Tehran
Dating from 1892, the old Cossacks Quarters forms an impressive architectural flourish at the northern end of pedestrian Melal-e Mottahed, the street once…
Must-see attractions in Middle East
Amman
Ad Deir is a facade cut into the rock of a hillside about 4km west of Wadi As Seer on the road to Iraq Al Amir village. It most likely served as an…
Haifa
Haifa's largest mosque, built in 1926, is open only to worshippers. For shoppers and travellers, it serves as a landmark signalling the start of the…
The Ancient City
The sacrificial altar in front of the Qasr Al Bint was once overlaid with marble, indicating that it was probably the main place of worship in the…
Akko
One of the old city's four caravanserais, this old granary inn from the 18th century is located a few steps west of the eastern entrance to the Templars'…
Ramallah
Hosts art exhibitions by the locally and internationally renowned, along with a whole host of other cultural pursuits. Check the website for upcoming…
Iran
Stairs to Babak Castle are located just behind this hotel, set on a lonely hill above Shoza-Abad hamlet, 6km from town.
Mausoleum of Kashef-ol-Saltaneh
Iran
This austere, grey mausoleum entombs the man who is credited with introducing tea cultivation to Iran. It houses an underwhelming museum of tea…
Byblos
You can begin your tour here by turning left to explore the ruins, which include the remains of city ramparts dating from the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC.
Iran
Within the bazaar, Ehmad Dohla Mosque, entered through an attractive tiled portal, has a Qajar-era clock tower.
Akko
Built by merchants in the mid-16th century, the courtyard of this former caravanserai – the oldest in Akko – is accessible through an open archway.
President of Israel's Residence
Jerusalem
Sharp-eyed security forces will usher you briskly on your way if you linger outside the President of Israel's Residence, completed in 1971.
Iran
The mud-walled remains of this Sassanid-era fortress overlook the mineral springs of Cheshmeh Ali.
Molla Hashem Ardebilehi Mosque
Mashhad
With its eye-catching clock tower, the Molla Hashem Mosque is a useful landmark at the north edge of the Haram area.
Tiberias
This tiny strip of sand and sea, just north of the Yigal Allon Promenade, is the only place in the town centre where you can swim.
Iran
Radkan's old ice house looks like a dripping, conical, pointed pudding of mud. It's less than 100m west of Imam Khomeini Sq.
Mashhad
The Haram's northwestern entrance is a work in progress, with beautiful twin minarets under construction above the portal.
Iran
This crumbling, two-chambered hammam from the Qajar period is in the process of being turned into a restaurant.
Iran
The fortress is used for military purposes and is firmly closed, though a tea bazaar huddles at its eastern edge.
Jerash
These ruins of a former church are extremely modest, but they're pretty when overgrown with spring wildflowers.
Umm Qais
This small mosque, no longer consecrated, is at the heart of the old Ottoman village of Umm Qais.
East Jerusalem
This site is where St James is believed to have hidden when Jesus was arrested nearby.
Bab-ol Navvab Safavi Entry Gate
Mashhad
The eastern entrance gate and checkpoint to the Haram complex.
