Solo Travellers Solo Female Travel Destinations in the Middle East”
Women all across the world are becoming more empowered, and many are choosing to travel alone to explore, relax, and pursue hobbies. It might be difficult to travel alone. Travelling alone could present several problems, particularly for women, from the awkwardness of creepy stares to more severe safety issues if you’re going somewhere abroad. But travelling alone can prove to be a liberating and satisfying experience because it allows you to meet new people, learn about various cultures, and enjoy new experiences. As a result, choosing the right destination is important, so here are the best Middle-Eastern cities for women to travel alone.
Dubai
Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is ranked as the ideal city for solo female travellers, based on a study by the insurance company InsureMyTrip. Women who travel alone often choose Dubai as their preferred destination because of the late-night strolls, women-only sections on public transportation, and other benefits. Hence, along with guaranteeing safety, this Emirate of the UAE also promotes development. When you next visit Dubai, be sure to visit these locations.
Browse and shop around the diverse array of souks: Although Dubai has a lot of shopping malls, it is traditionally known for its lively souqs (Arabic marketplaces). You may buy spices and gold jewellery at Deira’s covered souqs. This location is a great source of traditional spices, including cinnamon sticks. Moreover, you can find shops offering Arabic antiques, sheesha pipes, and traditional clothing. When strolling around the textile souks in Bur Dubai and Karama, you may find stores selling Aladdin lamps, Yemeni khanjars (daggers), Bedouin silver jewellery from Oman, and numerous other items.
Explore Global Village: Visit this multicultural theme park to get a glimpse of different cultures from across the world. It is the best place for sampling international cuisine and engaging in other immersive entertainment experiences. It includes shops, food stands, kiosks, and entertainment venues. It includes live performances by some of the most popular celebrities and influential performers from the Middle East, Asia, and other regions of the world. Enter the carnival for an exciting and thrilling experience. There are more than 30 exhilarating rides there that are suitable for both children and adults.
Dubai Marina: This part of the emirate, which is known as the centre of modern Dubai, enchants you with some of the best aspects of modern architecture as well as a variety of retail and dining options. After sunset, Dubai Marina is particularly stunning as the enormous towers and harborside sparkle with light. The best way to take in these magnificent sights is on a boat or dhow cruise at Dubai Marina.
Downtown Dubai: Unquestionably, one of the top tourist destinations in Dubai is Dubai Downtown, the biggest and best area in the emirate. Dubai Downtown is a magnificent treasure trove of amazing experiences, home to the most magnificent sites, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountain, and Dubai Mall, which is a paradise for women who are shopaholics. You can spend a whole day here taking in the views, dining at great restaurants, and experiencing leisure activities such as the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in the Dubai Mall, At the Top- Burj Khalifa, and the Dubai Opera.
Dubai Miracle Garden: The Dubai Miracle Garden, which spans over 72,000 square metres, is the largest natural flower garden in the world. With over 250 million plants and over 50 million blooms, the garden offers visitors a breathtaking view. Prepare to be dazzled by the multicoloured flower arrangements like the Heart-shaped Arch Passage, Emirates Airbus A380, Flower Lady, Floral Houses, and Bungalows that will entice you to stay a while longer.
Antalya, Turkey
Antalya, the underdog Turkish city, is not a high-end destination like Dubai, but the elegant location needs to be on your travel bucket list. The Turkish coastal city is visually appealing and relaxing to the eyes. It has a fantastic tourism infrastructure and is quite popular with tourists. The city depends heavily on tourism for revenue, which has made it incredibly tourist friendly and easy to traverse.
Aspendos: For a woman who is interested in historic locations, Aspendos is the ideal place to visit. Under the rule of Emperor Marcus Aurelius in the second century AD, it was home to the best-preserved ancient amphitheatre. The theatre, which still hosts performances and festivals, can hold 15,000 people. Its galleries, stage decorations, and acoustics all pay homage to the success of its architect, Xeno. A little chamber serving as a small museum is just next to the theatre, where you can see some old masks and clay tickets.
