top tourist attractions in egypt

Must-See Ancient Sights

Guide to the Pyramids of Giza

Visiting the Nile Delta

Luxor Guide

Valley of the Kings

Visiting Alexandria

Traditional Food to Try

What to Drink in Egypt

Best Time to Visit

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One Week in Egypt

Things to Do in Egypt

25 Top Things to Do in Egypt

For centuries, tourists have flocked to Egypt to admire its ancient pyramids and temples, as well as its natural wonders. The River Nile is the longest in the world, and the Red Sea coast is a playground for resort-style relaxation and adventurous water sports. At the heart of Egypt’s cultural identity is Cairo, a cosmopolitan capital where historic churches, mosques, and museums rub shoulders with luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants. Discover all this and more with our helpful guide to Egypt’s top attractions.

Dive for Ancient Ruins Around Alexandria

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While many of Egypt's ancient ruins can be seen standing tall above ground or hidden in tombs throughout the landscape, there are also a sizable amount of ruins still hiding below the surface of the sea near Alexandria. Discoveries are constantly being made, such as the city of Thonis-Heracleion which was rediscovered by divers in the early 2000s.

Although the water is not known for its clarity, divers will still see some incredible sights, such as the Ruins of Cleopatra's palace and the ancient lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. Look for a PADI-certified dive shop to arrange a tour.

Dine on the Nile

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If you don't have the time for a multi-day journey down the Nile, you can still enjoy the water by booking a dinner cruise from Cairo. Cruises last about two hours, where you'll be able to enjoy views of the city at sunset and live music, belly-dancing, and Tanoura, a dazzling traditional style that employs the use of a dynamic skirt to dazzle audiences. The food is typically buffet style, but you'll have a lot of different cruise operators to choose from so it's best to do a little digging and read reviews.

Ride Quads in the Desert

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The desert is an incredible landscape to explore, but you'll find yourself quite overheated doing so just on two feet. Instead, opt for a tour by quad. These 4x4 vehicles are fun to drive and you can appreciate the sights as they whizz by you. Quad or ATV tours from Cairo can take you past the pyramids and the sphinx, and often include extras like trips to Memphis or Sahara City, as well as camel rides and sand-boarding experiences.

Venture Through the Valley of the Queens

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While the pharaohs are memorialized in the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens is the designated burial site for the wives of pharaohs, as well as several of the few female pharaohs that served throughout history. Located near Luxor, the site has over 90 tombs, the most impressive of which is the Tomb of Nefertari, Ramesses II's favorite wife, which is very large and decorated with incredible paintings. Although it is not as famous as the Valley of the Kings, many royal princes and princesses were also buried in this location.

Chill Out in Dahab

A trip to Egypt doesn't have to just be about history and ancient ruins, it can also be about laying out on the beach. A resort town like Dahab offers plenty of opportunities to relax and reset with many laid-back and family-friendly resorts where you can dip your toes into the Gulf of Aqaba, located at the top of the Red Sea. When you crave adventure, you can look to the nearby mountains for hiking or check out the incredible dive sites for scuba and snorkeling, such as the famous Blue Hole, which is accessible from the shoreline.

Learn About Cairo’s Multicultural History

At one time or another, Cairo has been occupied by Romans, Byzantines, Coptic Christians, Islamic caliphs, Mamluks, Ottomans, and British colonialists. Its architecture reflects its multicultural heritage, as you’ll discover on a walking tour of medieval citadel or with a visit to landmark religious sites such as the Hanging Church or Al-Azhar Mosque . For an overview of the country’s ancient history, head to the Egyptian Museum.

Experience Contemporary Cairo in Zamalek

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Head to Cairo's trendy Zamalek neighborhood (located on Gezira Island in the middle of the River Nile) to discover contemporary art galleries, five-star hotels, and world-class restaurants. El Sawy Culture Wheel is a hub for concerts, plays, and lectures; while the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art and the Cairo Opera House are located nearby. Floating venue Le Pacha 1901 boasts no fewer than nine gourmet riverfront restaurants.

Shop for Souvenirs at Khan El-Khalili Bazaar

Little has changed at Khan El-Khalili Bazaar since its foundation in the 14th century. In Cairo's most authentic souk, narrow cobbled streets open into alcoves packed with fragrant spices and handcrafted silver jewelry. Come to stock up on souvenirs, remembering that haggling is expected. Afterward, unwind with a cup of mint tea or Arabic coffee at the famous marketplace café Fishawi’s. The bazaar is located in Islamic Cairo.

Marvel at the Ancient Pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza lie on the outskirts of Cairo. The largest of the three pyramid complexes is the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing today–an impressive feat, considering that the pyramids were built some 4,500 years ago. In front of the pyramids lies the Sphinx, a cat-like creature carved from a single block of stone. Tickets to view the Great Pyramid cost EGP 100.

Visit the Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara

Those with a passion for pyramids should also make sure to visit the Pyramid of Djoser, located just south of Cairo at Saqqara , the necropolis of ancient Memphis. The pyramid was built in the 27th century BC, using a unique stepped style that pre-dates the smooth-sided pyramids at Giza. It is the oldest stone-cut monument in the world. The best way to visit Saqqara is on a day tour from Cairo .

Walk Amongst Luxor's Ancient Monuments

The modern city of Luxor sits on the east bank of the River Nile, on top of the ancient pharaonic capital of Thebes. Its temples, statues, and monuments give a sense of the city’s past grandeur. The top attraction is Luxor Temple, which was commissioned by Amenhotep III in the late 14th century. Monumental statues of Ramesses II guard the temple gate, and walking in between them is a breathtaking experience.

Explore the Karnak Temple Complex

The Karnak temple complex is located just north of Luxor. Karnak was a place of great religious importance for the pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty, and it became the main place of worship for the ancient Thebans. Today, you can walk amongst an astonishing collection of sanctuaries and temples dedicated to the Theban Triad. The largest is the Temple of Amun-Ra, which costs EGP 120 to enter.

View Ancient Tombs in the Valley of the Kings

Across the river from Luxor lies the Theban necropolis, the Valley of the Kings. There are more than 60 subterranean tombs here, built for the mummies of New Kingdom pharaohs from as early as the 16th century BC. The pharaohs were buried with their worldly treasures amidst spectacular hieroglyphs. You’ll have to pay an extra EGP 100 on top of the standard ticket price to visit the most famous tomb – that of boy-king Tutankhamun. 

Uncover Ancient and Modern History at Philae

The Philae temple complex was built by Nectanebo I and added to by Ptolemaic and Roman rulers up until the 3rd century AD. As such, it provides an architectural account of Egypt’s transition from paganism to Christianity. In modern times, it was moved brick by brick from its original location on Philae Island to nearby Agilkia Island after the former was flooded during the construction of the Aswan Dam. Learn more on a day tour from Aswan .

Admire Incredible Reliefs at the Temple of Horus

The Temple of Horus at Edfu may not be the oldest structure in Egypt, but it is one of the best-preserved. The sandstone structure was built between 237 and 57 BC by the Ptolemaic kings, who dedicated it to the cult of the falcon god Horus. When paganism was banished, the abandoned temple began to fill with desert sand which kept its fabulous reliefs and statues intact.

Discover the Symmetrical Temple of Kom Ombo

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The Temple of Kom Ombo is unique in that it is divided into two symmetrical halves. One is dedicated to Horus the Elder, the other to the crocodile god Sobek. Each half contains an identical entrance, hypostyle hall, and sanctuary, and many of the temple’s reliefs show traces of their original color. Don’t miss the nearby Crocodile Museum with its collection of mummified crocodiles.

See it All on a Full Nile River Cruise

One of the most atmospheric ways to see the ancient sights between Luxor and Aswan is to sign up for a multi-day River Nile cruise . There are countless different options, from historic steamships like the S.S. Sudan to luxury cruisers like the Oberoi Zahra . The latter has its own on board spa and swimming pool. Budget travelers can explore with a no-frills tour on a traditional felucca.

Stand in Awe Before the Abu Simbel Temples

The two temples at Abu Simbel were built during the 13th century BC as monuments to Ramesses II and his queen, Nefertari. They were also relocated to higher ground to prevent flood damage in the 1960s. The entrance of the Great Temple is guarded by four colossal statues of Ramesses II. Inside, eight more enormous statues represent the pharaoh in his deified form and can be viewed on an Abu Simbel tour .

Experience Berber Culture at Siwa Oasis

Experience the road less traveled at Siwa Oasis, a desert settlement located near the Libyan border. The town is known for its unique Berber culture, abundant date and olive plantations, and the ruined temple of the ancient Oracle of Ammon. The latter was once visited by Alexander the Great. Make sure to check current travel warnings before booking a trip to Siwa, as the Western Desert can be unsafe.

Make the Pilgrimage Up Mount Sinai

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Located near Dahab on the Sinai Peninsula, Mount Sinai is a place of pilgrimage for Christians who believe that this is where Moses saw the Burning Bush and later received the Ten Commandments. At the foot of the mountain lies St. Catherine’s Monastery with its museum full of religious icons and relics. There are two routes to the summit: the challenging Steps of Repentance, or the more forgiving Camel Trail.

Soak Up the Atmosphere in Cosmopolitan Alexandria

Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC and, as one of the most important cities of its time, was home to a wealth of iconic landmarks. These included the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. After a period of decline, Alex is once again a thriving port with an enviable culinary scene and several excellent cultural venues including the amazing Bibliotheca Alexandrina .

Cross the Suez Canal in Port Said

The coastal city of Port Said marks the northern entry into the historic Suez Canal. Wander along the port’s waterfront boardwalk to view the supertankers preparing to make the journey from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea . To experience a crossing for yourself, hop aboard the free ferries that run from Port Said to Port Fuad. On the way across, you’ll traverse the border between Africa and Asia.

Learn to Scuba Dive in Sharm El-Sheikh

Egypt’s entire Red Sea coast is a treasure trove for scuba divers, and the peninsula resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh is a great place to learn. There are plenty of different dive schools to choose from, allowing you to shop around for the best course price. You’ll also have access to beginner-friendly shore diving sites as well as spectacular reefs in nearby Ras Mohammed National Park.

Dive the Wreck of the S.S. Thistlegorm

Experienced divers can explore the S.S. Thistlegorm , often ranked as one of the best wreck-diving sites in the world. The freighter was drafted into military service during the Second World War and arrived in the Red Sea in 1941. Shortly afterward it was sunk by German bombers with ammunition, armored vehicles, and military motorcycles on board. You can book the dive with a local operator like Eagle Divers .

Stay in a Luxury Hurghada Resort

Hurghada is a popular getaway for divers, watersports enthusiasts, and sun worshippers. It’s also home to several luxurious 5-star resorts including The Oberoi Beach Resort Sahl Hasheesh and Premier Le Reve Hotel & Spa . Expect landscaped grounds, sprawling swimming pools, fine-dining restaurants, and of course, excellent spa and water sports amenities. The offshore Giftun Islands are an idyllic day-trip destination.

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Must-see attractions in Egypt

Amun Temple Enclosure

Amun-Ra was the local god of Karnak (Luxor) and during the New Kingdom, when the princes of Thebes ruled Egypt, he became the preeminent state god, with a…

St Catherine's Monastery

This ancient monastery traces its founding to about AD 330, when Byzantine empress Helena had a small chapel and a fortified refuge for local hermits…

Temple of Horus

Southern Nile Valley

This Ptolemaic temple, built between 237 and 57 BC, is one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in Egypt. Preserved by desert sand, which filled the…

Temple of Seti I

Northern Nile Valley

The first structure you’ll see at Abydos is the Great Temple of Seti I, which, after a certain amount of restoration work, is one of the most complete,…

Great Temple of Ramses II

Carved out of the mountain on the west bank of the Nile between 1274 and 1244 BC, this imposing main temple of the Abu Simbel complex was as much…

Temple of Isis

Built to honour the goddess Isis, this was the last temple built in the classical Egyptian style. Construction began around 690 BC, and it was one of the…

White Desert National Park

Western Desert

Upon first glimpse of the 300-sq-km national park of the White Desert, you’ll feel like Alice through the looking-glass. About 20km northeast of Farafra,…

Valley of the Kings

The west bank of Luxor had been the site of royal burials since around 2100 BC, but it was the pharaohs of the New Kingdom period (1550–1069 BC) who chose…

Pyramids of Giza

The last remaining wonder of the ancient world; for nearly 4000 years, the extraordinary shape, impeccable geometry and sheer bulk of the Giza Pyramids…

Egyptian Museum

One of the world’s most important collections of ancient artefacts, the Egyptian Museum takes pride of place in Downtown Cairo, on the north side of Midan…

Cairo Outskirts & the Nile Delta

Covering a 7km stretch of the Western Desert, Saqqara, the huge cemetery of ancient Memphis, was an active burial ground for more than 3500 years and is…

Karnak is an extraordinary complex of sanctuaries, kiosks, pylons and obelisks dedicated to the Theban triad but also to the greater glory of pharaohs…

Museum of Islamic Art

This museum, on the edge of Islamic Cairo, holds one of the world’s finest collections of Islamic art and is Egypt's (and one of the entire Middle East's)…

Temples of Abu Simbel

Overlooking Lake Nasser, the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Hathor, which together make up the Temples of Abu Simbel, are among the most…

As the main cult centre of Osiris, god of the dead, Abydos (known as Ibdju in ancient times) was the place to be buried in ancient Egypt. The tomb of Djer…

Tomb of Seti I (KV 17)

One of the great achievements of Egyptian art, this cathedral-like tomb is the finest in the Valley of the Kings. Long closed to visitors, it is now…

Known locally as Gebel Musa, Mt Sinai is revered by Christians, Muslims and Jews, all of whom believe that God delivered his Ten Commandments to Moses at…

Dendara was an important administrative and religious centre as early as the 6th dynasty (c 2320 BC). Although built at the very end of the Pharaonic…

Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Alexandria’s ancient library was one of the greatest of all classical institutions, and while replacing it might seem a Herculean task, the new…

Medinat Habu

Ramses III’s magnificent memorial temple of Medinat Habu, fronted by sleepy Kom Lolah village and backed by the Theban mountains, is one of the west bank…

Luxor Museum

This wonderful museum has a well-chosen and brilliantly displayed and explained collection of antiquities dating from the end of the Old Kingdom right…

Monastery of St Anthony

Red Sea Coast

This historic monastery traces its origins to the 4th century AD when monks began to settle at the foot of Gebel Al Galala Al Qibliya, where their…

Tomb of Ramses VI (KV 9)

With some of the broadest corridors, longest shafts (117m) and greatest variety of decoration, KV 9 is one of the most spectacular tombs in the valley…

Monastery of St Paul

Dating to the 4th century, the Monastery of St Paul began as a grouping of hermitages in the cliffs around the site where Paul had his cell. The complex's…

Alexandria National Museum

This excellent museum sets a high benchmark with its summary of Alexandria’s past. Housed in a beautifully restored Italianate villa, the small but…

Al Azhar Mosque

Founded in AD 970 as the centrepiece of the newly created Fatimid city, Al Azhar is one of Cairo’s earlier mosques, and its sheikh is considered the…

Carved into a reef, 8km north of Dahab, is Egypt’s most infamous dive site. The Blue Hole is a gaping sinkhole that drops straight down – some say…

Sharia Al Muizz Li Din Allah

Sharia Al Muizz, as it’s usually called, named after the Fatimid caliph who conquered Cairo in AD 969, was Cairo's grand thoroughfare, once chock-a-block…

Nubia Museum

The little-visited Nubia Museum, opposite Basma Hotel, is a treat, a showcase of the history, art and culture of Nubia. Established in 1997 in cooperation…

Coptic Museum

This museum, founded in 1908, houses Coptic art from the earliest days of Christianity in Egypt right through to early Islam. It is a beautiful place, as…

Red Monastery

The Red Monastery, 4km southeast of the White Monastery and hidden at the rear of a village, is one of the most remarkable Christian buildings in Egypt…

Tombs of the Nobles

These tombs are some of the best least-visited attractions on the west bank. Nestled in the foothills opposite the Ramesseum are more than 400 tombs…

Necropolis of Al Bagawat

It may not look like much from afar, but this necropolis is one of the earliest surviving and best-preserved Christian cemeteries in the world. About 1km…

Mastaba of Ti

The Mastaba of Ti was discovered by Auguste Mariette in 1865. This grand and detailed private tomb is not only Old Kingdom art at its best but also one of…

Aswan Botanical Gardens

Kitchener’s Island, to the west of Elephantine Island, was given to Lord Horatio Kitchener in the 1890s when he was commander of the Egyptian army…

Fortress of Shali

Central Siwa is dominated by the spectacular organic shapes of the remains of this 13th-century mud-brick fortress. Built from kershef (chunks of salt…

Khan Al Khalili

The skinny lanes of Khan Al Khalili are basically a medieval-style mall. This agglomeration of shops – many arranged around small courtyards – stocks…

Imhotep Museum

In the complex at the entrance to the Saqqara site is this beautiful collection of some of the best finds from Saqqara, and one of the finest small…

Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan

Massive yet elegant, this grand structure is regarded as the finest piece of early Mamluk architecture in Cairo. It was built between 1356 and 1363 by…

Tombs of Sennofer & Rekhmire

The most interesting parts of the tomb of Sennofer, overseer of the Garden of Amun under Amenhotep II, are to be found deep underground, in the main…

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Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Egypt (Can't-Miss for First-Timers)

A visit to Egypt is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and you don't want to miss any of the top sights while you're there. From temples and tombs to museums and beautiful coral reefs in the Red Sea , these are the top 10 tourist attractions to build your trip to Egypt around.

1. Giza Necropolis (Near Cairo)

2. the karnak temple complex (in luxor), 3. the egyptian museum (in cairo).

• 4. Nile River Cruise (Between Luxor and Aswan)

5. The Valley of the Kings (Near Luxor)

6. abu simbel (near aswan), 7. red sea reefs (in sharm el-sheikh), 8. the siwa oasis (east of the libyan border), 9. the step pyramid of djoser (in saqqara), 10. dahab (near sinai).

Probably one of the most recognizable tourist attractions in the entire world , the Giza Necropolis is a must-see and tops the list easily. You'll want a full day to explore the site.

The Giza Necropolis consists of three main pyramids and the Sphinx . The three pyramids were built as tombs for three ancient Egyptian pharaohs: Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. Khufu's pyramid is the one you can also enter at the moment . Only 300 visitors a day are allowed in though, so you'll have to plan ahead. Contact us to make appointment.

The Pyramid of Khufu is also the largest pyramid in Egypt , and is also known as the Great Pyramid of Giza or the Pyramid of Cheops. It was believed to have been built in 2560 BC, with construction allegedly taking between 10 and 20 years.

The second-biggest pyramid at Giza is the Pyramid of Khafre , often considered the sister structure of Khufu. It is sometimes seen as being bigger but it was built on a bedrock giving it some height advantage. Architecturally it is also steeper, giving it a more pointed top.

The Great Sphinx of Giza is a statue of a sphinx , a mythical creature combining a human head with a lion's body, and it represents the pharaoh Khafre. It is the oldest known sculpture in Egypt , having been built between approximately 2558 and 2532 BC.

Get to know more information about planning a trip to Egypt >>>

Located in Luxor, Karnak, known also as Ipet-isu, is the largest temple in the entire world . It took over 2,000 years to build, and has four different parts, only one of which is currently open to the public: the Temple of Amun .

Apart from the Temple of Amun there are a mix of decayed temples, pylons, chapels, and remains of other buildings, making for an impressive sight. A total of approximately thirty pharaohs contributed to the complex, explaining the size and diversity not seen at any other religious complex in the world.

