GCC Countries: Complete Tours Guide

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What Is the GCC and Which Countries Are Part of It?

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a political and economic alliance of six countries in the Middle East. The Gulf countries’ names are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The name of this alliance was derived from the geographical positioning of its member states along the Arabian Gulf. The GCC logo contains a map of the region and has Arabic words encircling it, reading Bismillah (in the name of God) at the top, and Gulf Cooperation Council at the bottom.

It was established following a conclusive agreement on May 25, 1981, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in view of their common Islamic beliefs, geographical proximity, and similar political systems. According to the GCC Charter, its primary goals include the following:

  • Boosting relations among its member states
  • Enhancing ties between their peoples
  • Formulating similar regulations in these fields:
    • Economic and financial affairs
    • Trade, customs, and transportation
    • Educational and cultural affairs
    • Social and health affairs
    • Media and tourism
    • Legislative and administrative affairs

The GCC also has a defense planning council to strengthen security in the region by coordinating military cooperation between the member states. 

More than half of the oil reserves of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) are controlled by the GCC, and as of 2023, a third of the world’s oil was produced by the GCC. Given the importance of oil in the world economy, the developments in the GCC have global significance.

The Gulf region is also home to Islam’s holiest sites, Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, and draws millions of pilgrims every year. Additionally, it has a strategic location as it sits at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa. 

Highlights of Each GCC Country

Here are some of the unique features of each country in the GCC: 

Bahrain
  • A chain of islands in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain is the smallest member state of the GCC and has a population of 1.6 million. 
  • It has diversified its economy by developing its manufacturing, banking and finance, tourism, and communication sectors to move away from its dependence on crude oil. 
Kuwait
  • Kuwait is OPEC’s third-largest oil producer globally.
  • It has one of the strongest sovereign wealth funds in the world, with over US$800 billion in assets managed by the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA). 
Oman
  • Oman boasts a diverse landscape, consisting of a coastal region, deserts, and mountains.
  • Its capital, Muscat, is a blend of the old and new with historic forts, museums, and modern architecture.
Qatar
  • Qatar is a small but wealthy country as it is home to the world’s third-largest natural gas reserves. It is one of the biggest exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) globally.
  • It is well known for hosting international sporting events like the Formula One Qatar Grand Prix and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 
  • Qatar is also a thriving aviation hub, with Hamad International Airport in Doha receiving more than 50 million passengers in 2024. 
Saudi Arabia
  • Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the GCC, and Islam’s holiest cities, Mecca and Medina, are located here.
  • It is a major oil producer and exporter, with one of the largest oil reserves in the world.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
  • A federation of seven emirates, the UAE is located on the eastern coast of the Arabian Gulf.
  • The UAE has undergone rapid development, with Dubai cementing its status as an international hub for business, finance, and travel.
  • Dubai is also home to luxury hotels, extensive port facilities, and a number of free trade zones.

Culture, Language, and People of the GCC

Here are more details about the culture of the GCC:

Culture

  • Hospitality is a cornerstone of Middle Eastern culture, and people often show generosity by inviting guests for meals or gatherings at their homes.
  • As the region is rooted in Islamic tradition, it has a significant influence on their day-to-day life, such as praying five times a day and dressing modestly.

Traditional famous food

  • Kabsa: Considered the national dish of Saudi Arabia, this dish consists of rice and chicken cooked with a variety of aromatic spices. This dish is also known as “machboos” in other GCC countries.
  • Harees: Harees is a traditional dish made from wheat, meat, and ghee and is usually served for breakfast or dinner.
  • Saloona: Saloona is a traditional Middle Eastern stew made with meat and vegetables and served with rice.
  • Luqaimat: Called “little bites” in Arabic, these fried dough fritters are coated in a sweet syrup.

Languages

  • Arabic is the official language across all the GCC countries.
  • As there are a large number of expatriates working in the region, English is widely spoken in the GCC countries.

People

  • People from the GCC countries are highly relational and have strong ties with their family and community.
  • They also tend to enjoy a more relaxed, slower pace of life.

Why Visit the GCC Countries?

Here are key reasons why you should visit the GCC countries and what they are known for: 

Safety
  • The GCC region is among the safest in the world, with the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain ranking among the top ten safest cities to visit in 2025. 
  • The crime rates are low as the countries have strict laws and strong law enforcement. 
Unique nature
  • The countries in the GCC region are beautiful in a different way, with their sand dunes, rugged mountains, oases, and pristine beaches. 
Convenience
  • The GCC countries are easy to travel to due to their strategic location between major continents.
  • With the abundance of flight connections and highly developed air transport infrastructure, you can seamlessly travel to the GCC countries of your choice.
Luxury
  • The Gulf attracts wealthy travelers due to its world-class hotels, malls, and restaurants.
  • The GCC countries also have a booming luxury retail market, where visitors can shop for high-end clothing, bags, jewelry, and much more.

