Middle East Travel Guides
Last checked: October 2026
Our Middle East and Caucasus travel guides cover five destinations: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Dubai and Turkey. Each one has a visa guide, best places, a month-by-month calendar, itineraries, hotels and flights. Read the safety notes and check current flight schedules first, because advisories and routes in this region have changed during 2026.
Middle East and Caucasus Destination Guides
- Armenia: visa, best places, best time to visit, itineraries, where to stay and flights.
- Azerbaijan: visa, best places, best time to visit, itineraries, where to stay and flights.
- Bahrain: visa, best places, best time to visit, itineraries, where to stay and flights.
- Dubai: visa, best places, best time to visit, itineraries, where to stay and flights.
- Turkey: visa, best places, best time to visit, itineraries, where to stay and flights.
Check Advisories and Flights First
Governments publish travel advisories for several destinations in this region, and some name specific areas to avoid. For example, the US State Department rates Azerbaijan Level 3, “Reconsider travel”, and warns of landmines in named districts and of drone and missile threats linked to the Iran conflict. Each of our guides names the official advisories and regions to avoid near the top.
Gulf and regional flights have also been disrupted at times in 2026, and airlines have suspended and resumed routes. If your trip depends on a connection through a Gulf hub, choose flexible tickets, allow extra time and check your airline’s notices close to departure.
Visa and Entry Rules Differ
Some destinations here offer e-visas, some allow visa on arrival for certain nationalities, and some require an embassy visa. Rules changed in several places this year, so always use the official government source linked in each visa guide, and avoid third-party sites that charge extra.
How to Choose Where to Start
- Choose the safety and visa notes first for any destination where an advisory applies, then decide whether to go.
- Choose Dubai or Bahrain if you want a short city trip, and check the heat and flight notes for your dates.
- Choose Turkey if you want a longer trip with several regions, and use the itineraries for realistic travel times.
- Choose Armenia or Azerbaijan if you’re planning a Caucasus route, and check the entry and border rules for each country separately.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming a land border is open because it appears on a map.
- Booking non-refundable flights before checking the latest airline and advisory notices.
- Using an unofficial visa website that charges extra for the same service.
Middle East Travel Guides FAQs
Which Middle East guide should I read first?
Read the visa guide for your destination first, because it includes the safety notes and entry rules. Then check the best time to visit and flights.
Can I visit Armenia and Azerbaijan on one trip?
Check the entry and border rules for each country. They are separate, and the Azerbaijan guide explains that land borders there are closed or restricted, so plan around flights.
How often are these guides updated?
Each guide shows a last checked date near the top. Advisories and flight schedules in this region change quickly, so confirm them before you travel.
Explore More Guides
See all regions on our travel guides page, or browse Europe, Asia and the Americas. Use our free travel checklist before you go.