![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DLP2BKI7IJDMUCGCY2CAJAYJNE.jpg?smart=true&auth=750c5d039ae55eca194b580239e52d194bda2a787043268924e1c1cb4adbc0d3&width=400&height=225)
17. ISTANBUL, FIVE HOURS. Istanbul lies at the crossheads of two continents.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WDKHV2QUS6QLRBN7PW656VMMWA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3bf776341ba17467c9ece29c21c5394c685ac0192d4969f1a3cffef022f932b5&width=400&height=225)
1. KANNUR, FOUR HOURS: Traditional fishing boats moored at sunset at Valapattanam harbour in Kannur, Kerala, India.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HHMTVF7WPMVSPDUE2IHC6HBEIY.jpg?smart=true&auth=b4bbae89220d7f6c84092437346fb52300a699848621771ea88c47178e0f3305&width=400&height=225)
2. CAIRO, THREE HOURS, 30 MINUTES: See historical wonders like the Great Sphinx of Giza and the Giza Pyramids on a trip to Cairo, Egypt.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YLHERBFUK2RJSG3A2FCCLYKV4E.jpg?smart=true&auth=859d278e0ff5513987efd445b44ecd6b882fe4262481c81015d1f48d162c223b&width=400&height=225)
3. TBILISI, THREE HOURS, 30 MINUTES: The Georgian capital of Tbilisii is a perfect pick for a short break.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5D5NCOXKTLX2JEDD7PQUP5Q65Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=b73193a0b0bf2a81c55de7913b447a942f19ee03f8eb56e054f9a9e7c82bfa64&width=400&height=225)
4. MUSCAT, ONE HOUR, 15 MINUTES: The old town of Muscat, Oman just an hour from the UAE. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7HNXX5CSTHX2BC2SPZAYI4TTGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=26d14937eef340af67731cb41690284bf61b3c39457485d4d475b3c0e0844fb3&width=400&height=225)
5. AMMAN, THREE HOURS, 30 MINUTES: The view from the Dead Sea, just an hour from Jordan's capital Amman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MDIGEY6JQI4ZCI3TXKDKWBRENE.jpg?smart=true&auth=dbc19cc20648cc83e0fbbcaf6bd48261e1f97921dbdb9b574a911ff3122e840e&width=400&height=225)
6. SALALAH, ONE HOUR, 45 MINUTES: Spend the weekend in Salalah, Oman where dolphins, frankincense trees and beautiful beaches await.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TY6N6ME6YRF3IV6LUZA2DQILC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d57219bc48418099d612b650eb35e4c64bb02f00fa6a80a2c74bfd761b2bebe1&width=400&height=225)
7. BAKU, TWO HOURS, 50 MINUTES: Just under three hours from the emirates, the Old Town in Baku, Azerbaijan is filled with history.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PTULIYUVDYFGYQEVS6L4HKC2OE.jpg?smart=true&auth=fd9184210b1a46ecdd0faad9fd8dd4ca750d961070dd88dbbd02f4e75cf02888&width=400&height=225)
8. DUSHANBE, THREE HOURS, 30 MINUTES: Drive from Dushanbe to Nurek Dam for amazing Tajikistan views.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3DOO3EOLGVLZXBMCOBC6HCBI6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=2e8a4bc8154fcb1d89ff022cc5e410a5b13889547e3d63fc0bea383f2fc9e653&width=400&height=225)
9. BAHRAIN, ONE HOUR, 5 MINUTES: Escape to Bahrain for a last-minute change of scenery.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BTOPE5LJTUTCK74C35DEL5KKEU.jpg?smart=true&auth=6d919ba104604c63c9dd1660aeb4bea4f671d19c489ca609e1393eadf09cbd03&width=400&height=225)
10. YEREVAN, THREE HOURS, 10 MINUTES: Nicknamed the pink city, Armenia's Yerevan is a good place for a short break.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SRPX4FA5TJVMYLJ64EWPKJQZLU.jpg?smart=true&auth=8e76198d62055b0f75447151aa9ddcde000bb60e98745b0cdca3e4388a001d08&width=400&height=225)