The most famous sight at the Temple of Amun encompasses 134 columns standing 21 meters high, part of the Great Hypostyle Hall, which is 4,600 square meters or 50,000 square feet large.

Karnak was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 alongside Thebes, the ancient city it is in, which is located in modern-day Luxor.

You could spend an entire day exploring Karnak.

Suggested read: How to Avoid Crowds When Traveling in Egypt

Nestled in Egypt's capital Cairo is the Egyptian Museum, probably one of the most incredible museums in the entire world . The museum is full of ancient Egyptian antiquities , storing over 120,000 items with descriptions of the items on display. You'll find items from many different time periods and of different origins.

There are plans to move this museum to Giza , to the new Grand Egyptian Museum around November 2022, but the date for this has already been pushed back multiple times as construction was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As for the time of writing this (August, 2022), the museum is still located in Cairo.

A visit to the museum can take most of the day depending on how much time you have available and how long you like to spend in museums!

Suggested read: Egypt Holidays 2024, A Full List is Here!

4. A Nile River Cruise (Between Luxor and Aswan)

A cruise on the Nile is an unforgettable experience, and a must-do when it comes to an Egypt trip given the Nile's role in Egypt's past as well as its future. The Nile is the longest river in the world, and is Egypt's primary water source , as well as an important economic river for agriculture and fishing.

Most routes on the Nile go between Luxor and Aswan , which is a scenic and safe route, and gets you between two of Egypt's most important towns.

When it comes to your trip, you can either take a Felucca , a sail boat that has been used on the Nile for a long time, or otherwise you can take a luxury cruise ship which is a bit more comfortable but perhaps less authentic. There are also various lengths that you can take your boat tour for, making it easy to fit a Nile River cruise into your itinerary.

Suggested read: Best of Luxor and Aswan: Short Tour Planner

In a valley near Luxor, you'll find the Valley of the Kings, a must-see on your trip. This is where, for approximately 500 years between the 16th and 11th century BC, kings and other privileged people were buried .

As of today, approximately 63 tombs and chambers have been unearthed , with the most famous one being the tomb of Tutankhamun . The most recent discoveries here were in 2008 and 2005, showing that there is likely more to be uncovered on the site.

Some tombs in the Valley of the Kings contain just one chamber, while others have constructions featuring over 120 separate chambers. Many of tombs that had previously been opened were robbed of their treasure and emptied out, but you'll still be able to visit and see the incredible artwork on the walls and their sometimes-complex constructions .

You can visit the Valley of the Kings and see a range of different tombs on your visit. The tombs that are open to the public sometimes rotate to maintain and conserve them by avoiding crowding them.

Approximately three hours from Aswan (300 kilometers or 190 miles), Abu Simbel, close to the border of Sudan, contains two massive temples cut into rocks . The temples are beautiful and unique because of the way that they are carved out of huge rocks, which was done in the 13th century BC during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II. They are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Nubian Monuments .

These temples relocated in 1968 as part of a campaign ran by UNESCO , as they would have flooded after the creation of Lake Nasser, a massive water reservoir that was created after the Aswan High Dam Project. In order to relocate them they were very carefully taken apart and rebuilt over 4 years by engineers from many different countries, in what is known as one of the greatest challenges of archeological engineering in history. That story alone makes the visit worth the trip , regardless of time it takes to get there.

Egypt is home to some beautiful, colorful reefs, and rich marine life at the Red Sea reefs. If you are a diver, they are a must-see attraction, and there are also incredible sights to see for those who prefer to snorkel as the area is known for the clarity of its waters.

The Red Sea is home to just over five percent of the entire world's coral reefs , over 209 types of corals. Some of the fish you'll see on your dive or snorkel are some of the rarest in the world, and can only be seen in the Red Sea.

You can visit the Red Sea in Sharm el-Sheikh , a popular tourist destination with a lot of great resorts, beaches and restaurants. Another town at which you can start your sea adventures is Hurghada , which has long been a tourist destination.

The Siwa Oasis, located just 50 kilometers (30 mi) east of the Libyan border in the Libyan desert, is popular with tourists because of its vast, beautiful landscapes , freshwater springs , and historical significance . It has historically also been one of Egypt's most isolated settlements with mostly Berbers living here .

The oasis is home to an oracle of Ammon, the ruins which named the Siwa Oasis after Amun Ra, a major ancient Egyptian deity. These ruins of the Temple of Amun, which was believed to have been built in the 6th or 7th century BC originally, made the Siwa Oasis a destination for pilgrims . One famous person known to have sought wisdom here was Alexander the Great.

When visiting you'll find lots of hotels that are built using local materials that blend in with the unique surroundings.

A village close to Giza , Saqqara also covers vast ancient burial grounds for many Egyptian royalty, one of who's tombs was recently featured in the popular Netflix documentary Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb .

Within these grounds (which are actually the largest archeological site in Egypt , due to it being a site of importance for 3,000 years) there are also pyramids.

Apart from visiting tombs here, you absolutely must see the Step Pyramid of Djoser . Despite not being the most famous pyramid in Egypt, it is the oldest pyramid in Egypt , having been built in the 27th century BC. It is a huge 6-tier and 4-sided structure, and the earliest colossal stone building in Egypt.

In 2020 the Step Pyramid of Djoser was reopened for visitors after restoration that took approximately 14 years.

When visiting on-site you'll learn a lot more about how the plan of the construction of the pyramid changed while it was being built, as evidenced in the inner walls. It is also a great spot to get a beautiful view over the Nile from .

A Bedouin fishing village , Dahab, on the southern tip of Sinai, makes for a great stop to get a taste of life beside the Red Sea . It is a beautiful and laid-back town with only 15,000 residents, sporting some beautiful clear, blue water that has attracted tourists from all over the world, particularly since the 1980s.

Activities here include windsurfing , kitesurfing , snorkeling , scuba diving , camel riding and jeep trips . In fact, it is one of Egypt's most treasured diving destinations, and windsurfing is incredible due to strong winds further out at sea and flat-water conditions inside Dahab's sand spit.

Dahab is generally seen as the more "hippie" or "alternative" destination to Sharm el-Sheikh for those who want to enjoy Egypt's coast on a slightly lower budget .

From Dahab, you can get to Mount Sinai within just two hours , if you'd like to add that to your itinerary too!

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15 of the Best Things to Do in Cairo

Cairo is on most history buffs’s bucket lists, and with the Grand Egyptian Museum scheduled to open this year, there has never been a better time to start planning that long-awaited trip to the sprawling metropolis that more than 20 million people call home. But Egypt ’s capital has so much more to offer than the obvious historic sites . The city reveals itself in layers and it is up to visitors to peel them back. Here are our picks of the best things to do in Cairo.

Take in the Pyramids at the Giza Plateau in Cairo, Egypt.

1. The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx

Undoubtedly Egypt’s most famous attraction , the three pyramids of kings Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure sit on the Giza plateau in Greater Cairo, flanked by the Great Sphinx. Visitors can go inside any of the pyramids at an additional cost—the Great Pyramid of King Khufu is the most popular. Although it feels slightly claustrophobic and there isn’t much to see, it's still a thrill to walk up to the King’s Chamber and its empty granite sarcophagus. Keep in mind that the area closes at 4 p.m. in winter and 5 p.m. in summer. There are actually nine pyramids in total on the site, hence the name of the area’s first restaurant, 9 Pyramids Lounge , which opened in 2020. Book breakfast or lunch here to kickstart a day of exploring. Alternatively, try the upscale restaurant Khufu’s for a modern twist on Egyptian cuisine. Both venues opened as part of a revamp of the visitor experience at the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Still to come are electric buses, a new visitor center, and standardized pricing for horse and camel rides to eliminate the overcharging that can occur at some Egyptian sites.

Wander the colorful Khan El-Khalili bazaar.

2. Khan El-Khalili Bazaar

Yes, it's touristy and, yes, you'll be bombarded with “welcome” and “come” and “please, have a look." Nevertheless, a visit to Cairo isn’t complete without getting lost in the winding alleys of Khan El-Khalili bazaar, where you might be enticed to buy incense sticks, small cups for mint tea, or mini hookahs . Rows of cafes near Al-Azhar mosque serve hot bowls of koshary, a national favorite of rice, macaroni, and lentils topped with tomato sauce and fried onions, and feteer , an Egyptian pastry served sweet or savory. For an elevated (and air-conditioned) setting, go to the Naguib Mahfouz cafe—a tribute to the famous writer who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988. For true Mahfouz fans, there is a museum dedicated to the author’s life and works in a small alleyway next to the Abu al-Dahab mosque. End the day with a Sufi whirling dervishes show in the open-air courtyard of the Wekalet El Ghouri Arts Centre.

Walking tours allow visitors a close-up look at Abdeen Palace.

3. Walk Like An Egyptian Tour

Walk Like An Egyptian , a tour company founded by local guide Asmaa Khattab in 2015, crafts on-foot itineraries offering unique insight and access to Cairo’s cultural sites. Its downtown Cairo tour takes “walkies” to the Sha'ar HaShamayim Synagogue, which is otherwise restricted to group tours and requires prior permission. The same is true for Abdeen Palace, a 500-room property built by Khedive Ismail, who ruled Egypt from 1863 to 1879. Al-Mu'izz Street—a 0.6-mile pedestrian throughway between the old city gates of Bab Zuweila and Bab al-Futouh—is another option for guests wanting a deeper understanding of the city's inner workings. Named after Egypt’s first Fatimid caliph in the 10th century, the street is lined with palaces, mosques, and monuments of Fatimid, Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman rulers. Nearby is Tent Makers Street (or Khayamaya, in Arabic) where colorful fabrics, blankets, cushion covers, and tents can be bought.

Check out the reliefs at the foot of Tutankhamun's sarcophagus.

4. The Grand Egyptian Museum

Built on a massive site close to the Pyramids, the much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum is billed as the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilization. It will house more than 50,000 artifacts, including two Khufu solar boats and the full Tutankhamun collection—consisting of about 5,300 pieces—under one roof for the first time. Two decades in the making, the museum’s construction and official opening have been delayed numerous times. Although the inauguration date has yet to be announced, it’s being billed for late 2023. In the meantime, visitors can get a preview of the entrance and retail area, which includes an impressive 36-foot-tall, 166,000 lbs, 3,200-year-old Ramses II statue in the atrium.

Step inside the Egyptian Museum in Cairo's Tahrir Square.

5. The Egyptian Museum

Contrary to rumors, the Grand Egyptian Museum will not replace the original Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square. In fact, the government recently inaugurated a newly updated wing in the 120-year-old building. Before the multi-year renovation, financed by the European Union and assisted by five major European museums, the haphazard displays resembled a warehouse. While it will lose its biggest draw—the Tutankhamun funerary mask and other items belonging to the boy king—to the new museum, there are still tens of thousands of artifacts to discover, including several mummies. At the entrance is an authentic replica of the Rosetta Stone, better preserved than the one at the British Museum and thought to be a century older. Follow a visit with lunch at Felfela, a 10-minute walk away, and try the molokhia green soup and om ali —hot puff pastry topped with milk, nuts, and raisins—for dessert.

Visit the mosque of Amr Ibn al-As.

6. Coptic Cairo

Coptic Cairo, also known in Arabic as Mogamaa Al-Adyan (complex of religions), is the site of ancient places of worship of the three monotheistic traditions. Copts currently constitute up to 10 percent of Egypt’s Muslim-majority population. In addition to the Coptic Museum, highlights include the Hanging Church, so-named because it is suspended above a gate of the Babylon Fortress; the Amr Ibn al-As mosque, the first mosque built in Egypt dating back to 642AD; and the Ben Ezra synagogue, which is believed to be the oldest continually maintained synagogue site in the Middle East. All are within easy walking distance of one another and free to enter with the exception of the museum.

Check out the golden sarcophagus of Priest Nedjemankh.

7. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation

In a globally televised event in April 2021, Egypt paraded 22 royal mummies through Cairo’s streets from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir to their new home at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation in Fustat. The 18 kings and four queens are now on display on the lower level of this impeccable museum, which showcases snippets of Egypt’s history spanning the Pharaonic up to the Coptic and Islamic eras. On the main level is the golden coffin of priest Nedjemankh, which was repatriated from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York when an investigation revealed it had been taken out of Egypt illegally.

Find a seat and watch the traditional Egyptian felucca boats float by.

8. Felucca rides

A breezy felucca ride on the Nile is a must, especially when combined with an onboard meal. Cafellucca offers two-hour trips with either breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just drinks, but a minimum of six people are required. They depart from various locations, including the Nile City restaurant boat in the affluent island district of Zamalek or Mamsha Ahl Masr, a relatively new pedestrian walk in front of the Fairmont Hotel. Alternatively, take an early-morning rowing lesson on the Nile with Cairow , while the waters are still relatively quiet.

Take a walk around the Muhammad Ali Mosque at the Salah El Din Citadel.

9. Salah El Din Citadel

The Citadel, perched above the city in the Mokattam hills, was Egypt’s seat of government for about 700 years. Salah El Din ordered its construction as a fortification against the Crusaders in 1176 and it was subsequently expanded under the Mamluks, the Ottomans, and finally the Mohammed Ali dynasty. The site includes several unexceptional museums housed in palaces, but two must-see attractions are the Mosque of Mohammed Ali and the Gawhara Terrace for a fantastic view over Cairo. Combine this with a visit to nearby Al-Azhar Park —about 15 minutes away by taxi—to take in some greenery, observe Cairenes from all walks of life, and grab a bite to eat.

The Mosque of Ahmed ibn Tulun was built in 876.

10. Islamic Cairo

In the heart of Islamic Cairo—often interchangeably called Old Cairo—there are countless historic mosques to explore. One of the most popular stops is the mosque of Ahmed ibn Tulun, which was built in 876 by the Turkish governor of Egypt and Syria. Another notable visit is the Al-Rifa'i Mosque, which was completed in 1912 and the resting place of members of the Mohammed Ali ruling family and the last Shah of Iran who died in Cairo in 1980. The Museum of Islamic Art is also well worth a visit, with artifacts that include well-preserved Qurans, intricately designed ceramics, and carefully carved wooden doors.

Spend some time in the courtyard within the Gayer-Anderson Museum.

11. Gayer-Anderson Museum

Right next door to Ibn Tulun mosque is a little-known museum whose name sticks out like a sore thumb among its Arabic surroundings. The property is named after John Gayer-Anderson, a British soldier and doctor who was seconded into the Egyptian Army as a major in 1907. He was given special permission to live in these two adjoining 16th-century houses, which he restored and furnished with his antiquities collections between 1935 and 1942. These were bequeathed to the Egyptian government upon his death in 1945. The museum’s intriguing architecture includes mashrabiya screens and various themed rooms, such as the Persian Room and the Damascus Room. For film buffs, a few scenes from the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me were shot here.

The Cairo Tower stands tall in Zamalek.

12. Cairo Tower

The 613-foot Cairo Tower in Zamalek offers 360-degree views of the city—on a clear day, you'll even spot the Pyramids of Giza in the distance. Designed to evoke a Pharaonic lotus flower, the structure was commissioned by President Gamal Abdel Nasser and completed in 1961. Entry tickets for foreigners are pretty reasonable at 200 Egyptian pounds. The tower's 360 Revolving Restaurant requires a minimum spend of a further 250 Egyptian pounds but if you're in the area, we'd recommend Zooba on 26th of July Street instead. The homegrown chain offers a twist on traditional Egyptian street food and recently made its debut on the Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

Take in some art at the Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum in Giza.

13. Art tours

Qahrawya’s walking tours are designed to help visitors explore the city’s contemporary art scene. Founded by Samia El Khodary in 2018, the company offers a rolling roster of itineraries each month, covering various districts of Cairo. Zamalek alone has more than 35 art galleries and venues, including Ubuntu, ArtTalks, and Aisha Fahmy Palace. Also in the neighborhood—directly across from the Cairo Opera House—is the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art, which holds a vast collection of works by renowned 20th- and 21st-century Egyptian artists like Mahmoud Said, Inji Efflatoun, and Gazbia Sirry. Art lovers should also add the Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum in Giza to their to-do list (but definitely skip the Giza Zoo). The museum features a personal collection of more than 300 paintings and 50 sculptures by the likes of Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Auguste Rodin. It reopened in 2021 with a vastly improved security system after a decade-long closure following the daylight heist of Van Gogh’s Poppy Flowers.

Don't miss the Golden Room at the Manial Palace Museum.

14. Manial Palace Museum

Prince Mohammed Ali Tawfik, cousin of King Farouk, drew the architectural plans and designs for this palace on a 14-acre plot of land on the Nile island of Al Manial. Construction began in 1903 and was completed in 1937, and the buildings include a reception hall, clock tower, mosque, residence hall, throne hall, and a bizarre hunting museum with a taxidermy collection. A quick visit will suffice, even if it is just to see the glittering gold throne hall with portraits of Egypt’s rulers from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Visit the reconstructed Red Pyramid Capstone.

15. Saqqara and Dahshur

If you were to hire a guide or join an organized tour in one place in Cairo, make it Saqqara. About 16 miles south of the Pyramids of Giza, this is the necropolis of the ancient city of Memphis and Egypt’s largest archaeological site. Highlights include the Pyramid of Djoser or Step Pyramid—the world’s oldest pyramid—and the Mastaba of Ti tomb. Discoveries continue to be made here, including 250 sarcophagi and 150 statuettes in 2022. A further six miles south is Dahshur, where you'll discover the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid. Finding a decent place to eat in the area is a challenge, but the Sakkara Country Club —about 20 minutes by car from the Step Pyramid—is a good option as you make your way back to modern civilization.

A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller .

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14 Best Things to Do in Egypt

Written by Jess Lee Jul 21, 2022

With most Egypt itineraries , sightseeing at the temples and tombs is definitely going to take up a lot of your time, but Egypt has plenty of things to do beyond its Pharaonic-era tourist attractions.

With its abundant sea life and colorful corals, the Red Sea is one of the best places to visit in the world for scuba diving, while the Sinai Peninsula and the Western Desert provide plenty of scope for adventure travel activities such as camping, desert 4WD touring, and camel riding.

Meanwhile Egypt's most iconic thing to do while here is taking a trip up or down the Nile, which combines viewing the highlights of Ancient Egypt's vast history with a scenic cruise.

Find out about the best activities to add into your trip with our list of the top things to do in Egypt.

1. Cruise the Nile from Aswan to Luxor

2. dive the red sea at sharm el-sheikh, 3. explore luxor's west bank by bike, 4. sail around aswan on a felucca, 5. head to the beach, 6. camel ride at the giza pyramids, 7. hike up mt sinai, 8. camp in the white desert, 9. explore the thistlegorm wreck, 10. hot air balloon ride over luxor, 11. 4wd tour of the western desert's great sand sea from siwa, 12. cruise lake nasser to abu simbel, 13. trek the sinai peninsula, 14. kiteboard or wakeboard in el gouna, map of things to do in egypt.

Hopping aboard a Nile cruise is Egypt's most relaxing sightseeing experience, as well as the most popular thing to do for visitors in the country.

The southern Nile Valley (Upper Egypt) between Luxor and Aswan is t he most popular stretch of the Nile for a cruise for obvious reasons.

It is both home to the most famous of Egypt's grand riverside temples ( Kom Ombo and Edfu ), which make for easy stops along the journey, and the best rural Nile-side scenery, with the lush green thread of fertile fields and date-palm-lined riverbanks giving way to orange sand dunes beyond.

A normal Nile cruise along this route includes sightseeing in Luxor and Aswan making this an easygoing and comfortable way to tour that showcases the best of southern Egypt.

