Daily Life in the Middle East with Kids: What Living There Really Looks Like

Our Story: Lost, Found and Fed Falafel in Jordan

Back in 2013, Marty and I arrived in Jordan as a couple and got lost almost straight away. We’d just landed in Amman and were standing on a street corner, gently arguing about directions. Another traveller overheard us. He didn’t just point. He walked us there. 🌍

That set the tone for the whole trip.

We hired a private driver for several days, and Hamead took us everywhere: Petra, the Dead Sea, the desert. When I complained about the heat, he handed me a glass of hot tea. Hot tea, he said, cools you down. He was also looking for love, and asked more than once if we knew anyone in the Netherlands who might be interested. 😄

Breakfast was falafel. Most mornings. It’s still the best falafel we’ve ever eaten.

Not every moment was magic. We spent a night at a desert camp in Wadi Rum, which sounded romantic. In reality there were mozzies in our room, and the camp turned into a big, loud party. I left the next morning feeling wrecked. Not from partying: from barely sleeping.

That was 13 years and two kids ago. Across 35 countries, Jordan still stands out for us, and one day we’d love to bring Louie and Leo. Our wider Middle East story, from Istanbul with my mum to crossing into Israel, is on our Middle East hub for nomad families.

The short version of this page:

• Daily life in the Middle East runs on a different rhythm: different weekends, serious summer heat and evenings that come alive.
• Dubai is the easiest place to live day to day, and the most expensive.
• Oman and Jordan feel slower and more traditional. Turkey feels the most familiar to European families.
• Check the current travel advice before you plan anything.

The Middle East Right Now

We’ll be honest about how we feel. Our memories of Jordan are of warm, generous people, and it’s sad to see tourism there struggling. Official figures reported in 2026 show tourism income from European visitors to Jordan fell by about a quarter in the first seven months of the year. The people we met deserve visitors.

But we’re not on the ground now, and our trip was in 2013. At the time of writing (October 2026), the Australian Government advises Australians to “reconsider your need to travel” to the UAE, Oman, Jordan and Qatar. Travel insurance often won’t cover you against that advice.

So our approach is simple. Check Smartraveller and the Dutch government’s Nederlandwereldwijd travel advice before you book, and again before you fly. Our Middle East hub explains what this means for families in more detail.

How the Week Works in the Middle East

The weekend depends on the country, and it shapes your whole routine.

• UAE: Saturday and Sunday since January 2022, with Friday afternoon off for government workers. Friday midday prayers still shape the day.
• Oman and Jordan: Friday and Saturday, with the working week running Sunday to Thursday.
• Turkey: Saturday and Sunday, like Europe.

What does this mean for families? Your remote work week may not match local life. In Amman or Muscat, Friday morning is quiet while your European clients are hard at work. Plan playdates, activities and supermarket runs around the local weekend, not the one you’re used to.

Heat, Seasons and Family Routines

Summer heat changes everything. In the Gulf, temperatures regularly pass 40°C from around May to September. Days shift to early mornings and evenings, and families head indoors to malls, play centres and pools.

With Leo at two, this is what would worry us most. Naps, shade and constant drinks would run our days. Hamead’s hot tea trick is a local favourite, but we’d still keep the water bottles close. ☀️

Jordan and Turkey have real seasons. Amman gets cold winters with occasional snow, and inland Turkey can be freezing. Spring and autumn are the easiest months across the region. Our month-by-month guide to family travel has more.

Renting a Home in the Middle East

Renting works differently from Europe or Australia, so allow extra time.

• Dubai: long-term leases are usually paid in advance, often with one to four cheques for the year, and registered through Ejari, Dubai’s official tenancy system. Monthly furnished rentals avoid the big upfront payment but cost more.
• Oman and Jordan: furnished apartments are common in Muscat and Amman. Some landlords ask for several months upfront, so check current details before you sign.
• Turkey: rents in Istanbul have risen sharply in recent years. Coastal cities like Antalya are usually easier on the budget.

For a first stay, we’d start with a furnished monthly rental and look locally once we’d arrived.

