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36 Best places to visit in the Middle East in 2024

By Joan Torres 90 Comments Last updated on April 5, 2024

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Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kurdistan and more. We have group expeditions scheduled every month to the most exciting destinations in the Middle East.

The Middle East…

That enormous piece of territory often overlooked as a whole and, usually, only seen as the land of the greatest and most beautiful deserts, endless bazaars of spices and the warm welcome of the Bedouins.

Moreover, most of the time, the international media only likes to share images of disasters and bad things happening in the Middle East.

This distortion of reality changes people’s perception to the extent that the whole region of the Middle East becomes a dangerous place to travel to as if it was one single country.

But, you know what? The Middle East is composed of 14 different countries that differ massively from each other, have boundaries and share borders.

Which countries are part of the Middle East?

In my opinion, these are the countries that comprise the Middle East:

Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen

Officially, the Middle East also includes Turkey and Cyprus, but this is my blog, and I decided not to include them and, instead, I decided to include Libya in this list.

After many years of living and traveling around the region, based on my own experience and opinion, I have compiled a list of the 36 best places to travel in the Middle East.

These choices are based on their level of security, historical importance, and natural beauty. 

My objective is to show you not only that the Middle East is a safe place to travel to, but I also want you to see the huge natural and cultural contrast between countries and the relevant role they have in our history.

36 Best places to travel in the Middle East

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Please note that this list is just a personal opinion and might not match yours.

Further suggestions are more than welcome!

1 – Amadiya – Home to the Three Wise Men

Country –  Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan)

Located in the north of Iraqi Kurdistan, only 10km away from the Turkish border, Amadiya is a lovely, very photogenic village located on the flat top of a mountain, which has no less than 5,000 years of history.

From the Assyrians to the Persians, as well as several Jewish and Christian communities, dozens of different civilizations and religions have left their footprint in this historical place.

Furthermore,  Amadiya is believed to be the home of the Three Wise Man, who made a pilgrimage to Bethlehem to see Jesus Christ after his birth.

Today, Amadiya is a Muslim Kurdish village, surrounded by the most striking mountain scenery, characteristic from northern Iraq and one the most beautiful places to travel in the Middle East.

You may like: How to visit Mosul

2 – Shibam, the Manhattan of the desert

Country – Yemen

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982, Shibam is a 7000-inhabitant town, located in the middle of nowhere, composed of 9-story mud-brick buildings, which is why it’s often referred to as the ‘Manhattan of the desert’, even though I don’t really like these comparisons.

Unlike other sites of great interest in Yemen, Shibam is located in a region named Hadramut, a relatively safe in Yemen with direct flights from Cairo in Egypt.

Read my Yemen travel guide for more information.

3 – Esfahan – Jaw-dropping Islamic architecture

Country – Iran

Esfahan is Iran’s most amazing city and its mosques, composed of giant domes and mind-blowing ceilings with extravagant geometrical forms, are the most impressive buildings in the Middle East, without any doubt.

Being one of the most historical cities in the region, Esfahan has always been home to a large community of scholars and prestigious intellectuals and its importance and influence in this part of the world was often compared to Athens and Rome.

Today, as per Iranian standards, Esfahan is a surprisingly modern, clean and vibrant city where some of the most educated and brilliant people in the country live.

Read more: A 1-to 4-week itinerary in Iran

4 – The Old City of Damascus

Country – Syria

Everything here is very old.

This is the first thing the hotel receptionist told me on the day I arrived in the city.

Damascus is indeed one of the most ancient cities in the world – probably the oldest country capital – established in the second millennium BC, and capital of the Umayyad Caliphate from 661 to 750, one of the most important caliphates ever, extending from Spain to Iran .

My favorite place in Damascus was Umayyad mosque , an outstanding mosque which passed from being a Jupiter Temple during the Roman era to a Christian basilica dedicated to John the Baptist and then one of the largest mosques in the world.

Today, Damascus is a safe city and, fortunately, the Old City has remained like that during most of the war.

I visited it at the beginning of 2019 and had a real blast.

For more information, read my Syria travel guide

Wanna travel to Syria with Against the Compass?

Join a group of like-minded travelers to visit the wonders of Damascus, Aleppo, Palmyra and more.

May 29th to June 5th, 2024

5 – Baalbek – Giant Roman ruins, all by yourself

Country – Lebanon

Extending from Western Europe to North Africa and the Middle East, the Roman Empire was the greatest empire that has ever existed.

Today, most of its ruins, some of them in relatively good condition, are major tourist attractions that receive hundreds of visitors every day.

Outside of Rome, the ruins of Baalbek are among the most impressive, not only due to their dimensions and good preservation, but also because you are likely to have the ruins to yourself as, here, we are talking about Lebanon, one of the most off the beaten track destinations in the region, where you can experience the greatest Roman ruins like nowhere else, hence one of the best places to travel in the Middle East.

Read more: How to spend 2 weeks in Lebanon

6 – Ghadames, an ancient caravan city

Country – Libya

600km from the capital of Libya (Tripoli) and nestled right at the triple border between Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, Ghadames is an ancient caravan city, one of the most important caravan cities in all of Africa. The Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a massive, entangled maze of streets built in a refreshing oasis in the middle of the desert.

It does take one full day to reach Ghadames by car from the capital Tripoli, but the journey is worth the trip.

Read my Libya travel guide .

7 – The twisting Minaret of Malwiya

Country – Iraq

Malwiya is an outstanding 52-meter-tall minaret with a peculiar spiral shape, absolutely jaw-dropping, and the most iconic building in all Iraq.

The minaret belongs to Al-Jami, a 9th century mosque, once one of the largest in the world, but destroyed in the 13th century.

The emblematic minaret, however, still stands and today, you can climb it to the very top through a steep spiral ramp with no handrail.

The minaret can be visited in the city of Samarra, once the capital of the Abbasid caliphate, the third caliphate to succeed the Prophet Muhammad.

Today, Samarra is a UNESCO World Heritage city, which can be easily visited on a day trip from Baghdad, a must-visit in the Middle East.

Read: Federal Iraq , 10-day itinerary for independent travelers .

Wanna travel to Iraq with Against the Compass?

Join a group of like-minded travelers and visit the wonders of Baghdad, Babylon, Karbala, Mosul, and more.

May 19th to 26th, 2024

8 – The coastline of Dhofar province

Country – Oman

Stretching from south Oman all the way to the Yemeni border, Dhofar’s coastline may differ significantly from what you expect from an Omani beach.

Vertiginous cliffs, turquoise-blue waters, and empty, epic beaches characterize the beaches of southern Oman, barely discovered by the average traveler, who tends to stick to the northern part of the country.

If you are into wild, random camping and road trips, in the Middle East, it doesn’t really get better than this.

Read my travel guide to Oman

9 – Al Balad, the colorful Old City of Jeddah

Country – Saudi Arabia

Unfortunately, very little is known about Saudi Arabia but, given that this is the home of Mecca, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Saudi is filled with ancient and historical places, and one of the best examples is Al Balad, the old part of Jeddah, established 1,300 years ago as the gateway for Muslims on their way to Mecca, mostly arriving by sea from Africa.

Today a UNESCO World Heritage site, Al Balad is a lively area filled with colorful facades and, by far, the most beautiful Old City from all the Gulf Monarchies.

Traveling to Saudi Arabia is getting easier than ever and here you read my tips for Saudi .

10 – Jerusalem – The holiest place for the three main monotheist religions

Country – Israel, and Palestine

Today, Jerusalem is part of Israel but, if Palestine ever becomes an independent state, East Jerusalem, which is mostly inhabited by Arabs, will be the capital of the country.

Being one of the most important places for Christians, Muslims, and Jews, Jerusalem is a city that has perfectly combined tradition and history with a 21st-century city, meaning that you can stroll around the old city and its historical sites for days and, at the same time, enjoy the endless nightlife, food scene, and modernity of the new part of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is one of those cities that are worth spending several days in.

Read more: A travel guide to Palestine

11 – Golestan – Central Asia in the Middle East

What if I tell you that, in a very remote part of Iran, bordering the Turkmenistan border, there is a region with an unexpectedly mystical landscape, home to a large Turkmen community who have more similarities to people from Kyrgyzstan than other Iranians.

This region is called Golestan province, one of the least visited provinces in Iran, whose main peculiarity is that most of its inhabitants are ethnically Turkmen, a Central Asian ethnicity originally from Turkmenistan.

From Central Asian food, such as plov and kurut , to the way they dress, the Mongolian features in people’s faces and a very Central Asian nomadic life, visible in their love for horses and the yurts they live in, Golestan is a different world from the rest of the Middle East.

Read more: A guide to Golestan province in Iran

12 – Mosul, the open-air museum of Iraq

Mosul is exceptional, one of my favorite cities in all of the Middle East, and the reasons are as follow:

First of all, it is a very diverse city.

Prior to the war against the Islamic State, Mosul was inhabited by different types of Christians, Muslims and also Yazidis. It was ethnically mixed too, home to Armenians, Kurds, Arabs and Assyrians.

When ISIS took it over, however, most of them fled the city but today, many are coming back and the streets are becoming more lively than ever.

On the other hand, the Old City of Mosul is an open-air museum, packed with historical mosques and churches, all of them being in the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list .

While it’s true that most of the buildings are today largely destroyed due to the recent war, there’s a big UNESCO team working on rebuilding all its wonders , allowing you to witness an exciting moment of living history.

Read: Mosul travel guide

13 – Erbil – A cosmopolitan Iraqi city

Not many cities in the world have as much history as Erbil has.

With almost 30,000 years of history, according to historians, and, today a UNESCO World Heritage site, Erbil is the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, a city with plenty of tradition, filled with plenty of ancient bazaars, epic cafés, and historical sites.

Nevertheless, the awesomeness of Erbil doesn’t end up here and, in fact, what may surprise you is that, as well as a classic Middle Eastern Muslim city, this is also a real pro-Western metropolis and a regional business hub where a large expat community lives and, as a consequence, has some of the most awesome nightlife in the Middle East.

Read more: Things to do in Erbil

14 – Petra – One of the 7 wonders of the world

Country – Jordan

Even though this is likely the most touristic site in the region, it would be a sin not to consider one of the 7 wonders among one of the best places to visit in the Middle East.

Petra was founded in the VI century B.C. by the Edomites but, it didn’t prosper until the Nabateans (a group of nomadic Arabs) took over the place and built the city by carving it from the rock, making it become an important trading hub.

The architecture of Petra leaves you breathless and, besides admiring the Treasury and the Monastery, I recommend getting off the path, going hiking and taking the trails less traveled.

15 – Wadi Doa’n

Wadi Doa’n is a canyon-shaped valley located in the region of Hadramut and dotted with fairy-tale-like villages whose architecture is a real blessing to the eyes.

The canyon offers plenty of trekking opportunities with spectacular, vertiginous views, and there’s even a pretty cool resort on the top of a cliff where you can stay and which remains open despite the conflict.

Many of the people from these villages, especially young kids, have never seen foreigners, so the local life there is pretty raw. To make it even more exciting, there’s one village named Qarht Bahumaish, which is Usama Bin Laden’s hometown. He was born in Saudi but his family comes from there.

16 – Beirut – The most culturally diverse and liberal city in the Middle East

Beirut is the capital of Lebanon , a city that suffered one of the longest contemporary Civil Wars (25 years, ending in 1991). Today, among all the destroyed buildings, Beirut brags about being one of the safest cities in the region. With unbelievable economic growth and the rapid rise of the middle class, Beirut is the most liberal and westernized city in the Middle East (outside of Israel). 

I love Beirut because of its deep, rich and contrasting history. It’s composed of dozens of districts that differ massively from each other: The hipster district of Gemmayzeh, Hezbollah areas like Bourj al-Barajneh, the student neighborhood of Hamra, old Palestinian refugee camps, the Armenian district of Bourj Hammoud, several Christian areas and much, much more! Beirut is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world.

From the deepest underground parties to the most glamorous clubs, from local eateries to the best fine dining restaurants in the region, Beirut is a city adaptable to any kind of traveler and budget. 

Read more about it here: Beirut travel guide

17 – The green, rolling hills of Jizan

Saudi Arabia is a massive country and, as such, it has quite a few geographical areas, the most dramatically different being Jizan, a province bordering the country of Yemen .

Asian-like terraced fields, greenery, and monkeys comprise the mountain villages of Jizan, miles away from Saudi Arabia stereotypes, plus the people there are culturally Yemeni, from the food they eat to the way they traditionally dress.

Jizan can’t be more off the beaten track.

For more information, read my 2-week itinerary for Saudi Arabia .

18 – Maaloula, a Christian town in Syria

Maaloula is a Christian town located north of Damascus (Syria) with an intriguing history, both ancient and contemporary.

On the one hand, this is one of the very few places in the world where they speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus, making it such a unique place.

Now that tourists are a rare thing to see, if you visit The Convent of Saint Serge and Bacchus, you are likely to meet the priest, who will certainly be more than happy to recite some words in Aramaic.

The recent history of Maaloula, however, isn’t so fortunate, since it was taken by Al Nusra (similar to ISIS) during the war, the legacy of which is still very visible in the many destroyed buildings. In fact, the nuns running the Monastery of Saint Tekla are the ones who were kidnapped by the Muslim extremists, a sad event in which even the Pope intervened.

19 – The Dead Sea – The lowest point on Earth

Country – Jordan , Israel and Palestine

Occupying territory in both Israel & Palestine and Jordan , the Dead Sea is the lake with the highest salt density in the world and also, the lowest point on Earth, 430 meters below sea level.

Such is the high concentration of salt that animals and plants can’t live in it, hence the name.

Swimming in the Dead Sea is totally fine and, due to the high density of the water, sinking is almost impossible. I’ve only been to the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea and, along the coast, there are several hotels and resorts where you can chill on their beaches and have a mud bath.

20 – Liwa Oasis – The purest and wildest image of the Gulf

Country – United Arab Emirates

Around 500 years ago, a group of Bedouins tapped underground, freshwater recourses to cultivate dates and, as a result, several villages and settlements appeared in the area, which we currently call Liwa, the birthplace of the Nahyan family, the current ruling family of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

Since then, and over the years, the cultivation of dates in Liwa has been a key factor in the region’s economic development.

Read: Best desert safaris in Dubai

Liwa is located in the south of UAE, next to Saudi Arabian border and on the edge of the Empty Quarter, a huge desert spread across UAE, Yemen, Oman , and Saudi Arabia and considered the largest (continuous) sea of dunes on Earth, whose end can’t even be seen from the furthest horizon.

In addition, in Liwa you can also find the only real Bedouins in the UAE and the Moreeb dune, one of the highest dunes in the world (300m).

Read more:  A guide to Liwa Oasis

21 – The Citadel of Aleppo

Along with Damascus, I also visited Aleppo at the beginning of 2019.

Before the war, Aleppo used to be the largest and most touristic city in the country.

Being a few thousands years older than Damascus, the Citadel and Old City of Aleppo have been mostly destroyed by the Civil War but after the liberation of the city in 2017, the reconstruction has already begun, Syrians are moving back and shops are, very slowly, reopening.

I am pretty sure that, in a matter of years, the beautiful city of Aleppo will return to its maximum splendor.

For more information, read my 8-day itinerary for Syria

22 – Madain Saleh, like Petra but more epic

Similar to Tabouk, have you ever been to Petra, in Jordan?

Imagine the wonders of Petra but in the desert of Saudi Arabia.

That’s Madain Saleh (or Hegra).

Hegra was an ancient city founded by local tribes in 3000 BC, but it was not until the 2nd century BC that the Nabateans made it a great city, in a fear of the Romans conquering Petra, so it could serve as the new capital. 

Still, the Romans conquered both cities, Hegra and Petra, but the more than 100 tombs carved from the giant desert rocks remained, today found in the middle of nowhere.

Unlike Petra, however, the tombs of Madain Saleh are spread out across a vast desert but as part of the visit, you can tour around with a pretty cool Vintage Jeep.

Read: Saudi Arabia itinerary

23 – Dahab – The most backpacking-friendly place in the Middle East

Country – Egypt

Dahab is a lovely touristic beach town inhabited by Bedouins in the Sinai peninsula, which is considered the most backpacking-friendly place (and probably the only one) in the Middle East.

For decades, Dahab has attracted travelers from all over the world for having some of the best diving in the country. In Dahab, one comes for two things: either scuba diving or doing literally nothing, as it has this laid-back atmosphere that consists of going to the beach, smoking weed and eating at the several seafood restaurants.

Besides, due to the massive drop of the Egyptian Pound, in Dahab, you could easily rent a full apartment (2 beds with Wi-Fi) for less than 9USD a day.

Read more: A guide for traveling Egypt (3-week itinerary + tips)

24 – Jerash – Massive and highly accessible Roman ruins

If making a trip to Lebanon to visit the ruins of Baalbek sounds too hardcore for you but you still want to travel to the Middle East, perhaps you should consider visiting Jerash, another of the greatest Roman ruins outside of Italy, constructed in some of the most fertile valleys in the region, today comprising green, rolling hills filled with olive and fig trees.

The location, therefore, is not a coincidence because, when it was built around 2,000 years ago, the Romans wanted to make it a great city due to the richness of the land.

