The Middle East · FORTS & ANCIENT SITES

The 15 Best Forts & Ancient Sites in the Middle East

44 tours  ·  from $28

Nizwa and Bahla in Oman, Zubarah in Qatar, Jerash and Ajloun in Jordan. The 15 below cover the mud-brick forts and the Roman cities, with entry costs, driving times and which pair sensibly into one day.

Desert Safari: Luxury Fortress Dinner, Camel Ride & Dune Bashing - Camel and horse rides, henna, and a falcon display
Camel Rides, Camel Rides in Dubai, Desert Safaris, Desert Safaris in Dubai, Dubai Tours, Forts & Ancient Sites, Tour Reviews, United Arab Emirates Tours, VIP & Luxury Tours

Desert Safari: Luxury Fortress Dinner, Camel Ride & Dune Bashing

1.Desert Safari: Luxury Fortress Dinner, Camel Ride & Dune Bashing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 929 reviews · from $129Our pick

Spend about seven hours in Dubai’s desert with 4WD pickup, red-dune bashing, sunset photo stops, and an evening at Al Sahra Desert Fortress. You’ll enjoy camel and horse rides, falcon interaction, henna, a buffet with live BBQ stations, and belly dancing, Tanoura, music, and fire shows. Guides such as Abdul M, Ahmed, Khuram, and Mohammed have earned special praise, though guide assignments vary.

“Our driver did not “ entertain and educate you on the ways of the Middle East.”. We stopped at an area not included in our tour, then wanting us to buy other activities. When no one wanted to do anything, we still had to wait around 20 minutes before we could leave.”

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Dubai: Luxury Desert Fortress Dinner, Camel Ride & Live Shows - A traditional welcome with coffee, dates, and rose water
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Dubai: Luxury Desert Fortress Dinner, Camel Ride & Live Shows

2.Luxury Desert Fortress Dinner, Camel Ride & Live Shows

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 373 reviews · from $108

Ride from your Dubai hotel to Al Sahra Desert Fortress for Arabic coffee, dates, camel and horse rides, henna, falcon viewing, a buffet dinner, and live belly dancing, Tanoura, and fire performances. The five-hour outing includes air-conditioned transport and soft drinks, with optional dune bashing and house beverages.

“Excellent food. Polite staff. Nice show. Fun with the falcon and the camel . I highly recommend it to any first time visitor to Dubai”

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Dubai's Ancient Charm Tour - The Spice Souk brings the strongest local color
Dubai Tours, Forts & Ancient Sites, Tour Reviews, United Arab Emirates Tours

Dubai’s Ancient Charm Tour

3.Dubai’s Ancient Charm Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 371 reviews · 4 hours · from $29

This four-hour Gray Line tour pairs old Dubai’s Bastakiya district, Creek abra crossing, Spice Souk, and Gold Souk with Jumeirah Mosque and Burj Al Arab photo stops. An English-speaking guide leads the outing, while audio commentary is available in nine additional languages. Hotel pickup and Dubai Mall drop-off are included.

“This was a great little tour of Dubai. The guide spoke good English and the automated commentary was good albeit a little dated. It took in all the sights we wanted to see and was just enough in the half day tour. Very cost effective as well at £75 for 4 adults.”

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From Amman: Jerash, Ajloun Castle or Umm Qais Private Tour - Jerash, the day’s essential stop
Forts & Ancient Sites, Forts & Ancient Sites in Jordan, Jerash Tours, Jordan Tours, Private Tours, Tour Reviews

From Amman: Jerash, Ajloun Castle or Umm Qais Private Tour

4.Jerash, Ajloun Castle or Umm Qais Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 360 reviews · from $59

Choose Jerash alone, pair it with Ajloun Castle or Umm Qais, or visit all three in one long day from Amman. Your private driver, often someone such as Shadi, Anas, or Mohammad, handles the road, hotel pickup, Wi-Fi, and bottled water. Local guides and entrance fees can be added.

“I had an great day with Shadi, he was an excellent driver! The tour of the 3 sites was very interesting, especially the mighty Jerash! Shadi also advised me on the most suitable tour for Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea and he arranged the booking for me. I am very glad I booked this tour, I highly recommend it!”

