Middle East and North Africa - Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

The Middle East and North Africa are full of culture and tradition, history and ancient civilizations, some of the most stunning architecture you’ll ever see in your life, some of the most hospitable people you’ll ever meet and delicious, flavorful food.

The Middle East and North Africa are some of my favorite regions in the world. Cumulatively, I have spent 4 months traveling the Middle East and North Africa, including Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine twice, Israel, Morocco twice and Egypt. I traveled all of these countries as a solo female, except for Egypt in 2006 on a tour (which was my first taste of the Middle East), and Jordan where I spontaneously met two other travelers to road trip with.

UNDERSTAND

Every time I tell people I travel to the Middle East (especially the West Bank in Palestine, which is one of my favorite places in the world) and North Africa as a solo female, I receive countless looks of shock, confusion, horror, and questions and comments about how unsafe it is because the media only likes to share stories of disaster, terrorists and war in the Middle East.

Yes, there are some issues in the Middle East and North Africa, but the media often distorts the news and it only focuses on the bad, which promotes unnecessary fear-mongering. But there is a lot of good in the Middle East too. In addition, be aware that many of the issues in the Middle East wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for their wealth of oil and the resulting greed of Western powers, along with racism and prejudice against Islamic people.

It is true that a few countries within the region are unsafe to travel due to civil war; however, the media’s distortion of reality changes the majority of people’s perceptions to the point where the entire region of the Middle East and North Africa appear to be too dangerous to travel, as if the region was one single country. But, the Middle East and North Africa are composed of 22 different countries that massively differ from each other.

Traveling the Middle East and North Africa, especially as a solo female, can be challenging at times, but there is also a lot of good that keeps pulling me back again and again.

Although the countries in the Middle East and North Africa share the same religion, language (aside from Turkey where they speak Turkish, Israel where they speak Hebrew and Iran where they speak Farsi) and similar culture, each country is very different from the other. Some are more conservative or modern than others and they all have very different history. It’s just like how Canada, the US, England, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland and Wales are all English speaking countries, and while they do share similarities, they are all very different as well. The same goes for Spain and all the Spanish speaking countries in South and Central America.

The culture in the Middle East and North Africa is likely a lot different and a lot more strict than what you’re used to. These tips and culture and etiquette information are for traveling the Islamic countries of North Africa and the Middle East; however, Israel is excluded because it has a completely different culture due to the Jewish religion. I have yet to travel to the modern Gulf Arab states, so certain things could be a little different there.

WHY TRAVEL THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA?

THE MIDDLE EAST IS NOT TOURISTY

Aside from a few touristy spots like Petra, Istanbul, Dubai, Marrakesh and the Pyramids. And it’s very refreshing.

IT OFFERS A VERY DIFFERENT CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

It’ll likely be very different from what you’re used to.

IT’S REWARDING TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE THAT THE MEDIA OFTEN DISTORTS THE TRUTH AND REALITY

But it’s also frustrating and infuriating.

THE REGIONS AND THE CULTURE

TRAVEL WITH AN OPEN MIND

Forget what you’ve seen on the distorted, fear-mongering media.

THERE IS MORE TO THE MIDDLE EAST THAN DESERT AND CAMELS

The geography from country to country is very diverse with mountains, lush valleys, forests, rivers, beautiful beaches and world class diving.

Akchour — A lush waterfall in the mountains in North Morocco

SOME OF THE BIG CITIES CAN BE AN ASSAULT ON THE SENSES

Like Cairo and Marrakesh, with the culture shock, chaos, noise and smells.

THE ARCHITECTURE IS STUNNING

dome of the rock jerusalem — Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem in Palestine/Israel

WE CAN ALL LEARN SOMETHING FROM ARAB HOSPITALITY

Offers from friendly locals for tea and to share food will capture your heart and give you some of your most unforgettable travel experiences.

THE MARKETS ARE FULL OF LIFE

And friendly people, and they’re fragrant, full of delicious things and definitely worth a visit.

THE STREETS AND CAFES ARE FULL OF MEN

Because the majority of women are at home. This can be a little intimidating, especially as a solo female traveler.

BARGAINING IS LIFE

Never pay the asking price.

SPICE MARKET ISTANBUL — Spice Bazaar in Istanbul

TYPICALLY THE SMALL TOWNS ARE FAR MORE CONSERVATIVE THAN THE CITIES

This goes for clothing choices and nightlife (or lack thereof).

