The Middle East is a region rich with history and the remnants of ancient cultures. Regardless of the country you can usually find ruins or preserved archaeological sites to explore. If you want to see these treasures for yourself, then consider these best historical sites to visit in the Middle East.
Hegra – Saudi Arabia
Hegra (also known as Mada’in Saleh) is a sprawling historical site in Saudi Arabia that has been widely undisturbed since the beginning of the Common Era. It was a city built by the Nabataeans and many of its towering structures were quite literally carved out of the mountain sides.
If this is your first time hearing about Hegra that’s likely because access to the site was extremely limited, but now that Saudi Arabia has eased restrictions on tourists it’s finally open to travelers looking to explore this wonder of the world.
Petra – Jordan
If you’re looking for historical sites to visit in the Middle East, Petra reigns supreme. It’s more of a city than single archaeological site and it’s roughly 2000 years old.
It’s also a UNESCO recognized world heritage site and when you see the city it’s obvious why. The massive stone-carved structures like the Treasury and the Monastery boggle the mind when you appreciate the fact that they were constructed hundreds of years ago.
You could easily spend a day exploring everything that Petra has to offer.
Baalbek – Lebanon
Another UNESCO recognized historical site to visit in the Middle East is Baalbek in Lebanon. It’s home to structures built by the Phoenicians and a massive two-thousand-year-old Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter.
Middle East aside these historical structures are some of the largest in the world and well worth the visit. Just be aware of the recent challenges in Lebanon if you do choose to go, there’s limited electricity for example, so you plan accordingly.
Carthage – Tunisia
The Middle East and North Africa go hand and hand, so it would be hard to exclude countries like Egypt and Tunisia from this list of historical sites to visit in the Middle East.
Carthage, located in Tunisia’s capital city Tunis, is another famous site founded by the Phoenicians around ninth century 814 BCE. Its columns, structures and other stone remnants are a sight to behold and are beautifully complimented by the surrounding coastline.
Pyramids of Giza – Egypt
The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt are arguably the most famous archaeological sites in the world. They’re enormous pyramids dating back to approximately 2600 BCE that stand as testament to the abilities of ancient human civilizations.
They warrant a spot on anyone’s bucket list but be warned they’re one of the more commercialized archaeological sites out there.
Expect big crowds and an onslaught of people trying to squeeze as much money out of tourists as possible.
