Take your family to the Middle East

Children are cherished in the Middle East, and traveling with your offspring in tow is often a delight. Not only do children allow you to see things through fresh eyes, but they also open up unexpected conversations (and opportunities for new connections) everywhere you go. Visit the Middle East with kids in tow if you’d like a unique and enticing roster of attractions perfect for a family adventure.

You could find yourself spending a night or two in a desert camp, snorkeling in waters brimming with life, riding a camel through the dunes or investigating ancient monuments. There is so much to inspire young minds in this region, and the Middle East can deliver truly memorable experiences. We’ve put together a few ideas to inspire and enthuse you and your children.

Unearth the historic gems of Jordan

One of Jordan’s major selling points for a family trip is its size: It’s just under 35,000 square miles (about 90,000 sq km) in total area, making it the world’s 110th-largest country by that metric. That really isn’t saying much, and there are only 250 miles (400km) from its northernmost point to its southernmost tip. Simply put, the distances between key sites are not very long, so the major sights can be easily combined into a manageable trip.

There are historic attractions all over Jordan, but the one most likely to inspire young minds and transport your children to a bygone era is the ancient city of Petra. The immense monuments hewn from the local sandstone are likely to persuade even the most skeptical teens to look up from their phones, awestruck. Originally built in the 3rd century BCE, what remains of Petra stands as an austere testament to the intricacies of Hellenistic architecture and the inventiveness of Nabataean builders. The most well-preserved monuments include Al-Khazneh (The Treasury), a tomb carved into a solid sandstone face with perfect Greek columns and plinths, and Ed-Deir (The Monastery), which boasts similarly elaborate columns, facades, and a stunning central tower.

Add in a chance to float on the salty waves of the Dead Sea — the lowest point on earth — and a dip in the Red Sea to explore the marine life and it’s clear that Jordan is a great setting for experiencing the Middle East with kids. You can also venture into the craggy canyons of Wadi Rum for a spectacular desert experience, and consider spending a night under the stars in a Bedouin camp for a truly rugged family adventure.

Read more: A complete guide to Wadi Rum: Jordan’s Red Desert

Experience the wonders of Oman

An exciting experience in Oman can take you from the beach to the mountains via the incredible scenery of the Rub’ al Khali — the Empty Quarter. This is a vast and inhospitable desert, which is the largest stretch of continuous sand on the planet at 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) long and 310 miles (500km) wide. Note this carefully: You can observe the Empty Quarter from places that border it, but it’s not for travelers, let alone someone like you who’s taking your family to the Middle East. The average temperature is about 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36 Celsius), but it’s been known to reach 133 degrees Fahrenheit (56 Celsius), and it’s all but water-free save a handful of oases used by Bedouin riders.

The Sharqiya Sands area (formerly known as Wahiba Sands) lies on the edge of the Empty Quarter in eastern Oman. It’s a region of breathtaking beauty, with towering sand dunes rippling out like ocean waves toward the horizon.

Sharqiya offers countless opportunities for adventurous activity: You and your family can take an exhilarating dune-bashing ride in a 4×4 across the sands, traverse the desert on camels’ backs, have an overnight stay in a Bedouin tented camp — or enjoy some combination of those three possibilities for a fuller experience in desert immersion. Exploring the landscape will give your family a crash course in memorable Arabian scenery.

Away from the desert, Oman is characterized by date plantations, mud-brick forts, beautiful bare mountains and sparkling wadis (valley-like, often dry riverbeds common throughout much of the Middle East). Muscat, the capital city, has a dramatic setting, stretching around a bay (part of the Gulf of Oman) backed by rosy peaks that contrast eloquently with the tiled domes of mosques nudging skyward.

The coastline of this magical country boasts plenty of beaches, and is also famous for its superb dive sites, like the Daymaniyat Islands, Bandar Khayran, and Mirbat. All of these spots are teeming with marine life — sea turtles, dolphins, whales, sharks, mobula rays, and much more — but devoted animal lovers are sure to especially love the turtle-breeding beaches: Ras Al-Jinz and Ras Al-Hadd are close to each other and both attract green turtles, but Al-Hadd is a little less crowded; meanwhile, loggerhead turtles are abundant on Masirah Island.

