Dubai and Abu Dhabi have strengthened the United Arab Emirates’ position in international family tourism after both cities ranked among the world’s leading destinations for holidays with children. Dubai placed second overall, while Abu Dhabi shared fifth place in Radical Storage’s 2026 ranking of the most child-friendly cities.
The study also placed both UAE cities joint first for safety, giving each a score of 88.7 on the Numbeo Safety Index. The results highlight the appeal of the UAE for families comparing accommodation, attractions, safety and travel costs, although parents should still assess the details of each trip before booking.
Dubai ranks second in global family travel study
Dubai received an overall score of 6.5, finishing behind Tokyo, which topped the ranking with 6.8. The emirate ranked ahead of destinations including Osaka, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Kuala Lumpur came third with 6.4, followed by Osaka on 6.3. Abu Dhabi and Seoul shared fifth place with scores of 6.1.
Dubai’s result reflected a combination of family attractions, accommodation choice and safety. Its large selection of activities can give families flexibility when planning a holiday for children of different ages, from water-based entertainment and indoor attractions to museums, parks and organised excursions.
Why Abu Dhabi also performed strongly
Abu Dhabi’s fifth-place finish gave the UAE two destinations in the study’s top group. The capital performed particularly well for child-friendly attractions, making it an alternative to Dubai for families seeking a quieter or more attraction-focused break.
The two cities also offer different holiday styles within the same country. Dubai is known for its dense concentration of hotels, retail and entertainment, while Abu Dhabi provides access to major cultural, leisure and family attractions across the capital and its surrounding areas.
Abu Dhabi ranks highly for child-friendly attractions
Abu Dhabi ranked second worldwide for the proportion of attractions considered suitable for children. The study identified 34 child-friendly attractions, representing 29.6% of the attractions assessed.
Orlando led this category with 38.5%, while Kuala Lumpur recorded 28.7%. Dubai ranked eighth, with 86 suitable attractions and activities accounting for 20.2% of those examined.
The figures show an important distinction: Abu Dhabi recorded the higher percentage, while Dubai offered the larger absolute number of qualifying attractions. Families should therefore consider whether they value a concentrated selection of suitable activities or a wider overall choice.
Both UAE cities top the study’s safety comparison
Dubai and Abu Dhabi jointly ranked first in the research’s safety comparison, each recording 88.7 on the Numbeo Safety Index. Kyoto followed with 85.8, Taipei with 83.5 and Munich with 78.4.
The index reflects perceptions of crime and personal safety, including concerns linked to theft, vandalism and assault. It is a comparative indicator rather than a guarantee of risk-free travel, so families should continue to use normal precautions with passports, valuables, transport and children in busy public spaces.
Dubai scores well for accommodation value
Dubai ranked third for average hotel affordability, with the study reporting an average nightly rate of €53. Bangkok led at €35, followed by Kuala Lumpur at €47. Shanghai ranked fourth at €71.
The result challenges the idea that a Dubai holiday necessarily requires a luxury budget. However, the reported figure is an average drawn from the study’s dataset. Actual prices can change significantly according to school holidays, room size, location, hotel category, availability and booking date.
Dubai also ranked third for the number of family-friendly accommodation establishments. The research identified 642 suitable properties, compared with 1,290 in Tokyo and 1,145 in Kuala Lumpur.
Parents should check the specific facilities offered by each hotel rather than relying only on a family-friendly label. Important questions may include:
- Are connecting rooms or larger family rooms available?
- Are children’s policies and age limits clearly stated?
- Does the property have a pool or supervised children’s facilities?
- How close is it to the attractions and public transport needed for the itinerary?
- Are meals, transfers or attraction tickets included in the booking price?
How the 2026 family travel ranking was produced
Radical Storage assessed 50 major cities using 14 indicators across accommodation, safety, healthcare and child-friendly attractions. Accommodation information came from Booking.com, safety and healthcare data from Numbeo, and traveller reviews helped assess attractions and activities.
Each indicator received equal weighting. The research data was collected in September 2026, with accommodation prices converted into euros.
That methodology means the ranking is best viewed as a comparison tool, not an official certification of family travel quality. Families should also consider flight costs, airport transfers, meals, attraction tickets, insurance, weather and the ages of the children travelling.
What the ranking means for families planning a UAE holiday
The findings offer useful context for families comparing international destinations. Dubai combines a broad accommodation market, a high number of child-friendly activities and a relatively competitive average hotel rate. Abu Dhabi stands out for the proportion of attractions judged suitable for children and shares Dubai’s leading safety result.
For travellers from Ireland and elsewhere, the ranking should be a starting point rather than the sole reason to book. Comparing total costs and checking current airline schedules, hotel conditions, entry requirements and seasonal weather will provide a more realistic picture of the holiday.
Conclusion
Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s strong results in the 2026 family travel ranking underline the UAE’s growing appeal for holidays with children. Dubai placed second overall, Abu Dhabi shared fifth, and both cities topped the study’s safety comparison. Families considering the destinations should use those results alongside current prices, hotel facilities, travel arrangements and official travel advice before making a final decision.