Best Things to Do in the GCC

There are a huge number of things to do in Saudi Arabia, including:

• Go to the top of Kingdom Center Tower: You can take the elevator to the Sky Bridge on the 99th floor for panoramic views of Riyadh. You can also go to the 77th floor and visit the highest mosque in the country.
• Go to the Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn): A popular experience in Saudi Arabia is to watch the sun set from the cliffs at the Edge of the World. Because it is located in the middle of the desert, stargazing is also popular here. Many people also choose to go hiking or have a picnic in this beautiful spot
• Pray at Al Masjid an Nabawi: Known as the Prophet’s Mosque, this is one of the most important mosques in the world. If you are Muslim, praying at this mosque will likely be the highlight of your trip to Saudi Arabia. It must be noted that the area surrounding the mosque, including the mosque itself, is restricted to Muslims only.

Lesser known than some of the neighboring countries, travelers may wonder what to do in Bahrain. However, there are plenty of attractions and activities, including:

• Shop at Souq Bab Al Bahrain: This is one of the most famous souqs in the region and has a beautiful fountain and lots of stalls. Shop for textiles, spices, perfumes, and handicrafts, and eat some of the local delicacies.
• Wander around Qal’at al-Bahrain: Also known as Bahrain fort, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander around the fort, visit the museum, have a coffee in the courtyard, and take in the stunning architecture.
• Go to the Lost Paradise of Dilmun Waterpark: Perfect for adrenaline junkies and families, there are more than 20 rides, slides, and other attractions to suit everyone. You can also enjoy the entertainment, do some shopping, or attend one of the many events the park runs.

Kuwait is becoming more and more popular with tourists around the world. Some of the top tourist attractions in Kuwait include:

• Enjoy the view from Kuwait Towers: Visitors can go to the viewing platform, which is 120 meters high, for 360-degree views across Kuwait City and the Arabian Gulf. After enjoying the view, visit the buffet restaurant for delicious food.
• Spend the day at Al Shaheed Park: This is the biggest urban park in Kuwait, and you can easily spend the whole day here. Visit one of the museums, walk around the botanical gardens, or relax near one of the lakes.
• Visit the Scientific Center: The Center has an aquarium, Discovery Place, and an IMAX Theater, meaning there is something for everyone.

Qatar is increasing in popularity and is now one of the top tourist destinations in the Gulf. Some of the top things to do are:

• Wander around Souq Waqif: No trip to the Gulf Region is complete without a visit to a souq. Visit this traditional market to buy spices, perfumes, and handicrafts, or visit the Falcon Souq to hold a falcon.
• Admire the art at the Museum of Islamic Art: If you are an art or history lover, the museum has a world-renowned collection of Islamic artifacts. You can easily spend a whole day at the museum, and this is also a great way to avoid Qatar’s heat.
• Pretend you’re in Venice at Villaggio Mall: This indoor mall is inspired by Venice and has canals, gondolas, and a fake sky. Ride a gondola, enjoy the fake Italian architecture, go ice skating, bowling, or to the cinema, or shop; the options are endless.

Oman is not as well-traveled as some of the other tourist destinations in the GCC region. However, it has an abundance of things to do, including:

• Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque: This mosque in Muscat is one of the most beautiful in the world and is open to visitors of all religions. Non-Muslims can visit on a free tour, and Muslim visitors can enter the mosque for prayer.
• Enjoy a performance at the Royal Opera House Muscat: Book tickets to one of the incredible performances. You can enjoy opera, ballet, concerts, and Arabian Music.
• Hike or swim at Wadi Shab: Hike around the canyon walls, swim in one of the beautiful canyons with turquoise waters, and explore the caves. This is perfect for those who want to experience Oman’s natural beauty.

The United Arab Emirates is one of the most popular places to visit in the Gulf region and is home to two of the most famous cities in the region, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.  Some of the top things to do in the UAE are:

• Go to the top of the Burj Khalifa (Dubai): This is the world’s tallest building and has two famous observation decks. You could also choose to visit the tallest lounger in the world for food or drinks with a view.
• Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Abu Dhabi): This is the biggest mosque in the UAE. Muslims can visit for prayer, and all visitors can enjoy a free tour of the mosque. Make sure you see the largest hand-woven carpet in the world and the famous chandeliers.
• Enjoy the outdoor activities in Hatta: You can kayak, hike, bike, zipline, enjoy donut boating, or go birdwatching in Hatta.

• Winter Wonderland: This is a seasonal theme park with rides and games.
• Red Sea Beaches near Jeddah: These beaches have calm, shallow waters ideal for kids.
• AlUla Old Town: Historical walks with shaded areas.

