Qatar, the emirate on the Persian Gulf with an area of only around 11,500 square kilometres, is one of the richest countries in the world and its capital Doha is an up-and-coming tourist destination which has so much offer!

In this article, I would like to take you to Doha, Qatar and share the most popular and beautiful attractions with you. Let yourself be overwhelmed by luxury, splendour and breathtaking architecture, but also by extreme cleanliness and safety, which you will not miss anywhere in Doha, Qatar.

As always, I’ve added a map at the end where I’ve marked all the attractions for you – including my favourite photo spots in Doha, Qatar!

The rise of Doha, Qatar…

In the past, the locals in Qatar made their living mainly from pearl diving, but fishing and trade were also practised. The emergence of pearl farming in Japan at the beginning of the 20th century and a devastating storm in 1925, which destroyed the entire Qatari pearl fishing fleet, ultimately led to a major famine. But a short time later, with the discovery of enormous oil and gas reserves, Qatar began to develop into an independent and prosperous state. The up-and-coming nation is investing heavily in tourism in addition to its constant development.

Dress code in Doha, Qatar

There is no dress code for tourists, but I would still recommend to dress respectfully. As a woman, this means avoiding skin-tight and revealing clothing, such as shorts, miniskirts or crop tops. When entering mosques or other holy places, women must wear a headscarf and men must cover their shoulders and knees. Both men and women may wear their usual swimwear at the hotel pools of course.

When is the best time to travel to Doha, Qatar?

Summers are very hot in Qatar, so it is advisable to choose one of the other seasons for your trip. Even in winter, the temperatures are pleasant at up to 22 degrees Celsius. This allows you to explore and enjoy Doha’s beautiful attractions to the fullest.

How many days should you plan for your holiday in Doha, Qatar?

Ideally, you should spend 2 to 3 days so as not to miss any of the most popular attractions. As the international airport in the capital Doha is the hub of all connections with Qatar Airways, Doha, Qatar is an ideal stopover destination to split up a long journey or to extend your holiday. Doha is significantly cheaper and less crowded than Dubai.

The most beautiful attractions and photo spots in Doha, Qatar

The Katara Cultural Village

Firstly, I would like to introduce you to what I consider to be the most beautiful part of Doha. The Katara Cultural Village is an absolute must if you love art, culture and history, which come together harmoniously here. Surrounded by Katara Beach, it is characterized by fabulous buildings and works of art, which are so magnificent that you will never cease to be amazed. You will also find numerous shopping opportunities, cultural facilities such as a planetarium and a music academy, as well as a huge amphitheatre designed in the classic Greek style, where major events are often held. I was particularly fascinated by the Katara Mosque, one of the most beautiful attractions in Doha, with its beautiful blue mosaic facade. Behind it are three typical Arab pigeon towers. A unique photo spot in Doha, Qatar.

The Golden Mosque, not far from the amphitheatre, is also an eye-catcher as it is completely covered in golden tiles that shine in the sun. No matter where you go in the Katara Cultural Village, you will feel like Aladdin from the fairytale world of 1001 Nights.

My secret tip, which is also a great photo spot in Doha: Snan Food Hall – probably the most beautiful supermarket in the world, with a colorful glass ceiling through which the sunlight shines.

Qanat Quartier, The Pearl

‘Little Venice’ is located on the 400-hectare artificial island of The Pearl, around 330 metres off the east coast. Its characteristic architecture with colourful houses and canals, over which cute bridges lead, looks like a copy of the Italian city of Venice. It is wonderful to walk and stroll here or take a boat trip through the canals. Numerous pretty cafés and restaurants invite you to linger. However, compared to other parts of Doha, this place seems a little empty, as many of the apartments and shops are not yet rented out. This, in turn, is ideal for taking photos, as the likelihood of standing alone in front of photogenic motifs is very high.

The Mina District – an architectural sight in Doha

Pastel-coloured buildings characterise the backdrop of this part of Doha, Qatar. I felt like I had been transported to a dream world and was amazed by the incredible photo opportunities that awaited us behind every corner. As you stroll through the district, you’ll find small shops and cosy restaurants. The impressive Chabrat Al Mina fish market and restaurant is a well-known attraction in Doha and popular with the locals.

Souq Waqif – a historical attraction in Doha

The Souq Waqif is the public and social centre of Doha, Qatar and at the same time a historic place. Over 100 years ago, it was the trading centre for sales men, Bedouins and locals. The Souq Waqif was painstakingly restored to its original appearance and reopened again in 2006. It also includes an old well from which water was drawn and which has been preserved in its original state. Today, pigeons like to use it to rest on.

After sunset, when it is no longer that hot, the Souq Waqif really comes to life. It then glows magically in a thousand warm colours and you feel like you travelled back in time. In the evening, you will mainly meet locals shopping here, or see them sitting in the cozy restaurants. Unlike the souq in Dubai, for example, not every stall here is the same, selling the same souvenirs. At Souq Waqif, you will find individual traders and artisans selling their wares, spices, fabrics, artwork and much more. During your stay in Doha, Qatar, you should definitely immerse yourself in this extraordinary flair and let yourself drift through the alleyways and markets to browse and taste local specialities.

The Museum of Islamic Art – one of the most beautiful photo spots in Doha

Designed by star architect Ieoh Ming Pei and opened in 2008, the museum impresses with its boldness and pure elegance. It is a treasure trove of exhibits from 13 centuries of Islamic art. The most valuable arts and crafts from different countries and eras are presented here in an impressive way. Even the museum restaurant IDAM is unique, as you can expect cuisine from none other than that of French celebrity chef Alain Ducasse.

Another highlight can be found on the sun terrace. From here you can enjoy a fantastic view over Doha’s skyline, especially at sunset. It is without question one of the most beautiful photo spots in Doha. It is therefore well worth a visit in the afternoon and into the evening hours.

