Choose from 633 Fun Things to Do in Middle East And Africa
Durban Botanic Gardens
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Dubai Fountain
Giza Plateau
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Dubai Metro
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Dubai Marina
- Dubai Marina is a must-visit for sightseers, shoppers, and sailing and architecture buffs.
- Bring sunglasses and suncrean if you plan to stroll along Dubai Marina Walk—there’s not much shade.
- Most Dubai city tours include a brief stop at the marina so you can take in the skyscrapers and yachts.
Dubai Dolphinarium
- The Dubai Dolphinarium is a must for fun-loving families.
- Prebook for the dolphin and seal show; buy tickets for the trampolines, maze, and other entertainments direct from the venue.
- To access the dolphinarium, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee at the main gate of the Creek Park complex.
- The venue has a restaurant, gift shop, and restrooms with baby-changing units.
- Facilities for wheelchair users are good: the dolphinarium and the shows are all wheelchair-accessible.
Giftun Islands
The Giftun Islands are a popular excursion from Hurghada, offering snorkeling, diving, sunbathing and a welcome retreat from the mainland bustle.
Offshore reefs provide spectacular drop-offs for experienced divers, hiding moray eels and fish in amongst the corals. Closer to shore, the coral reef snorkeling is superb.
The islands are famous for their pristine protected beaches, and a resort on the larger island provides all the facilities you need for a day by the sea, along with tours and windsurfing.
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The Giftun Islands are in the Red Sea offshore from Hurghada, a 45 minute sail by day cruise from the mainland.
The islands are called Giftun Kebir and Giftun Sughayer (Big and Little).
Dubai Mall
- Dubai Mall is a must-visit for shopaholics and fun-loving families with kids.
- Expect to spend half a day or more here, perhaps on top of a visit to the Burj Khalifa or Dubai Aquarium.
- Wear comfy shoes: the mall is the size of 200 football pitches, so there’s lots of walking.
- Some shops are grouped into themed areas, such as boutiques at Fashion Avenue, footwear at Level Shoes, and jewelers at the Gold Souk.
- Free WiFi, mobile charging stations, and ATMs are available in the mall.
Dubai Gold Souk
- The Dubai Gold Souk is a must for shopping enthusiasts.
- Be prepared for a bit of friendly haggling to land the best deals.
- Combine your visit to the Dubai Gold Souk with a sightseeing tour of the city or a visit to the nearby Spice Souk.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes—you’ll spend a lot of time on your feet.
Castle of Good Hope
In the late 1600s, the Dutch East India Company constructed the Castle of Good Hope as a maritime resupply station, and over the years, it became the seat of administrative and military power in the cape until the settlement grew and the civilian functions moved into town.
Today, the castle is the oldest remaining building of the colonial era as well as the military's hub. Open to visitors, it houses the Castle Military Museum and the Iziko Museums of Cape Town. The latter is a fascinating collection of paintings, furnishings and ceramics dating back to the colonial period. Nearby the Castle and throughout Cape Town are the other Iziko museums, which include the South African Museum (dinosaurs, natural history and African artifacts), the Planetarium, the South African National Gallery and more. Also nearby are Green Point Common, an inner-city greenbelt, entertainment district and site of the new FIFA World Cup Stadium. Long Street, found in the nearby City Bowl neighborhood, is a bohemian neighborhood famous for its restaurants, shopping and bars.
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In 2009, the castle hosted the Cape Town Military Tattoo, a series of military performances on par with world-famous tattoo in Edinburgh, Scotland. Visitors are treated to the majesty of military regalia and parade performance, most recently during the 2010 FIFA world cup.
Finding the castle is pretty easy - it's a 20-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport, on Strand St. near the Good Hope Centre
Dubai Spice Souk
Duiker Island
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Dubai Parks and Resorts
- Dubai Parks and Resorts are a must for families visiting the region.
- Don’t forget to bring sun protection and drink plenty of water.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to spend a lot of time on your feet.
- Some of the parks’ rides, attractions, and amenities are accessible to wheelchair users.
Giza Pyramids
The Basics
Few structures on the planet are as immediately recognizable as the Giza Pyramids, and travelers have several options for visiting these wonders of ancient Egypt. Most see them on a full-day tour from Giza or Cairo; these tours often also include a Nile River cruise or stops at other sights such as Memphis, the Egyptian Museum, and the Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Once at the pyramid site, explore the pyramid complex on foot, or choose to take in the view from afar with a camel ride (a great photo opportunity). Those who visit on their own should keep in mind that there are separate entrance fees for the complex and each individual pyramid.
- Remember to wear closed-toe shoes and modest clothing at the pyramids.
- Be prepared for plenty of sun; bring along a hat, sunscreen, and water to stay comfortable.
- Choosing a private tour will allow you to customize your experience.
- Leave yourself plenty of free time to explore.
How to Get There
While a guided tour from Cairo or Giza is the easiest and most convenient way to see the pyramids, it’s also possible to visit independently by taking a taxi or public bus from downtown Cairo or the Giza metro station along Pyramids Road.
When to Get There
The winter months (late November to early February) tend to bring optimal weather; in summer, expect temperatures in the 90s F. Keep in mind how traveling during Ramadan could impact your plans, and note that Fridays, a traditional day of rest in Egypt, tend to be a bit quieter at the Great Pyramids of Giza.
How to Avoid Scams and Touts at the Giza Pyramids
The main entrance to the pyramids is often crowded with pushy souvenir vendors, touts, and taxi drivers looking for a fare. To gain the assistance of a professional guide and avoid looking for vendors on the spot, it’s best to book your tour in advance, but if arriving by taxi, ask your driver to take you to the vehicle entrance, where there are fewer touts but still opportunities to book horse riding, camel riding, or carriage tours. You may also come across unofficial guides who claim you must tour the complex with them; this is not true.
Gibran Museum
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Durban Golden Mile
The Golden Mile is where Durban dips its feet into the rolling surf of the Indian Ocean. The wide expanse of sand which gives the stretch its name is one of the most popular playgrounds of South Africa, known particularly as a surfing centre but also a great place for sunbathing and year-round swimming.
There are numerous attractions nearby, including uShaka Marine World, the Surfing Museum and Mini Town, a miniature replica of Durban. Numerous nearby shops compete for your rand, though if you’re looking for souvenirs the Zulu craft market offers great value and variety.
The Golden Mile (actually closer to 4 miles, or 6 kilometers) is located at the eastern edge of Durban’s central business direct, and the city’s main railway station is around 15 minute’s walk from North Beach. Enjoy sea breezes along the promenade on foot, or take one of the extravagantly decorated “Zulu Rikshas”.
Dubai Museum
- The Dubai Museum is a must-see for history buffs.
- See the museum as part of a city sightseeing tour, with stops at several other popular attractions.
- The Dubai Museum is accessible to wheelchair users, but there are some steep walkways that may require assistance for manual wheelchairs.
Dubai Miracle Garden
- Miracle Garden is great for families with kids and anyone wanting a break from urban Dubai.
- Don’t forget sunscreen—there’s not much shade—and bring your camera to capture the Instagram-worthy exhibits.
- The garden closes for summer and is typically only open from mid-November to mid-May.
- Exhibits change regularly, so don’t count on seeing a specific one from season to season.
- Food kiosks, coffee shops, kids’ playgrounds, hammocks, and restrooms are all here for breaks from the sightseeing.