Middle East & Africa attractions

Located in south Cairo on the Nile’s east bank, Old Cairo, also known as Misr Al-Qadima, dates to the sixth century BC and occupies the sites of several early Egyptian capitals, including Fustat. Merging into Islamic Cairo to the east, its heart is Coptic Cairo—home to a crumbled Roman fortress and numerous early medieval Coptic churches.

The largest and most famous of Marrakech’s many mosques, Koutoubia Mosque (Mosquée Koutoubia) is also the city’s most prominent navigational landmark. Just a short stroll from Djemaa el Fna square, the mosque’s soaring minaret stands proud at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed medina.

Aswan’s granite quarries supplied raw materials for some of ancient Egypt’s greatest monuments, and the partially excavated Unfinished Obelisk is a rare chance to see that work in progress. Mysteries surround the monolith in Aswan’s northern quarries. At the site, you’ll also find ancient rock paintings left behind by stone workers.

Carved over millions of years by the Dadès River, the rugged red valleys known as the Dadès Gorge (Gorges du Dadès wind their way between the Atlas and Anti Atlas Mountains. The Tamellalt Valley boasts weird and wonderful rock formations, like melted candles; a notorious strip of blacktop loops and twirls down from Boumalne du Dadès.

The historic heart of Marrakech and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Marrakech Medina (Medina of Marrakesh) is the first port of call for most visitors to the city. Known for its famous Jemaa el-Fna square, a dizzying maze of souks, and a magnificent array of mosques and palaces, this is Marrakech’s most atmospheric district.

Located just south of the city, Nairobi National Park is the first game reserve in Kenya and the only protected area in the world that sits so close to a nation’s capital. Visitors to the vast wildlife park are likely to spot black rhinos, lions, giraffes, and zebras, as well as some 400 bird species.

The smallest of Cairo’s three main Giza Pyramids, the Pyramid of Menkaure stands with its two counterparts on the Giza Plateau on the southwestern edges of Egypt’s capital. As part of Cairo’s most-visited attraction, this 4,500-year-old tomb is seen by millions of tourists each year.

Lined with brightly colored houses and lively streets, Bo-Kaap is as vibrant as it is culturally rich. The historic neighborhood, set just outside central Cape Town on the flanks of Signal Hill, is a dynamic melting pot of Malaysian, India, Sri Lankan, and African culture. It was one of the first settlements of freed slaves and Muslim immigrants in South Africa.

Standing proud above the hubbub of the modern city, the Cairo Citadel (Citadel of Saladin)) is one of Old Cairo’s most striking sights. First built by Saladin in the 12th century, during the Crusader conflicts, the fortress complex houses palaces, museums, and mosques, including Muhammad Ali’s 19th-century Alabaster Mosque.

Forming the northeast corner of Fez, the Medina of Fez (Fes El-Bali is a dizzying introduction to the city’s culture, crafts, and commotion. Dating to the ninth century, the UNESCO-listed warren of lanes, shops, and souks is girded by 13th-century walls and ornamental gates.

Protecting the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest intact caldera, the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Conservation Area is known for its wildlife density. A game drive in the park heightens your chances of spotting creatures ranging from zebras and gazelles to lions and wild hunting dogs. If you're lucky, you may spot an elusive black rhino.

A lush expanse of terraced fields, forested hillsides, and cascading waterfalls in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, the Ourika Valley ((Vallée de l’Ourika) is a natural oasis just an hour from the city of Marrakech.

Spread out over around 1,100 square miles (2,850 square kilometers) in Northern Tanzania's Manyara Region, Tarangire National Park is among the best places in the region to spot elephants. Other creatures frequently spotted in the park include cheetahs, oryx, and around 550 different species of bird.

The Dubai Mall is no ordinary shopping center. Sitting under the megatall Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai, this is the world’s biggest mall by land area, and a shopping, dining, and sightseeing colossus. Containing more than 1,200 shops, two department stores, and 200-plus food outlets, it also boasts big leisure attractions, including the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Dubai Ice Rink, and the entrance to the Burj Khalifa itself.

Sitting on Abu Dhabi’s Corniche Breakwater, the Abu Dhabi Heritage Village is a reconstruction of an authentic Arabian village. The site offers everything from craft workshops to a replica souk and museum, as well as providing a window into desert life before the 20th-century oil boom.

