camels Oman
Arabian Peninsula

In February, 2023, we flew Vancouver-Heathrow-Dubai-Muscat (capital of Oman) to explore four countries of the Arabian Peninsula; Oman, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar. A highlight was a one-week, 4×4 tour of the mountains, deserts, and wadis of Oman. Another “high” was a visit to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, still the highest freestanding building in the world (although construction is underway on its successor). You may read all our posts about this trip by clicking the links below.

Country Count Updated

The day after we returned to Vancouver from our Arabian Peninsula visit (2023-1 – Arabian Peninsula – Feb-Mar, 2023) we ...
/ 2023-1 - Arabian Peninsula, News

Old Dubai, UAE

Up early to go to our cultural breakfast at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. Tasty (but expensive) experience ...

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Arrived rather late in the afternoon so only really went out for dinner at a Nepalese restaurant near our hotel ...
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Camel Training Races in Qatar

Camel racing is a huge sport everywhere in Arabia, and nowhere more so than in Qatar. We visited the enormous ...

Doha, Emirate of Qatar

Arrived in Doha late in the afternoon. Checked in then after dinner, strolled up to the Corniche area. Plaza of ...

Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

Super early start in Abu Dhabi to catch our flight to Manama, the capital of Bahrain. Were ready to start ...

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Slow start in Dubai as we were quite tired. Headed by tram & Metro to the Mall of the Emirates ...

Wadi Al Arbeieen & Muttrah, Oman

Tackled another wadi in the morning. Drove to the trailhead of nearby Wadi Al Arbeieen but pathway up the wadi ...

Wadi Shab to Wadi Al Arbeieen, Oman

Big day as it was time to hike into the famous Wadi Shab. A very popular 2 hour hike in ...

Sur and Wadi Tiwi, Oman

Up early for a 7am breakfast then relaxed around camp until 9:30. Drove out of the desert by ourselves then ...
camels Oman

Into the Desert, Sharqiya Sands, Oman

Breakfast in the garden at the Omani Guesthouse then into our 4x4 to head to the desert. Had booked a ...

Nizwa and Bahla, Oman

Up the next morning for breakfast in the guesthouse garden. Then it was time to visit the Bahla Fort about ...

Al Ayn to Jibreen Castle Fort, Oman

Breakfast at our Sama Heights Resort, then hit the road just after 9am. Wound our way back down the Jebel ...

Jebel Shams, Oman’s Highest Peak

Up the next morning for our drive up to Jebel Shams, Oman's highest mountain at 3028 m. Decided to first ...

Cave and Crumbling Village in Oman

Drove back to the Muscat airport to exchange our rental car for a Mitsubishi Montero 4x4. Then it was time ...

Muscat the capital of Oman

Impressive views of dry, barren landscape while flying into Oman. Crazy, 2-hour lineup to get into the country unless you ...
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Our flight itinerary for the Arabian Peninsula

Check out our animated travel route from Vancouver to four countries in the Arabian Peninsula for our upcoming trip (100countries.info/trips/2023-1-arabian-peninsula-feb-mar-2023) ...
/ 2023-1 - Arabian Peninsula, Trips
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Our virtual travel agent for the Arabian Peninsula

We're trying something new and different for our upcoming trip to the Arabian Peninsula; a consultation with an AI driven, ...
/ 2023-1 - Arabian Peninsula, News

You can jump directly to our trip photos on Flickr by clicking on an album thumbnail in our trip collection: https://www.flickr.com/photos/100countries/collections/72157721539522271/


We tried something a little different while researching this trip; a consultation with an AI driven travel consultant! Read what he/she/they/it had to say below! We visited 6 of the 10 recommended sights, and have already been to Wadi Rum in Jordan, so we think that a virtual travel agent is pretty handy!

Tell us about tourism in the Arabian Peninsula.

