Condé Nast Traveller Middle East

News & Advice
The cities with the most five-star hotels in the world for 2026
From Istanbul to Paris, here are the cities with the highest concentration of luxury stays in the world
By Karina Acharya
Inspiration
The UAE islands most travellers still overlook
From nature-rich natural islands to tranquil manmade coastal escapes, there's plenty to explore off the UAE's shores
By Keith J Fernandez
Inspiration
The world's most Instagrammable road trips, ranked
A new study has ranked the drives travellers can't stop posting, from Arctic fjords and cliffside coastlines to desert highways and Patagonian wilderness
By Hana Al-Khodairi

Inspiration
The unapologetically high-maintenance beauty guide to staying low-maintenance on holiday
These pre-departure treatments and products will help to make you trip-ready
By Rowana Parker
From Dua Lipa to Charlie XCX, Sicily is the wedding destination everyone wants right now
As the island appears to be more popular than ever among lovebirds, Rebecca Cope investigates the appeal among some of the world's most high-profile couples
By Rebecca Cope
How full is my flight? 4 simple ways to check before boarding
Plus, other helpful strategies for manoeuvring around crowded planes and sold-out cabins
By Jessica Puckett

Climate change is threatening my faith traditions – here’s why we should all care
With record numbers of deaths and an increasing reluctance to tackle pilgrimages in unbearable temperatures, Mariam Amini reflects on what's at stake…
By Mariam Amini

The world's most beautiful restaurants in 2026, from Dubai to Cape Town
The 2026 Prix Versailles list moves from Monaco’s newest waterfront district to Hong Kong’s skyscrapers and Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, spotlighting 16 restaurants distinguished by their design
By Hana Al-Khodairi

The most fabulous designer beach club pop-ups for summer 2026
Europe’s chicest hotels are rolling out another season of designer collaborations for summer 2026
By Scott Campbell
Culture

Food & Drink
The best Middle Eastern cookbooks to add to your kitchen shelf
Cookbooks today are as much armchair travel guides as educations in history, culture and diverse cooking and eating practices around the world
By Nicola Chilton

Inspiration
The best exhibitions to see in the UAE this month: June 2026
The best exhibitions to catch around the UAE this month, from a solo exhibition exploring themes of memory, home, and time, to a multimedia exhibition featuring 11 different artists
By Romy Hunt

News & Advice
From Gaza to Beirut, the must-see Arab artists at this year's Venice Biennale
Across the city's palazzos and shipyards, artists from Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt and the Gulf are presenting some of the Biennale’s most talked-about installations
By Scott Campbell
Great UAE Day Trips
- Destinations
Great UAE Day Trips: Mleiha and the Sharjah desert
The route journeys through Ghost Village, Fossil Rock and Al Buhais Geological ParkBy Nicola Chilton - Destinations
Great UAE Day Trips: Al Ain
The ancient oasis town is a calm, quiet place that moves at its own gentle rhythmBy Nicola Chilton - Destinations
Great UAE Day Trips: inland Fujairah
Away from Fujairah's beautiful beaches, take a drive into the emirate's mountains to explore historic villages and attractionsBy Nicola Chilton - Destinations
Great UAE Day Trips: Khor Fakkan
While it may feel like a lowkey place these days, Khor Fakkan was fought over by several different powers in the 16th and 17th centuriesBy Nicola Chilton - Inspiration
19 of the most beautiful places to see in the UAE
From mangrove forests and desert dunes to colourful mosques, the UAE has more to offer than flashy skylinesBy Sophie Prideaux and Sophia Dyer
Destination spotlight: Cairo
DestinationsThe 22 best restaurants in Cairo
Flavourful street food, Egyptian classics and Nile river views are waiting to be discoveredBy Jake Emen and Farah Al-Toukhi
Food & DrinkThe best cafes and coffee shops in Cairo
From historic meeting places to tranquil garden hideouts, these are the best cafes to seek out in CairoBy Tommy Hilton and Sebastian Sele- Destinations
The best hotels in Cairo
Amid the colourful, chaotic sprawl of modern Cairo, find refuge in these top-class propertiesBy Jake Emen and Tommy Hilton - Destinations
17 of the best things to do in Cairo
Our list of must-sees when navigating Egypt's culturally rich capitalBy Nada El Sawy - Destinations
How to make the most of visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza
From tipping, timings and the most accessible entry points, here's how to get the most out of a visit to Cairo's best-loved pyramidsBy Scott Campbell
More inspiration

