{"id":23561,"date":"2022-10-15T13:30:24","date_gmt":"2022-10-15T13:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wintersunexpert.com\/what-to-do-in-december-in-the-middle-east\/"},"modified":"2022-10-15T13:30:25","modified_gmt":"2022-10-15T13:30:25","slug":"what-to-do-in-december-in-the-middle-east","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wintersunexpert.com\/what-to-do-in-december-in-the-middle-east\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do in December in the Middle East - 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Middle East is a geopolitical term that refers to a region spanning the vast majority of Western Asia and all of Egypt (mostly in North Africa).
\n
\nThe most populous countries in the region are Egypt, Iran, and Turkey, while Saudi Arabia is the largest Middle Eastern country by area.<\/p>

\"\"

Before we have a look at what you can do in the Middle East, let's first look at the weather you can expect in December.

<\/p>

December weather in the Middle East<\/h2>To get a good overview of the type of weather you can expect in December in the Middle East, we will look at the day and night temperature, minimum and maximum water temperature, and if December is comfortable or humid

Generally, December in the Middle East will be really nice. Historical data shows that you can expect an average temperature of around 73\u00b0F \/ 23\u00b0C. As there is not a lot of humidity, it will feel comfortable. During the night, it will cool down to around 48\u00b0F \/ 9\u00b0C. Many will prefer a location with air conditioning due to the humidity level.

the Middle East does not have a lot of rainy days in December. You can expect around 1 rainy days, with on average 0.2 inches \/ 5 mm of rain during the whole month.

<\/p>
\"Average<\/div>
\"Average<\/div>
\"Wintersun<\/div><\/div>

The forecast for December 2024 is based on historical data and are averages. They will give a good indication what you can expect, but the daily temperature and rain will fluctuate during the month.<\/div><\/p>

Things to see and do in the Middle East<\/h2>

the Middle East has many things to soo. With help from our visitors we have dived a list of things to see in. If you have any sugestions or improvements for this list, please let us know.<\/p>

Jerusalem<\/div>
Cultural<\/span>Throughout the Year<\/span><\/span><\/div>
The history of Jerusalem is very interesting.<\/div><\/div>
Winter Solstice In Petra<\/div>
Event\/Festival<\/span>Dec<\/span><\/span><\/div>
During the winter solstice, the sun as it sets creates shadow and rays around a holy podium within the structure called Ad Deir, or a Monastery. The silhouette of the peak opposite Ad Deir makes the shape of a lion\u2019s skull. Some researchers think of it as how ancient builders aligned holy structures to the sun's movement in the sky.<\/div><\/div>
Beirut<\/div>
City<\/span>Throughout the Year<\/span><\/span><\/div>
Beirut is one of the fastest developing cities in the Middle East.<\/div><\/div>
The Pyramids<\/div>
Landmark<\/span>Throughout the Year<\/span><\/span><\/div>
The Pyramids are a landmark in Egypt telling the stories of the Pharoah.<\/div><\/div>
Dahab<\/div>
Nature\/Wild Life<\/span>Throughout the Year<\/span><\/span><\/div>
Dahab is a diver's spot in Egypt.<\/div><\/div>
Dubai Shopping Festival<\/div>
Event\/Festival<\/span>Jan, Dec<\/span><\/span><\/div>
Dubai Shopping Festival is a six-week-long sale where different brands offer huge discounts.<\/div><\/div>
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai<\/div>
Landmark<\/span>Throughout the Year<\/span><\/span><\/div>
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is one of the most wonderful places on Earth. It is the tallest skyscraper on the planet so far.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>

Shopping in the Middle East<\/h2>

The Middle East is famous for its markets or souqs.
\nMany souqs sell good quality products, but many sell a range of fake or tacky souvenirs.
\nWe reccomend to visit:
\n

  • Villaggio Mall (Al Waab St, Doha, Qatar)<\/li>
  • Dubai Gold Souk<\/li>
  • The Abu Dhabi Mall<\/li>
  • Sandal Bedesteni (Turkey)<\/li>
  • City Center Mall Doha (Conference Center, street, Doha, Qatar)<\/li>
  • M\u0131s\u0131r \u00c7ar\u015f\u0131s\u0131 (Turkey)<\/li><\/ul><\/p>

