Esfahan
This is the oldest of Esfahan’s bridges. Most of its 11-arched stone and brick structure is believed to date from the 12th century, although the pillars…
Must-see attractions in Middle East
Umm Qais
Still paved to this day, the main road through the site once linked Gadara with other nearby ancient cities such as Abila and Pella. In its heyday, the…
Haifa
More than 60 open-air murals and sculptures form a route through the lanes and alleys of Wadi Nisnas, from superhero murals to mixed-media sculptures and…
Downtown Dubai
This fabulous, vast 700-sq-metre space is associated with the prestigious Waddington Custot gallery in London. The exhibitions promote such major masters…
Oman
Between 8am and 1.30pm it's possible to enjoy the magical bay (the OR1 fee is payable at the Ras Al Jinz Reserve visitors centre) without an escort…
Iran
This low, flat Sassanid bridge is actually a weir that marks the entrance to the Al Gargar canal feeding the Shushtar hydraulic system. There are pleasant…
Hajar Mountains
Buraimi has a large and interesting fort, with decorations that give it a Saharan flourish in comparison with the austere exteriors of Omani interior…
Iran
With modest exhibits, this museum is worth visiting primarily for the building in which the displays are housed. Occupying an old hammam, the restoration…
Oman
A wild and beautiful beach stretches southwards from town. Pounded by high waves for much of the year, the beach is a good vantage point for watching the…
Golan Heights
Kids will love this gravelly tree-shaded hillside, home to three species of deer (from Northern Europe, the Himalayas and Japan), ibexes, 85cm-high mini…
Kuwait City
Popular beach with great views of the city's skyline. Kiosks serve ice cream and drinks, and there's usually an enormous bouncy playground for kids on the…
Iran
With a few interesting artefacts, including hand looms and wool-spinning equipment, this small museum is housed in a grand old mansion that belongs to the…
Iran
Behind an unassuming brick wall is this well-preserved Qajar mansion built by a rich merchant in 1773. The courtyard garden is a pleasant place to linger…
Jordan
Salt's historic Orthodox church is dedicated to St George. The vaulted stone interior is rich with icons, and the rood screen is carved with dragons being…
Salalah
This newly completed, single-dome mosque with two minarets is a gift from His Majesty to the people of his mother's hometown, Salalah. It's open to…
Iran
This magnificent complex of historic buildings houses the Golestan Miras cultural-tourist office. Ask to peep inside the ‘eight-wife’ harem building – it…
Downtown Dubai
This prestigious New York import presents cutting-edge art from emerging and mid-career artists from the Middle East, Central Asia, southeast Asia and…
Sharjah
If you're interested in modern art, it's worthwhile checking Maraya's website to see if there's an exhibition on while you're in town. This art centre has…
Jebel Akhdar
Not to be confused with the main town of Saiq, this small village has a rose-water distillery, making it an interesting place to visit during production…
Iran
This intriguing long, narrow, mostly brick-vaulted bazaar hides abandoned caravanserai, subterranean chaykhanehs (teahouses), historic mosques and just…
Esfahan
Decorated with beautiful tiles, the most notable feature of this grand entrance to the bazaar is a series of recently restored frescoes by the great Reza…
Iran
From the main road there's nothing showy about Sabzevar's Jameh Mosque, but that adds to the sense of discovery as you enter into a vast courtyard with…
Iran
One of Iran’s prettiest waterfalls cascades in 30m chutes off a tree-topped gully, then trickles in rivulets into the river below. The best views of the…
Esfahan
Nearly 150m long, and with 21 arches, Chubi Bridge was built by Shah Abbas II in 1665, primarily to help irrigate palace gardens in the area. The bridge…
Jerash
This ancient fountain was once fed by a local reservoir. When it was dedicated to Dionysus, it was alleged that the god would turn its water into wine,…
Jerusalem
Little known and seldom visited by tourists, this small section of the Second Temple–period Temple Mount enclosure (the upper rows of stones are from…
Iran
The Shevi Waterfall emerges directly as a spring from a cliff, then falls around 100m in a wide sweep. It's reportedly around five hours' walk from…
Kuwait City
Attached to Marina Mall, this pleasant palm tree-lined outdoor promenade loops around Kuwait Bay and has a range of restaurants and coffee shops. It's…
Iran
This four-iwan central mosque is one of the best preserved of all Ilkhanid-era buildings, dating from the early 14th century. Look out for the very worn,…
Kuwait City
A huge modern space hosting a permanent collection and regular exhibitions featuring Kuwaiti artists, plus occasional international names, talks and panel…
Tehran
One of Tehran's most attractive shrines, Imamzadeh Saleh provides a photogenic focus to Tajrish Sq with its twin minarets and dome covered in beautiful…
Iran
Built in 1115, but extensively remodelled in the early 17th century, the Masjed-e Jameh has huge iwans (vaulted three-walled halls) and a fine marble…
Iran
Only the first 400m of this interesting river-cave system is open to the public, but there are still some nice features. Beyond the locked gate, the…
Sharjah
For a salty introduction to the UAE, visit this charming museum that displays enough traditional dhows (cargo ships), exhibits on pearling and fishing…
Lebanon
Between the old town and the sea, sections of what is labelled the Phoenician sea wall still stand. It actually dates from the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD…
Iran
The lovely Gonbad-e Kabul is thought to be the tomb of Mongol ruler Hulagu Khan’s mother. It’s attractively dotted with blue-tiled inlay but let down by…
Sharjah
Street-art fans should make a short detour from the Al Qasba waterfront area to view this joyous mural by British-Iraqi artist Marwan Shakarchi of…
Iran
About 2km east of the canal, the brilliant Sahib-al Zaman shrine is graced by blue mosaics. Devotees are said to have made sightings of the Mahdi (last…
Iran
The easternmost 800m of Kashef St climbs Sheitan Kuh, a tree-covered ridge fringed with tea gardens. It’s crowded on Friday with local tourists enjoying…
Jerash
Marking the intersection of the cardo maximus with the south decumanus, this four-pillared structure is in good repair.
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