Middle East Travel Bucket List

Stand by pyramids, sail the Nile, and snorkel Red Sea reefs of Egypt

Straddle Byzantine domes, Cappadocia chimneys, and turquoise coasts of Turkey

Discover the ancient city of Petra carved into rose-colored rock in Jordan

Bask on beaches, walk Troodos trails, and explore ancient sites of Cyprus

Visit Istanbul, Turkey's historic city straddling Europe and Asia. Explore the Hagia Sophia (a 6th-century Byzantine cathedral turned mosque and museum), marvel at the Blue Mosque's six minarets and 20,000 Iznik tiles, wander the Grand Bazaar (one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets with over 4,000 shops), and cruise the Bosphorus Strait for views of palaces and bridges linking continents.

Visit Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. See the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (one of the world's largest mosques with 82 domes and capacity for 40,000 worshippers), explore the Louvre Abu Dhabi (art museum with a striking dome structure and global collections), drive the Formula 1 circuit at Yas Marina Circuit, and stroll along the Corniche waterfront with views of the city skyline.

Visit Dubai, a futuristic city in the United Arab Emirates. Ascend the Burj Khalifa (world's tallest building at 828m with observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors), shop at the Dubai Mall (one of the largest malls globally with an aquarium and ice rink), experience desert safaris in the Arabian Desert (dune bashing, camel rides, and traditional Bedouin camps), and admire the Palm Jumeirah (artificial archipelago shaped like a palm tree with luxury hotels).

Leap between desert dunes, skyline icons, and pearl-diving heritage of the UAE

Blend desert dunes, dhow-lined corniche, and museum-rich districts of Qatar

Uncover rose-red Petra, Wadi Rum desert skies, and Dead Sea shores of Jordan

Trace Nabatean canyons, Red Sea reefs, and date-palm oases of Saudi Arabia

Visit Doha, the capital of Qatar. Explore the Museum of Islamic Art (designed by I.M. Pei, housing one of the world's most comprehensive collections of Islamic art), stroll along the Corniche (7-kilometer waterfront promenade with views of the skyline and traditional dhows), shop at Souq Waqif (a restored traditional market selling spices, textiles, and handicrafts), and see the futuristic skyscrapers of West Bay.

Marvel at tiled mosques, desert caravanserais, and poetic hospitality of Iran

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Walk layered holy cities, desert fortresses, and Mediterranean beaches of Israel

Savor mountain terraces, coastal ruins, and Beirut nights of Lebanon

Visit Tehran, the capital of Iran. Explore the Golestan Palace (a UNESCO World Heritage site with intricate mirror work and royal history), see the Azadi Tower (iconic monument built in 1971 to commemorate the Persian Empire), browse the Grand Bazaar (one of the largest covered markets in the world with traditional crafts and spices), and visit the National Museum of Iran (housing artifacts from ancient civilizations like Persepolis).

Blend Dilmun history, modern skyline, and pearl-diving heritage of Bahrain

Visit Jerusalem, a historic city sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Explore the Old City's Western Wall (a remnant of the Second Temple), walk the Via Dolorosa (the path Jesus is believed to have taken to his crucifixion), and see the Dome of the Rock (an iconic Islamic shrine with a golden dome). Discover the Israel Museum (home to the Dead Sea Scrolls) and Mahane Yehuda Market (a bustling spot for local food and culture).

Visit Mecca, the holiest city in Islam. Perform the Hajj pilgrimage to the Kaaba (the black cube at the center of the Grand Mosque, the most sacred site in Islam) and see the Zamzam Well (a historic well believed to have miraculous properties). Explore the surrounding mountains like Jabal al-Nour, where the Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation.

Camp frankincense deserts, swim wadis, and stroll seaside forts of Oman

Imagine mud-brick skyscrapers, incense routes, and terraced highlands of Yemen

Recall ancient souqs, Roman theaters, and resilient culture of Syria

Explore Mesopotamian heartlands, date-palm rivers, and golden minarets of Iraq

Visit Tel Aviv, Israel's vibrant coastal city. Stroll along the 14km-long Tel Aviv Promenade (Tayelet) with Mediterranean views, explore the UNESCO-listed White City (over 4,000 Bauhaus buildings), browse the Carmel Market (Shuk HaCarmel) for fresh produce and street food, and relax at Gordon Beach (popular for swimming and beach volleyball).

Find desert dunes, seaside corniche, and vibrant souks of Kuwait

Visit Baghdad, capital of Iraq. Explore the historic Al-Mustansiriya University (one of the oldest universities in the world, founded in 1227), see the Abbasid-era Al-Kadhimiya Mosque (a major Shia shrine with intricate tilework), stroll through the bustling Al-Mutanabbi Street (famous for its book markets and cultural heritage), and visit the National Museum of Iraq (home to artifacts from ancient Mesopotamia, including the Code of Hammurabi).

Walk storied hills, old-city souqs, and olive-dotted terraces of Palestine

Visit Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Explore the Masmak Fortress (a clay and mud-brick citadel pivotal in the unification of Saudi Arabia), see the Kingdom Centre Tower (a 302-meter skyscraper with a sky bridge offering panoramic city views), and wander through Diriyah (a UNESCO World Heritage site and historic home of the Saudi royal family).