The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will have an additional public holiday for residents in August. The day off will be on Friday, August 28, and will provide the Emiratis with a three day weekend which allows them to take a short summer break without needing to use their annual leave.
The public holiday is observed nationwide on the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Those who typically have Saturdays and Sundays off can enjoy a long weekend.Residents can use this day off to either embark on short international vacations and road trips or spend the extra day off at home.
Flights and hotels are readily available and affordable for those considering a short domestic respite for the weekend.Those who wish to spend the extra day off on a mini-break can consider options such as overseas trips or road-tripping to neighboring countries.
Alternatively, domestic getaways to resorts are also available as the region’s hotels continue to offer competitive summer special rates.International destinations remain an option for residents looking to maximise the break.
Travel companies including Musafir.com, Holiday Factory and Travelwings are promoting packages to Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey and Thailand. Three-night offers reviewed by Khaleej Times begin at about Dh1,200 and can reach Dh3,000 per person, depending on accommodation and inclusions.
Georgia is among the more popular choices, with a flight of roughly four hours from major Gulf cities and a combination of urban, mountain and nature experiences. The country recorded 145,513 visits from GCC markets in 2025, an increase of 3.4 per cent from the previous year.Closer to home, Oman offers road-trip possibilities.
Dubai-Salalah return journey can cover around 2,400km to 2,500km, with fuel estimated at Dh600-Dh850. A family of four could spend approximately Dh3,000-Dh4,500 after accommodation, food, border expenses, insurance and activities.
Musandam provides a shorter alternative, with Khasab packages starting at about Dh250. Dhow cruises and mountain landscapes make it suitable for a brief road escape.For those staying inside the UAE, hotel deals start below Dh200 on some platforms. Average staycation listings range from about Dh300 in Ras Al Khaimah to Dh600 in Fujairah, while Sir Bani Yas Island offers another domestic escape.
