19 Oct 2026
5 min read
Author: Darshan GuptaDubai is the finest spot to travel to your favourite place with smooth connectivity to short and direct flights. Residents are always in a fun celebration mood, but this time Diwali adds more sparkle to their plans. Even better, this year in 2026, Diwali is falling on Sunday, which makes it the perfect weekend with a reason to travel. Just add up 1 or 2 leaves, and you already have a great weekend.
Not sure where to go?
We’ve got you covered. Here are the best countries to visit during Diwali from Dubai:
- Maldives and Mauritius for overwater villas and island calm.
- Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Thailand for beaches, culture and street food.
- Russia, London and Switzerland for snowy streets, shopping and Alpine views.
- Tanzania for a once-in-a-lifetime safari.
These are the top Diwali holiday destinations from UAE. Let Next Holidays, a travel agency in the UAE, plan your Diwali holidays from Dubai 2026.
Pick a place, zip the bag, and give your suitcase a good sticker tag to tell the story of that destination.
When Is Diwali 2026, and Why Is It the Best Time to Travel?
Festive celebrations start in the first week of November with Dhanteras on 6 November. Sunday, 8 November, 2026, is when Diwali falls. The festivity lasts for a full five days until 11 November, Bhai Dooj.
- You do not have to create the weekend. Since the day falls on a Sunday, all you require is just one or two days off.
- The weather is favorable for you as well. Early November is the time when UAE begins to get cooler, and many famous places start getting into their less crowded traveling period. It means that beach getaways such as Maldives, Mauritius and Thailand are enjoyable, and destinations like London, Switzerland and Russia provide refreshing cold coziness away from the heat of the Gulf.
- The festive atmosphere is everywhere. Whether you celebrate by lighting diyas or not, the festive spirit of Diwali means light, sweets, shopping and celebrations.
- There are a lot of options available as there are various deals during this holiday season. You should check out Diwali holiday packages from Dubai and Diwali travel deals from Dubai to make your choice before prices shoot up due to demand.
- Dubai gives you a lot of flexibility because of its good connectivity through direct flights to several different countries. It can be a doorway to your destination.
What are the top Diwali holiday destinations from UAE?
1. Maldives: Where the Only Plan Is No Plan
Flight from Dubai: aAbout 4 hours
What a lovely morning it could be, waking up in a villa built over a lagoon so clear you can spot fish from your bed. The Maldives is where the phone goes off, and the biggest decision is sunrise swim or sunset swim. November brings the start of the drier season, so expect plenty of sunshine.
- Don't miss: Snorkeling over house reefs, a sandbank picnic, and a candlelit dinner on the beach.
- Diwali touch: Treat it as your own festival of lights, with lantern-lit beach dinners and glowing night skies.
- Best for: Couples, honeymooners and anyone who needs a proper reset.
2. Mauritius: Island Days, Festive Nights
Flight from Dubai: about 6 to 7 hours
What if your little escape comes up with a place where you can swim in the morning and stumble into a celebration by evening? This is what Mauritius offers! Diwali is a public holiday here, so the mood is warm and festive. Between the lagoons, you can chase waterfalls, see the Seven Colored Earths and sample street snacks like dholl puri.
- Don't miss: The Seven Colored Earths at Chamarel, a catamaran day trip and the markets of Port Louis.
- Diwali touch: Look for lit-up homes, sweets and community celebrations during the festival.
- Best for: Families, couples and travelers who want beaches and culture in one trip
For more:
3. Sri Lanka: Trains, Tea, and Tiny Adventures
Flight from Dubai: about 4 to 5 hours
It's all possible within one trip, from taking a blue train through the emerald tea hills, sighting leopards on a safari, visiting a rock fortress, and ending up at the beach while enjoying some hoppers. Sri Lanka is quite close to Dubai, and therefore it is possible to make the trip even during a short holiday. It has an active Tamil Hindu population, and Deepavali is celebrated in temples.
- Don't miss: The Ella train ride, Sigiriya, Galle Fort and a safari in Yala
- Good to know: Weather varies by coast in November, so ask your planner which side of the island suits your dates
- Best for: First-time international travellers, nature lovers and short getaways
4. Vietnam, Good Food, Great Wandering
Flight from Dubai: about 7 to 8 hours (direct or with a connection, depending on the route)
Vietnam is for people who plan their day around the next meal. Yes, the foodies out there! Think steaming pho at a street corner, crisp banh mi, egg coffee in Hanoi and fresh seafood by the water. Between meals, you get limestone seascapes at Ha Long Bay, lantern-lit evenings and buzzing city streets.
