Middle East & Africa attractions

The plunging walls and incongruous flatness of the surrounding landscape make Fish River Canyon a dramatic sight. Located in southwest Namibia, the canyon is one of the largest in the world and is a renowned destination for hikers looking to challenge themselves. The river comes and goes depending on rainfall, but the stunning canyon always remains.

Surrounded by South Africa’s scenic mountains and home to wildlife, villages, and some of the best views in the Kwa-Zulu Natal region, Valley of a Thousand Hills offers a rural countryside experience not far from beaches and highrises of Durban. The valley’s mix of culture and hospitality make it a popular holiday destination for locals and tourists alike.

Occupying a restored 19th-century fort in the old part of Ras Al Khaimah, the Ras Al Khaimah National Museum is a popular stop for newcomers to the emirate. Set around a courtyard, its air-conditioned galleries chart the region’s history from 5,000 BC to the present through various archaeological finds and historical treasures.

Located just outside the gates of the Old City at the base of the Mount of Olives, this Eastern Orthodox-style church is believed by many Christians to contain the empty tomb of Mary, Jesus’s mother. Legend has it that Mary's body had disappeared when the tomb was opened because she had ascended to heaven—an event known in Christianity as the Assumption.

You don’t have to visit the big game reserves to appreciate the variety of South African wildlife—it’s all on display at the Johannesburg Zoo. The sprawling 136-acre (55-hectare) site includes spacious habitats for more than 320 species, with a focus on the physical and psychological wellbeing of the animals on display.

Atop Temple Mount, within Old Jerusalem’s al-Haram al-Sharif, or the Noble Sanctuary, the al-Aqsa Mosque has the distinction of being the third-holiest site in Islam, after Mecca and Medina. Its name translates to “the farthest mosque,” in reference to the journey Muhammad made on his way to heaven to receive instructions from Allah.

Once the capital of Oman, this historic Arab city is best known for its pre-Islamic-era buildings found within the confines of the Rustaq Fort. Once known as the center of Islamic learning, the fort houses a mosque, and towers above the low-roofed buildings around the rest of the city.

One of the most mesmerizing sights of the Sinai Desert, the Colored Canyon is a geological freak of nature: a narrow, winding valley where multicolored layers of rock have eroded to form painterly swirls. It’s a popular destination for short hikes, photography, and even scrambling up and down between the narrow walls.

One of Jordan’s most important archaeological landmarks, the ruins of Pella date back over 6,000 years and span multiple eras of history—from Stone and Iron Age-era settlements to Byzantine Churches and an excavated Islamic Quarter. Despite all this (and Pella’s proximity to Jerash and Irbid and driving distance from Amman), this off-the-tourist-track gem remains surprisingly overlooked.

Gleaming silver domes and geometric minarets rise above Nairobi’s Jamia Mosque, which is among the most important religious buildings in Kenya. While the interior is generally only accessible to Muslim visitors, all travelers can enjoy outside views of the mosque, easy to do while taking in nearby downtown sights.

Despite its name, Petra Roman Theater was actually built by the Nabataeans over 2,000 years ago. This massive and impressive theater in the ancient city of Petra was carved out of rock into the side of a mountain, destroying existing caves and tombs in the process, though you can still see some tombs above the theater.

Tucked away in the highlands of southern Uganda, this freshwater lake is one of the region’s hidden gems. The crystal-clear waters are surrounded by the volcanic peaks of the Virunga Mountain Range, home to critically endangered mountain gorillas. There are 15 islands on the lake, but only Mutanda Island is inhabited—the rest are a haven for birdlife, from kingfishers and ibis to cormorants and pelicans.

A hilltop park with views across Port Elizabeth, the Donkin Reserve houses green space, a vast mosaic, a giant flag, a 19th-century lighthouse, and a steep brick pyramid. Sir Rufane Donkin, who founded Port Elizabeth and named it after his late wife, built the pyramid to honor her memory: It’s formally known as the Donkin Memorial.

Cape Town’s South African Jewish Museum (SAJM) honors the Jewish history of South Africa through interactive displays, audio-visual presentations, and fascinating artifacts. Visitors can see part of Cape Town's Old Synagogue, built in 1863 and situated on the same grounds as the museum, as well as the richly decorated 1905 Great Synagogue.

During the long decades of oppression during the apartheid era, the South African colonial government forcibly relocated thousands of Black and mixed-race citizens (known in Southern Africa as colored people) to the township of Katutura. Forced to rent homes from the city, Katutura was a symbol of injustice. Today, despite the continuing inequality in the region, you’ll find arts centers, markets, and food stalls.

A lively shopping, dining, sports, and entertainment complex, Sharm el Sheikh’s SOHO Square offers everything from steakhouses to an ice bar. Entertainment highlights include an ice rink, a bowling alley, a performance stage, the Culturama Historical Cinema, and children’s fairground rides. It’s particularly magical at night, as strobes light up the Soho Square Dancing Fountain.