News & Advice
Riyadh Air opens bookings for five new destinations as first Boeing 787s arrive
The new Saudi airline has brought forward its London launch, with flights to Dubai, Madrid, Manchester, Jeddah and Cairo taking off over the following six weeks
By Scott Campbell
News & Advice
UAE public holidays 2026: dates for next confirmed days off and how to maximise your leave
While some dates are subject to change, this is how to make the most of your annual leave for the rest of 2026
By Sophie Prideaux

News & Advice
Saudi Arabia opens upgraded airport near Amaala as Red Sea wellness destination nears its debut
The refreshed terminal in AlWajh places travellers within easy reach of the Four Seasons, Six Senses, Rosewood and other soon-to-open hotels
By Scott Campbell
News & Advice
Is it safe to visit East Africa amid Ebola outbreak? The latest as confirmed cases continue to rise in Congo
The UAE has suspended new visas for nationals of Uganda, the DRC and South Sudan and imposed new entry restrictions as Ebola cases continue to rise across Central and East Africa
By Scott Campbell

Inspiration
33 luxury hotels were just awarded ‘Palace’ status by the French government – see the full list
The French Ministry of Tourism just updated the exclusive list for the first time since 2022, including six new entrants in Paris, the French Alps, the South of France and Champagne
By Matt Ortile
News & Advice
UAE suspends new visas for nationals of three African countries amid Ebola outbreak
The move comes after a traveller who passed through the UAE was later confirmed to have Ebola in Uganda
By Scott Campbell
News & Advice
Is it safe to travel to Japan right now? What travellers need to know amid Typhoon Jangmi aftermath
Flights are operating, bullet trains are running and attractions remain open, but some destinations are still dealing with flooding, landslides and storm damage
By Scott Campbell
News & Advice
Qatar Airways issues new update on Middle East flights – what passengers need to know
The latest flight updates from Qatar Airways as it continues to rebuild its Middle East route network
By Emma Clarke and Sophie Prideaux
News & Advice
Is it ever okay to take your shoes and socks off on a plane?
Aircraft cabins are not built for bare feet, yet socks keep coming off. Frequent flyers explain where the line should be drawn
By Scott Campbell
Destinations
The best time to visit Bali: a guide to weather, rainy season and the cheapest months
If you’re planning to escape to the rainforests and beaches of Ubud or Nusa Dua, here’s how to plan ahead – and it’s not all about the weather
By Anna Chittenden and Scott Campbell
News & Advice
Kuwait's airspace reopens as Terminal 4 resumes operations – what passengers need to know
Everything we know about Kuwait International Airport's temporary closure and gradual reopening
By Sophia Dyer
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Destinations
21 best things to do in Dubai this weekend: 5 – 7 June 2026
Condé Nast Traveller Middle East's edit of the best things to do in Dubai this weekend, from new dining experiences to an ice cream run along the beach
By Hana Al-Khodairi and Sophie Prideaux
News & Advice
Kuwait International Airport's Terminal 1 closed after drone attack causes ‘severe damage’
The international terminal sustained severe damage from an Iranian attack, forcing flights to halt just days after reopening
By Hana Al-Khodairi
News & Advice
Dubai and Middle East flight disruption: the latest updates as Iran launches attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait
With flight schedules and route networks being regularly updated, here's the latest news for passengers facing Dubai and Middle East flight disruption
By Hana Al-Khodairi and Sophia Dyer
News & Advice
British Airways extends Dubai flight suspensions again – what passengers need to know
The airline's other Middle Eastern routes have also been affected
By Sophie Prideaux
Inspiration
Wondering where in the world to retire? There's an index for that
These are the best places in the world to retire in 2026, considering healthcare, cost of living and more
By Caitlin Morton
News & Advice
Sri Lanka waives tourist visa fees for travellers from these 40 countries
Travellers from across the Gulf can now stay for 30 days without a fee
By Sophia Dyer
News & Advice
The one thing hotels still can’t get right
Hotels pride themselves on anticipating guests’ needs, yet many still struggle with the most basic one: darkness
By Scott Campbell

Inspiration
Your June 2026 horoscope: say yes to spontaneous trips this month
Professional astrologer Kirah Tabourn reads your monthly horoscope – and spells out how it may shape your travels
By Kirah Tabourn
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Destinations
The best aparthotels in London for a city stay that feels like home
Everything from ultra luxurious spaces in hotels to the cheapest, nicest serviced apartments
By Rachel Everett