For a longer itinerary, there is also the option to cruise between Cairo and Luxor, or all the way down to Aswan.

The northern section of the Nile has far fewer sailings, but if your primary aim on your Egypt trip is to take in as many of Ancient Egypt's sights as possible, but still do it in comfort, this is an excellent option.

Before Sharm el-Sheikh became a favored winter sun destination for northern Europeans, it was primarily known for its scuba diving. Although far more visitors now arrive here looking for the simple pleasures of sun and sand, the diving in the Red Sea here is still first-rate.

Egypt's Red Sea is scattered with world-class dive sites , but two of the most famous dive destinations are easiest reached from Sharm el-Sheikh. Ras Mohammed National Park and the Straits of Tiran offer divers an undersea experience complete with vibrant corals, abundant sea life, and wrecks to explore.

If you're in Sharm specifically to dive, you may want to forgo the large luxury resorts and instead stay at one of the smaller dive-focused hotels, where services are totally arranged around your diving.

During Egypt's winter months, when the blue sky days are pleasantly temperate, one of the most scenic ways to explore Luxor's west bank is by bike.

Touring the various temple and tomb sites this way allows for a more leisurely pace and plenty of opportunities to admire the landscape of green farming fields with the jagged escarpment behind.

For a leisurely and flat ride, cycle from the Nile ferry landing (bicycles are allowed onto the ferry for free), to the Colossi of Memnon and then do a loop between Medinat Habu Temple, the Tombs of the Nobles, the Ramesseum, and Deir Al-Bahri (Temple of Hatshepsut).

The road to the Valley of the Kings is a bit more of a slog, so leave that for a separate cycle ride and plan to set out early in the day (even in winter). A doable Valley of the Kings itinerary could incorporate both the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens or the Valley of the Kings and the tombs of Deir Al Medina.

Many of the hotels and guesthouses in Luxor, both on the east and west bank, either rent bicycles or offer them free to use for guests.

The most iconic Nile views are all in Aswan and the best way to see them is to hop aboard a felucca . Cast off from one of the boat landing points in central Aswan for a few hours, or an entire day, of gentle sightseeing around the islands in town.

A typical felucca itinerary includes stops at the Ruins of Abu on Elephantine Island, Aswan Botanical Gardens on Kitchener's Island, and the boat landings near the Monastery of St. Simeon and the Tombs of the Nobles on Aswan's west bank.

As all felucca itineraries are completely customizable, you can choose how many Aswan sights you want to see. Another popular, short option is a sunset felucca ride.

In the depths of the Northern Hemisphere winter, Egypt's beaches have become a welcome escape for European families seeking blue skies and easygoing fun.

The Red Sea coastline surrounding the towns of Hurghada and El Gouna, as well as the beaches of Sharm el-Sheikh in South Sinai, attract droves of sunseekers from around November to March.

All have plenty of resort choice, from vast mega-resorts dedicated to family-friendly beach vacations to smaller boutique-style resorts marketed as romantic breaks.

Choose Hurghada or El Gouna if you want to be within day-tripping distance of the temples and tombs of Luxor. In Hurghada you can also find an assortment of all-inclusive resorts to make your beach trip that much more enjoyable.

Sharm el-Sheikh is the top choice for keen divers who want to explore the dive sites of Ras Mohammed and the Straits of Tiran.

One of Cairo's most iconic things to do is camel ride at the pyramids . Due to the distances involved in exploring the site, it actually makes sense as well.

The best option is to camel ride south from the Pyramid of Mycerinus (Menkaure) into the desert to one of the panoramic viewpoints of the entire site.

For the best photography light (and most comfortable riding experience), time your ride for around sunset.

Camel touts proliferate around the site, offering their services. Always check if the camel looks healthy and well fed before agreeing, as camel welfare continues to be an issue at this site.

Also, agree on a price before riding, not during the ride or after. You will most likely need to haggle.

The most famous hike in Egypt, to the summit of Mt. Sinai (Gebel Mousa), can be achieved by anyone with a decent level of fitness.

There are two main trails up to the peak. The Camel Trail is a wide switchback trail up the slope and is the most popular route. As its name suggests, you can hire a camel (at the start of the trail) to take you most of the way up if you don't want to walk.

The Steps of Repentance is a steeper staircase of 3,750 rough-cut stone steps and was laid out by a monk from St. Catherine's Monastery . The mountain views are astounding along the way, and there are far fewer people tackling this route, so it's much more peaceful.

The typical guided tour from Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab tackles the mountain to get to the summit for sunrise. For a quieter experience (where you could likely be the only people on the mountain) in the cooler months, come independently and hike during the day.

White Desert National Park is where you come to experience one of Egypt's most surreal landscapes.

The wind-sculpted chalk rock outcrops of White Desert National Park are the Western Desert region's most surreal landscapes and prime territory for desert camping trips under star-strewn skies.

Trips can be organized in Bahariya Oasis, which is also the easiest oasis to reach from Cairo.

A typical White Desert itinerary stops at several sites within the national park. These normally include Crystal Mountain (an outcrop made entirely from quartz), an area where the smaller white rock formations have been eroded into fantastical shapes, and the part of the park where some of the more dramatic and tall chalk towers loom over valleys of sand.

After touring the White Desert, visitors bed down for the night within the park. At sunset and sunrise, the white rock spires and formations take on apricot tones. If you can time your trip for full moon, the light cast over the white rock here during the night is beautifully eerie.

Most White Desert camping tours also stop at the Black Desert, either on the way to or from the White Desert. Here, there are great photo opportunities of the rock-pitted plateau if you scramble up to the summit of Gebel Az-Zuqaq.

There are plenty of wrecks off the Red Sea coast to explore but the most famous is the Thistlegorm.

This World War II cargo ship , filled with supplies to aid Allied forces fighting in the Western Desert, was bombed by the Germans and sunk in 1941 .

The wreck was located by famed French diver Jacques Cousteau in 1956, but as he didn't disclose its location, it was only in the mid-1990s, when it was rediscovered, that the site was opened for recreational diving.

Although it is possible to day trip to the site by boat, due to the travel time, the best way to dive here is by liveaboard (overnight boat trips), which allow you more time at the site.

A typical one-night liveaboard Thistlegorm trip includes two dives at the site, allowing ample opportunity to explore the ship's interior and exterior.

Luxor's west bank, with its temples and monuments set between a patchwork of lush farming fields and small villages, is one of the world's great historic landscapes, and a hot air ballooning ride here offers a unique perspective over the riches below.

You'll need to get up early, as hot air balloon rides only lift off at sunrise, but the early start is worth the wake-up call for the soft morning light, which is the best for photography.

During the flight, you'll be able to view the West Bank's landscape in total, with the sinuous curves of the Nile River bordering it to the east, and the looming orange-hued escarpment, which hides the famed royal tombs of the Pharaonic era, to the west.

Read More: Best Hot Air Balloon Rides in the World

Siwa Oasis sits in splendid isolation, out in the far west of Egypt's Western Desert, but the long trip out here is well worth it for anyone who wants to experience the majesty of the Western Desert's Great Sand Sea.

The very northern edge of the Great Sand Sea, with its waves of mammoth sand dunes, is accessible from Siwa. Operators here offer overnight camping trips into the area, so you can experience the orange-hued dunes in the soft light of sunrise and sunset, as well as the star-strewn desert sky. Many tours also offer the added opportunity to sandboard on some dunes if you need more action than simply soaking up the scenery.

All tours out into the desert surrounding Siwa need permits, which your operator will normally organize for you.

When people say they're taking a cruise in Egypt, they're typically talking about the Nile, but Lake Nasser is an alternative cruising option.

Created by the filling of the Aswan High Dam, Lake Nasser stretches for 510 kilometers south from Aswan and into Sudan, through the heart of what was Ancient Nubia.

For historically minded travelers, a Lake Nasser cruise is all about exploring the scatter of temples and ruins along the lake's shore. Nearly all the surviving monuments here were moved to their current positions during the 1970s UNESCO-funded project, which saved them from being submerged by the dam's rising waters.

The highlight of a Lake Nasser cruise is approaching and viewing the shorefront Temples of Abu Simbel from the water.

The South Sinai is Egypt's best trekking destination, with plenty of multi-day hiking opportunities through the desert mountain region of the Sinai Peninsula.

All treks here have to be guided. Independent trekking isn't allowed for safety considerations due to the inhospitable desert environment, complete lack of way-marking of trails, and the official permissions necessary to trek here.

Treks also need to be completely self-sufficient in supplies, which on multi-day trails means the support of camels to carry water and gear.

St. Catherine's, in the heart of the Sinai Mountains , is the main hiking center for organizing both day hikes and multi-day treks. Popular shorter treks include summiting Mt. St. Catherine (Gebel Katarina) and other nearby peaks.

A vast trail network known as the Sinai Trail threads through this region, connecting the coastal towns of Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, and Nuweiba with St. Catherine's and beyond.

Just north of Hurghada, on Egypt's Red Sea coast, the purpose-built resort town of El Gouna has become a major water sports center.

Near constant winds offshore mean El Gouna is prime territory for kiteboarding and now several operators in town offer kiteboarding lessons, kiteboarding equipment rental, and kiteboarding vacation packages that include all accommodation and several days of instruction, or safari trips to prime kiteboarding locations along the coast.

For wakeboarders, the opening of Sliders Cable Park in the south of town has made El Gouna a world-class wakeboarding destination.

This Olympic-standard park offers wakeboarding instruction for beginners, as well as providing plenty of jumps and obstacles along the cable course to keep intermediate and advanced wake-boarders occupied.

More on Egypt

Amazing Places to Visit in Egypt

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: November 13, 2023

Who hasn’t dreamed of going to Egypt? An ancient and mystical land, Egypt is one of the oldest civilizations on earth. With a 5000-year history housing two of the world’s seven ancient wonders, Egypt offers the romance and intrigue of a bygone era of travel. What was once overly crowded with tourists, is seeing fewer foreigners these days offering intrepid travelers a chance to visit amazing places in Egypt without the crowds.

Table of Contents

Best Places To Visit In Egypt

Egypt is full of famous monuments, and remarkable landscapes. The fabled Sahara Desert and the legendary Nile River are top attractions to see, not to mention its world-class diving, and incredible beach vacations. Egypt has been the gateway to Africa for millennia. Many people know of the Pyramids of Giza but there are many other iconic places to visit in Egypt that will excite even the most seasoned travelers. Also, check out Fun Facts About Egypt

Off the Beaten Path Places to Visit in Egypt

Egypt has it all. Home to the only remaining Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, countess UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and incredible pyramids it is a dream destination that will leave a lasting impression for years to come. We could start with the top tourist attractions in Cairo in this post, but we thought we’d introduce you to some lesser-known destinations before we get into the famous monuments of Egypt. So what are the best places to visit in Egypt? Let’s find out!

1. White Desert National Park

We arranged a three-day tour to the White Desert from Cairo. If there is one unique thing you should do in Egypt, it is to see the White Desert. Giant white chalky rock formations jut out of the desert landscape creating an incredible scene.

Brought on by erosion, these powdery mounds create the illusion of massive mushrooms, eagles and turkeys, and even one that looks like a camel. Having a true Bedouin experience, we camped out under the stars surrounded by standing stones. You can book an overnight to to the desert from Cairo.

2. Siwa Oasis

Siwa takes you far off the beaten path near the border of Libya. In the middle of the Siwa Oasis is an 13th century walled fortified town built by mud brick and rock salt. It is in ruins today, but a tour through the abandoned buildings is a highlight of any trip to Egypt. It is here that there is plenty of desert adventures from dune buggy rides to sand boarding.

3. Abu Simbel

Located on Lake Nassar Abut Simbel is Ramesses II’s imposing temple. It was built to show the power of Egypt. Originally located on The Nile, Abu Simbel needed to be moved when the Egyptians created the Aswan High Dam project. It would have been engulfed by water never to be seen again until the government came to its rescue.

Abu Simbel was taken apart piece by piece and rebuilt it high on the banks of the lake Nassar. We saw Abul Simbel en route to the Sudan where we crossed the border to Wadi Halfa. It is a truly remarkable place to visit, taking you off the beaten path in Egypt.

Places to Visit in Egypt – Cairo

4. pyramids of giza.

I know I said there are more places to visit in Egypt than the pyramids of Giza, but they must not be missed! Weaving through the back streets of Cairo on our hired camels we felt as if we stepped back in time a thousand years. Markets were in a flurry with customers and we could barely catch a glimpse of the ancient pyramids. But then we turned a corner and gasped at the view in front of us. Read more: 27 Amazing Historical Places In The World

The main pyramids of Giza are the Pyramid of Khufu (also known as the Great Pyramid), the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. These structures are among the most iconic and enduring symbols of Ancient Egypt, representing the zenith of pyramid construction during the Old Kingdom.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the largest and oldest of the three, originally standing at 146.6 meters (481 feet) tall. The Pyramid of Khafre, slightly smaller, includes the Sphinx nearby. The Pyramid of Menkaure is the smallest of the three main pyramids. Together, they form a complex that has fascinated people for millennia and remains a major archaeological and tourist site.

The Great Pyramid of Giza doesn’t seem real as it towers over the barren desert. This is the only remaining structure of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. From the Great Sphinx to

We have visited them two other times and hired a private guide to take us on a tour of the pyramids and the Sphinx. Each visit is just as exciting as the first. You can now book a guided camel and quad tour of the desert and pyramids.

5. Islamic Cairo

Islamic Cairo is known as the “City of Citadels” with many mosques to visit including the Sultan Hussan Mosque and the Alabaster Mosque aka, The Mosque of Muhammad Ali. It is the most visited mosque in all of Egypt and with good reason.

Get lost in the streets of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar and tour of the Cairo Citadel.

Where to Stay in Cairo

• We stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel Cairo and it was fabulous.
• If you want something cheaper, we also stayed at the Dahab Hostel and loved it.

6. Egyptian Museum

It took us three visits to finally enter the Egyptian Museum and it didn’t disappoint. Other museums around the world have Egyptian artifacts but this takes it to the next level.

It is worth touring the museum because when visiting the temples of Egypt, there is nothing inside they have all been moved to the safety of the museum where you can see them with your own eyes. See our list of the best ancient ruins in the world

Ancient Egypt Along The Nile

7. valley of the kings.

We all know about King Tut and it is here that you can visit his tomb. In fact, you can visit all of the Kings of the Pharaoh’s tombs. Ramesses, I-V, and everyone in between were entombed in extravagant tombs filled with riches and jewels on the West Bank of the Nile.

You won’t see the treasures in these tombs today, but you will see the paintings and hieroglyphics drawn on the walls of these massive chambers that are as big as a house. The tombs are impressive but the valley itself is even more incredible. I can see why the ancient Egyptians chose this as the resting place of their most important leaders.

The Tomb of Queen Nefertari

The Valley of the Queens is not as impressive as the Valley of the Kings, but The Tomb of Queen Nefertari is a standout. Nefertari, the beloved wife of Ramesses II, was honored with one of the most beautiful tombs, indicative of her esteemed position.

Known for its vibrant colors and intricate detail, the tomb provides an awe-inspiring look at Egyptian artistry and offers a glimpse into the past, displaying what tombs looked like over 3,000 years ago? ?. The preservation efforts and the limited visitor capacity further emphasize its delicate grandeur and the importance of conservation? ?.

8. Egypt Bucket List – The Tomb of Tutankhamun

When visiting Egypt, you will check off many items on your travel bucket list. I know we did! For us, it was sleeping in the desert for the first time, sailing along the fabled Nile River, seeing the Great Pyramids with our own eyes, and visiting King Tut’s tomb. We felt like Indiana Jones!

9. Temple of Hatshepsut

This impressive temple is dedicated to the female King Hatshepsut. She was the leader of the Pharaohs for 27 years. Hatshepsut’s monument rivals even the greatest of kings.

Built between 1490-1460 BC it is one of the most impressive temples in Egypt. It is impossible to imagine that the Nile reached the grounds of this temple complex and that the area surrounding it was lush and green. Today the desert is dry, but the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut is no less impressive.

10. Luxor Temple

The Luxor Temple is the star attraction of Luxor located on the banks of the Nile it is one of the best-preserved of all the temples in Egypt.

11. Karnak Temple

But the Karnak Temple is also a must-see. The massive site of ancient ruins is awe-inspiring. Walking through the Obelisks and columns will take your breath away. We took a Felucca cruise to see the city from the water. Sailing along the fabled Nile, I wondered exactly what bank Moses was left on. Read more: 10 Amazing Temples of Egypt – That We’ve Seen

12. The Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III

The Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu is a formidable New Kingdom structure on the West Bank of Luxor. It is celebrated for its grandeur, and extensive and well-preserved wall reliefs, including those depicting the defeat of the Sea Peoples during Ramesses III’s reign? ?.

The temple’s design is orthodox, resembling the Ramesseum, and it includes chapels of various Divine Adoratrices of Amun. The history etched into its walls and the connection to the royal palace via the “Window of Appearances” make it a profound visit for those interested in Egypt’s illustrious past.

13. The Nile River

Nothing is more magical than taking a Nile Cruise. The Nile River is the longest river in the world stretching  6,695km!

We also took a felucca along the Nile. Camels and goats walked along the river banks and the day was silent as we fulfilled yet another one of our dreams. Many one to three-day cruises set sail from Luxor to Aswan and Aswan is a great place to spend a couple of days.

14. Aswan Nile River Cruise

It is from Aswan that tours to Abu Simbel can be booked. Aswan is located on the Nile in the South of Egypt just before the journey over Lake Nassar. It’s a popular town with ships setting sail each day, but be sure to spend a few days exploring.

There is the Nubian Museum, day trips to Abu Simbel, The Temple of Isis, The Aswan Dam, and Elephant Island waiting to be explored.

15. Temple of Kom Ombo

The Temple of Kom Ombo stands out as a must-visit site in Egypt due to its unique double design, dedicated to two sets of deities: Sobek, the crocodile god of fertility and creator of the world, and Horus, the falcon-headed god of the sky.

This architectural marvel offers a rare glimpse into the religious duality of ancient Egyptian worship. Located on the banks of the Nile, it provides stunning views and an immersive experience into the historical world of pharaohs. The temple is also famed for its detailed carvings, including the only known depiction of ancient surgical instruments, making it a treasure trove for history enthusiasts and culture vultures alike. Read more: 10 Amazing Temples of Egypt – That We’ve Seen

16. Red Pyramid

The Red Pyramid is a lesser-known pyramid of Egypt, but it was our favorite. We crawled inside the pyramid to see the interior of the complex to see what it was like deep in the chamber. The Red Pyramid is far less visited than the Pyramids of Giza. While you are there, you can also visit the nearby Step Pyramid. Read more: The Red Pyramid of Egypt – Experience it Inside and Out

17. The Bent Pyramid of Egypt

Located in Saqqara near the Step Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, the Bent Pyramid is believed to be the first attempt at building a smooth-sided pyramid.

While it didn’t work, the large pyramid has lasted through the centuries with its curved sides rather than the straight points of the other Pyramids of Egypt.

Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea Coast

We cycled more than 500 km from Cairo to Safaga taking in the beauty of Egypt. It was a wonderful stop to sit by the Red Sea taking in the balmy breeze. Besides being famous for diving, there are plenty of things to do in Safaga with luxury resorts, fine dining, boutique shopping, and museums, it is a wonderful place to visit in Egypt. If you enjoy scuba diving, this is the place to do it, but there is also great snorkeling and even glass bottom boats.

18. Sharm El-Sheikh

Sharm El-Sheikh is Egypt’s most popular resort destination located on the Sinai Peninsula. It is yet another excellent spot for scuba diving, but with its convenient location, it is also a great spot for adventure.

