THE MIDDLE EAST · HISTORICAL TOURS

15 Historical Tours in the Middle East Worth Booking

57 tours  ·  from $10 a head

The 15 best historical tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Dubai Evening Heritage Safari by Vintage G Class Al Marmoom Oasis - Entering Al Marmoom after the 50-minute transfer
Historical Tours, Souk Walks in Dubai, Souks & Old Town Walks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Dubai, Workshops

Dubai Evening Heritage Safari by Vintage G Class Al Marmoom Oasis

1.Dubai Evening Heritage Safari by Vintage G Class Al Marmoom Oasis

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,500 reviews · from $189Our pick

Spend about six hours exploring Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve by air-conditioned transfer and open-air 1980s Mercedes G Class. Expect camel riding, wildlife spotting, Arabic coffee, Emirati food, falcon photos, traditional dress, Bedouin stories, sunset, and telescope stargazing. Guides such as Imran, Mustafa, Muhammad, and Usman are named in guest feedback.

“We are so glad we chose this safari out of the many other choices! Everything was perfect. Fantastic views and peaceful atmosphere, amazing food, lovely drive through the conservation area spotting wildlife, and an incredible star/moon gazing experience at the end! It wRead more”

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Dubai Camel Desert Safari, Traditional Meal & Heritage Activities - The 45-minute camel caravan
Camel Rides, Camel Rides in Dubai, Desert Safaris, Desert Safaris in Dubai, Historical Tours, Souk Walks in Dubai, Souks & Old Town Walks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Dubai

Dubai Camel Desert Safari, Traditional Meal & Heritage Activities

2.Dubai Camel Desert Safari, Traditional Meal & Heritage Activities

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 937 reviews · from $193

Travel from central Dubai to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, where you’ll join a 45-minute camel caravan to a torch-lit Bedouin camp. Expect falconry, Arabic coffee, bread-making, henna, Emirati music, and a four-course dinner. Guides such as Karim, Bash, and Jovan have led past departures, though your guide will vary.

“The experience is good. However, a few things to consider: turn up the volume of the guide’s speaker during the falcon show, since there were so many people and we could barely hear; and we were not able to buy only the good pictures thRead more”

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Dubai: Heritage Safari in Vintage Land Rover with Dinner - From your Dubai hotel to the reserve
Dining Experiences, Historical Tours, Souk Walks in Dubai, Souks & Old Town Walks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Dubai

Dubai: Heritage Safari in Vintage Land Rover with Dinner

3.Heritage Safari in Vintage Land Rover with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 861 reviews · 7 hours · from $189

Spend seven hours with a conservation guide in Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Ride an open-top 1950s Land Rover, look for Arabian oryx and gazelles, watch falconry at sunset, then eat a four-course Emirati dinner at a Bedouin-style camp. Arabic coffee, henna, camels, drumming, Yola, shisha, and stargazing round out the evening.

“It was even better than what I expected. Noman was excellent. He was professional, attentive and informative. Food was very good. Highly recommend this tour. You get what you pay for.”

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Dubai: Historic City Highlights Day Trip - Al Farooq Mosque and respectful dress
1-Day Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Dubai

Dubai: Historic City Highlights Day Trip

4.Historic City Highlights Day Trip

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

This four-hour Dubai city tour links Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah, Al Bastakiya, Dubai Creek, the Spice Souk, and Gold Souk. You get hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, an abra crossing, and an inside visit to Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque. Guides such as Hammad, Waseem, and Nimesh have earned praise for clear, friendly explanations.

“It was a good experience and I got a chance to learn a lot from our tour guide Ashraf about Dubai. They provided us with water and allowed us to take some pictures and explore numerous of the places talked about. Tour to the museum was amazing, learnt a lot about Dubai and its history. I think the visit to the mosque should be removed there was no access to the place in the afternoon and most tours are usually in the afternoon. Overall, it was a wonderful experience”

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Dubai: Abu Dhabi Trip with Lunch at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant - Sheikh Zayed Mosque: the day’s great visual prize
Abu Dhabi Day Trips, Dining Experiences, Historical Tours, Souk Walks in Dubai, Souks & Old Town Walks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Dubai

Dubai: Abu Dhabi Trip with Lunch at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant

5.Abu Dhabi Trip with Lunch at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 805 reviews · from $127

Travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in a modern air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed guide, then visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Etihad Towers, and Qasr Al Watan. Lunch at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant is included. Guides such as Mohammad, Haseeb, Noor, and Samir have earned praise for clear commentary and attentive service, but palace guiding is not allowed inside.

