If you’re planning a trip soon, North Africa must be on your list as it offers a lot of destinations to visit and activities to do. North Africa consists of Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and Sudan. Each country has its own culture and customs, but you might find some similarities.

If you speak French, Morocco and Tunisia are perfect for you as most of the locals speak this language. You can also communicate in English as most locals have a basic understanding of it. When planning a trip to North Africa, these are 6 destinations you should take into consideration.

1. Cairo, Egypt

Cairo is a mega city bursting with life and it has so much to offer. The famous Pyramids of Giza are located within the vicinity of Cairo – it’s one of the reasons why tourists visit Cairo. Visiting the pyramids will leave you in awe of how massive and ancient these monuments are. However, that’s not the only thing Cairo offers.

The new national museum contains the biggest collection of historic items from the age of pharaohs to this day such as the Tut mask, mummies, Ottoman relics, and much more. Khan El Khalili is a market located in the middle of the city that is surrounded by Islamic architecture and landmarks. The list goes on and one trip won’t be enough to explore all of Cairo.

2. Sahara Desert, Tunisia

The Sahara desert expands all over North Africa, but its part in Tunisia is full of interesting and accessible sights. Star Wars fans flock to this part of the desert to experience how life on Tatooine may feel, as one of the Phantom Menace sets is still there. If you’re not into Star Wars, you can visit century-old fortified granaries and stone forts found in the mountains.

You can go sand surfing among the spectacular dunes or enjoy a camping trip under the starry night. You might think that a desert has nothing to offer, but you’ll be surprised at how many things you can visit and do in the Sahara desert.

3. Luxor, Egypt

Luxor is located in southern Egypt and it’s built around the ancient city, Thebes. Naturally, you’ll expect to see lots of temples, monuments, obelisks, and other ancient buildings dedicated to Theban gods that date back to the pharaohs.

The temple of Karnak is a must-see. According to information found at EncountersTravel.com, it was the most prominent worship place for ancient Egyptians. Across the Nile, you can visit the Valley of Kings and the Valley of Queens. These two burial sites are filled with tombs, one of them being the tomb of Tutankhamun.

4. Atlas Mountains, Morocco

The Atlas mountains are great for hiking and fitness enthusiasts as you don’t only get to work on your fitness, but you will also enjoy the view when you reach the top. The Atlas mountains stretch from Algeria to Morocco, but the highest peak (Mount Toukbal) is located near the village of Imlil in Morocco.

There are plenty of guest houses to stay in and guides to hire for your hiking trip. You don’t need to bring hiking equipment with you as you’ll find many shops renting them. If you’re not into hiking, you can still visit Imlil to enjoy the view of the mountains and the Imlil waterfall nearby.

5. Tunis, Tunisia

The capital city of Tunisia is incredibly picturesque and full of culture and charm. Tunis’ ancient medinas have an astounding architecture that is on par with Fes and Marakesh’s famous medinas.

Exploring the back streets alone is an exciting adventure as you get to barter for trinkets from local shops, enjoy the local cuisine, and smell the amazing scent of jasmine. The city also has the best museum in North Africa, the Bardo National Museum, which houses many treasures and artifacts.

6. Ras Mohamed Nature Reserve

Ras Mohamed National Park is the best scuba diving spot in North Africa, and some even say in the whole world. This park is located in the Sinai peninsula and it’s renowned for its healthy and colorful corals, the home of around 1,000 fish species.

Divers can explore shipwrecks from the Second World War along with sharks, dolphins, and other marine life. Diving centers offer diving trips and certificates for people who want to discover the untouched-by-humans sea life.

These destinations will ensure that you experience things you have never experienced before. Whether you love hiking, diving, or exploring the desert, you can find what you are looking for in North Africa. Do your research before going to any of these destinations to get the most out of your trip.