New research ranks Dubai as the world's number one city break destination, ahead of second-placed Paris, France, and third-placed Boston, US. Photo: Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing
New research ranks Dubai as the world's number one city break destination, ahead of second-placed Paris, France, and third-placed Boston, US. Photo: Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing
New research ranks Dubai as the world's number one city break destination, ahead of second-placed Paris, France, and third-placed Boston, US. Photo: Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing
New research ranks Dubai as the world's number one city break destination, ahead of second-placed Paris, France, and third-placed Boston, US. Photo: Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing

Dubai named world’s best city break destination, ahead of Paris, Boston and London


Hayley Skirka
  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai has come out on top in a new study of the most popular city break destinations in the world.

The emirate is coveted for its “glorious sunshine and glistening, luxurious lifestyle”, according to Premier Inn, which conducted the research.

Home to swanky resorts, high end retailers, upscale restaurants and pristine shoreline, the city was the number one choice for travellers from 21 countries.

Dubai is most popular with city break planners from Asia and Africa and is the top search destination on Google for people in South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Nigeria, India and the Maldives.

Dubai ranks first in the world for city breaks in a new study comparing Google data. Photo: Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing
Dubai ranks first in the world for city breaks in a new study comparing Google data. Photo: Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing

Using keyword data from Google, Premier Inn analysed city break search trends from 136 countries.

The UK’s largest hotel brand studied the number of Google searches for "things to do in …" to identify which city was most popular for travellers from each country.

While Dubai topped the rankings for the most popular city break destination worldwide, those living in the UAE are most keen to spend time in London. The UK capital was the most searched for city break destination for travellers in the emirates.

The top 10 city break destinations in the world

  • 1. Dubai is ranked the number one city break destination in the world in a new survey by Premier Inn. AFP
    1. Dubai is ranked the number one city break destination in the world in a new survey by Premier Inn. AFP
  • 2. Paris, France, polled highly in the study of travellers' wish lists from 21 countries. Photo: iStockphoto.com
    2. Paris, France, polled highly in the study of travellers' wish lists from 21 countries. Photo: iStockphoto.com
  • 3. Boston, US, is third most popular place to go for a city break. Photo: Mark Hunt / Huntstock / Corbis
    3. Boston, US, is third most popular place to go for a city break. Photo: Mark Hunt / Huntstock / Corbis
  • 4. Spain's capital Madrid is also a top choice. AFP
    4. Spain's capital Madrid is also a top choice. AFP
  • 5. Singapore ranks fifth. Getty Images
    5. Singapore ranks fifth. Getty Images
  • 6. London ranks sixth worldwide for city breaks, but is the top choice for travellers in the UAE. Reuters
    6. London ranks sixth worldwide for city breaks, but is the top choice for travellers in the UAE. Reuters
  • 7. South Africa's Cape Town ranked seventh. Alamy
    7. South Africa's Cape Town ranked seventh. Alamy
  • 8. Amsterdam is the world's eighth most popular place for a city break, according to researchers. AFP
    8. Amsterdam is the world's eighth most popular place for a city break, according to researchers. AFP
  • 9. Denmark's capital Copenhagen ranks in ninth place. Reuters
    9. Denmark's capital Copenhagen ranks in ninth place. Reuters
  • 10. Buenos Aires in Argentina rounds up the top 10 list. Photo: Jon Hicks / Corbis
    10. Buenos Aires in Argentina rounds up the top 10 list. Photo: Jon Hicks / Corbis
  1. Dubai
  2. Paris
  3. Boston
  4. Madrid
  5. Singapore
  6. London
  7. Cape Town
  8. Amsterdam
  9. Copenhagen
  10. Buenos Aires

Paris ranks as the second-most coveted urban destination, with travellers from 16 countries keen to visit the City of Love. European trip planners favour the French capital which topped search lists in Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal.

Paris is the second ranked city break destination in the world according to a new study. AP
Paris is the second ranked city break destination in the world according to a new study. AP

Third-placed Boston is also the most popular city break destination in the US, topping the list in 12 countries. The Massachusetts city is the most searched for city in several North and Central American countries including Barbados, Canada and Grenada.

“City breaks have always remained a great holiday choice for many, with a mix of landmarks, nightlife, history and adventure, travellers can experience a range of different activities within a small area thanks to great transport links, meaning tourists can see more in a shorter time frame,” said a Premier Inn representative.

THE BIO

Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

Coal Black Mornings

Brett Anderson

Little Brown Book Group 

RESULTS

Tottenham 1

Jan Vertonghen 13'

Norwich 1

Josip Drmic 78'

2-3 on penalties

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UK%20record%20temperature
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The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh100,000 (estimate)

Engine 2.4L four-cylinder 

Gearbox Nine-speed automatic 

Power 184bhp at 6,400rpm

Torque 237Nm at 3,900rpm

Fuel economy, combined 9.4L/100km

Profile

Company: Justmop.com

Date started: December 2015

Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan

Sector: Technology and home services

Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai

Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month

Funding:  The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups. 

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The cost of Covid testing around the world

Egypt

Dh514 for citizens; Dh865 for tourists

Information can be found through VFS Global.

Jordan

Dh212

Centres include the Speciality Hospital, which now offers drive-through testing.

Cambodia

Dh478

Travel tests are managed by the Ministry of Health and National Institute of Public Health.

Zanzibar

AED 295

Zanzibar Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, located within the Lumumba Secondary School compound.

Abu Dhabi

Dh85

Abu Dhabi’s Seha has test centres throughout the UAE.

UK

From Dh400

Heathrow Airport now offers drive through and clinic-based testing, starting from Dh400 and up to Dh500 for the PCR test.

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed

Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.

Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.

The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.

One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.

That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.

Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

The specs

Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo

Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed

Power: 271 and 409 horsepower

Torque: 385 and 650Nm

Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

The specs: 2018 Jaguar F-Type Convertible

Price, base / as tested: Dh283,080 / Dh318,465

Engine: 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 295hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 400Nm @ 1,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.2L / 100km

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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Updated: July 28, 2022, 8:10 AM