25 – Musandam – The Norway of the Middle East

A rocky desert land composed of stunning fiords, cliffs and one of the largest varieties of wildlife in the Middle East, Musandam (often called the Norway of the Middle East) is a piece of territory within the UAE that belongs to Oman.

It’s located north of UAE, projecting into the Strait of Hormuz.

Musandam is a pretty common destination among expats living in Dubai but still, the area remains pretty untouched. Along the coast, you find several beaches only occupied by the local Omanis, who like to gather with their families for barbecues during the weekends. Expect several families to invite you to join them.

Read: Best excursions and activities to do in Oman

In Musandam, you could also rent an abra (a local traditional boat) to sail around the fiords and observe the wildlife. Meeting dolphins is almost guaranteed and, if you are into snorkeling, you can see that the deep and dark waters of Musandam are also home to coral, turtles and manta rays, among other things.

Read more: A guide to visiting Musandam in Oman

26 – Hebron – The most troubled city in Palestine

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Country – Palestine

Hebron is the city where the Tomb of the Patriarchs stands, the place where Abraham, Jacob and Isaac are buried.

The Tomb of the Patriarchs is one of the holiest places for both Muslims and Jews.

This means that both religions are sharing an important holy place but, on top of that, Hebron also happens to be the only city in Palestine where Jewish settlements are within the city itself.

The situation is quite sensitive, as there have been endless confrontations between the local Palestinians and the settlers .

In the old part of the city, the local Palestinians have built a fence that serves as a roof to prevent the settlers who live in the upper floors throwing garbage to them.

To add more tension to the conflict, during the holy month of Ramadan in 1994, a Jew entered the Tomb of Patriarchs (in the mosque inside), opened fire and killed 29 Muslims during prayer time.

Since then, the area is strictly controlled and, both Jewish and Muslim prayer areas are strictly separated. Abraham is buried in the middle of the Tomb of the Patriarchs, right between the synagogue and the mosque, so the members of both religions can see his tomb from their prayer room.

Read more: A guide to visiting Hebron in Palestine

27 – Qadisha Valley – Lovely Christian mountain villages

If you either want just to relax, eat good food, visit beautiful Christian monasteries or to go hiking, the Kadisha Valley in Lebanon will always be the perfect place for you.

Kadisha means ”holy” and owes this name to the fact that this valley is home to some of the most ancient communities of monastic Christians in the Middle East.

In case you don’t know it, monasticism is a way of life for which the person (in this case the Christian monks) renounces to everything to devote himself completely to spiritual work. The valley is full of natural caves, difficult to access, that once served as places of isolation for the monks living lives devoted to Christ.

Kadisha is a really unique place to visit in the Middle East.

28. Leptis Magna, first league Roman ruins by the Mediterranean

Leptis Magna was a prominent city in Roman Libya, originally a Phoenician town (7th century BCE) that quickly expanded under the Roman Empire. The ruins are in excellent condition, and the whole complex is huge.

Its particular attraction is that the ruins are built right next to the shore, including the fantastic amphitheater.

Leptis Magna can easily be reached from Tripoli in around two hours, making it the perfect day trip from the capital and a default in all the group expeditions we organize.

29 – The Mesopotamian Marshes

Another great place to visit in the Middle East are the Arab Marshes, a wetland ecosystem located in south Iraq, sort of an aquatic landscape located in the Iraqi desert.

It occupies an area of 10,000km 2 , inhabited by water buffaloes and all sort of animals and plants.

The Marshes are also home to a distinct cultural group: the Marsh Arabs, who populate the different islands, living in their sarifas , a peculiar house entirely made of reed.

The Marshes can be visited from the southern city of Nasiriyah and the best way to experience it is on a boat tour.

Read: A guide to travel in Federal Iraq

30 – Manama – Drugs and rock & roll

Country – Bahrain

In case you’ve never heard of it, Bahrain is a tiny country (one of tiniest in the world actually) located in the Persian Gulf, between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and Manama is its capital.

To make it short, Bahrain is the only Arab Gulf Monarchy that has run out of petrol, or at least, can’t rely on the petrol income anymore.

In desperation, looking at alternative ways of gaining income, Bahrain became the party place in the Middle East, where concerning prostitution, alcohol, and parties, in general, are more permissive than in any other Gulf country.

Connected to Saudi Arabia by a bridge, every week, thousands of Saudis cross the border to have fun and enjoy a relative level of freedom.

Besides, this is the only place in the Middle East where I’ve seen two homosexuals making out in the middle of the street.

Manama is also home to many Western expats, who hang out in a popular area called Adliya, which has plenty of bars and wall paintings and makes one forget that he or she is in the Middle East.

Bahrain is, unequivocally, one of the most surreal places to travel and visit in the Middle East.

31 – Luxor – The greatest open-air museum

Established on the shore of the great Nile river and surrounded by both mango plantations and desert, Luxor is the world’s greatest open-air museum.

This is the place where the most well-known pharaohs come from, like Tutankhamun for example, and most of the temples are either in excellent conditions or perfectly restored.

From large and epic tombs to temples constructed on a giant scale, all of them dating from between 3,200 B.C. and 1,500 B.C, Luxor is an unmissable place to travel in the Middle East.

Read more: How to visit Luxor independently, in 2 days

32 – Palmyra, today the most off the beaten track ruins

Not so long ago, the Roman ruins of Palmyra used to receive hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

Dating back to the second millennium BC, it has been inhabited for more than 4,000 years before becoming part of the Roman Empire during the first century AD.

It used to be an important trade caravan route and its wealth allowed them to build monuments such as the Temple of Bel and the Great Colonnade.

Nowadays, the city of Palmyra is a ghost town, a direct consequence of the battle against ISIS but the archaeological area has re-opened for tourists, always escorted by a member of the Syrian Army.

The Temple of Bell is practically all ruins but Palmyra is a big complex and many of its marvels are still standing.

33 – Salalah – Coconuts, pineapples, and tropical rain

What if I tell you that there’s a place in the Persian Gulf where it rains, which it’s full of green meadows and the locals sell coconuts and pineapples?

This place is called Salalah, a city found in the most southern part of Oman, very close to the Yemeni border.

Salalah, and the region of Dhofar, is an area that experiences a monsoon season.

This season is called Khareef and occurs from July till September. During this season, Salalah becomes a beautiful and lush green, which attracts visitors from all over the country, as well as Saudi Arabia and UAE, who want to run away from their disgustingly hot and humid weather.

Read more: Salalah travel guide

34 – Bethlehem – Take a look at the Wall of Separation between Israel and Palestine

Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus.

However, unless you are an ardent Christian, the most interesting part of Bethlehem is to get a close feeling of the consequences of the Israeli occupation as, after the Second Intifada, in 2001, Israel built an 8-meter wall that would finally isolate the West Bank from Israel.

The wall, however, was built within Palestinian territory, hence the Israelis stole some of their land.

Literally, it passes by the center of the city and it is decorated with plenty of Pro-Palestinian paintings, including a real work from the famous Banksy, the white pigeon.

For more information, read my travel guide to Palestine

35 – Qeshm Island – The most authentic Persian Gulf culture

Located in the Persian Gulf, right in the Strait of Hormuz, between Oman and Iran, Qeshm is an island with amazing geological formations, as well as very rich wildlife.

This is what most travelers come here for but, in my opinion, the most interesting part of the island is to get immersed in the local culture, as this is the only place that has been able to preserve the fast-disappearing Persian Gulf culture, today only visible here and in a few other places in Oman.

Unlike the rest of Iran, people here are Sunnis, from the conservative branch actually, Wahabis, but, since they have a great Iranian influence, they are quite laid back.

Qeshm is a different world from the rest of Iran and it can be seen not only in the religion, the architecture and their food, which is mainly based on seafood but also in the way their women dress, in such colorful abayas and niqabs , like nowhere else you have ever seen.

Read more: A guide to Qeshm Island

36 – Wadi Bajda, authentic Saudi Bedouin life

Have you ever visited the Wadi Rum in Jordan?

The Wadi Rum is a beautiful, red-sand-dune desert that stretches across Jordan and north of Saudi Arabia too, in the region of Tabouk.

However, while in Jordan, Wadi Rum has become an extremely touristic place, on the Saudi side, the Saudi Bedouins living there are still genuine and authentic, allowing you to live witness what traditional life is like in Saudi.

Amazing rock formations and camel farms, all without a single tourist around.

Read: How to travel to Saudi

That was my list of the best places to travel in the Middle East for next year. Have you been to any? If you have more recommendations or suggestions, feel free to post them in the comments section!

90 comments

It is amazing to see the diversity and variety of landscapes in the Middle East, which most people think of as just a desert. I have long been fascinated by Oman, for the reasons you pointed out. The coastline looks beautiful, and though I never heard the comparison before, it does look like the Norway of the Middle East. Great photos and thanks for showcasing some truly different destinations to us travelers!

Hi Drew. Yes, the big natural and cultural contrast is huge in the Middle East and yeah, perhaps is one of those comparisons that only the locals say it! But, it truly has some similarities with Norway. Glad you liked the photos, thanks for your comment 😉

I’ve not been to many of these places. I think it’s great you’re writing about them so we can see that there are so many great areas that are safe and good to travel to. It demystifies it a little and makes travelers more comfortable with taking that leap.

Hey Laura, that is my objective, to make people realize of the huge potential that this region can offer, while being safe at all time! I would never recommend a dangerous place to travel to 🙂 !

There is so much interesting information in your article that I do not know what to comment about! I didn’t know many of these places, while others (like Petra and Beirut) are definitely in my bucket list for the future. The most striking fact was the one about Bahrain and the loose morals while my favorite image was the one from Musandam!

Hi Efthimis, yes I understand your frustration. All these sites are so different from each other that is difficult to make an overall judgment 😉 I’m glad you like it and yeah, if you’ve never been to any of these places, Beirut and Petra would be a good start as they are probably the most traveler-friendly spots. Bahrain is a crazy place full hypocrisy!

Such fascinating insights, and I’d love to visit Oman – my parents have been and raved about how friendly everyone was. As for Lebanon, the nightlife sounds great

Thank you! All sort of travelers enjoy going to Oman!

I’ve been to Lebanon a couple of times and really enjoyed it. I’d love to go and visit Jordan.

In my opinion, Lebanon is the #1 destination!

What an amazing post about the middle east. After reading this I am even more confused as to which place I should visit first. Amadiya and Kadisha are so strikingly beautiful. Would love to visit Beirut someday.

My recommendation, start with Beirut!

Oh man! I used to live in Dubai for about 4 years, and 1 year in Saudi prior to that, and I thought I’ve travelled quite extensively in the Middle East but looking at the list above, there are still many places that I have yet to visit, 8 to be exact, haha! I certainly would recommend Musandam, Petra, Beirut, Dead Sea (even if it’s just for the sea). Bahrain is not bad either actually, quite enjoyed visiting the historic places there. Of the places that I haven’t been, I’d love to go to Hebron one day!

Hi Raw, I also lived in Dubai for about 3 years. Just left the city at the end of 2016. Middle East is huge and still, there are many places that remained on my bucket list. I haven’t been to KSA for example 🙂 Bahrain is a party place so, unless you really want to do that, there’s not much to see besides a few historical sites, but to be honest, they are not very exciting. And yes, Hebron is the most intriguing one. I’m going to the TBEX Jerusalem this March and I will visit it again for sure! Cheers mate,

Its so interesting reading about your middle east highlights – some places are truly beautiful, others, more intriguing. I had no idea that Bahrain had run out of oil money and had become a hot mess of drugs, alcohol and prostitutes! I’d love to visit Oman and Jordan – and have added a few more places to my Middle Eat wishlist thanks to your post.

Hi Vicky, thanks for your comment. Yeah, I had no idea about Bahrain also, until a friend told me so we decided yo go with a bunch of friends. We partied hard until 6-7am, something unthinkable in places like Dubai for examle. But besides that, Bahrain is a very ugly country! It’s worth if you go there as a weekend trip from Dubai

I am from Oman if you want any help i can help you . [email protected]

This list is amazing, Joantow!I’ve been to Jordan and lived in Israel (will be back there again for a much longer stay), but I’ve yet to see the other places. I’m sure it will be just as exciting or more! Can’t wait to go to Lebanon and Oman next!

Hi Trisha, I believe that living in Israel must have been an amazing experience. If you like Israel, you’ll like Lebanon. Both countries have been in a war for years but they have more similarities than even think!

I love this article! It’s been a long time that I want to visit the Middle East, although everybody tells me not to go, I have many friend who went there and friends who live there who always encourage me to go. Sadly the East part of the globe is still too mysterious for those in the West and what we know about the East is that of what we heard on the news. But definetely it does not represent Middle East a whole. Great part of it is beautiful and safe and its people are warm and kind. Unfortunately the media forgets this part, after all, bad news bring more audience than the good ones.

Hello Isadora, glad you liked it 🙂 Where do your friends live? You really should go! Yes, you are absolutely right. When things go right, there’s nothing to talk about so, they just talk about it when bad things are happening and, unfortunately, they always treat the region as a whole. Treating the Middle East as a single country is like someone from the Philippines saying that Europe is a country and, since there was war in Crimea, Portugal or Spain are dangerous 🙂

I am not saying that Iraqi Kurdistan is not a beautiful area (I’ve been there . .) but nowadays it is dangerous. And why people should go to Bahrain if there is only prostitutes, alcohol and drugs? That makes it one of the best places to go this year?

Hi Elisa, it’s good that you’ve been to Kurdistan but you are very wrong. You just need to look at the statistics. In the past years, there have been more killed people due to terrorism in the city of Paris than in the whole region of Kurdistan. Besides, Kurdistan is a region where the crime rate is non-existent, whereas in Paris, like many other European cities, it’s pretty high. You are the first person I’ve ever met who is been to Kurdistan and claims it’s a dangerous place. As per Bahrain, if you read carefully my post, I don’t say that one needs to go there to get high on drugs and hook up with prostitutes. I am saying that Bahrain is a surrealistic and unique place that, for a moment, makes you forget that you are actually in one of most conservatives regions in the world. Moreover, I’m also talking about a cool westernized area, full of bars where the Western expats use to hang out

What a great list! Even though I am from the Middle East (Iran), I haven’t been to many places you mentioned. Of Course I hiked in Gilan and visited Masuleh, but not other places. You called Oman, Norway of the Middle East, but I always say that is a Switzerland of Middle east :)))

Hey Mansoureh, thanks for your comment man! The Gilan province is an amazing place to hike! There are a lot of other places in Iran I would include on the list, but unfortunately, I didn’t have a lot of time when I visited Iran! It’s funny that you call Oman the Switzerland of the Middle East! Well, I guess that both Norway and Switzerland have some similarities. Cheers mate,

Mansoureh is a girls name! And there is no such thing as Arabian Gulf. There is a water passage that separates iran from Southern Arab states and it’s called Persian Gulf for millennia

Everywhere on this list sounds amazing! I love seeing people traveling to the Middle East even with everything the media has to say about it. I think people need to do a little more research about these places. I love the pictures, too! Awesome list!

Hi Megan, thanks for your comment! Yes, is what I always say. The problem with the Middle East, as well as with many other countries, is that there’s a huge lack of information and since, unfortunately, people don’t know how to look beyond, all these areas become, unequivocally, dangerous places where to travel to!

A great round-up of places to visit, well done! I’ve been to most. Love Musandam. It’s funny, as I just published a post on Muslim countries!

I was born in Bahrain and I’ve lived here for the past 24 years, and honestly I was a bit taken aback by your description of Bahrain. There is nothing to deny in what you said, yes Bahrain is pretty big on nightlife and comparatively more lenient than other countries in the middle east, however that’s not all there is to this little island! In my 24 years of living here I’ve actually never even been exposed to the part of Bahrain that you are referring to. Bahrain is actually very rich in it’s history (we’re talking 700 B.C) and you can find out all about it in the Bahrain National Museum – which has so much information, you’ll have to cover it over the course of a few days. Besides it’s history and a couple of sights (Grand Mosque, Beit Al Quran, Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain Fort, Riffa Fort, Bab Al Bahrain, Military Museum, A’ali Pottery workshop – to name a few), Bahrain doesn’t have much to offer but I’d urge you not to defame this wonderful and tiny island and discredit it for everything else it has to offer- even if you aren’t a history kind of person! Cheers 🙂

I agree! I want to see the archaeological site of Dilmun palace!!!!

True, Hana………and I don’t know from why this guy is making Bahrain down for other viewers… Where did he see two homosexuals making out in Manama, Bahrain? He published such a rubbish and fake news and make Bahrain go downward among the viewers. Bahrain is is rich in culture and it’s financial structure. Bahrain follows Sharia Law and such activities are strictly prohibited here and specially as he mentioned about drugs that too is illegal. As per alcohol no one can drink it in the streets. I dont know why is he faking such news about BAHRAIN. Please have a good research and then only put it

I’d absolutely love to go to Beirut!

What a list! Thanks a lot 🙂 Two questions: How safe would you rate each of your listed places for a 19yo (very mature) female solo traveller? And are there countries you would recommend to visit only during a specific time of the year?

Hello Isi, It’s very hard to say for a 19-year old woman but, perhaps, you could start for the most touristic places, such as Jordan, United Arab Emirates or Egypt, as the local there are extremely used to foreign woman. It’s easier to travel there and you’ll get a great experience of the Muslim culture, which will help jumping to more challenging places such as Oman or Iran. As per timings, Don’t go to the Gulf countries in the summer months or Egypt. The rest is fine.