Corniche Walk

The Corniche Walk is a famous pedestrian promenade, which is particularly popular and lively in the evening after sunset, when the skyline glitters with color.

My insider tip: The best view of the skyline is from a staircase leading into the water, next to the statue ‘Orry the Oryx’. I have marked the exact location on my Doha map at the end of this post. From the Corniche Walk, you can also take a trip on a traditional boat called a dhow. It runs along the coast of Doha, Qatar and is of course an unforgettable experience, especially at sunset.

The National Museum of Qatar

Designed by French architect and Pritzker Prize winner Jean Nouvel, the National Museum of Qatar is one of the most fascinating museum buildings in the world – inspired by a desert rose. As soon as you enter the inner courtyard, you will be overwhelmed by the light, illuminating the fascinating design. And depending on the position of the sun and the angle of view, the building appears in a new atmosphere. This creates a paradise full of spectacular photo spots. The exhibition itself is also an absolute highlight. The museum concept is to teach about the traditions and origins of the small monarchy of Qatar. This has been realised with lots of details and respect – the multimedia displays and first-class presentations will inspire you. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to see the exhibition ourselves, but it’s already on our list to make up for it on our next visit to Doha, Qatar.

Half-day tour into the desert of Qatar, a must do in Doha

Don’t miss the unique desert of Qatar! You will be picked up from your hotel by jeep for this tour. The drive to the Qatar desert takes about 30 – 40 minutes, with a short stop at a petrol station just before entering the desert to reduce the tyre pressure. This is necessary as the journey now takes us through the sand. During dune bashing, an experienced driver jets down the dunes – an adrenaline-rich ride with a high fun factor. It’s breathtaking to literally fly over the sand mountains with four-wheel drive. Sandboarding is also possible here. Think of it as snowboarding, but on sand.

An almost fairytale-like highlight is the Khor al Udaid (Inland Sea) – an inner desert body of water created by an inlet of the Persian Gulf. The desert of Qatar is one of the very few in the world where dunes meet the Gulf directly. I was overwhelmed by the unusual contrast between dust-dry desert sand and crystal-clear water – two extremes that nestle close together here. What a fantastic photo opportunity!

However, I would skip the first stop on the tour: camel riding and holding falcons for photos. The atmosphere wasn’t nice, right by the roadside. I felt really sorry for the animals in particular, so we asked our driver to continue without stopping. I had already seen this in Dubai, but there it was much nicer and more animal-friendly.

Place Vendôme Mall

This fantastic, huge shopping centre is also a real attraction in Doha. Inspired in design by the Place Vendôme in Paris, it has everything to make your shopping dreams come true, from designer shops and jewellery stores to shoes and local suppliers to Zara and Co. On the main square in the centre, there are plenty of restaurants with tasty offers. The main attraction here for me, however, is a fountain on whose water you can ride a small electric boat. I didn’t realise this was on my bucket list until now: Boating in a shopping centre. How crazy is that? In the evening, there is a light and water show every half and full hour.

My hotel tip in Doha, Qatar

The Raffles Doha is located in a crescent-shaped building. It covers exactly half of it (the other side belongs to the Fairmont) and is considered the best hotel in Doha, Qatar. The lobby is uniquely designed, with a projection of the sky that appears endless due to the special arrangement of mirrors. At night it is stars and during the day a blue sky with clouds. This alone is an impressive experience. In addition, first-class rooms, a top breakfast, the very elegantly designed Speakeasy Bar in 1920s style and a fantastic roof terrace with a view and two pools await you here.

The Raffles Doha is a wonderful hotel which I highly recommend for your stay in Doha, Qatar!

Restaurant tips in Doha, Qatar

By hosting the 2022 World Cup, Qatar tried to fulfil the culinary expectations of its international guests. Traditional dishes were redesigned for non-Arab guests. This has proven to be an absolutely successful concept for Qatar to this day and is implemented in many restaurants.

Here are some of my favorite restaurants in Doha:

• Kai’s Songbird: Kai’s Songbird is a restaurant chain from London with a modern Asian menu. The interior design is unique, as is the beautiful location – right on the marina. The brunch is particularly popular. We were here for dinner and enjoyed delicious dumplings and crispy Peking duck rolls. 
• EARTH organic coffee: This cute café offers delicious cakes, fresh juices and coffee specialities in the Art District. 
• Piccolo Café West Bay: This café is particularly good for lunch, with fresh salads, pasta and juices. I also liked the cute interior here.

• Yun: You can roll your own Peking Duck Pancakes at this chic, traditional Cantonese restaurant.

• Bagatelle Beach Club: A great lunch awaits you here, followed by the opportunity to enjoy the sun

• Desert Rose Café: The café is located near the National Museum and offers delicious Arabic dishes.

My map with the best attractions and photo spots in Doha:

Doha, Qatar – My résumé

Immerse yourself in an oriental fairytale for a few days – you can fulfil this dream in Doha, Qatar. It is therefore definitely worth taking an extended stopover in Qatar. There is guaranteed to be something for everyone here. Culture and art lovers as well as shopping enthusiasts can all indulge their passion here while marveling at the countless breathtaking designs that line up seamlessly – each one more unique than the last. We often fly with Qatar Airways and will definitely be returning.

In some places, the city still seems a little quiet and slightly artificial by European standards, but I think Doha has great potential to become a hotspot for international tourists in the Arab world. Doha gets an absolute plus from me for its cleanliness and safety.

I hope I could inspire you to add Doha, Qatar as a travel destination to your bucket list.

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I get questions about the best Cappadocia photo spots all the time – in the travel guide I’ll share all my favorite ones with you and give you useful information and insider tips for your own trip!
The fairytale landscapes of Cappadocia have been on my bucket list for such a long time – the unique rock formations, which are the result of a volcanic eruption several thousand years ago, are simply breathtaking. After our first visit in 2019 we fell so much in love with this place that we revisited Cappadocia again this year!
In this Cappadocia Travel Guide you find the best places to visit and the beautiful photo locations in Cappadocia alongside with useful information.

