Updated: 8 Best Quarantine-free Destinations from Dubai in 2022

The yesteryear has been a trying time because of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic that swathed over the world. If you’re an outgoing person (especially a globetrotter), being homesick can really mean sick-of-home for you.

But as the pandemic abates and more countries are starting to lift COVID-19 restrictions, you have more leeway to choose your favorite travel destination in 2022. A lot of countries have lifted their travel-quarantine protocols, but we have meticulously picked 8 travel destinations from Dubai that you can visit and have a time of your life.

All of the 8 locations we’ve culled for you are within 7 hours of flight-distance from Dubai, and are rid of quarantine restrictions. However, rules are mutable and subject to change with time. Hence, we advise you to confirm from official sources once before you book your flight. Note that all of these places require the strict adherence to the minimum social distancing measures such as wearing masks, maintaining a social distance, pre-departure PCR tests, etc.

From stunning beaches to heritage sites, here are the top 8 quarantine-free destinations from Dubai in 2022:

Maldives

First on our list is Male city in Maldives, a bustling island country that evokes imagery of coral-green shallow beaches and tree-house resorts. Not to mention that it’s one of the best places to give your Instagram feed a fresh update, the country allows a 30-day tourist visa completely free for UAE residents. When you alight at the Male International Airport, you will be provided with a tourist visa which will have no minimum-stay period restriction. If you’re travelling from Dubai, you won’t be required to quarantine on arrival or on return.

However, there are some prerequisites that you must ensure that you carry out before departing to the Maldives. Make sure that:

• You are fully vaccinated with a vaccine that has been approved by the EUL. The final dose must be taken at least 14 days prior to your departure to Maldives from Dubai.
• You have a valid negative RT-PCR test report prior to 96 hours of your departure.
• You have a confirmed hotel booking.
• You submit a pre-filled traveller health declaration form. Refer to the Maldives Immigration site for more details.
• Travellers who have transited for more than 24 hours must take the RT-PCR test again.
• Travellers with tourist visa are exempted from quarantine. However, business visa, special visa holders and foreign diplomats (along with their family members) whose stay exceeds 7 days, Maldivian citizens and work visa holders must observe quarantine for no less than 7 days at their residency or office.
• It is advisable to download the app TraceEkee before departure.

All establishments like restaurants, bars, shops, nightclubs, and malls will be open as usual in Maldives.

On return from Maldives, Dubai residents will be required to produce a negative RT-PCR test taken 72 hours prior to the departure. If you’re landing in Abu Dhabi, you must have a valid negative RT-PCR report taken within 48 hours of departure. Quarantine in the UAE is subject to the result of the RT-PCR test.

Best Packages:

Malé in Vista Beach Retreat — AED 2,881 — 3N/4D

• Round Trip by Saudi Arabian Airlines
• Stay at a 4-star restaurant — Vista Beach Retreat
• Double Deluxe Room inclusive of smoking area and wheelchair-accessible. 

Male in Riu Palace Maldivas (all Inclusive) — AED 5,454 — 3N/4D

• Round Trip by Saudi Arabian Airlines
• Stay at a 5-star restaurant — Riu Palace Maldivas — at Kedhigandu Island
• Junior Suite Standard connected with Restaurant, Spa, and Gym

Male in Sun Island Resort & Spa — AED 10,679 — 3N/4D

• Round trip by Emirates Airlines
• Stay at a 5-star resort — Sun Island Resort and Spa — at Nalaguraidoo South Ari Atoll
• Villa with Double Bed inclusive of dinner, and connected with Spa, Gym, restaurant, and smoking area

Check out more packages here.

Bulgaria

A five-and-a-half-hour flight separates Dubai from this Balkan country. Bordering the Black Sea, this mountainous country overflows with Ottoman, Slavic, Greek, and Persian heritage. Sofia, the country’s capital, rests at the foot of the Vitosha mountain, and is renowned for its cultural dances, crafts, and music.

• You will be exempted from testing if you produce an EU-certified Digital COVID certificate testifying a full dosage of approved vaccination. You can check the eligibility of your vaccination certification here. However, ensure that the final dose has been taken at least 15 days prior to travel and within 270 days from date of departure. Check the complete details on the official Bulgarian COVID-19 portal here.
• Travellers who arrive into Bulgaria without a valid vaccination certificate, a valid negative RT-PCR certificate or proof of recovery from COVID-19 must mandatorily quarantine on arrival for no less than 10 days. Alternatively, you may take an RT-PCR test or antigen test on arrival and finish your quarantine duration earlier if you’re tested negative for COVID-19.
• If you’re departing from Abu Dhabi to Sofia, you’d be required to take an RT-PCR test 72 hours prior to departure. If you’re departing from anywhere except Abu Dhabi, then you are not required to get tested before departure (keep your vaccination certificate handy). However, be mindful of the testing after arrival in Bulgaria.
• You will find the Health Declaration Form here.

