Middle East & Africa attractions

On an island in Lake Nasser, near the Aswan High Dam, the Temple of Kalabsha is an imposing sandstone structure. Built—like Philae Temple—in Roman times, it’s also known as the Temple of Mandulis as a tribute to the god once honored here. Follow the majestic stone causeway from the lake for an idea of what ancient worshippers must have felt.

Prized in biblical times, the cedars of Lebanon are the remnants of an ancient forest. The Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab), a cluster close to northern Lebanon’s Qadisha Valley, is recognized with UNESCO World Heritage status. These majestic trees, a distinct species known as cedrus Libani, can live more than 1,000 years and grow to 130 feet (40 meters) tall.

Fringing the town of Hatta in the eastern United Arab Emirates’ Hajar Mountains, the Hatta Heritage Village is a restored mountain village that showcases life as it was before the country’s oil boom. Comprised of the reconstructed houses of what was once a working village, the village illustrates different aspects of traditional life, from customs and crafts to agriculture.

The city’s most fashionable suburb, Ain Diab Corniche is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The district is bisected by Corniche Boulevard, from the Hassan II Mosque in the east to the El-Hank Lighthouse in the west, but the main attraction is the scenic promenade along the Casablanca seafront where everyone comes for at least a stroll.

A fine example of contemporary Islamic architecture, the King Abdullah Mosque commemorates King Abdullah I, founder of the dynasty that rules Jordan to this day. The vast blue dome, decorated with texts from the Quran, shades a space that can hold over 10,000 people, while a small museum celebrates the king’s life.

A signature sight of Coptic Cairo, the Church of St. Barbara stands close to the Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church. Its history may date back to the fourth century, although it’s been extensively reworked over time. Coptic Christians believe the chapel houses the relics of St. Barbara, martyred by her father in the city of Heliopolis.

The Danish author ofOut of Africa lived in a coffee plantation farmhouse at the edge of Kenya’s beautiful Ngong Hills, where a small museum now celebrates her life and work. Since much of the original furniture has been preserved, it’s a fascinating glimpse into a colonial-era home and an interesting stop even if you haven’t read Blixen’s books.

Mount Kenya is a volcanic peak in the heart of Kenya that stretches to 17,057 feet (5,199 meters) high. The mountain is primarily a hiking and climbing destination enticing visitors from all over the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is surrounded by different types of wilderness, complete with lakes, forests, tarns, and glaciers, and is home to some rare animal species.

The neoclassical Union Buildings house Pretoria’s government headquarters and presidential offices. Designed in 1908, the sandstone wings represent South Africa’s Afrikaners and English people—joined by a central courtyard. While the building isn’t open to the public, you can always enjoy the surrounding gardens and statues.

Just a short stroll away from Manger Square, Milk Grotto is a historical church in Bethlehem. It’s where Christians believe the Virgin Mary nursed an infant Jesus while the Holy Family sought refuge during the Massacre of the Innocents. Legend has it that a drop of milk fell to the ground, turning the place white—hence the name Milk Grotto.

Nudging Oman’s mountains southwest of Muscat, Bahla is one of the country’s oldest oasis towns. Top attractions include its UNESCO-listed hilltop fort, mudbrick old town, original souk, and age-old pottery industry, where craftspeople still fashion clay pots in the way their ancestors have done for centuries.

Famed as the home of the Dead Sea Scrolls—a cache of Hebrew manuscripts that transformed understanding of the Jewish and Christian religions—the Qumran Caves form the heart of Qumran National Park. Not all caves are open, but the rugged desert landscapes, small museum, lookout trail, and archaeological site all appeal.

Established in 1980, the dinner show at Chez Ali restaurant is a Marrakech institution. Dine on Moroccan signature dishes as musicians and dancers perform folk songs and dances from around the country. Then transfer to the arena for a traditional show that includes a cavalry charge and horseback riders, as well as belly dancers, acrobats, fireworks, and more.

Qurum Beach, famous for its soft golden sand and water activities, is the go-to destination for families and active visitors in Oman. The low tide allows for a delightful walk along the coast, and you can also enjoy perusing the amenities—beachside hotels, snack bars, and cafés. For extra enticement, there are also top-notch restaurants facing the water.

Hemmed in by the rocky peaks of the Judean Desert to the west and the salty shores of the Dead Sea to the east, the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve is the largest and most beautiful oasis in Israel. A popular spot for hikers, it’s also famous for its biblical importance: This is the place where David hid from King Saul around 1000 BC.

