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The ‘Middle East’ is a term everyone is familiar with, but you may be unsure where it is, exactly what countries are in the region, and which are safe to travel to. When we talk about the Middle East, we are mainly referring to Southwestern Asia and parts of North Africa. You may be aware of the recent conflict in some parts of the Middle East, but as of the 18th of June 2026 the FCDO advice to not travel to the region has been dropped. Caution should still be taken if you’re planning to travel here, which is why you should take out travel insurance as soon as you book. This way if you have booked your trip while the guidance said it was okay to travel, but this changes to ‘do not travel’, you will be covered.
If you’re not sure which Middle Eastern countries would appeal to you as holiday destinations, that’s where we can help! The tourism sector in the Middle East grew 132% in the first quarter of 2023 and over the last three years has continued to grow in popularity. The UN (United Nations) World Tourism Organization states that the region is ‘one of the fastest-growing tourism regions in the world’. We’re going to look at the top places you should visit in the Middle East…
You may not know it by name, but the Monastery at the site of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan has been used as a location in many famous films. Constructed over 2,000 years ago by the Nabataeans, an Arab people, the Monastery was originally built as a tomb. During the Byzantine era (c. 330–1453 CE), it is thought to have been repurposed as a Christian church, which led to it being known as ‘the Monastery’. Hewn out of the side of a rock, the building’s spectacular façade features towering columns, ornate lintels, and tall windows. You may recognise it from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009), or Dune (2021).
Starting at the nearby Basin restaurant in Petra, there are about 800 steps you’ll need to take on the trail to the Monastery (the walk takes approximately 40 minutes). If you travel here in summer, try and visit in the mid-afternoon when there is more shade. If you fancy a longer adventure, get a guide to take you to Siq Al-Barid. This location is a 4 mile (6 km) hike (about 2 hour 30 minutes on foot) away from the Monastery, but well worth the visit. The trail leads you though a naturally formed cleft in the rock that is similar to, but smaller than, the Siq canyon where Petra was built. Due to these similarities, it is often referred to as ‘Little Petra’. The cavernous rock formations will amaze you on this unique trail.
Before you travel, make sure to check the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) travel advice. Currently, most of Jordan is in the ‘green’ section with only a small part of the border to Syria being advise against all travel.
No trip to the Middle East is complete without going to Egypt to see the Pyramids. The iconic, world-famous buildings are located in the city of Giza, a short 45-minute drive away from the Egyptian capital, Cairo. Built over 4,500 years ago during the Old Kingdom era, the huge structures were built to serve as tombs for the pharaohs, Ancient Egypt’s rulers. Filled with items to sustain the pharaohs in the afterlife, the Pyramids of Giza remain a never-ending focus of fascination.
Spend the day surveying the exterior of the buildings, then venture inside to view the inner tombs. It costs approximately £9 to enter the Giza Plateau, the complex that contains the major monuments of the Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, as well the Great Sphinx statue. It costs an extra £7 to enter the Great Pyramid and a further £1.50 each for the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure. History fans will have relish the opportunity to spend time here, as there lots of ancient artefacts on display. Be aware that entry into some of the tombs are steep and narrow, so they are not recommended to people with mobility issues or claustrophobia.
Travelling to Cairo at the moment shouldn’t be an issue as the FCDO aren’t giving any advice against travelling here. There is advice against travelling to some parts of Egypt so make sure to double check before you go.
Recently there has been conflict causing travel disruption in Dubai. Caution should still be taken when travelling here as many brits were left stranded when the conflict began. The travel ban has now been lifted so people can once again travel with confidence.
Dubbed the ‘art and design capital of the Middle East’, Dubai just had to be on our travel wish-list. This bustling city is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, which is part of the UAE (United Arab Emirates). Spend time exploring the Dubai Design District, a vibrant hub of creative talent in the fields of fashion, art and design. While you’re there, see if you can catch one of the district’s unique events. The Dubai creative industry recently hosted Dubai Fashion Week and announced a partnership with Vogue.
Dubai is also home to the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa skyscraper. It stands at 2,722 ft (830 m) tall – double the height of the Empire State Building in New York, USA. Make sure you head to the observation deck here for views of the iconic skyline. You may even spot the Palm Fountain – the biggest fountain display in the world!
Dubai is home to many wonders, including the bustling Gold, Spice and Textile souks (Arab marketplaces) in the Old Town area and the spectacular Miracle Garden, which features over 48 million flowers from over 45 different flower species. You will not be short of things to do here, from sunset dinner cruises and desert safaris to skydiving and even indoor skiing and snowboarding. The emphasis is on a luxurious, and potentially expensive, experience. If your trip is going to cost more than your insurance covers, Travel Plus offers top-up options to make sure you can travel, with confidence.
