Dhofar
One of several issuing from the hills above the plain to the east of Salalah, this spring trickles into a reservoir at the end of the road. The spring…
Dhofar
One of several issuing from the hills above the plain to the east of Salalah, this spring trickles into a reservoir at the end of the road. The spring…
Bur Dubai
The distinctive ornate flat dome and slender minaret of this snowy white mosque watch over the Al Fahidi Historic District. Non-Muslims may only visit the…
United Arab Emirates
Today sitting rather incongruously in the middle of a traffic roundabout on the busy Corniche Rd, this mud-brick watchtower was built as part of Ajman's…
Bahrain
Despite its modest appearance, this captain's (nukhida) house was historically a very important place for the pearling industry. Visitors and divers who…
Kuwait City
The official seat of Kuwait's parliament with its distinctive canopy – designed to evoke the image of Bedouin tents – was the brainchild by Jørn Utzon,…
Kuwait City
Find this artificial island built in the '80s just off the Corniche. It's 785,000 sq metres with greenery and a rarely used amphitheatre. Visitors are…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Doha
This modern gallery space hosts some terrific temporary exhibitions – previous artists to show their work here include Damien Hirst and Takashi Murakami…
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…
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…
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…
Riyadh
Until the year 2000, when the Al Faisaliah Tower was built, this was Riyadh's tallest landmark. It remains prominent today, and you can climb to the top…
Kuwait City
This attractive traditional-style building hosts a number of exhibitions of contemporary Arab and international art throughout the year. Esteemed Kuwaiti…
Downtown Dubai
Escape the heat and bustle by stepping into this cool Japanese art space with changing exhibitions that range from exquisite silk kimonos to photography…
United Arab Emirates
Ajman's dhow-building yard is one of the few left in the region, making both traditional wooden dhows and modern fibreglass versions. In the cooler months…
Downtown Dubai
Lawrie Shabibi has energised the local art scene since 2011 by promoting the works of innovative contemporary talent from the Middle East and North Africa…
Abu Dhabi
Spread over three distinct areas, Al Nahyan Park, Family Park and Urban Park, Al Markaziyah Gardens forms a broad band of recreational lawns parallel to…
Oman
Befitting a town of its size, Rustaq has a fine gateway similar to those in Nizwa, Bahla and Sumail. Wedged between a cut in the mountains, this landmark…
Abu Dhabi
One of many popular, shady parks in Abu Dhabi, this park offers a respite from the heat of the Corniche in summer. There's a jogging track (20-minute…
Abu Dhabi
This park in the heart of downtown offers two multipurpose playgrounds, a mini climbing wall and basketball and football areas; and there's an erupting…
Oman
This fort is crumbling back to the soil from which it was built, but it still makes an impressive sight on the edge of the dunes. It's closed to the…
Bahrain
It can be a bit hit or miss as to whether you see any action here, but it's worth pulling over to admire the half-built wooden dhows (traditional cargo…
Manama
Tucked away in a quiet southwest corner of Adliya, this longstanding gallery exhibits the oils and watercolours of its owner, Wahab Al Koheji, who…
Nizwa
This grand double-arched gateway straddles Hwy 21, along the original Muscat–Nizwa road. The watchtowers that form the uprights of the gateway seem aged,…
Al Ula Antiquities & Heritage Museum
Al Ula
This small museum is attractively designed, with some intriguing and informative displays on the history, culture, flora and fauna of the area, as well as…
Dhofar
Recently restored, this old crenellated castle is set square to the sea as if designed to repel invaders. It's closed to the public but makes a photogenic…
Abu Dhabi
In common with all mosques in the city, this beautiful mosque stands in nonalignment with the grid system, honouring the direction of Mecca instead. It is…
Riyadh
This unusual green and white clock tower in the shape of an Egyptian needle sits at the western end of Al Thumairi St in the old Riyadh neighbourhood of…
Doha
Previously used as both a prison and as an ethnographic museum, this fort was built during the 19th-century Turkish occupation but lost many of its…
Doha
The grand white building of Qatar's national parliament marks the official workplace of the Emir of the State of Qatar, and is recognisable by the Qatari…
Muscat
Straddling the road between the Corniche and the old walled city, this museum, with the original gates used until the 1970s to keep land-bound marauders…