The Middle East · HIGHLIGHTS TOURS

Highlights Tours in the Middle East: The 15 Strongest

50 tours  ·  from $23

Good highlights tours fill up well before you land and the best ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Dubai: Top City Attractions Photo Stop Tour - Pickup, vehicle, and the first look at Deira
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Dubai: Top City Attractions Photo Stop Tour

1.Top City Attractions Photo Stop Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,128 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $29Our pick

This 2.5-hour Gray Line tour gives you a fast, air-conditioned look at Dubai’s icons, from Burj Khalifa and Jumeirah Mosque to Atlantis and Old Dubai. An English-speaking guide leads the trip, while audio is available in nine other languages. Expect short photo stops, hotel or airport pickup, and a drop-off in Deira.

“We were collected on time by car and brought to another location and a bus was waiting. So not a car tour surprisingly. The bus was adequate and we were informed that the headphones were our guide for the morning as the bus driver would not be speaking. The sights were as expected and we were dropped off at the Dubai Mall It was enjoyable overall”

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Dubai: Top 15 Must-See Dubai Sightseeing Tour in a SUV/VAN - Starting with the creek, souks, and an abra crossing
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Dubai: Top 15 Must-See Dubai Sightseeing Tour in a SUV/VAN

2.Top 15 Must-See Dubai Sightseeing Tour in a SUV/VAN

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 814 reviews · 5 hours · from $68

This five-hour Dubai tour uses an air-conditioned SUV or van to connect the Palm, Atlantis, Dubai Marina, Burj Al Arab, old Dubai, the souks, and Downtown. An English-speaking guide such as Uday, Santhu, or Haseeb leads the day, with hotel pickup, an abra ride, shawarma, a soft drink, and water included.

“our guide Uday was very knowledgeable and personable. He packed a tremendous amount of variety into our tour and customized it based on what we were scheduled to see later in our visit. highly recommend!”

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Dubai: Historic City Highlights Day Trip - Palm Jumeirah and the modern Dubai drive
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Dubai: Historic City Highlights Day Trip

3.Historic City Highlights Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 807 reviews · 4 hours · from $23Best value

This four-hour Dubai tour links Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah, Al Bastakiya, Dubai Creek, the Spice Souk, and Gold Souk. You will ride a traditional abra, enter Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque, and view major modern sights from the vehicle. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and multilingual guides are included.

“Highly recommend for those love to visit dubai. With great information from tourist and very nice to communicate. I enjoy with this tour. Thank you!”

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Muscat: Half-Day Sightseeing Essentials Tour and Audio Guide - The Grand Mosque: allow time for the dress check
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Muscat: Half-Day Sightseeing Essentials Tour and Audio Guide

4.Half-Day Sightseeing Essentials Tour and Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 598 reviews · 4 hours · from $48

This four-hour Gray Line tour gives you a quick, well-organized look at Muscat, with hotel pickup, an English-speaking driver, and GPS audio commentary in five languages. You’ll visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, fish market, Bait Al Zubair Museum, Muttrah Souq, Al Alam Palace, and the Portuguese forts. Guides such as Khaleel and Naseeb add helpful local context.

“Grat tour. Nice guide. Audio guide in many languages.”

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Dubai: Stopover City Highlights Tour with Flexible Timing - Meeting your guide at Dubai International Airport
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Dubai: Stopover City Highlights Tour with Flexible Timing

5.Stopover City Highlights Tour with Flexible Timing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 443 reviews · 3 - 8 hours Top rated

Use your Dubai layover well with a private, flexible driving tour for up to five people. A guide such as Malik, Mansoor, or Adnan can take you from the Gold Souk and Al Fahidi to Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, and Dubai Marina. Choose a three to eight hour option, with airport pickup and drop-off included.

“Absolutely fantastic experience! 🌟 A 3-hour layover sightseeing trip in Dubai, turned out to be the perfect length to get a true taste of the city. We were able to see and photograph the most iconic landscapes and landmarks Dubai has to offer, without ever feeling rushed or overwhelmed. What made this experience truly exceptional was our guide, Mansoor. He was an outstanding host with excellent knowledge of Dubai’s architecture, landmarks, history, and local insights. His explanations were engaging, informative, and thoughtful, giving us a real understanding of the city beyond just the visuals. Mansoor clearly knows Dubai inside and out, and his professionalism and warmth made the tour even…”

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Dubai Top Highlights: Frame Entry, Souks, Abra & Street Food - Blue Mosque, where the day begins quietly
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Dubai Top Highlights: Frame Entry, Souks, Abra & Street Food

6.Dubai Top Highlights: Frame Entry, Souks, Abra & Street Food

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 344 reviews · from $65

Spend a packed day seeing Dubai from several angles, from the Blue Mosque, Palm Jumeirah, and Bluewaters Island to Al Fahidi, the Gold and Spice Souks, and Dubai Creek. Your guide, such as Ziad, Paolo, or Zeeshan, handles the route, explains local culture, and helps with photos. Frame and Burj Khalifa entry depend on the option you book.

