The Arabian Peninsula is hot. Yes, that’s true in the literal sense, with temperatures often rising to over 100 degrees in the daytime. But it’s also true figuratively. In recent years, the Arabian Peninsula has become an in-demand destination for travelers from all over the globe.
With its unique landscapes, fascinating cultures, and plenty of incredible food, it’s no surprise that visitors from all over the world flock to the Arabian Peninsula. Here are four must-see places you’ve got to check out when you visit:
Dubai, The United Arab Emirates
Maybe you’ve been to New York, London, and Paris. But even accomplished travelers have never seen an urban metropolis quite like Dubai.
This shimmering city is large — it’s the most populated city in the United Arab Emirates, after all. It’s also impressively futuristic and flashy, with a skyline full of insane skyscrapers that dazzle the night sky.
While the culture of the city is increasingly international, Dubai still manages to retain plenty of traditional culture. With stunning cityscapes, friendly locals, and awesome food, visiting Dubai is truly a cannot-be-missed experience.
Sana’a, Yemen
With its truly stunning architecture, strong sense of tradition, and unique culture, Sana’a is a must-see destination when visiting the Arabian Peninsula. Geographically, it’s located in the western part of the country.
The city makes an instant impression with its fairy tale-like architecture. An architectural profile of the city sums it up nicely: “Viewed for the first time the old walled city of Sana’a creates an unforgettable impression, a vision of a childhood dream world of fantasy castles.”
Sana’a has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site owing to its spectacular architecture, but it has plenty more to offer. Enjoy Turkish baths, stunning mosques, and the city’s famed rich, dark coffee when you visit.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman
Oman certainly boasts plenty of mosques — there are more than 16,000 registered in the country. But perhaps none are quite as impressive as the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Located in the capital city of Muscat, this mosque is relatively newly constructed — work commenced in the early 1990s, and was completed in the early 2000s.
It’s not hard to see why it took years to complete. The mosque took 300,000 tons of Indian sandstone to built, and includes a 244 foot by 244 foot prayer hall featuring a central dome that rises 160 feet. In total, between the interior and exterior spaces, it can hold over 20,000 worshipers. It’s also home to one of the largest chandeliers in the world.
Rub’al Khali Desert
This incredible and huge desert spans across The United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. To say it’s vast would be an understatement: It covers over 250,000 square miles.
As you traverse its bright red landscape, it may start to look familiar, as if you’ve seen it in a galaxy far away. You’re not mistaken. The Rub’al Khali desert has in fact served as a film location for movies like "Star Wars"!
With its vibrant red sand, rolling dunes, and mirage-inducing sun, this Arabian desert is truly a sight to behold, and offers an experience unlike anything else.
Arabian nights and Arabian days may be hotter than hot more often than not. But there’s so much to see in the Arabian Peninsula that it’s worth making this incredible region a destination. Which one of these must-see places is at the top of your list?