How to get to and get around Cappadocia?

In April we finally took our flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul from where we took another flight to Kayseri – the closest airport to Göreme.
We arrived in the late afternoon and drove another 45 mins to the hotel with our rental car.
Renting a car is one thing I can highly recommend during a trip to Cappadocia – you will be way more flexible with it and don’t have to participate at any tours with a ton of other people. Most of the important spots are only some minutes away from Göreme. While booking the car online we made sure to get a Jeep cause some roads are only accessible for off road vehicles.

How many days are ideal for Cappadocia?

In my opinion three to four days are enough to see it all. The area is not huge and you reach all spots in several minutes or maximum 30 mins for the underground city Kaymakli. Even though we are the kind of travelers which spend a lot of time taking pictures everywhere we go, we still had time to relax. We split our time in Cappadocia and stay two nights in Göreme and another two in Uçhisar.

Are the hot air balloons flying everyday?

The answer is NO! During our trip we’ve seen the Balloons only ONE morning – even so we had several clear sunrises. They only get up in the air when it’s clear and not windy. Of course the chance to see them is higher if you travel in spring or summer – but even when we’ve been there in the middle of April we got only lucky this one morning. We met some girls which stayed 3 days and haven’t seen a single Balloon!

Is it worth booking a balloon ride in Cappadocia?

100% YES! Joining a hot air balloon ride is definitely one of the best things to do in Cappadocia and not overrated at all! Depending on the company you will be in a basket with 16 or 20 guests in total. This may sound like a lot but the basket is huge an divided in four separate compartments for 4-5 people. We decided to fly with Turquaz Balloons since they have the best reputation in Göreme and only take up to 16 guests in one balloon which means that you have a guaranteed space at the outside of the basket with the best view. Seeing the surreal landscape from above with hundreds of other balloons around us while the sun is slowly rising is definitely one of my favorite memories from Cappadocia! It was all so worth the 4.30 am wake up call!

Book the best Hot Air Balloon Tours in Cappadocia here:

The best places to visit in Cappadocia

To explore all the unique valleys and places in Cappadocia you either have to book a tour or have your own rental car – which I already mentioned is the better option.

The tours usually start around 10 am so all the famous spots get really crowded during the noon till the early afternoon – around 3pm it starts to get quiet.

The valleys of Cappadocia

The reason why Cappadocia got so famous and what let it stand out are not just the rising balloons in the morning but the fact that the area was formed by volcanic eruptions many thousand years ago. Throughout the years the wind and rain has formed the soft rocks into bizarre formations which you can’t find anywhere else!
These valleys are definitely worth a visit of you’re exploring Cappadocia:

Imagination Valley / Devrent Valley

My favorite valley and one of the best places to visit in Cappadoca is called Imagination Valley (Devrent Valley) and as soon as you arrive, you will instantly understand where this place got its name from!

The valley got its name since many of the rocks look like animals or other figures if you use a little fantasy You can walk and climb your way through the valley to enjoy impressive views over the whole area. But be careful! The material of the stones is quite soft and the loose rocks and sand make the ground a bit slippery. Thats why wearing sneakers instead of slippers is highly recommended!

It’s one of the spots where tour busses stop as well, but the groups usually just make a quick stop for a photo. If you walk a little further into the valley to explore the bizarre rock formations you will very soon find yourself alone without any tourists!

Monks Valley / Paşabağ Valley – one of the best places to visit in Cappadocia

One of the most famous and most visited places in Cappadocia is called Paşabağ Valley. The reason for that is that are the unique Fairy Chimney rocks which used to be a seclusion space for Monks. Beside that you can find one of the most famous photo locations of Cappadocia in Paşabağ valley: The Chapel of St. Simeon. Built into one of the Fairy Chimneys with three heads, its shape is absolutely unique and famous among photographers. But due to the many visitors its not easy to capture THE famous shot! You either have to come very early for the opening hour or shortly before the closing and be very patient (or just lucky).
Paşabağ used to be free of charge like the other valley during our first visit in 2019 but starting from 2021 they fenced the area and built a huge cashier building at the front where courts now have to pay a fee of 20 TL (2 EUR).

The opening hours are 8am – 7 pm from April 1st until October 1st & 8am – 5pm from October1st until April1st.

Love Valley – a unique place to visit in Cappadocia

Visit Love Valley by car to see the most unique rock formations in Cappadocia! As soon as you see the bizarre rock formations for the first time, it will be easy for you to guess where this valley got its name from. The locals call the rock formations mushrooms – but let’s be honest they all look like huge male body parts
During a volcanos eruption, which created the whole area of Cappadocia several thousand years ago, ash fall down and covered the whole area. Due to the impact of wind ans water over thousands of years these special structures were born!

Reaching Love Valley by car

The official spot is a lookout point from where you have the best view over the valley. If you want to walk through the valley itself you have to walk down around 30 minutes per direction OR if you rented a 4-while drive like a Jeep or similar, you can reach it by car! Drive down the street from the viewpoint and take a right turn. There you will see the street leading to Love Valley and a sign which says „No Vehicles beyond this point“. The sign is meant for any no 4-wheel drives cause they might get stuck but we didn’t had a problem problem at all while driving here!

Arriving at the little parking lot in the valley you will barely see any other tourists. Most of them don’t want to walk all the way down or don’t know about the little off road path.

The Red Valley – the best sunset view in Cappadocia

For a relaxing evening you definitely have to visit Red Valley to watch the sunset. It’s a famous spot during the evening cause the setting sun turns the soft red formations into a sea of fire. But nonetheless its worth a visit! The area is huge so you can easily find a nice space to sit and enjoy the atmosphere. You can either enjoy a tea in one of the little restaurants close to the parking lot or walk a little further to find the perfect spot for a picture and to drink a glass of wine you brought with you!

