Middle East & Africa attractions

Part of the Wadi El Gemal National Park on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, Sharm El Luli (Ras Hankorab) boasts white sands, virgin corals, and aquamarine shallows. Visitors come to this largely undeveloped beach to wade, swim, and snorkel through its waters and enjoy its overwhelming beauty and peace.

Opened in 2009, the Dubai Metro is a rapid transit rail system serving Dubai. With driverless, fully automated trains operating along two routes—the Green and Red lines—and connecting 47 stations, the cutting-edge, 46-mile (74-kilometer) system is one of the most convenient ways to get to key points around the city.

The Medina of Sousse is a postcard-perfect example of a fortified town from the early days of Islam, with a 9th-century Great Mosque, crenellated ramparts, and imposing kasbah and ribat fortresses. As the call to prayer drifts through the streets and cats doze against bright doorways, it’s not hard to see why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In a desert gorge with sandstone formations so bizarre they look sculpted, the fossilized skeletons of ancient whales lie exposed to the harsh sun. The creatures of Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) are almost unimaginably ancient—almost 40 million years old. They date from a time when whales were evolving from land-based mammals to oceanic life forms.

The Dubai Cruise Terminal—situated about 7 miles (12 kilometers) from the center of old Dubai—serves as the gateway for cruise passengers taking shore excursions into the city and its surrounding desert. Also known as Port Rashid, the port boasts a modern and comfortable terminal, but nothing by way of visitor attractions, so new arrivals head straight off into the waiting metropolis.

In Dubai, a hotel can be considered a top tourist attraction, and that’s certainly the case with the extravagant Atlantis, The Palm. The 1,539-room, ocean-themed resort occupies the top portion of the crescent of land surrounding the man-made Palm Islands, just off the coast of Dubai, and it includes 42 acres (17 hectares) of amusement and entertainment space. Even if you’re not a resort guest, it’s worthwhile to spend a day enjoying everything it has to offer.

The Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, also called Zayed Port, is located on the northern tip of Abu Dhabi island, about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the city center. While the port has a state-of-the-art terminal and shopping area, there are no other on-site attractions, so new arrivals immediately venture out into the city.

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.

On the southern slopes of Mount Entoto, just north of central Addis Ababa, Entoto Natural Park is a beautiful natural area that provides gorgeous views and respite from city life. It's a great place to go if you want to hang out in nature, and is popular with photographers keen to capture the Addis Ababa skyline.

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.

With its pale sands and translucent waters, Marsa Mubarak is an idyllic bay on Egypt’s southern Red Sea coast. Set within the protected Wadi El Gemal National Park and nicknamed “Turtle Bay,” its biggest draw is rich undersea life: its sheltered waters reveal bright corals and seagrass fields populated by exotic fish, green sea turtles, and even dugongs.

The purpose-built island of Bluewaters Dubai is one of the city’s most glamorous shopping, entertainment, and residential hubs, connected to mainland Dubai by road and pedestrian bridges. Visitors can relax at its oceanside restaurants and beach clubs, enjoy the stores and attractions along its tree-lined plazas, and take in its signature sight, the Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest observation wheel.

A mix of white-sand beaches, turquoise seas, and rocky valleys, Egypt’s Wadi El Gemal National Park—whose name translates as “Valley of the Camels”—is a little-vaunted desert wilderness along the Southern Red Sea. Snorkel over virgin corals; view dolphins, sea turtles, and dugongs; and spot the wild camels that roam the plains and give the park its name.

The oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden in Mauritius was built in 1770 and stretches over some 91 acres (37 hectares). It's known for its big pond of giant water lilies. Its lush gardens, including ebony trees and sugar cane, are a reminder of the nation’s colonial influences.

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 Red Sea channel draws tendrils of Indian Ocean water up through Africa and Arabia to Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. Divers and snorkelers appreciate the Red Sea’s clear waters and colorful coral and marine life, while sandy beaches lure sun worshippers from around the world.

Tucked inside the fishing town of Taqah east of Salalah, Taqah Fort is one of Oman’s youngest forts but is no less interesting for it. Built in the 19th century as a private residence for Taqah’s wali (governor), this compact castle feels more home than fort, and rewards visitors with a tree-shaded courtyard, carved doors, and reconstructed family quarters.

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.

On the western end of town, the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre showcases the work of artisans from across Africa, both in a huge main gallery and across a number of craft shops. It's a fantastic place to browse (or purchase) art or to pick up souvenirs ranging from wooden giraffes to elegant jewelry.

Home to around 1,400 animals, the Emirates Park Zoo is situated on the northeast outskirts of Abu Dhabi and makes an engaging destination for nature-loving families and visitors of all ages. The zoo houses mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and birds, and offers an inspiring space for visitors to have fun learning about animal life.

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.

Surrounded on all sides by turquoise water, Nakupenda Beach is a sandbank off the coast of Zanzibar. It's a beautiful place to visit if you want to spend time swimming, snorkeling, or just enjoying the warmth of the tropical air and sea.

Situated between the Gulf of Oman and the eastern Al Hajar mountains, the fishing town of Quriyat is increasingly gaining ground on Oman’s tourist radar. Highlights here include a picturesque fort hidden in the center of town, a historical watchtower, and a scenic corniche and beaches, among other natural locales.

Situated in a rural stretch of Tanzania filled with villages and farmlands, not far from Moshi and Arusha, Kikuletwa Hot Springs is a freshwater spring big enough and deep enough to swim in. Despite its name, the water here is best described as warm, not hot, making it a refreshing spot for a dip, even on hot days.

Located on the slopes of Helderberg Mountain within Stellenbosch’s Blaauwklippen Valley, Waterford Estate is best known for its cabernet sauvignon. Visitors to the undeniably scenic winery can enjoy a variety of tastings in a relaxed outdoor setting, dine at its restaurant, experience a special event, and explore the 297-acre (120-hectare) estate on foot and by safari vehicle.

The cone-shaped volcanic mount of Observation Hill is the highest hill in Amboseli National Park and the only viewpoint to afford panoramic views of the entire park. On a clear day, you can look out across neighboring Tanzania to the snow-crowned peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, and admire an aerial view over Lake Amboseli and the surrounding plains.

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.

The River Gambia National Park consists of five islands—collectively known as Baboon Island—that are home to a wealth of wildlife: hippos, crocodiles, monkeys, baboons, and a population of rescued chimpanzees. A selection of camps allow you to get closer to nature overnight, while river cruises feel miles away from the coastal chaos.

Among a sea of blue houses in the medina of Chefchaouen, the city’s Kasbah stands out with its high clay walls. Inside those walls, you’ll find a lush garden, fountains, and towers with prime city views, as well as an ethnographic museum that details the customs and interests of Chefchaouen’s people through items such as costumes, instruments, and weapons.