Middle East & Africa attractions

A long indoor canal with gondolas floating along it is your first clue that the Villaggio Mall in Qatar is no ordinary shopping complex. Inside this large Doha shopping center themed around Italy and Venice, you’ll find everything from upscale fashion boutiques to cinemas, food courts, and even an ice-skating rink, making this a venue designed to entertain the whole family.

Ouzoud is famous for its waterfalls, the highest in North Africa, which are well worth a visit. There are pools to swim in when the weather is warm enough, boats to rent for a ride along the river, and plenty of wildlife to spot. This is Berber country, so you can learn about the culture if you go with a local guide.

The capital of Zambia’s remote Western Province, Mongu sits close to the Angolan border. It stands as the gateway to Liuwa Plain National Park, about 46 miles (75 kilometers) northwest of the city, but is perhaps best known for its Kuomboka ceremony. Held each April, the celebration marks the movement of the Lozi royal court from Lealui to Limulunga.

Located within the ancient city of Petra, the Byzantine Church (or Petra Church) was first constructed in the fifth century AD, on top of Nabataean and Roman ruins, and expanded in the sixth century AD before being destroyed by fire and earthquakes. It’s still being excavated, but visitors can view its well-preserved mosaics.

One of Beirut’s main streets, Hamra Street (Rue Hamra, or simply Hamra) is the epicenter of the neighborhood of the same name and was a cultural hub during the 1960s and ’70s. While its nightlife glory days are behind it and the economic crisis has hit it hard, it still offers a wealth of cafés, stores, and pubs.

A certified Fair Trade organization, the Kazuri Beads Factory is an artisanal crafts studio in the green and lush Karen suburbs of Nairobi. It’s known for hand-crafted and brightly painted kiln-fired ceramic beads and pottery. What originally started as a tiny workshop in the 1970s has blossomed into a huge enterprise employing hundreds of local women, including single mothers.

South of Abu Dhabi, Emirates National Auto Museum (ENAM) houses 230 vintage and custom vehicles owned by Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, also called the Rainbow Sheikh for his love of the colors of the rainbow. Here, one of the world’s largest car collections is displayed inside and outside a pyramid-shaped hangar.

Housed in a beautifully restoredriad (a structure built around a courtyard), tucked between the Bahia and Dar Si Said palaces, the Tiskiwin Museum (Musée Tiskiwin) fascinates visitors. Crammed with North African art, handicrafts, and artifacts, the Maison Tiskiwin collection immerses visitors in the region’s vibrant cultural history.

The township of Mondesa provides a glimpse into Namibia’s complex history. Located on the outskirts of Swakopmund, the settlement was initially used to segregate Black people when South African apartheid laws were extended to Namibia. Today, the settlement is home to a diverse community of residents from across Namibia.

One of the oldest and largest mosques in the Southern Hemisphere, the Juma Mosque’s impressive minarets rise above the bustling streets and markets of Durban’s Indian Quarter. The spiritual center for Durban’s Muslims and one of the most popular attractions in the city, the mosque draws in visitors interested in its historical, religious, and architectural significance.

The remnants of the powerful Asante Empire, an African kingdom that peaked in the 18th century, lie among these 10 dwellings and shrines in locations near Kumasi, Ghana. Made from mud, wood, and straw, the structures represent traditional West African architectural and spiritual heritage and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Constructed in 1831 for Said bin Sultan, the fifth ruler of Oman’s Busaid dynasty, Mtoni Palace is best known as the childhood home of Princess Salme, the sultan's youngest daughter and author of Memoirs of an Arabian Princess from Zanzibar. Today the palace is in ruins, but it's still a great spot for travelers wishing to see what royal life was like in the 19th century.

Located in southwest Muscat, the Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum—SAF Museum for short—chronicles Oman’s military history and development. Housed in the restored Bait Al-Falaj Fort, it immerses guests in the story of the country’s forces from medieval to present times, with weaponry, uniform, and vehicle displays.

Sweeping from Muttrah Fish Market in the west to Riyam Park in the east, Muttrah Corniche lines Muttrah Bay on Muscat’s coast. Backed by the craggy Al Hajar Mountains and home to Muttrah Souk and Muscat cruise port; this popular waterfront is Muscat’s oldest commercial center and its most scenic and vibrant spot.

With three floors of exhibitions dedicated to Emirati women, the Women’s Museum at Bait Al Banat is one of Dubai’s most revealing cultural institutions. Founded in 2012 by Professor Rafia Ghubash, it showcases women’s art, photography, poetry, costume, and writings to tell the story of UAE women past and present.