19. Ras Mohammed National Park

Ras Mohammed National Park is an exceptional destination for visitors who seek both terrestrial and marine wonders. The park is celebrated for its crystal-clear waters that are ideal for snorkeling and diving, especially from March to May, when sea conditions are perfect for encountering diverse marine life like dolphins, turtles, and sharks? ?.

Visitors can engage in a variety of activities such as hiking, bird watching, boat trips, and simply relaxing on the picturesque beaches? ?. With its vibrant coral reefs, abundant wildlife, and a plethora of activities, Ras Mohammed National Park provides an unparalleled experience in one of Egypt’s most beautiful natural settings, making it a compelling addition to any travel itinerary? ?.

20. Hurghada

Hurghada is taking over Sharm El-Sheikh as a popular spot for fun in the sun. Besides lounging on the beach, visitors can dive into a plethora of activities such as snorkeling in crystal clear waters, exploring the vibrant underwater life at sites like the Straits of Gubal and Gota Abu Ramada, and taking boat trips to the serene Giftun Islands? ?.

Adventure enthusiasts can also indulge in desert safaris by jeep or quad bike, dine with picturesque views at Hurghada Marina, or immerse in local culture with Bedouin dinner tours. With such a wide array of activities set against the backdrop of stunning natural beauty, Hurghada is a destination that promises unforgettable experiences for every traveler.

21. El Gouna

For a luxury escape in Egypt, El Gouna is a popular holiday destination. It’s a popular spot for diving in the Red Sea, chilling out at the beach, and dolphin spotting. From five-star resorts to fine dining, it’s a wonderful escape after having an adventure in Egypt. Read more El Gouna, Egypt – the Perfect Beach Holiday

21. Saint Catherine’s Monastery

Located at the foot of Mount Sinai, a visit to Saint Catherine’s Monastery is a must-visit when in the Sinai Peninsula. It is the very place where God spoke to Moses as a burning bush. (If you believe in that sort of thing). Dating back to the 500s AD, this is the oldest continuously working Christian monastery in the world.

22. Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai, also known as Jebel Musa, is the biblical mountain in Egypt where it is believed that Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. It is a significant site in the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.

Many tourists and pilgrims trek to the summit of Mount Sinai, where they can enjoy stunning sunrise views and visit the small chapel and mosque located there. The hike is considered moderately challenging and is often done overnight to witness the sunrise from the peak.

23. Alexandria

Located on the Mediterranean Sea, Alexandria is where East meets West. Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt and is one of the top places to visit. Founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria housed one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the Alexandria Lighthouse. Psst: The Great Pyramids are another ancient wonder. Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Alexandria, Egypt

One of our favorite places to see was the Alexandria Library. The new and modern building is located on the site of the original ancient library which was the largest collection of books in the ancient world.

And these are the best places to visit in Egypt. Egypt is a spectacular destination that everyone should visit once in their lifetime. For its ancient history and historical monuments, this is a trip you will never forget.

• Discovering Egypt: A Photo Story
• 10 Reasons Why El Gouna, Egypt is the Perfect Beach Holiday
• Everything You Need to Know About Alexandria, Egypt

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11 thoughts on “Amazing Places to Visit in Egypt”

Awesome post! Its my child dream go to Pyramids of Giza. I watched a lot of movies with this place and its wonderful.

Egypt is one of my dream destinations! Great read and fabulous photos!

I’ve been there three times, and I’d go again tomorrow. There’s absolutely no sense of ‘been there; done that’ about it. Still have to see Alexandria, St Catherine’s Monastery and the Red Sea resorts.

And, although I’ve seen Cairo and the Pyramids, (twice) done a Luxor-Aswan AND an Aswan-Luxor cruise plus a Lake Nasser cruise, I’d still do any of these again.

It’s fascinating to see the juxtaposition between the pyramids and the city in the distance. What an incredible place, with so many layers of complexity.

….Ah, beautiful islands! I think we must be on the same wavelength, wanting to think of warm places this time of year………

I want to visit Egypt SO MUCH! I’m still convincing Kali, but I think I’m close. 😉

Its a shame we will miss you in Egypt by a day or 2. We are arriving on Sat afternoon for 10 days! Hopefully get some amazing photos like you guys.

Revisiting places in my mind is one of the most enjoyable parts of travelling!

Ahhhh these pictures make me want to book a ticket right now!

Wow! Great pictures!

The White Desert looks amazing – I haven’t heard of that before but will add it to the ever growing list of places to visit.

Touropia Travel

Discover the World

16 Best Places to Visit in Egypt

By Fiona Fiorentino · Last updated on June 17, 2024

With a fascinating history that reaches back to the dawn of civilization, Egypt is considered the oldest travel destination on earth. The African nation’s awe-inspiring temples and pyramids have captured the imagination of travelers for thousands of years.

Although most people come to Egypt to view its ancient monuments, natural attractions beckon travelers too. The Red Sea coast is known for its coral reefs and beach resorts. A trek through the Sahara can lead visitors to refreshing freshwater spring oasis.

Such is the nature of this country, its history and landscape that traveling here is an adventure. That’s whether you do it on a budget or surrounded by luxury comforts. The best places to visit in Egypt provide an exceptional mix of history, culture, and geography.

Set between Aswan and Luxor on the West Bank of the Nile, Edfu is but a small river city. Yet among it stands one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Pharaonic history bursts to life at the Temple of Horus and seeps through every crevice of its sightly sandstone structure.

One of Egypt’s holiest sanctuaries, the Temple of Horus maintains much of its original structure. Those who designed it wasted no space with reliefs encrypted across the halls, showcasing stories from beyond the ancient world.

Statues representing the falcon god of Egypt, Horus guides you on a journey back to 3,000 BC and deep into the Ptolemaic era. Surrounding the temple are remnants of age-old villages, some of which once encased the temple, hiding it from plain sight.

Much has been both saved and lost in Edfu. Yet within the town’s communities is a diverse culture that has stood the test of time.

The scale of the story of Abydos is hard to grasp. A place of burial and religious significance as far back as 4000 BC, discoveries here have completely transformed the timeline of ancient Egypt. Tombs have been discovered here that existed before the 1st dynasty, including that of the earliest known pharaoh.

So why Abydos? It was here the original gods made themselves known along the desert’s edge and banks of the Nile. Those that stood here 6,000 years ago reveled in the evening light that shone from the heavens and imagined it as a staircase to the afterlife.

Between 3000 and 4000 BC, pilgrims arrived by the thousands alongside ancient leaders to leave tokens hoping to gain favor from those in command. Today, you can discover incredible burial grounds and memorials. The best being the stunning Great Temple of Seti I.

14. Saint Catherine’s Monastery

At the base of the jagged and fast-rising Sinai Mountains lays Saint Catherine’s Monastery. It’s one of the world’s oldest operating Christian monasteries. Marking the spot where Moses heard the words of God through a burning bush, telling him that he stood on holy ground.

Now over 1,400 years old, the colors of the beautiful monastery blend in with the spectacular backdrop. Its surrounding fortress walls and the main church are from the original construction, with the basilica design being a staple of the Byzantine era.

As you enter the monastery, you’ll follow centuries of the footsteps of worshipers who’ve wandered down the central nave and admired the brilliant apse mosaic. It’s one of the many samples of iconography here that dates back over a thousand years. These represent the real celebration here of art that seems immortal and with a touch of divinity.

Egypt’s premier seaside town, Dahab, attracts scuba divers the world over. Home to the famed Blue Hole along with Bells, Gabr El Bint, and Umm Sid, among others, it’s a diving destination to be revered.

Set along the Red Sea in the Gulf of Aqaba, the town of Dahab itself is a representation of those who visit most. A tourist town by definition, it’s utterly relaxing, with ample hippy charm and just enough Bedouin culture laid in to create a welcome balance.

Backed by the Sinai Desert, the colors of the Red Sea pop. The deep blues and turquoise mix with aplomb, providing just enough insight into the treasures below that you’ll wake up ready to dive.

Just north of Dahab is the Blue Hole. One of the most celebrated dive sites on earth. Just off the shore, the captivating and equally frightening sea shelf makes itself known. The reef-laden wall drops an incredible 120 meters into the abyss.

12. White Desert

Once a seabed, Egypt’s White Desert is today a postcard to the past. It’s a mesmerizing example that life never stays still. Like the seashells on the mountaintops in Yellowstone National Park, the White Desert is rich in sedimentary limestone, showcasing a time when its landscape was polar opposite.

When you first gaze upon the White Desert, you’d be forgiven for not trusting your eyes. In the morning light, the desert’s white chalk spires spin-out from the desert floor. The orange hues of the early day combine with the shades to create a spectacular dance that feels beyond surreal.

Iron pyrites and quartz dazzle within the limestone, often creating more than just stunning spires. Instead, craggy bluffs surge out of the desert floor to create mountains and thus canyons and valleys. Those made almost entirely of quartz crystals, like Crystal Mountain, take the experience in a more supernatural direction.

11. Dahshur

Dahshur is a little village south of Cairo that’s home to some lesser-known, less-crowded pyramids – you won’t find the massive queues that you’d expect at the Giza complex or Saqqara here. In fact, until 1996, it was a restricted military zone.

Like Saqqara, Dahshur was part of the ancient necropolis of Memphis. The same pharaoh behind the building of the Great Pyramid built two more complete pyramids in Dahshur. In the years after, many more pharaohs had their own pyramids built here to form a total of 11, but none of them could compete with the original ones.

Highlights include the unusually-shaped Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, both constructed during the reign of Pharaoh Sneferu (2613-2589 BC). The Red Pyramid (also known as the North Pyramid), is famously the oldest true pyramid in Egypt because it doesn’t have any steps or bends.

The Black Pyramid of Amenemhat III is another sight that can be enjoyed from the base of the Bent Pyramid. It cannot be visited, and it isn’t actually a pyramid at all; rather, a strange-looking mound of dark rock.

10. Alexandria

The second-largest city and leading seaport in Egypt, Alexandria has a prime location on the edge of the Mediterranean. Founded in 331 BC by Alexander the Great, the city was once considered the crossroads of the world. Several of Egypt’s pharaohs, including Cleopatra, ruled the country from Alexandria until the nation fell to Rome in 30 BC.

Under Roman rule, the city earned a reputation as a center for arts and literature. The city’s Roman Theater, which features stunning mosaic flooring and marble seating, is a remnant of Alexandria’s Roman occupation.

Today’s Alexandria is a dusty seaside city with an over-inflated population of 5 million, that is badly in need of a lick of paint. It’s a faded shade of its former glorious cosmopolitan self, but still worth a visit for its many cultural attractions and glimpses of its past.

Many of Alexandria’s most famous historic sites, including a library that housed more than 500,000 books, were destroyed by devastating earthquakes in the 14th century. Completed in 2002, a new library stands near the site of the original Library of Alexandria.

Exhibits of Alexandria’s long history are on display at the Alexandria National Museum. The museum’s more than 1,800 artifacts are arranged chronologically, from the Greco-Roman period to the Coptic and Islamic eras.

In ancient Alexandria, the most prominent feature was the Lighthouse of Alexandria, a towering structure that was considered one the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The lighthouse crumbled into sea during an earthquake along with much of the ancient metropolis. Scuba divers can still view massive stones and statues lying on the seabed floor.

9. Hurghada

Hurghada is a resort town on the edge of the Red Sea, easily reached via a bumpy six-hour bus ride from Cairo. It offers a more popular alternative to Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab and is now one of Egypt’s most-visited tourist destinations. But that’s understandable, as there’s plenty to love about Hurghada with its many beaches and warm waters.

Once a simple fishing village, this famous resort town has hundreds of high-end hotels along the seafront, yet the focus is still mainly on relaxation. This section of the Red Sea is renowned for its excellent scuba diving opportunities, with gorgeous colorful coral reefs to discover just offshore. Other watersports, like snorkeling, windsurfing, and jet-skiing, are just as popular.

For those who prefer to admire the magical marine life from above the water, there are many places offering glass-bottom boat trips, so you can usually shop around to find the best offer.

Hurghada is extremely popular with Eastern Europeans and especially Russians, hundreds of thousands of whom visit each year. Many tourists choose to combine their holiday here with visits to other prominent locations along the Nile Valley, including the relatively nearby city of Luxor.

Egypt’s southernmost city, Aswan is another major city nestled along the banks of the Nile River. However, due to its location and size, it offers a much more relaxed alternative to big cities Luxor or Cairo.

Although its own monuments are minor compared to Luxor’s, Aswan is the base for excursions to the temples of Philae and Kabasha and to the Sun Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel, to the south. It is also the best starting point for excursions to the temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu, between Aswan and Luxor.

Aswan itself has one of the most beguiling settings in Egypt. Granite cliffs overlook the Nile’s First Cataract, the first of a series of shallow white water rapids broken by rocky islets that stretch north to Khartoum. Home to a large community of Nubian people, it was once the gateway to Africa in ancient Egypt. You can learn more about these people at the Nubian Museum, which is filled with treasures and relics that were kept safe from the flood of Nubia.

Aswan is famous for its granite quarries that were used to build Luxor’s many obelisks. Some of these unfinished obelisks can still be seen in the city today, such as the largest known ancient obelisk in the world located in the south of Aswan that was intended to be over 40 meters tall.

7. Siwa Oasis

Located near Egypt’s western border, Siwa Oasis remained culturally isolated from the rest of the country until late in the 19th century. Surrounded by the Egyptian Sand Sea, the Siwan people developed their own unique customs as well as their own language, Siwi, a Berber dialect.

The small community was not unknown to the outside world, however, even centuries ago. The famous Temple of the Oracle of Amun, believed to have been built in the 6th or 7th century B.C., made the oasis a place of pilgrimage. The most famous visitor to seek the oracle’s wisdom was Alexander the Great.

Today, Siwa Oasis is an increasingly popular travel destination. Vacationers come to the city to enjoy the town’s many freshwater springs, to stroll through acres of palm groves and to explore ancient mud-built fortresses and remnants of Siwa’s Greco-Roman past. Bubbling springs are in abundance here. One of the most popular is a stone pool known as Cleopatra’s Bath. A more secluded pool is located on an island in Lake Siwa. Visitors reach Fatnas Spring by navigating a narrow causeway.

Cafés in the small town of around 23,000 people are designed for relaxation as well. Local and visitors alike enjoy sipping tea and smoking from a communal hookah. A trip to the local marketplace gives visitors the opportunity to explore the city’s unique culture and to sample dates and olives grown in the region.

6. Sharm el-Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh is one of the most popular resort towns in Egypt, located at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula. With its warm, deep blue water and great golden beaches , Sharm (as it’s affectionately called) is a popular package holiday destination with its own airport.

But this old fishing village has so much more to offer than simply sunbathing. Nicknamed the City of Peace after the countless international peace talks that have been hosted here, Sharm el Sheikh is one of the best scuba diving spots in the world. Don’t miss the chance to snorkel or dive the extraordinary reefs around Tiran Island and Ras Mohammed National Park, home to some astonishingly colorful marine life.

Despite being the perfect spot for a fly and flop holiday, those looking for adventure will find it here too. Sharm el Sheikh’s at the southern tip of the peninsula gives easy access into the desert, where you can visit Bedouin camps and climb Mount Sinai, an ancient biblical spot known for its spectacular view of the sunrise.

The name Saqqara refers to an Egyptian village, but more importantly, an age-old necropolis with a scattering of both large and smaller satellite pyramids spread across a dusty desert plateau. Buried beneath the sand overlooking the Nile Valley until the 19th-century, Saqqara has since been undergoing a significant restoration process.

Named after Sokar, the Memphite god of the dead, Saqqara served as a cemetery for the ancient city of Memphis for thousands of years and is the largest archeological site in Egypt. As such, it’s home to hundreds of fascinating tombs and burial sites for pharaohs and other Egyptian royals.

The highlight of Saqqara is the Step Pyramid of Djoser – the oldest pyramid on Earth. You’ll find some of the best views of the Nile from the top of this pyramid, accessible via a wooden ramp when the gate is open. Try one of the many doors and explore any that are unlocked – you never know what kind of mysteries lie behind them. The Pyramid of Teti with its fascinating Pyramid Texts and the Mastaba of Ti with its incredible reliefs are two more must-sees.

4. Abu Simbel

Set over a glistening Lake Nasser, the Temples of Abu Simbel are a collection of some of the most stunning monuments in Egypt. It’s an ancient engineering marvel that includes the Temple of Hathor and the Great Temples of Ramses II.

It took a stroke of genius to create such an incredible site, yet an even better one to save it. When the construction of the Aswan High Dam was completed in the 1960s the 3,200-year-old site lay in the path of the rising waters of Lake Nasser. The edifices and their temples were dismantled and reassembled brick by brick on a bank high above the reservoir.

Ramses, the larger of the two temples, boasts a quartet of colossal statues that tower over visitors at 21 meters tall. On the 22nd of October and February, the sun shines through the entrance and into the inner sanctuary where a statue of Ramses the II shimmers in the morning light.

The smaller Temple of Hathor honors the queen Nefertari and has six exterior statues each about 10 meters tall. About a 3 hours bus drive from Aswan, a day trip to view the massive temples is a can’t-miss activity.

This dusty capital city is one of the most sprawling cities on Earth, home to more than 17 million people. Built on the banks of the Nile River, Cairo is a medieval Islamic city with an eternally hazy horizon and beige-colored buildings topped with TV satellites.

Built near the ancient capital city of Memphis, modern Cairo is a popular starting point for cruises up the Nile and for explorations of the Pyramids at Giza just outside the city’s limits. But there is so much to do within this enormous city itself.

At the world-renowned Egyptian Museum of Tahrir Square, visitors can get a close-up view of the treasure of Tutankhamun as well as mummies and other artifacts from Egypt’s ancient past.

The city’s most historic mosques are worth a visit as well. Dating back to the 9th century when the Fatimids made the city their capital, the Ibn Tulun Mosque is the oldest in Cairo. The stunning Citadel and Mosque of Mohammed Ali Pasha, also known as the Alabaster Mosque for its gleaming white edifice, was named after the man who is regarded as the founder of modern Egypt.

When you’ve tired of Cairo’s historical sights, get a true taste of Egypt by immersing yourself in everyday life. Embrace the crowds while shopping at one of the city’s chaotic markets like the Khan al-Khalili bazaar, smoke some shisha amongst locals at a local Ahwaz or escape the heat of the inner city entirely with a breezy felucca trip along the Nile on a traditional Egyptian sailing boat.

One thousand years after the construction of the Great Pyramids , the New Kingdom arose in Egypt, and power shifted from the ancient capital of Memphis to Thebes in the south, the site of modern-day Luxor. Enriched by gold mined in the deserts of Nubia and transported to the city on the river Nile, Thebes became the country’s cultural and political hub.

Today, the mid-sized city Luxor is known as the “world’s largest open air museum” and is one of Egypt’s most popular travel destinations. There’s so much to see and do in Luxor – from temples to tombs and everything in between. You’ll need to allow a couple of days to do it all justice.

Most of the Luxor attractions are located either on the East Bank or the West Bank of the Nile. Famous highlights on the East Bank include Karnak Temple – also known as Ipet-isu (‘Most Select of Places’) – an extraordinary temple city that took over 2,000 years to build. Although the entire Karnak complex consists of four main parts, the main structure known as the Temple of Amun is the only one that is open to the general public.

The largest religious building ever built, the temple’s pillared hall is a breathtaking stone forest of 134 columns that stand as high as 21 meters (69 feet). Stroll.

