6 last-minute Eid Al Fitr getaways...

From Bali to Barcelona, Dnata shares special spring break offers

With Eid Al Fitr expected to provide UAE residents with a three-day public holiday after Ramadan, now is a great time to plan a medium- to long-haul holiday.

Eid Al Fitr coincides with the two-week school spring break, allowing families to go further and stay longer.

Simply by taking a couple of days’ annual leave on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 April, in between weekends either side, travellers have the opportunity to take a nine-day holiday.

Little wonder then, that 90% of UAE residents will travel internationally this Eid, compared to just 60% in 2024. Bookings for international trips and staycations have increased by 65% compared to last year, with popular destinations including the Maldives, Spain, Mauritius (pictured above), France and Sri Lanka.

Popular destinations for UAE travellers in 2025 include the Maldives, Mauritius. and Sri Lanka, as well as cities in Spain and France

With visa-free entry and short flights of between four and six hours from the UAE, the Maldives and Mauritius are ideal destinations to visit in April.

As is Southern Europe, with spring offering mild weather and fewer crowds in countries such as Italy, Spain and Greece. For longer-haul vacations, head to Japan, where in springtime, cherry blossoms paint Kyoto’s temples, Tokyo’s parks and Osaka’s castle in shades of pink.

Dnata reports that Madrid in Spain and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam are proving popular for Eid Al Fitr 2025, as UAE travellers “check off bucket-list destinations, while making the most of longer holiday periods with family and friends”, said Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at Dnata Travel.

For last-minute Eid and spring break getaways, Dnata Travel recommends the following three- to our-night getaways with 2025 availability:

Seminyak, Bali
One of Indonesia’s 17,000 islands, Bali has a year-round tropical, hot climate, but April is when it can be appreciated at its best with less-crowded beaches and temples. Located at the northernmost (and quieter) end of the 8km stretch of sand that includes well-known beaches Kuta and Legian, Seminyak features a palm-fringed coastline with miles of golden sands and great surfing, as well as art galleries and world-class restaurants.
Offer: Stay 3 nights at five-star The Kayana Seminyak in a Deluxe Pool Villa with breakfast, one set menu dinner and return flights, from AED3,840 (US$1,045) per person.
www.thekayana.com

The Kayana Seminyak, Bali

Limassol, Cyprus
Perched on a sweep of golden-sand beach, Cyprus’ second city lies on the southern coast, facing a large natural bay. It’s just a four-hour flight from the UAE, and offers lovely beaches and a wealth of history to explore, from the old town with its cobbled streets and palm tree-lined boulevards to a 14th-century castle and Roman amphitheatre with sea views. Visit between April and June to experience the best of the weather and avoid the summer crowds.
Offer: Stay 3 nights at the five-star Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in a Superior Inland View Room with breakfast, and return flights, from AED3,900 (US$1,060) per person. www.marriott.com/en-us

Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort, Limassol

Mauritius
With its lovely tropical climate and palm-fringed coastline, Mauritius offers all of the beauty that the Indian Ocean islands are known for, alongside rainforest hiking trails and unique natural landscapes, from the dramatic peak of Le Morne, to the seven-coloured earth of Chamarel. The beautiful east African nation was recently crowned the world’s best honeymoon destination by TripAdvisor. It’s just a six-hour direct flight from Dubai.
Offer: Stay 3 nights at the five-star Sugar Beach Resort, Mauritius in a Premium Room Sea View with breakfast and dinner included, and return flights, from AED6,400 (US$1,740) per person. www.yoursunlife.com/sugarbeachmauritius

Sugar Beach Resort, Mauritius

The Maldives
Ideal for those wanting luxury and relaxation, the Maldives is lovely in April and just a short four-hour flight from the UAE. A serene retreat of sugar-white beaches, turquoise seas and lagoons that shimmer in every shade of turquoise, it’s the perfect destination for snorkelling, diving and sun worshipping.
Offer: Stay 4 nights at the four-star Sun Siyam Olhuveli in a Deluxe Water Villa on a Full Board basis, with return flights and return island transfers, and kids stay and eat free, from AED6,790 (US$1,850) per adult. www.olhuveli-beach-spa-maldives

Sun Siyam Olhuveli, Maldives

Barcelona, Spain
A vibrant Mediterranean city that overflows with art and architecture, Barcelona is alive with world-renowned museums and cathedrals, lively markets, a Gothic quarter with cobblestone streets and viewing platforms to take in Gaudi’s colour-pop architecture. It is also home to a lively beachfront and, as one of Spain’s culinary capitals, is brimming with Michelin-starred restaurants. Just a seven-and-a-half-hour flight away, the weather is warm and sunny in April.
Offer: Stay 3 nights at the four-star Ilunion Barcelona with its rooftop pool in a Standard Room with breakfast, and return flights, from AED4,191 (US$1,140) per person.
en.ilunionbarcelona.com

Barcelona

Hong Kong
Just over a seven-hour direct flight from the UAE, Hong Kong combines glittering malls and theme parks with age-old markets, temples and traditional fishing villages. It is also home to the world's steepest funicular railway, and beyond the city’s bright lights are wide beaches, quaint villages and trails that lead through bamboo groves and lush woodland. Worth noting, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has initiated a new push to attract Muslim travellers, with clearer restaurant certifications, more prayer rooms and tailored guided tours.
Offer: Stay 3 nights at the five-star Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong in a City View Room with breakfast, complimentary Mandarin Club access, and return flights, from AED5,515 (US$1,500) per person. www.mandarinoriental.com/en/hong-kong

Hong Kong