Things to Do in Middle East And Africa

Fujairah Fort, the oldest fort in the United Arab Emirates dating back to 1670, was built from mud, wood, gravel and gypsum on a rocky outcrop where it protected the old village and valuable date palm oasis from invaders. The historic structure was damaged by an attack by the British in the early 20th century, but it was recently resorted to its former state.

Surrounding the Fujairah Fort, the Fujairah Department of Archaeology and Heritage has set up a Heritage Village, where visitors can stroll through resorted historic houses filled with exhibits on the traditional lifestyle of Fujairah’s ancient residents.

Relatively new to the skyline—they were only completed in 2012 the three glass skyscrapers that comprise the Flame Towers have already become iconic. The three towers sit atop a hill overlooking the old city center and Baku Bay and were inspired by the ancient practice of fire worship in Azerbaijan.

By day, the blue-tinted reflective towers are impressive, but they’re truly spectacular after dark, when their surfaces become a giant display for more than 10,000 LED lights that paint the towers with colors of fire, water or the national flag. The buildings’ interiors house mostly offices and residences, but also notably the Fairmont Baku Hotel.

At the Alf Leila Wa Leila hotel property, “Fantasia 1001,” which refers to The Thousand and One Nights — or the Arabian Nights — is a celebration of Egyptian culture, color and dance with a variety of entertainment and dinner theater shows. Serving local food and drink, the many acts tell the history and folklore of Egypt through live music, a sound and light show, belly dancing and a pharaonic horse show that includes acrobatics and horsemanship. Each show tells the life of ancient Egypt and its pharaohs, the tribal history of the Bedouins, and other customs and traditions of the many regions of Egypt.  

The shows are set in the largest theater of the area, with a seating capacity of 2,500. Other highlights include traditional Egyptian architecture including a large fountain and a performance of tanoura, an Egyptian folk dance in Sufi festivals. The whirling dance is unique to Egypt, performed by Sufi men in long, colorful skirts.

When prominent Lebanese poet, artist and philosopher Khalil Gibran died in 1931, his body was interred within the chapel of a nineteenth century monastery on the outskirts of Bsharri according to his wishes. This monastery, set into the rocky slopes on the eastern side of town, now houses a museum dedicated to Gibran.

Besides Gibran’s tomb, the museum collection includes 440 of his original paintings and drawings, as well as private manuscripts and personal belongings from his time living in New York.

Established in 1438, the Fez Mellah (Jewish Quarter) was the first of its kind in Morocco, a walled Jewish quarter that segregated the Jewish community from the predominant Muslim communities, and was locked during the evening hours to ensure the safety of its residents.

After WWII, the majority of Fez’s Jewish population left, with the quarter’s schools, synagogues and markets falling into disrepair, but a small, yet vibrant Jewish community still remains and the district is being slowly restored thanks to UNESCO funds. For visitors, a walk around the mellah offers a glimpse into one of Fez’s most unique neighborhoods, with contrasting architectural styles to the rest of the old medina.  Highlights include the newly restored Ibn Dahan synagogue, which dates back to the 17th-century, the Jewish Cemetery and the Gold souk, as well as a number of quality antique furniture stores.

The star attraction of Morocco’s hippie haven has to be its eponymous beach, and the windswept coast and sandy shores certainly live up to the hype. Lined with bars, restaurants and surf shops, the beach is best known as a hotspot for surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers, thanks to its steady, year-round winds. The shores near Diabat may be the quietest areas for a bit of relaxation.

With few wind-free days, Essaouira beach is better suited for water sports than swimming and sunbathing, but there are still sunbeds and umbrellas available for rental during the summer months. In addition to kitesurfing and windsurfing lessons, Berber horse and Arabian camel rides are possible and popular along the beach. You’ll likely also see travelers enjoying quad buggy rides along the coast and local children playing soccer in the sand.

Better known by locals as Old Accra, the Ga-Mashie district of the city is home base for Ghana’s Ga people, the original settlers of the capital. This relatively small geographic area is rich with national culture, history and heritage, including Ussher Town and James Town. These densely populated fishing villages may be economically deprived, but their iconic structures from the colonial era and kinetic energy make Ga-Mashie a destination for travelers. 