The beautifully illuminated Luxor Temple is a particularly stunning temple to explore at night. On the other side of the Nile, the West Bank boasts the white-washed scenery of the Valley of the Kings, home to many elaborate and colorfully-muraled tombs, pits, and burial chambers. Some of the tombs are included in your ticket entrance, but prepare to pay more to visit King Tut’s tomb – the highlight – the final resting place of King Tutankhamun’s mummy.

1. Giza Necropolis

The Giza Plateau is probably one of the most recognizable destinations on Earth. Located on a desert plateau to the west of the capital of Cairo, Giza is its own city but in recent years it’s grown so much that it feels like another district of ever-expanding Cairo.

While once a humble carriage track, Giza is now one of the most touristy parts of Egypt, home to upmarket hotels, big-name restaurants, giant shopping malls, and pulsing nightclubs. But most famously, Giza is the closest part of the city to the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, which is why most people center themselves around this neighborhood for at least a few days during their trip to Cairo.

The three main pyramids of Giza are an ancient necropolis that were built as tombs for three Egyptian pharaohs – Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. A scattering of satellite pyramids in the area were built as a place to bury their wives and royal family members.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the one you can enter if you’re happy to pay extra. Alternatively, you can take a camel ride out into the desert and get a photo with all of the pyramids in the background before heading to the Sphinx for the stock standard Sphinx-kissing tourist photo.

If you happen to be staying close to Giza overnight, don’t miss the Pyramids Sound and Light Show. It’s exactly what it sounds like, but it’s a great way to appreciate the Great Pyramid a little differently. While you’ll have to pay for a seat at the official light show, if you have dinner on the balcony of the nearby Pizza Hut, you can watch both the sunset and the show for free.

Map of Egypt

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Reader interactions.

May 4, 2019 at 12:29 pm

We just came back from Egypt. It has been the best vacation we have had, very interesting history, beautiful sites, amazing culture. Two weeks were not enough to see everything. We are planning our next trip to see the north side of Egypt. It is an amazing place to visit! This is a country with more history than any another country.

July 12, 2016 at 9:45 am

Where is Marsa Allam, Marsa Matrouh, Newabaa, Saint Katherine and Taba

July 31, 2015 at 8:34 am

just visited Egypt this summer. What a tremendous culture they had so many centuries ago and well worth seeing. I highly recommend finding a good tour company for this one! Travel can be confusing, there are also some language barriers and safety concerns.

April 16, 2015 at 10:05 pm

There are so many places to travel to Egypt. This summer we might be able to go to Egypt.

July 30, 2014 at 7:29 am

Oh man, you can miss El gouna….It is like heaven!

March 22, 2014 at 1:53 am

they are very beautiful and nice pictures

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Top 35 Famous Landmarks in Egypt You Must Visit

What are the most famous landmarks in egypt.

Many wonders of historical landmarks in Egypt’s civilization are still standing after more than three millennia. These Egyptian monuments are some of the tourists’ most popular and enduring landmarks worldwide.

If you are planning a great vacation and are looking for the most famous places in Egypt to visit , this article is what you need to close your Egypt itinerary and prioritize the sights!

In this list, you will find the best tourist landmarks in Egypt , those historical sites that you cannot exclude from your plans for a super complete experience!

Let’s start with a tip: the best way to enjoy Egypt is to plan. To do this, compile and book your itinerary with a licensed travel agency that will be safer for you.

Get up to 10%Off when booking one of our Egypt Vacation Packages check then now!

In our article on the best places to visit during your vacation to Egypt , one of the important tips we are talking about is: to divide your itinerary into four main regions – Cairo / Alexandria, Egypt Oases, Nile Valley (Luxor / Aswan), and the Red Sea.

The country has quite a history, in addition to the famous landmarks . From the traditional Pyramids of Egypt to a balloon ride in Luxor and diving in the Red Sea, Egypt has a lot to offer! Depending on your interest and the time you have available for this trip, it is always possible to fit something a little off the main tourist route, like the White Desert.

Now let’s get down to business: the best Egypt tourist attractions for you to enjoy the best of what the country has to offer!

Top landmarks to visit in Egypt: Cairo and the surroundings

1- egypt’s famous landmarks: cairo.

Now you’re in the capital of Egypt. Cairo has many landmarks in Egypt like the Egyptian Museum of Cairo, one of the most important in the world, and this place houses the most extensive collection of objects from Ancient Egypt (more than 150,000!). And don’t miss getting lost in the labyrinthine streets of its Khan el-Khalili bazaar and haggle endlessly for that souvenir to take home.

Don’t miss reading some of our articles about Cairo attractions:

• Coptic Quarter: The Christian quarter of Cairo; in it, you can find the Church of Santa Barbara or the Hanging Church !
• Khan el-Khalili bazaar : A large market at the entrance of a mosque with many alleys full of souks.
• National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
• The Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali
• Bayt Al Suhaymi in Cairo
• Hanging Church in Cairo
• Cairo Tower

Try its rich Egyptian cuisine in one of its street stalls, smoke a hookah in one of its tea shops, and talk with the locals. Cairo is a city that never sleeps, and you will find activity in its streets whatever time it is.

Browse our guide on the most famous attractions in Cairo

Only when you get to know Cairo in all its essence, will it be time to continue this journey through Egypt.

Book one of our Cairo Day Tours to discover its attractions.

2-landmarks Egypt: Pyramids of Giza

Who does not think about what to see in Egypt and automatically draws the pyramids of Giza in his head? They make up the most famous landmarks image of the country and, of course, they had to be on our list of must-haves.

Only 15 kilometers away from Cairo are the pyramids of Giza, which are one of the Famous historical landmarks in Egypt.

• Cheops pyramid : The Cheops pyramid is the largest, tallest, and most important pyramid in the world. A sarcophagus was found, but it was empty.
• Chephren pyramid : Chephren was the son of Cheops, his pyramid looks bigger to the untrained eye than that of his father. This is a fallacy since the Khafre pyramid is simply a little higher.
• Mykerinos pyramid : Menkaure, in turn, was the son of Khafre, he is the smallest of the three pyramids. Statues found in the Mykerinos pyramid can be seen today on display in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

The last remaining of the ancient wonders of the world was built between 2620 and 2500 BC by around 10,000 workers.

The pyramids are located on a site previously used as a cemetery for pharaohs.

There are no records whatsoever about the construction of the pyramids, so scientists and archaeologists are still puzzling today about how the stone blocks, which weigh up to 2.5 tons, could be piled up in a relatively short time.

Also, the architecture has such precision that can only be achieved with the most modern technology and can therefore hardly be explained.

The myth of the pyramids also includes the fact that they are practically empty: neither the grave goods typical for systems of this type nor mummies could be recovered. so it considers the great ancient Egypt landmarks

Did you know there are more pyramids in the area than just the three famous Pyramids of Giza? Several other pyramids may be found in Saqqara , which is not far to the south of Giza. These pyramids include the “step” pyramid of Djoser and the “red” pyramid in Dahshur .

To enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the pyramids, check out our Camel Ride in the Pyramids of Giza , and if you want to enjoy exploring all the pyramids inside that area, check out our Memphis, Saqqara, and Pyramids of Giza Tour

Browse our guide and learn more about the Giza Necropolis .

Info & Tips: Location: Al Haram, Cairo, Egypt Distance from Cairo: approx. 15 km Distance from Hurghada: approx. 470 km Distance from Sharm El Sheikh: approx. 520 km Distance from Marsa Alam: approx. 750 km

Fun Fact: Truly impressive and hardly explainable is that the pyramids are aligned exactly in the four cardinal directions and at right angles.

Book a half-day tour to the Pyramids of Giza to witness the majesty of the pharaohs.

3- landmarks in Egypt: Great Sphinx of Giza

The Great Sphinx of Giza is an imposing sculpture with a human head and a lion’s body located next to the Pyramids of Giza. It is one of the most historical and emblematic landmarks in Egypt and the whole world.

The enigmatic Sphinx has a height of about 20 meters and a little more than 70 meters long and is endowed with a human head and a lion’s body, something that ancient Egyptians gathered in the exact figure of intelligence and strength. Even so, it is almost wholly preserved as it was covered by sand most of the time.

Over the years, the Sphinx has been revised again and again and was last uncovered in 1818. Still, it is no longer allowed to be excavated because the Egyptian authorities are afraid of any damage to the monument.

Curious facts about Egyptian landmark” the Great Sphinx of Giza”: Why doesn’t it have a nose?

This is another mystery that has never been solved. The rock from which the sphinx was built varies according to its parts. The solid body is made of soft yellowish limestone and the head of hard gray limestone. So logic suggests that the nose should have been better preserved, as is the case with the rest of the sphinx’s head in relation to its body. But to this day, it has disappeared.

Some theories blame Napoleon for its destruction, but it is a hypothesis that was dismantled after the discovery of some drawings made by an explorer who visited long before the birth of the famous French emperor and in which the sphinx already appeared without his nose.

Other versions speak of a Muslim leader of the fifteenth century named Muhammad Sa’im al-Dahr who, offended by seeing so many people worshiping the sphinx, ordered to destroy his nose. But the mystery remains unsolved. It was full of colors.

Today the sphinx retains almost none of the vivid colors it once wore and to appreciate any remaining color you have to get very close (or as close as is allowed inside the enclosure). Its loss of colors is due to the erosion of the desert. It is believed that the body and head were red, and the headdress with an Egyptian garment that covered his head with white and blue stripes.

See our full guide about the Great Sphinx of Giza .

4-landmarks of Egypt: Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum has the largest collection of Pharaonic artifacts in the world and is the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East. The museum has a lot of artifacts from the Predynastic Period to the Greco-Roman Period. so it considers one of the landmarks in Egypt

In 1895, the building’s architect was chosen through the first-ever international competition, which was won by the French architect Marcel Dourgnon. Khedive Abbas Helmy II opened the museum in 1902. It is now a historic landmark in downtown Cairo and is home to some of the world’s most beautiful ancient works of art.

The complete burials of Yuya and Thuya, Psusennes I and the treasures of Tanis, and the Narmer Palette, which shows that Upper and Lower Egypt were united under one king, are all part of the museum’s unbeatable collection. The Narmer Palette is also one of the museum’s most valuable artifacts. The great kings Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, built the pyramids on the Giza plateau. The museum also has beautiful statues of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. This huge museum also has an extensive collection of papyri, coffins, and jewelry, among other things.

Don’t miss to browse our article about the Cairo Museum .

Therefore, more museums are now being (expanded). What is special about the Egyptian Museum is that, in contrast to European museums, for example, it only shows Egyptian exhibits.

But this is also due to the incredible number of preserved exhibits.

Info & Tips: Address: Tahrir Square, Cairo Governorate, Egypt. Opening times: Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thu & Sun: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Fun Fact: In 2010 a section for children was also opened, there is child-friendly information about ancient Egypt, and the most important artifacts such as Tutankhamun’s death mask were made from Lego bricks.

Book a day tour to the Egyptian Museum to see wonderful artifacts.

5- Coptic Quarter of Cairo

The popularly called Coptic Quarter is located in one of the oldest areas of Cairo, known as Misr el-Qadima, where the oldest remains are those of a fortification from the time of Trajan, which was called Babylon by the Romans. The word Coptic derives from the ancient Egyptian language and is used as an appellative to designate the early Christian religion of Egypt. Despite the Arab invasion and the spread of the Islamic religion throughout the country, the Coptic Orthodox Church remained powerful and influential for many centuries and is now the second religion in Egypt.

Numerous churches and monasteries were built on this site, which is considered sacred by both Jews and Christians, whose tradition states that the Holy Family rested in a cave on the site when they arrived in Egypt.

Monuments in the Coptic Quarter include the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, considered the oldest church in Cairo, the Church of St. George, the Convent of St. George and the Church of St. Barbara among others. A Jewish synagogue, of great historical value but not currently used as a place of worship, can also be visited.

Among the many Coptic churches that can be visited, el-Moallaqa, also known as the “Hanging Church”, stands out. This is the nickname of the Metropolitan Church of St. Mary the Virgin, which was erected on the site of the ancient Roman colony of Babylon in the 4th century AD. The church is built just above the Roman fortifications, with its nave suspended over the passage of the entrance gate.

6- Historical landmarks in Egypt: Muhammad-Ali Mosque

The mosque is located inside the Citadel of Saladin, built by the sultan of Egypt, its purpose was to protect the city from the attacks of the Crusades. On top of Mount Muqatam, southeast of what was the ancient Fatimid capital, allowing it to be visible from anywhere in Old Cairo, and was the largest mosque built in the first half of the nineteenth century. makes it one of the primary ancient Egyptian landmarks.

Additionally, approaching it from anywhere in the city, it stands imposingly on the heights, which undoubtedly motivates you to visit it. Further, its location within the citadel is an escape from the bustling lifestyle of Cairo, as walking through its calm interiors allows you to enjoy it from a different perspective.

The plan of the mosque was modeled after Ottoman mosques, with a large central dome over 52 meters high bordered by smaller semi-domes and two stylized minarets at its corners. The Muhammad Ali Mosque is also known as the alabaster mosque because of its interior and exterior covering, made of this material.

The mosque has a rectangular shape and has two sections: the main “Beit al-Salah” to the east and the courtyard or “Al-Sahn” to the west. The eastern part is dedicated to prayer and has a unique decoration made partly with wood carvings and with style resulting from the French influence. It has 100 stained glass windows on the walls and domes that cause a beautiful effect inside—sitting calmly on its carpets while admiring the hundreds of lamps that are located on the ceiling.

Info & Tips: Location: Al Abageyah, Qism El-Khalifa, Al-Qahira Governorate, Egypt Entry: free of charge Visiting hours: The mosque can be visited outside of prayer times. Arrival: The journey from the tourist centers in Egypt is similar to the pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Egyptian Museum.

Tip: From the Muhammad-Ali mosque, provided the smog is not too strong, you have a great view over all of Cairo!

Check our article about the Muhammad Ali Mosque .

7- Major landmarks in Egypt: Khan el Khalili

Among the many Egypt landmarks attractions, you can explore in Cairo, be sure to include a tour of the Khan el Khalili market in your plans. It is an old commercial region that is a real maze with several streets and tents with incredible goods. It’s great for shopping and even taking souvenirs as a gift.

There you can find a little of everything: fabrics, clothing items, handicrafts, decoration, teas, spices… You can spend a lot of time exploring the region! I suggest at least an entire afternoon dedicated to the grand bazaar.

And as we are talking about Egypt, the important historical part could not be missing: along with the Al-Muski market, Khan el Khalili is super important for making Cairo a place of tradition in trade in the country and the world.

Read more about Khan El Khalili Bazaar

8-Cairo Tower

The Cairo Tower is one of Egypt’s most famous and modern landmarks. After seeing all the important ancient Egyptian sites, the Cairo Tower is a great way to get a bird’s-eye view of the city as it is now.

This observation tower is the tallest building in Egypt and North Africa. It is 187 meters high. The building is made in a modern style that makes it stand out from the older buildings in the city. It looks like a lotus plant.

When you go to the observation deck, you can see the whole city in every direction. You can see the Pyramids of Giza, Sakkara, the Citadel, and a lot more from here. When you add a telescope, you can see farther and more clearly.

The tower also has a rotating bar and restaurant that serves expensive cocktails and Asian food.

9- Al Azhar Park

Al Azhar Park is near the Old City of Cairo. It has 30 hectares of green space where there used to be dust and rubble for more than 200 years. The spine has a modern design that was inspired by old Islamic gardens. It is a formal axis with a water channel that leads to a small lake and alleyways that lead to the Citadel. Gardens and pavilions make the lake’s edge a better place to meet.

10-The Monastery of St. Simon the Tanner and the Virgin Mary

The monastery is behind “Mansheiyet Nasser”, the Monastery of St. Simon. A vast expanse carved into the heart of the mountain welcomes the unsuspecting visitor. Colorful carvings and sculptures created by a Polish artist named Mario, who voluntarily devoted his life to this monastery, surround you as you make your entrance through the main gate. Ancient, hand-dug caves, replete with paintings, carpets, and antique furniture, lead you to an amphitheater that seats 10,000 people and a library that collects copies dating back to the third century. The walls of this mega-sculpture house seven churches, plus a fully equipped cafeteria and rooms available for rent and use by visitors and travelers. It is impossible to reproduce in words the splendor that emanates from this sacred precinct, so much so that even Marco Polo mentioned it in his “Book of the Wonders of the World.

Historical landmarks in Egypt: Alexandria

11-  egypt’s landmarks: alexandria”the mediterranean bride”.

We come to what is probably the second most famous destination in the country: the port city of Alexandria on the north coast of Egypt.

The city founded by Alexander the Great was next to Rome the most important city of antiquity and even if much of its former glory has been lost, this metropolis on the sea still has a certain charm.

One of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, the famous lighthouse of Alexandria, is unfortunately no longer there and the formerly important Great Library of Alexandria was also destroyed.

Instead, the Qaitbay, an impressive fortress, now stands on the remains of the lighthouse and a new library has been opened, the Bibliotheca of Alexandria, contains writings from all over the world and has the largest reading room in the world.

Browse our guide on the most famous attractions in Alexandria

You should also pay a visit to the park around the Montazah Palace and enjoy the view of the sea from there. Alexandria is also known for its good and fresh fish, which you should try! Just be careful where you buy it, restaurants are usually more suitable for hygiene reasons than street stalls – especially if you don’t know your way around.

Info & Tips: Location: Alexandria, North Coast, Egypt. Distance from Cairo: approx. 215 km Distance from Hurghada: approx. 680 km Distance from Sharm El Sheikh: approx. 735 km Distance from Marsa Alam: approx. 960 km

Fun Fact: The north coast on the Mediterranean is very popular with the locals due to its dreamy, almost white sandy beaches, its turquoise sea, and a cool breeze in summer.

Book a day tour to Alexandria from Cairo to see its amazing attractions.

12- Egypt landmarks: Library of Alexandria

The Library of Alexandria was once the largest library in the world. At its peak, it housed more than 900,000 manuscripts.

In later times, however, its importance declined and its collections were lost due to changes in power and successive invasions.

It is located in the city of Alexandria which was built by Alexander the Great, and the library faces the Mediterranean Sea.

It was founded at the beginning of the 3rd century B.C. by Ptolemy I Soter and enlarged by his son Ptolemy II.

The burning of the library has been attributed to different actors, but no version has been able to be preserved. The only certainty is that it finally disappeared.

In 1987 an international project was initiated to rescue the cultural significance of the site and the symbol that the mythical library represents in the collective imagination of humanity.

UNESCO coordinated the project and finally, under the name of Biblioteca Alexandrina, it was inaugurated in 1996.

In 2002 the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina was opened, which is close to the original location and has around eight million books.

About half of the building is filled with a huge reading room.

Info & Tips: Location: Al Azaritah WA Ash Shatebi, Qesm Bab Sharqi, al-Iskandariyya Governorate 21526, Egypt. Distance from Cairo: approx. 215 km Distance from Hurghada: approx. 680 km Distance from Sharm El Sheikh: approx. 735 km Distance from Marsa Alam: approx. 960 km

Good to know: The integrated Taha Hussein library also offers the visually impaired the opportunity to experience literature.

Know more about the history of the Library of Alexandria

13- Citadel of Qaitbay

The citadel is located at the entrance of the port of Alexandria in Egypt, on what was once the island that housed the famous Alexandria lighthouse, which now forms a peninsula that divides the port into its eastern and western parts.

The citadel was built on the orders of Sultan Al-Ashraf Abu Alnasr Saif El Din Qaitibay, who came to Egypt as a slave when he was nearly 20 years old and rose to power during the Mamluk period.

