UNESCO sites of the Middle East and North Africa

With wild desert lands, profound archaeological sites and inscribed ruins that have seen the passing of millennia, the Middle East and North Africa can easily be defined as some of the oldest places on Earth. Often described as the cradle of civilisation, the sites of historic and cultural value that exist there are stunning in their antiquity, astonishing enough to make even the most seasoned, history-loving traveller ponder their place in humanity’s sprawling timeline. Read on for our rundown of some of the most impressive UNESCO sites of the Middle East and North Africa – certain to provoke such a sense of wonder, you’ll be planning your next big trip before you know it. 

The Medina of Marrakech, Morocco

Once a stronghold of the western Muslim world, its architectural marvel and intrinsic artistic significance make this Medina one of the best UNESCO sites. Marrakech contains a glut of monuments that could earn World Heritage stars in their own right: the imposing Koutoubia Mosque which towers over the city, the lavish Saadian Tombs, and stunning Bahia Palace with its ornate stuccos and mosaics, just to name a few.

The famously sensory Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, one of the world’s best UNESCO sites, is described by the organisation as ‘a true open-air theatre that always amazes visitors’. As you wander the cacophonic maze of merchants selling rugs and homemade crafts, beckoning your attention alongside street musicians and comedy acts who in turn compete with henna tattooists and snake charmers, you might feel overwhelmed – but you’ll definitely understand why its magical reputation is justified.

Aït Benhaddou, Morocco

In the Pre-Saharan south of Morocco, a desert region scattered with date palms, traditional mud kasbahs, and ancient fortified villages known as ksars, lies one of the best-preserved ksars in the country, Aït Benhaddou. The dwellings of this impressive ksar were built in the old adobe fashion using a mud mixture which emulates the sand when it dries, creating the evocative appearance of the buildings emerging from the desert landscape. Thought to date back to the 11th century, Aït Benhaddou was once a Berber settlement, but its location in the heart of the Ounila Valley made it an important stop on the Trans-Saharan trade routes.

The ksar was used as scenery for films such as Jesus of Nazareth, Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator, which isn’t a surprise given its cinematic quality – however, its neighbourhoods, schools and stores are still in use by locals. UNESCO describes its ‘traditional earthen habitat [to] represent the culture of southern Morocco, which has become vulnerable as a result of irreversible socio-economic and cultural changes’.

Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur, Egypt

Over to the east of North Africa you’ll find the time-worn monuments of storybooks: Memphis, the capital of Egypt’s ancient Old Kingdom, and its Necropolis, which covers the famous Pyramids and Great Sphinx of Giza.

The legendary ancient Egyptians are intrinsically linked with childhood for many, and images of entombed mummies, gilded pharaoh masks, and hieroglyphs build the suspense before visitors even witness these astounding monuments in person. The Pyramid Fields that stretch from Giza to Dahshur include countless tombs, mastabas and temples and demonstrates a supreme level of mathematical architectural engineering, making it one of the planet’s most important representations of ancient Egyptian life and culture.

It’s the sense of myth that lingers here, along with long lost history. The head of the Great Sphinx, for example, has been identified as Khafre, Egypt’s pharaoh from 2570 BC, which dates the iconic ruin at over 4,000 years old. Its weathered form has witnessed the rise and fall of civilisations, and still it remains an enigma. Here, one is faced with the enormity of the Pyramids, and as you stand between the giant paws of the elusive Sphinx… you can’t help but be truly transfixed.

Wadi Al-Hitan (Valley of the Whales), Egypt

In another tale of age beyond measure, travelling out to the western desert of Egypt brings you to a mind-blowing paleontological site, Wadi Al-Hitan, the Valley of the Whales. Found buried in the sand here are the remains of 400 prehistoric whale fossils, mostly belonging to basilosaurus and dorudon species thought to be 40 million years old. The recovered skeletons have vestigial front and back legs, making them our strongest evolutionary evidence of when land-dwelling mammals became sea-goers. For this reason, UNESCO names the Valley of the Whales ‘the most important site in the world for the demonstration of this stage of evolution’. 

To visit, it’s a fulfilling journey out into the desert with accessible walking tracks around the fossilised bones. Though the site is remote, there are facilities such as a camping ground (if you’re feeling adventurous as to stay overnight), toilets and a museum which displays a huge skeleton of a basilosaurus isis whale in its entirety. 

Petra, Jordan

In magnificent Jordan, one of the most magnetic and traveller-friendly nations of the Middle East, lies the rock-carved Rose City that became its stunning symbol; Petra. Though the area around this ancient archaeological site has been inhabited since around 7000 BC, Petra is linked to the Nabataeans – nomadic Arabs who settled and made Petra their capital from around the 2nd century BC. 

