Festive decorations
• Carol Songs
• Christmas Gifts Shops
• Snowy Mountains and Cliffs.

7. Montreal, Canada

Imagine that you switch your holiday from the country of sand and sun to the most turning-white country in Winter. Montreal, in particular, is not only known for the snow, but also for being the core of the country and the location for many museums.

Getting from Dubai to Montreal, Canada

• Approximate Flight Duration: 17 Hours
• Average Ticket Price: AED AED 2,200 – AED 3000+.

Average Cost of Living

• Single room starts from AED 118 – AED 220+ up to AED 700 – AED 2000+ per night.
• Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of AED 66.
• A monthly pass for transportation is AED 280 – AED 300, while taxis start at AED 11.27 plus AED 3.98 for each kilometer.

Best Places to Visit

• Mont-Royal
• Vieux – Montreal
• Jardin Botanique
• Notre-Dame Basilica
• Oratoire Saint-Joseph
• Parc Jean Drapeau
• Musee des Beaux Arts
• Pointe-à-Callière
• China Town.

Special Christmas Events in the City/Country

• Santa Claus Parade
• Interact with light at Luminotherapie
• Take a candlelit walk on Christmas on the Avenue
• Attend a Christmas Mass
• Enjoy fireworks in Old Montreal
• Shop at the Christmas markets.

8. Salzburg, Austria

The city of fairy tales, where Mozart was born and The Sound of Music was shot. It is an ideal place to spend your Christmas because of the lights and fascinating decorations. You can expect snowy mountains and high cliffs, along with mesmerizing Christmas festivals.

Indulge into the winter vibes at this stunning city which is surely on the list of the optimum Christmas getaways from Dubai!

Getting from Dubai to Salzburg, Austria:

• Approximate Flight Duration: 8 Hours
• Average Ticket Price: AED 1,800 – AED 2,500+ .

Average Cost of Living:

• Single room starts from AED 400-700 up to AED 4,000 to AED 7,000+ per night.
• Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of AED 40-50.
• A monthly pass for transportation is AED 250 – 300 , while taxis start at AED 21 plus AED 5.65 for each kilometer.

Best Places to Visit

• Altstadt Salzburg
• Hohensalzburg Castle
• St. Peter’s Abbey
• Salzburg Cathedral
• St. Peter’s Church
• The Residenzplatz
• Schloss Hellbrunn and Fountains
• Schloss Mirabell and Gardens
• The Franciscan Church
• Mozart’s Birthplace.

Special Christmas Events in the City/Country

• Take a Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride
• Head to the Silent Night Chapel
• Go Skiing
• Go to Christmas Markets
• Eat Lebkuchen (a treat made from cinnamon, ginger and it resembles cookies)
• Go to a Sauna and Spa.

9. Reykjavik, Iceland

Another amazing city for you with a 50% probability of snowing in Christmas can be splendid to visit. It combines two different things at once; it has this dreamy snowy scene while having some volcanic activity. Therefore, you can enjoy a relaxing spa while observing frosty weather.

Getting from Dubai to Reykjavik, Iceland

• Approximate Flight Duration: 13 Hours
• Average Ticket Price:  AED 1,600 – AED 2,100.

Average Cost of Living

• Single room starts from AED 100 – AED 350+ up to AED 2,400 to AED 3,049 per night.
• Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of AED 23 – AED 86.
• A monthly pass for transportation is AED 340-AED 360, while taxis start at AED 21 plus AED 9.77 for each kilometer.

Best Places to Visit

• Hallgrimskirkja Church
• Harpa Concert Hall
• Green Areas and Public Parks
• Northern Lights.

Special Christmas Events in the City/Country

• Around Christmas, you can visit ice caves, go glacier hiking or snowmobiling.
• Icelandic Christmas food is delicious.
• On New Year’s Eve, all of Reykjavík becomes a firework display for several hours.

10. Istanbul, Turkey

The city is very close to Dubai, which makes it a superb destination for Christmas. Whether it’s snowy or not, you will see a totally new version of Istanbul during Christmas due to the lighted streets and colorful squares.

Getting from Dubai to Istanbul, Turkey

• Flight Duration: around 4 Hours
• Average Ticket Price: AED 350 – AED 3000+.

Average Cost of Living:

• Single room starts from AED 42 – 100+ up to AED 800 – AED 1500+ per night.
• Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of AED 7 – AED 15.
• A monthly pass for transportation is AED 130, while taxis start at AED 1-2 plus AED 1 for each kilometer.

Best Places to Visit

• Aya Sofya
• Topkapi Palace
• Blue Mosque
• Basilica Cistern
• Hippodrome
• Grand Bazaar
• Dolmabahce Palace
• Chora Church.

Special Christmas Events in the City/Country

• Church Masses
• Christmas food shopping.

Key Takeaways

Christmas is the perfect time to escape Dubai’s warm weather and experience true winter magic. Whether you’re dreaming of snowy landscapes, festive markets, or cosy European towns, destinations like Lapland, Salzburg, Tbilisi, and Reykjavik offer the ideal Christmas atmosphere with plenty of attractions, events, and seasonal celebrations.

From short-haul options such as Beirut and Istanbul to long-haul adventures like Montreal, each destination includes helpful details on flight duration, average costs, and the best places to visit. With so many snowy getaways to choose from, you can easily find the perfect Christmas holiday that fits your budget, travel style, and festive mood.

FAQ

There are loads of countries where Christmas has special celebrations and surroundings, but we’ve chosen the best Christmas breaks abroad from Dubai. Get ready and pack your bag to celebrate this fantastic time of the year and have the ultimate indulgence.

Also, in case of any inconvenience, you can still enjoy the festive vibes in the city as there is a long list of the best places to visit during Christmas in Dubai.

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