Book the best Tours in Cappadocia here:

Towns in Cappadocia that are worth a visit:

Göreme

The most known town in Cappadocia where most of the beautiful Cave Hotels are located and where the balloons start to rise in the morning is Göreme. In case you decide to stay somewhere else I still recommend to visit the:

Göreme Open Air Museum

The most famous sight in Göreme is the Open Air Museum. It is an area with several chapels and churches but also living spaces and storages which got carved into the rocks by the first Christian settlers which arrived in the 2nd-3rd century AD. Many colorful paintings inside the rock chapels are incredibly good preserved! If you want to learn and see more about the history of Cappadocia and how the people used to live here, the Göreme Open Air Museum is definitely worth a visit!

The entry is 100 TL (10 EUR) per person and free for children under 8 years.

secret photo spot:

Right across the parking lot of the Open Air Museum you can spot a rock which looks like a huge window. It makes a beautiful natural frame for a picture with the markable rock formations in the background.

The best restaurants in Göreme:

The Turkish cuisine is rich and delicious. They have a lot of meat options like Kebab (Chicken, Lamb or Beef) or Moussaka (Baked Aubergine with grounded beef and tomato sauce). But there are also many vegetarian options with aubergine, chick peas and other vegetables.

A famous dish, which is typical for this region, is pottery kebab. For this they put meat and vegetables in a pottery pot and put it in the fire for at least four hours. It gets cooked in its own juice until the ingredients are very tender and will be served with rice or bread.
We found a very nice Restaurant in Göreme where they serve this meal in an authentic way called inci cave. This small and family owned restaurant has been our favorite dinner spot in Göreme. I loved the Aubergine Paste, Köfte (some kind of meat balls) or the lemon mustard marinated chicken plus the vegetarian options. The food was so good that we ate here two nights

But we had the best Turkish Ravioli (called Manti) at the Turkish Ravioli House and it’s a MUST to try them! They are stuffed with beef and onions and served with tomato sauce, yoghurt and melted butter on top – soooo delicious!

Uçhisar

The village Uçhisar is only a 5 minutes drive away from Göreme. There you will not only find many lovely restaurants and hotels like the legendary Museum Hotel but also Uçhisar castle, which is the highest point in Cappadocia and an impressive landmark. It offers an amazing view over the valleys and Göreme which is especially dreamy during sunset.

The entry is only 20 TL (2 EUR) and you can walk up the stairs of the castle. It’s no manmade building – like all structures in the area its a natural rock. People back in the days carved caves and steps into the soft stone to live here or for storage.

Kaymakli

From Göreme you can drive around 25 mins South to Kaymakli to visit the underground caves. There are several of these underground tunnel systems in the region but the one in Kaymakli is the largest! It’s a labyrinth of several caves which are connected via small tunnels and steps which lead into different levels. The tunnel system is so huge that a whole village which sheep could live here. There are living rooms, wineries, chapels, a kitchen and everything people needed for their daily life while being safe from enemies.

Avanos

The main town in the area is called Avanos. It is a nice place for a relaxing stop for lunch or in the afternoon after exploring the many valleys! Park your car directly in the city center and stroll through the little old town, try some local wine or stroll along the river where you will find little food stalls with ice cream or a Turkish Döner for 10TL (1 EUR)!

The only place in Cappadocia which disappointed us: The Salt Lake

During our first visit in Turkey we got a tip to visit the Salt Lake of Cappadocia which we heard looks like a huge mirror reflecting the sky. Especially the sunset shots we found on our web search looked amazing.

So we drove two hours south to reach the lake only to realize that it wasn’t as beautiful as on the pics we saw at all! This may be because of the grey and cloudy weather we had this day and also because of the many tourist busses which stopped here. We literally stayed for maybe 5 or 10 mins and left again.

Cappadocia has been magical

I just can’t get enough of Cappadocia. After visiting this fairytale place two times already I can easily understand why it’s on the bucket list of so many people: It is absolutely living up to its hype! Cappadocia is the ideal destination for a short trip and combines adventures with romantic vibes and good food.

I hope my Cappadocia Travel Guide will find you to find the best places to visit in Cappadocia during your own trip! If you would like to see more impressions head over to my Instagram Account @voyagefox_ and check out my Story Highlight “Turkey II”

While Istanbul is not the capital of Turkey it’s the biggest city in the country with more than 15 Million people living here. Which means that you have a lot to explore during a city trip!
In this post I’ll tell you my personal “Best places in Istanbul” which you can’t miss while visiting the worlds only city which is situated on two different continents: Europe and Asia!

At the end of this post you will find a map with all the best places in Istanbul!

The best places in Istanbul

Taksim Square

The Taksim square is located in the European part of Istanbul and considered as the center of the modern Istanbul with many shops, restaurant, food stalls which makes it to a major magnet for tourists and locals! It’s a great place to stay in the city as a starting point for sightseeing walks. We stayed in the newly opened Sofitel Taksim and absolutely loved it!

Main attractions at the Taksim Square are the Republic Monument which commemorates the formation of the Turkish Republic in 1923 and the Taksim Mosque.

From Taksim Square make sure to walk along the Istiklal Caddesi (Istiklal Avenue) for a stroll. You can find many shops, cafes, bars and much more along the small street just as the historic and popular red tram which is connection Tünel Square and Taksim Square.

Galata Tower

From the Taksim Square you can walk to one of Istanbuls oldest and tallest buildings: The Galata Tower. It got built in 1348 and got used as a watchtower. Today it is one of Istanbuls most famous sights. To enter the Galata Tower you have to pay an an admission fee of 100 TL (around 9,50 EUR) which are definitely worth it! From the top you’ll get a panoramic view over the whole city and the Bosphorus!

