The best board games set on the Arabian Peninsula 2024

Looking for a really good game set in the Arabian Peninsula? Then we have just the thing: our list of the best games 2024 that play on the Arabian Peninsula.

What are games set in the Arabian Peninsula?

Arabic games often have themes or storylines set in the Arabian Peninsula of the Middle East, but can also include settings around the Persian Gulf. Some of the most popular themes and images in Arabic games involve deserts, palaces, camels, jewels, and oases, among others.

So this list only covers games set there - not those invented there.

List of the best games set in the Arabian Peninsula 2024:

This list was last updated on March 22, 2024. We compared 168 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Camel Up

    All details for the board game Camel Up and similar games

    Camel Up is an exciting and unpredictable racing and betting game where players wager on camels competing in a zany race around a pyramid. With its unique mechanics and charming theme, it's a game that promises fun and laughter for up to eight players.

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2014

    More details for Camel Up
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  2. Targi

    All details for the board game Targi and similar games

    Targi is a strategic board game set against the backdrop of the Tuareg culture in the desert. Players assume the roles of leaders of Tuareg tribes, engaging in trade and seeking to expand their families and influence.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2012

    More details for Targi
    • 2 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!14€ atAmazon.de*

    Video reviews for Targi

    • YouTube Review for the game "Targi" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  3. Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala

    All details for the board game Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala and similar games

    Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala is a strategy board game set in the mystical land of Naqala. Designed by Bruno Cathala, it puts a unique spin on the traditional German-style worker placement games.

    Nominated for 14 awards and won 5.

    More details for Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 40 - 80 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala

    • YouTube Review for the game "Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  4. Marrakech

    All details for the board game Marrakech and similar games

    Marrakech is a strategic board game where players take on the roles of competing rug salespeople in the vibrant and bustling market of Marrakech. The aim is to outsmart your competitors through careful placement of carpets and savvy financial decisions.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2008

    More details for Marrakech
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  5. Alhambra: Big Box

    All details for the board game Alhambra: Big Box and similar games

    Alhambra: Big Box is the ultimate collection for fans of the Alhambra board game, combining the base game with all five of its expansions. This comprehensive set offers a wide range of gameplay variations and strategic depth. The packaging is thoughtfully designed to store each expansion separately, ensuring easy organization and setup. The expansions included are The Vizier's Favor, The City Gates, The Thief's Turn, The Treasure Chamber, and Power of the Sultan, each adding unique elements and challenges to the game.

    More details for Alhambra: Big Box
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  6. Tales of the Arabian Nights

    All details for the board game Tales of the Arabian Nights and similar games

    Tales of the Arabian Nights is a storytelling board game that immerses players in the adventurous world of Arabian folklore, similar to the stories narrated by Scheherazade. This game is less about winning and more about experiencing and sharing a compelling narrative.

    Nominated for 5 awards.

    More details for Tales of the Arabian Nights
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Tales of the Arabian Nights

    • YouTube Review for the game "Tales of the Arabian Nights" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  7. Through the Desert

    All details for the board game Through the Desert and similar games

    Through the Desert is a strategic board game where players guide caravans through the desert to claim oases and territory. Often compared to the classic game Go, it combines strategic planning with a visually appealing setup featuring colorful plastic camels.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Through the Desert
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  8. Straw

    All details for the board game Straw and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  9. Tales & Games: Aladdin & the Magic Lamp

    All details for the board game Tales & Games: Aladdin & the Magic Lamp and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Tales & Games: Aladdin & the Magic Lamp

    • YouTube Review for the game "Tales & Games: Aladdin & the Magic Lamp" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  10. Akaba

    All details for the board game Akaba and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2005

    More details for Akaba
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  11. Medina (Second Edition)

    All details for the board game Medina (Second Edition) and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Medina (Second Edition)

    • YouTube Review for the game "Medina (Second Edition)" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Medina (Second Edition)" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  12. Orient Bazaar

    All details for the board game Orient Bazaar and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  13. Tuareg

    All details for the board game Tuareg and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  14. Caravan

    All details for the board game Caravan and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  15. Pasha

    All details for the board game Pasha and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  16. Sultan

    All details for the board game Sultan and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Sultan
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  17. Open Sesame

    All details for the board game Open Sesame and similar games
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  18. Alhambra: The Card Game

    All details for the board game Alhambra: The Card Game and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  19. Fliegende Teppiche

    All details for the board game Fliegende Teppiche and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  20. Amul

    All details for the board game Amul and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Amul
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Amul

    • YouTube Review for the game "Amul" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  21. Ali Baba

    All details for the board game Ali Baba and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  22. Aladdin's Dragons

    All details for the board game Aladdin's Dragons and similar games

    Aladdin's Dragons (also known as Morgenland), developed from Richard Breese's Keydom, evolves the bidding and resource management mechanics into a vibrant, strategic board game that transports players to a realm of magical intrigue. Through clever placement of numbered bidding chips on a tripartite board, players engage in a tense contest of wits and bluffing. The objective is to amass wealth and magical artifacts, with treasure tokens serving as the pivotal currency for advancement.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    More details for Aladdin's Dragons
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  23. 12 Thieves

    All details for the board game 12 Thieves and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2007

    More details for 12 Thieves
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  24. Sindbad

    All details for the board game Sindbad and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  25. Tales of the Arabian Nights

    All details for the board game Tales of the Arabian Nights and similar games
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  26. Basari: Das Kartenspiel

    All details for the board game Basari: Das Kartenspiel and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2014

    More details for Basari: Das Kartenspiel
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Basari: Das Kartenspiel

    • YouTube Review for the game "Basari: Das Kartenspiel" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  27. Sultaniya

    All details for the board game Sultaniya and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  28. Sultans of Karaya

    All details for the board game Sultans of Karaya and similar games
    • 5 - 15 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Sultans of Karaya

    • YouTube Review for the game "Sultans of Karaya" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  29. Medina

    All details for the board game Medina and similar games

    Medina is a strategic board game set in 1822, where players are tasked with rebuilding the beautiful city of Medina, situated at the foot of the Atlas mountains. Designed by Stefan Dorra, this game captures the essence of urban planning and architecture, challenging players to construct palaces and restore the city walls to their former glory. As the city is rebuilt, players vie to claim the most prestigious buildings and secure their legacy as the greatest architects of Medina.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    More details for Medina
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  30. Karawane

    All details for the board game Karawane and similar games
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

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