    Activities in the Middle East<\/h2>
    Fishing<\/div>
    If you are into fishing, there are great opportunities.<\/div>
    Museums<\/div>
    Visit some of the most beautiful rich museums in the world.<\/div>
    Cruise<\/div>
    Enjoy the area by joining a Ship or Ferry cruise.<\/div>
    Cultural activities<\/div>
    Enjoy one of the many cultural experiences, like watching Sufi dancers.<\/div>
    Archeological sites<\/div>
    Join a tour of one of the many ancient archeological sites.<\/div>
    Dead Sea Swimming<\/div>
    Read a news paper in probably the most salty sea, Dead Sea<\/div>
    Food tastings<\/div>
    Get to experience some of the favorite local dishes. Each area has different dishes and flavors.<\/div>
    <\/p>

    Restaurants in the Middle East<\/h2>

    Meat (except pork) is very popular, as are vegetables such as eggplant, chick peas and tomatoes. Pork is rare or in some countries banned due to Islamic customs.
    \nFish, on the other hand, is very common in coastal areas, especially in Turkey and Oman.
    \n
    \nAmong the drinks, coffee and tea, both served without milk, are very popular. Highly sweetened sweets are often enjoyed as an accompaniment to tea and coffee, rather than as a dessert at the end of a meal. Fruit or yoghurt-based drinks are widespread and widely consumed everywhere, while alcohol is difficult to find as it is forbidden to Muslims.<\/p>

    More things to see in the Middle East<\/h2>
    The Grand Bazaar<\/div>
    Located in Istanbul, The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Hundreds of thousands of visitors visit the over 4,000 shops daily.<\/div>
    Luxor Temple<\/div>
    This is the site of what remains of an ancient place of worship in Egypt.<\/div>
    Church of the Holy Sepulcher<\/div>
    The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem dates back to the 4th century. It is located in the Christian Quarter of the Old City and contains 2 of Christianity's holiest sites.<\/div>
    Valley of the Kings<\/div>
    Located in Egypt, the valley of the kings is the site of many Pharaohs' tombs and burial grounds.<\/div>
    Dome of the Rock<\/div>
    An iconic Islamic Shrine white a huge golden dome.<\/div>
    Petra<\/div>
    Petra is a historical and archaeological rock-cut city in a deep valley in Southern Jordan.<\/div>
    The Sheikh Zayad Grand mosque<\/div>
    this is an iconic landmark with 82 white domes, elaborately decorated artworks on the walls and floors. It is the largest mosque in Dubai.<\/div>
    The Burj Khalifa (Dubai)<\/div>
    This is the tallest structure and building in the world. It is a 160-story building. It has been a major tourist attraction to Dubai. Tourists can get to the very top of the building and gaze down at the growing city of Dubai from an observation deck.<\/div>
    Hagia Sophia Museum<\/div>
    Located in Istanbul, Turkey, the Hagia Sophia museum was once a Greek Orthodox cathedral, later a mosque during the Ottoman empire, and now serves as a museum.<\/div>
    Giza Necropolis<\/div>
    The Giza necropolis is the site in Egypt of the great pyramids like the Great pyramids of Giza, the pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure, other pyramid complexes, and the Great Sphinx of Giza. The area is approximately 9 km (6 Miles) west of the Nile River and about 13 km (8 Miles) southwest of the city center of Cairo.<\/div>
    The Dead Sea<\/div>
    The Dead Sea is a Salt lake that shares borders with Jordan to the East and Israel & the West Bank to the west. It is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world, making swimming in the sea similar to floating. It is a major attraction for tourists all year round.<\/div>
    The Blue Mosque<\/div>
    The Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is a functioning mosque that attracts lots of tourists each year that come to see the hand-painted blue tiles that adorn the interior of the mosque and see the mosque bathed in blue by lights in the night.<\/div>
    Jerusalem, the Western Wall. Snowbirds can visit the iconic ancient sacred site of Jewish prayer, where people pray or write their prayers in a paper and place it in the cracks of the wall'.
    Pamukkale<\/div>
    This is a very beautiful clear thermal spa terraces and Hierapolis ruins in Turkey.<\/div>
    Topkapi Palace Museum<\/div>
    This is a historical museum in Istanbul, Turkey.<\/div>
    Ferrari World Abu Dhabi<\/div>
    For car enthusiasts, this is a motorsport-themed entertainment complex in Abu Dhabi, Dubai.<\/div>
    Mount of Olives<\/div>
    East of Jerusalem's old city, you will find a mountain ridge called the Mount of Olives. It got its name from the many olive trees that covered its slopes long ago. From there you have a really good view of the old city of Jerusalem.<\/div>
    <\/p>