North Africa: Things To Do

Essaouira A breezy alternative to Morocco’s Mediterranean beaches, Atlantic-facing Essaouria is a magnet for windsurfers. You could also try quad biking on the nearby dunes, wandering the ramparts of the small, relaxed medina, or eating fresh seafood down by the port. Magic Fun Afrika, 22-2 Rue Ibn Azim, Borj 1, Essaouira; 011-212-24-47-38-56
beach | outdoors

Ghadames This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the most subtantial oasis town in the Sahara. Wander the warren of covered alleyways, whitewashed houses, and palm groves and it feels like the pace of life hasn’t changed for centuries. Winzrik Tourism Services, Western Libya; 011-218-21-361-1123; www.winzrik.com
culture | history

Great Pyramids & Sphinx at Giza The only remaining “wonder” of the ancient world and the oldest tourist attraction on the planet, these mysterious creations still pack a punch, despite the tourists and touts swamping the area. 011-20-2-33-838-823; www.egypt.travel
family | culture | history

Hiking the Atlas Mountains Head for Morocco’s High Atlas for a dizzying two-day ascent though through valleys and Berber villages to Jebel Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak at 13,670 feet. www.morocco.com
hiking | outdoors

Jerba In southeast Tunisia, Linked to the mainland by a causeway built during Roman times, Jerba is deservedly popular for its sandy beaches, curvaceous and whitewashed architecture, fairytale fort, and jumble of souqs. 011-216-71-341-077; www.tourismtunisia.com
culture | history

Luxury hammam You can’t visit Morocco without experiencing a local hammam (bathhouse). Treatments range from basic scrub downs with black soap and wire mitts to massages and mud wraps. Les Bains de Marrakech, 2 Derb Sedra, Bab Agnaou, Kasbah; 011-212-24-38-14-28; www.lesbainsdemarrakech.com
culture | spas | smart splurge

M’zab Valley The M’zab Valley is made up of five hilltop towns rising up from a palm-filled valley. It’s home to a thousand-year-old religious sect called the Mozabites, a close-knit community whose customs and way of life are fiercely protected. Contact M’zab Tours for a tour of the region. M’zab Tours, 9 avenue du 1er Novembre, Ghardaia; 011-213-29-88-00-02; www.mzabtours.com
culture | tour | outdoors | history

Marrakech Stylish bars, clubs, and boutique hotels mingle with lively souks, scented palm groves, and the famous Djemaa el-Fna, a central square full of exotic food stalls, snake charmers, storytellers, and fire-eaters. Stay at Dar Les Cigognes, a 17th-century townhouse-cum-boutique hotel with great courtyard, roof terrace, and hammam. 108, rue de Berima Medina; 011-212-24-38-27-40; www.lescigognes.com
culture | history | shopping

Neolithic art The Sahara desert is home to some of the world’s most impressive examples of Neolithic art, some dating back as far as 12,000 years. Tassili N’ajjer National Park, located outside the town of Djanet in southeast Algeria, is a veritable open-air art gallery, depicting life as it was lived thousands of years ago when the desert was fertile savannah. Zeriba Voyage, Camping Zeriba - BP92; 011-213-61-38-28-53; zeribavoyage.free.fr
culture | history | art

Nile cruise Floating down the Nile is a great way to survey the monuments of Ancient Egypt. All manner of boats, from small feluccas to mammoth floating hotels cruise the route between Luxor and Aswan. The plush, Edwardian-style Oberoi Philae has an excellent reputation. Oberoi Philae, Pyramids’ Rd.; 800-562-3764; www.oberoiphilae.com
family | cruise | culture | tour | smart splurge

Roman ruins North Africa is peppered with the ruins of ancient Roman settlements – including Tunisia’s El Jem and Algeria’s Timgad – but Roman heritage is most evident in Libya, whose highlight is Leptis Magna, an incredibly well preserved city by the sea. Winzrik Tourism Services; 011-218-21-361-1123; www.winzrik.com
culture | history | archeology

Scuba diving Head into the Algerian Sahara and you’ll discover not only the sand dunes of your childhood fantasies but also canyons, mountains, and black volcanic plateaus. It’s best to go by 4-wheel-drive or camel, but you must be accompanied by a recognized tour agency. Hoggar Soleil, Tamanrasset; 011-213-29-34-69-72; www.hoggarsoleil.com
tour | smart splurge | outdoors | adventure

Scuba Diving Located at the southernmost tip of the Sinai peninsula, Egypt’s Ras Mohamed National Marine Park is often cited as one of the world’s best dive spots, offering an incredible variety of marine life as well as well-preserved historical wrecks. Emperor Divers, Ras Mohamed National Marine Park; 011-20-12-234-0995; www.emperordivers.com
diving | wildlife | outdoors

Shop the souks Wander through the souks of Marrakech, Tunis, Fez, or Tripoli to try your hand at bartering for spices, jewelry, carpets, and other trinkets. North Afirca
culture | shopping

Visit Tatooine Tunisia’s desert landscape is hallowed ground for those who yearn to walk in the footsteps of Luke Skywalker. Highlights include Matmata, which featured as Luke’s family home, and Ajim, which was the site of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s house. 011-216-76-454-503; www.tunisia.com
culture | tour