On Return from Bulgaria, you might be required to observe a quarantine based on the result of the test taken upon arrival (not required for all).

Best Packages from Sofia:

Self-guided tour at Rila Monastery — AED 2,005 — 3N/4D

• Round trip by Qatar Airways
• Stay at a 3-star restaurant — Akord
• Airport transfers
• Self-guided tour at Rila Monastery

Self-guided tour with Double-decker Bus — AED 3,800 — 3N/4D

• Round trip by Emirates Airlines
• Stay at a 4-star restaurant — Best Western Premier Sofia Airport Hotel
• King Bed suite connected to Minibar
• Package inclusive of airport transfers

Private tour with Sofia — AED 4,845 — 3N/4D

• Round trip by Emirates Airlines
• Stay at a 5-star luxury collection hotel — Sofia Hotel Balkan
• Single Superior Bed suite inclusive of breakfast, and connected to restaurant, gym, spa, and parking.
• Package inclusive of airport transfers

Check out more packages here.

Egypt

Renowned for its prodigious, time-defying pyramids, Egypt is the Land of the Pharaohs, and home to the longest river on Earth. Cairo is the city to go to if you are looking for iconic photographs and memorable moments. The country opened up its borders to the tourists recently, and visitors are not required to quarantine on arrival.

• Like other destinations, if you’re departing from Abu Dhabi, then your RT-PCR test must be taken at least 72 hours prior to your departure. If you’re departing from other places within the UAE, you’re exempted from this test.
• The vaccines that are accepted in Egypt are Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinovac, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, and Janssen. The certificate must contain a QR code and must be in English, French, or Arabic.
• If you’re from a country where COVID-19 variants have known to emerge, then you might be subject to a rapid COVID-19 testing on arrival. As of now, there is no official list of countries that has been released.
• You will have to produce proof of travel insurance that must be inclusive of all COVID-19 medical costs. You’ll be required to fill-in the details of your insurance while filling up the health declaration form. Get more information at the Egyptian Tourism Authority.
• On return, UAE residents must produce a negative RT-PCR report taken within 48 hours from the time of departure. Upon arrival at Dubai, you must produce the certificate containing a QR code. The same doesn’t apply to UAE nationals, who will be tested on arrival.

Best packages to Cairo:

3N/4D at Indiana Hotel for AED 1,366

• Round trip by Gulf Air
• Stay at a 3-star hotel — Indiana Hotel
• Single standard bed and breakfast suite
• Package inclusive of shared shuttle airport transfer

3N/4D with Sound & Lights at the Pyramids — AD 2,422

• Round trip by Royal Jordanian
• Stay at a 5-star hotel — Movenpick Hotel Cairo — in Media City
• Classic King Pool View suite with breakfast, and connected to restaurant, gym, spa, and parking
• Add a full day visit to Memphis, Sakkara, and Dahshour (for additional charges)

3N/4D visit to Cairo Churches & Coptic Museum

• Round trip by Emirates Airlines
• Stay at Semiramis Intercontinental Cairo in a Single Superior Room suite
• Private standard car airport transfer inclusive of package
• Package inclusive of Half day visit to Cairo Churches and Coptic Museum

Check out all packages here. 

Greece

To travel to Athens, visitors must download the Visit Greece app before departure. Travellers to Greece are exempted from testing if they present a valid international vaccination certificate.

• Visitors to Greece must fill-in what is known as the Passenger Locator Form (PLF).
• Like other European countries, the final vaccine must have been administered at least 14 days before departure but not more than 270 days. Additionally, the vaccination certificate must display your booster dose. You can get the complete information on the official Greece portal.
• Random COVID-19 tests will be implemented at the airport. Those who test positive will have to self-quarantine for 5 days. Get more information here.

Restaurants, bars, and nightclubs are open only to vaccinated individuals and are limited to 6 people per table. Entering a non-essential shop in Greece would require an EU Digital Certificate.

On return, the same rules apply as that of Egypt.