How to Visit the GCC: The Unified Visa

The Unified GCC Tourist Visa is an initiative that will enable multi-country access in the GCC region with a single, online application. 

With the launch of the Unified GCC Visa, also known as GCC Grand Tours Visa, traveling in the GCC region will be a seamless experience. 

The highly anticipated initiative is aimed at boosting the GCC countries’ economic growth through tourism and promoting cultural exchange. The member states are expecting a rise in hotel and airline bookings and retail expenditure with its impending launch.

This Schengen-style visa will allow its holders to enjoy borderless travel throughout the GCC region. This means more savings in time and money as travelers will not need to make separate, in-person applications to visit each country in the GCC. 

Initially approved in 2023, the Unified Tourist Visa or the “GCC Grand Tours Visa” is about to be launched as part of its pilot phase by the last quarter of 2025. Several details have yet to be finalized, but there will be an option to choose between a single-country and multi-country visa, the period of stay is expected to range anywhere from 30 to 90 days. According to the latest GCC visa news, the visa will likely only permit visiting the region for tourism and family and friend visits. 

Travelers will submit their applications by filling up an online form, providing their personal information, and uploading required documents, such as a copy of their passport, a recent photo, and proof of funds. Applicants will be able to pay the visa fees online and will receive their visa via email. 

When Should You Visit the GCC?

The GCC region generally has a hot and arid climate, but it can vary depending on the months and the proximity to the coast. It’s best to avoid visiting in the summer from May to September as temperatures can go over 40°C (100°F). 

Visiting from November to February during the winter months is the best, as you can spend more time outdoors. Note that this will be the peak season for tourism, which also means higher prices for flights and accommodation. 

Here are some key local festivals in the GCC region you may want to plan your trip around: 

Janadriyah Festival

  • Where: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • When: February or March
  • What: The two-week-long Janadriyah Festival is the largest cultural event in Saudi Arabia that showcases its heritage through folk dances, regional costumes, camel races, sword dancing, carpet weaving, and cuisine.

Al Dhafra Festival

  • Where: Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi
  • When: December
  • What: The Al Dhafra Festival is a celebration of Bedouin culture and attracts participants from all across the Gulf for its competitions, ranging from date packaging to traditional saluki dog races to a camel beauty pageant.

Muscat Festival

  • Where: Muscat, Oman
  • When: Usually anytime from December to February (need to check official website as dates change annually)
  • What: The Muscat Festival is a month-long event that invites both tourists and locals to experience Omani culture. Typically, there are performances featuring traditional Omani music, art installations, and local cuisines.

Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF)

  • Where: Doha, Qatar
  • When: Anytime from January to March
  • What: The QIFF is the country’s largest culinary event, where visitors can enjoy live cooking shows by award-winning chefs and food-tasting sessions.

Bahrain International Music Festival

  • Where: Manama, Bahrain
  • When: October
  • What: The festival, dating back to 1992, celebrates both local and international music. There are performances from various cultures and genres, ranging from Arabic orchestras to classical soloists.

Kuwait International Book Fair

  • Where: Kuwait City, Kuwait
  • When: November
  • What: The largest cultural event in Kuwait, the Kuwait International Book Fair draws regional and international publishers, authors, and visitors. Apart from the wide selection of books for purchase, visitors can also take part in literary seminars, discussions, and poetry readings. There are also meet-the-author and children’s literature sessions.

Top Things to Do and See in the GCC (Tours, Attractions & Itineraries)

The GCC region offers a plethora of experiences, ranging from luxury shopping to dining at award-winning restaurants to riding a camel in the desert. Here are some of the top things to buy when visiting GCC countries:

Gold and jewellery

  • The Gold markets in the GCC countries offer very competitive prices and a wide selection of designs. 

Traditional souvenirs

  • Pick up Arabic coffee sets, hand-painted ceramics, woven baskets, and brass items from the local markets. 

Perfumes

  • The high-quality perfumes are made using oud (agarwood), frankincense, myrrh, or sandalwood.