• The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park: A famous waterpark with large slides, lazy rivers, and shaded areas.
• Bahrain National Museum: The museum has interactive displays for kids and adults.
• Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve: Al Areen is a nature reserve and zoo.

• Kuwait Scientific Center: The center has an aquarium, Discovery Place, and IMAX theater.
• Al Shaheed Park: The park has gardens, fountains, and cultural exhibits.
• Kuwait Zoo: The zoo has been recently upgraded with shaded areas and picnic spots.

• Katara Cultural Village: The cultural village has beaches, art galleries, and family events.
• National Museum of Qatar: The museum has immersive displays and children’s activity zones.
• Aspire Park: Aspire Park has open spaces for cycling, picnics, and playgrounds.

• Wadi Bani Khalid: This area has safe swimming spots for children with lifeguarded areas.
• Muscat dolphin watching tours: The boat tours are suitable for families.
• Wadi Darbat Boat Rides & Picnicking: A peaceful way to explore the wadi’s greenery. It’s relaxing and convenient with shaded areas. 

• Dubai Aquarium: This world-famous aquarium has huge tanks and child-friendly exhibits.
• Ferrari World Abu Dhabi: This theme park has smaller rides for children and thrill rides for teens and adults.
• Jumeirah Beach Corniche: There are playgrounds, walking paths, and safe swimming zones.

• AlUla Heritage Tour: This tour explores the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra, ancient rock formations, and old town markets.
• Riyadh City Tour: This tour visits Masmak Fortress, the National Museum, and the Al-Turaif District.
• Jeddah Historical Tour: Tourists can visit Al-Balad’s coral houses, the Corniche, and the Alalawi souq.

• Bahrain Heritage Tour: A heritage tour may include Bahrain Fort, traditional villages, the Burial Mounds, and Al Fateh Grand Mosque.
• Bahrain City and Desert Tour: Tourists can visit sites such as Bab el-Bahrain Souk, Pearling Path, Royal Camel Farm, and Al Fateh Grand Mosque.

• Kuwait City Tour: The city tour includes Kuwait Towers, Souk Sharq, the Grand Mosque, and the Tareq Rajab Museum.
• Filaka Island Tour: The tour takes you to Filaka Island and the Heritage Village.

• Doha City Tour: Although there are several Doha City tours available, they typically include visits to the Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village, and the Doha Corniche.
• Desert Safari: Qatar’s desert safari usually includes dune bashing, camel rides, and a visit to the UNESCO-listed Khor Al Adaid.

• Muscat City Tour: This tour typically includes the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Mutrah Souq, Mutrah Fort, and the Mutrah Corniche.
• Wadi Bani Khalid Oasis and Oman Desert Tour: Go swimming in Wadi Bani Khalid’s natural pools and visit the Bedouins.
• Daymaniyat Islands: Go snorkelling with turtles and fish in the Daymaniyat Islands.
• Salalah Khareef Tour: This tour highlights Salalah’s monsoon season with visits to Wadi Darbat, lush green hills, and seasonal waterfalls.

• Dubai Highlight Tours: This tour usually includes the Burj Khalifa observation deck, Dubai Spice Souk, Jumeirah Mosque, and the Marina.
• Abu Dhabi City Tour: There are different variations of this tour, but the common highlights are the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Heritage Village, Marina Mall, and the Dates Market.
• Hatta Mountain Tour: Hatta Mountain tours usually include kayaking in Hatta Dam, visiting Hatta Heritage Village, and Hatta Hill Park.

October to March is the best time of year for cooler temperatures and outdoor activities across the GCC region. Summer (June to September) can be extremely hot, especially in desert regions, so if you visit during this time, plan indoor or coastal activities if possible. However, Salalah (Dhofar) in Oman is an exceptional case. The khareef monsoon season (mid-June to mid-September) transforms the region into a verdant landscape with cooler temperatures, making it one of the few places in the GCC ideal for outdoor and nature-focused travel during the summer months.

The GCC region recently announced the introduction of the GCC Unified Visa (GCC Grand Tours Visa), which will allow travelers to visit multiple GCC countries using a single visa. The pilot phase for GCC visa will begin in the fourth quarter of 2025, and the full visa scheme will be launched sometime after.

There are multiple ways to travel between the GCC countries, including:

• Flights: There are regional flights connecting major cities like Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, and Muscat in just a couple of hours.
• Buses and coaches: Cross-border bus services operate between some of the GCC countries.
• Driving: Driving between GCC states is possible, but it is important to check insurance, road permits, and border requirements.

Dress modestly in public, especially in rural areas. Respect local customs and religious observances.