For those planning to head out this Diwali, we have shortlisted 7 destinations which don’t require too much planning. Pick the one that suits your mood: a quiet break, fun with the family, imbibing another culture or indulging in the festive spirit with a heavy dose of shopping, eating and drinking.
Bhutan
The moment you step into ‘The Kingdom of Happiness’ a sense of peace washes over you. This Himalayan kingdom is so stress free and happy that they don’t have a red light in their capital Thimphu. Stay in Paro, where you land, for a couple of days. If you’re up for it, go for the Tiger’s Nest hike that will take you to the spectacular Paro Taktsang monastery perched at a height of over 10,000 feet. It is a steep uphill climb that can take five to six hours but it is definitely worth the visit.
This land is full of the most gorgeous monasteries, where the glowing butter lamps will remind you of the Diwali lights back home. The capital, Thimphu is more cosmopolitan with chic cafes, restaurants and craft breweries. Take time out to visit Punakha Dzong, called the ‘Palace of Great Happiness’, one of the prettiest monasteries in the country, which is located about three hours away from Thimphu. Crossing the Dochula Pass at 10,000 feet on the way is a breathtaking experience that adds to the charm of the journey.
Offbeat Tip: Instead of the usual Paro and Thimphu circuit, take a detour to Haa Valley. It’s one of Bhutan’s least-explored regions, with alpine meadows, traditional stone houses and barely any tourists. You can stay in a local farmhouse, try yak butter tea and hike trails with untouched views of the Himalayas.
Bali
When you choose Bali as your vacation spot, you not only get the best of both worlds – culture and fun, but you also get to plug into the Diwali vibe because of its Hindu roots. Spend Diwali visiting some of the gorgeous Hindu temples, or head to one of the beaches in Nusa Dua or Seminyak and watch the sky turn orange with a cocktail and beer in hand. Ubud’s artisan markets and temples are perfect for that culture fix. When you want a quiet experience, walk through the rice terraces and if you want to live it up, party till late night, check out some chic cafes and eat delicious seafood at the beaches.
Offbeat Tip: Ditch the crowds at Seminyak and Ubud for Sidemen Valley. It’s a lush countryside escape with rice terraces, hidden waterfalls, weaving villages and mount Agung views without the tourist frenzy. You can even stay in boutique homestays overlooking the paddies.
Kyoto, Japan
Nope, it’s not the buzzing and fast paced capital city Tokyo that we are telling you to visit but Kyoto, which is slower and an ideal place to imbibe Japanese culture and tradition. Go for a Japanese tea ceremony, stay at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), roam around wearing a kimono and witness a Geisha performance. Among the temples and shrines that are a must visit here are the Fushimi Inari Shrine (famous for its 10,000 orange gates), Kinkakuji Temple and Kiyomizu-dera (more than 1200 years old). The serene Arashiyama Bamboo Forest with its towering bamboo trees is
one of nature’s visual spectacles. Foodies, the Nishiki Market is calling out to you with so much local food to try.
Offbeat Tip: Visit Ohara, a quiet rural village just 30 minutes from central Kyoto. With misty mountains, traditional farms and temples like Sanzen-in surrounded by moss gardens and maple forests, it’s Kyoto minus the selfie sticks and tour buses.
Singapore
From watching Little India transformed into a Diwali wonderland with lights, colours and a vibrant bazaar to shopping at Orchard Road for chic designer labels, and taking the young ones to the newly opened Singapore Oceanarium, this is a destination where you will not miss the Diwali vibe back home and that will suit all tastes in the family. If you have not stopped by earlier, do visit the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, with its grand tower sculpted with colourful gods and goddesses. When you want a quiet day, head to the beaches of Sentosa and when you want a buzzing evening, party till the wee hours at the many restaurants, bars and clubs at the beautiful riverside Clark Quay.
Offbeat tip: Hop on a bumboat to Pulau Ubin, a tiny island stuck in time. Rustic roads, mangroves, old kampong houses and cycling trails make it feel like 1960s Singapore — the perfect break from malls and skyscrapers.
Vietnam
If you’re craving a Diwali getaway that blends flavour, heritage and natural beauty, Vietnam is a stellar pick. Start in Hanoi, where the Old Quarter buzzes with lantern-lit streets, ancient temples and hawkers dishing out iconic street food like pho, banh mi, and bun cha fresh off the grill. For a spectacular visual treat, cruise along Ha Long Bay, surrounded by jade-green waters and towering limestone karsts — it’s as calming as a Diwali getaway should be.
Move south to Hoi An, a UNESCO town where ochre buildings glow under a canopy of silk lanterns, giving off a festive charm that instantly reminds you of home. If you’d rather celebrate with a cocktail by the shore, head to Da Nang or Nha Trang for pristine beaches and chic seaside resorts. End in Ho Chi Minh City, where rooftop bars, buzzing night markets and vibrant districts keep the energy high — and the food unforgettable. From coconut coffee and rice paper rolls to night cruises on the Saigon River, Vietnam is equal parts adventure, culture and culinary delight.
Offbeat Tip: Skip Ha Long Bay’s bustle and explore Lan Ha Bay instead. Same limestone cliffs and emerald waters, but fewer boats and more raw beauty. You can kayak into hidden lagoons, visit floating villages and spend a night on an eco-cruise without the crowds.
Dubai
Diwali means it is time to shop, eat and indulge. Dubai does not just make the cut – this incredible city is always upping its game by offering something new. Enjoy a fine dining experience on wheels on BusTronomy, a luxurious double decker bus that begins with a gourmet brunch and wraps up with a sunset dinner as it takes you through the city’s most iconic landmarks. It was launched last December. When it is time for mall crawling, do explore its newest addition, Nad Al Sheba, which opened this April. For Diwali dinner reserve your table at Tresind in Dubai for the most memorable meal by Himanshu Saini. This is the first Indian restaurant to get three Michelin stars so it’s going to be special and memorable.
Offbeat Tip: For a completely different side of Dubai, book a sunrise falconry experience in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. You’ll travel in vintage Land Rovers, watch expert falconers in action, and end the morning with an authentic Bedouin-style breakfast in the dunes—far from the city’s usual glitz.
Maldives
If your dream Diwali vacation is a quiet getaway with white-sand beaches, emerald waters, exquisite resorts, a floating breakfast in a hotel pool and a mid-morning chilled cocktail, this archipelago fits the bill to perfection. Choose overwater bungalows like the Soneva Jani, where the villas have glass-bottom floors or over the top luxurious hotels like the St. Regis Vommuli Resort, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, Soneva Secret and so many more. Then there are family-friendly hotels like Luz on South Ari Atoll, which even offers a babysitting service and the Ritz Carlton on Fari Islands where private pools come with slides and jets for the young ones. Gazing at underwater wonders and stunning coral reefs while snorkelling will make this an offbeat Diwali.
Offbeat Tip: Go beyond daytime snorkelling and try night snorkelling in spots known for bioluminescent plankton, offered by select resorts like Six Senses Laamu or Soneva Fushi. The glowing water creates a surreal experience that feels like swimming through stardust.
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