The Gulf countries in the Middle East are popular with tourists because of the beautiful beaches, sprawling desert views and extravagant cities that can found throughout the region. If you’re someone who’s interested in experiencing these for yourself, then consider traveling to these vacation hotspots in the Gulf.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, which has relaxed its restrictions on tourists significantly over recent years, is a great country to go to in general if you’re looking for vacation hotspots in the Gulf.
The capital city Riyadh is an opulent, massive city similar to Dubai and is perfect for anyone looking for a new city to explore. Then on the western end of the country there’s the coastal city Jeddah which is home to some of the best beaches in the region.
Lastly, there’s the ancient city Hegra where you can find towering structures carved out of mountainsides that boggle the mind.
But be warned that Saudi Arabia is massive, so wherever you decide to go it will be a challenge to get to a different site that you might be interested in as well.
Dubai
For vacation hotspots in the Gulf, Dubai in the UAE is hard to beat. It’s one of the most extravagant cities in the Middle East and it has a little bit of everything whether you’re looking for an active nightlife scene or beautiful beaches to relax at.
Specifically, La Mer, City Walk and Box Park are great outdoor shopping hubs to visit and Sunset Beach is one of the best beaches in the city (and arguably in the country).
There are also plenty of luxurious hotels to stay at like the famous Burj Al Arab for those looking to spare no expense on their vacation lodgings.
Muscat
Oman’s capital city Muscat is another one of the best vacation hotspots in the Gulf and it’s one that’s ideal for people looking for a more relaxing experience.
The city isn’t too crowded, the people are friendly and the coastline is always a short drive away. Muscat has that laidback small-town feel to it while being a major modern city at the same time.
And when you stay in Muscat you have the added bonus of being centrally located. Dune bashing spots and the gorgeous Wadi Shab oasis are close by, and you can even drive up to Dubai or Abu Dhabi within five hours’ time.