Bosphorus Ferry Ride

Coming from the Dolmabahçe Palace it is just a short walk to the ferry station from where you can ride to one of the other parts of the city. Istanbul is incredibly huge and the Bosphorus is dividing it in several parts which are all connected via bridges and ferries. A ride is less than one Euro per person and offers amazing views!

The Grand Bazaar

Of course you can not leave Turkey without visiting one of the legendary Bazaars and here in Istanbul you’ll find the biggest and oldest covered Bazaar in the world. It got built in 1455/56, with more than 4,000 shops of all kinds – which makes it to one of the first shopping malls in the world The market is visited by countless tourists and locals each day. Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, it is nice to stroll around, experience the atmosphere and have a look at colorful lanterns, spices, clothes and so much more!

Hagia Sophia

The most interesting and famous building in Istanbul, which has an extremely moving history, is the Hagia Sophia. It got built in 537 AD and has been a church for almost 1000 years until Sultan Mehmet conquered Istanbul (which still has been Constantinople back then) in 1453 and turned the Hagia Sophia in a mosque. During this process minarets have been added to the building. President Atatürk turned the Hagia Sophia into a museum in 1953 – exactly 500 years after the conquest – to symbolize the connection of Turkey with the western world. But just shortly – in 2020 – it got declared as a mosque again by president Erdoğan.
During our first visit in 2018 the Hagia Sophia still has been a museum and visitors could attempt an audio guide tour through the complex while admiring Christian as well as Muslim art pieces. Since the Hagia Sophia is a Mosque, visitors can still visit the complex but have to take off their shoes and women have to cover up. Of course there are no audio guides and signs in the Hagia Sophia anymore and women are not allowed to enter the very front part of the complex… Since the Hagia Sophia is a UNESCO heritage side, it is not allowed to remove any of the old Christian icons but during our visit we saw that some of them have been covered with white sheets.

The Blue Mosque
(Sultan Ahmet Mosque)

Opposite of the Hagia Sophia sits the historic Sultan Ahmed Mosque which got built between 1609 – 1611 during the Ottoman Empire. The complex is more popular under the name Blue Mosque since the interior is covered with hand-painted blue tiles and the mosque gets illuminated by blue light at night. During our first visit in 2018 we loved visiting the Blue Mosque and admiring the beautiful interior but currently it is under renovation which means that you won’t see much at the moment until the planned completion in 2022.
Like in all mosques you don’t have to pay an entrance fee but tourist can only visit in between prayer times, have to take off their shoes and dress properly. Which means that all visitors have to cover their shoulders and knees while women additionally have to cover their head.

Topkapi Palace

Behind the Hagia Sophia you’ll find the famous Topkapi Palace which used to be the royal residence & administrative center of the Sultans in the 15th and 16th century. The Palace has hundreds of rooms and halls while only the most important ones are open for visitors. To visit the Harem, which is the part of the complex where the female members of the Sultan’s family lived, you need an additional ticket.
The palace is built in Ottoman architecture style with many colorful tiles, detailed ornaments and an extensive garden area.

We spent around 1,5 hours in total visiting the Topkapi Palace. The entrance fee is a bit higher: 200TL (around 18,50 EUR) per person including an audio guide but excluding the admission fee to the Harem.

Basilica Cistern

During our first visit in Istanbul we loved exploring the Basilica Cistern under the city! There are hundreds of the cisterns which have been used as water reservoirs and provided the city with fresh water while the Basilica Cistern is the biggest one of them all. It got built in the 6th century in the Byzantine Empire and is absolutely impressive to visit due to the fact that it got built in the style of a cathedral with engraved columns. Thanks to its mystical atmosphere the Basilica Cistern got the scene for several movies or video games and if you have been reading Dan Browns Bestseller ‘Inferno’ you may especially know the unique Medusa head pillars. The entrance fee is only 30TL (less than 3 EUR) and absolutely worth a visit.

Unfortunately the Basilica Cistern has been closed for renovations during our last visit in September 2021 but will reopen soon!

Restaurant Tips

If you’re done exploring the area around the Hagia Sophia  and craving a nice dinner I can highly recommend you the restaurant “Garden 1897“. It is rated as one of the best restaurants in Istanbul without being expensive! They have a great selection of Turkish specialties like Manti (Turkish Ravioli) or Moussaka!

For a sweet afternoon snack you HAVE to try some Turkish Baklava! It’s a sweet treat made out of sweet puff pastry and different nuts which is absolutely delicious. A famous place to get them are the ‘Hafiz Mustafa 1864‘ shops which can be found several times in Istanbul – one of their shops is close to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia!

Map with the best places in Istanbul

You may also be interested in

• My Cappadocia Travel Guide

• How I became a travel blogger & tips for beginners

Have you ever booked a trip to a destination you had no special expectations about and it turns out to be one of your favorite travels ever?! Jordan was one of these destinations for us. It is an amazing country with lots of history to explore, an incredible nature and very kind locals. In this blog post I will give you an example of an itinerary for one week in Jordan which covers the best places in the country you can’t miss!

Jordan Itinerary

When is the best time to travel to Jordan?

The best months for a visit in Jordan are either the spring or autumn months. During this time the weather will be dry and the temperature warm. Did you know that the winter months in Jordan can get really chilly and windy? And of course the temperatures in the summertime can get unbearably hot.

How many days should you plan for Jordan?

We stayed seven nights in Jordan and managed to visit all of the most beautiful places. If you would like to include a few more days of relaxation f.e. at the red or the Dead Sea I would even suggest 10 days for Jordan.

Arriving in Jordan

We took a flight from Prague to Amman which only took us about four hours.
At the immigration you have to pay for a Visa (40 JD / around 56 USD). But instead I would suggest you to get the Jordan Pass which is 70 JD but it includes the visa, the entry for Petra & many more attractions all around Jordan. It saves you a lot of money and you can already purchase the Jordan Pass before your trip via this website and present it at the airport immigration.

