The Arabian Peninsula is all about superlatives and contrasts. These are the must-see destinations in the magical Orient.
Endless sandy deserts and deep green wadis, gigantic skyscrapers and huge mosques, traditional souks and luxurious shopping malls: the Arabian Peninsula is all about superlatives and contrasts. Liberal Bahrain, artful Qatar and traditional Saudi Arabia are equally inspiring as majestic Oman and the famously luxurious United Arab Emirates.
Recommended reading: Everything You Should Know Before Your First Trip to a Souk
With its monumental skyscrapers, the skyline of Doha, Qatar's capital, looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. The small country on the Persian Gulf boasts a long coastline, a beautiful corniche and architecturally outstanding museums that hold up to international comparison.
Saudi Arabia is still largely untouched by tourists – the birthplace of Islam has only been open to visitors from abroad for a few years. The contrast between the high-tech city of Neom and the ruined city of AlUla could not be greater.
Rugged mountains, crystal-clear seas and green wadis: Oman combines extremely diverse landscapes in a very small area. Despite the burgeoning tourism, the country still has a sleepy appeal. Oman is all about quality of life and education over nouveau riche ostentation.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is best known for its breathtaking Formula 1 race track. In the Arabian Peninsula, the state has always been popular as a party destination: Bahrain is relaxed and relatively liberal – even when it comes to alcohol.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) are the foremost destination in the Persian Gulf – in addition to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, there are also fascinating desert emirates like Umm al-Qaiwain or Ras Al Khaimah that are easy to reach and worth the trip.