“A great day with amazing sights. The mosque and palace visit was incredible, the view from the Etihad towers was unreal. Our guide Badr was very attentive and provided a great commentary all and all highly recommend this tour. I would suggest to other ladies to take a head scarf or wrap as these are no longer provided for use by the Palace and limited availability”

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Dubai Heritage & Burj Khalifa Experience - The Islamic art gallery and the tour’s commercial side
Burj Khalifa & Dubai Landmarks, Historical Tours, Souk Walks in Dubai, Souks & Old Town Walks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Dubai

Dubai Heritage & Burj Khalifa Experience

6.Dubai Heritage & Burj Khalifa Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 500 reviews · 5 hours · from $116

Pair Dubai’s old quarter with its modern icons on a five-hour bus tour. Visit Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai Creek, the Spice and Gold Souks, and an Islamic art gallery, then ride to Burj Khalifa’s 124th-floor observation deck. Hotel or metro pickup, an English guide, multilingual audio, and the Burj ticket are included.

“This tour was very good. The tour guide was exceptional, considerate and well informed. I highly recommend it.”

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Dubai: Heritage Safari, Camel Ride & Al Marmoom Oasis Dinner - The camel caravan and what the ride is really like
Camel Rides, Camel Rides in Dubai, Dining Experiences, Historical Tours, Souk Walks in Dubai, Souks & Old Town Walks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Dubai

Dubai: Heritage Safari, Camel Ride & Al Marmoom Oasis Dinner

7.Heritage Safari, Camel Ride & Al Marmoom Oasis Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 431 reviews · 6 hours · from $189

Spend six hours at Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve with hotel pickup, a vintage Mercedes G-Class safari, two short camel rides, falcon and horse displays, Emirati cooking, henna, a five-course dinner, and telescope stargazing. Guides such as Saeed, Imran, Babar, Ali, and Lucky are praised for helpful service and memorable photographs.

“it was very exciting. it show us UAE culture and traditions. food was delicious. Imran our tour guide is wonderful person, with very good sens of humor and very helpful. See you guys next year”

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From Muscat: Nizwa and Oman's Historical Gems Tour - Choosing between the five routes
Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Muscat, Tours in Oman

From Muscat: Nizwa and Oman’s Historical Gems Tour

8.Nizwa and Oman’s Historical Gems Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 403 reviews · 8 - 10 hours · from $100

Travel from Muscat to Nizwa with an English-speaking guide such as Mohammed Aldighaishi, Abdullah, or Maher. Choose a Friday market visit, Bahla and Jabreen forts, Oman Across Ages Museum, Jebel Akhdar, or Jebel Shams. Expect hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, lunch, and a long day of Omani culture, architecture, and mountain scenery.

“I had a wonderful experience exploring Nizwa and Jebel Akhdar with Mohammed Alhosni. He is knowledgeable and shared fascinating insights into Omani culture and history. Above all, he is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met and made me feel like a family member throughout the tour.”

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57 Heritage Desert Safari - The afternoon pickup and ride from Dubai
Desert Safaris, Desert Safaris in Dubai, Historical Tours, Souk Walks in Dubai, Souks & Old Town Walks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Dubai

57 Heritage Desert Safari

9.57 Heritage Desert Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 329 reviews · from $189

Spend about six hours in Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve with guides such as Zulfiqar, Abid, or Riaz. Look for Arabian oryx and gazelles, watch a 30-minute falcon show, ride a vintage Land Rover and camels at sunset, then enjoy a four-course Arabic dinner at a desert camp. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“Fantastic guide, Abid was super helpful and made it a great day. Camels, fire eaters, birds of prey, land rovers, fantastic food. What more can I say?”

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Desert Safari with Entertainment & BBQ Dinner-Heritage Camp - Dune bashing and sand boarding on red dunes
Desert Safaris, Desert Safaris in Dubai, Dining Experiences, Historical Tours, Souk Walks in Dubai, Souks & Old Town Walks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Dubai

Desert Safari with Entertainment & BBQ Dinner-Heritage Camp

10.Desert Safari with Entertainment & BBQ Dinner-Heritage Camp

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 276 reviews

Spend 7 to 8 hours in Dubai’s Fossil Rocks Desert with private pickup, Red Dune dune bashing, sand boarding, a camel ride, sunset photos, henna, Arabic coffee, and a BBQ dinner. The evening adds belly dancing, thanoura, and a fire show. The $800 rate covers up to six people.

“Must do activity in Dubai, the tour guide provided excellent service, our family love it, highly recommended.”