After we got our luggage we picked up our rental car to drive to our hotel in Amman since it was already around 8 pm. Renting a car during your whole stay in Jordan is very convenient. It gives you a lot of flexibility and the possibility to see many wonderful places in just one week.

After our visit at the archaeological park went to a nearby restaurant called ‘Lebanese House Um Khalil’ which I can highly recommend for delicious traditional food & good prices.

After dinner we had a three hours ride to Petra which was our next stop in Jordan.

Jordan Itinerary Day 2

Petra

Staying in a hotel close to Petra, the night before your planned visit, is necessary if you want to visit the side early in the morning. We stayed at the The Old Village Resort which is a great and traditional hotel and it offers a free bus shuttle to the entry gate of Petra (around 8 mins driving time) but we decided to take our rental car instead to be more flexible.

The gates of Petra are opening at 6 am and I can highly recommend you to go there as early as possible – especially if you want enjoy the place all to yourself for some time and take photos without many tourists. The whole areal of Petra is huge and you can easily spend a whole day exploring it, which is another reason to arrive early.

After getting your ticket ( 50 JD for one day / included in the Jordan Pass) and passing the ticket control you have to walk a while until you’re reaching the Siq – the canyon which leads to the famous Treasury.

The Treasury

After walking through the Siq for around 20 minutes we finally spotted the first glance of the Treasury and it is even more impressive, bigger & so much more beautiful than it was in my imagination.

Due to its incredible size and the fact that you stand close in front of it, it is not easy to catch the whole treasury in one photo if you don’t shoot with a wide angle lens. But there are a few spots which make really great photo opportunities:

The first spot is a bit hidden but easy to find if you directly walk to the right after passing the Siq. You will spot a little ledge in the rock to sit on and see the monument right behind it.

If you want to see the famous view above the treasury you have to climb up the rocks. It’s almost impossible to miss the exact spot since there will be local guides around the treasury which are asking the arriving tourists if they would like to go up. The guides not only bring you up, show you the easiest way but also help you while going back down which might be a little slippery. We paid our guide 25 JD for three people – but make sure to negotiate the price before the hike. At the top is a little shelter to buy cold drinks but the highlight is of course the famous view! The treasury was completely illuminated by the sun around 8.30 am when we visited Petra in November.

The Monastery

We passed all the following attractions and went directly to “Ad Deir” (The Monastery) to arrive there before most of the other tourists. Most people visit all sights in the chronological order and the monastery at the very end, for this reason you will find it still quite empty until midday. The monastery looks very much like the Treasury and it is the most isolated monument in Petra. The hike up takes about 1-1,5 hours and gets quite steep and exhausting at some points. I can only imagine how strenuous it has to be in the summertime! Make sure to make a few breaks during the hike to rest, drink some water and appreciate the views all around you.

After you finally arrived at the beautiful monastery you will see a little restaurant to get some refreshments and snacks and watch the monument. If you walk behind it you will spot a cave where you can easily climb in and get a nice view at the monument. It is my favorite spot to capture a photo of the monastery with a beautiful framing.

Another great shooting spot are the two oleander bushes growing in front of the monument (they are the only two – and you will easily find them). They give your picture a nice foreground with the Monastery in the background. But you have to be lucky or arrive early to get a shot without any other people in it.

After returning from our hike and on they way back to the Siq we visited some other attractions like the lapidary Royal Tombs with a great view over the areal or the street of facades, which leads right to the treasury. At some parts the street is completely lined with smaller caves which used to be tombs of the simple people or caves for storage.

Tips for your visit in Petra:

• Closing time: If  you go in the wintertime you should keep in mind that Petra is closing at 4 pm due to the early sunset (in the summertime the areal will be opened until 6 pm).
• Food & Drinks: Theres just one real Restaurant in the area but you can find smaller shops where you can get drinks or sandwiches.
• Clothes: I don’t think it’s really necessary to wear a full hiking outfit for your visit in Petra. Just for you shoes I would recommend to wear sneakers since it can get slippery in sandals. Also keep in mind that the temperature is still chilly early in the morning and also later in the afternoon, when the sun goes down. So bring a light jacket or sweater. It’s also not necessary to cover you shoulders during your visit but I nevertheless had a light scarf over my shoulders most of the times since I was wearing a dress.

Petra by Night

Every Monday, Wednesday & Thursday there is a special show called “Petra by night”. During this event the whole way to the Treasury and the Siq is only illuminated by candles. At the monument itself are hundreds of candles arranged and the treasury is illuminated by a mysterious light. The show starts 8.30 pm – but the entry gate opens already at 8 pm. We were lucky (& walked quickly ) and have been the first ones arriving at the treasury and had it all to ourselves for a while. It get’s really packed and while everyone is sitting on mats on the ground, locals are playing traditional music, serving hot tea and telling stories about the ancient times.
The atmosphere is magical but the show is not included in the one day ticket. You have to get a separate ticket at the cashier for 17 JD.

Jordan Itinerary Day 3

Wadi Rum

At the third day we drove from our hotel in Petra to Wadi Rum which took us around 2 hours. The drive is really impressive because it was clearly visible how the landscape around us is changing from kilometer to kilometer until we reached the access and security point for the Wadi Rum desert area. Behind the gate is the Wadi Rum village located where we left our car and started a desert tour with Wadi Rum Nomads. We booked a two days tour including one night in a desert camp.

Together with our friendly Bedouin guide we’ve been a four person caravan and started our bumpy ride through the desert. As soon as we started our tour and took the first steps in the sand dunes I couldn’t believe my eyes. The landscape in Wadi Rum is so insanely beautiful and varied: from red sand to bizarre rock formations which were carved by sand and the wind, to huge sand dunes like in the Sahara desert. And the best part: We had it all to ourselves! Most of the times I could turn my head in all directions without seeing or hearing anyone else but us.