Getting Around with Kids

• Dubai: the Metro and taxis work well, but family life still revolves around cars.
• Muscat: you’ll need a car. Distances are long and public transport is limited.
• Jordan: we hired a driver, and many visitors do the same. JETT buses link Amman with Petra and Aqaba, but they’re less flexible with kids.
• Istanbul: trams, the metro and ferries make car-free life possible. Be ready for hills, though. When Marty, my mum and I visited, the steep streets were hard going on Mum’s bad knee. With Leo, we’d leave the stroller behind and use a carrier. 🚢

Car seats: taxis rarely have them. Bring your own, or book a car with one.

Food, Groceries and Eating Vegetarian

Here’s the good news for vegetarian families: everyday Middle Eastern food is naturally meat-free friendly. Think falafel, hummus, lentil soup, fattoush (a bread salad) and endless mezze. Our falafel breakfasts in Jordan are proof. For more food-focused ideas, see our 13 destinations for families who love food and culture.

Groceries are easy to find. Big supermarkets stock familiar brands in Dubai and Muscat, while local markets are cheaper for fruit and vegetables. Imported goods cost more everywhere.

Alcohol rules vary a lot:

• Turkey: widely available, though shops can’t sell it between 10pm and 6am.
• UAE: sold in licensed venues and shops in Dubai. Rules differ between emirates, and Sharjah is dry.
• Oman: mostly in licensed hotels and restaurants.
• Jordan: available in Amman’s bars and liquor shops, less so elsewhere.

Ramadan with Kids

Ramadan is the holy month of fasting from dawn to sunset. In 2027 it’s expected to start in early February and end in early March, depending on the sighting of the moon.

Daily life slows down during the day. Working hours are shorter, and some cafés close until sunset. In Oman and Jordan, we’d eat and drink discreetly in public during daylight. Dubai has become more relaxed, but being considerate still matters. Young children aren’t expected to fast.

Evenings are the best part. Families gather for iftar, the meal that breaks the fast, and streets come alive late into the night. For worldschooling kids, it’s a real-life lesson in a different culture and faith.

Dress, Customs and Kids in Public

Modest dress is the safe default in Oman and Jordan: shoulders and knees covered in towns and at religious sites. Dubai is more relaxed, and Turkey’s coastal cities feel similar to southern Europe. Swimwear is fine at beaches and pools, just not in the street.

Public displays of affection are best kept low-key. Kids, on the other hand, are part of evening life, so don’t be surprised to see families out late in summer.

Healthcare and Insurance

Private healthcare is well developed in Dubai, Muscat, Amman and Istanbul. Most expat and nomad families use private clinics and pay through insurance.

Dubai requires residents to have health insurance, and Turkey asks for it when you apply for a residence permit. Remember too that a policy may not cover you if you travel against government advice. Our guide to health insurance for nomad families explains what to look for.

Everyday Costs at a Glance

To keep our numbers consistent, our family budgets for Dubai, Muscat, Amman and Antalya live in one place: the comparison table on our Middle East hub. That’s where we keep them up to date.

The short version: Dubai costs the most, then Oman, then Jordan, with Turkey the best value. Rent is the biggest variable everywhere, followed by school fees if you enrol. To see how the region compares with Asia, Europe and Latin America, see our cost comparison of 50 nomad family destinations.

🇦🇪 Dubai: Easy Living at a Price

Daily life in Dubai is convenient. Supermarkets deliver, many playgrounds are shaded and English is spoken almost everywhere. The trade-offs are summer heat, car-based neighbourhoods and rent paid upfront. For the full picture, read our Dubai guide for families.

🏙️ Neighbourhoods Families Choose

Families tend to pick Jumeirah or Dubai Marina for the beach, Downtown for apartment living, and Mirdif or Arabian Ranches for villas with shared pools. Each suits a different budget and commute, so think about school runs before you choose.

👧👦 Weekends with Kids

In winter, weekends often mean the beach, parks and Global Village, which opens in the cooler months. In summer, family life moves indoors: Dubai Aquarium, indoor play centres and even an indoor ski slope. Expect to spend more time in malls than you might at home.