Immortalized in the 1964 film Zulu, Rorke’s Drift was the site of one of the great defenses in British military history. In 1879, 150 British soldiers, some sick or wounded, fought off around 4,000 Zulu warriors soon after Zulu forces triumphed at Isandlwana. Today, a museum/orientation center, a memorial, and rock cairns commemorate them.

Housed in the 19th-century Dar Mnebhi Palace, at the heart of the medina, is the Marrakesh Museum (Musée de Marrakech). Founded by Moroccan journalist and activist Omar Benjelloun in 1997, the museum houses a small but impressive collection of Moroccan art and artifacts.

A limestone canyon in the foothills of the High Atlas mountains, Paradise Valley Agadir is a lush oasis sprinkled with rock pools. When water levels are high, it’s known for waterfalls, cliff jumping, and natural waterslides. Besides the signature hike up the valley, some fascinating side trails lead through woodlands rich in juniper, argan, and acacia.

Sweeping views across golden hills, Kuiseb Canyon, and Carp Cliff make Kuiseb Pass a highlight of exploring Namibia’s unpaved C14 road. With an elevation of 2,969 feet (905 meters) above sea level, the pass is a place to stretch your legs, snap some photos, and take in the gorgeous landscape of a sparsely populated region.

Dedicated to conserving Mauritius’ indigenous forest and endangered wildlife, the Ebony Forest Reserve is one of the island’s most important ecoreserves. Home to more than 140 native and endemic plant and animal species, it’s a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, with scenic hiking trails and ocean-view overlooks.

Lake Bosumtwi, Ghana’s sole natural lake, was formed in a meteorite impact crater 17 miles (27 kilometers) southeast of Kumasi, and dozens of small villages now line the shores, all surrounded by lush greenery. Since the 1970s, the lake has become a popular recreational spot, with calm water where you can safely swim. Since the lake has no surface outlets, the water level has gradually risen over the years, and the villages on its banks are forced to relocate further up the hillsides from time to time. According to Ashanti traditional beliefs, the spirits of the dead come to Lake Bosumtwi to bid farewell to the god Twi. Since it’s considered sacred, there’s a taboo against letting metal touch the water, so locals may only fish the lake using large planks of wood.

Crowning a hill below the Hajar Mountains in Ras Al Khaimah emirate, the 19th-century mud-brick Dhayah Fort is the United Arab Emirates’ last remaining hilltop fort. Built from the remnants of earlier fortifications, it’s famous for serving as a holdout for the local Al Qawasim peoples when they attempted—but failed—to resist British forces in 1819.

This classic example of Islamic fort architecture dates back to the 15th century when Arad Fort used to guard its own island, which today is connected to Muharraq Island. While it’s one of Bahrain’s smaller forts, it offers excellent skyline and sea views.

Delve into the rich traditions of the Amazigh people and Moroccan history at the Museum of Amazigh Culture in Agadire (Musée Municipal du Patrimoine Amazighe d’Agadir). This indigenous ethnic group, commonly known as Berbers, holds deep roots in North Africa and has a complex past in Morocco. The Museum, located a stone's throw from the coastline, offers fascinating insights into their heritage.

Located in Dubai Mall, KidZania Dubai is an educational theme park where kids can learn about different professions, money, and the real world in a safe, interactive, and fun environment. A kid-size scaled replica of a real city, KidZania Dubai offers more than 60 real-life role-playing activities that teach kids important life skills.

A stop at the formidable Rhodes Memorial, perched on Table Mountain, rewards with classical architecture, views, and a reminder of British influence on Cape Town. Dedicated in 1912, the memorial honors British Cape Colony prime minister, Cecil Rhodes. For lunch with a view, try the restaurant and tea garden behind the memorial.

Located 984 feet (300 meters) above ground, Abu Dhabi’s Observation Deck at 300 commands bird’s-eye views over the United Arab Emirates capital. From here, visitors can gaze down at the city’s Corniche, skyscrapers, beaches, and waterways, as well as the Persian Gulf beyond, and enjoy a drink at the sleek café-bar.

Situated on Jumeirah Beach Road in Dubai’s Jumeirah 1 district, the Mercato Shopping Mall is hard to miss for its pastel-painted Italian-style design. Relatively small by Dubai standards, the mall accommodates around 140 shops—fewer than most of the city’s larger shopping centers—but scores highly for its upscale atmosphere and laid-back Mediterranean vibe.

Located in a 19th-century villa that was once home to anthropologist and activist Esther Roberts, Durban’s Phansi Museum hosts a world-class collection of Southern African art and artifacts. Galleries feature statues, body art, beadwork, pottery, and textiles, while the space also hosts classes, book launches, workshops, and exhibitions.