YOU’LL HEAR THE CALL TO PRAYER 5X PER DAY, EVERYDAY, EVERYWHERE

Which indicates that it’s time to pray. Some travelers find the call to prayer annoying, which I find so sad because even though I’m not at all a religious person, I think it sounds so beautiful. You’re going to hear the call to prayer 5X per day whether you like it or not, so you might as well try to appreciate it. If your accommodation is near a mosque, you’ll need earplugs because the first Call to Prayer is at dawn.

I listened to the Call to Prayer while watching the sunset every evening in Ramallah in the West Bank at Habibi Hostel

YOU TYPICALLY DON’T GO TO THE MIDDLE EAST FOR THE NIGHTLIFE

Unless you’re in Istanbul, Beirut, Dubai or Ramallah etc. Some countries in the Middle East are dry (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, Qatar etc) and alcohol is not overly common in the others, aside from Beirut. You can find nightlife and clubs in the more metropolitan cities, depending on how strict the country is, but the smaller towns will most likely not have nightlife. If you visit the Middle East during Ramadan, alcohol is next to impossible to buy.

FRIDAYS ARE HOLY DAYS IN ISLAM

So many shops are closed on Fridays.

THEIR WEEKEND IS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

Which means their work week is Sunday-Thursday, so Thursday night is like their Friday night, and Friday is their Saturday.

THE TEXTILES AND TREASURES ARE SOME OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD

You might need to buy an extra suitcase

THE LEFT HAND IS CONSIDERED UNCLEAN

The left hand is used when visiting the toilet, so if you’re eating in public, try to only use your right hand because it’s considered the cleaner hand.

PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION ARE TABOO

This includes couples hugging and holding hands.

REMOVE YOUR SHOES BEFORE ENTERING A MOSQUE OR HOME

Feet are considered unclean and should never be pointed at anyone, especially the sole of the foot.

CASH IS KING

Expect to use cash for almost all transactions, aside from upscale hotels and restaurants. However, this cash rule doesn’t apply if you’re in the modern cities in the Gulf.

BYOTP (BRING YOUR OWN TOILET PAPER)

And hand sanitizer. Many toilets don’t provide toilet paper. And many charge a small fee to use the facilities, so it’s important to have small change on you.

SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE IS ILLEGAL

This is generally more of an issue for locals; however, it is an issue if you’re a tourist in Iran or Saudi Arabia, where it’s a punishable crime. In the other conservative Islamic countries, it’s not a punishable crime. However, if you’re a local female from a conservative Islamic family and you get caught having sex outside of marriage, your life is ruined.

WHAT TO WEAR

DRESS CONSERVATIVELY

In most countries in the Middle East and North Africa, it’s not mandatory to cover up (unless you’re in a religious place), but you’ll feel more comfortable and it’s more respectful if you do. Local women wear a headscarf and are covered from wrist to ankle. However, some cities are more modern with women wearing jeans and no headscarf.

As a female traveler, you’ll attract slightly less attention and feel more comfortable if you cover up. Cover your shoulders, chest and knees, avoid tight clothes and it’s always good to keep a scarf with you. As a solo female traveling the Middle East and North Africa, if I need to ask for directions, I try to ask a woman first, and if you’re dressed respectfully, you’ll be treated with respect by the women also.

As a male traveler, it’s respectful to cover your shoulders and knees also.

Covered and colorful in Chefchaouen, Morocco

WHEN TO GO AND CLIMATE

IT’S BEST TO AVOID TRAVEL HERE IN THE SUMMER MONTHS UNLESS YOU’RE HAPPY WITH 40C+ TEMPERATURES

I went to Egypt at the end of July and that was a horrible mistake. Spring and fall are the preferred times to travel and it can still get quite hot at 30C+.

DIVERSE LANDSCAPE ALSO MEANS DIVERSE WEATHER

It can definitely get cool to cold in some areas of the Middle East in the winter. And you can find ski resorts in Lebanon, Iran, Turkey and Morocco. And a man made indoor snow park in Dubai.

BE AWARE OF IMPORTANT ISLAMIC HOLIDAYS

Before you plan your trip, research the dates of the important Islamic holidays, otherwise you might be there when everything is closed. I learned this the hard way when I arrived in Morocco on the first day of Eid al-Adha, the second biggest Islamic holiday. Every family gets a sheep to sacrifice, which results in hundreds of sheep skins piled all over the streets, with their juices flowing everywhere. Shops and restaurants close for the day, and many stay closed all week. Ramadan is the biggest Islamic holiday where Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for a whole month, so it’s very difficult to find food during this time.

