Winter Holiday Packages from Dubai: Snow, Winter Sun and City Breaks

Overview

Winter holiday packages from Dubai cover the busiest travel season of the UAE year, from the National Day holiday in early December, through the winter school break and into the New Year. Some travellers want real snow a short flight from home, some want the Northern Lights or an Alpine resort, and others would rather swap the mild UAE winter for a hot beach. This page brings together the destinations Travelwings covers for winter travel, with what each one is actually like in the cold months, roughly how far it is from Dubai and who it suits. Packages are added here as they are released, and the holidays team can advise on options for dates that are not yet listed.

Snowy mountains about 3 hours' flight away · Northern Lights and Alpine resorts · Winter sun from the Maldives to Bali · Summer weather in South Africa

When Do UAE Residents Take Winter Holidays?

The UAE's own winter, from roughly November to March, is the most comfortable time of year at home, yet it is also when most residents travel. Demand gathers around a few fixed dates, and knowing them helps with both price and availability.

• The National Day holiday: early December brings a public holiday that suits a short break of 3 or 4 nights, usually somewhere within a few hours of Dubai.
• The winter school break: the longest window families get, spanning much of December and the first days of January, and the most expensive weeks of the season to travel.
• Christmas and New Year: festive markets in Europe, New Year celebrations across the Caucasus and Central Asia, and fireworks almost everywhere make the last week of December one of the busiest of the year.
• January to March: once the holidays end, demand drops, so a winter vacation in these weeks is usually quieter and better value, while the ski and Northern Lights seasons carry on.

If your dates fall in the school break, book early, because flights and hotels on the short-haul routes to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan fill quickly.

Where Do UAE Residents Travel in Winter?

The places to visit in winter from the UAE fall into six broad kinds of trip, and most travellers know which one they want before they choose a destination. The sections below follow the same order.

• Snow close to home: trips to Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkey, most of them 3 to 5 hours away.
• Winter sun and beaches: the Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Bali and Singapore, for travellers who would rather stay warm.
• Culture in mild weather: sightseeing in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Saudi Arabia, where winter brings the most comfortable temperatures of the year.
• Europe in winter: ski slopes and Christmas markets in Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Albania and Montenegro.
• The Northern Lights: aurora hunting in Finnish Lapland and around Murmansk, with Moscow's New Year celebrations alongside.
• Long-haul trips: summer in South Africa, a dry-season safari in Kenya and New York at New Year.

Where Can You Find Snow Close to the UAE?

The Caucasus and Central Asia have some of the closest reliable snow to the UAE, with ski resorts within reach of capital cities that are 3 to 4 hours' flight from Dubai. Turkey adds snow-covered Cappadocia a little further away.

Georgia - Georgia in winter pairs a capital with real character and proper mountain snow. Tbilisi in winter is crisp rather than bitter, with daytime temperatures usually in single figures, and its old town, sulphur baths and wine bars fill the days easily. Gudauri, the country's main ski resort, is about 2 hours' drive north, and the snowy road on to Kazbegi and the Gergeti Trinity Church is one of Georgia's classic winter views.

Armenia - Armenia in winter is colder than Georgia, with Yerevan often below freezing at night, but clear days bring views of Mount Ararat across the border. Tsaghkadzor, the country's ski resort, is about an hour's drive from the capital, and the Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery make an easy day out in the snow. New Year is the main celebration here.

Azerbaijan - Baku in winter is cool and famously windy, at around 7°C by day, though the walled Old City, the Flame Towers lit up at night and a busy café culture keep a city break lively. The Azerbaijan winter season for snow centres on Shahdag Mountain Resort in the north, a drive of around 3 to 4 hours from the capital, with Tufandag near Gabala as an alternative. It is the shortest flight in this group, at about 3 hours.

Kazakhstan - Almaty sits at the foot of the Tien Shan mountains, which puts serious snow within half an hour of the city. The Shymbulak ski resort, around 25 km away, is reached by cable car from Medeu, home to one of the world's highest outdoor skating rinks. Expect temperatures around freezing by day and clear, cold nights.

Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyzstan suits travellers who want empty landscapes and a more rugged trip rather than resort polish. Snow-covered mountains rise just south of Bishkek, and the small ski scene around Karakol sits near Issyk-Kul, a vast lake that does not freeze even in the coldest months.

Uzbekistan - Winter is the quiet season in Uzbekistan, and that is its appeal: the tiled squares of Samarkand and the old city of Bukhara see a fraction of the spring crowds, often under bright, cold skies. Days reach around 5°C to 10°C and nights drop below freezing, so it rewards sightseers who dress warmly. The Amirsoy mountain resort outside Tashkent adds skiing.

Turkey - Turkey in winter offers two very different trips. Istanbul is cool and often wet, at around 9°C, but its mosques, bazaars and Bosphorus ferries are far less crowded than in summer. Cappadocia is the snow picture, with fairy chimneys and cave hotels under a white blanket and hot-air balloon flights running when the weather allows, while resorts such as Uludağ and Erciyes cover skiing.

Where Can You Find Winter Sun and Beaches?

For many families, the winter school break is a chance to find warm water rather than snow. The Indian Ocean islands and Southeast Asia are at their busiest in these months, but the weather is not the same everywhere, so it helps to know which coast is in season.

Maldives - December to April is the dry northeast monsoon season in the Maldives, bringing the calmest seas, clear water for snorkelling and daytime temperatures around 30°C. It is also peak season, so overwater villas for the school break are booked up early. At about 4 hours from Dubai, it is one of the easiest luxury beach trips from the UAE.

Seychelles - The Seychelles is warm all year, but December to March brings the northwest monsoon, with more humid days and passing tropical showers between the sunshine. The granite-framed beaches of Praslin and La Digue and the rare coco de mer palms make it a quieter alternative to the Maldives.

Mauritius - While the UAE cools down, Mauritius is in its summer: hot, humid and ideal for swimming in its warm lagoons. Roughly November to April is also the cyclone season, when a storm is possible rather than likely, so flexible travel insurance is sensible. Its resorts suit couples and families alike.

Sri Lanka - December to March is the dry season on Sri Lanka's west and south coasts, which puts beach towns such as Ahungalla, Bentota and Galle at their sunniest just as the school break begins. The cooler hill country around Kandy and Nuwara Eliya pairs well with a beach stay, and Mirissa is a base for whale-watching in these months.

Thailand - Thailand's cool, dry season from November to February is the classic time for the Andaman coast, when Krabi and Phuket have calm seas for island-hopping among the limestone karsts. Bangkok is more comfortable than at any other time of year, and Chiang Mai in the north has fresh mornings.

Vietnam - Vietnam changes from north to south in winter. Hanoi and Ha Long Bay are cool, at around 15°C to 20°C, and often misty, which suits sightseeing more than swimming, while the south, including Phu Quoc, enters its dry, sunny season in December. The central coast around Da Nang and Hoi An can still be wet early in the winter.

Bali - Bali is in its wet season through the winter months, with short, heavy downpours, usually in the afternoon or evening, between warm spells of around 30°C. The upside is a greener island, quieter temples and rice terraces around Ubud, and often better resort rates outside the Christmas and New Year peak. At around 9 hours, it is the longest beach flight here, so allow a week or more.

Singapore - Singapore is warm all year, at around 30°C, and the end of the year brings festive light displays, most famously along Orchard Road. December and January fall in the northeast monsoon, when showers are frequent but usually brief, and most of the city's big attractions are easy to enjoy indoors or under cover.

Which Destinations Suit a Culture Trip in Mild Weather?

Winter is the sightseeing season across North Africa and the Middle East, when temperatures that are punishing in summer settle into warm days and cool evenings.

Egypt - Winter is the most comfortable time to see Egypt, with Cairo at around 19°C by day and Luxor and Aswan a little warmer, the classic season for a Nile cruise between the temples. The Giza pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum nearby can fill two days on their own, and the Red Sea resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh add a beach stay.

Jordan - Jordan in winter rewards travellers who pack for the cold. Amman and Petra can be chilly, with occasional rain and even snow, but Petra's long canyon walks are easier in cool air. Wadi Rum's desert camps have clear skies and very cold nights, while the Dead Sea, the lowest point on land, and Aqaba on the Red Sea stay mild.