It was built as an element for the defense of the city and the Mediterranean coast, during the 1480s. Sultan Quaitbay ordered its construction on the same site where the lighthouse once stood, and took advantage of its remains. Its defensive architecture and strategic position give it great relevance.

During the British invasion of 1882, it suffered severe damage due to the bombardment of British ships, but soon after it was rebuilt. Today it is a beautiful promenade that locals and tourists take advantage of to enjoy the sunsets, the sea breeze in the warmer months, and the views of the city. It houses a maritime museum and an aquarium.

Top Egyptian landmarks in Upper Egypt:  (Luxor & Aswan)

14- cruising the nile.

And what would the country be without that mythical and immense river that runs through it? Without a doubt, a cruise on the Nile is one of the essential experiences on a trip to Egypt.

You don’t have to have too much imagination to be able to visualize yourself contemplating wonderful sunsets on the deck while the call to prayer, coming from the speakers of the nearby mosques, becomes the perfect soundtrack.

The Nile, with its 6,600 kilometers in length (one of the longest in the world), invites you to discover the country from a completely different perspective. Many are the boats that make the typical journey from Luxor to Aswan or vice versa. So don’t think twice: include it in your list of activities to do in Egypt and enjoy a few days sailing through its waters.

Tip: Nile cruises start in Egypt from Luxor and Aswan, and the itinerary of the Nile cruise varies according to the place of departure of the trip, so if started from Luxor, the trip takes 5 days / 4 nights, but if started from Aswan, it takes 4 days / 3 nights.

Book one of our Egypt Nile Cruises to see a lot of Egypt tourist attractions in Upper Egypt.

15- Historical landmarks in Egypt:  Luxor

The city of Luxor is one of the most important and famous tourist landmarks in Egypt also all over the world, according the statistics made by the organizations dealing with tourism and archaeological monuments confirmed that the city of Luxor is located on the east bank of the Nile as it is a very famous city in tourism and ancient Egyptian history that represents the glory of our ancient Egyptian pharaohs and their history that proved the greatness of Egypt, includes more than 500.000 inhabitants who live in Luxor and is about 700 km from Cairo and has 4000 years of glory and development and one of the most famous temples is the temple of Luxor which is located in the center of the city and was linked to the temple of Karnak .

Even today, Luxor has a lot to offer tourists, because nearby are the Valley of the Kings and Queens as well as the Kar n ak temple complex and the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, the temple of the Egyptian queen, which was built in the 16th century BC. Ruled over Egypt.

In the city there is also the Luxor Temple, which is relatively “new” compared to Karnak, it was built in 1070 BC and is the god Amun and dedicated to his family.

In the evening hours, the light of the sun falls particularly beautifully on the columns and impressive statues, creating a mystical picture.

Discover the complete attractions of Luxor with our Luxor guide

Also, you shouldn’t miss the Luxor Museum when you visit, where you can learn everything about the background of the old city and the temples that you have viewed before and you can also take a look at old war weapons, mummies, and sarcophagi.

There is still a 13-day festival once a year at the beginning of Ramadan, which takes place in a boat procession from Luxor to the Karnak Temple and is an exciting, colorful experience.

Info & Tips: Address: Luxor, Egypt Note: To take pictures you need an additional permit. Distance from Cairo: approx. 660 km Distance from Hurghada: approx. 300 km Distance from Sharm El Sheikh: approx. 404 km Distance from Marsa Alam: approx. 360 km

Fun Fact: The Luxor Obelisk, which previously stood in the forecourt of the temple, was donated to France in 1836 and is now at the Louvre.

Discover the magic of Luxor with a one-day Luxor tour from Cairo

16- Ancient Egyptian landmarks: Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is located on the West bank of the Nile in Luxor, 25 km from the train station. It is one of the necropoleis that together with the city of Thebes is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

It is a necropolis of ancient Egypt, near Luxor, where are the tombs of most of the pharaohs of the New Empire (XVIII, XIX, and XX dynasties), as well as several queens, princes, nobles, and even some animals.

It was inaugurated by Thutmose I, the third pharaoh of the XVIII dynasty, who around 1500 BC ordered the royal architect Inani, the construct his tomb in the greatest secrecy. It is believed that it was originally intended to be used as a family tomb, but with the successive changes in power, and the construction of new tombs, the valley became a necropolis that remained in use for over 400 years.

The Valley of the Kings is made up of two parts: the Valley of the East and the Valley of the West. The first is one of the most visited places by tourists and is where most of the tombs are located. It includes 62 tombs that were originally numbered as they were discovered, but have now been renumbered according to their location within the valley.

The most known and visited tombs are those of King Thutmose I, Thutmose III, Ramses VI, Mrenptah, and Amenhotep II; however, the tomb of Tutankhamun (Tut-Anj-Amun) is the one that has deserved more fame, because until today is the only one to have been discovered with all its treasures, as it remained buried and therefore out of reach of looters until 1922.

Discover the complete guide to the Valley of the Kings

After Tutankhamun’s burial chamber was opened, the legend of the pharaoh’s curse spread quickly, according to which archaeologists would die a cruel death.

As a result, some of the people involved in the excavations died, many of them by suicide for fear of the curse.

Info & Tips: Location: Luxor, Al-Wadi al-Jadid, Egypt

Tip: To protect the important historical finds, there is a rule that each visitor is only allowed to visit three graves. So it’s best to think about what you want to see in advance. By the way, you have to buy an extra ticket for the famous tomb of Tutankhamun.

Book a private tour to explore Luxor’s Valley of the Kings & Queens with us.

17-Egyptian landmark: Karnak Temple Complex

If you are planning what to do in Egypt and what places to visit in Egypt? the Karnak Temple is a place that cannot be left out of your itinerary!

The Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in Egypt, is also near Luxor and opposite the Valley of the Kings. Like parts of Luxor, Karnak is a UNESCO World Heritage Site , and Egypt famous landmarks

The largest ancient temples in the world include the temples of Ramses III, Chons, and Amun-Re. A gigantic stone hall and finely decorated columns make Karnak a very special experience.

Discover the complete guide to Karnak Temple Complex

The facility was used to hold sacrificial presentations and prayers to appease the gods. This had to be done by kings or specially trained high priests to maintain world order.

Therefore, the temples of ancient Egypt were of enormous importance, which explains why the temples, which were considered a small model of the world, were so carefully maintained and previously furnished.

Info & Tips: Location: Karnak, Luxor Governorate, Egypt

Fun Fact: Unlike the pyramids, which are west of the River Nile, the Karnak Temple is on the east side, dedicated to the living and the living.

Book a private guided tour to explore the temples of Karnak and Luxor with us.

18- Ancient Egyptian landmarks: Aswan

Aswan is located on the cataract north of the Nile, Aswan marked the traditional southern border of Egypt with the enemy territory of Nubia, it had great importance in the ancient Pharaonic era on the historical and security side, when we read the ancient Egyptian history we can see that the city of Aswan has contributed a remarkable role in history and battles against enemies who wanted to conquer Egypt, the Nile River also played a very important role in the economy and politics.

 it is a popular Egypt famous landmark and sought after by tourists thanks to a large number of ancient monuments and statues that have written a great civilization to study and visit to discover the power of the Egyptian pharaohs and how they managed to build a history to study until the present time. These two civilizations contested each other’s territory and their respective areas of influence for centuries.

In the course of this conflictual relationship, Aswan always remained a border town between the two territories, not only politically, but as an economic and natural intersection, prosperous commercial city, and transit point between Egypt and the rest of Africa.

Read more about the attractions of Aswan .

This island was of vital importance both for the Egyptians and subsequently for the Romans. Inside you will find the Nilometer, an ancient well that was used to measure the height of the river’s waters.

But the most important archaeological site in the area is certainly the Temple of Philae, which preserves the beautiful Sanctuary of Isis and the cell that preserves the sacred figure of Horus.

We recommend that you visit the Nubian Village just outside the city of Aswan, then go to the High Dam built-in 1960, from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of Lake Nasser.

Book a private guided tour to explore the Aswan with us.

19- Egypt historical sites: Temple of Philae

One of the most beautiful temples in Egypt – You have to take a small boat to get there, and you will have a view of Egyptian sites and monuments surrounded by water and palm trees. It is considered one of the most visited places in Egypt by tourists.

But, when you go, notice a curious aspect: Philae is, in a way, the most “feminine” temple in Egypt. That’s because it was built in honor of the goddess Isis, one of the strongest in Egyptian mythology, and was used as a venue for ceremonies in honor of her, performed by many priestesses.

Legend has it that Cleopatra traveled there more than once to make offerings, receive blessings and even seek spiritual and even loving guidance.

Fun Facts: One of the theories is that the Queen knew the power of the venom of a snake species and that she was instructed to keep secret and use it as a resource if necessary.

The tour can be done in half a day and is a great option to do and get a glimpse of what the two worlds were like (one extremely masculine and the other delicately feminine) millennia ago.

And, I must confess: it was by visiting this temple that I understood that a trip through Egypt is like this: outdoor history class!

Browse our article about the temples of Philae Island

20- Landmark in Egypt: Nubian Village (Aswan)

When you get to the village, you’ll see very colorful houses made of mud bricks made from clay, water, hay, and sand. This is typical Nubian architecture. All of these materials are natural, so they are less likely to spread diseases. They are also cheap, and the bricks’ clay texture is less affected by heat. Each house has a ceiling in the shape of a dome, which is meant to spread the sun’s heat evenly throughout the house. The Nubian people also love to decorate their homes with simple but beautiful colors. They also often draw shapes from their culture, like boats, camels, and palm trees, on the walls of their homes.

People know that Nubian villages are small and quiet. The same could be said about how a traditional Nubian home is set up inside. What is unusual, though, is the choice of a crocodile as a house pet. Don’t worry, though, because these crocodiles are kept in cages. In Nubian homes, both living and mummified crocodiles were hung and admired very much. The Nubian people like crocodiles because ancient Egyptians thought that having a crocodile around would protect them and their families from the “evil eye.” You could also find chickens and goats, which are more common.

Don’t miss to browse the Nubian Museum article to know more about Nubian Life.

For those who like to shop and take a souvenir of the places they pass, in Nubian Village you will find many options of super different and original crafts. A curiosity of this village is the presence of crocodiles, which were once used as a means of protection, and today are domestic animals.

Fun Fact: Nubian Village still retains the traditional houses of the Clouds, very colorful and with beautiful internal patios.

Book a private guided tour to explore the Nubian Village with us.

21-Ancient Egypt monuments: Edfu Temple

The temple of Edfu was dedicated to the Egyptian god Horus, who roughly corresponds to the Greek god of light Apollo.

Horus, the god with the falcon’s head, is said to have fought his important battle against Seth at this point, so the temple complex was a well-known sanctuary in ancient times.

In addition to the temple, a large part of the ancient city ​​of Edfu has also been preserved, which you should visit. Marvel at huge columns, wander through impressive halls, look at the artistically engraved reliefs, and dream of a bygone era!

Read more about Edfu temple .

This Egyptian temple on the west bank of the Nile is surprisingly well preserved, so it is hard to believe that it was built around 2,300 years ago. You are sure to be as impressed as I am when you visit!

Info & Tips: Location: Markaz Edfu, Aswan, Egypt Distance from Cairo: approx. 750 km Distance from Hurghada: approx. 400 km Distance from Sharm El Sheikh: approx. 500 km (car + ferry) Distance from Marsa Alam : approx. 225 km

Book a private guided tour to explore the Edfu temple with Kom Ombo .

22- Landmark in Egypt: Abu Simbel Temple

The Abu Simbel temples are a complex of two temples that were carved into the rock during the reign of Ramses II in the thirteenth century BC, as a memorial dedicated to him and his wife Nefertari and to memorialize his victory in the Battle of Kadesh in 1274 BC, consider one of the Aswan Egypt tourist attractions. it was built in (1279-1213 BC) and took a full 20 years. The large temple was dedicated to Ramses II and the small temple was dedicated to his wife Nefertari.

The small temple was built for two main reasons, to show his love for his wife, Nefertari. The temple was rediscovered after being buried under the sand for a long time in 1813. The sand was completely removed from the temple in 1909 to become one of the best tourist attractions in Egypt. The temple was saved from destruction through a project to save Egyptian antiquities by UNESCO in the sixties until the seventies.

Read more about Abu Simbel Temples .

The entire temple complex was laboriously removed and rebuilt piece by piece. By the way: On February 21st and October 21stthe sun miracle takes place every year.

Then the sun is at such a favorable angle that it can go straight into the temple and illuminate the statues of gods inside.

Info & Tips: Location: Aswan, Egypt Opening times: daily: 5 a.m. – 6 p.m. Distance from Cairo: approx. 1,110 km Distance from Hurghada: approx. 770 km Distance from Sharm ُl Sheikh: approx. 870 km (ferry + car) Distance from Marsa Alam: approx. 650 km

Book a private guided tour to explore Abu Simbel Temples .

23- The Temple of Abydos or The Temple of Seti I i

The temple was built in 1895 A.D. and is attributed to the kings of the first and second dynasties. It has some differences in its architectural design from the rest of Egyptian temples since the temple was built on two axes, the first part from east to west and the second axis from north to south.

The Temple of Abydos or The Temple of Seti I is located in Abydos, the eighth province of ancient Egypt. The area is considered one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. In ancient times it was called Abdu, and the Greeks called it Abydos. Many kings built temples at Abydos, including King Pepi I, King Ahmose I, King Seti I, and King Ramses II.

The ancient Egyptians believed that the tomb of Osiris, the “God of the dead and the underworld” was located at Abydos, and is where his head was buried. This temple was built during the reign of King Seti I and was completed by his son and grandson: Ramses II and Mern-Ptah.

This temple has a unique upside-down “L” shaped design. It also contains the most complete list of kings and gods in Egypt. The Temple contains 7 shrines dedicated to 7 Gods: Osiris, Isis, Horus, Amon Ra, Ra Hor Akhty and Ptah, and Seti I as a deified King. In this temple, you can also find the best-preserved reliefs and painted texts of the XVIII Dynasty. The earliest kings of Egypt, including those of the first dynasty of Egyptian history, were buried at Abydos.

The temple is entered through a largely destroyed pylon and two open courtyards, built by the son of Seti I, Ramses II. Then, the first hypostyle hall, was also completed by Ramses II. The reliefs represent the pharaoh making offerings to the gods and preparing the construction of the temple.

24-Dendera Temple complex

The Dendera Temple complex, considered one of the best preserved in Egypt, is located southeast of the city of Dendera, on the west bank of the Nile River, 60 km north of Luxor.

The entire complex covers an area of 40,000 square meters and is bounded by a mud-brick wall.

The cult temple, dedicated in 380 BC to Hathor, the goddess of love, joy, and beauty, was formerly known as the sistro castle or the house of Hathor.

This impressive temple is considered to be the largest and most impressive building in this religious complex.

However, the complex also includes the temple of the birth of Isis, the sacred lake, the sanatorium, the mammisi of Nectanebo II, a Christian basilica, a Roman mammisi, the monumental gates of Domitian and Trajan, the sanctuary of the boat and a Roman kiosk.

There are indications that the complex was originally erected at the hands of Pharaoh Pepi I (circa 2250 BC) in the 18th dynasty (circa 1500 BC), but the oldest building it houses is the mammisi of Nectanebo II, the last indigenous pharaoh of Egypt (360-343 BC).

The temple of Hathor referred to in earlier times as the Temple of Tentyra, has undergone several renovations beginning in the Middle Empire, although the present structure was built during the reign of Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra VII in the extinct Ptolemaic Empire. In fact, carved on the outer face of one of the walls of the temple we find a colossal relief of Cleopatra VII and her son Caesarion, heir of Julius Caesar.

Later some additions were made until the time of the Roman Empire, such as the Roman mammisi or “the house of birth”, attributed to the Roman emperor Trajan but built by Nero.

Also, since Hathor was also the goddess of healing, the city of Dendera has always been associated with the healing of travelers and pilgrims, who sought a remedy for their illnesses and the blessing of the gods.

25-The Colossi of Memnon

The Colossi of Memnon, which are on the western side of Luxor, are some of the most famous and beautiful monuments that the Pharaohs left behind.

The Colossi of Memnon are the only visible parts of Amenhotep III’s tomb temple, which was near Medinet Habu.

The Colossi of Memnon were made during the reign of Amenhotep III (1386-1349 B.C.). These two large stone masses are big versions of this king, whose reign was a time of splendour and when the arts were at their best.

The king is shown sitting on a throne with his hands on his legs. He is wearing the Nemes headdress, which is typical of the Egyptian monarchy, and the shape of the protective cobra on his forehead can still be guessed.

Top Egypt landmarks: Egypt Oases (Siwa & Bahariya)

26- siwa oasis.

Siwa is a beautiful oasis in Egypt’s Western Desert that is full of greenery. It used to be called “Sekht-am,” which means “palm land” in ancient Egyptian. The name of the oasis is a perfect match for its famous palm trees. The oasis is also famous for its olive trees and clear salt lakes.

A wonderful, mind-blowing paradise. Siwa Oasis is located in the Libyan desert in the northwest of the country.

There you can marvel at olive trees and date palms in the middle of the desert. It was not without reason that Alexander the Great loved this unusual place, because the ruins of the Amun temple, where his familiar oracle is said to have stayed, still stand here.

Read and discover more about the oases of Egypt

You can also discover the remains of the old clay town of Siwa. Various Bedouin peoples still live in Siwa today, and their marketplace, mosque, and local museum should also be on your to-do list when you visit them.

Info & Tips: Location: Qesm Siwah, Matruh Governorate, Egypt Distance from Cairo: approx. 750 km Distance from Hurghada: approx. 1,200 km Distance from Sharm El Sheikh: approx. 1,270 km Distance from Marsa Alam : approx. 1,500 km

Fun Fact: Alexander the Great wanted to be buried in Siwa, but this request was not followed by the ruling Pharaoh.

27- The Salt Lake at Siwa Oasis

One of the best experiences you will have in Siwa. You don’t actually need to travel to the Dead Sea to float on the water instead of swimming, you can just go to Siwa.

Not to mention its beauty and curative effect. Due to its extreme salt, it has healing power for sinuses, skin, and eye infections.

Besides, Siwan’s use salts in building and their tools and also in making lamps because they have the power to heal the soul by eliminating negative energy.

Check & Book one of our Egypt Safari Tours to explore all Egypt deserts & Oasis.

28- Bahariya Oasis

Bahariya Oasis, one of the oases that are easiest to reach from Cairo, its landscape is enclosed by high ridges and is dotted with date plantations, as well as freshwater sources.

In recent years it has also been made famous for important archaeological finds such as the “golden mummies” found in 1996.

Read and discover more about the oasis of Bahariya

The administrative capital Bawiti hides other treasures: fertile palm groves that guard springs such as that of El-Beshmo, discovered in Roman times, or Bir Ramla which has sulfurous water at more than 40 degrees of temperature.

On the hillock of Qasr Salim, in the heart of the village of Bawti, the remains of two tombs of the ancient XXVI dynasty are visible. The Oasis Heritage Museum offers clay reproductions of rural life.

29- White Desert

It is capable of leaving you breathless: the Sahara El Beyda, or the white desert. It extends between the oasis of Farafra and that of Bahariya, on the border with Libya.

The magic is all in the immaculate color of the sand but not only. Even the extraordinary rock formations give an unusual aspect to the whole environment as well as the colors that the sky takes on at different hours of the day and night.

Where there is now the desert, once (5 thousand years ago) there were springs, rivers, lakes, and animals of every kind. Today traces of that distant past remain in the sand.

Read and discover more about the white desert .