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North Qatar Tour | Zubara Fort | Purple Island | Mangros Colony - Purple Island and the mangroves
Forts & Ancient Sites, Forts & Ancient Sites in North Qatar, North Qatar Tours, Qatar Tours, Tour Reviews

North Qatar Tour | Zubara Fort | Purple Island | Mangros Colony

5.North Qatar Tour | Zubara Fort | Purple Island | Mangros Colony

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 323 reviews · from $77

Leave Doha with a driver-guide and explore northern Qatar in a small private group of up to six. See Al Khor’s dhow boats, walk around Purple Island’s mangroves, visit Zubara Fort and its film, and stop at Al Jumail. Guides including Usman, Adil, Bilal, and Abdur Rahman are praised for clear explanations and friendly service.

“Abdullah was on tine very informative treated his group with resoect good driving covered what was incouded”

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Dune Buggy Experience and Dinner at Mleiha Archaeological Center - Getting started with private pickup and refreshments
Dining Experiences, Dune Buggy Tours, Forts & Ancient Sites, Sharjah Tours, Tour Reviews, United Arab Emirates Tours

Dune Buggy Experience and Dinner at Mleiha Archaeological Center

6.Dune Buggy Experience and Dinner at Mleiha Archaeological Center

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 272 reviews

Spend about five hours in Mleiha with private Dubai pickup, a camel ride, sandboarding, fossil hunting at Fossil Rock, and one hour driving a two-seat dune buggy. Safety gear, refreshments, Zerzura facilities, and a three-course dinner at Mleiha Archaeological Center are included. The buggy can be self-driven or enjoyed from the passenger seat.

“amazing experience. staff were extremely friendly. Drinks provided beforehand which was very helpful. would recommend to anyone travelling to Dubai”

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Doha North Qatar Tour Zubara Fort, Mangroves, Jumail Village - The 50-minute drive from Doha
Forts & Ancient Sites, Forts & Ancient Sites in North Qatar, North Qatar Tours, Qatar Tours, Tour Reviews

Doha North Qatar Tour Zubara Fort, Mangroves, Jumail Village

7.Doha North Qatar Tour Zubara Fort, Mangroves, Jumail Village

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 267 reviews · 4h 30m · from $59

Travel north from Doha in a small group of up to six, with English-speaking guides such as Nawaz, Abdul Sattar, and Muhammad Yasin. You’ll see Al Khor’s old harbor, Al Thakira mangroves, Al Zubara Fort, and Al Jumail Village in 270 minutes, with hotel pickup, drinks, and an air-conditioned vehicle included.

“Great tour - was very informative. Was good to see lots of history of Qatar. I would definitely recommend. The Fort was very interesting.”

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Nizwa Fort-Nizwa Souq-Misfah Al Arbyeen-Jebel Shams - Private Full Day Tour - Nizwa Fort, Oman’s great inland stronghold
1-Day Tours, Forts & Ancient Sites, Forts & Ancient Sites in Nizwa, Full-Day, Mountain Tours, Mountain Tours in Nizwa, Nizwa Tours, Oman Tours, Souks & Old Towns, Tour Reviews

Nizwa Fort-Nizwa Souq-Misfah Al Arbyeen-Jebel Shams – Private Full Day Tour

8.Nizwa Fort-Nizwa Souq-Misfah Al Arbyeen-Jebel Shams – Private Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 220 reviews · from $220

Travel from Muscat in a private 4x4 with an English-speaking Omani guide to Nizwa Fort, Nizwa Souq, Al Hamra, Misfah Al Abriyeen, and Jebel Shams. Guides such as Hamood, Ali, Khalid, and Yasser are praised for safe driving, local insight, flexibility, and good photo stops. Expect a long day with major mountain views.

“The whole day was great and this tour is perfect if you want to see some of the sightseeing highlights of Oman in one day. My driver / guide Musab was excellent and the tour company helpful and friendly in organising the tour.”

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North of Qatar Tour to Olafur Eliasson Zubara Fort Jumail Village - Purple Island and Al Thakira’s mangroves
Forts & Ancient Sites, Forts & Ancient Sites in North Qatar, North Qatar Tours, Qatar Tours, Tour Reviews

North of Qatar Tour to Olafur Eliasson Zubara Fort Jumail Village

9.North of Qatar Tour to Olafur Eliasson Zubara Fort Jumail Village

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 157 reviews · from $55

Travel north from Doha with a private guide and driver, stopping at Al Khor, Al Thakira’s mangroves, Purple Island, Al Zubara Fort, Al Jumail village, and Olafur Eliasson’s desert installation. Expect a small group of up to six, hotel pickup, bottled water, and long drives between widely spaced sites.