When you want to take a break from the waters and beaches, visit the souks (traditional markets) full of fine jewelry, robust spices, exquisite frankincense, and so much more. In addition to the handmade goods, the souk’s unique atmosphere and the garrulous excitability of the vendors give off bucketloads of charm. (Our local guides can assist you when haggling with the merchants, as doing so is a tradition in and of itself.)

All in all, Oman has every ingredient for an unforgettable Arabian adventure.

Read more: Our top 10 reasons to visit Oman

Seek out new perspectives in Iran

Iran might not be the first country that comes to mind when you plan to take your family to the Middle East — but it’s important not to paint the nation with a broad brush.

If seeking a new perspective on Iran that differs significantly from the major urban centers, Kish Island (and the eponymous city it’s home to) fits the bill. It’s where Iranians come to relax and enjoy the Persian Gulf along the country’s southern coastline — to say nothing of the fabulous shopping opportunities.

Once you’ve had a few days sightseeing and absorbing the fascinating Persian culture on the mainland, Kish Island invites you to dive into the warm sea and let the children enjoy themselves to their hearts’ content at Kish Ocean Water Park. It’s also interesting to see the more laid-back side of Iran, where everybody goes in search of some fun in the sun.

Plenty of other aspects of Iran are also likely to appeal to children, particularly the snowy peaks of the Alborz mountains: The resorts of Shemshak and Dizin have some ski slopes as high as 11,482 ft (about 3,50m), and both are within easy reach of Tehran. Alternatively, perhaps an adventure safari exploring the impressive scenery of the Lut desert would fire up your children’s imagination Mercantile activity has a venerable history in Iran, home to various threads of the Silk Road, and this is reflected in the ancient bazaars of Tabriz, Isfahan, and Tehran: Your children’s eyes will widen with disbelief at the sheer magnificence of the goods on offer and the incredible displays.

The UAE’s key points of family interest

As the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to emerge on the world stage, it’s also growing in prominence as a vacation destination. Cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi — plus the striking, austere deserts throughout the nation — have much to offer if you’re looking to take your family to the Middle East for their next getaway.

Dubai is the UAE’s crown jewel, and it’s no overstatement to say that it must be seen to be believed. Massive, hyper-modern skyscrapers like the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab hotel make for a stark but fascinating contrast with beautiful mosques and other older structures in areas like the Al Fahidi Historical neighborhood. Similarly, shopping centers like the Madinat Jumeirah combine modern mall-like experiences with the spice and craft merchants of traditional souks. While children are all but certain to be most interested in marvels like Ain Dubai (the world’s largest ferry wheel), the countless attractions at Dubai Parks and Resorts (including Legoland Dubai), and the Atlantis Aquaventure Water Park, you can likely barter for some time spent learning more about UAE culture at the Dubai Museum.

Abu Dhabi is no less fascinating for the whole family. History and culture buffs of all ages will be fascinated by the city’s Heritage Village, the stunning eggshell-white stone of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, the kids will love the fast cars and thrilling movie magic on display at Ferrari World and Warner Bros World, respectively.

But there’s more than just a contrast between culture and fun for your family to enjoy in Abu Dhabi: the Mangrove Marine National Park has boat and kayak tours where visitors can see protected sea turtles, dolphins, and other rare animals in safe habitats, and the aviary at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital allows you to observe the thrilling flights of the UAE’s national bird.

Arguably, the most unforgettable experiences you can access if you take your family to the Middle East aren’t in either of Dubai’s signature urban centers: At the Al Ain Oasis in the city that shares its name, you’ll immerse yourself in historical and contemporary Bedouin culture and, if so inclined, can climb the summit of Jebel Hafeet Mountain. Elsewhere, around the Liwa Oasis, you can ride through one of the only safe areas of the Empty Quarter (in specialized, guide-driven vehicles, of course) and be awestruck at the utter beauty of its dunes. It’s so jaw-dropping that even jaded kids will be stunned.

Make it happen

If you take your family to the Middle East, you’ll find so many options for unforgettable trips. You get the pleasure of introducing your children to a completely different, exotic, and inspiring culture while having a great time at every opportunity. Get in touch with our local guides as soon as possible, and they’ll help you craft a Middle East trip itinerary that’s perfect for your needs and your family’s interests.