The Middle East has garnered something of a poor reputation in recent years. At least in the US. This is primarily due to the war propaganda of the last few political administrations. And its depiction in Hollywood movies is often less than stellar.
And this is a shame because the Middle East is home to some of the most beautiful and interesting nations on the planet. It is an area of the world that I highly recommend everyone take the time to visit at least once in their lifetime.
The Middle East is home to around 20 countries. Each of them are wholly unique and have plenty to offer for every type of traveler. Today I will be talking about the best of the best. The countries that should be on every travelers bucket list!
United Arab Emirates
One of the most interesting places in the Middle East. The UaE is actually a collection of seven independent city-states all functioning as one united nation. It is an Islamic nation with a population of over 10 million.
The capital city of the UaE is Abu Dhabi. But the real jewel of the UaE is, of course, Dubai! Home to the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are absolutely stunning. Filled to the brim with luxury and splendor. The UaE is a very rich nation. And this is reflected in the sights and cities.
All of the cities have a thriving social scene. And, for the most part, the cities are completely sober. There are some places where you can get and consume alcohol. But the vast majority of spaces are totally booze free. Beyond the social scene there are numerous sights to behold. Like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque or the beautiful Burj Al Arab.
Israel
Israel is one of the most storied and beautiful countries on the planet. Serving as the hub for multiple religions. It is the perfect holiday destination for anyone with a love of history or seeing the wonders of nature.
It is important to note that, as of 2025, Israel is changing their visa rules for tourists. You will now need to get an Israel eta il visa. We recommend spending some time researching how the Israel ETA IL application works to ensure that you fill it out correctly. There is a small fee but it is entirely worth it.
Israel is home to a number of natural wonders like the Salt Islands of the Dead Sea or Eilat Canyon. We highly recommend booking yourself onto an excursion to make the most out of your trip. For lovers of the aquatic world we highly recommend taking a glass bottom boat tour across the Red Sea. The reefs are truly a sight to behold. The Red Sea is also a popular diving destination. It offers diving conditions for divers of all skill levels.
In the cities you will find a number of beautiful cultural attractions like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or the Western Wall. You will need to make sure you are dressing modestly while in the more orthodox areas of Israel.
Israel, while not known for its nightlife, does boast a thriving social scene too. Although the nights tend to start a lot later than you might be used to. Most bars and clubs don’t start filling out until 2am. But once they have you are guaranteed to have an unforgettable night.
Egypt
No list talking about the Middle East would be complete without Egypt. A nation with a history so ancient that it boggles the mind. Home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Pyramids Of Giza, Egypt is the perfect place for anyone who wants to step through time and marvel at the handiwork of our ancient ancestors.
Egypt caters to all types of travelers. River cruises along the Nile are the perfect way to soak up the beauty of the nation while kicking back and relaxing. Or, for more adventurous travelers, a trip across the Sahara Desert is sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Many people don’t know that Egypt features an amazing nightlife too. It is a nation built upon strong traditions of music, dancing, and celebration. And this is reflected in many of the cities. Cairo is the premium destination for anyone looking to let loose and experience everything the Egyptian nightlife has to offer. With a huge range of bars, clubs, and restaurants.
