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While many destinations across the world compete with spectacular skyscrapers, mega-resorts and futuristic attractions, Oman is choosing a different path. The Sultanate is emerging as one of the Middle East’s most distinctive travel destinations by offering something increasingly rare: authenticity.
When people think of Oman, vast deserts, endless coastlines, and ancient forts often come to mind. Yet high above the country's rugged landscape lies one of the Middle East's best-kept secrets—a destination where cool mountain air replaces desert heat, terraced farms cling to dramatic cliffs, and luxury blends seamlessly with nature.
The Middle East and North Africa have long been told through headlines, statistics, and simplified narratives. But a new initiative is shifting the focus back to the people behind the stories.
As the global art world prepares for one of its most prestigious events, the Venice Biennale 2026, the Middle East once again asserts its growing cultural presence. Representing the Sultanate of Oman, Haitham Al Busafi brings a deeply rooted yet contemporary vision to the international stage.
Amid rapid global transformations, culture is no longer just a form of entertainment—it has become a strategic tool for expressing identity and strengthening a society’s global presence. In this context, the Middle East, particularly the UAE, is witnessing a significant evolution in the concept of cultural districts.
In the Middle East, war does not only mean the loss of lives or the destruction of infrastructure—it reaches deeper, striking at collective memory and cultural identity. Every historical site is more than stone; it is a living extension of the people who shaped it across generations.
An 18-metre-long gilded leather masterpiece is commanding attention at Louvre Abu Dhabi, marking one of the museum’s most ambitious conservation projects to date.
In Abu Dhabi, where national museums increasingly serve as spaces for dialogue, education, and collective memory, a new initiative is reshaping how visitors engage with culture. The Zayed National Museum has launched Quiet Morning, a monthly programme designed to offer a calmer, more sensory-considerate museum experience for neurodivergent audiences.
Over the past two decades, Art Dubai has grown into one of the most influential cultural platforms in the Middle East, offering a space where regional artistic practices meet global conversations. More than an art fair, Art Dubai functions as a curatorial ecosystem—one that reflects shifting artistic, political, and technological realities across the Global South and beyond.
At the eastern edge of the United Arab Emirates, where the Gulf of Oman meets the rugged coastline of Kalba, a former industrial site has been transformed into a monumental space for reflection. The Sharjah Art Foundation presents Of Land and Water, its first formal exhibition at the Kalba Ice Factory, marking a significant cultural moment not only for Sharjah, but for the wider Middle East.
As the Middle East continues to assert itself as a vital force within the global contemporary art landscape, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year. Across Saudi Arabia in particular, large-scale exhibitions are rethinking how art engages with land, history, and movement—placing the region at the centre of new curatorial and artistic conversations.
As the Middle East continues to redefine global tourism with futuristic skylines and mega-developments, Oman stands apart—offering a gentler, slower, and more grounded way to experience the region. Rather than chasing spectacle, the Sultanate invites travelers into an atmosphere shaped by nature, craftsmanship, and a deep cultural rhythm that has endured for centuries.
The Red Sea International Film Festival launched its fifth edition on December 4 in the historic district of Al-Balad, Jeddah — and with it, Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its ambition to become one of the world’s most dynamic emerging centers for film, culture, and entertainment.
For forty years, Sfeir-Semler Gallery has served as a gateway between the Middle East and the global art world, shaping contemporary Arab discourse while amplifying voices that might otherwise be lost.
As 2025 draws to a close, cities across the Middle East are alive with exhibitions that explore memory, innovation, resilience, and the shifting landscapes of contemporary life. From light-driven installations in Riyadh to meditations on identity in Abu Dhabi, the region’s cultural scene is more dynamic than ever. Here is a curated look at the shows currently shaping conversations across art, culture, and design.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the winners of its first-ever Middle East Awards, spotlighting architectural excellence that blends innovation, sustainability and cultural relevance across the region.
As part of Dubai Design Week 2025, L’ÉCOLE Middle East, the School of Jewellery Arts, unveils “Poetry of Birds” — an exhibition that merges art, jewellery, and poetry to reflect on the timeless symbolism of birds as emblems of freedom, renewal, and the human spirit. The exhibition opens on 6 November 2025 and runs until 25 April 2026 at L’ÉCOLE Middle East, located in Building 10 of Dubai Design District (d3).
In a region famous for fast-paced development, soaring skyscrapers and headline-making resorts, travellers are quietly changing how they move, stay and connect. The Middle East is shifting — not just in infrastructure, but in mindset.
The inaugural edition of Art Basel Qatar 2026 is set to feature an impressive lineup of galleries from across the Arab and Middle Eastern region, showcasing the vibrant and diverse artistic voices of the area. These galleries play a vital role in promoting local talents, fostering cultural exchange, and expanding the global visibility of regional art practices.
VOLTA Basel 2025 Spotlights MENA Pavilion: A Bold Move Turning Heads and Sparking Debate
Men’s Rings, Yves Gastou, L’ÉCOLE Middle East, Dubai
Four designers from the region, including two Saudis, featured in the prestigious show