Northern Saudi Arabia
Arabia's only 'elephant' is a huge red rock three storeys in height. The enormous 'body' connects to a slimmer 'trunk' that bulges in just the right areas…
Must-see attractions in Middle East
Iran
Experts still debate the purpose of this massive, brick-domed 14th-century building, which looks especially impressive when floodlit at dusk. The most…
Jerash
On the eastern side of the cardo maximus lie the earthquake-stricken remains of the Western Baths. Dating from the 2nd century AD, the baths were once an…
Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art & Restoration
Madaba
Originally set up as a school in 1992 by the Jordanian government, this institute trains Jordanian artists in the production and restoration of mosaics,…
Oman
This fertile wadi, accessible only by 4WD, offers one of the easiest off-road experiences of the region and an intimate view of life under the date palms…
Manama
Built in 1992 by Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, this mosque is easily identified by its unique minaret, which (unusually for a mosque) also serves as a…
Tel Aviv
Built between 1930 and 1931, this modest house on the way to the seafront was the Tel Aviv home of David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister. Built…
Iran
Set amid semi-desert 1.5km due south of Oljeitu Mausoleum, this bright-turquoise-topped, lonely tomb was built by Safavid Shah Tahmasp to honour Hasan…
Iran
Locally known for being a former home of Turkmenistan's 'national poet' Makhtumkuli, the visually forgettable village of Haji Qoshan is one of the points…
Iran
Entering Kalat the main road passes through a long tunnel then crosses a bridge shortly before the savari and bus stands. If you double back on the north…
Bahrain
An ancient defence fort built around 1840 to spot invading boats, the Bu Mahir Fort stares out across a bay to the high rises of Manama, making it an…
Masirah Island
Jebel Humr (274m) is the highest point of Masirah’s hilly backbone and a climb up this flat-topped mountain is recommended for the wonderful view of the…
Bur Dubai
Until the completion of a new temple in Abu Dhabi in 2020, only a tiny and ageing double-shrine, tucked behind the Grand Mosque since 1958, serves the UAE…
Jerusalem
The 1st Station, where Pontius Pilate is said to have condemned Jesus, is inside the working Islamic Al Omariyeh school near Lions' (St Stephen's) Gate…
North Coast
This square little building is fronted with Jerusalem stone and topped with a small red dome. The shrine is dedicated to Abu Ibrahim, who the Druze…
North Coast
Guided tours lead visitors through the turbulent life of Aaron Aaronsohn (1876–1919), a noted agronomist and botanist who, along with his family, founded…
Jerash
The south decumanus at Jerash once served as the Roman town's main east–west axis. At the eastern end is the modern mosque. Take the left fork from the…
Haifa
Ukraine-born artist Emmanuel Mané-Katz (1894–1962) was an influential member of the early-20th-century School of Paris and is best known for his colourful…
Bahrain
This grand white stone building, complete with neoclassical pillars, looks odd surrounded by nodding donkeys and sprawling pipelines, but this is where …
Tel Aviv
For decades, this spacious public square along Tel Aviv’s commercial Dizengoff St was the popular domain of skateboarders, punk rockers and pigeons. But…
West Bank
One of a number of soap factories open to visitors in Nablus, Touqan opened in 1872, and the techniques of soap making here have not changed much since…
Northern Saudi Arabia
This is one of the substations located just before the Hejaz Railway terminated at the holy city of Medina. Today this tiny station block and its fort –…
Haifa
Split across two buildings, the City Museum examines Haifa's last century of history and features rotating exhibitions on contemporary life here. Most…
Kuwait City
Forming part of the National Museum complex, this series of dark corridors is built like pre-oil Kuwaiti streets, with displays full of antiques, plus…
Iran
This well-presented but very small museum exhibits seventeen 20th-century Turkmen carpets, labelled with dates of production and styles. There are also a…
Nizwa
Nizwa was once a major centre for Islamic scholarship, and two aged mosques, among the oldest in the world, have survived since the early 7th century…
Kuwait
In this self-congratulatory introduction to the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) and the country's oil business, bilingual display boards provide an intro to…
Southeastern Iran
The buildings are mostly new and the 'eternal fire' in a giant central chalice smoulders rather than flares, but if you've never visited a working…
Northern Saudi Arabia
Tucked away in a sandy valley between a series of rocky, black mountains, this Hejaz Railway substation sits abandoned and alone in a barren and desolate…
Southeastern Iran
Hidden behind high walls is the 1911 former governor's mansion, later bought by a progressive businessman who brought electricity to Kerman. (Reza Shah…
Bahrain
This beach won't win any Blue Flag awards for cleanliness, but if you do find yourself this far south, it's a nice enough spot to cool off. The clean,…
Oman
These hot springs attract visitors who believe the water issuing from under the ground at Al Kasfah has therapeutic properties. As a result, the…
Iran
In its present 1970s form, Khayyam's mausoleum is like a giant calligraphic vase with diamond-shaped lozenges cut out to leave an airy net of criss…
Tel Aviv
Sometimes referred to as the 'Gauguin of Palestine' but more reminiscent of Matisse, Romanian-born Reuven Rubin (1893–1974) immigrated to Palestine in…
Shiraz
Imam Gholi Khan, governor of Fars, founded this serene theological college for around 100 students in 1615. Over the years the building has been…
Tel Aviv
The first neighbourhood outside Jaffa's city walls, the American Colony was established by a group of American Christians in the 1860s. You'll learn the…
Amman
The simple and solemn Martyr’s Monument Museum houses a small but interesting collection of documents, chronicling Jordan’s recent military history…
Oman
The fish market, built in the shape of a dhow (traditional wooden fishing vessel), punctuates the northern end of the Corniche. It's fun to visit early in…
East Jerusalem
In 1898 the Ottomans granted Germany 8 hectares of land on the Mount of Olives. This was set aside for a church and hospice, and the complex was named…
Tel Aviv
Incorporating the archaeological excavations of Tel Qasile, an ancient port city dating from the 12th century BCE, this museum sports a huge and varied…
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