Explore the Coastline: The Roman Harbour is an alluring location and provides cruises, dining options, and a variety of sports activities for visitors to enjoy their time in the city. You can also go to the Roman Fortress (Hdrlk Kalesi), a 14-meter-tall cylindrical tower that was used to keep watch over Old Harbor’s port in the second century. It still does almost the same thing now. Nevertheless, instead of watching over the Old Harbor, you can witness the spectacular sunset and the far-reaching views of the city.
Koprulu Canyon: The Koprulu Canyon National Park is Turkey’s most popular watersports destination. The most popular activity in Köprülü Canyon is rafting. In addition to rafting, you may trek through the area to take in the stunning Mediterranean beauty and rich history. You must visit the stone bridges from which the canyon derives its name. Köprülü Canyon is also ideal for those interested in other activities like horseback riding, safaris, and camping.
Admire the Duden Waterfalls: Duden Waterfalls are incredibly stunning and located a short distance from the city. This waterfall, also known as Alexandar Waterfall, is one of Antalya’s most popular tourist attractions. The cool river waters run from the Taurus Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea, providing visitors with scenic natural beauty. The waters separate into two plateaus called the Upper and Lower Duden Waterfalls. The sight of water falling from a height of 40 metres into the sea is a spectacular sight and an unforgettable experience.
Yivli Minaret: Yivli Minaret Mosque is a mediaeval mosque located in Antalya’s old town. The fluted minaret of the mosque, which is covered with dark blue tiles, is a landmark and emblem of the city. The minaret, which has a four-sided base and an eight-sectioned tower with flutes that surround 90 stairs ascending to the summit, was built between 1219 and 1236. Since it is the epitome of the Turkish Anatolian style, this circling minaret draws both domestic and international tourists who are fascinated by architecture.
Madinah
Madinah, also known as ‘The Enlightened City,’ received a score of 10/10 for how to secure women feel wandering alone at night. Women are not required to wear the customary robe while visiting Madinah, but they must dress modestly. Muslims have a special place in their hearts for Madinah. It is the second-holiest city in Islam, and the Prophet lived there for the final few years of his life.
Masjid An Nabawi: Masjid al Nabawi is Islam’s second holiest mosque because it’s the last resting place of the Prophet Muhammad. It was constructed by the Prophet himself, close to the residence where he made his home after moving to Medina in 622 AD. It was an outdoor structure with an elevated platform for the Quran reading. The green dome over the centre of the mosque, which houses the tombs of Prophet Muhammad and early Islamic figures Abu Bakr and Umar, is one of the most remarkable aspects of the site.
Mount Uhud: The mountain is famous because it served as the site of the second battle between the pagans and the Muslims. The mountain is now visited by tourists and pilgrims from all over the world who want to experience its historical and spiritual significance. Also, you can partake in a variety of thrilling adventure activities, including rock climbing and hiking.
Hejaz Railway Museum: This museum, which opened its doors in 2006, has a magnificent platform that will take you back to the time of the Ottoman Empire. The museum is a great spot to see since it provides information about the Hejaz Railway’s history during the Ottoman Empire. It contains 14 enormous halls with many artefacts, as well as some visual exhibitions and old photographs that show the region’s rich legacy from prehistoric times to the modern era.
Wadi E Jinn: It is a valley located only 30 kilometres from Madinah. The region northwest of the city is home to a mystery that has drawn and enthralled visitors from all over the world. The biggest mystery in the valley is how vehicles can travel along the road without the driver having to touch the steering. The cars have been seen moving in the direction of Madinah, and the people think that Jinn may be present there. The valley has the appearance of an egg and is bordered by hills on three sides. It provides a stunning view with no population and a clear blue sky.
Al-Baqi: The Al Baqi is a 9-square-kilometre park located on the outskirts of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is a leisure zone with several gardens and handicraft shops, and there are chess and carrom facilities that you can use while visiting the park. The massive çamyab trees, which have been around for more than 200 years, are among the most popular attractions of the park. The region has a long history and has witnessed several wars, including the war between Muslims and Christians in 635 that took place near Al-Baqi Mosque.