Established in association with UNESCO to preserve the ancient Nubian culture, which was devastated when the Nile was dammed in 1970, the Nubia Museum is one of Aswan’s most fascinating and least-visited attractions. Exhibits run from 6,500 years ago to the present day, from the Kingdom of Kush to contemporary folk culture.

Composed of low-rise houses, Oman’s sleepy northeast harbor town of Tiwi is the gateway to some of the sultanate’s most alluring scenery. Beautiful pebble-and-sand beaches await on either side of the town, while Wadi Tiwi, a river gorge with palms, natural swimming pools, and a waterfall, beckons from inland.

The cobblestone plaza of Greenmarket Square is one of Cape Town’s liveliest public spaces. Originally home to a slave market and then a produce market, the square now fills up with vendors selling painted fabrics, handcrafted jewelry, and other trinkets while street performers keep shoppers entertained with music and dance.

A raised desert area on the fringes of Cairo, the Giza Plateau is most famous for its necropolis (city of the dead), which includes the Giza pyramids, the Sphinx, the Solar Boat Museum, and the Valley Temple. The largest and most famous of the Giza pyramids, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, is the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World.

During the sixteenth century the Ottoman Turkish sultan Suleiman rebuilt the Old City walls of Jerusalem and included six different gates into the Old City. Jaffa Gate (Bab al-Khalil) is one of the originals, named after its orientation, pointing toward the harbor of Jaffa in Tel Aviv. This gate on the western wall comprises the original dog-legged pedestrian tunnel leading into the Old City, as well as a car-friendly passage constructed in 1898 to allow German Kaiser Wilhelm II to ride into the city. As the main entrance into the Old City, the gate makes a perfect starting point for modern-day explorations. Just inside the gate sits a lively souk which leads into the Christian and Jewish quarters.

Overlooking Dubai Marina, Dubai Marina Mall is one of the city’s smaller and more understated shopping and entertainment destinations. Opened in 2008 with a central domed atrium and around 140 outlets spread across four levels, the mall exudes a calm and unhurried atmosphere in keeping with its waterside location.

Sweeping views and natural wonders are standard along South Africa’s Panorama Route, but there’s nothing ordinary about Bourke’s Luck Potholes. This one-of-a-kind geological site was formed by swirling whirlpools at the Treur and Blyde Rivers meeting point and features a series of gigantic cylindrical potholes scooped out of the Blyde River Canyon.

One of the two forts framing Old Muscat’s harbor—along with its sister, Al Mirani—Al Jalali is a defining sight of Oman’s capital. Built by the Portuguese in 1587, it served as a prison during the 20th century before being restored and becoming one of Muscat’s must-see landmarks.

Bahrain National Museum traces 6,000 years of the country’s history and is one of the island’s most popular attractions. Inside, nine halls are filled with exhibits and relics representing local culture. Highlights include an enormous satellite image of Bahrain, archaeological artifacts from ancient Dilmun, and a replica souk.

The rugged slopes of the Qadisha Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are home to mountain wilderness, ancient monasteries, the pretty village of Bcharré, and even the occasional hermit. Carved by the sacred river Qadisha and mentioned in the Bible, it’s also known as the Kadisha Valley, Wadi Kadisha, Ouadi Qadisha, and Kadisha Gorge.

As the largest mosque in Bahrain, Al Fateh Grand Mosque can accommodate up to 7,000 Muslim worshippers at any one time. Named after the founder of Bahrain, the structure boasts the largest fiberglass dome in the world, and was built using marble from Italy, glass from Austria, and wood from India.

This quaint Church of St. Joseph in Nazareth was built in 1914—but don’t let this relatively recent date fool you. It’s constructed atop the remains of a crusader-era chapel and the underground crypt contains an ancient basin, mosaics, and cisterns from Roman times. Christians have long believed that this church also sits on the site of the carpentry workshop of Jesus’s father, Joseph.

Formally known as St. Simon the Tanner Monastery, Cairo’s vast Cave Church pays tribute to a miracle St. Simon (also written St. Samaan or St. Simeon) is believed to have performed. The city’s Coptic Orthodox Christian garbage collectors (Zabbaleen) dug the church out of the Mokattam mountain during the 1970s.

The epicenter of historic Mombasa, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fort Jesus sits above the Indian Ocean surrounded by yard-thick (meter-thick) walls. Built by Portuguese colonists in the late 16th century, its design incorporates Renaissance ideas about ideal proportion, while the interior houses a small museum and an exhibition.

In the heart of Nairobi's Central Business District, the 28-story Kenyatta International Convention Centre is a popular spot for major conferences and events. Facilities include meeting spaces, offices, an observation deck, and a helipad.