As a woman who has traveled alone in the GCC, I personally found Oman safer than UAE, when and if it comes to any disputes involving police witg creepy locals. Uae is easier for visas and airport in general, but Oman was very safe and more nature, cultural and historical sites. The only disadvantage of Oman is if you go without a car rental.

Hello, That should be Iran for sure.

Well done–this is a great list! I lived in Oman for 8 years and traveled widely throughout the region, although I missed a couple of places on your list. The Middle East is a great destination both for sightseeing and to educate oneself to the realities of the region, a good counter-balance to the crap cranked out by the international press.

Agree! and Oman is beautiful by the way! I visited it three times but always in a rush, unfortunately… It’s kind of a spiritual country… 🙂

about Number 13: Javaher Dasht In Gilan Province is heaven of middle east!! ,full of green & different super beautiful dreamy jungles & cold cool places on the top of mountain (recommended go for summers & spring) .. in villas you enjoy the view & breakfast of local materials : milk,butter,cheese,… & lots of fun! actually Iran is the Most safe country in the Middle east …do not pay attention to media. don’t forgot take beautiful pictures in “javaher dasht” wich means valley of Diamonds!….mountaineering & drink & eat foods of local people, so delicious. super clean weather with “”very friendly local people”” , they love foreigners but 99% doesn’t know english ,better to bring some tour guide with your self &

thanks for your suggestion!

Oman has becomes to be known as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Middle East thanks to the country’s strategic location and its unspoilt natural beauty with its scenic landscape. Oman is attraction for the tourist from UAE and visitors across the world.

Yes! I love Oman! And don’t forget about the hospitable people!

Hey Nice list I’m Lebanese and I can say that there is much more places in Lebanon to visit. Every summer we discover new places in our country and I’m surprised that Lebanon has such beautiful places! I definitely recommend it and would love to visit the other countries

Thanks Sara! Yes, Lebanon has many places to offer! Cheers!

everybody and their mother knows that it’s Persian gulf.

Peace and love, my friend 😉 !! I also call it Persian Gulf now but when I wrote this post 2 years ago, I was living in the Gulf monarquies, so got used to say Arab Gulf. After spending some months in Iran, I started to call it Persian Gulf again. I may change it when I update the post in a few weeks

Thank you for this post (first result up in my search for how a Canadian can travel to Iran). I have been studying (just a personal interest) ancient Persian and Elamite influence in Oman, and I decided I have to go to Iran. Persians were established in Oman before the Arabs came up from Yemen (so before the Arab migrations to the Gulf) . *I see this influence in pagan archaeological sites *in design on hair combs from Oman and Tel Abraq in the UAE. *in Ad Dhakliyia Omani dress, agricultural heritage, and place names in GCC:)

Yeah, first peace and second it’s Persian gulf my bro.🙂 Arab gulf isn’t correct.🙂

IT’s Persian Gulf not Arabian Gulf. By spending money you can’t change history.

Its called officially and internationally known as PERSIAN gulf, its been that way for thousandths of years!

Beirut is the most liberal and culturally diverse city in the middle east? Looks like you forgot Tel Aviv (and Israel generally…)

Thank You so much for the insightful article. I recently decided it was time for me to visit the Middle East and This is one of the first articles I read. I’m curious as to how hard it is to travel and appreciate the culture if you only speak English (I speak Spanish too, but I really doubt that will help. lol) I’ve traveled in other regions of the world where English isn’t spoken and while I’ve managed, it was still an obstacle. Just curious on what your thoughts are. Also, Are there issues traveling to certain countries in the region if you already have a stamp from Isreal on your passport. I feel like I read that somewhere. Obviously I’ll research that further before I show up at the border but I’m wondering if you have some insight. I have a US passport, btw.

Hi there! In the Middle East, most well-educated people speak English, so the language is not always a problem, except for when you go to rural areas. It is much easier to move around than in other regions, especially if you travel to mass tourism destinations such as Egypt or Jordan, where a lot of people speak it.

As per the Israeli stamp, I have written a comprehensive post about it: https://againstthecompass.com/en/avoid-israeli-passport-stamp/

Hi Joan ! I totally agree with Qeshm island ! I spent a week there and it was sooooooo good. It was my ultimate stop before going back to Paris after 6 months cycling from France to Iran. This island was magical for me because a friend hosted us in a small village along the sea. Anyway, thank you for the list.

Thanks Mike, it must have been a great adventure your cycling trip

Actually Tel Aviv is the most Liberal city in the entire Middle East. How can you say the Beirut is the most liberal city in the area when being gay isn’t legal in Lebanon. It is one of the most amazing cities I’ve ever been to, it has such an amazing vibe to it, when I was there I never felt safer. And overall I highly recommend staying in Israel as a “base” (even though israel it’s probably the most expensive state in the Middle East) and to cross the border to Jordan and Egypt, is very simple.

Continue reading the whole Beirut section and you’ll see that I clearly state that Beirut is the most liberal city outside of Israel. If you only read the headlines, your conclusions will always be so poor, and wrong.

Joan, great article. You are the brave guy that not afraid to visit this world boiling cauldron. Funny to see in your article how you promote your political views about names and historical mistakes. Be impartial, try to see wider )))

I appreciate your feedback and I am always open to criticism, but you can’t just say my article has mistakes without pointing out what’s wrong and giving any reasoning.

Although I live in Abu Dhabi as a resident for the past almost 6 years now, but I have not been able to see most of the places which are famous in UAE itself. The only reason is that I work in offshore in the oilfield. You have actually opened up my options of travel into the Middle East as I don’t have any issues with the traveling in these places. Jerusalem of course will be a no go for me since I hold a Pakistan citizenship. I’m really looking forward to visit Palestine for the reason I can go to Bethlehem. Also Salalah and Manama will be my next destinations to visit. Thank you for your detailed review.

I also enjoyed myself while I was visited this kind of places.

Hey You, Where did you see two homosexuals making out in Manama, Bahrain? Don’t publish such rubbish and fake news and make Bahrain go downward among the viewers. Bahrain is is rich in culture and it’s financial structure. Bahrain follows Sharia Law and such activities are strictly prohibited here and specially as you mentioned about drugs that too is illegal. As per alcohol no one can drink it in the streets. I dont know why are you faking such news about BAHRAIN. Please have a good research and then only put it.

I saw it with my own eyes, it’s not fake news. I never said you can drink in the street and I never said you can have drugs, but the title has a figurative meaning.

Hey, I’m DL (gay not out) and I know PLENTY of Arab guys in Bahrain who drink (yes, openly in restaurants) and are homosexual/DL. Just because YOU don’t see/know it, doesn’t mean it’s impossible to exist. The article doesn’t mention that you can be openly gay in Bahrain, but it only mentions what he witnessed once (the author was very clear on that.)

Whaaat? you really saw two homosexuals in Bahrain making out in the public street and no actions were taken against them?????????

It was obviously not during the day in downtown, but it was at night, in the Western area, they were probably drunk, and weren’t doing it intensively. I don’t know what their nationality was.

so, please make it clear in your above mentioned statements that every time its not possible. and make it clear too that bahrain is strict for such activities

I totally aggry with all of this and very interesting.

Even though I love your suggestions, I think that your being a bit harsh on the Jews and Israel generally. Fine Ill admit Israel has made mistakes and done bad things in the past years, but a lot of that is due to Hamas sending missiles at cities. Other than that I love your article and encourage you to do more.

Ah! 2020 seems a bit hard for the wonderful travel to these amazing places. Some of them were already added to my list, but I have just noticed a new place called Musandam, where I can visit for sure. Nice blog, and very well written.

My g, this is one of the best articles I’ve ever read. Not too long, yet very informative and interesting. It was also nice to see someone differentiating between the Israeli Settlers and Palestinian locals and shedding some light on the Palestinian struggles. Great choice of destinations as well. 😀

You say “Country: Palestine”. But there’s no such a country (You even admit and says “…if palestine would become a country…”) If is it a country, please tell me its how do you get straight to it? where are its airports? its anthem? its currency? Oh… there are none of them. You clearly don’t know anything about the situation so please be focused on other stuff. Also, not including Tel Aviv in best places to visit in the middle east is another mistake in this “article”. Good luck!

They did have an airport, in Gaza city precisely, but it was destroyed by the Israelis. They did have their own currency, but Israel took over and now they use the Israeli shilling. According to the UN, Palestine is a state, a non-member permanent observer state, along with Vatican City.

This article is an ”opinon” article, which includes the best places in my personal experience, that’s why I didn’t include Tel Aviv. If you want to include it, create your own list.

Good luck to you too,

“Palestine” never had a currency of their own. Also never had an active airport. Its electricity and water are provided 100% by Israel (And not by Egypt, which is another Gaza’s bordering country). FYI, Israel has left all of control in Gaza in 2005, the Hamas operates theere fully wide. The UN has been anti semitic and it is might be the only organization (together with hostile nations such as Iran, North Korea, China, Russia) who support “Palestine”. Please stay where you are and don’t stick your nose in our business in Israel. What a naive foreigner. Go live in Gaza if you like it, you will escape for your soul after short time. Sorry for being harsh on you, but you were being harsh on Israel at first. Know who you support and what are their goals and history.

You are such an extremist, man!

Taking action against Israeli occupation of speaking in favour with the Palestinian is not automatically hate towards Jews or antisemitism. Supporting Palestinian rights is anti semitic because Israel wants it to be. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/02/israels-apartheid-against-palestinians-a-cruel-system-of-domination-and-a-crime-against-humanity/

I am not sure if you have visited the whole Iran or not. But if you’ve only visited those three places, I’d say it’s not a wise action. The beautiful cities of Shiraz, Tabriz, Qazvin, Chabahar, Mashhad, Tehran, Ramsar, Rasht, Hamedan, Kermanshah, Kerman, Yazd, Kish Island and a LOT of other cities to visit and a lot of tasty food to try! You should definitely spend quite more time in Iran! And also, it was very interesting to read this!

Hi Liam, yes, I have been twice and spent more than 2 months in the country 🙂

Visited plenty of places, like the ones here: https://againstthecompass.com/en/iran-itinerary/

Ahhhhh, thank you for this list! I just found your blog while in East Africa and decided to check out other places you wrote about. I’m so excited to see a good ME list…and I currently live in Dahab so I’m loving that it made the list as well – if you are ever there again, go more north and check out Nuweiba (Dahab is getting a bit busy..sigh). Anywho, thanks for sharing your travels!

Cheers Jill, Dahab must be such a chilled place to live for a while!

perhaps you should consider visiting Egypt again. the beaches in the north coast are spectatcular ,huge stretch of white, soft sandy beaches. Dahab is definitely the most backpacker friendly, but marsa alam in my opinion is the best town on the red sea. Giftun island is amazing as well it’s near hurghada also i’m kind of surprised that cairo that’s filled with sites and museums didn’t make the list but everyone has different opinions i guess and i think most people don’t know how big cairo really is

I am heading to Kuwait and will be based there for several weeks, any recommendations of what to see in and near?

Never been to Kuwait!¡, unfortunately

Hlo, am from Uganda and i have never visited Middle East but i hope this year i may visit Egypt to what i have seen.

We were recently on a long trip through 5 countries in the Middle East, and wanted to give some input to your posts on Lebanon which we found quite valuable. We are independent explorers travelling to places less travelled, hence doing all our own research online and finding speaking to locals invaluable. On the odd occasion that we did look at a blog post for Lebanon – yours stood out giving depth to the experiences. So thank you.

Barring the current crisis situation in this region of southern Lebanon – we can confirm that it is safe and easy to travel to both Tyre & Sidon from Beirut by public transport (1 taxi from Cola Station takes you to both towns) or your own vehicle. There are UN checkpoints, but nothing serious – in fact an added measure of safety.

One cannot visit Lebanon without seeing the majestic city of Baalbek. All news reports tell you not to visit, with travel advisories in place because it’s close to the Syrian border with some reported tourist muggings and a kidnapping in recent years (not 100% unique to Baalbek in the global picture). We spoke to locals, hotel managers, coffee shop owners etc – all advising otherwise and so we went. From Beirut hotel, we took an Uber to Cola Bus Station and a then mini van directly to Baalbek (about 2hr 30min). The incredible scale of the ruins are magnificent to see – and cannot be missed

Dear Janine, thanks a lot for this valuable feedback!

The Old City of Damascus is a destination that holds a wealth of history, culture, and architecture. It is a place that demands a visit for anyone seeking to learn about ancient civilizations and their way of life. The city is home to some of the world’s oldest and most well-preserved buildings, including the iconic Umayyad Mosque. The mosque was built in the 8th century and still stands tall as a testament to the architectural prowess of the time.

The Old City of Damascus is a labyrinth of narrow streets, alleys, and bustling markets. Walking through these streets is like taking a journey back in time. The buildings, shops, and markets are a testament to the city’s long and rich history. Visitors can explore the maze of alleys and bazaars, haggle with the merchants, and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of this ancient city.

The city’s cultural heritage is also a major draw for visitors. The Old City of Damascus has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and for good reason. The city’s rich cultural heritage is evident in its architecture, food, music, and art. Visitors can explore the city’s many museums and galleries, attend concerts and festivals, and indulge in local cuisine.

Overall, the Old City of Damascus is a sensory experience that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who visits. From the scent of exotic spices to the sound of the call to prayer, the city is a feast for the senses. It’s a place that is steeped in history, culture, and tradition, and a destination that should be on everyone’s travel bucket list.

Is it safe to visit Shibam for a solo lady as my sister’s friend will be visiting it in the months of august? and What are the do’s and don’ts that must be kept in mind?

Hello, you can’t visit Yemen solo, but you must always go with a local guide.

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Countries To Visit In Middle East

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Here are the top 11 countries in Middle East

1 out of 11 Countries To Visit in Middle East

Bahrain is a small Island nation tucked away in the Persian gulf sharing its borders between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It is known for its petroleum reserves,offshore banking and tourism. Despite being a Muslim nation,it doesn't impose strict Islamic laws like its neighbours thus , paving way for a relaxed atmosphere which draws a large number of tourists. Bahrain's biggest yearly event - Bahrain Grand PrixÊF1 race is held in the month of April each year.

2 out of 11 Countries To Visit in Middle East

Jordan, situated in the Middle East, is renowned for Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Beyond the famed Petra, Jordan boasts impressive desert castles and the awe-inspiring Wadi Rum, characterized by its striking landscapes—towering cliffs and crimson sands create a mesmerizing panorama.

3 out of 11 Countries To Visit in Middle East

Located at the top of the Persian Gulf, Kuwait is a country that has often been well-known for being rich in oil. Its neighbouring countries include Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq. Kuwait City is the capital of the country and is famous for its modern architecture. Kuwait includes modern day skyscrapers as well as ancient, beautifully built mosques, so it truly is a mix of modernity and the ancient times.

4 out of 11 Countries To Visit in Middle East

Oman is an Arab country located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Though there is no diversity in religion here, you will find a variety of tranquil landscapes and sceneries. The beauty of the emerald beaches, the rich Arab history in the ancient forts, the lush green mountains, unique wildlife and endless deserts will give you an Arabian adventure unlike any other country in the Gulf Coast. You will find local bazaars or souks filled with handicrafts and the most famous item of Oman, Frankincense. Kind-hearted, helpful and law-abiding people add up to make this country a must-visit place.

5 out of 11 Countries To Visit in Middle East

In just forty years, this Gulf state has grown from one of the poorest countries in the Gulf to the richest in the world. Mainly functioning on oil and natural gas revenue, Qatar is developing at breakneck speed, and everything from universities to shopping malls, 5-star hotels to football stadiums (in preparation for the 2022 World Cup) are springing up along the desert floor.

6. Saudi Arabia

6 out of 11 Countries To Visit in Middle East

Saudi Arabia, officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an Arab country located in Western Asia and constituting most of the Arab Peninsula. Most of the citizens are Muslims, and freedom of religion is restricted by the laws of the country. Only Muslims are respected in the country but, people are very helpful and friendly towards tourists. The rich history, vast stretches of deserts, forts, mosques and temples spread throughout the country will overwhelm you. The out-of-the-box festivals and Islamic cultures, etiquettes and tradition will leave you fascinated.

7. United Arab Emirates

7 out of 11 Countries To Visit in Middle East

Once known for its fishing-based economy, today, UAE is much more than vast deserts and ancient forts. Immersed in its rich Emirati culture, the UAE is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world offering touches of modernity with its ever-expanding infrastructure. From its traditional souks to palm-shaped islands, glittering huge malls, luxurious hotels, grand architecture and theme parks, the country offers you a complete package to relax, rejuvenate and be adventurous, all at the same time.

8 out of 11 Countries To Visit in Middle East

Nestled at the crossroads of Africa and Asia, Egypt beckons travelers with its unparalleled blend of ancient wonders and modern marvels. Home to some of the world's most iconic ancient landmarks, including the Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt holds the legacy of the ancient world. The Great Pyramid , the sole survivor of the Seven Wonders, alongside the enigmatic Sphinx and the majestic temples of Luxor and Karnak , offers a captivating glimpse into the grandeur of ancient Egyptian civilization.

