The Middle East gave rise to some of the world’s most powerful and greatest empires, including Mesopotamia, the Persian Empire, and Egypt. Despite their incredible legacies, in recent years many Middle Eastern countries have been torn apart by religious infighting and political corruption, which has deterred tourists from visiting them.

There are still lots of extremely safe Middle Eastern countries that are worth visiting, however. Some of them are considered to be safer than many Western countries!

Here is a list of the top countries that are worth visiting in the Middle East:

Israel

Israel is without a doubt the Middle East’s most popular country, home to over 9.2 million people. One of the reasons that it is so popular is that it allows young people free trips to Israel, offering summer programmes, internships, and gap years. Israel also offers Jewish people from around the world the right to relocate there and acquire citizenship. However, you can still visit and enjoy Israel even if you aren’t Jewish. The country has a number of famous historical and religious sites, including Temple Mount and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Israel is also the safest country in the Middle East, so you have nothing to worry about visiting. Israel actually has less crime than the U.S, Canada, and EU.

Egypt

Egypt is one of the Middle East’s most popular countries, second only to Israel. Egypt’s allure lies in its historical sites and cultural institutions. The nation’s most famous attraction is the Great Pyramids of Giza, which are one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Another reason that Egypt is so popular is that it is incredibly cheap to travel there from Europe, though this will probably not be the case if you are travelling from somewhere in the United States. In addition to historical sites, Egypt has lots of five-star hotels, restaurants, and spas.

Jordan

Jordan is another popular Middle Eastern country, and like Egypt and Israel, has some very interesting historical sites. Jordan’s most famous historical site is Petra, a city in Jordan that is over 2,000 years old and is carved out of rock. Jordan is also very popular for its cuisine, which is some of the most delicious in the Middle East. Another location that is worth seeing there is Mount Nebo, a site supposedly venerated by prophets during ancient times. You can also visit the Dead Sea, hiking trails, and desert valleys.

UAE

The UAE (United Arab Emirates) is a destination visited more for luxury, relaxation, and good food than anything else. While the UAE is most known for its skyscrapers and modern buildings, there are still some ancient sites to be found there, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Al Ain Oasis. If you would like to visit some of the nation’s ancient sites, then consider visiting Hili Archaeological Park, Jebel Hafeet Tombs, Abu Dhabi Sabkha, and Al Bidya Mosque. There is of course lots of other things to do in the UAE, from surfboarding to rock climbing. If you would prefer to take it easy, then you can do that too. The nation isn’t short on luxury spas and five-star restaurants – in fact, they are the nation’s main attraction!

Oman

Oman is one of the Middle East’s most beautiful countries, beloved for its incredible beauty and myriad sand dunes. Oman also has some of the Middle East’s best beaches and hiking trails. Oman has a rich and vibrant history and culture, as well as delicious cuisine. Travellers agree that, when in Oman, the best way to experience the country is to sign up for a Bedouin tour, where you live and stay with Bedouins in the desert, for several days. Though, it is entirely possible to stay with them for longer, should you want to. Oman is lots of fun, so give it some consideration.

Turkey

Finally, we arrive at Turkey. Turkey is an interesting country, that touches two continents, Europe and Asia. There is a lot to do in Turkey, from visiting the nation’s mosques to visiting the remains of Ottoman palaces. If you fancy yourself an aesthete, then you could even consider carpet shopping when there. Some of the world’s finest carpets are produced and sourced from Turkey. There are restrictions on exporting antique carpets, however, so bear this in mind. You can also pick up some incredible art in Turkey, perhaps even some from the Ottoman period. Turkey has something for everybody, so give it some thought.

The Middle East is a place that is sadly overlooked by travellers, who assume that it is dangerous and unwelcoming. This couldn’t be any further from the truth. The Middle East is filled with beautiful, hospitable countries, just waiting for you to visit.