With so much to explore in the Middle East, how can you figure out the best destinations for your trip? And how long should you spend in your chosen destinations?
This article provides guidance on the ideal duration for each stop and we have also shared handcrafted itineraries ranging from a short week trip to a more-extended month-long adventure. We aim to help you create a well-balanced and enjoyable Middle East journey that suits your preferences and interests.
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- 1. How Long to Spend in the Middle East
- 2. How Long to Spend in Each Country
- 3. Balancing Your Middle East Itinerary
- 4. Popular Itineraries for 2 Weeks
- 5. Itineraries for 3+ Weeks
- 6. Itineraries for 7–10 Days
How Long to Spend in the Middle East
If you are looking for a multi-country trip to the Middle East, 2 weeks is a popular duration, especially for a family or couple's vacation. Visiting two countries is advisable for a leisurely pace over 2 weeks, such as Egypt–Morocco or Egypt–Jordan.
Exploring three neighboring countries is possible in 2 weeks, as seen in the Egypt–Jordan–Israel combo. However, for a more in-depth exploration, we recommend spending 3 weeks on a three-country trip. For a fulfilling trip that takes in most of the main attractions in the Middle East, prepare for over 3 weeks. If your time is limited, Jordan and Israel are a good choice for about 10 days of traveling.
If you'd like to experience a single country only, you could spend about 1 week on the top highlights or 2 weeks to explore off the beaten path.
You can get inspiration from our handpicked itineraries for various durations.
How Long to Spend in Each Middle Eastern Country
When it comes to planning unforgettable journeys in the Middle East, Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Jordan, and Morocco stand out as top destinations.
With rich experiences, Egypt is worth spending 1 to 2 weeks in. Ideally, you would take in the best of Egypt in 9 to 12 days, including the Giza pyramid complex, a Nile River cruise, and some beach time. For a comprehensive tour, you could add the White Desert and the Sinai Peninsula.
Turkey, which beckons travelers with its unique blend of East and West, needs 9 days to 2 weeks. Spending about 10 days there, you can trace its golden route: Istanbul, Izmir, and Cappadocia. For longer trips, go for its fantastic beach destinations, such as Antalya, or discover its unique landscape in Pamukkale.
Morocco is suggested for a stay of 8–14 days, offering an immersive North African journey. The colorful imperial cities of Casablanca, Fes, and Marrakech, form the basis of a classic Morocco tour. Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga are the best places to take a Sahara Desert adventure.
Israel is a small country with profound religious and historical significance. You could just focus on a 4-day Jerusalem trip or fully explore it in 7–10 days, including Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and the Sea of Galilee.
Like Israel, a classic Jordan adventure would take just 7–9 days, including Petra, the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum.
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Balancing Your Middle East Itinerary
When selecting your destinations, you're advised to balance cultural immersion, adventure, and relaxation. Among the 15+ Middle Eastern countries, if you're looking into the ancient civilizations, Egypt, Israel, and Turkey are not to be missed.
If you want the best desert adventure, Morocco's Sahara Desert never disappoints. If you would like something off the beaten path, Jordan is a nice choice.
To add some beach fun, Egypt is an affordable destination but also a snorkeling paradise, while Turkey is perfect for luxury beach vacations with the picturesque Mediterranean and Aegean Sea coastlines.
Adding some breaks into your travel plans would allow you to unwind and recharge, perhaps at a tranquil beach resort with a traditional hammam spa. Traveling on a private tour with some free days may strike a perfect balance between guided exploration and independent discovery.
For Middle East trips, a popular combo is Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. We've customized an 18-day Egypt, Jordan, and Israel tour for your reference. For any other interests, simply contact us to customize your itinerary based on your preferences.
Popular Middle East Itineraries: 2 Weeks
With 2 weeks, most travelers prefer to visit two countries for diverse experiences. For example, the popular combos are Egypt and Jordan or Egypt and Morocco. If you prefer, take a quick trip to three bordering countries: Egypt, Jordan, and Israel.
Take a look at the following itineraries for inspiration.