The district lies between the Densu River and the Chemmu lagoon, just north of the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can explore the bustling fishing villages, where men are taught to weave nets and hallow canoes by hand. Or visit with the artisans, carpenters, masons and tailors who while away the day using ancient methods and long-perfected techniques.  An afternoon in Ga-Mashie puts travelers in touch with Ghana’s age-old traditions, right next to its thriving new economy.

During the last years of the sixteenth century, the Portuguese constructed a massive fort to protect the port of Mombasa. Designed by Giovanni Battista Cairati, Fort Jesus is one of the best preserved examples of Portuguese military architecture from the era, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Today, Mombasa’s most visited attraction houses the Fort Jesus Museum. The collection includes archaeological finds not only from Fort Jesus, but from nearby sites as well. Highlights include a collection of ceramics from the Kenyan coast and what’s left of the San Antonio de Tanna, a Portuguese gunner that sank not far from the fort in the late seventeenth century.

On the grounds of the L'Ormarins farm in Franschhoek, home to Antonij Rupert Wines, is the Franschhoek Motor Museum. This collection of more than 200 cars is the personal collection of Johann Rupert, who runs the wine estate. The cars span more than 100 years of car-making history, and the models on display (a selection that rotates periodically) are in impeccable condition.

 

In addition to the cars, the Franschhoek Motor Museum also showcases some historical motorcycles and bicycles, as well as motoring memorabilia. There are four buildings on the estate which hold cars, each grouped by its make.

John Gayer-Anderson, a British major and army doctor, received special permission from the Egyptian authorities to reside in a pari of sixteenth century houses adjacent to the Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Cairo. From 1935 to 1942, Gayer-Anderson restored the buildings and populated them with a collection of art and antiques from around Egypt, the Arabian peninsula and Central Asia.

Upon his death in 1945, Gayer-Anderson donated the space to Egypt, and it has since been transformed into the Gayer-Anderson Museum. A mosaic fountain set into a marble floor greets visitors in the museum’s reception area. Each of the maze of rooms has a theme — a silver tea set and lacquered furniture are on display in the Queen Anne Room, while the Persian Room features beautifully intricate tile work.

Travelers with an appreciation for pop culture trivia will recognize the Gayer-Anderson Museum as a filming location for the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me.

In Jesus’ day, the Garden of Gethsemane at the base of the Mount of Olives was an olive grove, and according to some botanists, some of the ancient olive trees still growing in the gardens likely predate Christianity itself. While the word “gethsemane” means “oil press,” the Garden of Gethsemane is much better known for its prominence in New Testament scripture as the site where Jesus was betrayed and arrested after the Last Supper.

In the center of the garden sits the Church of All Nations, a mosaic-covered church built in 1924 by architect Antonio Barluzzi. Within the church sits the Rock of Agony, believed by some to be the place where Jesus wept and prayed for the city of Jerusalem.

These massive dunes formed by golden wind-blown sand offer visitors an iconic taste of the Sahara’s constantly changing landscape. Spanning more than 50 kilometers near the border of Algeria, these towering shape shifters prove a destination for locals and tourists alike. While nearby Merzouga is considered the tourist center of this area, it’s the overnight journeys—either by foot, camel or 4x4—into the desert that provide visitors to Erg Chebbi with the quintessential Moroccan escape.

Fountains Square, also commonly called Parapet in reference to its old name, sits in the heart of downtown Baku, where it attracts locals and visitors alike to its shops, restaurants and cafes. The tree-lined plaza gets its name from numerous fountains located throughout the square, many of them built during the Soviet rule of Azerbaijan.

Since it’s so close to the city center (and since most of Baku is walkable), chances are most visitors will end up in Fountains Square at one point or another. It’s a great place to kick back and feel the pulse of the city.

This 120-acre conservation center in the heart of Kenya’s largest city provides a natural breeding ground for one of Africa’s most graceful animals. As part of a concerted effort to increase numbers for these endangered species, giraffe calves are bread, born and raised in this protected environment before being introduced to the wild at the age of two. Visitors can sit in on talks about the center’s conservation activities and efforts, then climb a raised platform to pet and feed giraffes before taking to the 1.5-kilometer nature trail for guided birding or a tree identification tour.  