The citadel of Saladin—and the Cairo skyline—is dominated by the Alabaster Mosque (also known as the Mosque of Muhammad Ali). Modeled on classic Turkish architecture, it took 18 years to build the structure (1830-1848), with a complete restoration taking place in the 1930s. It was commissioned by Muhammad Ali, ruler of Egypt from 1805-1849, who lies in the marble tomb inside.

Tucked among Coptic Cairo’s winding streets, the Hanging Church is more than 1,000 years old. Enter the 19th-century façade to find icons, elegant screens, a marble pulpit, and a window onto Roman ruins beneath the church. The Hanging Church is an important site for Egyptian Christians, as well as one of Coptic Cairo’s top attractions.

Tucked into Dubai’s Deira district just north of Dubai Creek, the Dubai Spice Souk offers some of the city’s most rewarding shopping. Here, covered alleyways brim with stalls that sell all manner of Arabian and Asian spices, herbs, and delicacies, making the souk ideal for souvenir hunters and anyone hoping to get a sense of old Dubai.

If you want to see many birds and mammals in one spot, you've come to the right place. This national park in northern Tanzania provides a refuge not only to mammals such as buffalo and zebras but also to all sorts of birds, particularly flamingos. The park protects Lake Manyara and its surrounding lands and is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Located the northeastern corner of Botswana, Chobe National Park encompasses more than 4,500 square miles (12,000 square kilometers) of floodplains, forest, swamps, and rivers. The park is known for having one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Africa; most notably, a large elephant population.

Africa's tallest peak has been attracting intrepid travelers for generations, and many people come to Tanzania specifically to hike to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Standing at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), this volcanic mountain rewards ambitious hikers with incredible views over the savannah, not to mention major bragging rights.

If you want a taste of Morocco's natural beauty, the Todra Gorge won't disappoint. This red-rock canyon is a popular spot for hiking and rock climbing, though many visitors just drop by for a quick glimpse of the area's towering rock formations on their way to the sand dunes of the Merzouga Desert.

Located south of Dubai Creek, Bur Dubai is one of Dubai’s oldest districts, with a traditional atmosphere to match. Extending from Al Raffa in the west to Al Jaddaf in the east, it’s home to an array of sights, from the Bastakia Quarter—also called the Al Fahidi Historic District—to souks, parks, and several top museums.

The Dubai Creek (Khor Dubai) is the reason for Dubai’s existence. The waterway flows between Deira and Bur Dubai in the historic center of the United Arab Emirates city. Today, it’s full of abra (wooden water taxis) ferrying passengers between the souks of Deira on the northeastern bank and the historic district of Bur Dubai on the southwestern bank.

The oldest part of Zanzibar City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stone Town is best known for its blend of European, African, Arabic, and Asian architecture, as well as its lively food scene and coastal cool. From towering minarets and white stone houses to cobbled market streets, every turn offers something to snap, making this island old town a must-see for any new arrival.

Opened in 2008, Hurghada Marina is the recreational hub of the Red Sea resort. Centered on a 200-berth harbour and bordered by the Marina Boulevard—a walkway flanked by palms, parks, and ochre-painted shops and residential blocks—the marina boasts an abundance of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Featuring displays consisting of more than 150 million flowers, Dubai Miracle Garden is one of the UAE’s most original attractions. Branded the world’s largest natural flower garden, its seasonal gardens feature magnificent displays of blooms, including a heart tunnel, a floral clock, a fairy-tale castle, and even a flower-covered jumbo jet. Spread over an area the size of 14 football fields on the outskirts of Dubai, it’s an extravaganza of color and scent.

Robben Island—where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years—was a place of isolation for nearly three centuries, housing many political prisoners and serving as both an asylum and leprosy colony. Today, the island, now recognized as a World Heritage Site, remains a tangible symbol of political freedom and a reminder of the difficult road to South African democracy.

Stretching atop the Jebel Zerhoun plateau in northern Morocco, the Roman ruins of Volubilis are a striking sight, especially in summer when its abloom with wildflower Some of the best-preserved ruins in Northern Africa, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers a glimpse into ancient Morocco—and makes for a nice day trip from Fez or Meknes.

Built on the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the longest surviving Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the 15th-century Citadel of Qaitbay (Fort Qaitbey) is a postcard-pretty sea fort. The battlements offer sweeping city views, the small museum houses maritime relics and aquariums, and three pillars likely date from the lighthouse.