Tourism in the Arabian Peninsula is a significant industry, with many countries in the region, such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, investing heavily in developing their tourism infrastructure. The region is known for its luxury resorts, ancient cultural sites, and natural attractions, such as beaches and deserts. The Arabian Peninsula is also home to several major cities, such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh, which attract millions of visitors each year. Additionally, religious tourism, particularly to Mecca and Medina, is an important aspect of the region’s tourism industry.

You mentioned the countries of Oman and Bahrain but didn’t discuss any cities or attractions in those countries.

I apologize for the oversight. Oman is known for its picturesque coastal towns, such as Muscat, the capital, and Salalah, which is known for its lush greenery and monsoon season. Oman also has a rich cultural heritage, and visitors can explore the country’s many forts, castles, and museums, such as the Bahla Fort, the Nizwa Fort, and the National Museum of Oman. Oman also has a diverse landscape, with rugged mountains, wadis (dry riverbeds), and deserts. Oman also has a number of beaches and many visitors come to Oman for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Bahrain, on the other hand, is an island country and it offers visitors a mix of modern and traditional experiences. The capital, Manama, is a bustling city with a vibrant cultural scene. Visitors can explore the Bahrain National Museum and the Bahrain Fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Bahrain also has a number of religious sites, such as the Al-Fateh Mosque and the Al Khamis Mosque, which is one of the oldest in the region. Bahrain is also known for its beaches, such as Al Jazair Beach and Al Dar Island, and for its water activities like sailing and fishing.

Qatar is also in the region. Are there tourist sights there?

Yes, Qatar is also located in the Arabian Peninsula and is a popular destination for tourists. Qatar has a rich cultural heritage and visitors can explore the country’s many museums and heritage sites, such as the Museum of Islamic Art, which houses a vast collection of Islamic art and artifacts from around the world, and the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, which is a unique open-air museum that showcases traditional Qatari life and culture.
Qatar is also known for its modern architecture and visitors can see the famous skyscrapers like the Aspire Tower, and the Museum of Islamic Art Park. The capital city, Doha, is home to several luxury shopping centers, such as the Villaggio Mall and the City Center Mall. The famous and iconic landmark in Qatar is the “The Pearl Qatar” which is an artificial island that features luxury villas, apartments, and shopping centers.
Qatar also has natural attractions such as the Inland Sea, a body of water that separates Qatar from Saudi Arabia, and the Khor Al Adaid, also known as the “Inland Sea,” which is a UNESCO-protected nature reserve and is popular spot for camping, dune bashing and bird watching.
Qatar is known for its beach resorts and several visitors come to Qatar for its water sports like kite surfing, windsurfing and jet skiing.

Can you list the top 10 attractions in the region?

Here is a list of some popular tourist attractions in the Arabian Peninsula region:

  1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates – the tallest building in the world, with an observation deck on the 124th floor offering panoramic views of the city.
  2. The Great Mosque of Mecca, Saudi Arabia – the largest mosque in the world and a major pilgrimage site for Muslims.
  3. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – one of the largest mosques in the world, known for its stunning marble and gold-leaf architecture.
  4. The Wadi Rum desert, Jordan – a desert valley known for its stunning sandstone mountains and Bedouin culture.
  5. The Mutrah Souq, Muscat, Oman – a traditional market selling spices, textiles, and souvenirs.
  6. The Bahrain Fort, Bahrain – a UNESCO World Heritage site and a well-preserved example of traditional Bahraini architecture.
  7. The Souq Waqif, Doha, Qatar – a traditional market selling spices, textiles, and souvenirs.
  8. The Inland Sea, Qatar – a body of water that separates Qatar from Saudi Arabia, known for its stunning desert landscapes and bird-watching.
  9. The Salalah, Oman – Known for its lush greenery and monsoon season, it’s also famous for traditional souq and the Al-Haffa souq.
  10. The Al-Hajar Mountains, Oman – a rugged mountain range known for its hiking and rock climbing opportunities.
    Please keep in mind this is a list of a few popular attractions, but there are many more places to explore and discover in the Arabian Peninsula.
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