Egypt’s rare porphyry was highly valued by the ancient Romans, and this former Roman quarry—once a thriving settlement of houses, temples, and workshops—was mined for its precious purple and white crystalline stone, used to decorate columns, sarcophagi, and temples. Relics and ruins of this activity remain at this archaeological site.

The Palmach, an underground arm of the Haganah (a Jewish paramilitary force that predates the Israel Defense Forces), was founded in 1941 to secure a Zionist settlement in what was then Palestine. Today the innovative Palmach Museum transports visitors back in time with multimedia experiences, a photo gallery, archival library, and memorial.

Discover the rich history and culture of Oman at Bait Al Baranda, a museum housed in a 1930s villa. Its galleries showcase the land’s geology and archaeology, as well as the military and political past of Oman, providing an overview of this remarkable country. Named after its signature veranda, Bait Al Baranda also provides a comprehensive overview of Omani traditions and customs.

While Dubai is known for its glitz and glamour, you still can find great deals in the city. The most famous place for shopping like a local is Karama Market, with its 300-plus shops selling everything from apparel to souvenirs. The market is also an excellent place for photography, with numerous colorful murals painted across area buildings.

Home to about 85 shopping and food outlets, the Senzo Mall just south of Hurghada ranks as one of the largest malls on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. Flanked by palm-fringed fountains and offering everything from major fashion retailers to a food court, this indoor mall is a popular shopping and lifestyle destination for both locals and tourists.

Despite being one of Kenya’s smallest national parks, Hell’s Gate National Park has plenty of wildlife-watching opportunities and gives you the rare chance to explore on foot. Situated in the Rift Valley, it’s named for the soaring volcanic cliffs of the Ol Jorowa Gorge, where part of Angelina Jolie’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was filmed.

During the Great Migration, Africa’s Mara River hosts one of nature’s greatest spectacles, as vast herds of wildebeest surge through the murky waters in quest of fresh territory—with crocodiles and lions waiting to snap up any stragglers. Even outside that perilous period, it’s a popular safari stop—some river stretches are alive with both hippos and crocodiles.

The whole valley in northern Morocco looks like a secret garden, with high mountains and lush vegetation along the banks of the river that feeds Akchour Falls. The falls consist of a high waterfall up in the valley, a series of small cascades, and a more modest waterfall below, all accessed by hiking trails.

While less famous (and much less crowded) than historic quarters in Moroccan cities like Fez or Marrakesh, Medina of Tunis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the top destinations within the Tunisian capital. With winding lanes, artisan shops, cobblers and tailors, and traditional cafés, it’s a fantastic spot to spend a few hours wandering. Even better, book a dar and stay overnight.

Eerie, musty, and compelling, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa descend three stories into bedrock. Their design fuses ancient Egyptian, Hellenistic, and Roman elements in a way that’s pure Alexandria: Anubis, ancient Egypt’s jackal-headed deity of the dead, appears dressed as a Roman soldier and sporting a snakey appendage borrowed from a Greek god.

Off the coast of Zanzibar, Changuu Island offers plenty for history fans and beach lovers alike. Its "Prison Island" moniker comes from a prison that was built there in the late 19th century, though the structure ended up being used as a yellow fever quarantine station instead.

One of the most biodiverse areas in Africa, Botswana's UNESCO-listed Okavango Delta is a mesh of grassy plains and wetlands that creates an oasis for wildlife. Home to endangered animals such as cheetahs, white and black rhinoceros, and African lions, it’s no wonder why the area is a must-visit for safari adventures and game drives.

The State Grand Mosque (Imam Abdul Wahhab Mosque) in Doha comprises 93 domes sitting atop a strikingly modern sandstone building. The neat, elegant design betrays its youthful age, but the scale of the mosque—Qatar’s largest—and its interior are nonetheless impressive. Multiple libraries, prayer rooms, ablution halls, and covered corridors fill out this expansive religious center.

One of the best places in Nairobi to pick up souvenirs or photograph colorful handicrafts is the Maasai Market, an open-air market that changes location daily. Here, you'll find everything from beaded jewelry to textiles, along with carvings, baskets, and other home decor items.

Just outside of Stellenbosch, Spier Wine Farm is one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa, dating back to 1692. Offering a wide range of wines and wine-tasting experiences, Spier is also home to several restaurants, shops, a hotel, and an extensive contemporary art collection. There are numerous ways to experience the estate.