Over 2 square kilometers of magic. Which includes the Mount of the Dead, an archaeological area with the Temple of Amun, and the famous Cleopatra’s pool with its emerald green waters.

Today the White Desert is a national park. Every August it is cleaned after the passage of tourists. A blinding glow characterizes it. The limestone forms areas similar to sea waves, where hundreds of fossil shells bear witness to the voice of the sea from millions of years ago.

Book amazing tour to Bahariya Oasis & White Desert

The Most famous landmarks in Egypt: The Red Sea (Hurghada, Marsa Alam & Shael El Sheikh)

30- the red sea.

What would Egypt’s sights be without the Red Sea? There is still much speculation about the name of the not-so-red Red Sea.

First of all, the name Eritrea is based on Greek and means something like red – the lighting conditions that make the land around the sea appear red also contribute to this.

There is also a large occurrence of a special type of algae that also makes the sea glow reddish. Regardless of the reasons, it has been called ” Mare Rubum “, or the Red Sea, since ancient times.

As in the national park, you can of course also enjoy the wonderful, clear water and colorful reefs at the beaches of the sea. You should only dive and snorkel under the supervision of a guide, as the currents can be very strong and sudden.

Read and discover more about the Red Sea Attractions .

Also for surfers, the Red Sea is an absolute highlight. Enjoy the water, regardless of whether it is just for relaxation or sports.

Info & Tips: In our Egypt travel guide, you will find articles about snorkeling in the Red Sea and diving in Egypt. Here you can find out everything you need to know about the Red Sea and its underwater diversity.

31- Hurghada

If you are looking for things to do in Egypt, you should include Hurghada in your planning! The marine life is very rich there, not to mention the wonderful turquoise beaches!

Hurghada is one of the cities on the Red Sea with the best structure for tourism. It is an excellent destination in Egypt to relax by the sea because, in addition to the paradisiacal beaches, there are many shopping options, restaurants, clubs, and resorts.

Check out our article about the Hurghada .

Diving in that turquoise water is one of those memorable trips you will have in Egypt. A great tip for you to include in your experiences in Egypt is to take a snorkel tour on the tour to the Giftun Islands .

Check all-day tours that you can do with our Hurghada Tours .

32- Marsa Alam

On the south coast of the Red Sea, there are other options of super cool beaches, each with a style. In the case of Marsa Alam, in addition to being outside the most traditional tourist route, it is the most trendy diving destination in Egypt today due to the rich marine nature, with incredibly colorful corals, manatees, and dolphins, for example.

This was, without a doubt, one of the top destinations in Egypt that I visited during my trip! It is always nice to visit a little-explored place and Marsa Alam is one of those places with an air of untouched paradise. I recommend it for those who want to venture out, either by discovering a new destination or by diving.

Check out our article about the Marsa Alam .

I am already a certified diver, but for those who just want to try this activity, it is possible to hire a diving experience in Marsa Alam.

If you want to know one of the paradisiacal beaches in Egypt and get all the details about going to Marsa Alam, check out this article here.

33- Sharm El Sheikh

The beauty of this well-known tourist destination on the southern tip of Sinai has a thousand facets not only related to the beaches and the blue-green sea with fish of a thousand colors. One is enchanted, for example, to admire the night sky full of stars.

In the evening, after a day of relaxation, you discover the old town and the Old Market, while inland the Bedouin fields scented with embers and hookahs.

Here the gray rock hides the cemeteries of the dromedaries against the backdrop of rugged mountains where jewels such as the Byzantine-style Monastery of St. Catherine are hidden.

The real surprise is to discover, in an arid landscape, gardens of olive trees and vines, thanks to the water from the wells.

Check out our article about the Sharm El Sheikh .

For centuries, the fortress built by Justinian has been the garrison of the monks in a place where the stories of the three monotheistic religions meet. Here where his fate was announced to Moses.

And then there is the seabed that attracts crowds of snorkelers and scuba divers. Thirty kilometers of rugged and rocky coastline that opens into beautiful beaches and sudden inlets.

From the north of El Nabq to the lively Sharm El Maya. From the quiet beaches of Ras Nasrani, you can enjoy the view over the island of Tiran.

The center of holiday tourism is in Naama Bay, full of night attractions, souvenirs, and a clear sea.

The most beautiful coral reef in the Red Sea is located in Ras Um Sid, where the desert with the colors of sunset and morning offers moments of absolute enchantment.

Check all-day tours that you can do with our Sharm El Sheikh Tours .

34- Ras-Mohammed National Park

Ras Mohammed National Park is a place for conservation. It was Egypt’s first national park when it opened in 1989, and the country is very proud of it. It was made to protect the species that are representative of both plants and animals, as well as their natural growth.

The park is 480 square kilometers in size, and more than two-thirds of that is water. The park’s land is made up of two islands: Tiran and Sanafir.

Ras Mohammed National Park, also called “Cape of Mohammed,” is in the south of the Sinai Peninsula, about 25 km southwest of Sharm el-Sheikh. It is on the coast of the Red Sea. Some of the best places to snorkel in the world are in the southernmost part. Corals that are about two billion years old can be found in the park.

Lake of Desires and Salt Lake are two very different lakes in the park. The water in the first one is partially salt-free because it comes from fresh springs that bubble up from the ground. The second lake is fed by unique salt springs, so its water is twice as salty as the sea.

Check out our article about the Ras Mohammed National Park .

In this park, you get a lot on offer so that almost nothing is left to be desired in terms of outdoor activities. From mountain bike tours to swimming or snorkeling, everything is on offer. The underwater world can trump nature on land by a lot. Here you can marvel at exotic fish and marine animals amidst colorful coral reefs. Divers get their money’s worth in the Ras-Mohammed National Park.

Info & Tips: Location: Sinai, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt Distance from Cairo: approx. 490 km Distance from Hurghada: approx. 125 km (ferry) Distance from Sharm El Sheikh: approx. 40 km Distance from Marsa Alam: approx. 420 km (car + ferry)

Fun Fact: The Yolanda Reef was named after the ship of the same name that sank on the spot in 1980. The remains of the ship may not be dived for conservation reasons, but parts of Yolanda’s former cargo can be found everywhere in the reef: toilet bowls and sinks. Curious!

Book a private tour to Ras Mohammed National Park

35- Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai

St. Catharine Monastery at the foot of the Sinai is the oldest, still living, Greek Orthodox monastery in the world.

It was completed in its current form in 560 and, according to legend, is said to house the bones of St. Catherine. Mount Sinai is due to the transfer of the Ten Commandments to Moses and his encounter with God in the burning bush known.

An offshoot of this legendary bush is said to still be found near the monastery. In 2002 the Katharinen Kloster was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Check out our article about the St. Catharine Monastery .

Ascent and sightseeing: The ascent to the monastery is a bit difficult, so you can book a guided hike at night, for which you will be rewarded with cooler temperatures and a breathtaking sunrise. If the hike is too strenuous for you, you can also ride a camel. After a break, you will visit the monastery together as a group.

There are some providers for these tours, but when planning your excursion, keep in mind the current travel warning for Egypt issued by the Foreign Office. This currently advises against trips away from the coastal strip such as to Mount Sinai and the St. Catherine’s Monastery.

Info & Tips: Location: Qesm Sharm Ash Sheikh, Janub Sina, Egypt Distance from Cairo: approx. 450 km Distance from Hurghada: approx. 310 km (car + ferry) Distance from Sharm El Sheik: approx. 210 km Distance from Marsa Alam: approx. 980 km (car + ferry)

Book a private tour to St. Catharine Monastery from Cairo

What are you waiting for after knowing what to see in Egypt? If you have been seduced by the idea of ​​visiting one or more of these destinations, Egypt Time Travel will help you organize your vacation package to Egypt  without stress and at the most affordable prices. Book a dream trip now by discovering the top Egypt tourist attractions and all the places to visit in Egypt!

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Egypt Tourist Attractions

– 163 amazing places to visit in egypt.

Egypt tourist attractions are like nothing you will find anywhere else in the world. Ancient Egypt, before its ultimate collapse some 1,700 years ago, was the Land of the Pharaohs, and monuments like the legendary Great Pyramids and Sphinx , and the many royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings  stand as a commemoration to all of the Egyptian pharaohs who once ruled this ancient land.

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Explore 163 Amazing Tourist Attractions in Egypt

Top 10 epic places you must visit in egypt, #10 – hurghada, red sea.

Hurghada is a Red Sea resort town and has become an incredibly popular tourist destination, particularly among diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. It also very popular as a family holiday destination, thanks to its many family-friendly resorts and hotels, and an abundance of fun activities, such as scuba diving, wind surfing, sailing, horse riding and deep sea fishing.

Not only is Hurghada the ideal place to relax, but it is also well known for its very vibrant nightlife and its extensive shopping opportunities. In short, Hurghada is a great place to visit in Egypt to relax and unwind for a few days following days of sightseeing tours, and for this reason, it is often included in the itineraries of Nile cruise package tours  – as well as the reason why we have listed it as one of the most important Egypt tourist attractions.

→ Find out more about Hurghada

#9 – Western Sahara Desert

The Western Desert is home to many popular Egypt tourist attractions, most of which are located in or near to the various oases. The best way to view these attractions is by booking an oases package tour or a Sahara desert adventure tour . Most good oases tours will include a visit to all the different oases, and you will often be taken to see the best sites found at each of them.

In addition to the oases and their historical monuments, the Western Desert is also home to several natural Egypt attractions, including the White Desert ; the Black Desert , and the Valley of the Whales , to name just a few.

→ Explore Sahara

→ Explore the Oases

#8 – Karnak Temple Complex

Nearly all Egypt tour packages that focus on Egypt tourist attractions will include a visit to Karnak Temple which is essentially the ruins of an ancient temple city. It is the largest place of worship ever discovered, and was constructed over the course of hundreds of years. According to records, construction first began during the time of the Middle Kingdom, and continued until the reign of the pharaohs ended. The most popular and most impressive structure at the site is the massive Hypostyle Hall which covers an area of 5000 square meters.

Be sure to visit the nearby Luxor Temple while you are in the area, which you can reach by way of the newly discovered Avenue of Sphinxes . There is also a daily sound and light show at Karnak Temple in the evenings, and considering the temple is only 2.5 km away from Luxor, Karnak Temple is definitely one of the most important places to visit in Egypt.

→ Find out more about Karnak

→ Explore Luxor

#7 – The Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum , located right in the heart of Cairo is considered to be one of the top Egypt tourist attractions , and for this reason it is featured not only in most Cairo tour packages , but also in most Egypt tour packages . The museum currently houses around 120,000 Egyptian artifacts, although not all of these are on display. While the ground floor part of the museum is certainly fascinating, many visitors find the first floor to be the highlight of their visit.

As you ascend to the first floor, expect to be greeted by a vast display of artifacts documenting the history of the final two dynasties, along with countless artifacts recovered from the Valley of Kings in Luxor . The first floor is also home to the extremely popular Mummies Room which houses 27 mummies, although again, not all of these are on display.

→ Find out more about the Egyptian Museum

→ Explore other museums in Egypt

#6 – Temple of Philae

Constructed in 690 AD, Philae Temple is widely considered to be the last ancient temple built in true ancient Egyptian style. It is a truly remarkable structure that features prominently in virtually all Egypt tourism packages that include spending some time in and around Aswan . It is also one of the Egypt tourist attractions included in the itineraries of nearly all Nile cruise holidays .

Philae Temple which today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site was relocated in its entirety from its original location on Philae Island, to its present location on Agilkia Island.  Had the temple not been moved, it would have been lost forever to the rising waters of Lake Nasser following the construction of the Aswan High Dam .

According to legend, the temple, along with the island on which it stood, was so sacred that not even fish or birds would approach the island’s shores. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, Philae Temple remains one of the very best Egypt tourist attractions, and visitors are encouraged to visit this ancient marvel both during the day and in the evening to witness the spectacular Philae Temple Sound and Light Show .

→ Find out more about Philae Temple

→ Explore Aswan

#5 – Temple of Sobek and Horus

Also known as Kom Ombo Temple , this is one structure which has always fascinated historians because it was the only temple of its time that was built in honor of two Gods. This in itself presented the architects with a huge challenge. Because the structure was to be dedicated to two different Gods, Sobek and Horus, two identical temples had to be constructed within the framework of a single temple. This was necessary in order to avoid offending either Horus or Sobek.

To achieve this, one half of the temple complex was designed to be a mirror image of the other half. Each side has the same number of halls; rooms; sanctuaries, and even the same number of columns. The precision in terms of construction is something one needs to see in order to believe.

Unfortunately, several earthquakes have resulted in quite a lot of damage over the centuries, and the temple was further destroyed and defaced by the early Coptic Christians when they were attempting to stamp out all forms of paganism. Nonetheless, it is a remarkable site to visit, hence the reason why it’s featured in so many Egypt tour packages .

#4 – Abu Simbel

The Abu Simbel temples are considered to be the second most recognizable Egyptian icon after the Giza pyramids and the Sphinx . These are two massive rock-cut temples constructed during the reign of Ramesses the Great. They were constructed not only to serve as places of worship, but also to serve as lasting monuments of him and his wife, Queen Nefertari.

Like several other points of interest in Egypt, the Abu Simbel temples where swallowed up by the desert and only rediscovered 2,000 years later, which explains why they are so well preserved. The entire structure also had to be relocated to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser following the completion of the Aswan High Dam . Today the temples are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is one site you really don’t want to miss if you are in the area.

→ Explore Lake Nasser

#3 – Tomb of King Tut (Valley of the Kings)

One seasoned historian once wrote that in life, King Tutankhamen was the least esteemed of all the pharaohs who ruled before him, but in death he became the most esteemed of them all. People the world over have been fascinated by Tutankhamen ever since his tomb was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922, and most travelers touring the sites of ancient Egypt long to visit his tomb.

Today, Tutankhamen once again rests in his original sarcophagus inside the tomb, which only makes the site even more appealing to tourists. However, if you are planning on visiting his tomb, keep in mind that the vast amount of treasures recovered from the site are now on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo . Additionally, his tomb is not always open to the public, so to avoid any disappointment, it is best to discuss this with your travel agent before you book your tour.

The tomb of King Tutankhamen is located in the Valley of the Kings , home to 63 ancient royal tombs, so even if King Tutankhamen’s t isn’t open when you visit, there will still be plenty to see, bearing in mind that this site is one of the most visited sites in all of Egypt.

→ Find out more about King Tutankhamen

→ Explore the Valley of the Kings

#2 – Nile River Cruises

The Nile River which is the longest river in the world has been Egypt’s lifeline since antiquity, and there is no better way to experience the treasures and delights of Upper Egypt than with a Nile River cruise. Nile cruise vacations have long since been one of the major tourist attractions in Egypt, and as a result, Nile cruises  now come in all shapes and sizes.

The most popular and most affordable cruises tend to be those which are undertaken on the many luxury cruise ships that can be seen sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Other options include refurbished luxury paddle steamers and traditional Dahabiyas. These days some tourists are also making the journey on Feluccas, but trips from Luxor to Aswan on board one of these small sail boats is yet to catch on with mainstream tourists.

Practically all Nile cruise vacations include a tour of Aswan and Luxor, as well as tours of several other historical sites and points of interest along the route. Most people who have been on a Nile River cruise will say that you haven’t experienced Egypt until you have experienced a cruise through the Nile Valley

Egypt Tourist Attractions #1 – The Giza Necropolis

Not only is the Giza Necropolis the most visited of all Egypt tourist attractions, but it is also one of the most visited attractions in the world and by far the most important site to Egypt tourism, attracting thousands of tourists every single day. The Giza pyramids which are conveniently located on the outskirts of Cairo were built over a period of three generations, with the first one being the pyramid of Khufu. At 139 meters, it is the largest pyramid ever built. Alongside this impressive structure, visitors can see the pyramid of Khafre, Khufu’s second reigning son, and also the pyramid of Pharaoh Menkaure. In addition to the Pyramids of Giza, the site is also home to the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple.

→ Find out more about the Giza Necropolis

→ Explore more ancient Egyptian pyramids

→ Explore ALL Cairo, Egypt Tourist Attractions

→ Egypt Pyramids Tours

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The History Hit Miscellany of Facts, Figures and Fascinating Finds

10 of the Best Ancient Attractions to See in Egypt

From the world famous pyramids of giza to the mask of tutankhamen at cairo's museum of egyptian antiquities, follow in the footsteps of the pharaohs in our guide to the best ancient egyptian attractions to see..

Peta Stamper

08 nov 2022.

The heartland of Egypt – the Nile River valley – was once home to one of the world’s earliest urban and literate societies. From 4,000 BC, the Ancient Egyptians thrived for some 3,000 years and, even after the region was conquered by Alexander the Great in 323 BC, continued to be integral to the Hellenistic world.

This period of pharaohs, pyramids and crocodile gods has left a wealth of unmissable Ancient Egyptian monuments and sites to discover. These ancient gems include the world famous sites of Giza, Abu Simbel and Saqqara, as well as Luxor Temple, Abydos and the Valley of the Kings.

To help you get started, we’ve put together a guide to our top 10 Ancient Egyptian attractions to explore.

Of all the Ancient Egypt sites, Giza’s pyramids are definitely the most renowned and include the world’s largest pyramid, that of Khufu. Khufu’s pyramid is Giza’s oldest and, at its great size of 145 metres, became known as ‘The Great Pyramid’.

Visitors can enter each of the pyramids or view them together from the dramatic panorama point, while the the Great Sphinx is also located nearby.

2. Abu Simbel

Known as Ramesses the Great, Ramesses II is one of the most famous Egyptian pharaohs and formed part of the Nineteenth Dynasty.

From 1279 BC, he built the temples at Abu Simbel as a way to immortalise himself, a feat he certainly seems to have achieved with these two vast structures and the large statues of himself which guard it.

Saqqara in Egypt is the ancient necropolis of the city of Memphis, the capital of  Ancient Egypt , which was founded in 3000 BC by Menes. It contains a host of burial chambers and pyramids, and is the oldest complete stone building complex in history.

Saqqara is filled with historical treasures, not least of which is the Serapeum, where the Egyptians buried the sacred bulls of Apis. The Egyptians believed these bulls were reincarnations of the deity,  Ptah , and they are today perfectly mummified in enormous granite coffins.

4. Luxor Temple

Constructed in the 14th century BC by Amenhotep III, the ninth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty, the Luxor Temple was part of the Ancient Egyptian city of Thebes.

From its Avenue of the Sphinxes to its looming archways and giant statues, the enormous Luxor Temple is a breath-taking site.

Abydos is an important Ancient Egyptian site located about 50 miles north-west of  Luxor  which contains a wealth of tombs, temples and other archaeological remains.

Abydos continued to be an important city and site of pilgrimage right up to the late Roman period and ruins have been found from throughout the long history of the site.

6. Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt, was once part of the Ancient Egyptian city of  Thebes . The Valley of the Kings was the burial site of almost all of the  pharaohs of the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties (1539-1075 BCE), from Thutmose I to Ramses X.

The treasures which were exhumed from Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 vividly indicate how rich the burial of a great pharaoh of the empire must have been in its heyday…

7. Karnak Temple

Sprawling over 2 square kilometres, the site known as the Karnak Temple was built in dedication to the  god Amun  and expanded by a succession of pharaohs, from those of the Middle Kingdom (1965-1920 BC) to the Ptolemaic dynasty (305 BC to 30 BC).

The result? An incredible maze of temples, sanctuaries, sphinxes, columns and pylons amidst other ancient buildings, and its name translates in Arabic as ‘fortified village’.

