Middle East map & highlights
Where to go in the Middle East very much depends on where you interests lie. If you want to spend time in desert wilderness then Oman is a good bet, while Egypt and Iran are top choices for history buffs, and Jordan is perfect if you want to combine the two. Adventure seekers will have plenty to whet their appetite, too, with trips available to little visited Iraqi Kurdistan and Saudi Arabia, while time spent in Israel and Palestine will throw light on a region that’s very much misunderstood.
Our Middle East Holidays
Exciting family holiday in Jordan
A fabulous family holiday including the best of Jordan
From
£970 to £990
9 days
ex flights
Jordan holiday, a week in Jordan
A week to explore the spectacular sites and scenery of Jordan
From
£1399 to £1649
9 days
inc UK flights
Petra and Wadi Rum trekking holiday
Some of the most spectacular desert scenery in the world
From
£1469 to £1529
8 days
inc UK flights
Jordan and Egypt budget holiday
Adventure through historical landscapes of Jordan & Egypt.
From
£837 to £1090
9 days
ex flights
Jordan holiday on a shoestring
Great value tour covering all Jordan's major sites
From
£499
6 days
ex flights
Egypt Nile and Red Sea Tours
Cairo, Giza, Luxor & Aswan Nile Cruise & Red Sea Holiday
From
£935 to £1822
12 days
ex flights
Tailor made tour of Jordan & Israel
A tour of Jordan & Israel with breathtaking sites & fascinating history
From
£2695
15 days
ex flights
Iran holiday, Persian Explorer
A 10 day trip to some of Iran's most fascinating highlights
From
£2295 to £2450
10 days
ex flights
Oman small group tour
Ancient spice trails, Wahiba Sands, superb coastal scenery
From
£1799
8 days
ex flights
Family culture & adventure holiday to Egypt
An Egyptian adventure the whole family will remember
From
£1199 to £1399
12 days
ex flights
Iran holiday
Discover the rich culture and famed hospitality of Iran
From
£3695 to £3895
15 days
ex flights
Jordan self drive holiday
Be independent & explore Jordan at your own pace
From
US $970
10 days
ex flights
Jordan highlights & camel safari, small group
Taste the real life of Bedouin at Mars on Earth, Wadi Rum!
From
US $1915
10 days
ex flights
Egypt cultural holiday, small group
Discover Egypt on this amazing 9 day tour
From
£879 to £1049
9 days
ex flights
Tailor made tours of Oman
Privately escorted mystical trip of stunning Oman
From
£1850
8 days
ex flights
Petra and Wadi Rum by bike, Jordan
Cycling trip through stunning desert scenery
From
£1579 to £1849
9 days
inc UK flights
Oman cycling & trekking holiday
5 night cycling and trekking adventure in Oman
From
£1395
6 days
ex flights
Iran cultural holiday
A captivating land dripping with history and culture
From
£2595
15 days
ex flights
Nile cruise holiday in Egypt
Discover ancient temples & tombs & travel by Nile cruise boat
From
£1199 to £1649
9 days
inc UK flights
Red Sea diving holidays
Enjoy the amazing shore diving in Dahab, with our 4-1 max.
From
£475
7 days
ex flights
Jordan holiday, small group
Visit Jordan from cities to mystic desert landscapes
From
£770 to £975
8 days
ex flights
Luxury culture holiday in Oman
Meet the Bedouin of Wahiba Sands and Turtles of Sur in Oman
From
£1699
7 days
ex flights
Learn to scuba dive in the Red Sea
Learn to dive, safely, in the warm waters of the Red Sea.
From
£555
7 days
ex flights
Egypt and Jordan adventure holiday
Get a true taste of Egypt & the Middle East
From
£1699 to £2099
17 days
ex flights
Budget Egypt tour
A whirlwind tour of the best Egypt has to offer
From
£702 to £939
8 days
ex flights
Iran holidays, small group tours
Trace the magnificent legacies of the Persian Empires
From
£2090
11 days
ex flights
1. Dead Sea
2. Iran
3. Iraqi Kurdistan
4. Israel
5. Lebanon
6. Oman
7. Palestine
8. Petra
9. The Pyramids at Giza
10. Saudi Arabia
11. Valley of the Kings
12. Wadi Rum
2. Iran
3. Iraqi Kurdistan
4. Israel
5. Lebanon
6. Oman
7. Palestine
8. Petra
9. The Pyramids at Giza
10. Saudi Arabia
11. Valley of the Kings
12. Wadi Rum
Dead Sea
1. Dead Sea
This landlocked, hypersaline lake is also known as the Salt Sea, and it’s the lowest place on earth, at 394m below sea level. People come to experience its fabulous, floaty properties, to visit its mineral rich beaches and to cover themselves with healing Dead Sea mud. Its stunning location in the Jordan River Rift Valley is pretty special, too.
