13 Marvellous UNESCO Sites in Africa & Middle East Essential to Your Bucket List
“As travel becomes accessible to more people by the day, it’s important to stop for a moment and remember exactly WHY we travel.” ~ Alyse.
As the oldest continent on this Earth, Africa is absolutely crammed-full of history and diverse cultures. It may also come as no surprise there are an abundance of UNESCO sites in Africa, dotted about the continent and expanding beyond into the Middle East. I’m sure when you think about Africa that deserts, ancient ruins and pyramids spring to mind but there are many lesser-known UNESCO World Heritage sites we’re about to uncover!
Most of us have bucket lists with items that are just calling to be ticked off. If your list is anything like mine, it can seem never ending as you come to the ironic realisation that the more you see in this world, the more you actually don’t know. The constant craving to further your knowledge just means that no sooner you check something off your list you’re adding more to it!
Invisible Tourists don’t just visit a destination so they can say “I’ve been there”. There’s so much more to travel than the satisfaction of checking something off a list. For us, it’s a thrill travelling to an exciting new place to gain a better understanding of its people, history, culture and their natural environment. A huge part of that is learning about attractions that have significance to that culture, and why.
Thankfully, in 1946 the United Nations created the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, (UNESCO) with the aim of securing and preserving the world’s cultural and natural heritage. To further question why we travel, I’ve reached out to travel bloggers around the globe to ask them what their favourite UNESCO World Heritage site is, and the reasons behind their decision. Read on for more!

Here are 13 UNESCO Sites in Africa & Middle East to Add to Your Bucket List
This six-part bucket list series explores why adding UNESCO World Heritage listings to any itinerary will make it more meaningful and fulfilling (here’s the series so far). Let’s get into Part Six that focuses on marvellous UNESCO sites in Africa & Middle East with locations from around:
|
|
NOTE: In this instalment of my UNESCO Series, I have considered Turkey as a part of the Middle East due to cultural and religious similarities with the region, rather than Europe.
ETHIOPIA
Lalibela
The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela are nestled deep in the remote highlands of Ethiopia. Originally constructed beginning in the 7th century, and carved out of single chunks of volcanic boulders, these churches represent one of the oldest forms of Christianity in the world and are an architectural marvel.
But what makes Lalibela really special is it’s not just a historical relic. Ethiopian Orthodox Christians still worship here just as they did hundreds of years ago. For travellers, that means an authentic glimpse into one of the world’s most unique cultures.
The most unforgettable Lalibela experience is visiting Bet Giyorgis — the church carved in the shape of a cross — for morning mass. Hundreds of white-clad pilgrims gather to pray. You’ll smell the incense burning and hear the ancient chants and songs broadcast through a megaphone. And you’ll likely be the only tourist there.
Contributed by: Carrie, Planes, Train and Tuk Tuks
Harar
One of my favourite UNESCO sites is the unique walled city of Harar, Ethiopia. It’s a maze of cobbled streets, markets, and stone buildings. I could walk the streets for hours, soaking up the sights, sounds, and smells of city that is a mixture of Ethiopian Orthodox and Muslim residents.
I stayed several nights in a Cultural House, a lovely house in the old town where you can disconnect from TV and wifi. One of the most popular activities is watching the local “Hyena man” feed wild hyenas and if you’re brave enough you can feed them too – the hyenas eat raw meat from a short stick in your hand or mouth.
Contributed by: Lisa, TheHotFlashPacker
READ MORE: Bucket List Worthy UNESCO Sites in Asia
IRAN
Persepolis
Walking through the ruins of Persepolis in Iran is like being transported back over 2,000 years to the prime of the Persian empire. Located in the desert outside of Shiraz, this incredible complex, founded around 515 BC by Darius I, was the heart of the Persian (Achaemenid) empire.
On its grounds stood a palace, a community gathering place, a treasury, and a burial tomb, all embellished with intricate carvings of people and animals. After serving the empire for around 200 years, Persepolis was burned and destroyed by Alexander the Great. Now, in its place stands a complex of ruins, many which were uncovered from deep in the ground.
It’s easy to imagine the grandeur and magnificence of Persepolis as you explore what’s left of its beautifully-carved statues, columns, and walls. If you’re planning to travel to Iran, you should definitely make a stop at Persepolis. It’s an incredible historical marvel unlike anywhere else in the world.
Contributed by: Kay, Jetfarer
JORDAN
Petra
Petra in Jordan is well known throughout the world. With its elaborate architecture chiselled out of the pink cliffs, its not just a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but one of the new ‘Seven Wonders of the World’.