9 out of 11 Countries To Visit in Middle East

Israel is a considered as a Holy nation bordered by Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria. It is also home to Jerusalem ( the birth place of Lord Jesus). It has a vibrant history and culture . It has ties to diversified religions, and this makes it a interesting place to visit for travellers . It is also a highly modernised country, and the regions are divided into cities which are further sub-divided into towns. Israel-Palestine conflict is an ongoing issue, and after the peace negotiations fell apart in 2014, the countries are working on a two-state solution.

10. Lebanon

10 out of 11 Countries To Visit in Middle East

Lebanon lies in the Middle East and is a sovereign. It is often called the Lebanese Republic. It shares its borders with countries like Syria, Israel and Cyprus. Lebanon is actually supposed to be the smallest country in the entire continent of Asia. It has a wonderful coastline that you can never get tired of and even boasts of a popular city - fashionable Beirut. Lebanon is home to a cuisine that we have all sampled at some point, in several different versions - Lebanese cuisine. Both traditional and modern, the country is full of quiet charm and at times, solitude.

11 out of 11 Countries To Visit in Middle East

Nestled at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Turkey stands as a mesmerizing fusion of history, culture, and stunning landscapes. Istanbul, straddling two continents, is the vibrant heart of this country, boasting architectural wonders like the Hagia Sophia and the iconic Blue Mosque. Beyond its bustling cities, Turkey's ancient ruins, from Ephesus to the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia with its whimsical rock formations, paint a canvas of diverse experiences.

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Wander-Lush

25 Most Beautiful Places in the Middle East: The Ultimate List

An incomplete list of the most beautiful places in the Middle East – from Bahrain to Yemen, the Dead Sea to the Empty Quarter, modern metropolises to mud villages, and everything in between.

Natural wonders, Holy sites, ancient beauty and modern Islamic architecture, bustling souks, Norwegian-style fjords, brilliant oases, endless deserts, and enough UNESCO World Heritage Sites to please even the most discerning history buff. Yes, the Middle East really does have it all.

Discover 25 of the most beautiful places to visit in the Middle East region (Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE and Yemen), as recommended by me and other travel writers.

• Looking for Turkey inspiration? See my list of the most beautiful places in Turkey .

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

25 beautiful places in the Middle East

Bald sayt | oman.

Nested in the foothills of the Al Hajar mountains, Bald Sayt (Bilad Sayt) is a true Middle Eastern oasis and a must-visit destination in the beautiful country of Oman .

Remote and secluded, the tiny village is accessed on foot by walking through Wadi Al Sahtan and Wadi Bani Awf. As you emerge from the final canyon, the first thing that greets you are the terraced fields – tinted ruddy brown or brilliant green depending on the season – and thick groves of date palms heavy with fruit.

The knot of tan and ivory houses that is Bald Sayt is wrapped in mountains on all sides, adding to the feeling that it emerged out of the pebbly hills by magic. Follow the snaking hiking path for different perspectives of the village with the terraces and palm groves in focus.

Oman is made for road trips – and Bald Sayt is a case in point. It can only be reached with a combination of 4×4 and hiking. When planning your Oman driving itinerary , make sure you hire an off-road vehicle (provided you’re comfortable with driving narrow, precipitous paths) or alternatively, budget a few days to travel to the village with a driver and guide from Nizwa .

There are no guesthouses in Bald Sayt – the closest accommodations can be found in Al Hamra. Misfah Old House , a guesthouse set in a traditional mud brick house, is highly recommended.

Wadi Rum | Jordan

At the southern edge of Jordan lies one of the most magnificent deserts on earth, Wadi Rum . Here, rock-ribbed mountains grow from an ocean of unending red sand while the blistering sun vaporises every last drop of water.

It’s a surreal scene that resembles something from outer space. And, for this reason, Wadi Rum is nicknamed ‘The Valley of the Moon’.

But this is not the only attraction: Relics from the Nabataean peoples can be found throughout the desert. From petroglyphs and inscriptions to ancient ruins, there’s a wealth of history.

There are several ways to explore this natural wonder. From jeep tours and camel treks to hikes and overnight stays, there is something for everyone. With an area of 720 square-kilometres, you could easily spend a week here, but an overnight stay is the best compromise. There’s nothing like indulging in a delicious meal prepared by a local family and sipping fresh mint tea under the stars.

Be sure to bring a warm jacket and a scarf. Temperatures plummet in the evenings and the dry desert winds can be unforgiving. No matter which adventure you choose, it’s sure to be an experience of a lifetime!

By Jen from Dabbling in Jet Lag

Sharqiya Sands | Oman

As you’re about to discover, there is so much more to the Middle East beyond desert landscapes. Yet the scale and solitude of the Empty Quarter somehow captures the endless beauty of the region so well.

The Rub Al Khali is shared between Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Oman’s portion, the Sharqiya Sands (formerly known as the Wahiba Sands), is one of the most accessible areas for travellers, with desert safaris departing from the capital, Muscat.

Dune bashing, camel rides and sand surfing are all on offer – but in truth, it’s just as fun to walk the rippled dunes and dip your fingers into the melting red sands.

Luxury hotels in the form of desert camps dot the landscape. The Desert Nights Camp is one of the finest and takes cues from the area’s Bedouin heritage. A night here – with sunset from the dunes and dinner under the stars – is hands-down one of the best experiences you can possibly have in the Middle East.

Valley of the Kings | Egypt

Not only is Egypt’s legendary Valley of the Kings a beautiful place to visit, it’s also one of the Middle East’s most significant historical sites. This archaeologically rich area was the burial ground for royal Ancient Egyptians between the 11th and 16th centuries BC. New discoveries are still being made to this day. Located on the western river bank from the city of Luxor, it’s easy to get to with a Nile cruise, train or coach from Cairo.

It’s possible to visit many of the ancient tombs and see their beautiful paintings up close. Depending on the time of your visit, the authorities that look after the Valley of the Kings open certain tombs at different times.

At the time of writing there were 62 documented tombs, all discovered before 1922. The best ones are always visitable on a daily basis. Some special tombs include Ramesses IV KV2, Ramesses KV9 and Tutankhamun KV62. It’s highly recommended to buy a ticket for Seti 1 KV17 as well.

As a top practical tip, visit with a local, knowledgeable tour guide. This will be most beneficial for truly understanding the history and significance of each tomb. Else to watch a documentary or read a specific book beforehand to learn more.

By Zoe from Together in Transit

Petra | Jordan

The beautiful city of Petra is located about 240 kilometres south of Jordan’s capital city, Amman, and is significant to archaeologists because of its rock-like structures. It dates back to the 4th century BC, is a Wonder of the World – and should be included on your bucket list.

Visitors enter the park at Wadi Musa and follow a trail into the Siq, a gorge formed by tectonic plates that broke the mountain into two pieces. Snaking down a path with rock walls that tower above your head is quite an entrance. You might know this path as it featured in the 1989 adventure film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade , with Harrison Ford.

As the mysterious path finally opens up, you will come to your first awe-inspiring view of the Treasury Monument, built as a tomb for the Nabataean King Aretas III. The Treasury is the highlight of Petra, but this is only really the start of your visit. There is so much more to see.

Once you pass the Treasury, you could easily spend a day exploring the rest of the ‘Red Rose City’, so-called because of the pink-hued stone it’s carved from. Other highlights of Petra include the tombs and houses on the Street of Facades, and hiking unmarked roads to find spectacular views. Eventually, you will make it to the Royal Tombs and the magnificent Monastery.

By Chris from Aquarius Traveller

Abyaneh | Iran

One of the most uniquely beautiful villages in the Middle East is the red mountain village of Abyaneh . Sitting beautifully in the Karkas mountains, this is one of the oldest villages in Iran, dating back at least 2,500 years.

What makes Abyaneh so unique is that villagers still live according to pre-Islamic ancient customs. They still speak their original language and dress in traditional clothing. The costume of the women is especially distinct, with white flowery shawls.

Abyaneh’s crimson colour comes from the red clay used to cover the houses, which makes the village blend in with the surrounding nature. Aside from exploring the streets and admiring the architecture, there are old castle ruins and underground cave houses that visitors can walk to. This is where you will get the best view of the village, so it’s worth the short hike.

With no public transport available, the easiest way to visit Abyaneh is by car. You can hire a driver from either Kashan, Natanz, or Esfahan. To enter the village, visitors must pay a maintenance fee of 10,000 rials.

When visiting Abyaneh, it’s important to be respectful towards the locals. Keep this in mind when snapping your Instagram photos.

By Linn from Brainy Backpackers

Jerash Ruins | Jordan

It’s likely that whenever someone mentions ruins in Jordan you’ll instantly think of Petra. However, there are many other archaeological sites worthy of adding to your Jordan itinerary , including the stunning Jerash Ruins.

The city of Jerash is located about 50 kilometres north of Jordan’s capital of Amman and can be accessed within about an hour by taxi or collective bus. It’s certainly worth taking the trip out of the city for.

Jerash has been dubbed ‘Pompeii of the East’, and if you’ve ever visited the original Pompeii ruins in Italy , you’ll be able to see parallels between the two sites. Although the Jerash Roman Ruins weren’t obliterated by a volcano, the layout and structures have a lot in common with Pompeii. This is also one of the biggest Roman ruin sites outside of Europe.

The site of Jerash is reasonably extensive, and like many ruins, has little in the way of shade and shelter from the sun. Remember to pack a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, especially if you’re visiting during the middle of the day. Ideally you should try to get there early to dodge both the heat and the tour groups.

Unmissable sites include the Oval Forum and the ancient Colonnaded Street along with the Temple of Artemis and the Arch of Hadrian.

By Becki from Meet Me in Departures

Qeshm Island | Iran

The charming Iranian island of Qeshm is the largest island in the Persian Gulf. Its important geographical location in the Strait of Hormuz means it’s always been a vital trading and navigational centre, precipitating invasions by the Dutch, French and Portuguese in centuries past.

Qeshm is a free zone allowing nationals of most countries to acquire a visa on arrival. The ease of travel, rich artisan traditions and wealth of rare geological landscapes are all amazing reasons to explore Qeshm island .

Designated as Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark in 2017, the island is home to a diverse range of natural phenomena. Take a trip around the Hara Mangrove Forest, a real treat for birdwatchers with 220 species nesting amongst the winding trees and calm waters. The dhow boats in the port are a testament to the traditional Bandari way of life on the island.

The Fallen Star Valley is best seen at sunset as the glow falls on the weather-eroded ravines and towers. Explore Chahkuh Valley in the northwestern part of Qeshm, where tectonic movement and washed away rock create a labyrinth of crazy cavities and shapes along the walls of the gorge.

Another highlight is discovering the salt cave at Namakdan, which is believed to be the largest in the world at 6,850 metres long. Qeshm is an incredible destination full of culture, tradition and mind-blowing terrain.

By Vanessa from Wanders Miles

Tower of David | Israel

One of the most prominent silhouettes in Jerusalem’s skyline along with the Temple Mount, the Tower of David is a must-see historical site in the Middle East.

Even though it is named after the biblical king of the United Kingdom of Israel and Judah, David, the citadel actually dates back to medieval times. That said, the complex does include some remains of walls and towers from much earlier eras, including the First Temple (1006-586 BC), the Hasmonean Period (141-63 BC), and the Herodian Period (37 BC-70 AD).

The beautiful fortress sits at a strategic high point between eastern and western Jerusalem close to Jaffa Gate, which is one of the biggest reasons it has such great historical importance. As cliche as it may sound, visiting it can make you feel like you’ve been transported to the past, and that’s an experience you cannot skip out on.

Today, the citadel complex houses the Museum of the History of Jerusalem, where you can learn about more than 3,000 years of the city’s past. Throughout the year, it also hosts the most incredible night experiences that allow you to immerse yourself in the stories of Jerusalem and King David through sounds, videos, and images screened on the citadel walls.

By Or from My Path in the World

Masada National Park | Israel

Located in the centre of Israel, Masada National Park is named after the legendary Masada Fortress that stands atop a plateau overlooking the Dead Sea and Judean desert. It was once home to an entire civilisation, which you can imagine whilst exploring the nooks and crannies of the walls that still stand there today.

On top of its historical beauty, one of the most popular things to do here is arrive very early in the morning and hike to the top of the plateau for sunrise. The trek takes around 60-90 minutes, stretches 2.7 kilometres and rises to an elevation of 350 metres. Despite starting the trail in the dark hours of the morning, it still feels very safe.

Although the climb can be done at your own pace, most people have the goal of reaching the top before the sun comes up. Be sure to bring plenty of water, and you will be rewarded with undeniably beautiful sunrise views of the desert and Dead Sea from the top of the mountain.

If it’s history and Israeli culture you’re after, it’s possible to visit the park during the day and take the cable car up and down the mountain instead. Most tours to this location from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv also include visiting Ein-Gedi Natural Reserve and taking a dip in the Dead Sea.

By Barbora from Often Out of Office

The Dead Sea | Israel & Jordan

When you float in the Dead Sea, it feels like you’re floating in outer space. The lowest body of water on Earth sits in a beautiful desert environment and has a salt content almost 10 times higher than regular seawater. This makes it so dense that our bodies become buoyant and easily float.

The Dead Sea is so salty that there is no life present outside of algae and microorganisms. However, that doesn’t mean the natural phenomenon doesn’t have any health benefits. Due to its elevation, the Dead Sea is about eight percent richer in oxygen than at sea level. The water and natural mud also reduces skin impurities and detoxifies the body due to its high mineral content.

It’s easy to add this otherworldly spa destination to your Israel or Jordan itinerary since it lies on the border between the two countries. When looking for a beach to visit, make sure it’s one with access to natural mud on the seafloor. At some beaches you won’t find any natural mud in the water and will have to purchase it by the pack from vendors instead.

Kalia Beach is one of the top beaches to visit and can be done as a day trip from Jerusalem. At this beach, you can easily scoop up black mud from the seafloor and make yourself a cleansing body mask. There is an entrance fee of 60 NIS per person, but it includes nice facilities and access to the ‘lowest bar in the world’.

By Cecily from Groovy Mashed Potatoes

Hormuz Island | Iran

Hormuz Island in Iran , also known as the ‘Bloody Island’ and the ‘Rainbow Island of Iran’, is one of the most colourful, unique and beautiful islands not only in the Middle East, but in the world.

This epic gem is situated in the province of Hormozgan at the southernmost end of Iran. Travelling on this tiny little island feels like exploring another planet as a character of a magical sci-fi fantasy. Hormuz doesn’t even have cars – you can only move around the island on foot, by bike, motorcycle or tuk-tuk (rickshaw).

The island boasts brilliant and colourful beaches, mountains, valleys and caves. The two most stunning places are the Red Beach and the Rainbow Mountains.

The Red Beach, so-called because the sand on the beach is literally red, is the most iconic landmark of Hormuz Island. The sand colours the sea water a kind of pinkish-reddish. The second most famous sight on the island is the Rainbow Mountain. An endless flood of shades and hues of terrain makes this mountain exceptional.

If the landscape on Hormuz doesn’t blow your mind, the local gastronomy will. Fish stew – as red as the Red Beach itself because it’s flavoured with soil – is the most popular meal. Would you try it?

By Diana from The Globetrotting Detective

Siwa Oasis | Egypt

Siwa Oasis in Egypt’s Western Desert is one of the most unforgettable places to visit in the Middle East, especially if you’re looking for an authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience .

Located just 50 kilometres from the border with Libya, the only way to reach Siwa is to drive or to take a 10-hour coach trip from Cairo. It’s a long, hot slog along a bumpy desert road full of potholes, but it’s worth it to explore this stunning historic oasis town with its unique Amazigh culture.

Once known as ‘Palm Land’, Siwa has 10 times more palm trees than people (33,000 trees in total), warm oasis pools to bathe in, and a huge salt lake that’s simply the best place to watch the sunset.

There’s a surprising number of things to do in Siwa. You will probably be tempted to climb the Mountain of the Dead, which dates back to the time of the Romans who settled in Siwa after Cleopatra died, and you’ll want to see the Temple of Si-Amun while you’re there. A trip to the medieval Shali (or ‘City of Mud’) is unmissable.

One of the highlights of a visit to Siwa is a trip into the desert to try a sand bath or sandboarding and take a dip in a desert pool. Stay overnight on a desert safari and huddle around a campfire, swapping stories and watching the brightest stars you’ve ever seen.

Siwa is a treat and it’s sure to work its magic on you. Stay in an eco-lodge or tiny boutique hotel to make the most of your trip.

By Coralie from Grey Globetrotters

Byblos | Lebanon

Located only 30 kilometres from the capital of Lebanon, Beirut, Byblos is a true gem and one of the most interesting places in the region. According to historical sources, this is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with the first settlers arriving here between 8000 and 5000 BC. 

These days Byblos might seem like a small, sleepy town, but don’t let that fool you – there are plenty of attractions to see. The major landmark is the 12th century Crusaders Castle. Even if it’s mostly in ruins today, visiting feels a bit like travelling back in time. Ancient ruins such as the King’s Well, Royal Tombs and Roman Theatre help you imagine the grandness of the place at its peak of prosperity.

From the castle, you can also admire a beautiful vista of Byblos and the Mediterranean coast of Lebanon. The nearby souk area is a vibrant treat for the senses, with winding cobbled lanes, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants, and picturesque corners. From there, it’s a short walk to the harbour, the formerly busy ancient port that today hosts numerous fisherman’s boats mixed with fancy yachts. 

