Dubai and Abu Dhabi Shine in Global Family Travel Rankings as UAE Emerges Among the World’s Safest Destinations

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Dubai and Abu Dhabi are now among the family travel destinations in the world. Dubai came in second. Abu Dhabi shared fifth place in the Radical Storages World’s Most Child-Friendly Cities 2026 ranking. Both cities from the United Arab Emirates also came first in the studys safety index. They scored 88.7, which was higher than all cities that were studied. Their high scores in safety places for children and good places to stay show why the UAE is becoming known as a safe and attractive place for families, from other countries to visit.

Dubai Secures Second Place Among the World’s Best Family Destinations

Dubai has achieved a remarkable position in the global family tourism market. The emirate ranked second worldwide, finishing behind Tokyo, which topped the study with 6.8 points.

Dubai’s score of 6.5 placed it ahead of several established international destinations, including Osaka, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Kuala Lumpur secured third place with 6.4 points, followed by Osaka with 6.3. Abu Dhabi and Seoul shared fifth place with 6.1 points.

The results highlight Dubai’s combination of family attractions, accommodation choices and safety. These factors contribute to its appeal among parents seeking convenient international holidays with children.

Abu Dhabi Strengthens UAE’s Position in Global Family Tourism

Abu Dhabi’s fifth-place finish represents another important achievement for the UAE’s tourism industry.

The capital shared its position with Seoul, demonstrating its competitiveness against established Asian destinations.

Abu Dhabi performed particularly strongly in attractions suitable for children, helping it secure a place among the world’s highest-ranked family destinations.

The presence of Dubai and Abu Dhabi among the leading cities gives the UAE a distinctive advantage in family tourism.

Visitors can consider two destinations offering different holiday experiences within the same country.

The results also demonstrate the importance of developing tourism facilities that meet the needs of travellers across different age groups.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi Lead Global Safety Rankings

Safety emerged as one of the strongest areas for both UAE destinations.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi jointly secured first place in the study’s safety comparison, each recording 88.7 points on the Numbeo Safety Index.

Kyoto followed with 85.8 points, while Taipei recorded 83.5. Munich achieved 78.4 points.

The index examines perceptions of crime and personal safety, including concerns about theft, vandalism and assault.

The results placed both UAE cities ahead of every other destination assessed in this category.

However, families should remember that safety index scores reflect reported perceptions and do not eliminate the need for normal travel precautions.

Abu Dhabi Ranks Second for Child-Friendly Tourist Attractions

Abu Dhabi achieved second place globally for the proportion of attractions considered suitable for children.

The study identified 34 child-friendly attractions, representing 29.6 per cent of the attractions examined in the capital.

Orlando led this category with 38.5 per cent, while Kuala Lumpur followed Abu Dhabi with 28.7 per cent.

This performance highlights Abu Dhabi’s appeal for families seeking entertainment and recreational experiences.

Dubai ranked eighth in the same category, recording 86 suitable attractions and activities.

These represented 20.2 per cent of the attractions assessed across the emirate.

Although Abu Dhabi achieved a higher percentage, Dubai offered a larger absolute number of qualifying attractions.

Dubai Ranks Third Worldwide for Affordable Hotel Accommodation

Dubai also delivered a notable performance in hotel affordability.

The study placed the emirate third globally among destinations with the lowest average hotel accommodation prices.

Dubai recorded an average nightly rate of €53, equivalent to approximately $59.10 in the supplied figures.

Bangkok led the affordability ranking with €35 per night, followed by Kuala Lumpur at €47. Shanghai ranked fourth with €71.

These findings challenge the perception that Dubai primarily offers expensive luxury accommodation.

However, the reported prices represent averages from the study’s dataset.

Actual hotel rates can vary considerably depending on travel dates, property categories, room availability and seasonal demand.

Dubai Offers Hundreds of Family-Friendly Accommodation Options

Dubai also secured third place worldwide for the availability of family-friendly accommodation establishments.

The research identified 642 suitable properties across the emirate.

Tokyo led this category with 1,290 establishments, while Kuala Lumpur ranked second with 1,145.

Dubai’s performance demonstrates the breadth of accommodation choices available to families.

Travellers can compare properties according to their budgets, preferred locations and children’s requirements.

Family-friendly facilities may include larger rooms, connecting accommodation, swimming pools and convenient access to attractions.

However, individual facilities differ between properties.

Parents should confirm room arrangements, children’s policies and available services before making reservations.

Fourteen Indicators Determine the Global Family Travel Rankings

Radical Storage assessed 50 major cities using 14 indicators grouped into three principal categories.

The research considered accommodation affordability, hotel guest ratings, family-friendly accommodation availability, safety, healthcare access and attractions suitable for children.

Booking.com supplied accommodation-related information, while Numbeo provided safety and healthcare index data.

Traveller reviews helped determine which attractions and activities were suitable for younger visitors.

Each indicator received equal weighting in the final assessment.

The underlying data was collected in September 2026, while accommodation prices were converted into euros.

The methodology offers a comparative overview rather than an official certification of family travel quality.

What the Rankings Mean for Families Planning UAE Holidays

The 2026 results reinforce Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s appeal as international family holiday destinations.

Dubai combines extensive accommodation availability with competitive average hotel prices and numerous child-friendly attractions.

Abu Dhabi stands out for its high proportion of attractions considered suitable for children.

Both destinations achieved leading safety scores in the study.

Families planning holidays should nevertheless compare total travel expenses, including flights, accommodation, meals, transport and attraction tickets.

Weather conditions, children’s ages and seasonal hotel prices should also influence travel decisions.

Together, Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s strong performances demonstrate the UAE’s growing competitiveness in the global family tourism market.