“Abholung am Hafen hat gut geklappt. Leider mussten wir den Fahrer erst suchen, da er kein Namensschild mit unserem Namen dabei hatte. Sehr netter Fahrer, er wusste viel über das Land zu erzählen. Die Tour selbst war mit langen Fahrstrecken verbunden. Die LandschaRead more”

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Private Old Dubai Walking Tour: Forts, Souks, and Boats - Al Fahidi Fort and the closed Dubai Museum
Dubai Tours, Forts & Ancient Sites, Souk & Old Town Tours in Dubai, Souks & Old Towns, Tour Reviews, United Arab Emirates Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Dubai

Private Old Dubai Walking Tour: Forts, Souks, and Boats

10.Private Old Dubai Walking Tour: Forts, Souks, and Boats

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 116 reviews · from $99

Walk through Al Fahidi’s wind-tower homes, see Al Fahidi Fort and the closed Dubai Museum from outside, browse Hindi Lane and the Textile Souk, then cross Dubai Creek by abra to reach Deira’s Gold and Spice Souks. Guides such as Pri, Ricky, Ricardo, Patricia, and Sameh bring local history and practical shopping advice to this two-hour tour.

“Our conversations with Pri. She was knowledgeable about the old Dubai and UAE. We gained valuable knowledge and we have a new appreciation for the people and the UAE.”

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Abu Dhabi Tour with Grand Mosque and BAPS Temple - BAPS Hindu Mandir gives the tour a second viewpoint
Abu Dhabi Tours, Forts & Ancient Sites, Mosque Visits, Tour Reviews, United Arab Emirates Tours

Abu Dhabi Tour with Grand Mosque and BAPS Temple

11.Abu Dhabi Tour with Grand Mosque and BAPS Temple

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 105 reviews · from $28Best value

Travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in an air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup, a licensed guide, and a maximum of 15 people. You’ll visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, BAPS Hindu Mandir, Heritage Village, Emirates Palace, Marina Mall, the date market, and selected Abu Dhabi sights. Lunch is not included, and the Ferrari World stop may be brief.

“Excellent, nous étions 6 visite rythmée, très ponctuelle beaucoup de chose vues, très bon rapport qualité prix .”

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North of Qatar Tour, Zubara Fort, Mangroves, Jumail Village - Leaving Doha in an air-conditioned vehicle
Forts & Ancient Sites, Forts & Ancient Sites in North Qatar, North Qatar Tours, Qatar Tours, Tour Reviews

North of Qatar Tour, Zubara Fort, Mangroves, Jumail Village

12.North of Qatar Tour, Zubara Fort, Mangroves, Jumail Village

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · from $65

Travel north from Doha in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide who explains Qatar’s past and daily life. Visit Al Khor, walk near the Purple Island mangroves, see Al Zubarah Fort, and explore abandoned Al Jumail Village. Water, coffee, and tea are included, while meals and entry fees are not.

“A wonderful carefully planned trip. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the locations we visited, the mangroves were a calm oasis and such a contrast from the city of Doha. We loved that stop. The village and fort are so wRead more”

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From Amman: Private Jerash, Ajloun Castle, and Umm Qais Tour - Choosing between the three tour options
Forts & Ancient Sites, Forts & Ancient Sites in Jordan, Jerash Tours, Jordan Tours, Tour Reviews

From Amman: Private Jerash, Ajloun Castle, and Umm Qais Tour

13.Private Jerash, Ajloun Castle, and Umm Qais Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 82 reviews · from $57

Travel privately from Amman to Jerash, with optional stops at Ajloun Castle and Umm Qais. Your English or Arabic-speaking driver handles pickup, transport, Wi-Fi, and water, while you set the pace. Drivers such as Ramzi, Omar, Safwat, and Anas are praised for clear communication, local advice, and flexible itineraries.

“We did a private tour to Jerash with our incredible driver Zakariya. The transportation was excellent and the Roman ruins at Jerash were so impressive. We had a great time at the site. Most importantly Zakariya was a very knowledgeable driver who knew all the fun facts around, and was always making sure we were comfortable and provided a clear itinerary. He made the trip extra special and we recommend this tour and this driver to all who visit Jordan.”

