Top 10 European destinations from Dubai
The central location of Dubai means that you can reach many European cities in a matter of a few hours. This not only reduces the cost of travel from Dubai to various European destinations but also helps you avoid the dreaded jet lag from long-haul flights.
Europe is a preferred destination for travellers from Dubai and other parts of the world because of its breathtaking landscapes, stunning architecture, dynamic culture and historic attractions. If you are planning a Europe tour from Dubai, here are some of the best European destinations from Dubai that you can add to your travel bucket list.
London
The capital of England, London, is one of the most famous European holiday destinations from Dubai. You can reach the historic city in less than 8 hours on average from Dubai. There are direct flights operated by leading national carrier Emirates Airlines and other European operators including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and more.
Notable tourist attractions include Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye and Big Ben. Some of the iconic structures of the city include Westminster Abbey and the twin Baroque at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Not to mention, history buffs can head to the many museums and historic sites to get a unique glimpse into what was once the most prolific empire in the world.
Paris
Second on our list is the romantic paradise, Paris, the capital city of France. Famous for being home to the iconic Eiffel Tower that stands 1050 feet tall, Paris has much in the way of beautiful attractions. You can head to the Palace of Versailles, a magnificent exemplar of Baroque architecture, which is now a UNESCO world heritage site or sit by the alfresco cafes near the Seine for some freshly baked croissants and delicious platters of cheese. Other popular attractions to check out include Sainte Chapelle, Musée du Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral.
The flight duration from Dubai to Paris is just over 7 hours, Many leading airlines including Emirates, flyDubai, Air France and more operate daily flights to Paris from Dubai. Leading travel companies such as Dnata, Emirates Holidays, Cox&Kings and more also offer packaged holidays to this popular European destination from Dubai.
Prague
Up next is the culturally enigmatic Prague in the Czech Republic. One of the cheaper European destinations to visit from Dubai, you can catch direct flights to the city with airlines like Air Arabia. The history of Prague also goes back a thousand years, which means there is much to explore in the way of castles and museums in this city. But what revellers like most about Prague are the vibrant nightlife, delectable cafes and thriving entertainment culture.
Amsterdam
Our next destination pick for a Europe tour from Dubai is Amsterdam, the beautiful city of canals, cobbled stones and eclectic music festivals. The capital of the Netherlands offers everything from heritage sites to trendy cafes and restaurants.
The city’s famous canal district, known as the Canal Ring, was developed during the 17th century. Other historical places to visit in Amsterdam include Anne Frank House as well as a host of museums that feature the country’s history. Other notable tourist attractions include Magere Brug, Artis ZOO, Vondelpark and the Botanical Garden. The city is also known for its vibrant nightlife with plenty of bars and clubs to check out.
Daily flights operating from Dubai to Amsterdam include Lufthansa, KLM, Emirates and more. The average flight time is also conveniently just under 6 hours for direct flights.
Vienna
Moving on, we have Vienna, which is as much a contemporary city as it is a historic destination. Music lovers can head to Haus der Musik where they can discover the city’s musical heritage interactively.
The Prater amusement park is also a great spot for families, especially with its giant Ferris wheel that allows you to see the entire city. Another notable attraction is Hofburg Palace, which gives tourists an immersive insight into the history and culture of Austria with its imperial apartments and museums. And be sure to visit one of the city’s many famous coffee houses. All this makes Vienna an ideal destination on a Europe trip from Dubai.
Holiday packages to Vienna are also offered by leading travel agencies in Dubai and start from affordable prices of just over AED 4000 for 3 days and 4 nights. Flying time is within 7 hours on average, however, there are fewer direct flights to Vienna from Dubai than the other destinations on this list.
Belgrade
Next on our list of the best places to visit in Europe is Belgrade, which is one of the few European destinations that offer visa on arrival to Indian expats from Dubai. One of the most visited places in Serbia, Belgrade features the architecture of central European cities with a modern, edgy vibe of contemporary designs. You can find everything from socialist blocs to art-nouveau structures. Moreover, the museums of the city offer an insight into the city’s cultural and military heritage.
Flight time to Belgrade from Dubai is generally 6 hours and with budget operators such as flyDubai offering new airlines to the region, costs have also become more reasonable in recent years.
Boryspil and other cities in Ukraine
The underrated Ukranian city of Borsypil is located along the banks of Dnipro River and is also a top choice for Eastern Europe tours from Dubai. Boryspil features golden church spires and huge tower blocks. There are several themed museums in the city, such as the open-air Pyrohovo Museum of Folk Architecture and the Chernobyl Museum. Art lovers can head to the Pinchuk Art Centre that features contemporary art and design from all over Europe. Other popular destinations in Ukraine include Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa and Yalta, all considered budget-friendly destinations for Dubai travellers.
Flight time to Boryspil is also generally under 6 hours for direct flights.
Budapest
This city is also considered one of the best cheap European destinations from Dubai. Budapest is famous for its bubbling hot spas that were first used by the ancient Romans a couple of millennia ago. On the one hand, the city is characterised by Gothic spires and museums, and on the other hand, Budapest has one of the wildest nightlife scenes in the country.
You can head to the hillside filled with museums known as Buda Castle Quarter, featuring destinations such as the Fisherman’s Bastion, Hungarian National Gallery and the Royal Palace. Budapest also has one of Europe’s oldest underground Metro services. Moving on, the Palace of the Arts is also a great destination for cultural events and live performances. And at night, you can head to the famous ‘ruin pubs’ on Kiraly Street.
Similar to most other European destinations on this list, flights to Budapest are also within 6-7 hours from Dubai.
Istanbul
No list of cheap European destinations from Dubai can be complete without Istanbul, Turkey’s cultural and historic centre. The city features a rich cultural history and plenty of attractions to explore. This beautiful city is located on the crossroads between Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Notable landmarks include Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar.
Located relatively closer to Dubai, the time to reach Istanbul from Dubai is generally just over 5 hours.
Sofia
Last but not the least, Sofia in Bulgaria awaits you with its magnificent landscapes and a blend of nature and history that is characteristic of many European destinations listed above. Along with sightseeing, Sofia also offers several fun-filled activities that bring you closer to nature. One of the most budget-friendly destinations in Europe, Sofia is also known as an IT hub in the region.
Other popular European holiday destinations from Dubai include:
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Edinburgh
- Republic of Ireland
- Warsaw
- Armenia
- Georgia
- Macedonia
This wraps our list of destinations that should be a part of a Europe tour from Dubai.
If you aren’t prone to seasickness, you can also consider cruise trips from Dubai to Europe, and other destinations, for a luxurious holiday.
On the other hand, we have also compiled a list of the most affordable getaways from Dubai that also includes destinations from Asia, Africa and the rest of the Middle East.
And if you are looking for a short vacation, you can also check out our list of the best weekend trips from Dubai. In fact, these destinations are suitable for those who are looking for UAE long drive places, as well as outside the emirates, such as a road trip from Dubai to Salalah.