Best Packages to Athens:

3N/4D at Athens with Acropolis and Parthenon for AED 2,977

• Round trip by Qatar Airways
• Stay at a 3-star hotel — Triton — in a single standard suite
• Package includes visit to Acropolis and Parthenon

3N/4D at Athens with City Sightseeing Tour for AED 3,181

• Round trip by Qatar Airways
• Stay at a 4-star hotel — Novotel Athenes — in a Superior room with 1 Double bed
• Package inclusive of private standard airport transfers
• Package includes city sightseeing on a hop-on and hop-off tour

3N/4D with Athens Museum Pass and Access to 15+ Attractions for AED 4,711

• Round trip by Turkish Airlines
• Stay at a 5-star hotel – Perianth Hotel — in a Double Standard suite with breakfast
• Package inclusive of private standard airport transfers
• Athens Museum Pass grants access to 15+ attractions, including a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Check out all packages here.

Kenya

On August 1^st, Kenya opened its borders to over 129 countries for a quarantine-free stay. One of the best destinations from Dubai, Kenya is home to savannahs, wildlife and Lakelands.

• You must be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccine. A good practice is to validate your COVID-19 vaccination certificate before departing. If you’ve recently recovered from the virus, then you’re exempted from vaccine requirements, and in lieu, will have to produce a proof of recovery from a recognized medical center within 90 days of departure.
• If tested positive on arrival, you’ll be required to quarantine for 10 days in a govt. quarantine facility. At the end of the quarantine period, you’ll have to take a test again.
• Before travelling to Kenya, ensure that you fill-in this Travelers Health Surveillance Form and submit it before you land. You will then have to use the ‘Jitenge’ platform daily for 14 days to submit your health information. You can find more information here.
• Native Kenyans are exempted from vaccine requirements but must provide proof of registration for vaccine before entering the country. Travellers to Kenya must register at the official Ministry of Health Kenya Self Service Portal before departure.
• Your RT-PCR test must have been taken at least 72 hours before departure.

Bars are open till 11 pm and restaurants are open with strict social distancing measures in place. Nightclubs will remain closed.

Best Packages to Nairobi:

3N/4D to Nairobi with Carnivore Experience for AED 2,384

• Round trip by Kenya Airways
• Stay at a 3-star hotel — Pearl Palace Hotel — in a double standard suite with breakfast
• Private premium car airport transfer included
• Package inclusive of the Carnivore Experience

3N/4D to Nairobi Highlight Guided Walking Tour for AED 3,345

• Round trip by Kenya Airways
• Stay at a 4-star hotel — Ngong Hills Hotel — in a Double or Twin Superior Suite
• Private premium car airport transfer included
• Package inclusive of the Carnivore Experience and a Nairobi Highlight Guided Walking Tour

3N/4D to Nairobi with Nairobi Souvenie Half Day Tour for AED 5,027

• Round trip by Emirates Airlines
• Stay at a 5-star hotel — Windsor Gold and Country Club — in single deluxe suite with breakfast
• Private premium car airport transfer included
• Package inclusive of Nairobi Souvenir Half Day Tour

Check out all the packages here. 

Lebanon

Beirut was in dire straits not long ago, but is seeing an improvement in the COVID-19 situation, with cases going down by 31% from the last week.

• If you present a valid international vaccination certificate, you won’t be required to take an RT-PCR test before your departure. However, your final vaccine dose must have been submitted not more than 6 months ago before departure.
• All travellers will be subject to a PCR test on arrival at all Lebanon airports. Until you get a negative result from the test (which you will receive within 24 hours), you will have to quarantine for a maximum of 48 hours.
• Before departure, you’re required to obtain a “Ministry of Public Health Form” (MOPH) for $30 USD and submit it. Check out more information from the official portal for Lebanon.

Public transportation in Lebanon is operating at 50% capacity. Cars and cabs allow up to 4 people, including the driver.

Nightclubs will remain closed, but restaurants and bars operate at a predefined capacity.

Best Packages to Beirut:

3N/4D to Beirut with City Sightseeing Beirut Hop-on and Hop-off Tour for AED 1,915

• Round trip by Royal Jordanian
• Stay at a 4-star Hotel — The Parisian — in a Double or Twin Deluxe room
• Package inclusive of Private Premium car airport transfers
• Package also inclusive of city sightseeing Beirut Hop-on Hop-off Tour 

3N/4D to Beirut with City Tour for AED 3,055

• Round trip by Etihad Airways
• Stay at a 40-star hotel — Gems Hotel — in a Standard Single Room suite with breakfast
• Package inclusive of Private Premium car airport transfers
• Package inclusive of Beirut City Tour 

3N/4D to Beirut City Tour for AD 4,815

• Round trip by Emirates Airlines
• Stay at a 5-star hotel — Le Royal Beirut — at a double twin sea view suite
• Package inclusive of Private Premium car airport transfers
• Package inclusive of Beirut by Night city sightseeing tour

Check out all the packages here.