Visiting Byblos is very easy as frequent minibuses connect the town with Beirut. The journey takes around one hour.

By Kami from Kami and the Rest of the World

Sheik Zayed Mosque | UAE

Located in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque is the biggest and most-visited mosque in the entire country – and one of the largest mosques in the world.

The Grand Mosque was built between 1996 and 2007 and represents the fusion of different Muslim cultures inspired by Turkey, Morocco , Egypt and Pakistan . It was designed by British, Italian and Emirati architects to reflect how Islam interacts with the rest of the world.

The result is mesmerising: The Sheik Zayed Mosque is probably the most impressive mosque built in the 20th century and also one of the most welcoming to outsiders.

At the centre of the mosque stands a courtyard with one of the world’s largest marble mosaic floors. Inside, the mosque features over one thousand columns, 82 marble domes, gold-plated Swarovski chandeliers, and hand-woven carpets.

It’s possible to visit the Grand Mosque on a day trip from Dubai. There are a lot of travel tour agents that will organise the logistics for you. Women are required to wear a full-body covering, including a headscarf. If you book through a tour company, they usually provide suitable dress.

By Mal from Raw Mal Roams

Doha | Qatar

Sitting somewhere between Muscat and Dubai on the Middle Eastern cities sliding scale, Qatar’s capital city, Doha, is a marriage of the traditional and the contemporary. If you only have a short airport layover, one day in Doha is still enough time to take in the contrasts and contradictions.

The Museum of Islamic Art, one of the most amazing pieces of architecture in the region, is a must-visit. Head out the back for a brilliant view of downtown Doha’s skyscrapers framed by stone arches. The museum is walking distance from the fragrant Souq Waqif, which charms with its piles of colourful rugs and miniature dunes made of spices. In the evening, don’t miss visiting the nearby Falcon Souq and Falcon Hospital, one of Qatar’s most unique attractions.

After a self-guided city tour, travel beyond Doha to Khor Al Adaid, the famous Inland Sea. One of the few places on earth where the sea meets the desert, it’s under consideration to become the country’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site. Day tours from Doha to Khor Al Adaid are a convenient option if you don’t have off-roading experience.

Dynamic, budget-friendly and one of the safest cities in the Middle East (and in the entire world for that matter), Doha is the perfect destination for solo female travellers or first-time visitors to the region. See these Qatar travel tips for more advice .

Dubai | UAE

One of the most vibrant cities in the region, Dubai is an ultimate travel destination in the Middle East that has it all. It has come a long way from a tiny fishing village to a sprawling metropolitan city.

From glittering skyscrapers to sandy beaches and adventurous desert safaris, this is a city full of possibilities. One of the first things to see in Dubai is of course the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Marvel at unparalleled views of the city from the Sky Lounge and Observation Deck on the building’s 148th floor.

Fair to say that Dubai is a shopper’s paradise. Adjacent to the Burj Khalifa is the world’s largest mall, The Dubai Mall. Here you will find all kinds of retail outlets, cafes and restaurants along with an indoor ice rink, a huge aquarium, and the dazzling Dubai Fountain.

Don’t leave the city without making a visit to the Dubai Creek and the Al Fahidi Neighbourhood where you can see the cultural centres, the Dubai Museum, souks and traditional buildings. To end your trip, sail through the seas at the Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina on a yacht or a cruise to admire the incredible views of the skyline.

By Anjali from Cheerful Trails

Al Fateh Mosque | Bahrain

Bahrain is a surprisingly interesting place to visit in the Middle East for a short, 3-4 day trip. One of the must-see-places in Bahrain is the Al Fateh Mosque in the capital, Manama.

Built in the 1980s, it can accommodate up to 7,000 people for prayer, making it the biggest place of worship in Bahrain. The building is made from light coloured marble from Italy and the dome that covers the main prayer hall is the biggest fibreglass dome in the world.

Apart from the architectural beauty, the main reason why you should visit the Al Fateh Mosque is the tour they offer for visitors. Al Fateh claims to be the first mosque to offer visitor’s tours and it really is worth your time. As a woman, you will be given a cloak and scarf to cover up so you can walk around the courtyards and the main prayer hall.

Here you can see the Mihrab, the prayer niche, surrounded by calligraphy in a very old Bahraini style and the huge, Austrian-made chandelier. You will sit for a while and learn a lot about Islam and mosques.

The mosque is open from 9am-5pm every day except during prayer times. Tours are available in many languages.

By Eva from Not Scared of the Jetlag

Musandam Fjords | Oman

Another unexpected landscape in the region, Oman’s Musandam Fjords have earned the nickname ‘the Norway of the Middle East’. The thousands of serrated khors (ravines) with spectacular drop-offs into the Strait of Hormuz does indeed resemble the majestic side arms of Scandinavia’s coast – yet the colours and ecology makes Musandam beyond comparison.

Coves and cliffs define the entire length of the shoreline that wraps around the northern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. The longest fjord, Khor Ash Sham, stretches for some 16 kilometres. The only way to immerse yourself in this larger-than-life landscape is by taking a wooden dhow boat cruise. You’ll likely see pods of frolicking dolphins along the way.

A popular tourist destination among travellers from the UAE (Musandam is an enclave easily reached by Dubai or Abu Dhabi), the beautiful beaches, warm waters and coral reefs attract snorkellers and scuba divers as well. Don’t miss a stop at Telegraph Island (Jazirat Maqlab), once a British communications outpost.

Rawanduz Valley | Iraqi Kurdistan

The mountains of the Kurdistan region are one of the most epic parts of Iraq, with beautiful green forests, gushy waterfalls, steep cliffs and winding canyons including the Canyon of Rawanduz. Being the most impressive pearl of mountainous Kurdistan, the canyon and valley is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Iraq .

Situated in the rural part of Erbil Governorate, surrounded by the Zagros Mountain Range, Rawanduz features a snake-like river moving between dramatic rock formations. You can enjoy the canyon both from inside its valley and from above. The hiking path inside the Valley of Rawanduz is perfect for adventure lovers.

If you want to see the canyon from above, there are several viewpoints in the village of Rawanduz. The best way to track down the viewpoints and to witness the beauty of this place is through a drive along the canyon rim. Chances are that you’ve never seen anything like this before.

Close to Rawanduz Valley, there are other beautiful natural marvels you cannot miss, such as the mountains of Soran, the Bekhal Waterfall, and the Geli Ali Beg Waterfall.

Socotra | Yemen

Nowhere captures the unworldly natural beauty of the Middle East quite like Socotra. The largest of four islands in an archipelago of the same name, Socotra is lauded for its ‘alien-like beauty’ and biodiversity, which earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008.

Socotra is associated with dragon trees (Dracaena cinnabari), an endemic species with curious branch formations. Beyond its famous flora, the island is incredibly diverse, with a rugged coastline and interior mountains.

Located in the Arabian Sea, the island was only accessible by cargo ship up until a few decades ago when an airport was built. There is limited tourist infrastructure and just a handful of guesthouses. Because of ongoing conflicts in the region, travelling to Socotra island is, unfortunately, not as easy as it once was. Be sure to do your research before you start planning a trip.

Shiraz | Iran

A Silk Road city and one of the oldest settlements associated with ancient Persia, Shiraz is known as the city of poets, literature, fruit trees and manicured gardens. This should give you a clue as to why Shiraz is considered by many to be the most beautiful city in Iran.

Shiraz’s heritage goes back to at least 2000 BC. For most of its history, it has been a hub for regional trade, and it remains a popular destination today as the largest city in south-west Fars Province.

The city wears its rich history proudly on its sleeve: Beautiful gardens including the Eram Garden and opulent ancient mosques, most notably the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque with its iconic tinted glass, make Shiraz a darling of Iran tourism.

Another layer to Shiraz’s character: This is a city of heritage crafts, where masters have perfected inlaid mosaics, silverware and pile carpets over the course of centuries. Save your shopping for Shiraz, because this is the best place in the country to find an authentic souvenir .

Baalbek | Lebanon

If you’re spending time in Lebanon, be sure to visit the Roman ruins of Baalbek, known as Heliopolis to the Romans. The legendary birthplace of Baal, the Canaanite god of the sun, Baalbek existed long before the Romans conquered the city in 47 BC.

Baalbek is a vast site known for its ancient temple complex. The Temple of Jupiter, now almost completely destroyed, was once the largest temple in ancient Rome. A smaller temple dedicated to Bacchus, however, is beautifully preserved and is still larger than the Parthenon in Athens . There are other remarkable ruins to wander through at Baalbek and as a plus, the site is usually quiet, with relatively few visitors.

Baalbek is under two hours’ drive from Beirut. You can do an organised day trip from the city or visit yourself by taking the public bus – just keep in mind that the trip takes approximately three hours each way and you’ll need to walk from the final stop to the ancient city.

You can buy tickets at the gate, which is open from 8.30am until sunset. If you’re travelling independently, it could be worth hiring a local guide. Keep in mind that the ruins can get very hot in summer, so you may prefer to visit during the cooler months.

By Roxanne from Faraway Worlds

Temple of Edfu | Egypt

Starting from Luxor, a Nile River Cruise is a great way to explore the many heritage sites in Upper Egypt including the temples at Kom Ombo, the Temple of Esna, and the Aswan High Dam.

Edfu is located around 100 kilometres south of Luxor and is usually the first stop on the journey. The temple was constructed between 237 and 57 BC under the Ptolemaic Kingdom. It’s an important archaeological site of ancient Egypt because it’s one of the best-preserved, with an almost complete pylon and numerous wall engravings.

This temple is the largest in Egypt dedicated to Horus, God of kingship and the sky, and Hathor of Dendera. It is believed that Horus gave power and recognition to the ruling Pharaoh, Ptolemy VIII, who conquered upper Egypt. Ptolemy XII Auletes, the father of Cleopatra, can be seen engraved on the left of the temple’s Pylon, holding a stick to defeat his enemies with.

Because it’s situated on higher ground, the Temple of Edfu escaped the flood damage that ruined many other buildings in the area. In fact, the ruin was buried under sand for centuries until Napoleon’s French expedition unearthed it in 1798, revealing it to the world in 1860.

By Kenny from Knycx Journeying

Salmiya | Kuwait

Salmiya, Kuwait is an amazing city 15 kilometres from the capital, Kuwait City. It has many interesting attractions where you can see and learn more about Kuwait’s history and culture. Visit the Tareq Rajab Museum of Islamic Calligraphy that has more than 30,000 items relating to Islamic manuscripts, calligraphy, carvings, jewellery and more.

The Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre has over 1,100 different exhibits and 22 galleries. With six different components, it’s the largest museum complex in the world.

Salmiya is also home to the Salem Al-Mubarak Street shopping district, one of the largest and oldest shopping districts in the country. While you’ll find that parts of the district are modernised, there are also traditional stalls in the side streets that take you back to old Kuwait.

Even though the country has a low crime rate, visitors should exercise the same precautions as they would when travelling in any other city. Visit Salmiya for its combination of Arab and Indo- Pakistani cultures while being surrounded by modern architecture.

By Rasika from Bae Area & Beyond

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• 11 Places In The Arabian...

11 Places in the Arabian Peninsula You Have to See at Least Once in Your Lifetime

The Arabian Peninsula is becoming more and more of a hotspot for travelers and even backpackers. With its diverse landscape, warm locals, vibrant cultures and delicious food, the Arabian Peninsula should be on everyone’s top places to visit. Here are some of the best destinations on this dynamic stretch of land that are the must-visits.

Dubai, the united arab emirates.

Truly one of a kind and one of the most futuristic cities while still maintaining its traditions, Dubai is the place to go for gold and riches, traditional culture, desert barbeques, and one of the most international vibes in the Middle East. Boasting some of the most sparkling skyscrapers in the world, Dubai will redefine the very concept of a cosmopolitan city!

Ras Al Khaimah, The United Arab Emirates

The Empty Quarter or Rub’al Khali Desert, The United Arab Emirates/Oman/Saudi Arabia/Yemen

This enormous bright red desert stretching across four countries in the Arabian Peninsula is the world’s largest uninterrupted sand desert in the world. Serving as a film location for blockbusters such as Star Wars and The Matrix , this desert will blow anyone’s mind with just how enormous and powerful it feels. Experience the earth’s raw beauty in the heart of Arabia, and get lost (but not too lost) in the rolling dunes of the desert.

Musandam, Oman

Oman itself may be one of the most beautiful places in the Arabian Peninsula, and Musandam is arguably the most exquisite of all in Oman. Located in the very north along the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam is home to emerald beaches, rolling hills with whitewashed rocks and sand, and dancing dolphins that swim around the clear waters of the coastline. No trip to the Arabian Peninsula is complete without stopping by Musandam to experience an almost dream-like serenity, in one of the most isolated and pristine places in this corner of the globe.

Salalah, Oman

Salalah is another place in Oman that people flock to during the rainy season to experience the rain, cold, and greenery. Situated in the southern part of the country, this area is a literal oasis in the middle of the desert, with lush green banana plantations and vibrant waterfalls during the monsoon season.

Muscat, Oman

The capital of Oman, Muscat, is one of those capitals that isn’t too loud or aggressive and yet still leaves a deep and powerful impression after visiting. Boasting a breezy corniche, cobblestone alleyways ringing with children’s laughter, and a long and historical relationship with sea trading and the Indian Ocean, Muscat will never fail to enchant.

Wadi Ash Shab, Oman

Meaning “the gorge between the cliffs” in Arabic, this is one of the most popular wadis in the Arabian Peninsula. Located in-between the barren rocky mountains of coastal Oman, this wadi hides some of the most sparkling and clear pools of water in the country. People visit to swim in the fresh water emerald pools, have a barbeque, or explore the many waterfalls and pathways among the surrounding rocky hills.

Sana’a, Yemen

Although plagued by recent conflict and humanitarian disasters, Sana’a is still one of the most beautiful capitals of the Arabian Peninsula. The old quarter of the city is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visiting the city will leave you without a doubt as to why this city is so sacred to historians, archeologists, and travelers alike. Inhabited for more than 2,500 years, Sana’a holds the secrets to many of Arabia’s most vibrant and colorful stories and folklore. We hope that peace will be restored for the people of Yemen and so that many more visitors will again be able to enjoy this remarkable city.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

While Saudi Arabia may have the most formidable image out of the Arabian Peninsula countries, the city of Jeddah along the western coast of the country facing Eastern Africa has a completely unique and colorful vibe to the city. Visit Jeddah for its beautiful corniche along the Red Sea, its vibrant old souq, and delicious foods that are the talk of the country.

Manama, Bahrain

Often overlooked because of its small size and even smaller population, the capital of the island of Bahrain is also one of those places that are a must-visit if exploring the Arabian Peninsula. Manama is home to a surprisingly diverse population, an old-town and quiet vibe, and traditional marketplaces and houses that have kept the spirit of old Bahrain alive.

Doha, Qatar

Qatar , recently making headlines for being involved on the receiving end of a political blockade that shocked the world, is home to the capital of Doha that is second only to Dubai for its futuristic skyscrapers and cosmopolitan feel. Don’t be put off by this global vibe from the city however; Doha remains beautifully traditional and Qatari even in the midst of all its commercialism with traditional souqs, colorful cultural events, and a strong attachment to the Arabic language.

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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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The 7 Safest Countries in the Middle East For Americans to Visit

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The Middle East is a region that tends to intrigue adventurous travelers. But it’s often written off as an unsafe destination plagued with turmoil– a misconception largely perpetuated by the corporate news media.

While there are certain areas that are genuinely unadvisable to visit, many Middle Eastern countries are completely safe for travel. These nations welcome tourists warmly, with a genuine respect where it is offered in return.

As long as you do your research and take the same precautions you would when traveling to any foreign destination, the Middle East is a fascinating place to explore. It offers incredible history and endless opportunities for adventure.

To that end, we’ve compiled a list of the 7  safest countries in the Middle East for Americans to visit.

It’s based on a combination of research and personal experience, and includes some of the must-see attractions and entry requirements for each country.

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Bahrain is an archipelago in the Persian Gulf with many incredible spots to explore.

These include the country’s highest point,  Jabal al Dukah (also known as the Mountain of Smoke), and the Dilmun Burial Mounds, which has thousands of tumuli (burial mounds) dating back to 2050 and 1750 BCE.

But perhaps the most intriguing place to visit in Bahrain is the world-renowned Tree of Life, or Sharajat-al-Hayat . This 400-year-old tree is located in the middle of the harsh desert, with no apparent source of water.

Local legend has it the tree is granted water by the ancient God of water, Enki, and marks the original location of the garden of Eden!

What Makes Bahrain Safe

The crime rate in Bahrain is relatively low, with violent crime being extremely rare. However, it is important to not let your guard down completely, as petty crimes like theft and burglary are more common.

Politically motivated demonstrations and protests are known to occur here, but they tend to be localized to specific areas and there is generally a visible security presence. 

Bahrain  Entry Requirements for Americans

To enter the country, you’ll need a valid U.S. passport for at least six months prior to your trip and a Bahrain visa, which you can apply for online or upon arrival.

Visa applications require a recent photo, letter of intent for your visit, trip itinerary, and a financial statement that proves you can financially cover the cost of your trip.

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Egypt is one of Africa’s most popular tourist destinations, and therefore one of the safest Middle Eastern countries to visit.

