Skyscanner reveals 10 trending destinations for UAE travellers in 2026

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Tiger's Nest Monastery in Paro, Bhutan

UAE travellers are set to cast their nets wider in 2026, exploring smaller and lesser-known corners of the world, with Skyscanner’s newly released Travel Trends Report revealing emerging favourites such as Bulgaria’s seaside city of Varna and Spain’s culture-packed Bilbao.

Skyscanner data shows that 61% of UAE residents plan to take more holidays next year compared to 2025, and more than half (54%) are ready to spend more per person on their trips.

The trends point to a growing appetite for new experiences and destinations beyond the usual hotspots.

Varna, perched on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast and known for its golden beaches and Roman ruins, tops the list with searches soaring 344%, while Bilbao follows closely with a 167% surge, drawing art lovers to its Basque streets lined with bold architecture and world-class museums.

Bilbao in Spain

Other rising European stars include Basel in Switzerland, up 70%, and Milan, Italy’s style capital, up 40%.

A strong dirham-to-euro rate and the rollout of new summer routes and more frequencies are expected to contribute to Milan’s growing popularity, while direct flights from Dubai to Basel are opening up easier access to the tri-border city known for its cultural mix of Swiss precision and French-German flair.

Looking east, Asia continues to capture UAE interest. Bhutan’s mountain valley town of Paro has seen searches climb 149% as travellers seek Himalayan tranquillity and spiritual landmarks such as Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

Hotel preferences steer UAE travellers’ holiday bookings in 2026

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Meanwhile, China’s capital Beijing is seeing renewed appeal, with searches rising 57% following improved air connectivity, while in Southeast Asia, Thailand’s Krabi, up 38%, continues to attract value-seekers taking advantage of the favourable baht exchange rate.

India remains a favourite, claiming two spots in the top 10. Bengaluru has seen searches rise 42%, thanks to its blend of lush gardens, craft coffee culture and buzzing tech scene; and Kochi, up 35%, is winning attention as a relaxed coastal escape framed by colonial-era architecture and contemporary art cafés.

Krabi in Thailand

When it comes to decision-making, affordability remains key, with 67% of UAE travellers choosing their holidays based on flight costs, according to Skyscanner, while 60% consider accommodation prices and 49% look at visa fees.

For value hunters, the study also reveals the top 10 best-value destinations where falling flight prices offer more travel for less.

Leading the list are Davao in the Philippines, Salalah in Oman and Phuket in Thailand, while Manila, Kochi and Kuala Lumpur also feature among the most affordable Asian destinations.

Tbilisi in Georgia emerges as the only European entry, buoyed by lower fares and a strong dirham, and for short-haul escapes, Manama in Bahrain and Dammam on Saudi Arabia’s Gulf coast stand out.

Zanzibar in Tanzania earns a place as a wallet-friendly beach getaway for 2026.

For more information, visit skyscanner.net/travel-trends