Things to do in  Middle East & Africa

The only Ancient Wonder still standing, the Pyramids of Giza—the Great Pyramid of Giza (Khufu Pyramid), Pyramid of Khafre, and Pyramid of Menkaure—still live up to more than 4,000 years of hype. Seeing these 4th-dynasty pyramids and their guardian Sphinx rising from the Giza Plateau is a must on any trip to Cairo (and the reason many travelers find themselves in Egypt).

Perched on an island in the Nile River, Philae Temple is ancient history that’s been saved stone by stone. A relocation effort moved Philae Temple to Agilkia Island when the UNESCO World Heritage Site was threatened by flooding; today, thanks to the move, visitors can still admire hieroglyphic reliefs abutting soaring columns and sanctuaries dedicated to the ancient gods Horus, Isis, and Hathor.

Valley of the Kings is a trove of archaeological wonders, containing dozens of tombs filled with art and hieroglyphics. See King Tutankhamun's tomb—the most famous sight in the valley—then tour the temples of the sons of Ramses II and of Amenhotep III and others to marvel at art and artifacts dating between the 18th and 20th dynasties.

The Burj Khalifa soars 2,717 feet (828 meters) high with more than 160 stepped floors that narrow as it climbs syringe-like to the sky. Designed to pay homage to the complex geometry of Islamic art, the Burj Khalifa brings a new meaning to the term skyscraper and is a highlight of the massive downtown Dubai complex.

Merzouga is the door to Erg Chebbi, a sea of towering dunes about 5 miles (8 kilometers away, on the outer edges of the Sahara. With its sand-colored inns, the small town in southern Morocco looks like it might have sprouted organically from the desert. Most visitors stop by en route to adventures and camping trips in the dunes.

The Abu Simbel Temples—the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Small Temple, which celebrates the goddess Hathor and Ramses’ queen Nefertari—form one of ancient Egypt’s best-known archaeological sites. Enormous sandstone statues carved into the temple facades give way to spectacular interiors, decorated with art and hieroglyphics. Moved in the 1960s so that the Aswan High Dam would not submerge them, the temples form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A centerpiece of Tahrir Square, the Egyptian Museum (Museum of Egyptian Antiquities) has been a mecca for Egyptologists since it opened and houses some of the world’s greatest ancient relics. While some collections are moving to the new Grand Egyptian Museum, it remains a must-see for anyone interested in ancient Egypt.

Two giant statues of the New Kingdom pharaoh Amenhotep III, the Colossi of Memnon, tower 59 feet (18 meters high, making the perfect introduction to the grandeurs of Luxor’s West Bank. Each weighs around 1,100 tons (1,000 tonnes and they once guarded the entrance to a funerary temple archaeologists are still excavating today.

Fiery limestone cliffs are a dramatic backdrop for the Temple of Hatshepsut, a monument to the female pharaoh who was once king of ancient Egypt. The temple’s smooth colonnade has been reconstructed, and the facade alternates between glowing columns with deep shadows. Venture inside to find relief carvings, hieroglyphics, and sanctuaries.

An ancient sanctuary surrounded by honking taxis, touts, and strolling families, Luxor Temple’s grandeur has endured more than 3,000 years on the East Bank of the Nile. Linked to Karnak Temple via the Avenue of Sphinxes, Luxor Temple boasts soaring colonnades, elaborate columns, statues, and images of Amenhotep III and Ramses II.

Built to control the Nile River’s annual floods, the Aswan High Dam transformed Egypt’s Nile Valley and created the vast Lake Nasser. The sheer scale of the dam is impressive, and at the top, you’ll find sweeping views of the lake and surrounding desert.

Ancient architecture goes monumental at this landmark in Luxor, which houses magnificent statues, columns, and the largest place of worship ever constructed—just a stone’s throw from downtown traffic. Construction of Karnak Temple spanned more than 1,000 years, and it shows in the diverse art and architecture of this Egyptian site.

Dubai Marina is one of Dubai’s iconic leisure destinations. A purpose-built canal flowing into the Persian Gulf, its emerald-hued waters are flanked by wow-worthy skyscrapers, luxury yachts, smart restaurants, and numerous other attractions, including the high-end Dubai Marina Mall. Visitors stroll the scenic Dubai Marina Walk, enjoy sightseeing cruises and water sports, and shop and dine by the water—all in close proximity to the neighboring Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) district.

Table Mountain's distinctive plateau is the backdrop for iconic Cape Town views, but that's just the beginning of its namesake national park. Stretching the length of the Cape Peninsula, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to hiking trails, diverse flora and fauna, and—of course—South Africa’s most famous coastal and mountain vistas.

The 66-foot-tall (20-meter-tall) Sphinx of Giza is an icon of ancient Egypt, and the subject of continued debate regarding its meaning, age, and original builder. With the head of a human and the body of a lion, the Sphinx—one of the world’s largest and oldest statues—is said to symbolize strength, power, and wisdom.