Pe ople travel from all over the world for a chance to see the Great Pyramid of Giza and explore the Nile Valley, which is home to the Valley of the Kings, the Great Sphinx of Giza, and the incredible temples of Luxor and Karnax.

Along with exploring the historic capital of Cairo, cruises along the Nile are also incredibly popular. These typically sail between Aswan and Luxor, stopping at Esna, Edfu, and Kom Ombo along the way.

What Makes Egypt Safe

While the past decade hasn’t been particularly great for Egypt’s tourism due to the Arab Spring and subsequent political issues, the country remains welcoming and safe for tourists.

As long as you stay away from regions like the Libyan border, Western Desert, and Sinai Peninsula (where there is a slightly higher chance of violence), the worst crime you are likely to face is petty theft.

So just remember to stay aware in more densely populated places, like Cairo, as you would in any large city.

Egypt Entry Requirements for Americans

To enter the country,  you’ll need a passport with at least six months validity as well as a Egypt tourist visa, which you can apply for online.

Single entry visas for a stay of 30 days or less are $25, while multiple entry visas are $60.

You can also get a visa upon arrival at any of the border entry points. Just make sure you have cash, because debit and credit cards are not accepted.

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Along with being known as one of the safest countries in the Middle East, ecotourism in Jordan has increased dramatically in recent years.

This is due to an impressive series of nature reserves, including  Ajloun Forest , Azraq Wetland Reserve, and the Dana Biosphere Reserve , which is renowned for its biodiversity.

Other great places to explore in Jordan include Jerash (one of the best-preserved Roman archaeological sites in the world), the Dead Sea , and Wadi Mujib. And don’t miss  Wadi Rum , which is known as “the Valley of the Moon” and offers some truly magical sunsets!

But a trip to Jordan would not be complete without visiting the ancient city of Petra and climbing the 500-step secret trail to get spectacular views of the famous Treasury ( Al Khazneh ).

What Makes Jordan Safe

Jordanians are extremely generous people and are much more welcoming to Americans than certain stereotypes might suggest.

The Jordanian government also puts a lot of effort and money into making visitors feel safe. You’ll see high-profile security measures and a noticeable police presence in tourist regions, so even petty crime rates here are low.  

Jordan Entry Requirements for Americans

To be allowed entry into Jordan, you’ll need a passport valid for at least six months. You’ll also need a visa, which can be obtained online through Jordan’s Ministry of Interior website .

You can also purchase a single-entry visa upon arrival at the Queen Alia International Airport and at Aqaba Airport for 40 JOD ($56.50).

READ MORE:  The Country of Jordan, The Middle East & Our Culture of Fear

Kuwait is an oil-rich country on the Arabian Peninsula that is known for their dynamic cityscapes. There are incredible skyscrapers and impressive architecture, including the Kuwait Towers and Grand Mosque.

To learn more about the history of the country, there are plenty of awesome museums, such as the Kuwait National Museum and the Tareq Rajab Museum of Islamic Arts.

You can also go on a desert safari, visit the Al Kout Beach, or enjoy some traditional food at the Souk Al-Mubarakiya, a traditional souk market.

What Makes Kuwait Safe

Kuwait is a wealthy country with extremely low levels of crime, and the incidence of violent crimes against travelers is negligible. 

Some embassies warn against traveling to Kuwait due to terrorism, but there has only been one incident here since 2005. Even that took place at a mosque during Ramadan, and was not a direct attack on foreign visitors. 

The biggest threat you’re likely to face in Kuwait is on the roads. There is a general disregard for road signs and signals, so it’s best to just hire an experienced driver instead of driving yourself.

Kuwait Entry Requirements for Americans

Americans are required to have a U.S. passport that has been valid for a minimum of six months, as well as a visa. The  Kuwait online visa is the easiest way to satisfy this requirement.

The travel visa application form requires your personal info (name, address, passport number, etc.) and details of your Kuwait visit.

Once approved, it should be printed out and brought with  you to the Kuwait border control.

READ MORE: Biggest Deserts in the World (For Your World Travel Bucket List)

Oman is the oldest independent state in the Arab world, and the country has kept its traditional feel. 

As far as things to do in Oman, visitors can explore ancient villages like Misfat Al Abriyeen, tour historical sites like the Niza Fort, and visit the nation’s most prominent spiritual site, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.

For those seeking a bit of outdoor adventure, there are the Jabal Akhdar Mountains, Wahiba Sands, and emerald waters of Wadi Shab offering intriguing landscapes to explore.

What Makes Oman Safe

Oman is known for its friendly people, who are incredibly welcoming to tourists.

This combined with the low crime rate makes Oman one of the safest countries to visit in the Middle East. 

In fact, according to the World Economic Forum , Oman is listed as the 4th safest country in the entire world!

Oman Entry Requirements for Americans

Travelers will need a U.S. passport that is valid for at least 6 months and a visa to enter the county.

Visas should be applied for in advance on the Royal Oman Police E-Visa website.

Single entry tourist visas for 10 days cost $53.70, and single entry tourist visas for 30 days cost $101.49.

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While Qatar is developing rapidly, the country also has plenty of historical sites. These include  the Souq Waqif, the oldest soul in Doha, and the restored Al Zubarah Fort.

Qatar is also known for its thriving cultural scene, which can be experienced by visiting the Museum of Islamic Art. There’s also the Katara Cultural Village, which has a variety of traditional cultural festivals , concerts, and international restaurants and cafés. 

And of course visiting the famous sand dunes of Qatar is a must. You can go dune bashing across the desert all the way to the sea, and even spend the night in tents sleeping under the stars.

What Makes Qatar Safe

With low levels of crime and rare instances of violence, Qatar is an exceptionally safe country to travel to.

Considering the fact that even bouncing a check is considered a felony here, any instance of crime is taken extremely seriously.

There have been reports of credit card scams in Qatar, so it is recommended to avoid using ATMs outside. But other than that, even the risk of pick pocketing is low!

Qatar Entry Requirements for Americans

To enter Qatar, you will need a passport that is valid for at least six months and a tourist visa. 

You can obtain a free visa waiver upon arrival at the Doha International Airport that is valid for 30 days.

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7. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The UAE is a federation of 7 emirates, but most travelers flock to the glamorous city of Dubai.  With its elaborate shopping malls and stylish skyscrapers (including the world’s tallest man-made structure, the Burj Khalifa), it’s no wonder why.

It’s surprisingly affordable to hire a luxury car rental , provided you have an international driver’s license. This makes it easier for visitors to explore the city, as long as they follow the extensive rules for driving in the UAE. 

There’s also plenty to do across the other 6 emirates, including visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in capital city of Abu Dhabi, hiking the magnificent Hajar Mountains in Ra’s al-Khaimah, visiting the Al Zorah Nature Reserve in Ajman, and exploring Sharjah (which is considered the “Cultural Capital of the Arab World”).

What Makes UAE Safe

The United Arab Emirates is one of the most wealthy Middle Eastern countries, as well as being one of the safest for travelers.

In reality, the majority of people you come in contact with here will be foreigners.

And more populated places like Dubai are heavily monitored by police, so crime is very rare and the overall risk of danger is low.

UAE Entry Requirements for Americans

For entry into the UAE, you need a passport valid for at least six months before the date of entry.

No visa arrangements are required to be made in advance, as U.S. citizens can obtain a free visitor visa upon arrival that allows a stay of up to 30 days.   -by  Christina Maggitas,  featured image via Canva

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About the Author

Growing up in rural south Georgia, Christina Maggitas developed a love for nature at a young age and spent the majority of her formative years outdoors. Since first visiting the Great Smoky Mountains with her family as a child, she has always admired the beauty of the Blue Ridge region and spends as much time as she can hiking north Georgia. She has a passion for writing and storytelling with the hopes of inspiring others to enjoy the great outdoors. Christina is a recent graduate at Kennesaw State University, where she is studying Journalism and Emerging Media.

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• Arab Countries

• An Arab country is a country in which most of the population is of Arab origin and/or speaks the Arabic language.
• There are 19 Arab countries spread throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa (excluding Western Sahara).
• Egypt is the most populous Arab country, while Bahrain is the least populous.
• Most of the people in the Arab countries practice Islam as their religion.
• Some ethnic and religious minority populations can be found throughout the Arab world.

The Arab countries are 19 countries located in the Middle East and Northern Africa , in which the vast majority of the population is of ethnic Arab origin and/or speaks the Arabic language (this excludes Western Sahara, which is not internationally recognized as an independent country).  Originally confined to the Arabian Peninsula , the Arabs migrated into the Fertile Crescent and Northern Africa, following the Muslim conquests of those areas. For centuries, what now constitutes the Arab countries of the world were controlled by foreign rulers. By the mid-20 th century, however, most of the Arab world consisted of independent states. Today, more than 450 million people live in the world’s Arab countries.

The 19 Arab Countries are:

• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates

Origins of the Arab Countries

Until the 7 th century CE, the vast majority of Arabs lived only in the area of the Arabian Peninsula for which they are named. After the Islam ic religion was founded, however, the Arabs began migrating out of their native Arabia. They followed the Muslim conquests that were made following the death of the Prophet Mohammed. Within a few years after Mohammed’s death, the Arabs had conquered the entire Fertile Crescent region. The city of Jerusalem, for example, was captured by the Arabs in 638 CE. The Arab conquest of Northern Africa began two years later. By the end of the 7 th century, most of what is now Northern Africa was in Arab hands.

For the next three hundred years, the Arab lands of Northern Africa and the Middle East were governed by a succession of caliphates and other dynasties. In the 11 th century, Turkic peoples from Central Asia began migrating into the Middle East. From that point onward, several Turkic dynasties, including the Seljuks, Mamluks, and finally the Ottomans, governed parts of the Arab world. By the late 16 th century, the Turkish Ottoman Empire controlled most of the Arab world, and would continue to rule it for the next two centuries.

By the early 19 th century, however, Ottoman rule in the Arab lands began to decline. Taking advantage of this decline were Europe an colonial powers. France began seizing control of what became the country of Algeria in the early 19 th century. The British wrested Egypt from the Ottomans in the late 19 th century. On the eve of the First World War, France was in control of modern-day Morocco , Algeria, and Tunisia , while Italy controlled the territory of what would become Libya .

World War I was the dawn of the Arab independence movement. Indeed, the Arabs of the Arabian Peninsula were a vital ally of the West against the Ottoman Turks during the war. In exchange for the promise of independence, Arab forces in the Arabian Peninsula helped the French and British conquer the Fertile Crescent. After WWI, however, the British and French reneged on their promise to give the Arabs of the Middle East independence, and instead, divided the region between themselves. What would become Syria and Lebanon fell under French rule, while Jordan , Iraq , and Kuwait were placed under British control. The region of the Holy Land, dubbed Palestine , was also made a British mandate, with the intent to establish a Jewish national home therein. The British plan for Palestine enraged the Arabs, and the clash between Jewish and Arab national aspirations would affect the future of the Middle East for a long time to come.

Most of the Arab world would not see independence until after World War II, though Egypt became independent in 1922, followed by Iraq in 1932. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , which came to rule much of the Arabian Peninsula, was also formed in 1932. The Fertile Crescent countries of Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon gained independence in the latter half of the 1940s. By the 1960s, the Arab states of North Africa were all free from European rule. The British left Yemen and Kuwait in the 1960s, then bestowed independence on the rest of the countries of the Persian Gulf in 1971.

Demographics of the Arab Countries

Much of the territory of the Arab states consists of inhospitable desert terrain. Thus, most of the people in Arab countries tend to live close to rivers and other water sources, or on the coasts of some countries. Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world, with a population in excess of 104 million. The next most populous Arab countries are Algeria and Sudan , which both have populations of approximately 44 million. Bahrain is the least populous Arab country, with a population of 1.7 million. Cairo, the capital of Egypt , is the Arab world’s biggest city, and has an estimated population of 10.9 million.

While the Arabs are obviously the most prominent ethnic group in the Arab countries, they are by no means the only one. Several ethnic minorities exist in the Arab countries. There are large populations of Kurds , for example, in both Iraq and Syria. In Northern Africa, the Berbers , who were in the region prior to the arrival of the Arabs, are the most prevalent ethnic minority. In fact, many of the inhabitants of Northern Africa are of mixed Berber and Arab descent. There are also many people of Persia n descent in some of the Persian Gulf countries. Several Arab countries, including Morocco, Algeria, Iraq, and Yemen once had large Jewish communities, but most of the Jews living in Arab countries fled or were expelled from those countries following the creation of Israel in 1948.

In terms of religion, the people of the Arab countries are overwhelmingly Muslim. Most adhere to Sunni Islam, though the majority of the people of Iraq are Shiites . Large Shiite populations also exist in Lebanon, Syria, and the Persian Gulf countries. The number of Christians in Arab countries has dropped dramatically since the end of the European colonial era. Many Christians have left the Arab world due to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and religious persecution. There are still, however, large Christian communities in Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt.

Politics of the Arab Countries

There are various types of political regimes in the Arab countries. Some Arab states, particularly those in the Persian Gulf, are governed by some form of monarchy. In the countries of Kuwait , Qatar , and the United Arab Emirates , the heads of these monarchies are called emirs. Some countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, and Morocco have kings as their rulers. Some of the monarchies in the Arab world do have some provisions for democratic governance. Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, for example, all have elected legislatures, though the authority of the monarchs in these countries always supersedes that of any elected body. Saudi Arabia functions as an absolute monarchy. The other countries of the Arab world are republics. Historically, most have been governed as military dictatorships or one-party states. Tunisia, however, became a democracy following the Arab Spring of 2011, though this democracy is still fragile.

The Arab countries have some associations dedicated to cooperation amongst them. One such organization is the League of Arab States or Arab League , which was formed in 1945 to promote the independence of the Arab countries that were still mostly under colonial rule at the time. Today, the Arab League acts as a forum for discussing the main issues affecting Arab countries at any given time. The organization has 22 members, though three of these members, Comoros , Somalia , and Djibouti , are countries that do not have ethnic Arab or Arabic-speaking majorities, and are therefore, technically not Arab countries.

Another important international Arab organization is the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) . Set up in 1981, the GCC consists of Arab countries that border the Persian Gulf. Its members are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman , Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The GCC works to promote the collective security of the Arab Persian Gulf countries. It also works to promote common political and economic interests.

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Arab tourism countries

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The state of Tunisia

State morocco.

Tourism is defined as an activity undertaken by the individual to deviate from the routine of his life, and tourism aims to revive the soul of the individual and know him to new places, and its importance is to provide job opportunities, and to familiarize with the eras and historical stages of the past, exchange of cultures, income for many countries, and interest in the historical and cultural heritage, and from Types of tourism: religious, recreational, historical, curative, religious, and business tourism.

Tourist Arab countries

Geographically located in the Arab Gulf region located in the Arab Mashreq in the continent of Asia, and its capital is the city of Doha, and its land area is 11,521 km², and its population is 2.404.776 million people, according to the statistics of 2015, and its official currency is the Qatari riyal, symbolized by the QR, and its economy depends The agricultural sector and livestock raising, the animal products sector, the natural gas and oil extraction sector, the tourism sector, the industrial sector, and the fishing sector of marine creatures, are among the tourist, archeological and historical places in them: the Museum of Modern Art, the Zubarah area, the Celine region, the Khor Al Adeed area, and In Qatar, the National Waqif Al-Shaabi Market and the Museum of Islamic Art.

Officially known as the Tunisian Republic, it is located geographically in the continent of Africa in the northern side of it, and its capital is the city of Tunis, and its land area is 163,610 km2, and its population is 10,982.754 million people, according to the statistics of 2014, and its official currency is the Tunisian Dinar and symbolized by TND, Among its most important states are the state of Tataouine, the state of Ariana, and the state of Sidi Bouzid, and its tourist, historical and archeological monuments: the accuracy of the archaeological site, the Bardo Museum, the historic door to the sea, the Sadiki School, the municipal theater, the Zaytuna Mosque, the Cathedral of St. Vincent de Pau, the statue of Ibn Khaldun, and the river Abstract, the island of Djerba, and I Juraid, the island of Kerkennah, the Atlas Mountains, and recreational ports: Monastir Marina Port, and the port of Sidi Bou Said, and the port of Sousse Kantaoui.

Geographically located in the far north-west side of the continent of Africa, and is officially known as the Kingdom of Morocco, and its capital is the city of Rabat, and its land area is 710,830 km2, and its population is 33,848,242 million people, according to the statistics of 2014, and its official currency is the Moroccan dirham, symbolized by MAD Its economy depends on the industrial sector, the agricultural sector, mineral resources especially phosphates, and the tourism sector, and among the tourist, historical and archaeological places in them: the historical city of Meknes, the ancient city of Essaouira, the city of Tantan, the archaeological site of Lexus, the cultural space of the Jemaa El Fna square, and the Ait B palace N Haddou, the site of Louleli, the ancient city of Tetouan, the archaeological site of Zilis, Mazagan, the ancient Medina of Fez, the archaeological site of Forged, and the ancient city of Marrakech.

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73+ Essential Arabic Travel Phrases for Tourists in Arab Countries & Free PDF

Disclosure: This essential Arabic travel phrases for tourists article may contain affiliate links. If you click it and buy something you like, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you! Read more in  Disclaimer .