11. MUMBAI, THREE HOURS, 15 MINUTES: The gateway to India, Mumbai is the home of Bollywood.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3RH55WMJEPCSUOKHBR6E4RJ3YU.jpg?smart=true&auth=6745fad3e8c4453ec75d507e0bef1665b8bc71be256a6db52287c733ebb2eb08&width=400&height=225)
12. DELHI, THREE HOURS, 15 MINUTES: Just over three hours from the UAE, Delhi is an easy last-minute pick.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DNJM4KNWP6I6CJ63S3CB3B44IQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=21658860ec0be83b4c5957af8d6b9bc71544e2910cfced173159011684636d0f&width=400&height=225)
13. THE SEYCHELLES, FOUR HOURS 35 MINUTES. The Seychelles has beautiful oceans and boulder strewn beaches.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZZKJ4TYXDZ74BHAR53AJGLLDPI.jpg?smart=true&auth=3dd997b2271d6f31549338049d4fbdb2b54dba9b292732ee9ff5bb33f7399f41&width=400&height=225)
14. SRI LANKA. A little over four hours from the UAE, Sri Lanka is a long-time favourite for those seeking a quick getaway.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O7GJBWRMW3A4VESY6AZTI6ZRIU.jpg?smart=true&auth=e39a1f7b58dacd2330e633855f11a5e5e0282154a56819aeb42bf66327a45446&width=400&height=225)
15. KATHMANDU, NEPAL, FOUR HOURS. The capital of Nepal is a fusion of chaos and colour.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5WUOELV7XYHPJMIVNGSBIKIKWY.jpg?smart=true&auth=9229647876608cfd8f673c92e328264aa8489e7d73e80f10061a393451cf212b&width=400&height=225)
16. THE MALDIVES, FOUR HOURS TEN MINUTES. Tropical islands await in the Indian Ocean.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DLP2BKI7IJDMUCGCY2CAJAYJNE.jpg?smart=true&auth=750c5d039ae55eca194b580239e52d194bda2a787043268924e1c1cb4adbc0d3&width=400&height=225)
17. ISTANBUL, FIVE HOURS. Istanbul lies at the crossheads of two continents.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WDKHV2QUS6QLRBN7PW656VMMWA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3bf776341ba17467c9ece29c21c5394c685ac0192d4969f1a3cffef022f932b5&width=400&height=225)
1. KANNUR, FOUR HOURS: Traditional fishing boats moored at sunset at Valapattanam harbour in Kannur, Kerala, India.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HHMTVF7WPMVSPDUE2IHC6HBEIY.jpg?smart=true&auth=b4bbae89220d7f6c84092437346fb52300a699848621771ea88c47178e0f3305&width=400&height=225)
2. CAIRO, THREE HOURS, 30 MINUTES: See historical wonders like the Great Sphinx of Giza and the Giza Pyramids on a trip to Cairo, Egypt.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YLHERBFUK2RJSG3A2FCCLYKV4E.jpg?smart=true&auth=859d278e0ff5513987efd445b44ecd6b882fe4262481c81015d1f48d162c223b&width=400&height=225)
3. TBILISI, THREE HOURS, 30 MINUTES: The Georgian capital of Tbilisii is a perfect pick for a short break.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5D5NCOXKTLX2JEDD7PQUP5Q65Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=b73193a0b0bf2a81c55de7913b447a942f19ee03f8eb56e054f9a9e7c82bfa64&width=400&height=225)
4. MUSCAT, ONE HOUR, 15 MINUTES: The old town of Muscat, Oman just an hour from the UAE. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7HNXX5CSTHX2BC2SPZAYI4TTGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=26d14937eef340af67731cb41690284bf61b3c39457485d4d475b3c0e0844fb3&width=400&height=225)
5. AMMAN, THREE HOURS, 30 MINUTES: The view from the Dead Sea, just an hour from Jordan's capital Amman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MDIGEY6JQI4ZCI3TXKDKWBRENE.jpg?smart=true&auth=dbc19cc20648cc83e0fbbcaf6bd48261e1f97921dbdb9b574a911ff3122e840e&width=400&height=225)
6. SALALAH, ONE HOUR, 45 MINUTES: Spend the weekend in Salalah, Oman where dolphins, frankincense trees and beautiful beaches await.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TY6N6ME6YRF3IV6LUZA2DQILC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d57219bc48418099d612b650eb35e4c64bb02f00fa6a80a2c74bfd761b2bebe1&width=400&height=225)