Morocco - Morocco's winter brings sunny days of around 18°C in Marrakech and cold nights, which make the souks and riads of the medina comfortable to explore. Snow caps the High Atlas about an hour's drive from the city, and a night in a Sahara camp near Merzouga comes with a sky full of stars and temperatures near freezing.

Saudi Arabia - Winter is the main season across Saudi Arabia. AlUla's sandstone canyons and the ancient tombs of Hegra are at their most comfortable, with warm days and cold desert nights, Riyadh runs a busy calendar of winter events, and Jeddah and the Red Sea coast stay warm enough for the beach. The cooler months also make it a popular time for Umrah, and pilgrims should look to qualified religious authorities for guidance on the rites.

Where Can You Go in Europe in Winter?

Europe in winter splits between the Alps, where the ski season runs from about December to April, and the cities, where Christmas markets and festive lights fill December before a quieter, better-value January. Many passport holders need a Schengen or UK visa for these trips, so plan it before the flights.

Switzerland - Switzerland in winter is the classic Alpine holiday. Interlaken is a base for the Jungfrau region, with skiing around Grindelwald and the train up to the Jungfraujoch, while Zermatt sits below the Matterhorn and St Moritz brings the glamour. Zurich and Basel host well-known Christmas markets, and scenic rail routes such as the Glacier Express run through the snow.

France - France in winter means Paris in its festive season, with lit-up boulevards, department-store window displays and ice rinks, followed by quieter museums in January. Strasbourg's Christmas market is one of Europe's oldest, and the French Alps, including Chamonix beneath Mont Blanc, cover the ski side.

Italy - Italy's winter is mild in Rome, at around 12°C, and quiet in Florence and Venice, when the main sights come without the summer queues. The Dolomites in the north offer some of Europe's most scenic skiing, and the Alpine towns of South Tyrol, such as Bolzano and Merano, hold traditional Christmas markets.

Spain and Portugal - For some of the mildest winter city weather in Europe, head south-west. Lisbon, Seville and Barcelona often reach the mid-teens by day, while Madrid, on its high plateau, is noticeably colder, and all of them are far less crowded than in summer. A multi-city trip through Lisbon, Madrid and Barcelona works well at this time of year.

United Kingdom - The UK in winter is about festive cities and short days. London's Christmas lights, Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland and the New Year's Eve fireworks draw the crowds, and Edinburgh's Hogmanay is one of the best-known New Year celebrations anywhere. The Scottish Highlands are snowy and dramatic, with as little as 7 hours of daylight in December.

Albania and Montenegro - Winter is the off-season on the Albanian and Montenegrin coast, so many beach resorts close or scale back and the appeal shifts to quiet old towns and lower prices. Tirana, Berat and Gjirokastër in Albania, and Kotor's walled old town in Montenegro, are pleasant at around 10°C to 13°C by day, while Montenegro's mountains around Kolašin and Žabljak have snow for skiing. Beach time on this coast belongs to the summer months, which our summer holiday packages cover.

Where Can You See the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights appear on clear, dark nights in the Arctic, and the long nights from roughly September to March give the best chance of seeing them. No tour can guarantee a sighting, so a trip of 3 or 4 nights with activities worth doing in their own right is the safest plan.

Finland - Winter in Finland means Lapland: snow from around November to April, husky and reindeer safaris, glass-roofed igloos for watching the sky, and Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle, home of the Santa Claus Village. Temperatures regularly fall to around minus 15°C and can drop much lower, and in December there are only a few hours of daylight, which is part of the experience. Lapland is usually reached with one connection.

Russia - Russia in winter offers two different trips. Moscow is snowy and festive, with Red Square and the city's parks decorated for New Year, the biggest celebration in the Russian calendar, at temperatures well below freezing. For the Northern Lights, Murmansk, above the Arctic Circle, has polar nights from early December into January. As international bank cards may not work there, check payment arrangements before you travel.

Which Long-Haul Trips Are Worth Taking in Winter?

