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The Middle East

What continent is the Middle East?


The Middle East is a region that lies on the borders of the continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa with most of the region being in Asia. The Middle East is actually a transcontinental region, in that certain countries that are part of the Middle East, such as Egypt, are in two continents at once.

The Middle East is in Asia, but also Africa in this instance.

Turkey is also a transcontinental country, so here, the Middle East stretches from Asia to Europe.

Travel in The Middle East

Travel in the Middle East is immensely rewarding. Highlights of the Middle East include Jordan, Egypt, Dubai, Istanbul, and Abu Dhabi. Many wonders of the world, old and new, are to be found in the Middle East.

The Pyramids at Giza are widely considered to be the only remaining wonder of the ancient world. In fact, fragments of many of the wonders still exist today.

Which countries are in the Middle East?

The definition of the Middle East has shifted over time, but the following countries are generally considered to be part of the Middle East.

  • Bahrain
  • Cyprus
  • Egypt
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Kuwait
  • Lebanon
  • Oman
  • Palestine
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Syria
  • Turkey
  • UAE
  • Yemen

When we read this list of countries that make up the Middle East, we realise how much more of the world we still have to see!

Of the Middle Eastern countries above, we only cover UAE, Turkey, Jordan and Egypt so far! Our Middle East travel blog is sadly lacking in destinations.

Browse our collection of posts relating to travel in the Middle East, below.

Dubai, the beating heart of the United Arab Emirates. A city known for wealth, luxury, service and style, it has some of the most incredible man-made structures on the planet. Enjoy Dubai’s magnificent shining towers, fine dining, museums and theme park scene while giving your family a vacation to remember. Don’t skip the cultural excursions …

Read More about Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Dubai.

Most people would say Dubai is known for wealth, skyscrapers, luxury shopping, glitzy nightlife, and white-clad Arabs driving expensive cars on desert roads. Dubai is also known for being a jet-set holiday destination. There’s more to Dubai. You’ll find history, culture, a mixed bag of nationalities, workers, and ex-pats. Dubai is also known for heat, …

Read More about What is Dubai Known For?

Abu Simbel is one of the greatest, most spectacular monuments or temples in Egypt and you are most likely Abu Simbel from Aswan. Unfortunately, Abu Simbel is difficult to get to, but you can visit Abu Simbel by air or road from Aswan. We’ve been to Abu Simbel twice, two ways by flying and by …

Read More about Aswan to Abu Simbel, Getting to Abu Simbel from Aswan

Bam, we’re in Egypt. We’re certainly not in Kansas anymore and Cairo hits you around the head like a sock full of sand. It’s big, it’s busy, it’s crazy, it’s dirty and it’s freaking amazing! We arrived late at night, around 1 am at Cairo airport and were very glad we had a pick up …

Read More about Visiting the Pyramids and The Best View in Cairo

Dubai Desert Safaris are popular with visitors to Dubai, but not all Desert Safaris offer camel rides or camel trekking. There are many places to take a camel ride in Dubai, including some beaches, but to combine camels with Dubai’s desert safari camps and entertainment, you need to book this tour! Dubai Camel Safari Review …

Read More about Dubai Camel Safari (Desert Safari with Camels!)

We’ve enjoyed 5 nights at the Armada Old City hotel in Sultanahmet, Istanbul. Sultanahmet is the tourist hub of the city, this is where you’ll find Istanbul’s major historic attractions, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace. All are outstanding on a global scale and we really can’t recommend them highly …

Read More about Armada Hotel Istanbul (Review)

Turkish Breakfast is delicious and comprises diverse dishes, baked goods, cheese, meats, honey, olives, and salads. In this post, we’ll look into what’s on the Turkish breakfast menu, with plenty of photos. We’ve been in Istanbul for 5 nights and we’re having a fantastic time. This morning I was so overcome by the fabulousness of …

Read More about Turkish Breakfast in Istanbul

To see old Istanbul and its iconic buildings, a hotel in the Sultanahmet area must be your first choice. Hotel Alilass made a perfect base for our explorations of this part of the city, its history and culture. This beautiful historic peninsula, old Constantinople, is bound by water on three sides, the Golden Horn, Bosphorus …

Read More about Alilass Hotel, Sultanahmet, Istanbul