Things to do in the Middle East

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Things to do in the Middle East

There’s more to the Middle East than ancient history. Think golden coastline, lofty peaks and rolling desert – all helped down with some local wines and a healthy serving of mezze.

Rich in history and blessed with starkly beautiful landscapes and dazzling seas, the Middle East won’t disappoint when it comes to keeping you active. Whether you want to get your kicks underwater, with top notch diving and snorkelling, or above ground, with desert hiking and biking, there are plenty of exciting options. And, of course, history and archaeology buffs are endlessly entertained by the living, breathing monuments to the past that exist all around them.

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Ancient history

You can’t visit the Middle East without being aware of the region’s past glories – they are all around you. Lebanon’s storied town of Tyre, for example, is home to sprawling Roman ruins dating to the 2nd century AD, while in Jordan you’ll find Roman ruins at Jerash in addition to the rock hewn tombs of Petra, built by the Nabataeans millennia ago.

Egypt’s Valley of the Kings and pyramids are amongst the most impressive ancient structures in the world, and are testament to the power, organisation and engineering genius of their makers. Persepolis in Iran, begun by Darius the Great in the 6th century BC, is one of the most magnificent ruined cities around, spreading out over 13 hectares. Israel, meanwhile, boasts masses of sites and digs covering the Persian, Byzantine, Roman and Hellenic periods, including Caesaria, where incredible ancient harbour ruins and beautiful beaches sit side-by-side.

There are also castles and fortresses dating back to the time of the crusades. Jordan’s Karnak has stood the test of time impressively well, as has the Nimrod Fortress in the Golan Heights. Oman’s imposing, 17th century Nizwa Fort is no less impressive, and offers dramatic views over date plantations and mountains from its tower.

Religious sites

The Bible, the Torah and the Quran loom large over the Middle Eastern landscape. Most important, of course, is Jerusalem, whose holy sites are significant for Jews, Christians and Muslims, and include the Western Wall, Temple Mount (Al Haram Ash Sharif) and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Church of the Nativity stands in Bethlehem in the Palestinian Territories on the site where Jesus was believed to be born.

Other key religious sites across the region include Mount Sinai, where it is believed that Moses received his Ten Commandments from God, and Jordan’s Mount Nebo, from where Moses looked out over the Promised Land.

Some of the world’s oldest, most beautiful and most open mosques can be found in Iran, with most dating back 500-1,000 years. The best examples include the Blue Mosque of Tabriz, and Shiraz’s Nasir al-Mulk, known as the Pink Mosque, after the rose-coloured tiles that cover the interior. Unlike in many countries, most Iranian mosques are open to non-Muslims; all visitors must remove their shoes before entering, and women must wear a headscarf.

Desert safaris

Looking out over endless swathes of creamy sands and twisted rocks is one of the highlights of a visit to this region. Deserts are places to ponder peace, camp under an explosion of stars, and spend time with the Bedouin tribes, travelling in a caravan of camels, taking tea and listening to music and folk tales around an open fire.

Oman’s desert is dotted with isolated settlements of semi-nomadic Bedouin people, and highlights include the Empty Quarter, or 'Rub Al Khali', which is part of the world's largest sand desert, and Wahiba Sands, famed for towering sand dunes that reach up to 100m. Jordan’s Wadi Rum hides jagged mountains and huge, empty plains, while Egypt’s striking White Desert not only features white chalk rock and limestone formations, but also tombs, carvings and caves.

The Middle East’s deserts can be explored in many ways. Popular options include 4X4 safaris, hiking or biking trips and camel trekking.

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You’re unlikely to visit the Middle East without visiting the ancient world’s answer to the shopping mall - a souk, where past meets present and spices and pomegranates are sold alongside rugs and leather goods.

Shopping the souks

Oman’s Mutrah, a short distance from Muscat, is great for hand carved silver and gold jewellery; Cairo’s Byzantine Khal al Khalili is tousity but good fun and authentic; while Jordan’s Jabal Amman, a buzzing district stretching out along Amman’s Rainbow Street, offers books, handmade soaps, wall hangings and olive oil. In Iran, Tehran’s Grand Bazaar has 10km of corridors, and Tabriz’s historic covered market even contains mosques.

Walking & cycling holidays

If you prefer trekking to tombs and temples, never fear – the Middle East offers enough walking territory to keep you going for weeks. And if you’re worried that Middle Eastern walks only involve baking in a hot desert, then don’t be. Yes, there are trails though barren and dusty lands, but you can also wander through olive groves, lush valleys, fields of wildflowers and along coastal paths with the tang of salt in your mouth.

Highlights include hiking Jordan’s Dana Biosphere Reserve, which has 320km² of shark-tooth mountain ridges, towering cliffs, and sandstone and granite canyons; tackling the Galilee Walking Trail, a 65km pilgrimage route also known as the Jesus Trail, which takes you through some of Israel’s eclectic landscapes; and following the Palestinian leg of the Abraham Path, which traces the footsteps of Prophet Abraham and is a fantastic opportunity to connect with remote local communities.

There are also some fantastic and little-known cycling routes in the Middle East. You could cycle through wadi landscapes and green plantations in Oman; make your way through the deserts and mountains of Jordan; or pedal from Tehran to Shiraz, through the great, open terrain of the Iranian countryside. Wherever you choose to go, you’ll find that cycling through rural areas is a fantastic way to get to meet local people and see a side of life that tourists often miss out on.

The warm, coral rich waters of the Red Sea are perfect for divers, whether you’re an experienced guru or a total novice wanting to take a PADI Open Water course.

Scuba diving

Jordan may have just 27km of coastline, but there are 21 designated dive sites along the fringing coral reef of the Red Sea near Aqaba. If you like the idea of relaxed scuba diving in small groups just a short walk from the water then Dahab, in Egypt is spot on. Diving here is mainly shore-based as the Red Sea drops quickly down to great depths, making it an ideal destination for beginners.