Ancient, mysterious and majestic – this is the Middle East. Where great civilisations and religions were born and raised and home to some of the world’s most significant cities, the Middle East is an fascinating place to travel.
Dramatic landscapes, extraordinary people and an unforgiving climate make the Middle East a place of discovery and adventure. From camel trekking through the deserts and discovering the ancient ruins of Petra, to navigating your way through the streets of Jerusalem or sunning yourself on a beach in glamorous Dubai, the Middle East holds many treasures for the keen explorer.
Middle East Travel Resources
These are my favourite companies to use when I travel.
• Find cheap flights with Skyscanner.
• Get the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
Middle East Tours
• Find the city sightseeing tours & attraction tickets on GetYourGuide or Viator.
Popular Places to Visit
• Dubai
• Egypt
• Jordan
• Israel
• Lebanon
• Qatar
• United Arab Emirates
Best Things to Do in the Middle East
Get a Glimpse of the Past at the Ancient City of Petra
The city of Petra is an iconic image of the Middle East! The treasury holds many secrets to Jordan’s long and unique history. Furthermore, it is a haven for archaeologists!
The city was carved out of stone and dates back to around 312 BC. Unknown to the West until 1812, the “Rose City” is said to house 800 tombs. Standing below the stunning architecture will surely take your breath away!
Another popular tourism destination in Jordan is Jerash – ancient ruins that will transport you to Italy!
Go Up the Burj Khalifa
No trip the Middle East would be complete without going to the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai – the world’s tallest building!
Get Historic in Israel
This cultural hotspot is a must see destination of the Middle East. Tel Aviv is the most happening city in the country and has a host of beaches, clubs, bars and activities.
As a liberal city, Tel Aviv gave itself the unofficial title of gay capital of the Middle East and welcomes travellers from all walks of life eager to experience the culture, history and hospitality of Israel.
When you’re all partied out, float your hangovers away in the Dead Sea, the salt lake that borders Jordan and Israel.
Sleep Under the Stars in Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is a beautiful valley of sandstone and granite rocks located in southern Jordan. The landscape encompasses dusty hues of red, orange and brown formations as well as fascinating petroglyphs showing the work of humans who inhabited the area since prehistoric times.
The arid and untamed scenery has been the setting of many desert films including the Star Wars franchise, The Martian and the 1962 classic, Lawrence of Arabia.
Unique camping retreats are peppered throughout the desert and offer a fantastic experience of sleeping in the heart of it all. The remote location means no light pollution exists and looking up at the glimmering night sky you’ll see a fantastic array of colours and stars reaching far across the horizon.
Adventure Tours
Discover the magic of the Middle East with tours around ancient cities, treks across the desert and unique adventure packages for countries like Israel, Jordan and Iran. Search small group adventure tours with G Adventures.
Party in Beirut
The capital of Lebanon, Beirut, is a real hidden cultural gem with culture, food, great value for money and also amazing nightlife. I write a guide how to spend 24 hours in Beirut with itinerary, sightseeing and bar/club suggestions which you might want to check out.
Cairo, Egypt
The legacy of the Ancient Egyptians is alive today through engineering masterpieces such as the Great Pyramids as well as the fermented masterpiece we now call beer.
While in Egypt the pyramids are a must-see, but Cairo offers much more to travellers than that. Take a morning to shop and explore the Khan El-Khalili bazaar which has changed very little in the last 700 years.
If bargaining for goods isn’t your cup of tea, hire a guide to and see the sights of this historic city from a boat on the Nile. Cairo is rich in religious history and offers stunning attractions to explore covering Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.
Middle East Travel Tips
Don’t Wear Revealing Clothing
Out of respect for the local Muslim cultures all over the Middle East, tourists, especially women, should not show their thighs, shoulders or too much skin in general. Long skirts or dresses are best, with light-weight long sleeved shirts. Short skirts or tight clothing may offend people and cause a lot of unwanted attention.
Food and Drink
I’m aware that falafels may not be the exotic recipe you were waiting for. Although it’s a traditional Middle Eastern dish, falafels have gained a lot of popularity over the years and can now be found in every supermarket, restaurant and takeaway. Whether you’ve tasted a falafel that’s worthy of the name is another question.