A longer flight opens up trips that simply do not work at other times of year, from a southern-hemisphere summer to a dry-season safari.

South Africa - When it is winter in the UAE, it is summer in South Africa. Cape Town is dry and warm, with long days and temperatures in the mid to high 20s that suit Table Mountain, the Cape Winelands and the drive to Cape Point, and the Garden Route is at its busiest. Kruger is in its green season, with lush bush, newborn animals and afternoon storms.

Kenya - Kenya's dry season from around January to February is one of the most reliable windows for a safari, when animals gather near water and the grass is short enough for clear sightings. Amboseli is known for its elephant herds with Mount Kilimanjaro behind them, clearest early in the morning, and the Maasai Mara has big cats all year.

USA - A winter trip to the USA usually centres on New York at Christmas and New Year, with the Rockefeller Center tree, ice rinks and the Times Square countdown, at temperatures around freezing. An East Coast tour can add Philadelphia and Washington, DC, and Florida stays warm for anyone who wants sun. At around 14 hours each way, it is the longest flight on this page and worth saving for the full school break.

How Long Are the Flights from Dubai to Each Destination?

Flight time matters more in winter than at any other time of year, because short breaks around the National Day holiday leave little room for long journeys. These are approximate direct flight times to each destination's main gateway.

• Under 4 hours: flights to Riyadh, Baku, Yerevan, Tbilisi, Tashkent, Amman and Cairo, all quick enough for a long weekend.
• 4 to 5 hours: flights to the Maldives, Colombo, the Seychelles, Almaty, Bishkek, Nairobi and Istanbul.
• 5 to 7 hours: flights to Moscow, Rome, Phuket, Krabi, Hanoi, Mauritius and Zurich.
• 7 hours and over: flights to Paris, London, Singapore, Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Casablanca, Johannesburg, Bali, Cape Town and New York.
• With a connection: trips to Finnish Lapland and Murmansk usually involve one change of plane.

How Do You Choose a Winter Destination from Dubai?

The right winter trip usually comes down to how many days you have, the weather you want and your budget.

• A long weekend: stay within about 4 hours of Dubai, where Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Jordan and Egypt all work for 3 or 4 nights.
• The school break: use the extra days for trips where the travel time pays off, such as Lapland, South Africa or a multi-city Europe tour.
• Snow on a budget: the Caucasus and Central Asia are generally the most affordable snow trips from the UAE, while Switzerland and Lapland sit at the premium end.
• Warmth on a budget: a beach week in Sri Lanka or Thailand usually costs less than the Maldives, the Seychelles or Mauritius on the same dates.
• Travelling with children: short flights and snow close to the city, as in Tbilisi or Almaty, keep travel days manageable for younger travellers.

If your trip falls on the National Day holiday in early December, our National Day holiday packages are timed for that break. If you are new to snow, a short break is also the easiest way to try it, and Georgia makes a simple first trip, with a flight of just over 3 hours and ski slopes about 2 hours' drive from Tbilisi.

What Does a Winter Package Usually Include?

Inclusions vary by destination, and each package on this page lists its own. Most Travelwings holiday packages share a consistent core, with a few winter extras to budget for separately.

Inclusions

✅ Hotel or resort accommodation for the nights shown
✅ Daily breakfast, with half-board or all-inclusive plans at many beach resorts
✅ Airport transfers and on-trip assistance
✅ Guided city tours or excursions where the itinerary includes them
✅ Return economy flights on packages that include flights

Exclusions

❌ International flights on land-only packages
❌ Ski passes, equipment hire and lessons, unless stated
❌ Northern Lights excursions and husky or reindeer safaris, unless stated
❌ Visa fees, unless the package states visa assistance is included
❌ Warm clothing, meals not specified and personal expenses

Check the inclusions on each package before booking, particularly for flights and winter activities.

What Should You Check Before You Book?