Want to know what essential Arabic travel phrases for tourists are? Planning a journey to Dubai, UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Oman or other places in the Middle East and North Africa? You are at the right place! If you are traveling to Egypt to see the Great Pyramids, or venturing to the UNESCO World Heritage site Petra in Jordan, knowing some basic Arabic words and phrases will be key to successful communication. Just like easy Arabic phrases “Marhaba” (Hello) and “Shukran” (Thank you). Learning common phrases in Arabic will come in handy when bargaining at local markets in Morocco or exploring the vibrant streets of Dubai. Want to know, what are those useful Arabic words for travel ?

🗩 If you have been wondering “What is Anja’s favorite Arabic word?”, you will find the answer hidden in the blog.

Middle East and Northern Africa , home of the Arabic language, desert landscapes and vibrant souks and bazaars. From modern marvels like Burj Khalifa to ancient historic sites like Nabaatean’s Petra, or Egyptians Great Pyramids of Giza. Knowing basic Arabic phrases for tourists will be helpful in any Arabic-speaking country.  In this language guide on the best Arabic phrases to know, you’ll find a curated selection of essential Arabic words, greeting Arabic phrases and Arabic for tourists . Inside there is also FREE Arabic phrases pdf , that will serve as a handy resource for your Arabic adventure.   Let’s dive into your Arabic adventure, one essential Arabic for travelers phrase at a time!

for ESSENTIAL TRAVEL PHRASES: • 73+ Essential ENGLISH Travel Phrases and Words You Should Know • 73+ Essential ARABIC Travel Phrases for Tourists in Arab Countries & Free PDF • 73+ Essential GREEK Travel Phrases for Tourists on a Greek Holiday & Download • 73+ Essential JAPANESE Travel Phrases for Tourists Visiting Japan & Free cheat sheet • 73+ Essential SLOVENIAN Travel Phrases for your trip to Slovenia & Free Download • 73+ Essential SWAHILI Travel Phrases for Travelers to East Africa + Free Download for WORDS & PHRASES in 101 different languages: • How to say You have beautiful eyes in 101 different languages • How to say What is the WiFi password in 101 different languages • How to say Hello in 101 different languages spoken around the World • How to say Love in 101 different languages spoken around the World • How to say I love you in 101 different languages spoken around the World • How to say Thank you in 101 different languages spoken around the World • How to say Happy Birthday in 101 different languages spoken In the World • How to say Happy New Year in 101 different languages spoken around the World • How to say Friend in 101 different languages spoken around the World with Pronunciation

for ITINERARY idea: • HOW TO SPEND FIVE DAYS IN DUBAI: RELAXED TRAVEL ITINERARY for Dubai TRAVEL TIPS: • 31 BURJ KHALIFA FACTS: SURPRISING, INTERESTING, AND STUNNING • HOW TO BARGAIN ON YOUR TRAVELS: 17 ESSENTIAL BARGAINING TIPS for ACCOMMODATION suggestions: • REASONS TO STAY AT ROVE DOWNTOWN HOTEL IN DUBAI • 17 BEST HOTELS IN DUBAI WITH BURJ KHALIFA VIEW • AMAZING SUSTAINABLE AND ECO-FRIENDLY HOTELS IN DUBAI • LUXURY POOL AND BEACH DAY | DAYCATION AT ONE&ONLY ROYAL MIRAGE for CAPTION IDEAS: • 187 BEST DESERT CAPTIONS FOR INSTAGRAM – PUNS, JOKES, RIDDLES & QUOTES • 107 FANTASTIC PALM TREE CAPTIONS FOR INSTAGRAM – LAVISH AND STRONG • 77 EPIC COCONUT CAPTIONS AND COCONUT PUNS – TROPICAL COCONUT BONANZA • 77 BEAUTIFUL PINEAPPLE CAPTIONS FOR INSTAGRAM – SWEET AND JUICY

for Jordan TRAVEL TIPS: • How to bargain on your travels: 17 essential bargaining tips • Is Jordan Pass Worth It? Guide to Everything You Need to Know • Best One Day in Amman Itinerary: How To Spend 24h in Amman • 73+ Essential Arabic Travel Phrases for Tourists in Arab Countries & Free PDF for CAPTION IDEAS: • 111 Best JORDAN Captions for Instagram and PETRA Captions • 187 Best DESERT captions for Instagram

Table of Contents

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1. Where is ARABIC spoken?

Did you know that more than 400 million people speak Arabic as their first or second language? That is a lot of “shukrans” and “habibis”.  Arabic is spoken in several countries primarily in the Middle East and North Africa , as well as in some other regions. It is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and below you can find Arab countries list.

Arabic is the official language in the following countries:

• Middle East countries list: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen.
• List of Arab countries in North Africa: Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Mauritania.
• Other regions: Palestinian territories, Israel (Arabic is one of the official languages, along with Hebrew), and parts of Western Sahara.

In addition to being the official language in these countries, Arabic holds cultural and religious significance as the language of the Quran, the holy book of Islam. It is widely used in Islamic religious ceremonies and prayers by Muslims around the world, regardless of their native language. Arabic also serves as a lingua franca for communication between speakers of different Arabic dialects and is used as a second language in many countries with significant Arab diaspora communities. The best way to learn Arabic phrases for travel is by using apps like Duolingo or Memrise. But since Arabic is hard language to learn, you will most probably learn most of your phrases when traveling. It will be beneficial to download Arabic for travelers pdf and bring it with you.

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2. Arabic language basics

Before you start to learn everyday Arabic phrases , you should know that the Arabic language is one of the hardest languages to learn for English speakers. Not only because of their unique and beautiful alphabet but also because of their grammar and writing system. Words in Arabic and standard Arabic phrases are written and read from RIGHT to LEFT . This is also the case in Arabic travel phrases you will find below. Phrases in Arabic are written from right to left and Arabic translation phrases are written from left to right.

Letters in Arabic words and phrases change shape based on their position in the word . Some of the wolves also don’t get written, and Arabic speakers should ‘just know’ how to pronounce the word. Not unlike in Japanese or Swahili language , where once you know the sound of the letter, you can read everything. Arabic language also uses different grammar and has sounds that are foreign to the English language. Plus there are many dialects distinctive for Arabic-speaking countries. A collection of Arabic phrases for travel you will find below is using Modern Standard Arabic. This is like a common Arabic, that everywhere in the Arabic-speaking world should understand. All essential Arabic travel phrases also have a phonetic translation under their Arabic writing.

3. Essential Arabic travel phrases

3.1. basic arabic phrases for travel.

Basic Arabic phrases for conversation that showcase politeness and cultural respect, encouraging positive interactions with locals and are a base for every communication. Don’t forget that the Arabic words are read from RIGHT to LEFT.

ALSO READ: • How to spend 5 days in Dubai: Relaxed travel itinerary

3.2. Essential Arabic phrases for greetings and introductions

Basic Arabic greetings phrases will lay the foundation for any interaction, allowing you to initiate conversations and make a positive first impression. They are Easy arabic words you already know and Arabic basic words, to know when visiting Dubai. Don’t forget that the Arabic words are read from RIGHT to LEFT.

ALSO READ: • Best hotels with Burj Khalifa view

3.3. Essential Arabic travel phrases for directions and getting around

Arabic phrases to know when asking for directions will enable you to navigate unfamiliar streets and find your way around. Don’t forget that the Arabic words are read from RIGHT to LEFT.

ALSO READ: • Is Jordan Pass Worth It? Guide to Everything You Need to Know

3.4. Useful Arabic phrases for tourists when ordering food and drinks

Useful Arabic words and phrases for ordering meals, asking for recommendations, and specifying dietary preferences ensure enjoyable dining experiences and help you explore local cuisines. Don’t forget that the Arabic words are read from RIGHT to LEFT.

3.5. Basic Arabic words for travel and shopping

Arabic language words for inquiring about prices, negotiating, and asking for sizes or colors are handy when exploring markets and boutiques. Don’t forget that the Arabic words are read from RIGHT to LEFT.

ALSO READ: • Jordan captions and Petra captions for Instagram

🗩 “What is Anja’s favorite Arabic word?” It is Habibi. It can be translated as “my love”, “my dear”, “my darling”.

3.6. Basic Arabic hotel phrases

Arabic hotel phrases you will need when checking in a hotel, asking for towels, fixing air conditioning, enquiring what time is breakfast, and what is included in your room rate. Don’t forget that the Arabic words are read from RIGHT to LEFT.

ALSO READ: • Best One Day in Amman Itinerary: How To Spend 24h in Amman

3.7. Standard Arabic phrases and best Arabic phrases in case of emergencies

Here you will find simple Arabic words in case of emergencies, natural disasters, or if you will be needing assistance in difficult or dangerous situations. Don’t forget that the Arabic words are read from RIGHT to LEFT and that those can be useful phrases in Dubai.

ALSO READ: • Best Dubai captions for Instagram

3.8. Beyond essential Arabic travel phrases

If you’re like me and really love learning a few phrases in new languages, expand your study beyond the must know travel phrases and basic phrases in Arabic. I always learn how to say please and thank you, never visit a country without knowing the local word for “coffee” and never leave without knowing how to say;

4. Best language App for traveling abroad

Learning a language is a long process. If you think you won’t have time to learn basic Arabic greetings and responses , or if the situations come your way when above mentioned Arabic phrases for travel won’t be enough, use Google Translate. This is my favorite language app, that I use on (almost) every trip.

4.1. Google Translate

Google Translate is the most popular language travel app that can be used everywhere. I personally use it on all my travels, when going to Tanzania to learn what some Swahili words mean, when in Mexico to help with my not-the-best Spanish, when in Italy, in Japan and other places. I’m sure you are familiar with the language app already. The most obvious feature is it will help you translate the destination language into your own one. But the absolute best feature is that it can translate the text using ‘ camera translation ’. All you have to do is open the app, point your camera toward the text in a foreign language and Google Translate will do the rest. Perfect for menus! It also translates text from the photos on your camera roll. And it also works offline, when you download the language pair on your phone. Language: 133 languages Download: iOS | Android | Website Price: Free

ALSO READ: • How to Bargain on your travels: Travel bargaining guide

5. Final Thoughts on Essential Arabic Travel Phrases for Tourists

Whether it’s a warm greeting, ordering a meal, or expressing gratitude, useful Arabic words and phrases not only open doors to easier communication but also show respect. Learning common phrases in Arabic for tourists will help you in souks and bazaars and when ordering food. Before traveling to Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, or any other country in the Middle East or Northern Africa, learn Arabic for travel basics that will help you to navigate through this unique, and culturally filled world. How to say Hello in Arabic and how to say thank you in Arabic language. A collection of useful Arabic phrases for travelers, like what is the Wifi password , Arabic tourist phrases for directions, and checking in a hotel. Which of these common Arabic phrases have you managed to memorize so far? Safe travels = طَريق السَلامةِ! [ataryq alsalamti!], Anja

➤ What you should read next …

• 17 Best Hotels in Dubai with Burj Khalifa view • How to spend 5 day in Dubai: relaxed travel itinerary • Is Jordan Pass Worth It? Guide to Everything You Need to Know • Best One Day in Amman Itinerary: How To Spend 24h in Amman • How to say Friend in 101 different languages

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✈ Travel like a PRO

Are you ready to travel like a PRO? Save time and money with these travel tips and resources . I personally use these companies to save time and money. They do the work by providing a list of options, prices, and reviews from actual guests, for anywhere I am traveling worldwide. ✈️ FLIGHTS: I use Skyscanner in combination with Google Flights to find amazing flight fares (try the Explore feature). I book directly with an airline or pair it with Iwantthatflight for the best deals. 🏨 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com is my favorite site for finding great hotel deals. They return the best rates and reviews are from actual guests! 🚘 RENTAL CARS: Discover Cars are my go-to, when planning an epic road trip. 🗽 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: I like to wander around on my own, but when I want to explore with a group, skip the line with an entrance ticket, I book it with GetYourGuide or Viator . ❤️‍🩹 TRAVEL INSURANCE: I never, under any circumstances travel without insurance. In most cases, I use yearly global travel medical insurance. But, if you don’t have that and some impromptu travel plans occur, use SafetyWing . With them, you can buy travel insurance even when you are already abroad. Better be safe, than sorry! 📲 ONLINE SAFETY: NordVPN keeps your devices’ browsing safe and malware-free. Stream shows from around the world, access social media in countries where they are blocked and buy cheap flights by changing your virtual location. 🛜 STAY CONNECTED WITH eSIM: Ditch the plastic SIM cards and waiting in lines at the airport! Airalo eSIMs allow you to connect as soon as you land at your destination. They have eSIMs for over 190+ countries worldwide.

Where is Arabic spoken?

Arabic is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. It is a native language in numerous countries across the Middle East and North Africa. Arabic is an official language in 22 countries. Some of them are, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and others. It is widely used for religious purposes among Muslims worldwide.

How to say hello in Arabic word?

Hello in Arabic language is مرحبًا pronounced as “marhaba” This is also the answer to how to say hello in Dubai or how do you say hello in Jordan. Learn more useful common Arabic greetings and basic Arabic for travel words and phrases on Anja On Adventure blog. There you can also find a FREE Arabic phrases pdf cheat sheet, and coloring pages with Arabic words and phrases.

How to say Thank you in Arabic?

Thank you in Arabic is شكرًا لك , which is pronounced as “ shukran lak”. This is also the answer to how to say thank you in Dubai and how to say thank you in Jordan. Learn more Dubai language words and Moroccan phrases for tourists on Anja On Adventure blog. There you can also find a FREE Arabic words list pdf cheat sheet, and coloring pages with Arabic words and phrases.

How to say How are you in Arabic?

كيف حالك؟ pronounced as “Kayf halika?” Learn more useful Arabic words and phrases and popular Arabic phrases for travel on Anja On Adventure blog. There you can also find a FREE Arabic phrases pdf cheat sheet, and coloring pages with Arabic words and phrases.

How to say Nice to meet you in Arabic?

سعيد بلقائك , pronounced as “ saeid biliqayik …”. Learn more useful Arabic words and phrases and popular Arabic phrases for travel on Anja On Adventure blog. There you can also find a FREE basic Arabic sentences for beginners pdf cheat sheet, and coloring pages with Arabic words and phrases.

How to say Love in Arabic?

حب , pronounced as “ habun” Learn more basic words in Arabic, find out what are some basic arabic words and a list of simple Arabic phrases on Anja On Adventure blog. There you can also find a FREE basic Arabic words for beginners pdf, with Arabic words list with meaning, and coloring pages with Arabic words and phrases.

How to say safe travels in Arabic?

طَريق السَلامةِ! , pronounced as “ataryq alsalamti!”. Learn more than 100 Arabic phrases, Arabic common phrases and other Arabic words to know when traveling on Anja On Adventure blog. There you can also find a basic Arabic for tourists and common Arabic terms.

❥ About Anja On Adventure

Anja On Adventure is a travel blog, a collection of insider tips and information on destinations, that I visited as a solo female traveler, tour guide, teacher, yacht stewardess, and Survivor challenge tester. Anja, is a thirty-something adventure-seeking, sun chasing, beach hopping, gin-loving, tropics enthusiast with a creative mind and sarcastic spirit, who loves coconut and mango but doesn’t like chocolate and sweets. I am passionate about all things travel, maps, and puzzles. Click here to learn more About me .

About the author: Anja

International tourism, number of arrivals - Arab World

Selected Countries and Economies

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Tourism in the Arab World

An industry perspective.

• Edited by: Hamed Almuhrzi , Hafidh Alriyami and Noel Scott
• X / Twitter

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Channel View Publications
• Copyright year: 2017
• Audience: College/higher education;
• Main content: 304
• Keywords: Arab ; Middle East ; business ; tourism ; Arab world ; tourism industry ; tourism management
• Published: June 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781845416157

Tourism in the Arab World can mean more than Sun, Sand and Beaches

Tourism is potentially a ‘win-win’ sector to promote recovery and employment in the Middle East & North Africa.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Tourism is a key source of economic growth in the Arab world.
• The tourism industry has not yet reached its potential for job creation, especially among youth, women and in local communities.

This page is about outcomes of the MENA Tourism Workshop help in Tunis and DC.

With its world-class combination of cultural and natural attractions, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has long held a powerful allure for tourists. It has made tourism an important source of revenue and growth. In 2011, the industry contributed an estimated US$107.3 billion, representing 4.5 percent of the region’s Gross Domestic Product, and accounted for 4.5 million jobs, almost seven percent of total employment.

Even with this prominent position in the region’s economy, tourism could be doing much more. It could provide more employment, especially for excluded segments of society such as women and young people. Tourism could also be a greater source of revenue for local communities.

Like many other sectors, tourism has also suffered as a result of the recent political turmoil in the region, and the ongoing economic instability in Europe. Tourist arrivals declined by 9% to 72 million in 2011, a decrease of 6.6 million.

These two factors pose significant questions for the role of tourism, as the region attempts to recover while responding to the demands of the ‘Arab Spring’ for more economic opportunities and social inclusion.

How can MENA leverage its unique historical, geographic, and cultural assets to promote growth through tourism? How can tourism strategies in the region promote public-private partnerships, creating jobs and economic linkages, particularly for the large numbers of unemployed youth in the region?

