10 Must See Cities in the Arab World
By Dan Gil/Contributing Writer
The summer is in full swing in the United States and across the northern hemisphere which means scorchingly hot days mixed with trips to the beach, barbecues, baseball games, and over everything: vacations to beautiful places as free times lends itself to tourists. With that in mind, Arab America wanted to compile a list of the 10 most visited cities in the Arab World to inspire some travelers to consider Arab cities that are exotic, exciting, and bustling with people.
Doha, Qatar
Translated in modern standard Arabic (MSA) as “the big tree,” Doha is Qatar’s capital city located on the coast of the Persian Gulf. Home to more than 1.2 million, Doha is a busy metropolis and a city whose skyline has grown exponentially in the past couple decades. You can experience culture Considered a “World City” by the Globalization and World Cities Network, Doha has been selected to host several world events such as 2006 Asian Games, the 2011 Pan Arab Games, and will be the site for soccer matches in the 2022 World Cup.
Amman, Jordan
The capital city of Jordan, Amman may lack the storied history of some of the other cities on the list, however, it is by no means uninteresting. Some of the oldest Roman ruins in the world lay on the outskirts of one of the oldest districts in the city. The weather may reach absurd heights in the summer, but luckily the Dead Sea neighbors Amman begging for you to take a dip in it to cool off. The downtown area has winding close quartered streets and a bustling market in the heart of the metropolis. Any trip to the Middle East requires that you stop in the cafes, bars, restaurants, and clubs Amman has to offer.
Beirut, Lebanon
Another capital city, Beirut offers itself to historians and tourists alike from all across the world. Historic structures dot the city spanning from the Roman and Byzantine eras through to the Canaanite and Ottoman golden eras. Apart from the historic sites, Beirut has some of the best nightlife and cuisine in the entire Middle East, and beaches, many beaches. It was also voted as the top international city for food in the entire world.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
In keeping with our theme of capital cities established, Riyadh’s skyline is one of the first attractions you’ll notice while arriving at this spectacularly constructed city. Home to some of the largest skyscrapers in the world, this urban center is also the most populated city in Saudi Arabia.
Dahab, Egypt
Unlike many of the cities here which have been massive sprawling urban centers or industrial and economic powerhouses, Dahab is a much more tame town. And, that’s why it made the list. The town lies just an hour north of Sharm Al-Sheikh and it’s just a calm place by the sea with beautiful sandy beaches and water so crystal blue you can see the bottom of the ocean. The name translated from MSA (modern standard arabic) literally means gold which is how you might look after tanning by this relaxing city on the Sinai Peninsula.
Casablanca, Morocco
The setting for the one of the most iconic films of all time, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman might always have Paris, but you should always place this stunningly modernized metropolis on your itinerary for a trip to the Arab World. The central-western city sits beside the Atlantic ocean making its climate comfortably pleasant as the sea air wrestles with the dry desert weather. It’s also a financial powerhouse for the Middle East, hosting one of the largest ports in the entire world which supports a bustling and affluent economy. Its French styled New Town is also a must see, blending traditional Moroccan architecture with classic anglo-inspired roofs.
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Mecca is the birthplace of prophet Muhammad and the site of his first vision revelation. It’s one of the oldest and most religious cities in the entire world. Mecca is also the site of Muslim pilgrimages coming from all corners of the globe. It’s the city where all Muslims are required to stand in a way, facing East, to direct their prayers to Mecca. (Daniel plz. Check if facing East and adjust the sentence) . The Masjid Al-Haram sits within the city as the largest mosque in the entire world.
Cairo, Egypt
Both the capital and the largest city of Egypt, Cairo, is the iconic city which sits by the Nile River. It associates itself with one of the most prolific and ancient civilizations known to man. The Giza Pyramid complex (one of the 7 wonders of the world) towers over the city, creating an epic landscape which meshes a modern city with truly ancient structures. That in itself is more than a reason to pay this famous city a visit. (Daniel, do you want to mention that it’s the most important city in Africa?– please verify}
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The capital of the largest of the UAE’s seven emirates (not clear– I understand that it is the capital of UAE, at the same time, it’s an Emirate. Maybe largest Emirate in the UAE??) Abu Dhabi sits on an island which sticks out from the Persian Gulf. In the past few decades, the city has been transformed by the wealth of its inhabitants to form one of the most advanced cities in the entire world. (Most recently, this city celebrated the opening of one of the most attractive palaces in the world. Maybe include a video that Warren has)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
It’s astounding how much this city has changed even in the past 10 years. The gorgeous and immense skyscrapers punctuate the vast desert skylinae, unlike most major metropoles around the world. Rakin in an average of 14.26 million visitors a year (a number which is growing), Dubai is the pinnacle of city design mixed with absurd amounts of money. It’s known for its hotels, malls, beaches, attractions, and innovative electronics that exists nowhere else. It’ truly a city of the future.