Iran
2. Iran
In Iran the echoes of ancient civilisations are everywhere – from the ruined city of Persepolis, to the exquisite domes and minarets of Esfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan Square, to the precious, rose-scented gardens of Shiraz and the palaces of Tehran. But it’s the people, whose warmth and generosity are legendary, who will sustain your memories long after your visit has ended.
Iraqi Kurdistan
3. Iraqi Kurdistan
Long off limits to travellers, and littered with reminders of the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein, Iraqi Kurdistan is now open for a few intrepid souls to discover its natural and cultural wonders. The ancient city of Erbil is one of humanity's oldest settlements; lively, chaotic Suleimaniyah throngs with colourful bazaars; and the lush, green city of Rawanduz is surrounded by mountains and waterfalls.
Israel
4. Israel
Israel’s ancient cities and pathways lie in a landscape of incredible beauty, where forested hills and valleys sit alongside kaleidoscopic canyons and the glassy stillness of the Dead Sea. It's a challenging and thought provoking destination too – religion and politics run through everything here, and you’re unlikely to leave without observing the country’s complex affairs.
Lebanon
5. Lebanon
This small Mediterranean country has a huge amount on offer for a country its size, from top notch archaeological sites, to walking trails though mountains and ancient forests, to the buzzing metropolis of Beirut, full of museums, cafes, Ottoman-era mansions and, of course, that renowned nightlife.
Oman
6. Oman
Part of the sweeping Arabian Peninsula, Oman has a rich heritage and low-key charm that’s absent in some of her Arabian neighbours. It’s also a place of wild natural beauty, including a pristine coastline, the spectacular Western Al Hajar Mountains, the desert and the dunes at Wahiba Sands, and, for those who head off on an adventure to the south, the Dhofar region around Salalah.
Palestine
7. Palestine
From fragrant Jericho, the oldest city in the world, to the ancient city of Bethlehem, to the rural walking trails of the ‘Path of Abraham,’ a holiday in Palestine takes you on a fascinating historical journey through one of the most significant landscapes in the Middle East. You’ll also find a local people passionate about their country’s incredible heritage and eager to share their knowledge with visitors.
Petra
8. Petra
A world classic, this ancient capital carved into pink sandstone dates back to 312 BC and is also known as the Rose City. First timers should approach via the multi-coloured main entrance of Al Siq, while other highlights include the 800 steps up to Al-Deir Monastery and the opportunity to learn about Bedouin lifestyles; while many were relocated away from the site, a handful of Bedouin still make their homes in Petra’s caves.
The Pyramids at Giza
9. The Pyramids at Giza
The epitome of Ancient Egypt, the Pyramids at Giza loom large in imaginations the world over. More than 100 pyramids are scattered across the country, but the Giza trio have withstood the ravages of time better than most. The Sphinx, an imposing half-man, half-lion limestone carving, sits a literal stone’s thrown from the pyramids and stands at over 20 metres high.
Saudi Arabia
10. Saudi Arabia
A visit to Saudi Arabia feels like a genuine adventure. The spiritual home of Islam, it receives hardly any foreign tourists, but is home to scorched desert, spectacular World Heritage sites, ancient petroglyphs, and two fascinating cities: Jeddah, with its beguiling, old town brimming with coral architecture, and Riyadh, a gleaming, wealthy sprawl of soaring towers and modern highways.
Valley of the Kings
11. Valley of the Kings
This maze of hidden, underground tombs near Luxor shows the work that went into preparing pharaohs for the afterlife, in which they were expected to join the world of the gods. Tombs were decorated with colourful paintings and filled with all the material goods that a pharaoh could wish for in the next world, from precious jewels to gold sculptures to food and wine.