These questions were explored at a workshop held in Tunis, Tunisia on December 3rd and 4th, organized by the World Bank MENA Financial and Private Sector Development Unit of the World Bank jointly with Environment and Urban Departments, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Investment Climate Department, the Investment Climate for Industry and Competitive Industries practices, and the Government of Tunisia. Key government counterparts from across the region were in attendance, as were academics and colleagues from partner international organizations, such as the African Development Bank). Sessions throughout the workshop presented tools and approaches needed to develop MENA’s tourism sector at both the strategic (policy-planning) and operational level.

Tourism Strategies to maximize direct and indirect benefits of the sector to the country

Participants agreed on the need to develop tourism strategies that invest in the full spectrum of ecological, historical, and religious assets the region has to offer. This implies moving away from the “sun, sand, and sea” approach many countries in the region have adopted towards offering experiences that weave beaches with historical sites, culinary and artistic offerings, and natural wonders. Interestingly, a few attendees highlighted the need for MENA to move from “externally driven” to “internally driven” cultural tourism that focuses on strengthening local standards and image building in skills development. Providing value-added services that accurately meet demand will help attract higher value tourists and foster repeat visitors. These offerings must be backed by strategic investments in infrastructure (roads, facilities, and accommodation), and a regulatory environment that promotes innovation and helps ensure revenues generated go to benefit local communities.

Tools to Promote Informed Decision Making in the MENA Countries

Throughout the workshop a variety of tools were presented to help regional policymakers move from strategy to program development. Khadija Bchi from the Ministry of Tourism in Morocco presented a national compatibility model that uses empirical data on labor, tourist volumes, and macro-level growth to simulate impacts of tourism policy changes on the economy. The model, developed over a two-year time period with assistance from the World Bank, is a good example of how econometric analysis can be used to assess policy implications in the sector.

World Bank and IFC colleagues discussed working with client countries on scoping and feasibility analyses, tourism investment preparation, and regulatory reform and licensing. These tools have been put into practice in a project to restore the Medina (old quarter) in Fez, Morocco . The project combined investments in tourist infrastructure (restoration of historic buildings, traffic management) with enhancing access to sanitation and emergency public services. It has significantly increased tourist traffic to the area- the Medina is now the 2nd most visited sight in Morocco. Residents of the Medina report significant increases to basic urban services and tourism-related employment opportunities.

Tourism Skills and Capacity Building to Increase Participation of Youth and Women

Promoting employment of youth and women in MENA’s tourism sector remains an important policy goal. Given the variety of jobs tourism creates across skills levels - from facilities maintenance to curators, architects, and city managers - and the sector’s ability to promote economic development in rural communities at the local level, the sector is well placed to employ youth and women in the MENA region. However, there remain challenges as in much of the region there is a preference for women to stay at home, and in some communities a culture of wariness around working in tourism. Governments will need to implement policies that provide women and youth the skills and training required to take advantage of employment opportunities in the sector, particularly in rural areas, where literacy and formal education may be low. Investments in tourism school and foreign language programs for women and youth are two priorities moving ahead. The World Bank Education for Employment (E4E) Initiative for Arab Youth aims to do just that, providing youth with skills that are relevant to the marketplace. E4E has identified tourism as a priority sector in the MENA region.

Development of tourism segments and public-private linkages to integrate tourism into local, national and regional economy

In many countries in the region the public sector dominates tourism strategy and operations. Panelists discussed the need for governments to liberalize the sector, allowing smaller entrants to come into the market and offer products to a broader and more diverse set of clients. For example, working with smaller entities to ensure accommodation options extended beyond that of large hotels in central areas. A unique model in Jordan was highlighted whereby the government has accredited the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature – a non-profit organization – to manage the country’s ecological sights to much success and strong linkages to local communities.

Conclusion – Unique Opportunities

While challenges facing the tourism sector are many, reform offers a unique set of winning propositions, including job creation, community empowerment, and stability and regional integration during challenging economic and political times.

Overall, the event allowed a comprehensive outlining of critical competitiveness and strategic issues facing the tourism sector in MENA. Leaders affirmed a fresh commitment to assist MENA countries reap the full economic and cultural benefits of enhancing sustainable tourism. Participants committed to forming a regional working group that will share best practices and further align strategies and tools to enhance the sector.

• Tourism: a ‘win-win’ sector to promote recovery & employment
• Tourism: a strategy to promote recovery, economic diversification and job creation
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• Arab World | Arab Countries

Arab countries are a group of countries that share common interests, goals, and cultures. There are 22 Arab countries extending from the Arabian Gulf in the east to the Atlantic Ocean in the west.

Following is the list of Arab countries with an extensive set of articles about the language of Arab people, facts about Arabs, the Arab world map, flags of Arab countries , and Arab people. In addition, a list of posts about travel for Arab countries and tourism .

• Fujairah UAE | History, Economy, Things to do, Hotels
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• Pharaohs of Egypt | Info and Timeline
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• UAE History | From Ancient Civilizations, Islamic Period, until Formation of the UAE
• Saudi Arabia Rulers and Ruling System in KSA
• Cities of UAE and the 7 states in UAE
• Suez Canal | Map, Ownership, History, Opens, and Crisis

Saudia Arabia

T he Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a desert country and an Arab Muslim State in Southwest Asia…

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

United Arab Emirates (UAE) is situated in the Southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Oman and Saudi Arabia…

The country is situated on a peninsula that extends from the Arabian Peninsula approximately 160 km (99 mi) north into the Persian (Arab) Gulf

Bahrain is a small Arab state situated in a bay on the southwestern coast of the Persian Gulf. It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and some 30 smaller islands …

Kuwait is a small emirate located between Iraq and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and it is located in some of the driest deserts on earth…

Oman is located in the southeastern quarter of the Arabian Peninsula and covers a total land area of 309,500 km2 (119,500 sq mi)…

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Map Options

Most Visited Countries 2024

European countries, often rich in history, culture, beautiful beaches, and ocean views, attract the highest number of tourists.

France, leading in tourism for over 30 years, offers attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris, drawing 38 million tourists to Paris alone in 2019.

Global travel and tourism, an $8.9 trillion industry in 2019, suffered a loss of $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Global travel and tourism was an $8.9 trillion (US$) business in 2019 . Moreover, though the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced that number to roughly a quarter of its previous value, all signs point to tourism continuing to grow, expand, and evolve. Every country on Earth has something to offer international visitors, from the pyramids in Egypt to the rainforests of Brazil or the sidewalk cafes of Paris —but which countries attract the most visitors of all? Most of the countries with the highest tourism rates are located in Europe , whose rich history, architecture, and cultural influence make it an appealing destination for many travelers. Countries positioned on or near a body of water are also very popular, particularly those that offer a relaxed, low-key atmosphere mixed with beautiful beaches and ocean views.

Top 10 Countries Most Popular with Tourists (by number of 2019 visitor arrivals)

The most popular tourist destination in the world for more than 30 years, France offers a myriad of attractions: the Eiffel tower, countless world-class restaurants, the Musée du Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, the Notre-Dame cathedral, the beaches of the Côte d'Azur, and of course, Disneyland Paris. Moreover, the lushly beautiful countryside is full of storybook villages, mountains, vineyards, and the occasional castle. One can even view prehistoric cave paintings in Lascaux. Paris, France's capital, is the most visited city in Europe, receiving 38 million tourists in 2019.

Spain is another tourist destination overflowing with interesting attractions. Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia cathedral and other works in Barcelona , the Guggenheim museum, the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, Europe's largest aquarium (the lily-shaped L'Oceanogràfic), the beaches of Gran Canaria, and La Rambla in Barcelona. Spain is also home to El Teide, an ancient—but not entirely dormant—volcano, which visitors can hike around at the Parque Nacional del Teide on the Spanish island Tenerife.

England's capital city, London , attracts visitors with a wide range of sights including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and the British Museum, which includes the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts outside of Cairo . Beyond London, England offers the mysterious Stonehenge, the Beatles' birthplace in Liverpool , the quaint beauty of the Cotswolds, the sci-fi botanical gardens of the Eden Project, and more. Speaking of more, the UK also includes three additional subdivisions. First is Scotland, with the charming city of Edinburgh , moody Loch Ness and Inverness , the scenic highlands, and the historic St. Andrews golf course. Next comes charming Wales and its castles, scenery, and capital city of Cardiff . Finally, Northern Ireland boasts attractions including Belfast 's bubbling nightlife, the glens and coastline of Antrim, and one of Europe's most compelling natural wonders: the Giant's Causeway.

The Mediterranean nation Turkey balances captivating man-made attractions such as Hagia Sophia mosque and Topkapı Palace with archaeological wonders such as the Biblical city of Ephesus, the fairy city of Cappadocia, and the desolate fallen splendor of Mount Nemrut. It also has more than its share of natural wonders, including the famous beaches at Ölüdeniz and Patara, the mineral pools at Pamukkale, and the Mediterranean coastline itself.

The South Asian country of Thailand is also known as the "Land of Smiles", and offers both modern comforts and wild adventure. Thailand's capital, Bangkok , receives over 20 million visitors every year. Popular attractions include the Grand Palace in Bangkok; beaches including Railay, Long, and Monkey beach; the ancient city Ayutthaya and ornate Buddhist wat Coi Suthep, and national parks including Khao Yai (where wild elephants roam) and the otherworldly Khao Sok.

The impact of COVID-19 on travel and tourism

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-21 had a devastating effect on the travel and tourism industry. According to a report released by the World Travel & Tourism Council , the pandemic cost the industry an estimated US$ 4.5 trillion in 2020, which resulted in the loss of 62 million tourism-dependent jobs. Data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization backs this up. Consider the following table:

International tourist arrivals (in thousands of visitors):

Compared to 2019, tourism dropped by approximately 74% in 2020, with a total of a billion fewer travelers over the course of the year--making 2020 the worst year on record for tourism. The UNTWO's own estimates registered a loss of US$ 1.3 trillion in lost revenues and 100-120 million jobs either lost or at risk.

The impact has been particularly damaging in countries that rely heavily upon tourism as part of their GDP. Lost tourism in Macau , one of China 's special administrative regions, led to a 79.3% drop in year-on-year gambling revenues , which caused overall GDP for 2020 to fall 43.1% compared to the previous year.

While tourism has picked up slightly in 2021, they still fall far short of the pre-pandemic numbers. Late 2020 projections were hopeful that the industry would be back on track by late 2021, but the ongoing nature of the pandemic has thwarted that optimism. As of late 2021, most estimates do not expect the industry to rebound to 2019 (pre-COVID) levels until sometime in 2023 at the earliest.

• Visitor totals are displayed in 1000s. For example, South Africa 's displayed total of 3886.6 equals 3,886,600 visitors.

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What are the top 5 most visited countries?

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• UNWTO Tourism Data Dashboard - United Nations World Tourism Organization
• World Tourism Barometer - United Nations World Tourism Organization
• Trending in Travel - World Travel & Tourism Council
• Economic Impact Reports - World Travel & Tourism Council

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United Arab Emirates struggles to recover after heaviest recorded rainfall ever hits desert nation

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United Arab Emirates tried to wring itself out Thursday after the heaviest recorded rainfall ever to hit the desert nation , with its main airport allowing more flights even as floodwater still covered portions of major highways and communities.

Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel , allowed global carriers on Thursday morning to again fly into Terminal 1 at the airfield. And long-haul carrier Emirates, crucial to East-West travel, began allowing local passengers to arrive at Terminal 3, their base of operations.

However, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said in an interview with The Associated Press that the airfield needed at least another 24 hours to resume operations close to its usual schedule. Meanwhile, one desert community in Dubai saw floodwaters continue to rise Thursday to as much as 1 meter (3 feet) as civil defense officials struggled to pump out the water.

“We were looking at the radar thinking, ‘Goodness, if this hits, then it’s going to be cataclysmic,’” Griffiths said of the storm. “And indeed it was.”

The airport ended up needing 22 tankers with vacuum pumps to get water off its grounds. Griffiths acknowledged that taxiways flooded during the rains, though the airport’s runways remained free of water to safely operate. Online videos of a FlyDubai flight landing with its reverse thrust spraying out water caught the world’s attention.

“It looks dramatic, but it actually isn’t that dramatic,” Griffiths said.

Emirates, whose operations had been struggling since the storm Tuesday, had stopped travelers flying out of the UAE from checking into their flights as they tried to move out connecting passengers. Pilots and flight crews also had a hard time reaching the airport given the water on roadways.

But on Thursday, Emirates lifted that order to allow customers into the airport. That saw some 2,000 people come into Terminal 3, again sparking long lines, Griffiths said.

Others who arrived at the airport described hourslong waits to get their baggage, with some just giving up to head home or to whatever hotel would have them.

The UAE, a hereditarily ruled, autocratic nation on the Arabian Peninsula, typically sees little rainfall in its arid desert climate. However, a massive storm forecasters had been warning about for days blew through the country’s seven sheikhdoms.

By the end of Tuesday, more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport. Other areas of the country saw even more precipitation.

Meanwhile, intense floods also have struck neighboring Oman in recent days. Authorities on Thursday raised the death toll from those storms to at least 21 killed.

The UAE’s drainage systems quickly became overwhelmed Tuesday, flooding out neighborhoods, business districts and even portions of the 12-lane Sheikh Zayed Road highway running through Dubai.

The state-run WAM news agency called the rain “a historic weather event” that surpassed “anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949.”

In a message to the nation late Wednesday, Emirati leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, said authorities would “quickly work on studying the condition of infrastructure throughout the UAE and to limit the damage caused.”

On Thursday, people waded through oil-slicked floodwater to reach cars earlier abandoned, checking to see if their engines still ran. Tanker trucks with vacuums began reaching some areas outside of Dubai’s downtown core for the first time as well. Schools remain closed until next week.

Authorities have offered no overall damage or injury information from the floods, which killed at least one person.

However, at least one community saw the effects of the rainfall only get worse Thursday. Mudon, a development by the state-owned Dubai Properties, saw flooding in one neighborhood reach as much as 1 meter. Civil defense workers tried to pump the water out, but it was a struggle as people waded through the floodwater.

Residents of Mudon, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity given the UAE’s strict laws governing speech, described putting together the equivalent of nearly $2,000 to get a tanker to the community Wednesday. They alleged the developers did nothing to help prior to that, even as they called and emailed. They also said a nearby sewage processing facility failed, bringing more water into their homes.

“A lot of people were in denial of how bad it was,” one homeowner said as civil defense officials waded through the water, bringing bottled water on a raft.

Dubai Holding, a state-owned company that has Dubai Properties as an arm, did not respond to questions. It’s part of a wider nexus that U.S. diplomats have called “Dubai Inc.” — all properties overseen by the city-state’s ruling family.

The flooding sparked speculation that the UAE’s aggressive campaign of cloud seeding — flying small planes through clouds dispersing chemicals aimed at getting rain to fall — may have contributed to the deluge. But experts said the storm systems that produced the rain were forecast well in advance and that cloud seeding alone would not have caused such flooding.

Scientists also say climate change is responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme storms, droughts, floods and wildfires around the world. Dubai hosted the United Nations’ COP28 climate talks just last year.

Abu Dhabi’s state-linked newspaper The National in an editorial Thursday described the heavy rains as a warning to countries in the wider Persian Gulf region to “climate-proof their futures.”

“The scale of this task is more daunting than it appears even at first glance, because such changes involve changing the urban environment of a region that for as long as it has been inhabited, has experienced little but heat and sand,” the newspaper said.

Jordan airforce shoots down Iranian drones flying over to Israel

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Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, an official security force, said its command post at Kalso military base about 50 km (30 miles) south of Baghdad was hit by a huge explosion late on Friday, and two security sources said it resulted from an air strike.

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Heavy rains kill 18 in Oman as flash floods lash UAE

Rescue teams search for two missing people in Oman as bad weather disrupts travel in the United Arab Emirates.

Heavy rains and flash floods have swept parts of the Gulf region, killing at least 18 people in Oman and causing travel disruption in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In Oman, the death toll announced on Tuesday included at least nine schoolchildren and their driver whose vehicle was washed away by the floodwaters in Samad A’Shan on Sunday.

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Deadly sahel heatwave caused by ‘human-induced’ climate change: study, photos: dubai reels from flood chaos as record rains lash uae, dubai submerged in floods as uae gets over a year’s worth of rain in hours, photos: heavy rains, lightning in pakistan kill at least 50 people.

The National Committee for Emergency Management said rescue teams were still searching for two missing people.

The government gave administrative staff in public and private sectors the day off due to the bad weather conditions in several provinces, while remote work was recommended in other parts of the sultanate. Residents were also urged to evacuate to shelters if they felt they were in danger or asked by authorities to do so.

Police and soldiers were deployed to the hardest-hit province of Ash Sharqiyah North to transport citizens out of flooded areas, according to state media.

Flooding in UAE

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall also lashed the neighbouring UAE on Tuesday, flooding portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai.

The rains began overnight, leaving massive ponds on streets as whipping winds disrupted flights at Dubai international airport.

Schools across the country largely shut before the storm and government employees were working remotely if able. Many workers stayed home as well, though some ventured out, with the unfortunate stalling out their vehicles in deeper-than-expected water covering some roads.

Authorities sent tanker trucks into the streets and highways to pump away the water.

Initial estimates suggested more than 30mm (1.2 inches) of rain fell over the morning in Dubai, with as much as 128mm (5 inches) of rain expected throughout the day.

Rain also fell in Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

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