Nazareth
Hidden away in an alleyway off the souq, this humble Crusader-era structure, now a Catholic church, stands on the site of the synagogue where it is…
Must-see attractions in Middle East
Salt Handicraft Training Centre
Jordan
Visitors can watch weaving, pottery, mosaics and other handicrafts being made at this women’s cooperative, 3km out of town in Nageb Al Daboor district…
Israel
The centrepiece of this Benedictine complex is the grand, vaulted Church of the Resurrection, which dates to the mid-12th century. This Crusader-era…
Manama
Cool and welcoming, this little gallery in artsy Adliya hosts work from across the region. Two modest sized rooms, where exhibits are regularly…
Aqaba
The museum, closed in 2017 for renovation of the Aqaba Fort complex, was previously the home of the great-great-grandfather of the present king, Abdullah…
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…
Esfahan
Located in the historic district of Bid Abad, this beautifully restored museum of hammams sports a set of costumed mannequins that help to demonstrate the…
Iran
Beyond the national park's eastern edge, 5.3km north of the highway, ridge-backed Espakho is a small, Khorasani village retaining several traditional…
Tehran
Located at the northern end of the Sa'd Abad Museum Complex and occupying the 1939 vintage Shams Palace, once the Shah's sister's residences, this museum…
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…
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…
Esfahan
For centuries Esfahan relied on pigeons to supply guano as fertiliser for the city’s famous fields of watermelons. The guano was collected in almost 3000…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Southeastern Iran
Old Esfandiar feels like an Indiana Jones discovery, a virtually deserted tight-packed village of crumbling old buildings – several three storeys high –…
Iran
Most motorists whizz by, oblivious of the two large, sturdy caravanserais stranded between the carriageways of the Mashhad Expressway, 42km east of Semnan…
Southeastern Iran
Opposite the single-iwan old mosque in Eresk you can see a few mud-built buildings, but there's a whole lot more hidden in an Old Town section that lies…
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…
Southeastern Iran
Crouched on the lower slopes of Qa'en's abrupt southern mountains, this restrained but beautifully restored tomb is supposedly the last resting place of…
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
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Tripoli
Standing on its own to the south of the souqs on the outskirts of the Old City, but well worth the walk, is this restored green-domed mosque by the…
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…
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…
Bahrain
Throughout the day sea taxis whisk visitors to this little desert island, where there are shallow swimming areas, various day-accommodation options (from…
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…
Southeastern Iran
With an entrance hidden away in the northeastern corner of Ganj Ali Khan Sq, this tiny but lavishly decorated mosque was once the private place of worship…
Bahrain
This government-run centre encourages tourists to visit locals trained in age-old traditional skills like model-boat building and basket weaving. The…
Iran
Set behind a paved open area around 200m west of Sari's central Sa'at Sq are two 15th-century tomb towers. Imamzadeh-ye Yayha is circular and vaguely…
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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