The Best Places To Visit In The Middle East In 2018

There’s no question that the Middle East is one of the hottest travel destinations for 2018. The region is becoming increasingly popular and new attractions are popping up all around. One of the greatest appeals for travellers is that the Middle East, formerly known for being very closed off to the rest of the world, is becoming more touristic and welcoming more people than ever. This will be the year that the Middle East takes the world by storm.

The United Arab Emirates

Dubai

There’s no doubt that Dubai is one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide. Even for people who have formerly been to the city, 2018 will come with full of surprises and new exciting attractions. Perhaps the most exciting of them all is the Dubai Frame, an architectural wonder and an addition to the Dubai skyline, which will certainly drive even more people to the city during 2018.

The end of 2017 brought a new spot to Abu Dhabi that all art lovers must see, the Louvre Abu Dhabi. One of the most famous museums in the world, the Louvre now has a beautiful new venue in the capital of the UAE. This is a great addition to the already luxurious attractions the Emirate holds, such as the Emirates Palace and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Altogether, these make Abu Dhabi one of the best spots for luxury tourism in the Middle East in 2018.

Ras Al Khaimah

Formerly one of the lesser-known Emirates, Ras Al Khaimah is marking its spot on the map in 2018. The city is becoming greatly known for active tourism, contrasting its neighbours Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which offer a more lush form of travel. The biggest news out of Ras Al Khaimah for the coming year is the opening of the longest zip line in the world. This will add a further level of excitement to the Emirate, which is already very popular among adventure seekers.

Kuwait

Kuwait City

As the Gulf countries expanded and invested in massive tourist attractions as a way of bringing people from all over the world, it’s Kuwait‘s simplicity that makes it a hot travel destination for 2018. With so many skyscrapers popping up all over the Middle East, Kuwait offers an extremely authentic experience of the Arabic world, populated by souqs and museums and pumping with culture. The coming year brings a great opportunity for travellers to head to Kuwait City and experience a true bite of Arab culture.

Lebanon

Beirut

Formerly known as the Paris of the Middle East, Beirut is still one of the best travel destinations in the region. The reason why Beirut will always be a hot travel hub is due to its lively nightlife. This is a rare opportunity in the region as many are still very traditional in most countries. The capital of Lebanon attracts people from all over the world with its clubs and bars. Many famous DJs from around the globe are constantly playing in Beirut and will continue to do so in 2018.

Bahrain

Manama

For those looking for a unique trip in 2018, Manama in Bahrain is one of the places to consider. With a growing food scene and the perfect balance in between tradition and modernity, this city has become increasingly popular among tourists. One of its main yearly attractions for visitors to attend is the Formula 1 race that the city holds. The Bahrain International Circuit has become world-renowned and is a must-see for all race lovers from around the globe.

Jordan

Amman

Jordan has long been a popular tourist destination, as it’s home to Petra, one of the most famous archeological sites in the world. However, the coming year is a good time to explore another city in the Middle Eastern country – Amman. Much like Petra, the city offers unique and stunning historical sights, however, it has more to it. Amman also brings a certain level of contemporaneity and is becoming increasingly trendy, with markets and cafes for visitors to enjoy their time in.

Saudi Arabia

Riyadh

Saudi Arabia has been out of the tourism circuit for quite a while – however, the country is becoming more welcoming to tourists and 2018 is the perfect time to finally book a trip to the Kingdom’s capital, Riyadh. With record-breaking skyscrapers and stylish restaurants, Riyadh is the perfect place to get a true taste of tradition. Additionally, 2018 will bring great change to Saudi Arabia, with women being legally allowed to drive in the coming year, allowing travellers to witness history happen.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.