Visa-free or visa on arrival destinations are superb options for last-minute travel and we’ve chosen seven top spots that UAE residents and citizens should visit to enjoy delicious food, bountiful wildlife, outdoor adventures and enthralling culture.
Nationals of the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar can typically enter other GCC countries visa-free (most UAE residents can also enter without a visa) – but beyond the Gulf there are many other adventures to be had completely visa free.
United Arab Emirates residents and citizens can, via an easy flight, enjoy a fun getaway at the very last minute, without paperwork, added expenses or the stress of waiting for approval to travel. Choose to explore tropical rainforests, tiny desert islands surrounded by sapphire waters or watch exotic rare wildlife in captivating visa-free destinations from the UAE.
Note: Check specific requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate before you travel as visa regulations may change.
1. Georgia
Best for: Mountain walks, wine and historical cities
Rich with culture, adventure and delicious food, underrated Georgia (or Sakartvelo as the locals call it) sits between Europe and Asia and has 12 different climate zones – alpine and subtropical to semi-desert. Only a 3.5-hour flight from the UAE, explore the capital of Tbilisi’s ancient architecture, hike the stunning Caucasus Mountains (the highest range in Europe), with snow-capped peaks, old soviet trails and isolation in abundance or dip into the nation’s bath house and natural spring culture. Numerous natural hot springs filled with mineral water lie all around. Plus, Georgia is the birthplace of wine, and its historic wineries offer incredibly affordable wine-tasting experiences.
2. Maldives
Best for: Romance, peace, quiet and marine life
Act out a Robinson Crusoe-style fantasy in the Maldives, the land of dreamy sun-drenched tropical islands and thousands of picture-perfect white beaches. Ocean fans go gaga over its ultra-clear waters, which teem with marine life no matter where you look – healthy coral and off-the-chart visibility make for some of the best snorkelling and diving opportunities on Earth. There are frequent whale shark, manta ray, green sea turtle, dolphin and nurse shark spotting opportunities. Bed up in one of the hundreds of luxury, ultra romantic resorts – or climb aboard a liveaboard boat, cruising empty dive sites or surf spots and eating dinner under the stars. The Maldives is only a 4.5 hour flight away from the UAE.
3. Thailand
Best for: Food, nightlife, spas and adventure
Thailand has culture, stunning landscapes and beaches in droves, but it also offers a hedonistic side of city life that the UAE doesn’t offer – this is a place to cut loose. Delve into the superbly spicy streets of Bangkok (for a fraction of what it would cost in the UAE) or hit the party scene of Phuket, the coastal city that never sleeps. Adventurous travellers can venture into the jungles of Chiang Mai, where it's possible to meet elephants at one of many sanctuaries. Save some time to go underwater in Koh Samui for encounters with tropical fish, reef sharks and mantas, before relaxing tired limbs at one of the abundance of massage houses all over the country offering traditional Thai treatments.
4. Nepal
Best for: Trekking, temples and mountain views
There’s probably nowhere better to practice mindfulness than in spiritual Nepal, where you can hike in the Himalayas or wander the intricately carved ancient temples of Kathmandu. Only a 4.5 hour flight from the UAE, Nepal’s capital features the sacred Swayambhunath Stupa (also known as the Monkey Temple), perched atop a hill with fluttering prayer flags, spinning prayer wheels, mischievous monkeys leaping around and sweeping views of the valley below. Adventure fans can book onto a once-in-a-lifetime trek to Everest Base Camp (some 5,364 meters up), past sherpa villages and jaw-dropping views, until the mighty world’s highest peak appears.
5. Jordan
Best for: Historical sites, desert adventures and local culture
A short three-hour flight from the UAE, Jordan is ideal for history lovers and those wanting to be Indiana Jones for the day. Mesmerising Petra was a thriving Nabataean trading city more than 2,000 years ago, and has hidden caves all over its cliff sides, plus a legendary and dramatic slot canyon leading to the Treasury – a 40-metre-high façade carved into the rose-colored sandstone. Experiences include staying overnight with local bedouins in atmospheric cave dwellings or setting off by camel into the desert of Wadi Rum.
6. Mauritius
Best for: Beaches, nature, marine activities
Sapphire waters, pristine beaches and tropical foliage are begging to be discovered in Mauritius, only 6.5 hours by plane from the UAE. There are big resorts, but also quiet fishing villages to discover, where locals serve up tasty fresh spicy curry. The island’s surrounding waters have some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving in the Indian Ocean and plenty of isles to discover by boat. Or head inland for wildlife spotting in a diverse ecosystem, shaped by Mauritius’s volcanic beginnings and centuries of isolation. Visit the Black River Gorges National Park for four of the world’s five wild pink pigeon populations, and other rare birdlife.
7. Seychelles
Best for: Beaches, wildlife, food, culture
The smallest country in Africa – an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean – has pristine white-sand beaches, gin-clear turquoise waters, plus fascinating geological formations including dramatic granite boulders. However, the best way to get into the heart of the culture is through its food, which draws influences from its mix of African, French and Creole cultures. Once bellies are full, go in search of the rare free-roaming giant Aldabra tortoises, which can only be found in the Seychelles. The flight takes roughly 4.5 hours from the UAE.