Origins of the ancient city date back 2000 years ago to the Nabatean Empire. The Nabateans were organised traders and used their wealth to build the city of Petra from the 6th Century BC. The Nabatean capital, literally carved out of the rock, was a major trading post on the route from the Arabian peninsula in the south to Europe and China in the north and west.
At its largest the city was home to 30,000 people. Earthquakes in the 4th and 6th centuries AD destroyed much of the city, and it wasn’t until 1812 that the Lost City of Petra was re-found.
There is so much to explore at Petra, but the famous Treasury and Monastery buildings are definite must sees. It is also worth getting up high for an overview of the huge site and some spectacular views of this desert landscape. At least a full day is needed to explore this impressive city.
Contributed by: Nicky, Go Live Young
LEBANON
Baalbek
Located in the ancient Phoenician City of Baalbek in the Baqaa Valley, Baalbek Temple has origins believed to date back 11,000 years. A place of pilgrimage, it was known as Heliopolis or “Sun City” during the Hellenistic Period and it has served a religious function for centuries.
The site consists of several temples, though three major earthquakes over the centuries have all but levelled most of the Temple of Jupiter, Temple of Venus, and Temple of Mercury. The Temple of Bacchus remains incredibly well intact and can be explored both inside and out.
We were drawn to make the journey by the fact it is one of the oldest civilisations in the world and we thought it would be a great learning experience for our children.
Situated only about 10 miles from the Syrian border only a few tourists venture the 75kms north from Beirut to see one of the most impressive, intact and mysterious archaeological sites of the Near East.
Contributed by: Keri, Family Travel Middle East
SENEGAL
Île de Gorée
One of Senegal’s major tourist sights is the island Île Gorée, which is just located off Dakar. It takes a 30 minute boat ride to enter the island, which has once been the center of slavery in Senegal.
Today, this car-less island is a true gem compared to the bustling capital of the country. It’s calm, it’s quite and it hosts beautifully colours architecture. Its population was 1,680 inhabitants in 2013, giving a density of 5,802 inhabitants per square kilometre, which is only half the average density of the city of Dakar.
Gorée is both the smallest and the least populated of the 19 communes d’arrondissement of Dakar. The island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, since September 1978. When visiting, make sure to visit the former Slavery House and take a walk around the island.
Contributed by: Clemens, Travellers Archive
TANZANIA
Kilimanjaro National Park
Visiting Kilimanjaro National Park was a dream come true! Located near Moshi, Tanzania, the National Park has the famous Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro is a beauty as the highest “free standing” mountain in Africa. Due to its snowy mountain top and high elevation, we took the challenge to climb it and it’s no easy task!
Hikers need to hire a tour operator which includes guides, cook, and porters. It take 5-9 days to reach the Uhuru Peak summit at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet).The unique landscapes from luscious forests, moorlands, alpine deserts, glaciers, and snowy areas and the climbing team makes the long journey worthwhile.
Contributed by: Jackie & Justin, Life Of Doing
TURKEY
Ephesus
Probably the most renowned and visited ruins in Turkey, is an ancient city in Turkey’s Central Aegean region, near modern-day Selçuk. Its excavated remains reflect centuries of history, from classical Greece to the Roman Empire and is a world UNESCO site.
Originally founded in the 10th century BC by an Athenian prince named Androklos, Ephesus grew into a thriving city until 650BC when it was attacked and damaged by the Cimmerians.
Some of the most impressive sites at Ephesus include the Library of Celsus, the ruins of which stand two storeys high, the Temple of Hadrian that was built in 118 AD, the classical theatre where it is believed Saint Paul preached to the Pagans and the Cave of the Seven Sleepers.
For those of you who love to get “ruined” in Europe and lost amongst ancient European civilizations, I would highly recommend a trip to Turkey. Not only does it offer some of the best restored ruins but most of the historical sites are a lot less crowded than the sites in Rome and Athens. I would happily get ruined here again and again!
Contributed by: Kathy, 50 Shades of Age
Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia
The UNESCO World Heritage listed Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia is one of the most magical UNESCO’s we ever visited on our travels. The otherworldly volcanic landscape of the Göreme Valley was sculpted entirely by erosion and, at times, it felt like we’d landed on the moon.
Cappadocia’s whimsical valleys are filled with fairy chimneys, unique cave dwellings and underground cities and there’s evidence of human habitation from as far back as the 4th Century. We were drawn to Cappadocia by images of hot air balloons dancing above the fairy chimneys and the balloon filled sunrises are truly once in a lifetime experiences.
