Yas Island: A Top Destination for Bank Holidays and Short-Break Getaways

What will you do for your next bank holiday break? A beach holiday? A city break? A countryside retreat? These are UK holidaymakers’ three favourite types of trips according to ABTA’s Holiday Habits 2024-25 research.

With good weather far from guaranteed, many UK travelers are happy to hop on a plane in search of sunshine. European city breaks in Spanish, French and Italian cities are all popular, as are the beach destinations in Spain, Greece or Turkey. Outside of Europe, the UAE is a rising star; 6% of UK travellers visited in 2024, up on previous years.

Yas Island is an all-year-round holiday destination in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, just seven hours from the UK. Whether you want to leave the British winter behind over the Christmas and New Year holidays, or be guaranteed some summer sunshine over the spring and summer bank holidays, Yas Island fits the bill. It’s where a beach holiday meets a city break and adventure destination.

Let’s discover Yas Island, a brilliant weekend getaway and a leader among the UK bank holidays 2025 travel destinations.

Article Summary:

  • Yas Island: The Perfect Destination for Short-Trip Holidays
  • Exclusive Yas Island Holiday Packages and Deals
  • Getting to Yas Island from the UK
  • When to Go to Yas Island from the UK
  • Perfect Short Trip Holidays for Couples and Families

Yas Island: The Perfect Destination for Short-Trip Holidays

 

Yas Island is one of the best places to visit in the UAE. It’s located on the golden coastline of Abu Dhabi, just twenty minutes from the city centre. Yas Island is just under 10 square miles in size and is the ultimate leisure island, featuring world-class entertainment and shopping as well as one of the best beaches in Abu Dhabi. 

 

On Yas Island, you’ll find three world-renowned theme parks, a range of luxury hotels, Abu Dhabi’s largest mall, a world-beating climbing wall, and much, much more. 

 

Yas Island is known for being:

 

  • One of the most family-friendly tourist destinations in the world
  • Winner of the world’s leading tourism project at the World Travel Worlds
  • Home of the Yas Marina Circuit, featuring Abu Dhabi’s Formula One Grand Prix
  • The future home of Disneyland Abu Dhabi.

 

Let’s explore some of the attractions make Yas Island the perfect destination for short break holidays and family vacations

YAS ISLAND IS THE PERFECT GETAWAY WITH GREAT TRANSPORT LINKS AND AN UNRIVALLED RANGE OF THINGS TO DO

Yas Island’s Three Theme Parks

 

There are over 40 rides and attractions at Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, including the world’s fastest roller coaster which reaches speeds of up to 240km/h in 4.9 seconds. With a dedicated Family Zone, restaurants and shopping, Ferrari World is an unmissable day out. 

 

You and your family will also have fun at Warner Brothers World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Immerse yourself in fantasy adventures at this huge air-conditioned indoor theme park. Meet all your favorite characters like Scooby Doo, Batman, and Tom and Jerry, and take some wild rides as you explore their worlds. 

 

Make the most of the year-round warm weather with a day at Yas Waterworld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. This is a giant water playground for all ages, from a thrilling freefall slide and water cannons through to relaxed river rafting and toddler and baby areas. With over 60 attractions, it’s guaranteed to suit the family. 

 

 

Yas Beach

Yas Beach has everything you dream of for an idyllic beach holiday: pristine white sand, crystal clear waters, and palm trees. Kick back on sun loungers, hire a private cabana, take a dip in the infinity pool and sip cooling drinks from the bar. If you’re feeling more active, then a wide range of water sports are available.

 

 

And There’s More…

Please use the following: There’s so much more to experience on Yas Island. For your weekend getaway trip, mix and match from the highlights above and these must-visit attractions:

 

 

Yas Island is also the perfect place to stay for exploring the wider attractions of Abu Dhabi, from the stunning Grand Mosque and world-class museums to the scenic Corniche. In other words, if you want to combine a relaxing beach holiday with a vibrant city break, Yas Island has it all.

 

 

Exclusive Yas Island Holiday Packages and Deals

Exclusive Yas Island holiday packages help you make the most of your vacation time. Relax in the knowledge that everything is taken care of. 

 

Choose from a range of Yas Island package holidays, from comfortable family-friendly hotels to luxurious five-star retreats. No matter where you stay, you’ll be just moments away from world-class attractions and a variety of fantastic restaurants.

 

Select from all-inclusive and half-board deals. Upgrade your stay with the Dine Around offer. This allows you to dine at a variety of restaurants around Yas Island for lunch and dinner as part of your package. Choose from delicious set menus at award-winning, world-class and family-friendly restaurants. 

Seasonal offers like Kids Go Free (available all summer) and Stay and Play also provide unbeatable deals for families. 

EXPLORE OUR PACKAGES

Take a look at our event, sports and hotel packages and make the most of your holiday on Yas Island Abu Dhabi.

Getting to Yas Island from the UK

 

Daily direct flights leave Manchester and London Heathrow for Abu Dhabi. The flight time is approximately seven hours. From Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, transfer to Yas Island is quick. It’s a six-mile drive that takes around 25 minutes. 

 

For more UK to Yas Island flight options, you could travel to Dubai, then make the easy 75-minute journey to Abu Dhabi and Yas Island. Non-stop flights to Dubai regularly leave London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh. 

 

The Yas Island Lounge at Abu Dhabi, within the arrivals area of Zayed International Airport, assures you of a warm welcome to the UAE with complimentary refreshments and a dedicated relaxation area. From there, the Yas Express Shuttle service will be ready to whisk you away to your Yas Island hotel. 

 

When to Go to Yas Island from the UK

The easy travel arrangements make Yas Island one of the best short trip holidays from the UK. With sunshine all year round, there’s no bad time to go. You could:

 

  • Add a final hurrah to the school summer holidays with a family trip over the August bank holiday weekend.
  • Grab a sunshine pick-me-up with a Yas Island holiday package during the half-term breaks in October and February. 
  • Indulge in some winter sun during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
  • Avoid the April showers and make the most of a long Easter weekend in warmer, drier Abu Dhabi.
  • Holiday in Yas Island for either of the May Bank holidays, when it will be perfect pool weather.  
  • Hop on a plane any time you fancy a long weekend away, from January to December. 

 

Perfect Short Trip Holidays for Couples and Families

 

Next time you are wondering, ‘Where should I go for a short weekend trip?’, put Yas Island at the top of your wishlist. With convenient travel from the UK, easy airport transfer and amazing attractions just moments from your hotel, make Yas Island your next bank holiday or long weekend getaway.  

 

Visit our dedicated page to find out more about Yas Island offers on couples and family holiday packages