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Dubai Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner at Arabian Heritage - Optional quad bikes at Lahbab
Desert Safaris, Desert Safaris in Dubai, Dining Experiences, Historical Tours, Souk Walks in Dubai, Souks & Old Town Walks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Dubai

Dubai Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner at Arabian Heritage

11.Dubai Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner at Arabian Heritage

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 264 reviews · from $104

Spend about six hours in Dubai’s desert with hotel pickup, red-dune dune bashing, sandboarding, a short camel ride, henna, Arabic coffee, and a BBQ buffet at Arabian Heritage Camp. Guides such as Arsalan, Amir Zaman, Ajmal, and Sami are praised for careful driving and helpful service. Quad bikes and VIP seating cost extra.

“Be patient and enjoy the view and activities. Try to taste different foods much as possible and let your driver do the negotiations for you to settle you are comfort”

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Full Day Qatar's North And West tour || History & Heritage - Al Khor, where Qatar’s maritime story begins
Full-Day, Historical Tours, Souks & Old Town Walks, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Doha

Full Day Qatar’s North And West tour || History & Heritage

12.Full Day Qatar’s North And West tour || History & Heritage

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 229 reviews · from $165

Spend 6 to 8 hours crossing northern and western Qatar in a small group of up to six. You’ll visit Al Khor, Al Thakhira’s mangroves, Purple Island, Zubara Fort, Al Jumail, a camel track, Zekreet, and Richard Serra’s East-West/West-East. Guides such as Abdullah, Junaid, Noor, and Sajid have led past departures.

“Great tour . We covered a lot of amazing things to see. Our guide is Abdullah and he is very knowledgeable and accommodating. He went over and above . He took us to other along the way places as we wish even when it’s not in the Read more”

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From Dubai: Sharjah Heritage & Culture Tour - King Faisal Mosque, a grand first look at Sharjah
Historical Tours, Souk Walks in Dubai, Souks & Old Town Walks, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Dubai

From Dubai: Sharjah Heritage & Culture Tour

13.Sharjah Heritage & Culture Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 227 reviews · 4 hours · from $41

Travel from Dubai to Sharjah in a small group of up to 10 people. Visit King Faisal Mosque, Sharjah Fort, Al Arsa Souk, the Islamic Civilization Museum, and Central Souq. An English guide leads the trip, with audio commentary in nine additional languages. Pickup is from your Dubai hotel, and the tour ends at Dubai Mall.

“We really enjoyed this Sharjah city tour and it was our first time experiencing it, I really enjoyed going to the museum and the souk village, Our tour guide was very friendly and would recommend this trip for anyone was to explore and learn more about the history of Dubai and experience the culture.”

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Abu Dhabi Sightseeing Tour: Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Heritage Village & Dates Market - Heritage Village and a short look at old Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Day Trips, City Tours, City Tours in Abu Dhabi, Historical Tours, Markets, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Tours, Shopping Tours, Souks & Old Town Walks, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Sightseeing Tour: Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Heritage Village & Dates Market

14.Abu Dhabi Sightseeing Tour: Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Heritage Village & Dates Market

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 226 reviews · from $48

This four-hour Abu Dhabi tour links the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Heritage Village, Corniche, Dates Market and Founder’s Memorial. Hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport and an English-German guide are included. Guides such as Latheef, Aslam and Manuella are praised for clear stories and friendly help, while the mosque visit gets the most time.

“Efficiency and reliable. Punctuality, tour guide was mindful of one 's need. Bus , car ride was pleasant.”

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Nizwa Heritage & Culture Full Day Tour with Audio Guiding - Birkat Al Mouz, a quick stop beneath the Green Mountain
Audio Tours, Full-Day, Historical Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Souks & Old Town Walks, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Muscat, Tours in Oman

Nizwa Heritage & Culture Full Day Tour with Audio Guiding

15.Nizwa Heritage & Culture Full Day Tour with Audio Guiding

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 213 reviews · 9 hours · from $83

Travel from Muscat to Nizwa with hotel pickup, a driver, and GPS-linked audio commentary in English, Spanish, French, German, or Italian. Visit Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa Souq, Jibreen Castle, and Bahla Fort, with lunch included. Drivers such as Khalil, Khaleel, and Naseeb are noted for being helpful and attentive.

“Highlight of my holiday in Oman. I would fly back to Oman just to visit Nizwa. So authentic from the views to the people. This trip highlights the culture of Omani people and their hospitality. A must visit.”

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New in Historical Tours

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★ 4.5Full day City and North Qatar tour | History and HeritageFrom $14626 reviews
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