UAE National Day Holiday 2025: Best Destinations for the Long Weekend (2–3 December)
UAE National Day falls on 2 December — creating one of the most popular long weekend travel windows of the year. In 2025, National Day (Tuesday 2 December) combined with the Day of Commemoration (Monday 1 December) gives many UAE residents a 4-day long weekend from Saturday 29 November to Tuesday 2 December — or in some sectors, an even longer break.
For UAE residents who want to travel for National Day, this guide covers the best destinations for a 3–5 night trip in early December, what’s available and bookable now, and why booking early matters for this particular window.
How Long Is the UAE National Day Holiday in 2025?
UAE National Day 2025 falls on Tuesday, 2 December.
The public holiday in the UAE covers:
- Commemoration Day: Monday, 1 December (public holiday)
- National Day: Tuesday, 2 December (public holiday)
For most UAE residents, this creates a 4-day long weekend: Saturday 29 November – Tuesday 2 December.
Those who can take Wednesday 3 December as annual leave extend this to a 5-night trip, making destinations up to 6 hours away genuinely worthwhile.
Book now. UAE National Day is one of the most heavily booked travel periods of the year. Flights and hotels for popular short-break destinations (Georgia, Istanbul, Bali, Maldives) fill up 6–8 weeks ahead. If you’re reading this in September or October, you’re in the right window — but act soon.
What Makes a Good National Day Long Weekend Destination?
For a 3–4 night National Day break, the destination needs to work within the time constraints:
- Flight time under 5 hours — anything longer eats too much of a short trip
- No complex visa process — you don’t want to apply for a Schengen visa for a 4-day trip
- Enough to do in 3–4 days — a concentrated, rewarding experience without needing a week
- Easy logistics — a destination where you’re in the hotel within 90 minutes of landing
Best Destinations for UAE National Day 2025: Short-Break Picks
1. Tbilisi, Georgia — 3.5 Hours | No Visa | Best Value
Georgia is the most popular National Day destination from the UAE — and the reasons are clear. The 3.5-hour direct flight on flydubai or Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, zero visa requirement for virtually all UAE residents, extraordinary value (a boutique hotel in the Old Town costs AED 200–400 per night), and a destination that feels genuinely different from the UAE without being hard to navigate.
What you can do in 4 nights:
- 2 full days exploring Tbilisi (Old Town, Narikala Fortress, sulphur baths, Georgian food scene)
- 1 full day to Kazbegi (3-hour drive each way — the Gergeti Trinity Church with the Caucasus Mountains behind it is one of the world’s great views)
- 1 day to Mtskheta (UNESCO-listed ancient capital, 20 minutes from Tbilisi) and Signagi (wine country)
Why book now: Georgia flights for National Day weekend are already being booked. flydubai and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi routes to Tbilisi have limited capacity — seats go fast for long weekend dates.
Budget: AED 1,800–3,500 per person for 4 nights including flights.
2. Istanbul, Turkey — 3 Hours 45 Minutes | e-Visa | Culture and Food
Istanbul is perfectly calibrated for a 4-night National Day break. The flight is under 4 hours from Dubai, the e-Visa (USD 20–50, near-instant online) is simple, and the destination delivers an extraordinary density of experiences in a compact, walkable city.
What you can do in 4 nights:
- Hagia Sophia (now a mosque — experience it as a place of worship, not just a tourist site)
- Topkapi Palace and the Sacred Relics Collection (the Prophet’s ﷺ mantle and sword — deeply moving for Muslim UAE travellers)
- Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar
- Bosphorus sunset cruise
- Beyoğlu and Galata neighbourhood exploration
- Excellent halal dining throughout
December weather in Istanbul: Cool (8–12°C), occasionally rainy. Pack a warm layer and a waterproof jacket. The city is far less crowded than summer — a significant advantage.
Budget: AED 2,500–5,000 per person for 4 nights including flights.
3. Baku, Azerbaijan — 3 Hours | e-Visa | Underrated City Break
Baku is the most underrated National Day destination from the UAE — a city that almost no UAE residents have been to, yet consistently impresses those who visit. The 3-hour flight, ASAN e-Visa (USD 20–25, near-instant), and a destination that feels genuinely surprising make it an excellent alternative to the now-crowded Georgia and Istanbul options.
What you can do in 4 nights:
- Old City (İçərişəhər) — UNESCO World Heritage medieval walled city
- Heydar Aliyev Centre (Zaha Hadid’s masterpiece — one of the world’s finest contemporary buildings)
- Flame Towers and Baku waterfront boulevard
- Gobustan rock art and mud volcanoes day trip
- Excellent Azerbaijani cuisine (halal throughout)
December weather in Baku: Cold (5–10°C) but manageable. The Caspian Sea backdrop and the city’s wide boulevards are atmospheric in winter.
Budget: AED 2,000–4,000 per person for 4 nights including flights.
4. Muscat, Oman — 1 Hour | No Visa | Closest Escape
For UAE residents who want to travel but keep it minimal — 1-hour flight, no visa, no time zone change, and a genuinely different experience from Dubai and Abu Dhabi — Muscat is the perfect National Day escape.