7. BAKU, TWO HOURS, 50 MINUTES: Just under three hours from the emirates, the Old Town in Baku, Azerbaijan is filled with history.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PTULIYUVDYFGYQEVS6L4HKC2OE.jpg?smart=true&auth=fd9184210b1a46ecdd0faad9fd8dd4ca750d961070dd88dbbd02f4e75cf02888&width=400&height=225)
8. DUSHANBE, THREE HOURS, 30 MINUTES: Drive from Dushanbe to Nurek Dam for amazing Tajikistan views.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3DOO3EOLGVLZXBMCOBC6HCBI6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=2e8a4bc8154fcb1d89ff022cc5e410a5b13889547e3d63fc0bea383f2fc9e653&width=400&height=225)
9. BAHRAIN, ONE HOUR, 5 MINUTES: Escape to Bahrain for a last-minute change of scenery.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BTOPE5LJTUTCK74C35DEL5KKEU.jpg?smart=true&auth=6d919ba104604c63c9dd1660aeb4bea4f671d19c489ca609e1393eadf09cbd03&width=400&height=225)
10. YEREVAN, THREE HOURS, 10 MINUTES: Nicknamed the pink city, Armenia's Yerevan is a good place for a short break.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SRPX4FA5TJVMYLJ64EWPKJQZLU.jpg?smart=true&auth=8e76198d62055b0f75447151aa9ddcde000bb60e98745b0cdca3e4388a001d08&width=400&height=225)
11. MUMBAI, THREE HOURS, 15 MINUTES: The gateway to India, Mumbai is the home of Bollywood.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3RH55WMJEPCSUOKHBR6E4RJ3YU.jpg?smart=true&auth=6745fad3e8c4453ec75d507e0bef1665b8bc71be256a6db52287c733ebb2eb08&width=400&height=225)
12. DELHI, THREE HOURS, 15 MINUTES: Just over three hours from the UAE, Delhi is an easy last-minute pick.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DNJM4KNWP6I6CJ63S3CB3B44IQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=21658860ec0be83b4c5957af8d6b9bc71544e2910cfced173159011684636d0f&width=400&height=225)
13. THE SEYCHELLES, FOUR HOURS 35 MINUTES. The Seychelles has beautiful oceans and boulder strewn beaches.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZZKJ4TYXDZ74BHAR53AJGLLDPI.jpg?smart=true&auth=3dd997b2271d6f31549338049d4fbdb2b54dba9b292732ee9ff5bb33f7399f41&width=400&height=225)
14. SRI LANKA. A little over four hours from the UAE, Sri Lanka is a long-time favourite for those seeking a quick getaway.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O7GJBWRMW3A4VESY6AZTI6ZRIU.jpg?smart=true&auth=e39a1f7b58dacd2330e633855f11a5e5e0282154a56819aeb42bf66327a45446&width=400&height=225)
15. KATHMANDU, NEPAL, FOUR HOURS. The capital of Nepal is a fusion of chaos and colour.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5WUOELV7XYHPJMIVNGSBIKIKWY.jpg?smart=true&auth=9229647876608cfd8f673c92e328264aa8489e7d73e80f10061a393451cf212b&width=400&height=225)
16. THE MALDIVES, FOUR HOURS TEN MINUTES. Tropical islands await in the Indian Ocean.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DLP2BKI7IJDMUCGCY2CAJAYJNE.jpg?smart=true&auth=750c5d039ae55eca194b580239e52d194bda2a787043268924e1c1cb4adbc0d3&width=400&height=225)
17. ISTANBUL, FIVE HOURS. Istanbul lies at the crossheads of two continents.
Last-minute National Day breaks: 17 destinations within five hours of Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Looking for a last-minute trip for the upcoming long weekend? Here are 17 short break suggestions that are all less than five hours from the UAE
![Hayley Skirka](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5aa171d9-e19e-4724-894f-afdab957726f.png?smart=true&auth=0060497e4d6de279036bf67ee0e69c23726110ddc9067f6419a245b2b05cf91d&width=70&height=70)
Hayley Skirka
04 November, 2019
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