The Nabataeans were experts of the desert, able to build what became a powerful trading hub in mountainous terrain by cultivating skills in harvesting rainwater, as well as agriculture and stone carving. The latter is evidenced by the architectural finesse of the buildings carved into Petra’s rock faces.

The ornate, pink-hued temple most associated with Petra is its Treasury, at the entrance of the city, and it’s an unforgettable walk through the meandering, cavernous Siq (canyon) that leads to its iconic facade. Take your time discovering the historic treasures of Petra and you’ll see why UNESCO described its rock-cut temples as ‘a unique artistic achievement [that] are masterpieces of a lost city’.

Wadi Rum, Jordan

Just south of Petra you’ll find Jordan’s 74,000 hectares of sublime desert wilderness, Wadi Rum, known as the Valley of the Moon. Situated between the Rift Valley and the almost-vertical escarpment of the central Jordanian plateau, Wadi Rum invites the perfect opportunity to experience a stark desert environment awash with cavernous, weathered rock forms, towering sandstone mountains and sweeping valleys.

Despite the unforgiving landscape, scattered throughout Wadi Rum is evidence of the many cultures who have inhabited these lands; 25,000 petroglyphs, 20,000 inscriptions, and 154 temple ruins cumulatively write a story of human evolution around 12,000 years strong. UNESCO describes the prehistoric rock art and archaeological sites of Wadi Rum as ‘an exceptional testimony of the cultural traditions of its early inhabitants’. Today the most prolific desert-dwellers living here are the Zalabieh Bedouins, expert climbers and camel herders who arrived and settled as recently as 1980.

Amphitheatre of El Jem, Tunisia

Situated in a small village on the east coast of Tunisia is the miraculous Amphitheatre of El Jem, described by UNESCO as ‘one of the rare monuments of its kind [and] an important milestone in the comprehension of the history of Roman Africa’. This impressive venue dated back to 230 AD is modelled with remarkable similarity to Rome’s Colosseum; an almost-competing capacity of 35,000 spectators ranks it the second-biggest surviving amphitheatre of the Roman world.

The tiny village of El Gem was once Thysdrus, an important crossroads of Roman Africa, and this grand architectural marvel was the vision of Gordian, a local African proconsul who later became Gordian III, Emperor of Rome. The grandeur of the amphitheatre is clear to see, with seating stretching 30m high and three levels of sweeping arcades. Arched tunnels and sombre cells demonstrate where animals and gladiators would wait out their final moments before being pushed into the deadly arena for the entertainment of thousands.

El Jem and its amphitheatre are located between the cities of Sousse and Sfax, and can easily be included in a tour of Tunisia. Unlike when visiting the Colosseum in Rome, you’ll likely have only a handful of tourists exploring the ruins with you.

Land of Frankincense, Oman

Lastly, we visit Oman, otherwise known as the Land of Frankincense. A richly scented resin used for fragrance and medicine, frankincense was Oman’s biggest trade, instrumental in securing its political reputation. Perhaps known to most of the Western world as a gift from a Wise King to newborn Jesus, frankincense was indeed once equal with gold; the heady, alluring perfume was even found in the tomb of King Tut of Ancient Egypt. Today, the recognisable aroma is ever-present among the souks of most Omani towns, especially in Salalah, where frankincense trees grow nearby.

To honour the thousands-year-old trade of ‘one of the most important luxury items in the Old World in Antiquity’, four sites across Oman are UNESCO-protected. The harbour at Al-Baleed in Salalah, and the ancient port at Khor Rori, were important trading spots – sailors from the Mediterranean, China, Africa and beyond would come to offer their wares in exchange for Oman’s famous resin.

The third site is the Oasis of Shisr. When beginning the dangerous journey along the Incense Route, Omani traders would stop here for water supplies before carrying frankincense via camel caravans across the harsh desert, a section they forebodingly called ‘the Empty Quarter’. Finally, there’s the source of the elixir itself, Wadi Dawkah. In this scorching-hot environment, hundreds of boswellia sacra – the humble and scrub-like frankincense tree – are still grown and harvested for their valuable ‘desert tears’ today.

Make it happen

If you’re inspired by the best UNESCO sites of North Africa and the Middle East, our local travel experts are ready to help you include them in a fantastic tour. Get in touch to start planning.

1. Morocco
2. Egypt
3. Jordan
4. Tunisia
5. Oman