There are plenty of tourist places to visit in the GCC region. Here are the major attractions of the GCC countries in a list:

Bahrain

Bahrain’s capital and port, Manama, is a modern city with skyscrapers, world-class shopping, and a vibrant culinary scene. Here are the key sites to visit in Manama: 

  • Bahrain National Museum
  • Al-Fateh Grand Mosque
  • Bahrain Fort (Qal’at al-Bahrain)
  • Manama Souk 
Kuwait

Kuwait is well-known for being very safe and has a variety of cultural attractions and activities. Here are some places to visit in Kuwait City: 

  • Kuwait Towers
  • The Grand Mosque
  • Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre
  • Souk Al-Mubarakiya
  • Tareq Rajab Museum
Oman

Travelers enjoy visiting Oman for its vast dunes, captivating beaches, desert castles, and exotic souqs. Here are some places to visit in Oman: 

  • Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
  • Muttrah Souqs
  • Royal Opera House
  • Daymaniyat Islands
  • Wadi Shab and Wadi Bani Khalid
  • Wahiba Sands 
Qatar

Qatar has a rich heritage and vibrant culture, and is popular for its ultra-modern capital city, Doha. Here’s a list of the major attractions in Qatar:

  • Katara Cultural Village
  • Souq Waqif
  • Doha Fort 
  • National Museum of Qatar
  • Qanat Quartier
  • Doha Corniche
  • Desert Safari
Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia offers a mix of modern attractions, outdoor adventures, and cultural and historical landmarks. Here are the top places to visit in Saudi Arabia: 

  • Masjid Quba and Al Masjid an Nabawai, Madina
  • AlUla Old Town
  • Edge of the World
  • Sharaan Nature Reserve
  • Floating Mosque, Jeddah
  • Al Tayabat Museum, Jeddah
  • At-Turaif World Heritage Site
United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The UAE is famous for its ultra-modern architecture, stunning coastlines, world-class shopping, and rich cultural heritage, attracting luxury travelers from around the globe. There are plenty of things to do in the UAE, according to your preferences. Here are the top places to visit in the UAE:

  • Burj Khalifa
  • Dubai Fountain
  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
  • Palm Jumeirah
  • Museum of the Future
  • Louvre Abu Dhabi
  • Dubai Marina

Tourism Development in the GCC Region

GCC economies traditionally relied heavily on oil exports, but there has been a strong move towards tourism as part of economic diversification in the past decade.

  • In the UAE, Dubai has earned its place as one of the top destinations for international travelers, with 9.88 million international overnight visitors in the first half of 2025. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is also actively expanding its tourism industry and plans to attract 100 million visitors by 2030 as part of its strategy, Saudi Arabia Vision 2030. 
  • Saudi Arabia is building the world’s largest airport, the King Salman International Airport, which is anticipated to serve up to 120 million passengers by 2030, and 185 million passengers by 2050. It shows the commitment that the kingdom has undertaken to transform Riyadh into a major business and tourism hub. 
  • Bahrain is aiming to attract 14.1 million tourists by 2026, while Qatar is gaining popularity as a host for international sports events, such as the FIFA World Cup. The GCC countries have been successfully developing their tourism sectors by strategically investing in infrastructure and specialized initiatives. 

Tourism has brought a host of benefits to the region, including reduced dependence on oil revenues and the creation of jobs in the retail and hospitality sectors. The investments in infrastructure have also brought about more developed airports, transport systems, and luxury retail spaces. 

Travel Tips and Practical Info

Here are some practical tips if you’re visiting a GCC country:

Dress modestly

  • As the GCC countries follow Islamic traditions, people dress modestly, especially in public places. 
  • You are not expected to wear traditional attire, but avoid tight, see-through, and revealing clothes. 

Be aware of the weather

  • As the climate is typically hot and dry, stay well-hydrated and remember to use sunscreen when outdoors. 

Respect local customs

  • Avoid public displays of affection. 
  • During the fasting month of Ramadan, though not prohibited, it is better not to eat, drink, or smoke in public in daylight hours. 

Keep some cash

  • Even though electronic payments are widely accepted in the region, it’s good to have some cash to buy items at traditional markets or for smaller purchases.
  • Note that each country has its own currency. 

Know the peak seasons and public holidays

  • The GCC countries generally do not get overcrowded, but you can avoid the crowds by avoiding travel during public holidays or major events like the F1 or international expos.
  • You can also travel during the shoulder seasons in October and April, when it will be less crowded. 
  • Consider visiting lesser-known destinations to beat the crowds.

FAQs

The name GCC stands for the Gulf Cooperation Council. It derives its name from the location of its member states, which are located along the Arabian Gulf. Here is the Gulf countries list:

  • Bahrain
  • Kuwait
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • The United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the GCC, with a population of 35 million and a land area of 2.15 million km².

Arabic is the most spoken language in the GCC countries, but English is also widely used due to large expat populations and tourism.