The Maldives, a tropical archipelago nestled in the Indian Ocean, has long been synonymous with luxury, seclusion and stunning natural beauty.
A chain of some 1,000 coral islands dotted across 26 atolls, the holiday hotspot offers pristine shorelines surrounded by aquarium-like waters. And while there are now some more budget alternatives available across the destination, it remains primarily a place where holidays come with a hefty price tag.
For travellers craving the same island experience with more affordable options or more of the beaten path, there are plenty of Maldives-dupe destinations, offering a similar vibe. Here are a few to consider.
Albanian Riviera
Albania might not be top-of-mind when people think of a beach holiday, but many travellers swear by the charm of the Albanian Riviera, or Bregu in local slang. The coastline spans the north-eastern Ionian Sea and a line of villages in southern Albania, and the area's clear waters, and golden beaches give the Maldives a run for its money, complemented by dramatic hanging cliffs.
Ksamil is a charming village known for its lagoons and miniature islands. It's also near Butrint, an ancient Greek polis and a Unesco World Heritage Site, so travellers can get a dose of history after basking in the sun. Other coastal villages in the region that are worth checking out include Dhermi and Sarande, although these places can get rather busy in high season.
Umluj, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's megaprojects, including its ultra-luxury developments in the Red Sea, have been piquing interest among intrepid holidaymakers thanks to their island vibes and luxury resorts. But long before these projects became popular, the charming city of Umluj had already claimed the title of the “Maldives of Saudi Arabia”.
Located along the Red Sea coast in the northern Tabuk province, Umluj is home to beautiful beaches and thriving coral reefs. Surrounding turquoise waters brim with marine life, making it a popular destination for snorkelling and diving. The area boasts more than 100 small islands, and some of the most popular ones include Libanah and Umm Sihr. While the destination's tranquillity is thanks in part to its relative secrecy, there are plenty of hotels and restaurants in the area for tourists making the trip.
El Nido, Philippines
Often touted as a budget-friendly alternative to a Maldivian getaway, El Nido on the island of Palawan in the Philippines has limestone cliffs, quartz lagoons and some of Asia's best beaches.
The area teems with flora and fauna, making snorkelling and diving some of the best in the world. Island hopping is a great way to experience Palawan and its islands, with travellers able to visit hidden lagoons, course through underground rivers and lounge on secluded beaches.
Isles of Scilly, UK
Off the southwestern tip of Cornwall in England lies the Isles of Scilly, a small archipelago that's been described by holidaymakers as a mini-Maldives for its clear blue waters, secluded beaches and relatively warm weather. Travellers can take a Skybus from Land's End airport in Cornwall for a 20-minute trip. It takes 30 minutes for those coming from Newquay, while it's an hour of travelling from Exeter.
St Mary's is the largest island in the vicinity, and serves as the entryway to the rest of Isles of Scilly. Hugh Town is the central hub that is home to an array of shops, churches, cafes and restaurants. There are three beaches here, but it is St Martin's where some of the finest beaches in the British Isles can be found. Tresco, the second largest island, is famous for its outcrops and the popular Tresco Abbey Garden, where visitors can see some 20,000 plants from more than 80 countries.
Lakshadweep, India
Earlier this year, a row erupted over two sets of beautiful islands – the first being the Maldives and the second being the tropical archipelago of Lakshadweep. Belonging to India, this archipelago lies about 400km south-west of Kerala and has endless emerald waters. Only a few of the islands are inhabited and visitors need an entry permit from the local government.
Agatti Island serves as the gateway to Lakshadweep, with regular flights from Kochi. Water sports such as windsurfing, kayaking and water skiing can be found. Surrounding waters are adorned with coral growth, so scuba diving and snorkelling are popular. Other islands here include Bangaram, known for its tranquil sandy beaches, and Minicoy, home to a 50-metre lighthouse built in 1885 by the British.
Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
If the emerald waters of the Arabian Gulf are anything to go by, the UAE's very own Saadiyat Island can definitely compete in this list. Several luxurious beachfront hotels dot the natural length of golden beach including The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Jumeirah Saadiyat Island Resort and the all-inclusive Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, catering to all kinds of holidaymakers.
But it's the golden beaches here that are the stars of the show, with bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles often spotted in the pristine waters, which are popular for snorkelling and diiving. It's also the gateway to Nurai Island, a private retreat off the Abu Dhabi coastline that has even more Maldivian vibes to offer, although it is temporarily closed to visitors.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports
Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Thor: Ragnarok
Dir: Taika Waititi
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson
Four stars
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The UAE's journey to space
if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
