Iran
Directly south of the Khayyam gardens, this lovely imamzadeh has an intricately tiled portal and a fine 16th-century dome of blue and yellow tilework. The…
Must-see attractions in Middle East
Iran
One of several historic hammams of Sanandaj, the unusual 1805 Khan Hammam has grey-and-white floral and bird motifs, attractive tiling and remarkably…
Khasab
Located a 2km walk from the ferry terminal, this sandy beach has shade and toilets and is the nearest place to Khasab for a swim. Wild camping is…
Tel Aviv
Sometimes called 'Jaffa Tales', this small visitor's centre is actually an archaeological excavation site in a chamber underneath Kedumim Sq. Here, you…
Oman
Once a week this souq, opposite the main market, attracts women-only buyers and sellers from all over the region, selling a variety of handicrafts such as…
Oman
An old mosque lies at the heart of this crumbling fortification. Visitors are allowed (with shoes removed) to step into the outer are of the mosque where…
Southeastern Iran
Two of Boshrooyeh's historic houses are being restored for use as a private museum. As yet there are no fixed entry times, so you might need to call ahead…
Oman
In the days before the housing of Al Mintirib encroached on its space, this solid-walled fort with its sunken door must have been an impressive sight,…
Jordan
Despite the surrounding desert, a semi-permanent water pool persists here in a depression surround by black lava stones. Its unmissable feature is the…
Nazareth
Consecrated in 1871, this solidly built stone church was only the second Anglican church to be constructed in the Holy Land (the first was in Jerusalem);…
Southeastern Iran
Many of the copper pans that gleam so lustrously around the Bazar-e Mesgari Shomali are made in an old-fashioned smithy tucked away in one of the alleys…
Musandam
The newer of Burka's two forts isn't open to the public, but it does boast a commanding vantage point high above town. The castle faces the sea but…
Dhofar
This deep sinkhole (1 million cu metres), known as the Well of Birds, gapes without warning in a corrugated landscape of rock, covered in thicket. A small…
Shiraz
Next to the modern National Library (which occasionally hosts exhibitions), this pretty garden, enclosed by a high wall, offers some sanctuary for those…
Hajar Mountains
This large, sprawling castle has been attractively restored and now makes a good photo opportunity in the centre of town. The interior is largely taken up…
North Coast
This offbeat collection of mechanical music instruments was assembled by New York–born Nisan Cohen, who's happy to play records from his Yiddish music…
Jordan
Set up to host occasional cultural events, Beit Arar is located off Al Hashemi St in a superb old Damascene-style house. The rooms are set around a…
Tehran
The decorative gateway to the National Garden complex of museums and government buildings, dates from 1906 and was renovated in 1922 by the Minister of…
Abdullah Hamaid Al Rumaithi Mosque
Abu Dhabi
Squeezed between looming towers, this mosque is one of two that bookend a plaza hidden off the main roads. Keen photographers should come here at sunset…
Iran
Sheikh Jebra’il, Sheikh Safi-od-Din’s father, is buried beneath a mildly attractive 16th-century structure at Khalkhoran, a village-suburb 3km northeast…
Beirut
The Grand Serail, a majestic Ottoman-era building that has been restored to its former grandeur and is now the Prime Minister's base, is a splendid…
Doha
This modern gallery space hosts some terrific temporary exhibitions – previous artists to show their work here include Damien Hirst and Takashi Murakami…
Tel Aviv
This small but charming German Templer church, now Lutheran, dates from 1904. Its fine organ is used for concerts. Completely unlike anything else in Tel…
Tehran
Just before the exit of the Niyavaran Cultural-Historic Complex is this small collection of cars and toy motorbikes used by Shah's family. There are two…
Jerusalem
A short distance up Aqabat Al Khanqah St from Souq Khan Al Zeit St, embedded in the stone wall on the left and marked with a red sign, is the stone and…
Downtown Dubai
Since 2008 this contemporary gallery has built up its reputation as a go-to space for experimental and cutting-edge art from the region, South Asia and…
Al Bahhar Entertainment Historical Village
Kuwait City
With traditional wind-tower architecture, this beachside area of craft workshops and souvenir shops is a nice place to stroll in the evening. There are…
Iran
This crumbling 7.5m octagonal tower at the river's edge was most likely a Sassanid navigational aid, though local lore has Shahpur’s slave driver watching…
Lebanon
Overlooking the remains of the sea wall, this simple Greek Orthodox church is built right on the water's edge and has a charming terrace with an arched…
North Coast
With brown-sugar sand and stiff breezes, Atlit is graced by good waves – but it's a shame about the backdrop of pylons and cranes (gaze towards the ruined…
Jerusalem
Sacher Park, Jerusalem's largest green space, is the perfect place to get active, with tennis and basketball courts, bike paths and kids' playgrounds. The…
Iran
This 12-sided brick tower dating from 1453 overlooks a pretty square in Gorgan’s most interesting area of old alleys. It's surprisingly modest given that…
Oman
With Nakhal and Rustaq, Al Hazm is one of the three great Batinah Plain forts and like them, it protects a large plantation. Currently closed for a…
Tel Aviv
The most prominent building in Jaffa, this beautiful cream-painted Franciscan church was built in the 1890s on the ruins of the Crusader citadel and is…
Tel Aviv
Named after a 1972 comedy film, Hof Metzitzim (which – uncharacteristic of the beach itself – translates as the sleazy 'Peeping Tom Beach') is actually a…
Jerusalem
On Al Wad St, just a few steps south of the Via Dolorosa, is the 3rd Station, where it is believed Jesus fell for the first time. The station is in the…
Hajar Mountains
Neighbouring Ibri Castle, the shops in Ibri's old souq include a small gold market, a covered alleyway or two, and a livestock souq that come to life on…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
A lovely park for families with a 3.2km jogging track, playgrounds, an adult exercise zone and plenty of grassy areas for picnics or relaxing. There is…
Southeastern Iran
Although it's one of the images most used in Birjand's self-promotion, this unique, six-level stepped tower is not generally accessible to visitors as it…
Iran
Restored in the 1930s, what was perhaps once the royal harem now houses the museum and administrative offices. The museum contains a stone foundation…
- placement: fullWidth
- path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
- possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
- targeting:
{ "position": "superzone" }