The race car–themed Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi features 20 rides and attractions—everything from the toddler-friendly carousel of Ferrari prototype cars to cutting-edge racing simulators that will please older kids and teens. The largest indoor theme park in the world is also home to the world’s fastest roller coaster, the Formula Rossa, a hydraulic-powered thrill ride that sees visitors strapped into a Ferrari Formula One-like coaster car and launched at speeds of up to 150 miles (240 kilometers) per hour.

The Ferrari World theme park has become one of the most popular attractions in the United Arab Emirates, and travelers have several options for experiencing the park. Those staying in Abu Dhabi can opt for a basic entrance ticket, but it’s also possible to visit on a day trip from Dubai, with the option to visit other notable Abu Dhabi attractions like the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Falcon Hospital as well.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is accessible by car from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. While opting for a guided day trip is the most convenient option for travelers staying in Dubai, those based in Abu Dhabi can take advantage of a free shuttle service that stops at various locations throughout the city and Yas Island. Parking is available onsite.

While summers can be scorching in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World is comfortably air-conditioned throughout the year. The park is open daily from 11am to 8pm.

Ferrari World is one of several attractions on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island. This emerging entertainment district 30 minutes outside the UAE capital is also home to the Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Marina, Yas Waterworld, Yas Mall (the second-largest shopping center in the country), Yas Beach, and the award-winning Kyle Phillips–designed Yas Links Abu Dhabi.

The former palace of Haile Selassie — former Emperor of Ethiopia and icon of the Rastafari movement — is today the home of the Ethnological Museum. Considered among the best museums on the African continent, the Ethnological Museum takes an unusual approach to showcasing its collection of art and artifacts. Instead of dividing things based on geography or historical period, the collection is organized by life cycle. 

The first section highlights infancy and childhood with information on birth rites, children’s tales and childhood games. The segment on adulthood includes artifacts and information on Ethiopian religion, medicine, warfare, art and culture, while the final area includes burial structures and tombs, with insight into post-death beliefs.

Other galleries in the museum include the living quarters of Haile Selassie, a collection of religious art and one of the largest collections of icons in the world.

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramids of Giza are located just outside the fringes of Cairo on the the Giza Plateau. This complex of ancient monuments includes not only the mysterious pyramids but a workers’ village, plus the distinctive symbol of ancient Egypt, the Great Sphinx, which is situated at the base of the Giza Plateau. 

The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the grandest in the complex, with the two smaller structures, Khafre and Menkaure, nearby. To the east of these there are three small graves – the tombs of Khufu's wives and sisters.

There are two entrances to the complex, one via Pyramids Road at the foot of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, and another below the Sphinx via the village of Nazlet as­Samaan. (Most visitors enter the site from Pyramids Road, as this is where buses from the city stop.)

The historic core of Fez and the seat of the Moroccan government until 1912, Fez Medina (Fez el-Bali) remains the city’s biggest draw – a sprawling district of jumbled souks and snaking alleyways, dotted with grand mosques, palace and madrassas. The old medina is now a protected UNESCO World Heritage site, still surrounded by its 13th-century city walls and reached via a series of monumental gates, most notably the 20th-century Bab Boujeloud, celebrated for its striking blue tilework.

With the medina largely pedestrianized, the best way to explore Fez Medina is on foot and there’s plenty to see, starting with the rambling souks, home to the famous Tanner’s Quarters, the soul of the city’s leather trade, where animal hides are soaked in gigantic pots of natural dye. Additional highlights of Fez el-Bali include the Kairaouine Mosque University, known as the world’s oldest university and dating back to 859; the exquisite Madrassa Bou Inania and Al-Attarine Madrasa; the Talaa Kebira water clock; and the Mellah Jewish Quarter.

The Sahara Desert has two major dunes that are tourist attractions – Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, and Erg Chigaga near M'hamid.

Both dunes are difficult to access – you can only reach them via 4x4 vehicles or camels, or by walking – although Erg Chebbi is better known and more visited. Erg Chigaga offers a somewhat wilder dune experience. You can do camel treks, 4x4 excursions, or overnight camping trips at Erg Chigaga, all provided you've got a guide. There is even a luxury camp at Erg Chigaga, with 10 large tents or a smaller private camp with four tents.