• Visas for your passport: requirements depend on your nationality rather than your UAE residence. Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Finland share the Schengen visa, while the UK and the USA need their own, so apply well ahead of peak dates and confirm the current rules before you book.
• Winter clothing: thermal layers, waterproof boots, gloves and a hat make the difference between enjoying snow and enduring it, and they are worth buying or renting before you fly.
• Daylight hours: in Lapland, northern Russia and Scotland, December days are very short, so plan sightseeing around the light.
• Weather disruption: heavy snow can close mountain roads such as the route to Kazbegi, and Cappadocia's balloon flights depend on the wind, so keep a spare day in the plan.
• Travel insurance: make sure your policy covers winter sports if you plan to ski, and weather disruption on Indian Ocean trips in cyclone season.
• Peak-date prices: fares and hotels for the school break and New Year rise as the dates approach, so booking early usually secures better options.

How Do You Book a Package with Travelwings?

Browse the winter packages on this page as they are released and enquire online about any that suit your dates, or speak to the holidays team for advice on destinations, flights and visas. Call +971 4 563 5800 or email holidays@travelwings.com to plan your trip, and ask about Easy Installments on eligible packages.

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Disclaimer: Destination information on this page is a general guide, and weather, daylight hours, seasons and flight times vary from year to year. Packages, prices, inclusions and availability are confirmed on each package and can change without notice. Visa requirements depend on your nationality and can change, and weather-dependent activities, including Northern Lights sightings, cannot be guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions: Winter Holiday Packages from Dubai

1. What are the best places to travel in winter from Dubai?

It depends on the trip you want. Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan offer snow about 3 hours away, the Maldives and Sri Lanka have dry-season beaches, Egypt and Jordan suit sightseeing in mild weather, and Finnish Lapland is the classic choice for the Northern Lights.

2. Where can I see snow near the UAE in winter?

The closest reliable snow is in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Gudauri in Georgia, Tsaghkadzor in Armenia, Shahdag in Azerbaijan and Shymbulak near Almaty are all ski resorts within reach of cities 3 to 4 hours' flight from Dubai.

3. Is Georgia worth visiting in winter?

Yes, especially for a short snow trip. Tbilisi stays mild enough for sightseeing, Gudauri has skiing about 2 hours' drive away and the flight takes just over 3 hours. Heavy snow can close the road to Kazbegi at times, so keep a day spare.

4. What is Armenia like in winter?

Cold, bright and quiet. Yerevan often drops below freezing at night, Tsaghkadzor offers skiing about an hour away, and New Year is the main celebration. Pack warm layers and plan outdoor sightseeing for the middle of the day.

5. What is Baku like in winter?

Cool and windy, at around 7°C by day. The Old City and waterfront make a good city break, while the snow is in the mountains at Shahdag and Tufandag, a few hours' drive from the capital.

6. Is Switzerland worth visiting in winter?

Yes. It is a classic Alpine trip, with ski resorts such as Zermatt and Grindelwald, the Jungfraujoch and scenic rail journeys through the snow. Many passport holders need a Schengen visa, so apply early.

7. What is Turkey like in winter?

Istanbul is cool and often wet but much quieter than in summer, Cappadocia is often covered in snow, and ski resorts such as Uludağ and Erciyes open for the season. Hot-air balloon flights run only when the weather allows.

8. Where can I see the Northern Lights from Dubai?

Finnish Lapland and Murmansk in northern Russia are the usual choices, with the long nights from around September to March giving the best chance. Sightings depend on clear skies and are never guaranteed.

9. Where can I find winter sun from the UAE?

The Maldives, Sri Lanka's west and south coasts and Thailand's Andaman coast are in their dry season in winter. Bali and the Seychelles are warm but wetter, while South Africa and Mauritius are in their summer.

10. When should I book a winter trip from Dubai?

As early as possible for the school break and New Year, when fares and hotels rise quickly. January to March is usually quieter and better value, and the ski and Northern Lights seasons are still running.

11. Do winter packages include flights?

Some do and some are land-only. Each package shows whether return economy flights are included, and for land-only trips the team can quote flights alongside so the whole holiday is arranged together.

12. How do I book a winter package with Travelwings?

Choose a package on this page and enquire online, or call +971 4 563 5800 or email holidays@travelwings.com, and the holidays team will confirm availability, inclusions and visa needs for your dates.