Itinerary 1: 14 Days in Egypt and Jordan
This 2-week trip is ideal for discovering the highlights of both countries: the magnificent pyramids, the stunning Nile, the grand sandstone city of Petra, and the magical Dead Sea.
You're recommended to spend 1 week in Egypt and 1 week in Jordan:
- Days 1–7 in Egypt (sunset camel rides around the pyramids, afternoon felucca sailing trips on the Nile, discovering the pharaohs' tombs, and a hot-air balloon ride)
- Days 8–14 in Jordan (floating effortlessly on the Dead Sea, the sandstone city of Petra, and a desert safari in Wadi Rum)
Itinerary 2: 2-Week Morocco and Egypt Highlights Tour
Traveling with an energetic-to-relaxing tour sequence, this itinerary presents the Nile, the pyramids, and Africa from both edges of the Sahara Desert in one trip.
- Days 1–8 in Morocco (a walking tour of Fes, camping under the starry sky in the Sahara Desert, and a hot-air balloon ride over Marrakech)
- Days 9–14 in Egypt (foodie adventures, Tanoura dance shows or belly dancing shows, and a 4-day Nile River cruise)
In-Depth Middle East Itineraries: 3+ Weeks
Having 3 weeks or more, you would have a wider range of options, whether you're seeking a leisurely, in-depth exploration or planning to take a grand Middle East tour. The popular combos are Egypt–Jordan–Israel in 3 weeks and Turkey–Israel–Jordan–Egypt in 4 weeks.
Itinerary 1: Egypt, Jordan, and Israel in 3 Weeks
This 3-week itinerary allows first-time travelers to explore the epitome of the Middle East, particularly those who want a slow-paced romantic getaway. You're advised to spend 9 days in Egypt, 8 days in Jordan, and 4 days in Israel.
In Egypt, apart from the must-see attractions, in 9 days, you could have more in-depth experiences, such as exploring multiple generations of pyramids rather than just those located in Giza, extending your trip to the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria, and embarking on a 5-day Nile cruise that includes a visit to Abu Simbel.
An 8-day Jordan trip would cover all of the highlights of Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea. To save time and costs, you're recommended to cross the border to Israel near the Dead Sea.
You would focus on Jerusalem in Israel, which is the heart of its history and religion. Don't miss the Western Wall in the Jewish Quarter and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian Quarter.
You could check out the details of our 3-Week Egypt, Jordan, and Israel Tour for inspiration. If you want a shorter version, see our 15-Day Best of Israel, Jordan, and Egypt Tour.
Itinerary 2: A 24-Day Biblical Pilgrimage Itinerary to Turkey, Israel, Jordan, and Egypt
This itinerary is tailor-made for a pilgrimage trip to the Middle East. You would journey through the spiritual essence of the Middle East: 8 days in Turkey, 4 days in Israel, 2 days in Jordan, and 10 days in Egypt.
With this Bible-based trip, you'd delve into Ephesus in Turkey, trace Jesus' footsteps in holy Jerusalem and Galilee in Israel, discover the Jordan River baptismal site, visit one of the oldest Christian places of worship — Saint George's Church — and Mount Nebo in Jordan, and then explore Coptic Cairo (the Christian area) and Mount Sinai in Egypt.
If you're not looking for a pilgrimage trip, we could personalize a 4-week itinerary as a grand Middle East tour to fit your interests, creating exclusive activities for you.
Time-Smart Middle East Itineraries: 7–10 Days
For a shorter trip of about a week to 10 days, you're advised to visit two small countries, such as Jordan and Israel. Check out our carefully-selected 7-day Jordan and Israel itineraries>>>
But more often, we highly recommend that you visit the best attractions of a single country for a more relaxing tour pace. You can find out more when you check out our itineraries for 10 days in Egypt, 7 days in Jordan, and 7 days in Israel...
Taking a Hassle-Free Middle East Trip With Us
You are warmly welcomed to have us customize your own trip based on your group size, interests, and other needs. Sit back and use our Create My Trip service.
In addition to the above itineraries, we also have other itineraries you may be interested in:
Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
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