Wadi Rum
12. Wadi Rum
Also known as the ‘Valley of the Moon’ due to its razor-toothed mountains, wind-sculpted rocks and expansive plains, Wadi Rum is 720km2 of protected desert terrain. Rich in Bedouin culture, access is via Wadi Rum village, the last outpost of modernity before untamed wilderness sets in.
Our top Middle East Holiday
Adventure holiday in Jordan
The very best of Jordan
From
£1530 to £1740
9 days
inc UK flights
Small group travel:
2018: 24 Nov
2019: 9 Feb, 16 Feb, 23 Feb, 2 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar, 30 Mar, 6 Apr, 7 Apr, 13 Apr, 20 Apr, 21 Apr, 27 Apr, 4 May, 11 May, 18 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 27 Jul, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 8 Sep, 14 Sep, 15 Sep, 21 Sep, 22 Sep, 28 Sep, 29 Sep, 5 Oct, 6 Oct, 12 Oct, 13 Oct, 19 Oct, 20 Oct, 26 Oct, 27 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 23 Nov, 30 Nov, 14 Dec, 21 Dec
2018: 24 Nov
2019: 9 Feb, 16 Feb, 23 Feb, 2 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar, 30 Mar, 6 Apr, 7 Apr, 13 Apr, 20 Apr, 21 Apr, 27 Apr, 4 May, 11 May, 18 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 27 Jul, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 8 Sep, 14 Sep, 15 Sep, 21 Sep, 22 Sep, 28 Sep, 29 Sep, 5 Oct, 6 Oct, 12 Oct, 13 Oct, 19 Oct, 20 Oct, 26 Oct, 27 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 23 Nov, 30 Nov, 14 Dec, 21 Dec
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about Middle East or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
Sample travel times
The following times give you a rough idea of the travel times between the main attractions in the Middle East.
Dubai – Muscat: 4hrs 15 mins by road
Tel Aviv – Jerusalem: 1hr 20 mins by bus
Amman – Wadi Rum: 4hrs by road
Cairo – Luxor: 7hrs 20 mins by road
Tehran – Persepolis: 2hrs 30 mins by road
Muscat – Ras Al Jinz: 3 hrs by road
More about Middle East
When’s the best time to hit the beach? When can I see the ancient sites without too many crowds? If I go in the summer holidays will I feel like I’m in a furnace? We’ve done the research for you so you can choose the best time to visit the Middle East according to your personal preferences.
The Middle East will confound your expectations and take you to a world far away from bad news headlines and Western stereotypes.
Find out why the Middle East is about so much more than ancient ruins as you read our run down of the best hiking and biking spots, the top water bound activities and the best places to haggle for a bargain or two.
This dynamic region is a fantastic place for adventurous families of all age ranges, whether you want a short half term break for little ones or an in depth, multi-country odyssey for older children and teenagers.
Beautiful desert landscapes, heritage buildings, beaches and dive sites have long been big draws in the Middle East, but more recently Islamist insurgency and political instability have served to deter travellers.
Egypt’s reputation as one of the world’s foremost tourism destinations is built on its ancient treasures and Red Sea diving, but in recent years political instability and the threat of terrorism have seen tourism arrivals fall.
Tourism is hugely important to the Middle East but there’s plenty for travellers to be aware of, from water shortages to indigenous peoples’ rights and the importance of respecting local cultures and religions.
Tourism is hugely important to the Middle East but there’s plenty for travellers to be aware of, from water shortages to indigenous peoples’ rights and the importance of respecting local cultures and religions.
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: Marc Veraart] [Dead sea: Samantha Scholl]
[Iran: Steven Su]
[Akre - Iraqi Kurdistan: David Stanley]
[Israel: John T]
[Beirut - Lebanon: Ramy Kabalan]
[Muscat - Oman: Anfal Shamsudeen]
[Palestine: David Rodrigo]
[Petra: davida3]
[The Pyramids at Giza: Adam Bichler]
[Riyadh - Saudi Arabia: Stijn te Strake]
[Valley of the Kings: Francisco Anzola]
[Wadi Rum: Dan]
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