The Middle East isn’t the first place that comes to mind when thinking of a summer escape, but surprisingly, there are a handful of destinations to seek slight relief from the scorching temperatures engulfing much of the region. Eliminating the need and expense to fly farther afield, here are seven summer destinations in the Middle East you can actually enjoy this season.

The coolest summer destinations in the Middle East

Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

Average summer high: 43 degrees Celcius. Average summer low: 28 degrees Celcius

In scorching heat, even a few degrees drop can make a difference, especially with a side of picture-perfect Maldives-esque seas, white sand beaches and some luxurious new beach resorts. Summer is the perfect time to try out the latter, with Saudi Arabia’s newest giga project, the Red Sea, open and ready to welcome guests across five stunning resorts. Summertime is the perfect chance to get a great offer or package deal on these truly magnificent properties: The St Regis Red Sea Resort (home to overwater villas dotted across the Ummahat archipelago), Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (the most luxurious of them all and unbeatable for kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and snorkeling and diving excursions) and, further inland, the magical Six Senses Southern Dunes. New this year are the almost AI-looking Desert Rock and Shebara resorts, too – carved into the desert rock and in the ocean, respectively. The Red Sea International airport makes summer vacation, or even long weekend, a breeze, at under three hours from Dubai on flydubai (and plenty of other domestic routes on Saudia).

AlUla, Saudi Arabia

Average summer high: 40 degrees Celcius. Average summer low: 24 degrees Celcius

The ancient Saudi Arabian landscape of AlUla is one of the most beautiful and fascinating destinations in the Middle East, if not the world. Inhabited for millennia, the desert city-turned-cultural and leisure destination was once the home of the Nabeaten empire, who built vast, intricately designed tombs – now the UNESCO-listed Heritage Site of Hegra. Being located on the western side of Saudi Arabia, across from Egypt and inland from the Red Sea, AlUla benefits from slightly cooler days and nights than the rest of Saudi Arabia and the region. Daily summer temperatures can reach as low as 24 degrees Celsius, and evening outdoor dining is more than possible in the trendy restaurants that dot the towns and luxury hotels, while daytime typically sits in the high thirties – making morning and late afternoon day trips more than possible. Check into resorts like Habitas AlUla, Banyan Tree and the new boutique Dar Tantora by The House Hotel, and visit the ruins, cultural heritage sites and Old Town.

Salalah, Oman

Average summer high: 25 degrees Celcius. Average summer low: 20 degrees Celcius

Away from the capital of Muscat, the Hajar mountains and Oman’s most favourite sites lies the verdant region of Salalah, located in the Dhofar region of the Sultanate. During the summer months, when the rest of the region bakes in near 50-degree Celsius weather, Salalah benefits from balmy temperatures making it a popular spot for a regional break or, indeed, for travellers looking to explore the Middle East in summer. From June to early September, the moisture from the cooler waters of the Indian Ocean condenses and brings in fog and rain, bringing in temperatures that hover around 27 degrees and a light drizzle – bringing much-needed relief and a break from the scorching temperatures of the Gulf. The natural phenomenon, known as Khareef, turns the southern Omani landscape into a lush enclave of blossoming nature and waterfalls. Two luxury resorts offer excellent accommodation in the region, Alila Hinu Bay – right on the beach with private pool villas – and Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara on the Dhofar coast. Read our complete guide to visiting Salalah.

Lebanon

Average summer high: 31 degrees Celcius. Average summer low: 23 degrees Celcius

Located on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Lebanon is known for its vibrant culture, beautiful beaches, world-class nightlife, charming guest houses and morning Levantine cuisine. The tiny verdant country is an ideal spot for a summer vacation, with temperatures consistently in the mid-twenties and only hitting the early thirties. Along with cool coastal towns (a must is Batroun) and public beaches with golden sands, the topography is diverse: mountains, light valleys, a cosmopolitan capital and plenty of historical destinations with ancient ruins. Enjoy a visit to Lebanon and the capital Beirut this summer, and check in to cool, design-led boutique hotels like Arthaus Beirut and Albergo.

Amman, Jordan

Average summer high: 40 degrees Celcius. Average summer low: 24 degrees Celcius

Jordan’s capital Amman is a lesser-trodden option when choosing short-haul flights from Dubai. The historical and leafy city is an enchanting mix of old and new – set across a series of hilltops and home to numerous ancient ruins. A historic citadel includes the domed 8th-century Umayyad Palace complex and pillars of the Roman Temple of Hercules, while another hillside houses the ruins of a 6,000-seater Roman amphitheatre. The city is bursting with modern art galleries and trendy restaurants, and a summer streek market in Jabal Amman has pop-up cafes, street food and live performances from local bands and musicians.

Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

Average summer high: 39 degrees Celcius. Average summer low: 22 degrees Celcius

Tabuk is becoming a much-talked-about destination, about to be thrust onto the world stage with the opening of the first phase of Neom in early 2024. This mountainous region on the western coast of Saudi Arabia stretches from the Red Sea to the city of Tabuk itself and encompasses beaches, deserts, valleys, mountains and wadis. While Neom is yet to open – with its architecture-defying hotels, ski resorts, luxury yachting islands and linear mirrored city – Tabuk is one of the best summer destinations in the Middle East thanks to cooler temperatures, and is a place for outdoor pursuits like camping, hiking, exploring and biking, largely in the verdant Al Disah Valley. Top sights include the famous ruins of the Hijaz Railway – built during the Ottoman period and destroyed in World War II- now a cluster of abandoned stations, rusting locomotives and sand-covered rails across the landscape, castles, museums and traditional markets.

Cyprus

Average summer high: 28-35 degrees Celcius. Average summer low: 20-25 degrees Celcius

While not technically the Middle East, Cyprus is one of the closest and easiest summer escapes from the GCC: a Mediterranean island just a four-hour flight from Dubai or four-hour ferry from Lebanon. Cyprus hits the sweet spot for GCC travellers: just a few hours’ flight from the Gulf, visa-friendly, and reliably sunny all summer. Most visitors land in Larnaca, the gateway to Greek Cyprus, where beach towns like Ayia Napa and Protaras deliver on clear water and family-friendly resorts. Limassol offers something sharper – smart hotels, good food, and a walkable old town. Inland, you’ll find cool mountain villages and historic monasteries. Turkish Cyprus is also seeing more interest, with new hotels and easier border crossings. The appeal? A mix of Europe and the Middle East that’s close, familiar, and still easy to explore.

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