Set between Northern Africa and Southern Asia, the Middle East is the birthplace of three of the world's major religions, as well as many civilizations from Mesopotamian to Arabic. This region, immensely rich in history, hosts both cities old as civilization itself, and an array of landscapes from the vast Arabian desert to the highlands of Anatolia and the coral reefs of the Red Sea. Having varying definitions and boundaries, the Middle East is thought to contain areas in both Asia and Africa. Here, we have not included North Africa to the Middle East, but the region presented here still has plenty to see from the bazaars of Istanbul to the beaches of Eilat and the modern marvels of the oil-rich Persian Gulf states.

Browse travel destinations in Middle East:

• Bahrain Manama
• Iran Isfahan (Esfahan), Kish Island, Tehran
• Iraq Baghdad
• Israel Acre (Akko), Eilat, Haifa, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv
• Jordan Amman, Aqaba, Petra (Wadi Musa)
• Kuwait
• Lebanon Beirut
• Oman Muscat, Salalah
• Qatar Doha
• Saudi Arabia Jeddah, Riyadh
• Syria Aleppo, Damascus, Palmyra
• Turkey Alanya, Ankara, Bodrum, Fethiye, Istanbul, Izmir, Marmaris
• United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi, Dubai
• Yemen Aden, Sana'a

Best destinations in Middle East per category

Beach Concerts or festivals Desert Golf Historical sights Kayaking

Museums Nightlife Sailing Scenic landscapes Shopping Sightseeing tours

Snorkeling & diving Spa Sun bathing Surfing Theatres Trekking

World heritage