TIP: We’d recommend spending at least three days in Cappadocia to fully explore and experience everything it has to offer.
Contributed by: Elaine & David, Show Them The Globe
Hierapolis-Pamukkale
I was excited to visit Pamukkale as it involves two things I love, epic landscapes and ancient ruins. It’s really two sites in one, the bright white travertine terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis. Together they were made the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hierapolis-Pamukkale.
The travertines were made by mineral rich water that flowed over the cliffs creating calcium deposits. Over time blinding white terraces and bright blue pools of water were formed.
Visitors can climb the terraces barefoot (bring a bag to carry your shoes) and take a dip in the hot pools. The water is said to have health giving properties. Once you reach the top of the terraces there’s a café where you can have a cool drink before heading to the ruins of Hierapolis.
Hierapolis was founded in 190 BC and much like today people came to the city to bathe in the thermal pools. Sadly, it was abandoned in 1334 when an earthquake struck. What remains are castle ruins, necropolis, city walls and a beautiful theatre.
TIP: The best part is Cleopatra’s pool. It costs extra but you get to swim amongst centuries-old columns that fell into the water during the earthquake and were never moved.
Contributed by: Audrey, Gumnuts Abroad
READ MORE: How to NOT Look Like a Tourist Anywhere in 14 Easy Steps
UGANDA
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is my favorite UNESCO Heritage Site in Africa. Home to endangered mountain gorillas, a visit to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park offers the chance for a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter.
Get kitted out with a walking stick, porters, and an armed entourage. Follow the muddy trails that snake through the forest alternating between steep climbs and breathtaking drops.
The intensity and length of the hike depends on which family of gorillas you track. We went in search of the Nkuringo Family, one of the harder families to track deep within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park. It took over 2 hours of walking to find the gorillas but as I grappled to find footing on the steep hillside, I looked up and found the gentle eyes of the Nkuringo family’s second silverback staring back at me. All my tiredness melted away leaving the euphoria of one of the most awe-inspiring experiences of my life.
Contributed by: Jennifer (aka Dr. J), Sidewalk Safari
ZANZIBAR
Stone Town

We have visited lots of UNESCO world heritage sites throughout our travels, however Stone Town on the island of Zanzibar is somewhere truly special. The whole town is completely built of stone and unlike anywhere else we’d ever seen before, with narrow winding lanes and beauty ornate carved doors.
It’s also an incredible blend of Arabic, African, Indian and European influences. There are mosques built next door to churches, and people from all different backgrounds and religions live together peacefully in this unique melting pot.
Not only is the architecture of Stone Town breathtaking, but it also played a central part in the slave trade for hundreds of years as the town was used as the last port in Africa before slaves were shipped off to Europe and the Americas. Stone Towns history is as fascinating as it is harrowing, and its beauty is unprecedented.
Contributed by: Megan & David, Half this World Away
ZAMBIA/ZIMBABWE
Victoria Falls
Crossing an international border hardly ever gets as scenic as the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe at the Victoria Falls. The two countries are divided by the Zambezi River. Right in front of the border bridge, thousands of gallons of water fall down the impressive falls every second. A true spectacle of nature.
The Victoria Falls have been part of the UNESCO Natural Heritage since 1989. Thanks to the growing political stability and safety in the area, the number of visitors has greatly increased over the last years. While the most famous parts of the falls are located on the Zambian sides, the views from Zimbabwe are better.
TIP: Make sure to get a multiple entry visa to both countries so you can revisit both sides several times. And if you are adventurous, you can try a bungee jump through the misty air from the Victoria Falls Bridge.
Contributed by: Mike, 197TravelStamps.com
What UNESCO sites in Africa & Middle East will you add to your list?
So that’s a wrap for some of the most marvellous UNESCO sites in Africa & Middle East, and a wrap for this series! After finding out why each world heritage site holds significant meaning and are our bloggers’ favourites, are you planning on adding any to your Middle East or Africa bucket list you hadn’t thought about or known of before? Let me know!
If you enjoyed this article, here’s my UNESCO series so far if you’d like some further UNESCO inspiration. I’d also love if you’d come and join me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram or don’t forget to pin it to Pinterest!
An amazing article about Africa. I Live in Kenya and two of my bucket list places is the Lalibela Churches in Ethiopia and the Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Love the article.
I’m so glad to hear you’ve enjoyed this article, Karanja! I hope you get to tick those items off your wish list someday 😊 Thanks for your comment!
Love Love Love! There are so many amazing places to explore in the world, and your post reminds me of that.
Thank you!