Sweltering summer days in the Middle East have sparked a boom in night tourism, the practice of exploring attractions and activities after sunset. Booking.com recently released a study across 33 countries and reported a 60% increase in demand for nighttime activities like after-dark tours and sunset walks.
In the Middle East, cooler evening temperatures and fewer crowds make nighttime adventures an appealing way to experience the region’s culture and landscapes.
What is night tourism?
Night tourism consists of unique travel experiences that take place in the evening or nighttime hours. This trend has grown as travellers seek authentic and comfortable ways to explore destinations, connecting with nature, the cosmos, and local culture after dark. Night tourism can be enjoyed in both remote and urban settings, from stargazing under desert skies to museums with extended hours or lively night markets in city centres.
By avoiding the daytime heat and crowds, tourists are discovering that many sights take on a magical quality at night, whether it’s a quiet illuminated monument or a bustling bazaar lit by lanterns. Here are some of the most interesting night tourism experiences in the Middle East right now.
1. Desert safari under the stars in Dubai
A classic Middle Eastern night adventure is the Dubai desert safari under the stars. As the sun sets over the dunes, the Arabian Desert comes alive with activity. A night safari in Dubai’s desert lets visitors try sandboarding down golden dunes, ride camels across the sands, zoom over bumps on a quad bike, and then relax at a Bedouin-style camp.
In the evening, desert camps host authentic barbecue dinners accompanied by live entertainment from hypnotic belly dancing and spinning Tanoura folk dances to thrilling fire shows. The post-sunset charm of the desert is unforgettable as guests dine on Arabian carpets under starry skies and experience a taste of Bedouin culture in the cool night air. These tours are widely available to book through operators in Dubai and are a must-do to beat the heat and enjoy the desert’s serenity after dark.
2. Night mangrove kayaking in Abu Dhabi
For a unique water-based adventure, night kayaking in Abu Dhabi’s mangroves offers a blend of nature and novelty. Abu Dhabi’s protected coastal mangrove forest turns into a bioluminescent playground once the sun dips below the horizon. Under the cover of darkness, travellers can swap skyscrapers for serene waterways.
Guided night tours at Jubail Mangrove Park last about two hours, providing easy-to-use clear-bottom or LED-equipped kayaks that illuminate the water without disturbing wildlife. As this happens you’re likely to see crabs and herons in their nighttime routines. Tour guides also share insights about the mangrove’s ecosystem, making this an exciting and educational experience that travellers can book in the summer.
3. Stargazing in Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum in Jordan (aptly nicknamed the “Valley of the Moon”) offers one of the most breathtaking night sky experiences in the Middle East. Far from any light pollution, this protected desert wilderness boasts ideal conditions for astronomers and casual stargazers alike. On warm summer nights, you should be able to see the Milky Way and catch a seasonal meteor shower.
Many travellers also book overnight stays in Wadi Rum’s Bedouin camps or futuristic “bubble” tents to fully appreciate the celestial spectacle. A typical Wadi Rum stargazing tour includes watching the sun set over the red dunes, enjoying a traditional zarb dinner (meat and vegetables slow-cooked underground) with Bedouin tea and storytelling around a campfire, and then gazing up with the help of guides and telescopes.
4. Turtle watching in Oman
For wildlife enthusiasts, Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve on Oman’s eastern coast offers a rare and magical night experience during the summer. Ras Al Jinz is a protected beach famous as a nesting site for endangered green sea turtles, and guided turtle watching tours are conducted late at night when these creatures come ashore.
The best time to visit is the summer months (May through September) which is peak turtle nesting season in Oman. Dozens of female green turtles, and occasionally other species crawl out of the Arabian Sea to lay their eggs in the sand.
The reserve organises nightly guided excursions around 9pm (and a pre-dawn tour at 5am) in small groups led by rangers. Red-filtered torches are used to avoid disturbing the animals, and this can be a magical eco-friendly experience for travellers. You can stay overnight at the reserve’s guesthouse or nearby accommodation, which often includes the tour within the room rate. The Ras Al Jinz Reserve also features a small museum and research centre where you can learn about turtle conservation during the day.
5. Night markets and street life in Cairo
The energy of the Middle East truly shines in its cities after dark and Cairo’s night markets are a perfect example. The historic Khan el-Khalili bazaar in Cairo comes alive in the evenings, its narrow alleys aglow with hanging lanterns and shop lights. After 6pm, the market’s atmosphere transforms with glowing lanterns, lively crowds, and a buzzing energy. Both locals and tourists wander through stalls selling everything from spices and perfumes to antiques, handcrafts, and gold jewelry. Bargaining carries on late into the night and street musicians continue to perform after the sun sets.
Guided evening walking tours of Khan el-Khalili and the surrounding historic mosques are available for those who prefer an organised experience, but many explore on their own enjoying Cairo’s vibrant street life that often continues past midnight.
6. The rainbow Pyramids of Giza
No trip to Cairo is complete without witnessing the Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids of Giza, which turns the ancient pyramids into the stage for a dramatic night-time performance. On summer evenings, tourists gather at the Giza plateau after sunset to see the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx illuminated in a rainbow of colours.
The show is an hour-long audiovisual experience that uses lights, lasers, music, and narration to tell the story of the pyramids and the civilisation that built them. The Sound and Light Show is available in multiple languages on different nights with headsets for translation if needed. Summer show times usually start around 7:30pm or later, once the sky is fully dark.
7. ‘Petra by Night’ in Jordan
Another unforgettable experience in Jordan is Petra by Night, a magical after-dark tour of the ancient Nabataean city of Petra. This event allows visitors to explore the famous rose-red city by candlelight starting at the Petra Visitor Centre at 8:30pm. Visitors will then be able to walk through the narrow Siq canyon illuminated by over 1,500 candles, all the way to the Treasury facade. Guests sit on rugs in front of the Treasury, and enjoy traditional Bedouin music along with a cup of sweet tea.
Starting in 2025, Petra by Night has been enhanced running five nights per week (Sunday through Thursday) and features a new projection mapping presentation on the Treasury’s stone walls.
Night tourism is transforming how visitors experience the Middle East, offering cooler, crowd-free access to sites and activities that truly shine after sunset.These summer night adventures showcase a different side of the region, one that is every bit as enchanting and memorable as touring by day.
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