What you can do in 3–4 nights:
- Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (one of the world’s most beautiful mosques)
- Muttrah Souq and Corniche evening walk
- Bait Al Zubair Museum
- Day trip to Wadi Shab (turquoise pools, cave swimming) or Wahiba Sands (desert)
- Al Bustan Palace or Chedi Muscat for resort days
Budget: AED 1,200–3,000 per person for 4 nights including flights.
5. Maldives — 4 Hours | Visa on Arrival | Beach and Switch-Off
For UAE residents who want to spend the National Day long weekend completely disconnected — no sightseeing, no city exploration, just overwater villa, warm lagoon, and world-class snorkelling — the Maldives works perfectly as a 4-night National Day escape.
The 4-hour direct Emirates or flydubai flight, visa on arrival for all nationalities, and the straightforward resort experience (arrive, check in, disappear) suit the National Day window well.
Choose a speedboat-access resort (Kurumba, Anantara Veli, Bandos) to maximise resort time rather than transit time — seaplane transfers add complexity and cost that isn’t necessary for a 4-night stay.
Warning: Maldives resorts for National Day weekend book out early. If the Maldives is your plan, book now.
Budget: AED 6,000–15,000 per couple for 4 nights including flights and resort.
6. Colombo + South Coast, Sri Lanka — 4.5 Hours | ETA Online | Beach + Culture
Sri Lanka’s south coast (Galle, Mirissa) is at the beginning of its dry season in December — perfect beach conditions, clear skies, and warm water. Combine 1–2 nights in Colombo (Pettah bazaar, Galle Face Green, excellent restaurants) with 2–3 nights on the south coast (Galle Fort, boutique beach hotel) for a compact but deeply satisfying 4–5 night National Day trip.
Budget: AED 3,000–5,500 per person for 4 nights including flights.
7. Bangkok, Thailand — 6 Hours | No Visa | City + Culture
Bangkok works for a 4–5 night National Day break for UAE residents who have the Tuesday off and can extend to Wednesday with annual leave. The 6-hour direct Emirates flight means you arrive having lost only one evening — and Bangkok is a destination that rewards 4 full days of exploration.
What 4 days in Bangkok covers:
- Wat Pho and the Grand Palace (half day)
- Chatuchak Weekend Market (Saturday or Sunday only — timing works perfectly if departing Friday evening from Dubai)
- Khao San Road and the Chao Phraya river area
- Day trip to Ayutthaya (UNESCO ancient capital, 1.5 hours by train)
- Excellent Thai street food throughout
Budget: AED 3,500–6,500 per person for 4 nights including flights.
National Day Travel: What to Book Right Now
If you’re reading this in September or October 2025, here’s what to prioritise:
Flights first. National Day flights on popular routes (Tbilisi, Istanbul, Muscat, Maldives, Bangkok) fill fast. Secure your flights before hotel availability becomes the limiting factor.
Maldives resort rooms. If the Maldives is your plan, book the resort simultaneously with the flights — specific overwater villa categories at popular resorts sell out for National Day well in advance.
Kazbegi accommodation (Georgia). If you’re planning the Tbilisi + Kazbegi combination, book Kazbegi accommodation now — the mountain town has limited beds and the long weekend creates significant demand.
Istanbul hotels with Bosphorus views. The best-positioned hotels in Istanbul (Sultanahmet area, waterfront Ortaköy) fill quickly for the National Day long weekend — book as soon as your dates are confirmed.
National Day Travel: Frequently Asked Questions
When is UAE National Day 2025? UAE National Day is on 2 December 2025. Combined with Commemoration Day on 1 December, most UAE residents have a 4-day long weekend from Saturday 29 November to Tuesday 2 December.
Where do most UAE residents travel for National Day? The most popular National Day destinations from the UAE are Georgia (Tbilisi), Turkey (Istanbul), Oman (Muscat), Maldives, and Thailand. Georgia and Istanbul are consistently the top two due to their short flight times, visa-free or simple e-Visa access, and excellent short-break experiences.
Is it too late to book National Day travel in October? October is still a good time to book for National Day, but popular flights and hotels are selling fast. Flights to Georgia and Istanbul in particular have limited capacity — book immediately if you have decided on a destination. For hotel availability in less popular destinations, October bookings are generally fine.
Do I need a visa for Georgia for National Day? No. Georgia is visa-free for virtually all UAE residents regardless of passport nationality. A standard 30-day tourist stay is granted on arrival.
What is the weather like in December at popular National Day destinations? Georgia (Tbilisi): Cold (5–12°C), possible snow in Kazbegi. Turkey (Istanbul): Cool (8–14°C), some rain. Maldives: Dry season beginning — excellent. Sri Lanka south coast: Dry season beginning — very good. Thailand: Cool season (25–30°C) — excellent. Oman: Perfect (22–28°C).
Book Your National Day Holiday with Orient Holidays
Orient Holidays plans National Day holidays for UAE residents every year — including last-minute flight availability checks, hotel bookings for the specific long weekend dates, and destination advice for groups of all sizes.
National Day holiday packages from UAE start from AED 1,499 per person for 3 nights including flights and hotel.
WhatsApp our team now — National Day 2025 dates are filling up. The earlier you confirm, the better your options on flights, resorts, and room categories.
UAE public holiday dates are officially announced by the government and subject to confirmation. Pricing is approximate and based on 2025 rates. National Day travel demand is high — book early.