Walking tours in the Middle East
Glass towers in Dubai, stone alleys in Jerusalem, tiled mosques in Isfahan, the rock-cut tombs of Petra and the souqs of Doha, Muscat and Manama: the Middle East packs very different cities into a small corner of the map. Pick a country, or start with the walks people watch most.
- countries
- 12
- cities
- 46
- 4K videos
- 246
- of walking
- 178 h
Countries with walks: click one to open itCities: hover for a preview, click to walkNo walks yet
Did you know?
Short facts about walking the Middle East: some from our own video library, some from the map.
- From our data38.1°NTabriz is the northernmost city we have walked here.
- From our data18.2°NAbha (Saudi Arabia) is the southernmost city on our map of the Middle East.
- From our data5 hoursThe longest video in the Middle East on the site was filmed in Petra: "The Lost City of Petra: Full Walking Tour".
- From our data55 videosSaudi Arabia has the most walks, drives and drone films of any country in the Middle East on the site.
- Map fact828 mDubai's Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world; it rises above the skyline of downtown Dubai and many of the city's walks.
- Map factUnder 1 km²Jerusalem's walled Old City is smaller than one square kilometre, yet it holds four historic quarters and holy sites of three of the world's religions.
- Map factUNESCO squareIsfahan's Naqsh-e Jahan Square is one of the largest city squares in the world, framed by mosques, a palace and the entrance to the old bazaar.
- Map factNo riversSaudi Arabia is one of the largest countries in the world without a single permanent river; its cities grew around oases, wells and the coast.
- Map fact1.2 kmThe Siq, the narrow sandstone gorge that leads into Petra, runs for about 1.2 kilometres before it opens onto the carved facade of the Treasury.
Most-watched walking cities in the Middle East
Ranked by total YouTube views of 4K walking videos. See the full study
▶ 9A walk throughDubaiUnited Arab EmiratesThe world's tallest tower and old creek-side souks.9 videosExplore →#1
▶ 6A walk throughJerusalemIsraelAn ancient walled city sacred to three faiths.6 videosExplore →#2
▶ 5A walk throughMedinaSaudi ArabiaThe city of the Prophet's Mosque.5 videosExplore →#3
▶ 5A walk throughNazarethIsraelThe town of the Annunciation.5 videosExplore →#4
▶ 6A walk throughTel AvivIsraelBeaches, Bauhaus and old Jaffa.6 videosExplore →#5
▶ 6A walk throughTehranIranA mountain-backed capital of palaces and bazaars.6 videosExplore →#6
▶ 6A walk throughRiyadhSaudi ArabiaA modern capital with mud-brick roots.6 videosExplore →#7
▶ 6A walk throughJeddahSaudi ArabiaA Red Sea port with a coral-stone old town.6 videosExplore →#8
Right now in the Middle East
Local time across the continent, and a walk that matches the moment.
Ways to explore the Middle East
Trip plans
Where to stay
Live city cams
Countries in the Middle East
Walking the Middle East: what to expect
Walking here is a story of contrasts. The Gulf cities are new, vast and built around malls, marinas and long waterfront promenades, while the old cities of the region are compact and made for wandering: covered bazaars, courtyards, souks and narrow lanes that change every few steps.
Time of day matters more than anywhere else. In summer most walks are filmed after sunset, when the heat drops and families come out; winter is the comfortable season for long daytime strolls along the Corniche, through old quarters or in the desert towns. Friday and religious holidays also change the rhythm of the streets, which you can see clearly in the videos.
Several countries in the region are best visited with an eye on current travel advice. Watching a walk first is a good way to understand a city's layout, its dress codes and how busy its streets feel before you decide where to go.
FAQ
Which Middle Eastern cities are best for walking?
Old towns are the easiest to explore on foot: Jerusalem's Old City, Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz in Iran, Al Balad in Jeddah, Dubai's historic Al Fahidi area, downtown Amman, Souq Waqif in Doha and the Mutrah Corniche in Muscat. Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi also have long, walkable seafronts.
When is the best time for a walk in the Middle East?
From roughly November to March, when days are warm rather than hot. In summer, walking is pleasant mainly in the early morning and after sunset, which is why many videos from the region are night walks.
Can I use these walks for a treadmill or a virtual tour?
Yes. Most videos are filmed at walking pace with natural street sound and no talking, so they work well for treadmill sessions, virtual travel or planning a route. Our treadmill mode picks long walks and keeps track of your time.