COMMUNICATON

LEARN SOME BASIC ARABIC PHRASES:

No = lah
Thank you = shukran (shuh-kran)
No thank you = lah shukran (you’ll need this one a lot 🙃)
Hello = “salam” or “salam alaikum” – Sah-lahm Ah-lay-koom.
Inshallah = “God willing”, which is rather useful. If a shopkeeper is bugging you to come back, you can say “Inshallah” and this will satisfy him, even if you have no intention to return.

ARABIC HAS MANY DIFFERENT DIALECTS

And it will sound different depending on which region you’re visiting. Some different dialects include, North African Arabic, Levantine Arabic (spoken in Palestine, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon), Egyptian Arabic, Gulf Arabic, etc. It’s like how Canada, the US, England, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland and Wales all speak English, yet sound so different, due to very different accents, phrases and slang. The same goes for Spain, South and Central America and all the different dialects of Spanish.

THE FOOD

THE CLIMATE MEANS THE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ARE DELICIOUS AND PLENTIFUL

It would be a crime to not enjoy the dates and fresh figs.

THE FOOD IS AMAZING!

Every Middle Eastern and North African country has delicious, diverse and flavorful food that is made to be shared.

THE DESSERTS ARE DELICIOUS!

You’re spoiled for choice with pastries, cookies and halva. The sweets are based around flour, nuts, honey, sesame and dates.

YOU’LL HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK FROM BACON

Pork is not eaten in Islam. And it’s banned in some Islamic countries and it’s very difficult to find in others.

STAY SAFE

TAKE DUKORAL BEFORE YOU GO

Which is an oral vaccine to prevent traveler’s diarrhea. And it’s a good idea to also bring Imodium, just in case.

DON’T WANDER THE STREETS ALONE AT NIGHT

Obviously.

RESEARCH THE POPULAR SCAMS OF THE COUNTRY BEFORE YOU GO

These scams could potentially scam you of a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. For example, male travelers have to beware of the “Let’s Have a Drink/Nightclub” scam in Istanbul where a well-dressed and English fluent local will befriend you and get you to go to a bar with overpriced drinks and underdressed women, where only a few drinks will end up costing you hundreds of Euros.

TRAVELING THE MIDDLE EAST WILL LIKELY MAKE YOU APPRECIATE WHERE YOU COME FROM

Life is typically more difficult in North Africa and the Middle East and corruption is more common. If you’re a female and/or from the LGTBQ community from a western culture, you will see that life is much harder in conservative Islamic countries. It’s always great to gain perspective on First World Problems.

FEMALE TRAVELERS

SOLO FEMALE TRAVELERS WILL HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE THAN MALE TRAVELERS

As a solo female traveler, the creep factor is there and you will get harassed, and sometimes groped. Getting groped is certainly disgusting and violating, but it’s not dangerous and it shouldn’t stop you from traveling to the Middle East or North Africa (I have also been groped in North and South America and there are creepy men in every country, so these issues aren’t exclusive to the Middle East and North Africa). If you get groped, don’t be afraid to yell at the man and shame him because a local woman would NOT accept this.

In order to understand why these are issues in the first place, the Middle East has a very repressed culture, yet they see Western porn, pop culture, music videos, films, celebrities, singers and fashion and they are very aware that sex before marriage is acceptable in the West. Because of this, they know that most Western women are far less conservative than their women, so when Arab men see Western women, they see easy sex. And this is extremely exciting for them, but sometimes, this causes them to act inappropriately. All the more reason to dress conservatively.

ramallah the west bank — Ramallah in The West Bank

LGBT TRAVELERS

HOMOSEXUALITY IS ILLEGAL IN THE MAJORITY OF THE ARAB WORLD

Depending on which Islamic country you’re visiting, the punishment for homosexuality can range from a negative stigma that will negatively effect your life, hate crimes, prison time, and in extreme cases, the death penalty. This being said, sadly, homosexuality is actually illegal in far more countries in the world than it is legal. Lebanon, Jordan and Bahrain are the most chill and gay friendly, while Saudi Arabia, Iran and Yemen practice capital punishment.

If homosexuality is a factor for you, research the laws of the country before you go. Avoid public displays of affection (however, public displays of affection are extremely taboo between a man and a woman in Arab countries as well). Check out The Nomadic Boys, a traveling gay couple, for their insight and information on traveling the Middle East.