Wego, the Middle East and North Africa travel app and online marketplace, has revealed Ramadan 2026 travel trends among United Arab Emirates residents, highlighting strong demand for staycations, cultural experiences, and spiritually focused city breaks.

As Ramadan begins, the data indicates that UAE travellers are increasingly planning shorter, experience-led trips that align with adjusted daily routines. Domestic travel dominates this season, alongside selective short-haul outbound journeys to culturally significant destinations.

Staycations continue to anchor travel planning during the Holy Month, with searches by UAE residents more than doubling compared with Ramadan 2025.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi remain the top domestic destinations, reflecting sustained interest in urban retreats that offer easy access to mosques, heritage districts, and curated Ramadan experiences. Notably, 31% of hotel searches are for four-star properties, suggesting travellers are balancing comfort with value.

Average hotel rates have risen 17% year on year, in line with increased seasonal demand and the growing popularity of short local breaks.

Purpose-led travel is emerging as a defining theme this Ramadan. According to Wego, nearly 75% of the top-searched hotels are located near cultural districts, heritage areas, and key landmarks.

Travellers are prioritising destinations that offer opportunities for reflection, community engagement, and cultural immersion, favouring slower-paced itineraries over traditional leisure-focused escapes. Proximity to mosques, Ramadan night markets, and heritage neighbourhoods is playing a central role in booking decisions.

While domestic travel leads, outbound searches to nearby MENA countries have risen 94%, largely driven by family visits and heritage-based trips.

“Outbound trips remain short-haul and selective, with average airfares showing a year-on-year increase of 9%, as travellers prioritise cultural relevance over leisure-focused travel,” Wego said in a statement.

The data also highlights the dominance of mobile planning, with 69% of bookings made via the Wego app. Location-led decisions, particularly proximity to mosques, cultural districts, and dining venues suitable for iftar and suhoor, are influencing travellers’ final choices.