Mar7ba!
The Middle East is a hugely unexplored region of the world, but it's my personal favourite!
I really have no idea why this region is so avoided - well, because of the media I guess. But of all the places I have travelled, no where feels as safe to me for a solo female as here.
So I thought I would write a quick little guide to the Middle East, because I believe it should be on everyone's list - although some countries are definitely not for digital nomads yet, but they should all definitely be explored!
Jordan
Lets start with Jordan, since it's one of the most popular ones, and one of the most touristic. Jordan is a fabulous country, offering everything from the vast desert of Wadi Rum, to the coral reefs of the Red Sea, to Petra - one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Jordan has delicious food, and like the whole of the Middle East, welcoming people (check our recent Jordan guide for all the info you need!)
Pros: Jordan is super digital nomad friendly, with a bustling world of hostels, cafes, and great places to work from. It's a popular country with foreigners, meaning you will meet tons of tourists, expats, and digital nomads.
Cons: Jordan can be a little pricey, although it's still relatively cheap compared to many other countries in the region.
Syria
Syria - THE most misunderstood country I have visited, and a personal favourite after six trips here. Unfortunately, due to strict visa regulations requiring foreigners to have security clearance and a tour, it's not a digital nomad friendly country - but I thought I would give it a mention as it's most definitely worth a visit if you are in the region!
Pros: Syria has so much history, so much culture, and so much to see! Syrian people are incredibly friendly, Damascus has amazing nightlife, and the food is simply delicious.
Cons: As mentioned, Syria is not DN friendly as the time in the country is restricted to the time you are on your tour. If you visit for a vacation and plan to work from here, be aware that some websites such as Slack are restricted due to sanctions - but a VPN is an easy way around this.
Lebanon
Lebanon has it ALL. Beaches, mountains, skiing, crazy nightlife, culture, ancient ruins, delicious food, amazing people - everything but a desert.: fun fact, Lebanon is the only country in the Middle East without one. Another personal favourite of mine, the country that has stolen my heart and become my home.
Pros: As listed above, Lebanon really does have it all. Your're guaranteed to fall in love and have a great time here.
Cons: Due to Lebanon's ongoing economic crisis, the electricity situation isn't great with the government electricity only coming on for a couple of hours a day. However, most apartments, AirBnBs, and hotels have generators, keeping the electric on for most, if not all, hours of the day. Check the situation with your accommodation before renting.
Iraq
Okay, yet ANOTHER personal favourite (okay, I basically just love all of the Middle East). Iraq is truly the cradle of civilisation. Did you know that the first ever written words were wrote in Iraq at the ancient site of Uruk?! Spectacular.
Pros: Literally THE cradle of civilisation, nowhere does history like Iraq does! Add to that the fact that Iraqis are the most friendly people you will ever meet. Oh, and did I mentions masgouf, Iraq's national dish?! DELICIOUS.
Cons: WiFi in Iraq is not ideal - I tried to nomad from there once and the WiFi stress was next level, everywhere I went it was bad. There is however a simple way around this, just get a sim card and hot-spot. Data is cheap and the connection is great in most of the country.
Oman
Oman is such a chill country, with perhaps the most relaxed vibes of anywhere I have visited. This gem has lovely nature, kind people, and a very traditional vibe going for it. I would also probably say it's the safest country in the Middle East, with very low crime rates and seriously relaxed people - and a reputation for staying out of any regional trouble.
Pros: Oman has a great rich culture to explore, combined with some fantastic nature. This gulf country also boasts great infrastructure, and the UAE is easily accessible for weekend trips from here.
Cons: While Oman has great cafes and internet connection, it does kind of lack co-working spaces and hostels. It can also be a pretty pricey country in comparison to the other Middle Eastern countries listed above.
Bahrain
Bahrain is a small island in the Persian Gulf with a very expat-friendly atmosphere. It combines modern amenities with traditional Middle Eastern charm, although personally for me, I think it lacks compared to other Middle Eastern nations - however, many expats do love the country!
Pros: Bahrain is full of expats, so you will be able to mix with people from all around the world in one place. Compared to it's Gulf neighbours, it's also slightly more affordable, and it has a growing network of great co-working spaces.
Cons: Bahrain is a very small country, with limited things to do. If you're someone who likes to always be busy and trying new things when you're not working, then it might not be the one for you.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE is either a place you love or hate. As a Baghdad and Beirut girly, I thought I would hate it - but I love it. There really is no place like Dubai, and for those who want to be in the most modern and liveable place, this is it. Aside from Dubai, there are also the more cultural and traditional Emirates, such as Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
Pros: The UAE, specifically Dubai and Abu Dhabi, offer digital nomad visas with very favourable conditions to take advantage of - tax free. The UAE also has wold class infrastructure, amazing co-working spaces, and an abundance of expats to mingle with.
Cons: Summers here are HOT - like next level hot and humid, and it certainly is not for most people. The cost of living is also extremely high, as with most Gulf countries.
Qatar
Qatar is a small Gulf country known for its modern infrastructure, tax-free income, and luxurious way of life. Doha boasts world-class amenities, some fantastic cultural landmarks, and excellent global connectivity via Hamad International Airport. I was also pretty impressed with the nightlife in Doha, something which I wasn't expecting!
Pros: Qatar is a very luxury country, offering a safe and stable way of living. It has very modern infrastructure, great wi-fi connections and some amazing cafes to work from. Like it's fellow Gulf countries, it also has a great mix of international expats to meet.
Cons: Qatar, like Bahrain, is a very small country with limited activities, nature and things to do. It also has a very hot and dry climate, that most definitely is not for everyone.
There are some other Middle Eastern countries which I am yet to explore, such as Yemen and Kuwait.. stay tuned in the future for information on them!
The Middle East honestly does have it all - culture, heritage, history, the food, the people, the weather - it's truly an amazing and special place in the world, and the place that feels like home to me. And not just me, all my fellow travellers and digital nomad companions I have met in this region have also developed a deep love for the place. So what are you waiting for? Pick your place and book your flight!
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