💰 What Day-to-Day Life Costs

Dubai is the most expensive base on this page. Rent is the biggest cost, and long-term leases are usually paid upfront. School fees come next for families who enrol, and health insurance is required for residents.

Our full family budget for Dubai is in our Dubai guide, along with what it includes and excludes.

💻 Working Remotely and Visas

Internet is fast and coworking spaces are easy to find. Dutch and other EU passports get a 90-day visit visa on arrival. Australian passports get 30 days, which can be extended once.

For longer stays, the UAE offers a one-year remote work visa. Working remotely on a visit visa is a grey area, so check the official rules before you rely on it. Our ranking of nomad cities with reliable internet shows how Dubai compares.

🛟 Order and Everyday Safety

Dubai has a reputation for low street crime and clean, well-run public spaces. Day to day, that means relaxed evening walks and easy outings with kids. It doesn’t change the regional picture, though, so read the Right Now section above.

🎎 A City of Many Cultures

Most people living in Dubai were born somewhere else, so your kids may share a playground with families from all over the world. Islamic culture still shapes daily life, from the call to prayer to modest dress in malls and government buildings.

🌤️ Two Seasons: Outdoor and Indoor

October to April is the outdoor season. From around May to September, temperatures regularly pass 40°C and life moves inside. Many expat families leave Dubai for part of the summer.

🎭 Winter Evenings and Events

In the cooler months, evenings fill up with outdoor markets, beach walks and family festivals. The Dubai Shopping Festival runs each winter, with fireworks and events that kids enjoy. Check this year’s dates before you plan around it.

🍽️ Food and Language

Food in Dubai comes from everywhere: Lebanese, Indian, Emirati, Japanese and more. Vegetarian options are easy to find.

Arabic is the official language, but English is what you’ll use day to day.

🇴🇲 Oman: Slower Days and Weekends Outdoors

Life in Oman moves at a gentler pace than in Dubai. Weekends revolve around wadis (desert valleys with rock pools), beaches and the Al Hajar Mountains. We haven’t been yet, so this section is based on research. Our Oman guide goes deeper.

🏡 Where Families Live

Most expat families base themselves in Muscat, where neighbourhoods spread out along the coast. Expect to drive almost everywhere. Smaller towns are quieter, but they have fewer international schools and services.

👧👦 Outdoor Weekends

In the cooler months, families swim in wadis like Wadi Shab, visit the Bimmah Sinkhole and camp in the Wahiba Sands. Turtle watching at Ras al Jinz is a highlight for animal-loving kids. In summer, outdoor plans shrink to early mornings.

💰 Everyday Costs in Oman

Oman sits between Dubai and Jordan on cost. Rent in Muscat is the big expense, and a car is close to essential. Fuel and produce from local markets are usually cheaper than in Europe, while imported goods cost more.

Our Muscat family budget is on the Middle East hub.

💻 Visas and Working

Dutch, other EU and Australian passports get 14 days visa-free. That stay can’t be extended or converted to a residence visa, so longer stays need an eVisa through the Royal Oman Police. There’s no digital nomad visa, so check current details before planning a long stay.

Internet is generally solid in Muscat, but coworking options are limited.

🛟 Calm Streets, Current Caveats

Oman has long had a reputation for calm, low-crime towns. That reputation sits alongside the current regional travel advice, so check it before you go.

🎎 A More Traditional Rhythm

Oman feels more traditional than Dubai. Modest dress is expected in towns, and Friday is the main day for prayer and family. Streets are quiet in the early afternoon heat and busier in the evenings.

🌦️ Heat and the Khareef

Northern Oman, including Muscat, is hot and dry for most of the year, with the best weather from October to April. In the south, around Salalah, the khareef (the monsoon season, roughly June to September) turns the hills green and misty.

🎭 Souks and Winter Festivals

Mutrah Souq in Muscat makes an easy evening outing with kids. Muscat also hosts a winter festival with local crafts, food and music, so check this year’s dates. Nizwa Fort is a good half-day trip from the capital.

