11 Eid breaks we can't wait to take

With the long-anticipated Eid Al-Fitr holiday just weeks away, it makes sense to start planning, or at least dreaming about, your Eid breaks now.

Eid Al-Fitr celebrations are slated to take place during the first week of May. To find out when Eid will start, click here.

Whether you’re flying solo, travelling with the whole family or a gaggle of pals, devour our guide to the best Eid breaks around, then get busy choosing your own adventure.

Prefer to stay closer to home? Check out these great UAE staycations

Want to know where’s easy to travel to right now? Click here

For all our dream Eid breaks, read on.

For a group of friends: Lisbon, Portugal

Gather the gang together, you’re off to Lisbon. Portugal’s capital is an ideal destination for a group of pals with different interests: sun seekers can spend their days on one of the city’s nearby white sand beaches, history-buffs can explore the made-for-meandering ancient cobbled streets, taking in the famous Pont 25 de Abril red-iron bridge and 16th century towers at the same time, while cool kids and contemporary culture fiends can shop and swoon the hours away thanks to the thriving creative scene and array of trendy galleries, independent concept stores and craft coffee spots. Afternoon pastel de natas should of course be enjoyed by everyone. When it comes to choosing somewhere to stay, funky, art-deco hostel with private suites The Independente offers excellent value for money and fun, boho vibes in a good location.
theindependente.pt/hostel-and-suites.

For somewhere close to home: AlUla, Saudi Arabia

What better place to spend your well-earned Eid breaks than one known as ‘The World’s Masterpiece’? Taking awe-inspiring to a whole new level, the natural wonder that is AlUla is best experienced from the fabulously tranquil, really rather magical, luxury resort Habitas AlUla.

Tucked into the base of the vast Ashar Valley, with endless desert views and true sense of splendid isolation, the sustainable eco-chic hotel offers the perfect opportunity to either escape it all and chill our entirely (entire days can be spent lazing by the stop-you-in-your-tracks infinity pool), embrace nature at its most rugged (go mountain climbing, canyon trekking, desert buggy riding), focus on self-care (there are yoga, meditation and breathwork classes on offer, should you wish) or enjoy a mix of all of the above. Either way, a memorable time is guaranteed.
ourhabitas.com/alula/

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For the seriously stressed: Capella Ubud, Bali

While these days Ubud has as many five-star resorts as it does cosy beach shacks, it’s still possible to escape the crowds and experience the sleepy and soothing remote tropical island feel of two decades ago.

If getting away from it all and switching off entirely is the order of this Eid break, there are few more fitting places to do so than at the luxe camp/wellness retreat hideaway Capella Ubud.

Here relaxation is prioritised throughout. Secluded ‘tents’ and lodges (each with their own private salt water pool) are cocooned into the lush jungle landscape resulting in a true sense of escapism. The resort also has both indoor and outdoor gyms, a 30-metre-long rainforest pool and a greenery-surrounded spa with a menu made up of Balinese-style treatments.

While away your evenings enjoying traditional dishes made from sustainably sourced ingredients at restaurant Mads Lange, gather around the campfire for storytelling and movie screenings or retreat to the quiet luxury of your lodge. In short: relax.
capellahotels.com.

For the solo traveller: Jordan

Utterly captivating and accessible too, Jordan has much to offer the solo traveller looking to lose themselves for a few days.

Stone-carved ancient city and architectural wonder Petra is obviously a major draw, but so is the thought of taking a bucket-list bathe in the super-salty Dead Sea. Vibrant, inspiring Amman is rightly popular with culture fiends; wander through the old city centre taking in its markets, Roman baths and amphitheatre, then make your way to Jabal Al Weibdeh a bustling boho neighbourhood filled with contemporary art galleries and studios, quirky coffee shops and concept stores.

For families with teens: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

It might take a lot to impress a teen but pulsating-with-life Ho Chi Minh City is more than up for the challenge. With a cacophony of sounds, sights and smells at every turn and cool hotels and restaurants jostling for space amongst beautiful colonial architecture, there is so much going on here it will make your head spin (in the best way possible).

There are vibrant traditional markets to explore, modern shops showcasing the work of local fashion designers to admire and indie art spaces and uber cool cafes to linger in, as well as thought provoking museums and cultural spots to hit up.

To add to all that, Ho Chi Minh City feels a world away from the GCC, giving parents and their teens the opportunity to shrug off the humdrum feeling of everyday life and actually enjoy themselves and each other’s company.

You really can’t go wrong when it comes to keeping yourselves entertained but if you’re looking for a great restaurant that the kids might even deem trendy enough to document on social, the much-talked about Anan is renowned for its experimental street-style riffs on traditional Vietnamese dishes, think duck Dalat pizzas and one-bite pho.
anansaigon.com.

For when wellbeing is a priority: Ananda in the Himalayas

For anyone who wishes to devote a few days to focusing on their wellbeing – whether that be healing and cleansing, exploring holistic treatment options, attempting to restore a sense of balance or just truly relaxing with a view to emerging revitalised – former Maharajah’s palace turned award-winning spa Ananda is the place to do all that. When it comes to Eid breaks, there are few places more relaxing than this.

The majestic-looking resort delivers everything you dream about from a wellness holiday, thanks to spa treatments that are directly tailored to guest wants and needs (growth, stress management, weight loss and skin revitalisation included).
anandaspa.com.

