Middle East & Africa attractions

Holding the Guinness World Record for the oldest continually operating university in the world, the Kairaouine Mosque (Mosque of al-Qarawiyyin is one of Fez’s most important cultural landmarks. Established in 859 AD, its latticed minaret and series of green-tiled roofs are visible from rooftops across the medina.

Founded in 1857, Château Ksara is one of Lebanon’s oldest wineries and an ever-popular stop on Bekaa Valley tours. Situated at around 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) above sea level, the estate has vineyards across Lebanon. Star of the show at the winery, besides the wines themselves, are the historic 1.5-mile (2-kilometer) cave cellars.

The Cango Caves are made up of a diverse array of underground formations. ranging from massive caverns to narrow passageways barely wide enough to squeeze through. Spacious, well-lit corridors reveal floor to ceiling stalagmites and stalactites. In contrast, the cave’s tunnels are dark and cramped, offering a bona fide caving experience.

Majestic peaks shrouded in mist, vast open moorlands, and dense tropical forests characterize the varied landscapes of Aberdare National Park in Kenya. Marked by steep ravines and waterfalls, this protected area is a part of the Aberdare Mountain Range—boasting heights of more than 10,000 feet (3,050 meters)—and is populated by a remarkable variety of African animals.

Twelve Apostles Mountain Range—with its rock buttresses and deep ravines—stretches majestically south from Cape Town along the rugged Atlantic Coast. You can explore the mountains up close on numerous hiking trails, or you can view the scenic formations from the coastal road that runs between the base of the bluffs and ocean.

At 1,985 feet (605 meters above sea level, the Trou aux Cerfs volcano provides sweeping views of the Mauritian landscape and its dramatic mountain ranges. With a diameter of more than 980 feet (300 meters and depth of 260 feet (80 meters, its giant crater is also a sight in itself and is an ideal setting for a short stroll.

Home to religious landmarks such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Via Dolorosa, the Christian Quarter—one of four districts in the Old City of Jerusalem—is popular with pilgrims and tourists alike. You’ll find about 40 important sights in this neighborhood, including archaeological attractions, shrines, and monasteries, plus vendors selling everything from fragrant spices to rosary beads.

The Delaire Graff Estate is a luxurious winery at the base of the Cape Fold Mountains, filled with art collected by owner Laurence Graff. With a particular focus on works from African artists, you’ll be surrounded by the beauty of both nature and humans. The winery is noted for its Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties.

Black River Gorges National Park is home to most of Mauritius’ remaining indigenous rainforests—as well as some of the most scenic hiking trails the island nation has to offer. Within the park, you can find endemic plants and animals, including the endangered pink pigeon. A short, popular hike leads to Alexandra Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country.

Offering one of Earth’s highest bungee jumps, the Bloukrans Bridge arcs 710 feet (216 meters above the Bloukrans River in Tsitsikamma National Park. Its slender-looking span impresses, but travelers come for the zipline, skywalk, rappelling—and most of all—the bungee, which drops more than 650 feet (200 meters with 5 seconds of free fall.

Spectacularly restored, Amman Roman Theater once held an audience of 6,000, and in summer, it’s still used for shows and concerts. Dating to the second century AD, it nestles towards the base of Amman Citadel. The 3-tier seating structure reflects Roman society: rulers sat at the front, army in the middle, and ordinary folk above.

The El Alamein War Cemetery contains the graves of Allied soldiers lost during the 1940-1942 Western Desert campaign of World War II. Alongside the nearby El Alamein Military Museum, it serves as a memorial to the campaign and its turning point, the 1942 Battle of El Alamein.

Covering an area of 28 American football fields, IMG Worlds of Adventure in Dubai is the world’s biggest indoor theme park. Situated on the edge of the city, this destination offers six adventure zones—Marvel, Cartoon Network, Lost Valley, IMG Boulevard, The Haunted Town, and IMG Kids Zone—all based on the fantasy worlds of movie superheroes.

Originally a jetty built in 1654 to provide fresh water and produce to the sailors of the Dutch East India Company, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is now one of the most-visited attractions in South Africa. The area is a development consisting of two harbors, retail shops and museums, seascapes and mountain views, and plenty of places to bed down, drink up, and eat away.

A 15-ton, seven-piece molten bronze statue honoring the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Lebanon has been a popular pilgrimage site and tourist stop since it was constructed in 1908. Situated in a pine forest, the shrine is equally famous for its sweeping panoramic views overlooking the Bay of Jounieh. The complex is reachable by cable car and contains a Basilica, four churches, and a chapel.

The Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City is a raised stone plateau that’s home to some of the most significant religious structures in the world, including the Dome of the Rock, the Al Aqsa Mosque, and the Western Wall. The Temple Mount covers a 35-acre area known as al-Haram al-Sharif, and is considered to be a sacred place in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.

For well over 2,000 years, ancient Egyptians mummified their dead, removing organs and drying and wrapping the body in a gory process that spawned hundreds of horror films. Luxor’s intimate Mummification Museum explores this process and the beliefs around it, displaying tools, animal mummies, and the remains of a 3,000-year-old priest.

A man-made isle north of Abu Dhabi, Yas Island is a multi-attraction destination offering family entertainment, sports, and shopping. The biggest draws to the 9.5-square-mile (25-square-kilometer) island include Ferrari World, the Yas Marina Formula I race circuit, Yas Waterworld aquapark, and the indoor Warner Bros. World complex.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Byblos (Jbeil) has been home to a wealth of civilizations over the last 8,000 years. A historic harbor, a Crusader castle, an atmospheric medieval center, and a fascinating archaeological site add heritage charm. During summer, there’s a vibrant party scene as well as outstanding seafood eateries.

Opened in 2003 in a historic villa, the Alexandria National Museum offers a carefully curated journey through the history of Egypt’s second city since its foundation in the fourth century BC. The underwater archaeological finds are fascinating, as are the Greco-Roman discoveries, while ancient Egyptian treasures come from around the country.

The Hurghada Grand Aquarium focuses on the the aquatic wonderland lying offshore. Whether you’re a keen snorkeler or merely want to learn more about the world’s rare coral reefs, the aquarium can expand your perspective on the Red Sea’s ecological environment, including all the animals, like sharks and turtles, that call it home.

Step into Cape Town’s dynamic history by visiting the oldest remaining colonial-era building in the country. Built by Dutch colonists at the end of the 1600s, the Castle of Good Hope once served as a maritime resupply point and military hub. Its historic architecture and displays make it a popular attraction on tours of the city.

An ancient city in the West Bank in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Bethlehem is home to many significant religious sites, including the Church of The Nativity in Manger Square, believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus.

In the heart of Ethiopia’s highlands, 11 rock-cut churches stand as a testament to the country’s rich heritage and architectural mastery. Commissioned by King Lalibela in the 13th century, the monolithic construction was one of the first landmarks to receive UNESCO-listed status, making it a must for first-time visitors to Ethiopia.

If you want to experience day-to-day life in Ghana, there’s no better place than Accra’s sprawling Makola Market. One of the city’s best attractions, the market is equal parts wonderful and chaotic, with a maze of colorful stalls filling the streets. It’s also a great spot to try Ghanaian food or grab souvenirs—just be ready to haggle.

Perfect for escaping Dubai’s heat, Ski Dubai is one of the world’s biggest indoor ski centers. Housed inside the city’s Mall of the Emirates, this snow-laden complex boasts runs for all skiing levels and is kept at a constant sub-zero temperature to replicate real-world Alpine conditions. As well as skiing, there’s also a massive Snow Park offering family-friendly toboggan, tube, and other rides, plus snowboard runs, a chairlift, cozy cafés, and even penguin encounters.

With a spiral minaret inspired by the Great Mosque of Samarra and crenelated arcades surrounding a vast open prayer space, the 6-acre (2.5-hectare Ibn Tulun Mosque is one of Cairo’s longest-surviving Islamic monuments. Its simple, serene shape was completed in 879AD for Ahmad Ibn Tulun, who made it the center of his new capital city.

Set in north Israel, the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret) is the country’s biggest freshwater lake. Bordered by lush countryside and fed by the Jordan River, it’s there that you’ll find farming villages and bustling towns among ancient ruins and biblical sites where Jesus lived, ministered, and is said to have performed miracles.

Known for the enormous Casino du Liban and the Téléferique gondola lift that runs to Our Lady of Harissa above, Jounieh is a party-friendly high-rise beach town about 11 miles (18 kilometers) north of Beirut. The main attractions here are eating, clubbing, and barhopping, although the old souk has charm, and paragliding is possible.

Jebel Akhdar, or “Green Mountain,” is a rock massif in northeast Oman’s Al Hajar Mountains. A series of mountains and gullies rather than a single peak, it centers on the Saiq Plateau, perched 6,560 feet (2,000 meters) above sea level. Sprinkled with small towns and villages, this plateau is ringed by peaks and gorges, making it a scenic showstopper.