🍽️ Rice, Fish, Dates and Coffee

Omani food leans on rice, grilled fish, flatbreads and dates, often with cardamom coffee. Vegetarian families will probably cook at home more, or lean on Muscat’s many Indian restaurants.

Arabic is the official language, and English is widely used in Muscat.

🇯🇴 Jordan: History on the School Run

Jordan is the country we remember most fondly from the region. For kids, Petra, the Roman ruins at Jerash and a night in the desert bring history to life. Most families who stay longer base themselves in Amman. Our Jordan guide covers the country in more depth.

🏙️ Living in Amman and Beyond

Amman spreads across steep hills, so expect traffic and plenty of stairs. It has the most international schools and services. Aqaba, on the Red Sea, is smaller and warmer in winter, while Madaba is a quieter town close to the capital.

👧👦 History Kids Can Walk Through

Petra, Jerash’s Roman streets, the castles at Karak and Ajloun, and a night in Wadi Rum all sit within a few hours’ drive. For history-loving kids, that’s hard to beat. Jordan also features in our 13 best destinations for families who love history.

Our tip for desert camps: pack insect repellent and earplugs. Our Wadi Rum night came with mozzies in the room and a party next door.

💰 Everyday Costs in Jordan

Jordan is cheaper than the Gulf, but not as cheap as many people expect. Imported goods can be pricey. Local produce, falafel and taxis are good value.

Our Amman family budget is on the Middle East hub.

💻 Visas, Internet and Getting Around

Dutch and Australian passports can get a visa on arrival for one month, which can be extended at a police station. There’s no digital nomad visa, and remote work on a tourist stay is a grey area, so check the official rules.

Internet is fine in Amman, though coworking options are limited. To get around, we hired a driver. JETT buses also link Amman with Petra and Aqaba.

🛟 Feeling Welcome

In 2013 we felt welcome everywhere we went. A stranger helped us on our first day, and Hamead looked after us for days. Jordan has long been seen as one of the region’s more stable countries.

Even so, the current advice is to reconsider travel, so read the Right Now section before you plan. Modest dress is expected, and it’s easy with light, loose clothing.

🎎 Tea, Family and Long Evenings

Family is central to daily life in Jordan, and children are a normal part of evenings out. Tea comes with almost everything. Hamead swore that hot tea cools you down in the heat, and it’s a habit you’ll see all over the country.

🌤️ Real Seasons

Amman has hot, dry summers and cold winters, with occasional snow. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable months for exploring. The desert and Aqaba stay warmer in winter, but desert nights can get cold.

🎭 Museums, Mosaics and Bedouin Culture

The Jordan Museum in Amman is a good rainy-day or hot-day option. In Madaba, kids can hunt for details in the ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land. Bedouin crafts and music show up at desert camps and markets.

🍽️ Falafel for Breakfast

Yes, really. Falafel, hummus and fresh bread make a cheap, filling breakfast, and they’re a gift for vegetarian families. Mansaf, the national dish, is lamb with rice and a yoghurt sauce, so vegetarians will skip that one.

Arabic is spoken everywhere, and English is common in cities and tourist areas.

🇹🇷 Turkey: The Most Familiar Daily Life

Turkey feels closest to Europe day to day: Saturday and Sunday weekends, big supermarkets and alcohol in the shops. Our passports get 90 days in any 180 visa-free.

Our only taste of Turkey was a few days in Istanbul with my mum. She loved the Grand Bazaar and came home with a chess set for my brother. ♟️ Those hilly streets were tough on her knee, though.

Istanbul is huge and getting pricier. We didn’t see enough of it to know whether it would suit our family. Many families choose slower coastal cities like Antalya, Izmir or Fethiye instead. Our Turkey guide compares them.

🌇 City or Coast?

Istanbul has the most international schools, coworking spaces and activities, along with the crowds and rents to match. On the coast, Antalya, Izmir and Fethiye offer a slower pace, beaches and established expat communities.