For couples: Shangri-La Al Husn Resort & Spa, Muscat

For a relatively close to home break that feels a million luxurious miles away from everyday life, the recently reopened Shangri-La Al Husn Resort & Spa in Muscat might just be the picturesque spot for you.

The location is not just impressive (nestled on a small clifftop with stirring views of the beautiful bay below) but blissfully secluded, too. Furthermore, the atmosphere meanwhile is decidedly grown up (there is an adults-only rule in place after all) and the décor is elegant yet stylishly understated.

Luxuriate on the private beach, lounge by the infinity pool, indulge in treatments at Oman’s only Luban Spa and dine in style at one of the resort’s very good restaurants.
shangri-la.com.

For the whole family: Galle, Sri Lanka

A tropical island with a laid-back feel, astonishing natural landscapes, scope for plenty of outdoor adventures and the guarantee of a warm welcome, all just a short plane ride away. In our eyes at least, Sri Lanka is the destination of choice for families this Eid.

If you’re looking for specific recommendations or haven’t visited before, the charming town of Galle is a great base. The famous fort has a castle-like appearance that will appeal to kids with active imaginations and the labyrinth-like streets within are lined with shops, cafés and enough places to stay to suit every budget.

There are options a-plenty when it comes to things to do in Galle: Introducing the group to one of the country’s most famous dishes – hoppers and curry – is essential, as is shopping for take-home souvenirs and fun knick-knacks. You should of course set aside plenty of time for beachside chilling, but taking a guided heritage tour of the area also has its benefits (if the kids need convincing, promise them a stop-off at inventive ice cream parlour Isle of Gelato on the way). Alternatively, hiring bikes and traversing those green paddy fields on two wheels might be more appealing to the younger generation.

Three hours or so drive away at Udawalawe National Park herd upon herd of elephants roam freely through the grassy, tree-filled planes, meaning this place should certainly be on your to-do list.

For those who want to chill out in style: Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos is famous for a reason. This sensationally beautiful Greek isle has a variety of activities and sights – there’s history and culture to soak up, as well as beautiful beaches to laze on and restaurants with great food to graze on.

During the day, the pace of life is wonderfully languid. People watching down at the Old Port is a must – linger over ice-cold frappes and platters of fresh fruit and you’ll be surprised how quickly the hours disappear. That said, beach days are de rigour on Mykonos: from deserted rocky enclaves to swathes of white sand dotted with traditional tavernas, as well as swankier spots with beautiful beaches to lounge and admire, there’s something for everyone.

Spend your evenings enjoying the fresh air and ambiance of the city or alternatively, hole up in your fabulous hotel (hotels are fabulous by nature here – the elegant, modern-traditional Boheme is a favourite).
bohememykonos.com.

For parents that want a kids club: Kuramathi, Maldives

Sometimes, a tropical island is the only destination that will do. Maldives was one of the first destinations to reopen for travel, and as of new updates in March, it’s now even easier. All you need is a proof of your WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccine and happily, you no longer need a PCR test to leave, as long as you stay in a tourist resort. And we’ve got just the one for anyone travelling with small children this Eid.

Located in the Rasdhoo Atoll, a 60-minute boat ride from Male, Kuramathi Maldives resort makes travelling with kids easy (and that’s not something we say lightly). The two-bedroom beach houses give you ample space to ‘live’ with all the gang for a week or more, and that all-important second room is perfect for babies and toddlers to nap in during the day. Bageecha Kids Club is one of the few we’ve found that takes children from ages three and up for free, and also allows the littlest of kiddies to join in, as long as you pay for a babysitter to look after them. This kids club is like a resort-within-the resort, with its own pool, playground and breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. The island itself is on the larger side, with three stunning pools, several restaurants, an eco-centre and a sand bank that brings you nose-to-nose with what look like friendly little reef sharks. So you’ll be able to relax and unwind, safe in the knowledge your pride and joy are having a super time, too. It will be hard leaving the picture-perfect spot after all the fun.
kuramathi.com.

For the culture vultures: Doha, Qatar

Qatar recently made it super easy for fully-vaccinated visitors, and now all you’ll need to show before check-in is your vaccination records. You’ll also need to take a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of arrival, but other than that, you’re free to explore the sights. So at this to your Eid breaks shortlist.

And what sights they are. Culture vultures should head over to the iconic National Museum of Qatar, which is shaped like a desert rose, immediately. Inside, you’ll find out all about the history of Qatar, and the newly opened light installation from Pipilotti Rist is just begging to be Instagrammed.

Next on the agenda has to be the Fire Station, which is the hottest art gallery around (all puns intended). Get your steps in afterwards at the nearby Al Bidda Park and admire the amazing greenery right in the centre of the city.

Other popular must-visits include the Qanat Quartier, which is like a little Venice in the city, and Katara Cultural Village, which has a spectacular Greek-style amphitheater. No matter where you go, you’ll find plenty to see – particularly as Qatar Museums has committed to turning the city into an outdoor art museum, with public art absolutely everywhere. Have your camera ready at all times not to miss out.

Come night-time, foodies will find plenty to love, from Peruvian spot La Mar by Gastón Acurio to the world’s biggest Nobu.