Top 5 visited tourist destinations in Middle East

Tourism in the Middle East has expanded significantly in recent years. In 2018, the region received 64 million visitors.

It is home to numerous attractions including pyramids, oases, religious cities, and other remarkable landmarks. This report highlighted the most visited destinations in the region.

Dubai

Dubai offers a wide range of attractions, including beaches, shopping areas, desert activities, and modern architecture. Exploring the city by district is one of the most efficient ways to navigate its diverse sites.

Key locations included are Jumeirah Beach, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Creek, Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa.

Visitors can enjoy beaches such as Jumeirah Beach, Kite Beach and Sunset Beach, as well as upscale events held at beach clubs along the Arabian Gulf. Being situated near the desert, Dubai also provides options such as dinner tours, camping, and hot-air balloon rides at sunrise.

Istanbul

Istanbul, located across Europe and Asia, serves as the cultural centre of Turkey. It has witnessed various historical transitions and remains one of the most visited cities in the Middle East.

Main sites include the Hagia Sophia, built in 537 under Emperor Justinian, and the Blue Mosque, known for its distinctive architecture. Sultanahmet Square features both these sites, and the surrounding area offers traditional crafts, spices, cafés, restaurants, jewellery, textiles, and garments.

In the Golden Horn district, visitors can view colourful residential buildings and take a boat trip along the Bosphorus Strait, which divides the city between two continents.

Cairo

Cairo, the second-largest city in Africa, attracts millions of tourists each year. Its historic centre is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Among the most visited attractions are the Pyramids of Giza, which are classified as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Egyptian Museum and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation house significant artefacts, shedding light on the country’s history.

Popular sites also include the Sphinx, the Valley of the Kings, and the Valley of the Dead. Many choose to take a Nile River cruise to view sites such as the Karnak Temple Complex and the Temple of Philae.

Mecca

Mecca is the holiest city in Islam and receives a large number of visitors. The Kaaba, over 4,000 years old, stands at the centre of the pilgrimage. Other important locations include the Black Stone, Mount Arafat, and the Well of Zamzam.

The city also features notable accommodations, such as the Abraj Al Bait Towers, one of the tallest buildings in the world, with over 120 floors and 56 lifts, offering high levels of service and hospitality.

Petra

Petra, situated in southern Jordan, is known as the Rose City and offers a distinctive historical and cultural experience. The city is notable for its hospitality and natural beauty.

A primary site is the Treasury, an ancient rock-carved structure from the Nabataean civilisation, recognised as one of the most prominent tourist landmarks in Petra.