“Really enjoyed the trip, was a great way to see all the top highlights of Dubai especially if your time is limited. Ziad was a great guide, knew lots about Dubai history and culture. Was a fun day, would recommend!”

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Dubai: City Tour with Iconic Attractions Tickets - Starting with the Blue Mosque
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Dubai: City Tour with Iconic Attractions Tickets

7.City Tour with Iconic Attractions Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 259 reviews · from $98

You’ll tour Dubai by air-conditioned vehicle with a live guide, stopping at the Blue Mosque, Souk Madinat, Palm Jumeirah, The View, Lost Chambers Aquarium, Dubai Marina, Bluewaters Island, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai Mall, and Burj Khalifa. Francis is often praised for clear explanations and great photos, though the packed route leaves limited time at some stops.

“Francis was our tour guide of the day and did an amazing job. Thank you also to our driver”

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6 Hours Snapshot Tour of Abu Dhabi including Grand Mosque Visit - Entering Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
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6 Hours Snapshot Tour of Abu Dhabi including Grand Mosque Visit

8.6 Hours Snapshot Tour of Abu Dhabi including Grand Mosque Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 250 reviews · from $75

Leave Dubai at 8:00 a.m. for a six-hour Abu Dhabi overview in an air-conditioned vehicle with up to 14 people. Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Heritage Village, the Corniche, Emirates Palace, and Qasr Al Watan. Pickup from Dubai, the airport, or port is available, with water included. Abdul may be your guide.

“Abdul was our driver and tour guide and was so amazing! He explained everything so well. We really enjoyed seeing all the sites in Abu Dhabi. We had 14 other travelers with us and the van was very comfortable. I would highly suggest this tour.”

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Dubai: City Highlights Tour with Blue Mosque & Street Food - From Sheikh Zayed Road to Souk Madinat Jumeirah
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Dubai: City Highlights Tour with Blue Mosque & Street Food

9.City Highlights Tour with Blue Mosque & Street Food

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 247 reviews · 5 - 6 hours · from $46

See Dubai’s modern towers and older quarters in 5 to 6 hours with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned van, and a live guide. You’ll visit Souk Madinat, the Blue Mosque, Dubai Creek, the Spice and Gold Souks, and major photo stops. Guides such as Francis, Ramadan, Hamza, and Saif are praised for clear explanations and helpful photography.

“Francis was an awesome guide, so helpful and explainong everything so we'll. Every part of the tour was awesome, especially because Francis was such an easy going person”

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Dubai: City Highlights Private Layover Tour with Transfer - Meeting your guide at Dubai International Airport
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Dubai: City Highlights Private Layover Tour with Transfer

10.City Highlights Private Layover Tour with Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 229 reviews · 3 - 8 hours

Use a 3 to 8 hour private tour to see old and modern Dubai between flights. An English-speaking guide such as Malik, Adnan, or Shaikh Rehan meets you at the airport, drives you through the city, and adjusts stops to your time and interests. Expect souks, a 10-minute abra ride, iconic photo stops, bottled water, and airport return.

“he was very kind, and explain very good about my trip, he took good photos and is the best guide and very patient”

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Muscat: City Highlights Tour with Optional Transfers - Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque: start with the dress code
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Muscat: City Highlights Tour with Optional Transfers

11.City Highlights Tour with Optional Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 195 reviews · 4 - 7 hours · from $40

See Muscat’s key sights in 4 to 7 hours with a guide such as Mohammed, Jamal, Mahmood, or Ali. Visit the Grand Mosque, Royal Opera House, Muttrah Souk, Al Alam Palace, and Bait Al Zubair Museum. Optional hotel pickup, private transport, and flexible group sizes make this a useful first look at Oman’s capital.

“Amazing tour with such a great guide Makhmud. I totally recommend this interesting tour to everyone. All was smooth and exceeded my expectations”

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Muscat: Evening Guided City Highlights Tour by Van - Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque: a grand first stop
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Muscat: Evening Guided City Highlights Tour by Van

12.Evening Guided City Highlights Tour by Van

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 175 reviews · 3 hours · from $40

Spend three evening hours seeing Muscat’s major sights by van and on foot. Guides such as Mohammed Aldighaishi, Jamal, Mahmood, and Abdurhman are praised for warm Omani hospitality and clear local context. Expect outside photo stops, a walk through Mutrah Souq, and dinner at Ramssa Omani Restaurant, with food paid separately.

“I decided to start my trip in Muscat with this tour to get some insight about the city and hints on how to organize the following days. My tour guide, 26 years old Mohammed, has shown great knowledge, amazing hospitality and a kind heart. He does his job with passion and enthusiasm. Highly recommended!”

