UAE: Some residents embrace outdoor fun, family time during Eid Al Fitr as pleasant weather continues

Khaleej Times

31-03-2025

As the UAE celebrates the second day of Eid Al Fitr, residents are embracing the outdoors, taking full advantage of the pleasant weather, particularly in the early mornings and evenings.
Families are reuniting, enjoying the long holiday break filled with staycations, and relishing the mild temperatures before the summer heat arrives.
For those returning from travels abroad, today marks a continuation of the festive spirit as they gather with loved ones to enjoy the open air.
'We got back from our holiday, late yesterday evening and went straight home, but today, I'm off to a supermarket to pick up some groceries, including lamb, to finally celebrate Eid," shared Dubai resident Madina Mergenova.
The Kazakh national had planned her holiday in advance. She and her family spent a week in the Maldives during the spring break, which coincided with the Eid holidays. They left on March 24 and returned on March 30.
'On Sunday, the airport was surprisingly quiet when we arrived back, almost as if everyone was out of the country. It was a wonderful trip — we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves," she shared.
She added that her family did lots of activities during the break. "We did plenty of snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing. My children, who are 15 and 11, enjoyed snorkeling most of the time, and they also tried kayaking. We even indulged in a relaxing spa experience, as the Maldives is famous for its spas.'
Staycations with family
For others, like Arijit Nandi, who is hosting his parents from Kolkata, India, the Eid holiday meant a staycation with family.
'We spent our Eid holidays at Mina Al Arab, Anantara Ras Al Khaimah. It was truly a wonderful experience. Even though the hotel was packed, the facilities and services were impressive, as is the case with most of the good UAE hotels," shared the Indian expat.
He added, 'Eid is one of the longest holidays of the year, and with my parents visiting, we made the most of it, enjoying some quality downtime with the whole family — my parents, son, and wife. My son had a blast in the expansive infinity pool. The resort is the perfect place for a family retreat.'
Many UAE residents choose such staycations for the world-class amenities, like relaxing Thai and Arabian spa treatments and a wide variety of dining options.
'The beachfront views were breathtaking, and the resort offered something for everyone — whether it was my parents enjoying the sunset by the sea with a cup of tea, or us indulging in watersports and fine dining. It was truly a memorable Eid weekend," Nandi added.
Kids enjoy the open air
For other families, like Karina Shashkova's, the open air offered plenty of opportunities for fun. Shashkova, a Dubai resident who recently returned from a five-day staycation in Umm Al Quwain, said, 'We're having a barbecue at home today, making the most of the pleasant weather."
Her family stayed at a resort in Umm Al Quwain for five days as part of their goal to explore every emirate. 'Since we had never been to Umm Al Quwain before, it was an exciting experience. The bungalows of the resort are right on the beach, just 20 metres from the shore, giving off a Maldivian vibe," she shared.
'The kids really explored the UAE outdoors to the maximum possible extent. They had some fantastic seafood restaurants in the area. The children had a great time playing foosball, football, and swimming.'