We made several stops at some interesting points like the ‘sand dune’. It was build by the wind which day by day carries more sand to the same spot and created a huge dune over the hundreds and thousands of years. Walking up the dune is quite exhausting but the view is simply insane and the feeling of the warm sand under my feet so wonderful. Since we’ve been in Jordan in November the weather was sunny but not hot! In the summertime it’s impossible to walk in the sand without shoes – the sun and heat is simply too strong.

At the ruins of ‘Lawrence’s House’ we made a lunch & tea stop and climbed up the rocks behind us afterwards for another breathtaking view. The amazing thing about Wadi Rum is that no place looks like the other. Every formation is different – from soft waves to hard edges, you can see a color range from bright yellow to deep red. When I posted pictures from Wadi Rum a lot of people told me that it looks like I was visiting planet Mars – and that’s so true: There’s a reason why Wadi Rum was the film set of so many movies e.g ‘The Marsian’ – the landscape looks simply extraterrestrial!

Later in the afternoon we arrived to the desert camp and watched the sunset behind the rock formations which lets them appear even more colorful!
The camp is build behind a great rock to protect it from the wind. It consists of ten tents, a bathroom with two toilets, sinks and even two showers! There’s a kitchen where a friendly Bedouin cooks for the whole camp during the day and another huge tent with benches for the meals together. The dinner exceeded my expectations a lot and was absolutely yummy. There were a lot of Arabic dishes like Hommous, pide bread, rice, meatballs but highlight was a traditional bedouins cooked dish. They prepare it by making a huge fire in a sand hole at the beginning of the day. Later they put chicken, seasoning & vegetables inside a special oven, put it in the hole and cover it with sand again. Thanks to the heat the meal gets slow cooked throughout the day and will be super tender and delicious in the evening!

The night in the desert is freaking cold – but luckily the team of Wadi Rum Nomads provided everyone with huge wool blankets which kept us warm. We slept really well and woke up to a wonderful sunny morning and a huge breakfast.

Jordan Itinerary Day 4

Wadi Rum & Aqaba

For our second day in the desert we did a Jeep tour with our Bedouin Guide Nawaf. He showed us all his favorite places in Wadi Rum and we really enjoyed this special tour.

One of my favorite places was ‘The Canyon’. It’s a wide gap between rocks which you can walk through. Along the way we were passing fig trees, rocks and a deep red sand dune. Throughout the whole walk we had the place all to ourselves and only met other people when leaving the canyon on the other side where our guide picked us up. He was dropping us off on the one side, drove around it and was waiting for us at the end.

Some other highlights were different ‘bridges’ which were carved by the wind, a ’mushroom rock’ another one that looks like a ’camel eye’ and so many more. 

We booked the tour with a company called ‘Wadi Rum Nomads’ which I can recommend 100%. The guides are all locals and know everything about their beloved Wadi Rum and the Bedouin culture. At the last day our guide Nawaf even cooked lunch for us at a small fire place while we were exploring another view point! These two days in the desert have been such a real and authentic experience. For the two day trip paid 140 JD per person including all drinks & food and the accommodations.

From Wadi Rum we drove around 30 mins to our next destination: The city Aqaba at the Red Sea. Aqaba is quite modern and the people living here are very open minded. We just arrived in time for sunset at the DoubleTree Aqaba and had the best view over the bay from the rooftop bar.

Jordan Itinerary Day 5

Red Sea & Drive to Dead Sea

On our fifth day we went snorkeling at the Red Sea and we found the perfect beach to o snorkeling in Aqaba: It’s called ‚Sunset Beach‘. It is not the prettiest beach to chill but the number one choice if you want the perfect snorkeling experience. The water is crystal clear and the reef wonderful and still intact & colorful – which is unfortunately not often the case these days..  You will spot countless different fish – but never touch any of them since some of them are really poisoning. There are even rays, turtles, dolphins, sharks and many more maritime animals living in the Red Sea.

Unfortunately we had to leave Aqaba for our next destination after only 24 h to drive to the Dead Sea. A week goes by so fast and we really wanted to see as many Jordan highlights as possible during this time.

Usually there is a direct street from Aqaba to the Dead Sea but it was closed due to a flood which covered the street with mud. So we had to take a detour of three hours and it’s been quite a trip until we finally reached the Hilton Dead Sea.

Jordan Itinerary Day 6

Dead Sea

We started the next day a swim in the salty water plus a mud pack for our skin coming directly from the sea. As you may already know there’s ten times more salt in the Dead Sea than in ordinary sea water which makes it impossible for any animal or plant to live in the water. It’s so salty that you will swim on top of the surface no matter how hard you try to sink!

For sunset we found a wonderful place with white salt formations via google maps. Luckily the street was opened again this day and we could take a short drive with our car until we saw the salt crystals. The only problem was that we had to climb down quite a bit to reach the formations.

The structures made out of salt may look fragile but they are razor sharp and you have to be very careful while walking – I cut my legs & feet several time. But it was all worth it when we arrived in time for the most magical pastel sunset. We saw a color range from deep blue, to turquoise, pink & orange. I couldn’t believe my eyes – another unforgettable moment in Jordan.

If you’re planning to go there make sure to bring good shoes and not flip flops like we did – it makes the way down & back up way more easy and less hurtful!

Where to find the salt formations

Jordan Itinerary Day 7

Amman

The next day it was already time to say goodbye. But since our flight departed from the capital Amman again and we didn’t had a chance to explore the city, we decided to leave the Dead Sea a little earlier.

The Amman citadel has been my favorite place in the city. It’s located on the Citadel Hill and offers the perfect view over the city, the ancient arena and the worlds largest flag. The old mosque & several other ruins make a great contrast with the city behind it.

The best time to visit the citadel is late in the afternoon to avoid the tourist groups and get the best light for photos. If you’re owning of a Jordan Pass the entry is included.