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Dubai: Premium Half-Day Dubai Highlights Tour small group - Starting quietly at Al Farooq Mosque
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Dubai: Premium Half-Day Dubai Highlights Tour small group

13.Premium Half-Day Dubai Highlights Tour small group

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 163 reviews · 5.5 - 6 hours · from $44

This 5.5 to 6-hour small-group tour links Dubai’s big sights with local corners: Al Farooq Mosque, Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumeirah, Burj Khalifa, Museum of the Future, Dubai Creek, an abra ride, and the spice and gold souks. Guides may include Ramadan, Islam, Francis, Abdul, Anas, or Hassan. Pickup, transport, water, tea, and a snack are included.

“Ramadan was the perfect guide, super helpful and informative. Very attentive to all the group needs and even helped with pictures. The tour is perfect if you want to cover Dubai’s main attractions in a day. Highly reccomend!”

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Oman Highlights: Wahiba Sands Desert & Wadi Bani Khalid Tour - Wadi Bani Khalid: pools, cliffs, and a gentle walk
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Oman Highlights: Wahiba Sands Desert & Wadi Bani Khalid Tour

14.Oman Highlights: Wahiba Sands Desert & Wadi Bani Khalid Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 122 reviews · from $187

Travel from Muscat by comfortable 4WD to Wadi Bani Khalid and Wahiba Sands. Swim in clear pools, meet a Bedouin family over coffee and dates, and add a short camel ride for 3 OMR. Guides such as Khalfan, Amer, Khalid, and Said are praised for cultural insight and friendly service.

“Great day out to Wahiba Sands and Wadi Bani with Khalid our tour guide who was very knowledgeable and couldn’t do enough for us. Highly recommended.”

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Full Day Jeep Tour & Traditional Lunch - Wadi Rum Desert Highlights - Why a full day works better in Wadi Rum
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Full Day Jeep Tour & Traditional Lunch – Wadi Rum Desert Highlights

15.Full Day Jeep Tour & Traditional Lunch – Wadi Rum Desert Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 110 reviews · from $77

Spend 7 to 9 hours crossing Wadi Rum by open-back Jeep with a local Bedouin guide. Visit Lawrence Spring, Khazali Canyon, red and white desert areas, rock bridges, and Mushroom Rock. Lunch is cooked over a fire, and the day ends with sunset tea. Guides named in guest feedback include Bakir, Bakhir, Tamir, and Omar.

“Unique experience, unforgettable moments. Experts and great guides. Thanks to all team for hosting and travel us to this spectacular scenery.”

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New in Highlights Tours

★ 5.0Dubai City Tour: Experience Top Attractions of DubaiFrom $5767 reviews
★ 5.0DXB Private Half-Day Dubai City Tour: Iconic Sights & Landmarks34 reviews
★ 5.0Dubai Cabrio Tour: Guided Tour of Top Sights in a Convertible Car29 reviews
★ 4.5Abu Dhabi Highlights Day Trip from DubaiFrom $5425 reviews
★ 5.0Escape to Eternity, Relaxing Desert Wonders with Camel RideFrom $7965 reviews
★ 5.0Iconic Sights, Culture & Museum of Islamic Art TourFrom $10043 reviews
★ 5.04 Hrs Private Doha Tour: Discover the City’s Premier Attractions!From $11534 reviews
★ 5.0Golden Triangle : Aqaba – Petra – Wadi Rum 04 Days / 03 NightsFrom $44828 reviews
★ 5.0Half-Day Jeep Safari “Wadi Rum Highlights!” w/ Professional Bedouin GuideFrom $5829 reviews
★ 5.0Best of Wadi Rum | Full day jeep tour + overnight in bedouin camp | Pack all-inFrom $13341 reviews
★ 5.06-Days 5-Night: Jordan in Brief TourFrom $42049 reviews
★ 5.0Best of Jordan in 7 Days (customizable)35 reviews
★ 5.06-Night Best of Jordan Tour from Amman: Jerash, Dead Sea, Petra, and Wadi RumFrom $93354 reviews
★ 4.53-Night Private Jordan Golden Triangle Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and AqabaFrom $72533 reviews
★ 5.04-Night Jordan Wonders Amman Hotel:Petra,Wadi Rum,Aqaba& Dead SeaFrom $85735 reviews

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Explore the Middle East

Pick a desert, a coastline or an old city.

Out in the dunes

Desert SafarisCamel RidesQuad BikesSandboardingStargazing

Out past the breakwater

Yachts in the MarinaDhow CruisesSnorkellingDivingOut with the Dolphins

Old cities

Souks & Old TownsForts & RuinsWalking ToursFood ToursMuseums

What people fly in for

PetraBurj KhalifaThe Dead SeaOman’s WadisBalloon Flights