The capital city of UAE, Abu Dhabi is another part of the Emirates that is well worth a visit. It is similar to Dubai in that it has several art hotspots, such as the Louvre, as well as a towering skyline. While not as tall as Dubai, the skyline is still impressive. Visit the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, an architectural masterpiece that features 82 white-marble domes and four 351 ft (107 m)-tall minaret towers.
If you’re a fan of adrenaline-packed theme parks, head for Yas Island. The island is the location of a F1 racing circuit, so it’s no surprise that here you’ll find Ferrari World, which features the world’s fastest rollercoaster. Movie fans can also visit Warner Bros. World, and for an aquatic experience featuring dolphins, penguins and over 100 other marine animals, spend some time at Sea World. For a relaxing day out, visit Corniche, the waterfront esplanade. Rent a bike from one of the bike-sharing stations and enjoy a leisurely cycle along the 8 km-long seafront. Don’t forget to take your suntan lotion so you can sit and soak up the sun on the pristine sandy beaches. Why not take a dip in the sea while you’re here too?
The Dead Sea in the Middle East is located in the southern part of Israel, bordering Jordan to the east and the West Bank to the north. It’s actually a lake, currently measuring around 31–42 miles (50-68 km) long and 9–11 miles (14-18 km) wide. It earned its name because its extremely saltiness (about 10 times higher than an ocean) makes it a harsh environment where no fish or plants or aquatic organisms can survive. The highly salty water means that you can freely float in it, and it is fact known for its health-boosting, healing properties! The Dead Sea’s elevation stands at over 1,410 ft (430 m) below sea level, making it the lowest point on dry land in the world.
It is located about an hour’s drive from Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. The old city here is packed full of religious sightseeing spots, and some of the architecture, like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, is a must-see.
Before you travel, make sure you check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) travel advice. At the time of publishing, Jerusalem is in the ‘green’, which means you can go there but should check FCDO advice before travelling. However, some areas of Israel are in the ‘orange’ (advise against all but essential travel) and ‘red’ (advise against all travel) zones.
A lesser-known jewel in the Middle East is the Wadi Shab in the independent Sultanate of Oman. In Arabic, it is called the ‘Gorge Between Cliffs’. A wadi is a valley or ravine, often filled with water, and are several wadis in Oman. The entrance to Wadi Shab is reachable across a river via a short boat ride. At the entrance to the ravine, visitors begin a 45-60 minute hike through the ravine. You’ll pass through shallow pools, before reaching deeper pools in which you can swim. At the end of the hike, you’ll reach the highlight of the trip – a cave with a cascading waterfall. This is a beautiful place to explore and spend a day. There are lots of flourishing plants and wildlife, with stunning turquoise-blue waters. It’s the ideal spot to take your perfect holiday photos!
As always, make sure you check the FCDO website for up to date travel advice for the area you’re going to. You can set up alerts so that if the advice changes, you will be among the first to know.
Located on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, Qatar is a sovereign state with a hereditary monarchy. Its capital city of Doha has lots to offer visitors. The city’s colourful Mina district is an approximately 20-minute drive from the Hamad International Airport, making for a quick and easy transfer. It has a unique fish market, so you can sample some local delicacies in one of the city’s many restaurants.
For exotic spices and perfumes, visit the Souq Waqif market. Art lovers will appreciate the Museum of Islamic Art, where you can view a collection of exquisite masterpieces dating back over 1,400 years. The Doha port also welcomes large cruise ships during the winter cruise season, so if you wish to avoid those crowds, try travelling in March. This should avoid most of the peak cruise crowds, but the temperature will still be pleasant (20-30 degrees Celsius).
Head to the Grand Mosque in the city-state of Kuwait for beautiful architecture and to learn more about the country’s culture. The Mosque is free to visit but remember to cover up. Women must be covered from wrists to ankles with a head scarf, while men need to cover their knees and shoulders. This amazing building can host 10,000 worshippers in the main hall, which gives you an idea of the vast size of the internal space. The Mirror House is another unique must-see Kuwait attraction. A tour guide will take you around this fascinating private home, the interior of which is covered in intricate mirror mosaics. If you go to Kuwait during October to March, you can also watch the seasonal camel races, a traditional sport that has been practiced for centuries.
It’s important to note that all travel has an element of risk, and you should ensure you are aware of the risks, including geo-political tensions before booking a trip, paying deposits or balances and before travelling.
Travel Plus provides £6,000 of cancellation cover per person, but this can be increased to £10,000 or £15,000. This means you don’t have to worry about being out of pocket, as we’ve got you covered! Get a quote for Travel Plus Travel Insurance today.
*Information provided in this article was correct at the time of writing on 23/06/2026. It is your responsibility to check that a destination is safe to travel to.
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