Why north Africa and Arabia should be on your travel list

Telegraph

19-02-2025

They're among the oldest travel destinations in the world – but there's never been a better time to visit north Africa and Arabia than now. From the maze-like back streets of Morocco's Imperial Cities to the emerging archaeology of the Saudi Arabian desert, these history-soaked spots, full of ancient marvels, are hot this year. Why? In 2025 you can be among the first to visit a landmark new museum or to enter areas that have long been off-limits.
Cox & Kings, the world's longest established travel company, has more than 260 years' experience of organising tours, and knows a thing or two about creating remarkable trips to extraordinary places, as well as changing travel trends and pushing new frontiers. Choose a Cox & Kings trip to north Africa or Arabia and you'll see the region at its most authentic, blending must-see highlights with signature experiences that go deeper under the skin.
Egypt: the grand reveal
Cairo's Grand Egyptian Museum finally opened in late 2024. Just over a mile from Giza's Pyramids – there are superb views from the museum's rooftop – it's a world wonder in its own right: 500,000 sq m of jaw-dropping artefacts displayed in style in this vast, arresting building that is the largest museum in the world dedicated to one civilisation.
Cox & Kings' tailor-made Splendours of Egypt trip combines time in Cairo (and a museum visit) with a Nile cruise. You'll sail in luxury to Aswan and Luxor, where new archaeological treasures have just been unearthed – but also drift on a traditional felucca, to feel the true timelessness of the river.
Saudi Arabia: time to explore
Long closed to tourists, Saudi Arabia has started welcoming visitors with open arms over the past few years – an outlook shift that makes this kingdom one of 2025's hottest destinations. The recent introduction of e-visas on arrival makes entry a breeze while iconic sites are finally on the travel map. You can explore locations such as Mecca, Jeddah's vibrant Red Sea coast and the ancient, starspangled oasis of AlUla – designated an official Dark Sky Park in late 2024. But it pays to travel with a trusted company to help you navigate this burgeoning destination.
Cox & Kings' tailor-made Saudi Arabian Discovery trip links together past and present – from Jubbah's neolithic petroglyphs to the Haramain bullet train – using local guides to explain this fascinating world of old and new.
Tunisia: beyond the beach
As overtourism becomes a concern worldwide, Tunisia has announced a new focus on 'alternative tourism' that will show the country is so much more than sun-kissed beaches. Cox & Kings' new Tunisian Highlights trip has this covered, deep-diving away from touristy holiday resorts for visits to Carthage, the Great Mosque of Sousse and ancient Dougga (north Africa's best-preserved Roman town).
The trip includes a stay in the walled city of Kairouan, little-changed since it was built in the eighth century – it offers a proper immersion in real Tunisian life. Want to go more offbeat? Cox & Kings' experts recommend explorations into the wild southern desert and Berber villages.
Morocco: star power
Is Morocco ever out of fashion? With its warm hospitality and movie-star looks – often used as a Hollywood location, the country's a top choice for 'set-jetters' – this north African hotspot always delivers. There's a lot to pack in, from intoxicating souks to high peaks and rippling deserts. So a well-planned small-group tour – like Cox & Kings' Moroccan Explorer – is the way to go.
The tour visits imperial cities, including heady Marrakesh and the oft-overlooked Rabat, now emerging as a hip alternative. There's also time spent with nomads in the dunes and exploring the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou, where many a movie has been filmed.
Oman and Jordan: two top treasures
Oman, one of the least-explored of Arabian destinations, is a land of richness and variety, and its landscape is an enticing blend of city, ocean, desert and mountain. Travellers are finally starting to cotton on to this attractive mix, which Cox & Kings' wraps up on its Oman: An Arabian Odyssey group trip, one that combines Muscat's treasures with turtle watching, a night in the dunes and the peaks of Jabal Akhdar.
Or opt for Jordan, the perennial Middle-Eastern favourite, name-checked on Lonely Planet's 2025 Best in Travel list. There's a lot to see here, and Cox & Kings' Splendours of Jordan trip spends two full days exploring Petra, so you get a proper feel for this jaw-dropping site.