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Nizwa Fort-Nizwa Souq-Birkat Al Mouz-Jebel Akhdar - Private Full Day Tour - Seeing the working side of Nizwa Souq
1-Day Tours, Forts & Ancient Sites, Forts & Ancient Sites in Nizwa, Full-Day, Mountain Tours, Mountain Tours in Nizwa, Nizwa Tours, Oman Tours, Souks & Old Towns, Tour Reviews

Nizwa Fort-Nizwa Souq-Birkat Al Mouz-Jebel Akhdar – Private Full Day Tour

14.Nizwa Fort-Nizwa Souq-Birkat Al Mouz-Jebel Akhdar – Private Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · from $212

Leave Muscat in a private 4WD with an English-speaking Omani guide for Nizwa Fort, the old souq, Birkat Al Mouz, and Jebel Akhdar. Guides including Ahmed, Nasr, Moosa, Saif, Khalid, and Ameer have led this route. Expect history, mountain views, photo stops, and a full eight-hour day. Lunch is not included.

“We were looking for a suitable Oman tour for the family to see some of the main tourist attractions on offer.”

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Private Historical Tour - Nizwa Fort - Nizwa Souq - Bahla Fort - Jabreen Castle - Jabreen Castle and Oman’s life of learning
Forts & Ancient Sites, Forts & Ancient Sites in Nizwa, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Oman, Nizwa Tours, Oman Tours, Souks & Old Towns, Tour Reviews

Private Historical Tour – Nizwa Fort – Nizwa Souq – Bahla Fort – Jabreen Castle

15.Private Historical Tour – Nizwa Fort – Nizwa Souq – Bahla Fort – Jabreen Castle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · from $233

Travel from Muscat in a private vehicle with an English-speaking guide such as Abdulmajeeb, Waleed, Mohammed, or Hussein. Visit Nizwa Fort, Nizwa Souq, UNESCO-listed Bahla Fort, and Jabreen Castle. Entry fees, bottled water, fuel, and hotel pickup are included. Lunch is not.

“Perfect day enjoying the forts and castle!! I think one of my favorite parts of the day was when we visited the souq! A lot of fabulous spices, I’m a huge lover of frankincense, sandalwood and other natural aroma therapy and it was very interestiRead more”

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New in Forts & Ancient Sites

★ 5.0Private Guided Abu Dhabi Tour with BAPS Temple Visit from Dubai30 reviews
★ 5.0Private Tour in Abu Dhabi City with BAPS TempleFrom $10049 reviews
★ 5.0Explore North of Qatar: Visit Zubarah Fort and Fishing Town of Al KhorFrom $12324 reviews
★ 4.5Private Full Trip of Madaba City Mosaics,Mount Nebo,Dead Sea & Amman SightseeingFrom $18042 reviews
★ 4.5Private Tour of Desert Castles Eastern Jordan with optional Azraq Wetland VisitFrom $9321 reviews
★ 4.5Half-Day Majesty: Madaba Mosaics & Mount Nebo’s ViewFrom $6327 reviews
★ 5.0Day Tour to Jerash, Ajloun Castle and Dead SeaFrom $9831 reviews
★ 5.0Full-Day tour Amman city tour and desert castlesFrom $8923 reviews
★ 5.06 Day Tour: Amman Petra Jerash Baptism Site Karak Castle Wadi Rum Red & Dead SeaFrom $99932 reviews
★ 5.05 Day Tour: Amman Petra Jerash Mount Nebo Karak Castle Wadi Rum Red & Dead SeaFrom $79923 reviews
★ 5.03Day Private Tour: Petra Mount Nebo & Al Karak Castle Wadi Rum Red and Dead SeasFrom $49949 reviews
★ 5.04 Day Private Tour: Petra Jerash Mount Nebo Karak Castle Wadi Rum Red & Dead SeaFrom $69929 reviews
★ 5.0North Qatar: Zubara Fort, Jumail Village, Thakhira MangrovesFrom $5741 reviews
★ 5.0Zubara UNESCO Site, Mangroves & Jumail VillageFrom $3539 reviews
★ 4.8Qatar North Tour, Zubara Fort, Mangroves, purple islandFrom $7125 reviews

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Explore the Middle East

Pick a desert, a coastline or an old city.

Out in the dunes

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Out past the breakwater

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Old cities

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What people fly in for

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