Unfortunately these were the last impressions we got from Jordan before we had to take off back to Germany again. One week went by way too fast. The seven days have been amazing to visit the best places in Jordan, but if you like your itinerary a bit more relaxing and want to visit other places like Wadi Al Mujib at the Dead Sea, I would suggest to plan at least 10 days in Jordan.

The United Arab Emirates are a popular destination to flee from the European winter and to get some well deserved sunshine to recharge. We usually travel to Dubai and Abu Dhabi at least once per year and always find something new to see.

The best things to do in Dubai & Abu Dhabi:

• Burj Khalifa
• Private Dining at the Shangri-La Dubai
• old town of Dubai
• Al Jaddaf Walk
• Dubai Creek Harbour
• Jumeirah Beach
• Desert Tour

• Sheikh Zayed Mosque
• Louvre

The best things to do in Dubai

Burj Khalifa

With a height of 828 m the Burj Khalifa is the highest building in the world. Visiting the terrace to enjoy the view over the city is definitely a Must Do for every visitor! The first platform is located 452 m above sea level. From this height all the other skyscrapers look like small LEGO buildings. The entrance is 30,- EUR during the day and 50,- EUR after 3pm to see the sunset. I can highly recommend to book the tickets online a few days before your trip since the spots before 3 pm are sold out quickly.

The entrance to the Burj Khalifa is located in the huge Dubai Mall. This giant center offers not only countless shopping and dining options but even has a huge Aquarium and an ice rink in it.

Private Dining at the Shangri-La Dubai

If you’re planning your trip to Dubai for a special occasion like an anniversary or engagement I can highly recommend you to book a private dinner or breakfast at the terrace on the 42nd floor of the Shangri-La Dubai for an unforgettable experience. It offers the most iconic view over the International Finance Center and of course the Burj Khalifa. If this option is out of your budget you can still enjoy the view from another terrace around the corner if you’re staying at the hotel or dining in one of their restaurants Click here to read my full review of the Shangri-La Dubai!

Not far from the Museum is a really beautiful Iranian mosque located. The entrance area is covered with blue tiles and colorful patterns. It really makes a beautiful setting for pictures. If you wanna visit the mosque it’s called the Imam Hussein Mosque close to the well known Jumeirah Mosque. Make sure you don’t come during the Friday prayer since the area in front of the mosque will be full of cars then.

The Souk Medinat is a modern reconstruction of a traditional market. It’s a great place for shopping and dining or simply to stroll around to enjoy the atmosphere. It also offers a nice view to the Burj Al Arab. The most famous photo spot is only accessible during a boat ride through the Medinat. It’s a beautiful but pricey 15 minutes ride: We paid around 20 EUR per Person.

Al Jaddaf Walk

Dubai sunsets are always dreamy – due to the dusty sky it brings up the most magical pastel colors. A great spot to watch the sunset in contrast to the dramatic skyline of Dubai is the Al Jaddaf Walk. It’s only accessible by car or taxi but definitely worth the ride if you want to shoot some epic shots. P.S. Definitely bring a tele lens for this shoot is you have one – it’s a nice way to play around with the perspective and make the Burj Khalifa look even bigger than it already is!

Dubai Creek Harbour

Dubai is always evolving and brings up new hip neighborhoods. One of them is Creek Harbour – it’s the ideal place to spend the late afternoon and evening since it has a lovely promenade to stroll around, amazing cafés and restaurant but most of all: impressive views of the skyline during sunset. P.S. Search at Google Maps for the ”Dubai City View Point” to find the best perspective to take your photos.

Desert Tour

Several companies offer a safari tour to the desert of Dubai. If you want to make sure you don’t fall for a tourist trap ask your hotel concierge for some trustworthy companies or check it on Tripadvisor. A Jeep picked us up in the early afternoon and we drove for one hour until we reached the endless desert. From here we left the street to start the safari through the dunes. Our driver definitely had a lot of fun to give us some adrenaline kicks while speeding through the sand. We made a few photo stops at really beautiful dunes to enjoy the endless views.
Later we reached a camp in the middle of the desert to drive with Quads (for an additional charge), ride camels or simply relax while enjoying a traditional Shisha and some tea.
Sunsets in the desert are definitely one of a kind – the dusty air transform the sky into a colorful orange tone while the sun is setting.
After a delicious BBQ and a dancing show we made our way back to the hotel in the complete darkness. We booked our tour directly with the hotel and paid around 70 Euro per person for the 6 hours tour including dinner and drinks.

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN ABU DHABI

Abu Dhabi is a one hour drive from Dubai and definitely worth a visit. With a taxi you will pay around 50 EUR for the ride. Simply ask a taxi driver for a package price and negotiate it before leaving. I would recommend you to spend two or three nights in Abu Dhabi to see some incredible Must See places:

THE LOUVRE

Yes, Abu Dhabi has a Louvre too! The legendary museum just opened up in November 2017 and the architecture is completely different from the original Louvre in Paris. It’s designed very modern and the whole building is a piece of art itself. Inside you will see artifacts, paintings & statues from different eras of humanity just like in France.

The entry fee is 15 EUR for adults while visitors between the age 13 -22 enter the museum for 7,50 EUR.

THE SHEIKH ZAYED MOSQUE

Due to its impressive size the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is also just called the Grand Mosque. The huge white building already sparkles from far away and is my favorite sight in the UAE. At the entrance you have to pass a security control and your outfit will be checked before you are allowed to enter. Women can rent a Abaya for free to wear it over their regular clothes. It covers the whole body and the hair. Also Men should make sure to cover shoulders and knees with appropriate clothes.

The whole building is made of the finest materials: white marble, gold and colorful gems let the mosque sparkle. The courtyard and one of the halls is open for tourists. Inside you will find the biggest hand-knotted carpet and see huge chandeliers made out of Swarovski crystals.