Italy

If you have been to or transited within the last 14 days through a country that’s included in the list of ‘high-risk countries’ then you will not be permitted to enter Italy. Exceptions are reserved for nationals and residents of Italy. 

If you’ve been to or transited through Gibraltar, Channel Islands, United Kingdom, and the UK bases in Cyprus within the last 14 days from your date of departure, then you must produce a negative COVID-19 molecular test that has been taken within the last 48 hours on arrival. You can get more information at the official website. 

• Your last vaccination must have been taken at least 14 days from the date of departure and not more than 270 days ago. The complete list of approved vaccines is provided at this page.
• Before boarding your flight, ensure that you complete this Passenger Locator Form.
• After arrival, you must produce a negative COVID-19 molecular test report that must be taken in the last 72 hours. Find more information on the official website.
• The whole of Italy has been compartmentalized into color-coded regions, each of which have specific rules according to the severity of the virus. Once you land, you’ll know that most regions are classified as “yellow zones”.

You can access public transportation only if you’re a “Super Green Pass” holder. However, the same doesn’t apply to cars and taxis. Know more about the pass here.

Restaurants, bars, and nightclubs are open only to “Super Green Pass” holders.

Best Packages to Rome:

3N/4D at Rome in Group Tour to Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum for AED 3,092

• Round trip by Saudi Arabian Airlines
• Stay at a 3-star hotel — Athena — in a single standard suite with breakfast
• Package inclusive of shared shuttle airport transfer
• Package inclusive of group tour to Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum

3N/4D at Rome with Skip-the-line Semi-Private Vatican Afternoon Tour for AED 6,207

• Round trip by Saudi Arabian Airlines
• Stay at a 5-star hotel — Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel & Spa — in a single superior
• Package inclusive of Private Standard Car airport transfer
• Package includes Skip-the-line Semi-private Vatican Afternoon Tour

3N/4D at Rome with Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica for AED 11,392

• Round trip by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
• Stay at a 5-star hotel — Hassler — in a Double Deluxe suite with breakfast
• Package inclusive of Private Standard Car airport transfer
• Skip-the-line guided tour to Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Pete’s Basilica

Check out all the packages here.

Seychelles

One of the most beautiful archipelagos, Seychelles comprises of 115 islands off the African coast. It is renowned for its coral reefs and vibrant beaches.

• Before you book your ticket, it’d be beneficial to you if you book your accommodation, because you can book your stay only at hotels that have been licensed by the Public Health Authority. You can check the complete list on the official government website of Seychelles. Citizens and residents of the country can sidestep this rule.
• You must produce a negative RT-PCR test that must have been taken no longer than 72 hours from the time of departure. If you’ve recovered from COVID-19, then you can provide proof of a negative rapid antigen test that must have been taken no longer than 72 hours of departure.
• All citizens and residents are required to take a PCR test on the fifth day from the date of their arrival.
• Before departure from UAE, you’re mandatorily required to apply for the Health Travel Authorization.
• Ensure that you have your travel and health insurance handy.
• The country is currently observing a nationwide curfew between 23:00 and 04:00 every day.

Nightclubs remain closed while restaurants and bars operate at limited capacity. 

Best Packages to Victoria:

3N/4D in Victoria in Villa Authentique for AED 3,812

• Round trip by Ethiopian Airlines
• Stay at a 3-star hotel — La Passe — in a Double Standard Suite with Breakfast

3N/4D in Victoria at Anse La Mouche Holiday Apartments for AED 5,424

• Round trip by Qatar Airways
• Stay at a 5-star apartment – Anse La Mouche Holiday Apartments — in a one bedroom
• Private Standard Car airport transfer included 

3N/4D in Victoria at Four Seasons Resort for AED 12,145

• Round trip by Qatar Airways
• Stay at a 5-star hotel — Four Seasons Resort at Desroches Island — in Ocean View pool villa suite with breakfast

Check out more packages to Victoria here.

Made up your mind?

If you’re determined to travel before the onset of summer, head to ibookholiday.com. it is your one-stop shop to get the best travel packages in Dubai.