Best Middle East winter sun destinations from the UK (2026-27)

E By Emma · Updated 20 October 2026 · 5 min read · Beach & Sun

From November to March, the Middle East offers something the Canaries can't quite match: almost guaranteed sunshine with daytime temperatures in the mid-20s °C, warm seas and a short time difference from the UK. Flights take five to seven and a half hours, so you lose half a day each way rather than the full day of a long-haul trip to the Caribbean or Asia.

The region varies, though: some places are built for beach-and-pool holidays, others for desert adventures and history. Here is how they compare. For shorter-haul choices, see our wider guide to the best winter sun destinations from the UK.

Middle East winter sun at a glance

Temperatures are long-term averages; cool or rainy spells do happen.

Dubai and the UAE: the reliable all-rounder

If you want a straightforward week of sun, sea and good hotels, Dubai is hard to beat. Direct flights run from a long list of UK airports, the beaches along Jumeirah and Dubai Marina are clean and safe, and the choice of resort hotels, from good-value four-stars to some of the most famous luxury properties in the world, is enormous. December to February highs sit around the mid-20s °C, and the sea is usually around 22-24 °C. Between beach days, add the view from the Burj Khalifa, the souqs around Dubai Creek or a desert safari. Ras Al Khaimah has quieter, often cheaper beach resorts. Our UAE guide covers the emirates in more detail, and if you are heading further afield, our Dubai stopover guide explains how to break a long-haul journey.

Watch out for: high prices at Christmas, New Year and February half-term, and alcohol costs. Book early for school holidays.

Oman: scenery, desert and quieter beaches

Oman is for travellers who want winter sun with a sense of place. Muscat has a handful of excellent beach resorts tucked into coves between the mountains, but the reason to come is what lies inland: the forts of Nizwa, swimming holes in Wadi Shab and Wadi Bani Khalid, mountain roads on Jebel Shams and Jebel Akhdar, and a night at a desert camp in the Wahiba Sands.

Winter highs in Muscat are typically in the mid-20s °C, with a warm sea. The pace is slower and the crowds much smaller than in Dubai. Hiring a car makes a week of beach plus touring easy, though you'll need a 4x4 for some mountain and desert routes. In the far south, Salalah is even warmer in winter, often around 28-30 °C, with long, empty beaches, and some seasons have seen charter flights from the UK.

Watch out for: the Omani rial is strong, so restaurants and activities can cost more than expected. Nights in the mountains and desert can be cold.

Aqaba, Jordan: Red Sea snorkelling with Petra on the side

Jordan is mainly a sightseeing destination, but its short stretch of Red Sea coast around Aqaba stays mild through winter, with highs around 20-22 °C and plenty of sunshine. The water is clear and the coral reefs start just offshore, making it a good choice for snorkellers and divers.

The big draw is what you can combine with the beach. Petra is about two hours away by road, and the desert of Wadi Rum is around an hour, so you can spend a night at a Bedouin camp and a full day at Petra and still have several days by the sea. Direct flights to Aqaba have come and gone with different airlines, so you may need to fly to Amman and drive south, which also gives you time for the Dead Sea.

Watch out for: it is cooler than the Gulf, so a pool may feel chilly in January, and evenings in Petra and Wadi Rum can be cold. Check the GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking, given the regional situation.

Qatar: museums and a short break in the sun

Qatar is better suited to three or four days than a fortnight on a sunlounger. Doha has some of the best museums in the region, including the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar, plus the atmospheric Souq Waqif and a long waterfront Corniche. Beach hotels in West Bay and Lusail and a desert trip to the Inland Sea round it off.

Winter highs are in the low 20s °C, a little cooler than Dubai or Muscat. It is ideal as a stopover on the way to Asia or Australia, and direct flights run from several UK airports.

Watch out for: hotels and alcohol are expensive.

What about Egypt?

Egypt's Red Sea resorts, such as Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, are the obvious alternative, with similar winter temperatures to Aqaba, excellent diving and some of the cheapest all-inclusive packages from the UK. If budget matters more than anything else, they are worth comparing alongside the destinations above.

How to choose

• Family beach holiday: Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah.
• More than a beach: Oman, with mountains and a desert camp.
• History lovers: Jordan, with Petra and Wadi Rum.
• Long weekend or stopover: Doha or Dubai.

When to book

The peak weeks are Christmas, New Year and February half-term, when prices rise sharply. For the best value, travel in late November, early December or January outside school holidays, and book packages with flights included for ATOL protection. Ramadan, expected from around early February to early March in 2027, can affect opening hours and daytime dining, though hotels continue to serve guests.

Prices and timetables are a guide and can change. This article contains affiliate links; if you book through one we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. How we work.