👧👦 Days Out with Kids

Ferries across the Bosphorus are a cheap outing that kids love. Further afield, families explore Ephesus near Izmir, the cave towns of Cappadocia and boat trips along the Mediterranean coast.

💰 Everyday Costs in Turkey

Turkey is the best value of the four countries on this page, especially outside Istanbul. Inflation has been high, though, so prices can change quickly. Cooking at home and shopping at the weekly neighbourhood market keeps costs down.

Our Antalya family budget is on the Middle East hub.

💻 Visas and Working

Dutch passports get 90 days in any 180 visa-free, and Australian passports have too since April 2026. Turkey also has a digital nomad visa, which asks for an income of US$3,000 a month, a university degree and an age of 21 to 55.

Residence permits for longer stays exist, but the rules have tightened in some areas, so check current details. Internet is fast and stable in the big cities.

🛟 Big-City Common Sense

Like any big city, Istanbul has pickpockets in crowded spots, so keep bags zipped on trams and in the bazaars. Check the current travel advice for Turkey too, as it can differ from the Gulf countries.

🎎 Markets and Tea Glasses

Daily life in Turkey runs on tea, served in small tulip-shaped glasses. Most neighbourhoods have a weekly market, or pazar, for fruit, vegetables and household bits. It’s a great place for kids to practise a few Turkish words.

🌤️ Climate by Region

The Mediterranean coast has hot summers and mild winters. Istanbul gets cool, rainy winters, and inland areas like Cappadocia can be snowy. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for exploring.

🎭 Bazaars and Bathhouses

The Grand Bazaar is an easy family outing, as long as you keep little ones close in the crowds. Turkish baths, or hammams, are part of local life too. Check each one’s rules for children before you go.

🍽️ Simit, Lentil Soup and Breakfast Spreads

Turkish food is easy for vegetarian families. Think lentil soup, gözleme (a stuffed flatbread), simit (a sesame bread ring) and long breakfasts of olives, cheese, tomatoes and eggs.

Turkish is the main language. English is common in tourist areas, less so in everyday neighbourhoods.

FAQs About Daily Life in the Middle East

What days are the weekend in the Middle East?

It depends on the country. The UAE and Turkey use Saturday and Sunday. Oman and Jordan use Friday and Saturday.

Is the Middle East too hot for young kids?

In summer, the Gulf is tough with toddlers. Most families keep outdoor time to early mornings and evenings, or visit between October and April.

Can you drink alcohol in the Middle East?

In Turkey it’s easy, apart from late-night shop sales. In the UAE, Oman and Jordan, alcohol is sold in licensed venues and some shops, and the rules vary by country and emirate.

What’s it like being there during Ramadan with kids?

Days are quieter and evenings are lively. Young children aren’t expected to fast, but adults should be discreet about eating in public in more conservative places.

Do we need a car?

In Muscat, yes. In Dubai it helps. In Istanbul, public transport works well. In Jordan, many visitors hire a driver between sights, like we did.

Is Istanbul easy with a pram?

Not really. Many central streets are steep, cobbled or stepped. A baby carrier is easier for toddlers, and trams and ferries help you skip the worst climbs.

Can we homeschool in the Middle East?

Rules vary by country and aren’t always clear for foreign families. Start with our worldschooling legal guide, then check the official rules where you’ll stay.

Is it safe to travel to the Middle East right now?

Check your government’s current advice. In October 2026, Australia advises reconsidering travel to the UAE, Oman, Jordan and Qatar.

Our Takeaways

Our best memories of the Middle East are small ones: a stranger who walked us to the right street, a driver handing me hot tea in the desert heat, falafel for breakfast. That’s what daily life there felt like to us.

Would it work for our family now? Not yet. The travel advice, Leo’s age and the summer heat all say wait. Our next winter escape is more likely to be Morocco. But Jordan is high on our list for Louie and Leo, and we’ll be watching for the day it makes sense. 🌍

If the region is on your list too, start with the advice, then the seasons, then the budget. Daily life is much easier to plan once those three line up.

Keep exploring: compare countries on our Middle East hub, or browse all our family-friendly destinations.