Saudi Arabia
Built on the site of an important traditional Najd market still functioning up until the 1970s, the Al Musawkaf market is set in a beautiful mock-castle…
Must-see attractions in Arabian Peninsula
Bur Dubai
Opened in September 2018, this museum is fast becoming a favourite for families and Instagram fans, with several of the 'illusions' frankly looking a lot…
Bahrain
The Al Sakhir Tower of the Formula 1 Racetrack rises above the desert like a beacon. If you're visiting Bahrain out of season and want to see what a state…
Oman
This wide and luscious wadi meanders along the western base of the Eastern Hajar Mountains and provides a fascinating alternative route between Muscat and…
Oman
Oman's only suspension bridge, the 240m-long Khor Al Batah Bridge opened in 2009 and cut down the journey from Sur to Ayjah from 20 to just three minutes…
Sharjah
Paths meander past art sculptures amid landscaped gardens on this island across a bridge behind the Al Noor Mosque. The main draw is the wavy-roofed…
Oman
Where the paved road through Wadi Bani Awf ends, a magnificent stand of trees comes into view. These are Ziziphus spina christi, or 'Christ thorn trees' –…
Oman
The road through Nakhal, from the fort to Ayn Thawarah hot springs, winds through a dense plantation of dates. Enough light passes through the feathery…
Oman
Referred to locally as a rock arch, this striking natural feature is in fact a fissure in the cliff. There is just enough space at the bottom of the crack…
Saudi Arabia
Go wandering in Buraydah's historic date-growing neighbourhood. As you walk in the shade of tall palms, the desert grass brushing your feet, local…
Dhofar
Housing the remains of Mohammed Bin Ali, a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, this tiny tomb, with its two distinctive onion domes, marks the old…
Jebel Akhdar
Wadi Bani Habib refers less to the wadi of walnuts and pomegranates that are still grown here, and more to the ruined village that lies wrapped around the…
Hajar Mountains
This crumbling old quarter is loosely strewn over the hill behind modern Birkat Al Mawz and makes a fascinating place to wander around. Some…
Dhofar
Just before reaching a spring of the same name, a small car park appears on the right-hand side of the road and a paved path disappears mysteriously into…
Dhofar
Conforming to the typical image of a desert oasis, with palm trees, permanent water and grazing camels, Muqshin is renowned for a less expected wonder: a…
Manama
Cool and welcoming, this little gallery in artsy Adliya hosts work from across the region. Two modest sized rooms, where exhibits are regularly…
Oman
This multistorey, imposing merchant house from the 18th century sports a fine archway and a pair of unique, quirky turrets and is protected by high mud…
Manama
This might just be the oldest mosque in Bahrain. It is believed a mosque has stood here since the 8th century, though the current ruins, which include two…
Bahrain
Look out for the giant amphorae and head inwards from the corner of the highway and Ave 42 to explore Bahrain’s most famous pottery district, where…
Oman
The village of Filim is in the middle of a shallow coastal area that acts as an important haven for birds and an access point for the uninhabited wetlands…
Sharjah Art Foundation New Art Spaces
Sharjah
Urban meets traditional in this cluster of white-cube galleries set within restored Emirati homes in the Heritage Area, behind Al Zahra Mosque…
Oman
This tiny watchtower, crowning Jebel Add – the rocky promontory on Al Sawadi's largest island – would once have been on alert for potential invaders. Now…
Mecca
Also known as the Mountain of Mercy, this granite hill is an important part of performing the hajj as pilgrims leave Mina for Arafat on the ninth day to…
Oman
Sohar is often congratulated for being well-kept, and the Corniche is an example of this civic pride. Providing an attractive pavement along which to…
Dhofar
The flat plain near Qitbit has little hint of fecundity so it may come as some surprise that it is the habitat of thousands of sand grouse. These…
Sharjah
A fine example of early Emirati architecture, this 1845 house was once home to pearl merchant Obaid Al Naboodah. Note in particular the teak-wood ionic…
Jeddah
The Mecca gate was historically the most important gate for Jeddah, Arabia's official pilgrim port. It stands at the start of the road that led to Islam's…
Dhofar
A celebrated local beauty spot, this khor (inlet) is often partitioned from the sea by a sandbar that shrinks and grows according to the season. In the…
Musandam
About 8km from Khasab harbour lies the village of Tawi, site of a few prehistoric rock carvings of boats, houses and warriors on horseback. To reach these…
Saudi Arabia
This is an important site in Islam's prophetic narrative. Around 85 martyred soldiers from the Battle of Uhud lie here in graves surrounded by a tall…
Nizwa
At 7990m in length, Falaj Daris is one of the biggest irrigation channels in Oman and one of six such channels in Oman collectively honoured as a Unesco…
Bahrain
One of several historic homes in Bahrain restored to their original condition, this one was built in 1907 and is famous as the birthplace of the former…
Dhofar
This magical stretch of white sand beach extends almost as far as the eye can see. There's a tiny village halfway along its length, famous for the…
Sur
Crowning a rocky eminence in the centre of town, this 300-year-old castle is built on a classic square plan with four round watchtowers. It was the most…
Jeddah
Built in 1930, this historic structure boasts some lovely Hejazi mashrabiyya (wooden lattice balconies). It's the former home of the wealthy Sharbatly…
Oman
Many Omani families from Muscat head to the twin beaches of Al Sawadi at the weekend, throwing up canopies among the tamarisk trees and barbecuing enough…
Bahrain
Throughout the day sea taxis whisk visitors to this little desert island, where there are shallow swimming areas, various day-accommodation options (from…
Bahrain
This government-run centre encourages tourists to visit locals trained in age-old traditional skills like model-boat building and basket weaving. The…
Saudi Arabia
Once the location for sighting the moon to announce the start of the month of Ramadan and the firing of the daily cannon to signal the end of fasting,…
La Fontaine Centre for Contemporary Art
Manama
Showcasing regional and international contemporary artists, this beautiful space hosts regular exhibitions. The venue is a magnificent elaboration of a…
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