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
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!
Check the following top countries that are optimum for Christmas break from Dubai.
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 1436
Average Cost of Living
- Single room starts from 32 USD / 117 AED up to 2488 USD / 9139 AED per night.
- Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of 12.47 USD
- A monthly pass for transportation is 62 USD, while taxis start at 6.8 USD plus 1.81 USD for each kilometer.
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 1779
Average Cost of Living
- Single room starts from 3 USD / 10 AED up to USD 1185 / AED 4354 per night.
- Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of USD 7.75
- A monthly pass for transportation is USD 44.92, while taxis start at USD 2.32 plus USD 0.31 for each kilometer.
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 1339
Average Cost of Living
- Single room starts from 11 US /AED 39 up to USD 915 / AED 3363 per night.
- Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of USD 17
- A monthly pass for transportation is USD 39.67, while taxis start at USD 4.53 plus USD 1.60 for each kilometer.
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 1276
Average Cost of Living
- A monthly room starts from US 19/AED 71 up to US 1131/AED 4156 per night.
- Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of USD 17
- Monthly pass for transportation is USD 85.24, while taxis start at USD 5.67 plus USD 1.47 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 940.
Average Cost of Living
- Single room starts from USD 16/AED 57 up to USD 153/ AED 562 per night.
- Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of USD 10
- A monthly pass for transportation is USD 55, while taxis start at USD 5.30 plus USD 2 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 960
Average Cost of Living
- Single room starts from USD 2/AED 7 up to USD 160 / AED 586 per night.
- Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of USD 5.51
- A monthly pass for transportation is USD 11.03, while taxis start at USD 1.10 plus USD 0.22 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: 4039 AED.
Average Cost of Living
- Single room starts from USD 16/AED 58 up to USD 367/ AED 1350 per night.
- Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of USD 11.29.
- A monthly pass for transportation is USD 63.96, while taxis start at USD 2.63 plus USD 1.32 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: 2339 AED.
Average Cost of Living:
- Single room starts from 20 US / 75 AED up to 429 US / 1575 AED per night.
- Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of 13.03 USD.
- A monthly pass for transportation is 58.37 USD, while taxis start at 4.76 USD plus 1.64 USD 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: 1973 AED.
Average Cost of Living
- Single room starts from 18 US / 67 AED up to USD 462 / AED 1698 per night.
- Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of USD 19.94.
- A monthly pass for transportation is USD 99.08, while taxis start at USD 5.56 plus USD 2.12 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 900.
Average Cost of Living:
- Single room starts from USD 6/ AED 21 up to USD 501/AED 1840 per night.
- Meals at inexpensive restaurants are in the range of USD 5.17.
- A monthly pass for transportation is USD 35.33, while taxis start at USD 0.69 plus USD 0.43 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.
FAQ
Which Country Is Best to Visit in December from Dubai?
Choosing the ideal December getaway from Dubai depends on your preferences. Here are some top destinations catering to diverse desires:
- Oman
- Maldives
- Lebanon
- Paris
- Istanbul
- Zanzibar
- Seychelles.
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.