- Don't miss: Hanoi's Old Quarter, a Ha Long Bay cruise and Ho Chi Minh City's food scene
- Good to know: November weather differs between north, centre and south, so pick your region wisely
- Best for: Foodies, culture lovers and budget-friendly adventurers
For more:
5. Thailand: Shop, Snack, Swim, Repeat
Flight from Dubai: about 6 hours to Bangkok
Thailand is a crowd-pleaser, and for good reason. Bangkok brings glittering malls, night markets and rooftop views, while Phuket and Krabi deliver limestone cliffs, island hopping and long beach afternoons. It is also a shopper's playground, perfect if your Diwali tradition includes a bit of retail therapy.
- Don't miss: Bangkok's night markets, the Phi Phi islands and a Thai cooking class.
- Diwali touch: Bangkok's Little India area, Phahurat, has Indian sweets, snacks and festive shopping.
- Best for: Groups, families and anyone who wants city and beach in one trip.
Must-check:
6. Russia: Hello Layers, Goodbye Heat
Flight from Dubai: about 5 hours to Moscow
If you want your holiday to start with footing out of the airport into crisp, cold air, Russia delivers. Moscow's Red Square, golden-domed cathedrals and grand metro stations look like something straight from the movie set, and St Petersburg adds palaces, canals and ballet. It is a bold pick for UAE residents craving real winter.
- Don't miss: Red Square, the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg and an evening at the ballet.
- Pack for: Cold weather and possible early snow, so bring warm layers.
- Best for: Culture lovers and travellers who want a dramatic change of scenery.
Recommended:
7. Tanzania: Safari, Then Sand
Flight from Dubai: about 5 to 6 hours (to Zanzibar or the mainland, depending on route)
This is the trip you'll still be talking about years later. Watch gnus and lions in the Serengeti, look down into the Ngorongoro Crater, then trade your binoculars for a hammock on a Zanzibar beach. November can bring short rains, which means greener landscapes, so ask for current conditions when you book.
- Don't miss: A Serengeti safari, Ngorongoro Crater, and Stone Town in Zanzibar.
- Good to know: Safaris need a little more planning, so book early.
- Best for: Adventurers, honeymooners, and families who want something unforgettable.
8. London: Big Ben and Bigger Plans
Flight from Dubai: about 7 to 8 hours
London does it all that to with ease, exactly what UAE residents like: world-class shopping, theater, museums, markets, and food from every corner of the globe. As the city eases toward Christmas, early festive lights start to appear, and the cooler weather makes it a treat after the Gulf heat.
- Don't miss: A West End show, Borough Market and a stroll along the Thames.
- Diwali touch: Look for Diwali events in areas like Southall and Wembley, and in nearby Leicester, famous for its large celebrations.
- Best for: Shoppers, families and first-time Europe travellers.
9. Switzerland: Cows, Peaks and Chocolate Breaks
Flight from Dubai: about 6 to 7 hours to Zurich or Geneva
Switzerland is the kind of place where even the train ride is the exciting thing. Drift past snow-covered cliffs and blue lakes, then warm up with melted cheese and a slab of Swiss chocolate. November is a more peaceful, perfect season, so you may find fewer crowds, though some mountain activities can have limited operations.
- Don't miss: A scenic train ride, Lucerne's old town and a lake cruise
- Good to know: Check lift and train schedules before you go, as they can change by season
- Best for: Couples, families and nature lovers
| Traveller type | Go to | Why it works | Quick tip |
| Families with kids | Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Thailand, London | Easy logistics and plenty to do | Book family rooms and pack snacks for travel days |
| Couples and honeymooners | Maldives, Mauritius, Switzerland | Romantic views and private escapes | Book overwater villas early and mention your occasion |
| Foodies | Vietnam, Thailand | Street food and cooking classes | Join a food tour on day one |
| Shoppers | London, Thailand | Malls, markets and festive finds | Keep spare baggage allowance |
| Adventure seekers | Tanzania, Switzerland | Safaris and mountain views | Book early and get activity-friendly insurance |
| Cold-weather lovers | Russia, London, Switzerland | A real chill after the Gulf heat | Pack layers and waterproof shoes |
| First-time travellers | Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mauritius | Short flights and simple planning | Choose a package with transfers included |
| Large groups | Thailand, Sri Lanka | Variety and flexible budgets | Lock in dates and budget early |
Wishing You a Diwali Worth Travelling For
While others post their pictures showing the same balconies lit, yours can be the floating lanterns in Hoi An, snowy windows in Zurich, and sunrise at temples in Colombo.
Holidays to celebrate Diwali from Dubai 2026 are not far away, with Diwali being on Sunday, 8 November. Compare Diwali holiday packages from Dubai and Diwali travel deals from Dubai, and let Next Holidays take care of the flights and accommodations.
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