Leave the (other) tourists behind: These are the hidden gems of the Middle East

Forget about the world of fast food chains and mass tourism, we have carefully selected the places you can enjoy without the fuzz.

Libya: Leptis Magna

Given the size of the Roman Empire at its height, there are myriad places you can travel to if you are looking for ruins of ancient Roman cities. Leptis Magna, on the Libyan coast, about 120 km to the east of the capital Tripoli, is today one of the least known Roman city sites — but also one of the most striking. Spanning a large area – and remarkably well-preserved in parts – one of Leptis Magna’s greatest assets is its anonymity. You’ll rarely find throngs of tourists here, making it possible to explore the magnificent ruins relatively undisturbed.

Egypt: Nuweiba

If you fancy a trip to the beach, Egypt’s Sinai peninsula has other options than the touristy beaches of Sharm al Sheikh. One example is the town of Nuweiba, on the eastern part of the peninsula, on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. Tiny Nuweiba offers only basic services and while most tourists might head for the bigger resort towns, Nuweiba is beloved by those in the know. “I’ve never felt so relaxed, so close to nature in my life,” says one visitor writing for the website Art of Backpacking. Also check out the Art of Backpacking for more beautiful Middle Eastern beaches off the beaten track.

Original article by Vera Illugadóttir

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Leave the (other) tourists behind: These are the hidden gems of the Middle East