A royal necropolis found in the desert west of the River Nile, Dahshur was once home to 11 Ancient Egyptian pyramids, of which few have survived. However, for those wishing to view Egypt ’s pyramids in peace and quiet, Dahshur is the place to go.

Unlike the more popular Giza and Saqqara, Dahshur has not become a tourist hotspot, despite its ancient attractions, including the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid. Visitors to Dahshur can tour the Red Pyramid and the more recently opened Bent Pyramid as well.

9. Cairo Museum of Egyptian Antiquities

The Cairo Museum of Egyptian Antiquities contains the most comprehensive and important collection of Ancient Egyptian artefacts in the world. Indeed, it is said to have over 100,000 pieces in all.

Perhaps the most famous part of the Cairo Museum of Egyptian Antiquities is its Tutankhamen collection, which includes the iconic funereal mask of the boy king as well as several other objects related to this pharaoh.

10. Temple of Horus

The Temple of Horus, also known as the Edfu Temple, is an incredibly well-preserved monument to one of Ancient Egypt’s most important deities, Horus.

Worshipped as the child of Isis and Osiris, Horus was depicted with the head – and often the body – of a falcon.  He was the ruler of the skies and the deity of the pharaohs.

Best attractions in Egypt: Top 30

Egypt is a fabulous land of pyramids, mummies, temples, and pharaohs. The sights of Egypt beckon you into the depths of centuries, forcing you to plunge into the history of antiquity and get into the spirit of those times. Modernity and antiquity coexist here with each other in an amazing way, giving this land a fascinatingly magical look. The country is distinguished by its identity, loyalty to tradition and characteristic oriental flavor. Dry and hot climate allows you to come here to rest in any season, even in the winter months, the water temperature in the sea is above 20 degrees. Visitors to Egypt for the first time begs the question - what to see in Egypt in the first place? Let’s consider a list of major attractions that deserve your attention and, undoubtedly, will not leave you indifferent.

What to see in Egypt first of all

There are not only informative excursions in Egypt on the places of ancient civilizations, but also exciting trips through the desert, visits to water parks and much more. It is not possible to cover everything at once in one visit, but the information we have gathered will give you a chance to quickly determine where you would most like to go.

1. The Pyramids of Giza (8 km from Giza city)

In the Libyan desert, on the Giza Plateau, is the most important “place of power” on the continent and arguably one of the most beautiful places on our planet . It is the Great Pyramids of Giza, which is a whole cemetery city with temples, tombs, roads. The ancient necropolis includes the Pyramid of Khufu (also known as the pyramid of Cheops, one of the 7 wonders of the world), the slightly smaller Pyramid of Khafra and the much more modest-sized Pyramid of Menkaure, as well as several smaller satellite pyramids.

In fact, this complex is a cemetery for real aristocrats, where pharaohs were buried, as well as all their close associates - wives, servants, close relatives and all those who had noble origins and wished to go to the next world after their lord.

In general, the whole complex, besides the pyramids, consists of:

• temples located at the beginning of the memorial road that leads to the pyramids;
• the cemeteries where the close relatives and courtiers of the pharaohs were buried;
• the world’s oldest monument, the Sphinx sculpture.

The rocky plateau on which the pyramids were erected and provided the material for their construction - blocks of limestone were extracted from a quarry located nearby.

Official site : https://www.sca-egypt.org

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2. the valley of the pharaohs (luxor).

In the 16th century B.C., the Valley of the Kings was created for the purpose of burying the rulers of Egypt, a place in a rocky ravine where a number of tombs were organized. At one time this place was secret and was strictly guarded by overseers who protected it from raids and robbery.

The tradition of burial of the pharaohs was established by one of them - Thutmose I, who feared for the looting of his own tomb, ordered to organize it in inaccessible, impassable place. And so appeared the valley of Thebes - the most important landmark of Egypt, which has preserved its appearance to this day.

The place for the Great Magical Necropolis was not chosen by chance:

• The material for the construction of the tombs - limestone - in this rocky area is hard enough to protect the tombs from cracks and destruction;
• the path to the Valley allows the funeral procession to move quickly and unhindered;
• At the same time, there is only one entrance to the Valley, which is a narrow path and protected by steep cliffs;
• The location of the Valley is at a great distance from the funerary temple, the tombs of which have been looted more than once.

At present more than 60 pharaohs, as well as the wives and children of the rulers, are buried in the Valley. A whole system of intricate tunnels and wells is formed within the Valley, and the walls are covered with frescoes narrating the lives of the buried persons.

3. Temple of Luxor (Luxor City)

If during your travels you happen to be in the ancient city of history and magic - Luxor, then the question of what to visit in Egypt can be considered solved. Of course, this majestic Luxor temple is a monumental religious structure, built in the 14th century BC. The temple impresses by the perfection and harmony of forms, especially when you realize the degree of antiquity of this historical monument. One of the largest temples in Egypt has a total length of about 260 meters, and the massive trapezoidal towers - pylons, decorating the entrance, reaching 20 meters in height and 70 meters in length.

The temple was built by order of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who ruled at the time, who dedicated it to the sun god Amon-Ra, his wife Mut and their son Khonsa. In ancient times at the entrance to the temple stood 6 huge statues of Pharaoh Ramses II, but only two of them have survived. Here you can admire the huge 25-meter obelisk, painted with frescoes. Originally, there were two, but one of them was donated to France by order of ruler Mohamed Ali in 1819.

For many centuries this temple stood covered with sand, and it was not until the middle of the 19th century that excavations began. It is noteworthy that the excavations continue to the present day and archaeologists continue to find new details of the temple complex.

4. The resort city of Sharm el Sheikh (south of the Sinai Peninsula)

In the south of the Sinai Peninsula lies Egypt’s favorite tourist attraction, the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, which has a reputation as Egypt’s most prestigious seaside resort. The love of visitors to the country to this city is justified - there is a special charm in it, and local landscapes markedly contrasting against the background of the sands, numerous ruins, rocks and canyons. Numerous palm trees, bright green lawns, a variety of exotic flowers, emerald sea with a rich and colorful underwater world, wide beaches with cleanest and soft sand - all this turns the resort area of the town of Sharm el-Sheikh, stretching for 35 kilometers, in a real oasis in the desert sands.

Especially the resort is attractive for lovers of scuba diving. This is due to the fact that this is the location of the national park of Ras Muhammad, known throughout the world for its underwater wealth - the number of corals and colorful fauna is virtually unparalleled in the world. Dozens of diving centers here offer all the necessary equipment for divers, local stores are literally stocked with professional diving equipment.

In addition to diving, there are plenty of opportunities for entertainment: jacuzzis, tennis courts, swimming pools, golf clubs, gyms, parachutes, jet skis, dolphinarium and much more.

5. The Palace and Park of Montaza (Alexandria)

Once in the mysterious and ancient land of the pharaohs, every traveler can see for himself or herself - there is much to see in Egypt, besides studying numerous excavations and ancient ruins. One striking example of this is the royal palace and park complex of Montaza, located in eastern Alexandria, on the shore of a small bay. Against the background of most sights in Egypt, the palace of Montaza stands out for the beauty of natural landscapes, the coziness of green alleys and intricate pavilions. Here, among the greenery of centuries-old trees, flower beds, ponds, Greek sculptures, you can wander for hours, breathing in the scents of vegetation and enjoying the magnificent panorama.

The palace itself was built not long ago - at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, as a summer residence of the Egyptian kings. On the vast territory of the park in 1892 the first palace built in the Austrian style was Salamlik, which served as a hunting lodge for the last ruler of the Mohammed Ali Dynasty - Khedive Abbas II. The main palace and royal gardens appeared on this site somewhat later, in 1932. In the external design of the palace intertwined elements of Florentine and Turkish architecture, and around the palace stretches a luxurious park, planted with palms, pines and other trees of conifers, equipped with alleys for strolls and pavilions for rest.

6. Temple of Karnak

One of the largest structures of ancient Egypt that have survived to this day, as well as the largest religious complex in the world, is the Karnak Temple, located on the east bank of the Nile, 2 kilometers from Luxor. Today, the temple of Karnak is one of the main historical monuments and the second most visited landmark in Egypt, after the famous pyramids of Giza.

The temple of Karnak is a huge temple complex measuring 1.5 kilometers by 0.7 kilometers, which includes 33 temples and halls, all of which resemble a kind of city, rather than a building. The whole complex has been subject to a series of changes and additions over the past 2 millennia, because each of the pharaohs wanted in his own way to complement and transform this splendor, to make a contribution and leave a certain memory of the period of his reign.

The entire temple complex consists of several parts:

• The central part, dedicated to the god Amon-Ra, with a colonnade of 134 sixteen-meter columns, once propping up the vault and forming a sacred corridor;
• The southern part is the temple dedicated to Queen Mut, the wife of the Sun God;
• the northern part, the ruins of the temple of Montu, dedicated to the son of Amon-Ra and Mut.

7. Mount Sinai (Sinai Peninsula)

There is one interesting place in Egypt that holds a history dating back thousands of years. The importance of this place has recently faded somewhat in comparison to the popular attractions of Egypt - such as the pyramids of Giza or the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Mount Sinai, located on the Sinai Peninsula, is probably the first thing to visit in Egypt for those who are interested in local shrines.

Mount Sinai, also known as Mount Moses is a place with which a biblical story is connected. It is believed that it was here that the prophet Moses received the Ten Commandments from the Lord and passed them on to his people. Since this story does not only exist in Christianity, these commandments are also held by the Jewish and Islamic religions.

So here at the top of the mountain, at an altitude of 2,285 meters, there is a temple dedicated to each of these religions. There is a chapel dedicated to the Trinity and a similarly sized mosque, and the Jewish trail leads to a cave that is said to have sheltered Moses for forty days while he was communing with God.

The pilgrimage to the top of Mount Moses (Sinai) has been going on for thousands of years - it was the pilgrimage of the Byzantine empress Helen herself. According to the legend, on her order the chapel of Neopalimaya Kupina was put.

8. Temple of Ramses II in Abu Simbel (Nubia)

Among the most famous monuments of ancient Egyptian culture is another historical landmark in Egypt - the cave temple of Ramses II in Nubia. This temple was built around 1260s BC, respecting the then existing traditions of design of tombs. The temple at Abu Simbel includes two structures - the Big Temple and Small Temple.

The large temple was dedicated to Pharaoh Ramses II who ruled at the time, as well as to the gods Amon-Ra, Ptah, and Khoraht. The entrance to the temple is oriented to the east, and one interesting fact is that twice a year, on March 21 and September 21, at about 6 am, a ray of sunrise penetrates into all rooms of the temple and lights up the figure of Ramses II and Amon-Ra, and then briefly highlights the face of Pharaoh so that he seems to “smile”. Then the beam advances and illuminates the figure of Khorahte for some time, but Ptah always remains hidden in the shadows, because he is the lord of the underworld, and the sunlight is not necessary for him.

The Lesser Temple was dedicated to Hathor, the goddess of heaven. The decorations here are much simpler, and the temple itself consists of a sanctuary and a columned hall. There are three niches in the sanctuary, one of which contains a figure of a cow, representing the image of the goddess.

9. The Monastery of St. Catherine (Mount Sinai, the Sinai Peninsula)

At the foot of Mount Sinai sits another of Egypt’s oldest landmarks, one of the world’s oldest active temple complexes - the Monastery of St. Catherine. The temple, built about 1.5 thousand years ago (527-565 AD), not once in the history of its existence has not been destroyed, captured, damaged, so nothing prevented it to preserve its appearance to this day.

The name of St. Catherine was given to the monastery not immediately, but only in the 11th century, in honor of the Great Martyr Catherine. From a young age, this maiden believed in Christ, converted many people to Christianity, for which she endured a lot of troubles and hardships in her life. More than once she was forced to return to the worship of pagan gods, but the young virgin was adamant. For this, the Emperor Maximinus, who ruled at the time, ordered her to be executed by beheading. According to tradition, Catherine’s body after death was carried by angels to the top of Mount Sinai, and the monks found the remains of the great martyr, identifying her by the ring given to her by Jesus Christ himself.

The monastery includes a large temple - the Basilica of Transfiguration, as well as 12 small chapels, there is a garden, a refectory and a huge library of manuscripts, whose value is second only to the Vatican library.

Every Orthodox pilgrim who comes to this monastery, receives a silver ring, which shows the heart with the monogram “K” - so the Great Martyr Catherine, who took a martyr’s death, as if giving each coming here a piece of his heart.

Official website : https://www.sinaimonastery.com

10. Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Alexandria)

The technological progress inherent in our time could not radically change preferences, and true lovers of literature are not outnumbered among us, who have something to see in Egypt, besides popular resorts, majestic castles or ancient ruins. This, of course, is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, also called the New Library of Alexandria.

The progenitor of the new library was the Ancient Library of Alexandria, founded in the 3rd century B.C. How it was destroyed, history is silent; we can only speculate that it was either a fire or a series of events, as a result of which the cultural place was plundered and destroyed to the ground.

The idea of erecting the New Library of Alexandria first emerged in the 1970s among professors at Alexandria University. It was not until 1992 that preparatory work for the construction of the library building began, and in 1995 the actual construction process began, which was completed in 2001. In 2002 the library solemnly opened its doors in the presence of leaders of many countries.

The library building has the unusual shape of a cylinder of glass and aluminum with a beveled dome. The library can hold about 8 million books and its collections are brought together from every corner of the world. The main reading room has a huge area - about 70,000 square meters on 11 levels, going cascading. In addition to the reading room itself the library complex includes:

• conference room;
• Specialized library for the blind;
• planetarium;
• 4 art galleries;
• a laboratory for the restoration of manuscripts.

Official website : https://www.bibalex.org

Egyptian sights: what else to visit while in Egypt

The key to a successful trip to the land of the pharaohs will be professional guides in Egypt and a list of places to visit in advance. Another important point - the weather conditions (or rather the timing of the trip), because in this country it is very hot, and part of the attractions are in the open space.

11. Kite Bay Fortress (Alexandria)

On the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, near Alexandria, a major commercial, industrial and financial center of the country, there is another important landmark in Egypt, the Kait Bay Fortress. It has been determined that the fortress was erected in 1477 directly on the ruins of the Alexandria Lighthouse. As you know, the Alexandria Lighthouse is recognized as one of the 7 wonders of the world. A major earthquake in 1100 destroyed the structure, but the lighthouse was not destined to completely disappear from the face of the earth, and its foundations were “immortalized” in their own way as the foundation of the fortress.

The fortress of Kite Bay played the role of a strategically important point in the Mediterranean. It suffered crushing blows at different times as a result of enemy raids, but time after time it was rebuilt, and its military might was reborn again.

So, for 5 centuries the fortress passed into the possession of the Ottoman Empire. Later, the famous outpost could not resist the attacks of the French army led by Napoleon. At the beginning of the 19th century, Muhammad Ali put a lot of effort into the restoration of the fortress and the elimination of the devastation. Not a century later, the fortress suffered a severe defeat under attack by British troops.

It was not until 1952 that Kait Bay came under the auspices of the Maritime Museum of Egypt, and in the last years of the 20th century extensive reconstruction work was carried out, and the fortress has acquired almost its original appearance, which it retains to this day.

12. The Colored Canyon (Nuweiba)

One of the most extraordinary places on the planet is the Colored Canyon near the town of Nuweiba in Egypt. Once here, a man clearly feels all the power of nature and the power of the elements. About 5 million years it took to form this miracle of nature: originally there was a powerful earthquake, which split the rock and created a crack deep in it 5 kilometers. Over millions of years, the crack has been washed away by rain, deepened by strong winds, and its lines have become more and more gradual.

The rocks consist of an unusual rock, colored sandstone. It was the combination of different colors in the rock that gave the canyon its name. Despite the heat, it is always cool at the bottom of the canyon. Walking along the narrow gorge, from 30 cm to 1 meter wide, you can see more closely its walls formed by stony soil with flecks of coral - proof that this part of the Sinai Peninsula was once under water.

The entire canyon consists of many labyrinths, and its total length is about 5 kilometers. The route starts at the top and then a narrow winding path gradually takes you down to the bottom of the gorge, the passage becomes narrower and narrower, and the steep cliffs exhibit bizarre patterns created by nature itself. At the exit of the canyon travelers expect jeeps and numerous souvenir shops.

13. Khan el Khalili market (Cairo)

Noisy bazaars with a variety of goods can be found in every corner of the world, but few become iconic for locals and visiting tourists alike. For those who want to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a lively market and experience the local color, there is definitely something to see in Egypt.

World famous Cairo Khan el-Khalili market attracts visitors from all over the world with its variety, striking the imagination of the most sophisticated visitor. Here you find everything to buy and take with you a piece of this country embodying the local color: all kinds of spices, jewelry, scarves, perfumes, lamps and many other things that can leave a memory of a trip to Egypt for years to come. Walking through the narrow streets of the market one feels the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, which not only gives you a joy of shopping, but also gives you a glimpse into the past.

Countless stores, shops full of merchandise, noisy vendors and visitors, all this will draw you into a single cycle of events and impressions. Tired of the bustle of the market, you can stop by any local coffee shop or restaurant, drink a cup of fragrant coffee or explore the variety of local cuisine.

14. Ros Mohammed National Park (south of the Sinai Peninsula)

Between the rich coral thickets of the Red Sea, on the southernmost coast of the Sinai Peninsula, sits Egypt’s most famous national park, which has become the world’s most popular spot for scuba diving. Real divers have something to see in Egypt - this is Ras Mohammed, the territory of which was declared a protected area in 1989. The underwater world of the coastal zone of the reserve is so rich that this picturesque place at one time conquered the famous traveler - Jacques-Yves Cousteau . The world of corals in the reserve Ras Mohammed is incredibly rich and varied: it can be a whole mountain of coral reefs under water, and the endless cliffs, leading to unknown sea depths, and a flat endless plateau.

The reefs rising from the depths of the sea here can be billions of years old! Emerald waters of the Red Sea on this coast are a real abundance of different forms of life. Coral alone there are about 220 species. Also surprised by the variety and local fauna:

• about a thousand species of fish;
• 25 species of sea urchins;
• a hundred and fifty species of crustaceans;
• a hundred species of mollusks;
• and you can also find green sea turtles, dolphins, white storks.

15. Al-Azhar Park (Cairo)

Among Egypt’s new attractions worthy of your attention is Al-Azhar Park in Cairo. The construction and equipping of the grandiose park with a total area of 30 hectares started in 1997 and was carried out for about a decade.

The work of equipping the park began with the clearing of the areas between the Mameluk Tomb and the Salah ad-Din city wall. The hilly, abandoned and turned into a dumping ground was leveled and cleared of debris, revealing many hidden parts of the city wall - towers, galleries, gates and more. All of this was to be restored, and the old city backyards were eventually turned into a beautiful park.

The terrain was leveled, water systems were laid underground, and a pumping station was installed to provide water and run the park fountains. Throughout the park were planted 655 thousand seedlings of various plants, paved roads, equipped large areas for walking and recreation. More complex objects have been equipped - such as restaurants and cafes on sites with wonderful panoramas of the park.

Today, Al-Azhar Park Complex is a huge space immersed in the greenery of planted trees, bushes, flowers, with a small man-made lake, water channels, paths and a palm yard in the center. Al-Azhar Park was officially opened in May 2005.

Official website : https://www.azharpark.com

16. The Pyramid of Cheops (Giza plateau)

Tourist Egypt is simply impossible to imagine the greatest monuments of antiquity - the grand Egyptian pyramids. The largest of the pyramids located on the Giza plateau is the Cheops pyramid. Supposedly the weight of the construction is about 4 million tons, and the height is about 140 meters - impressive figures, given that the structure was built by people 4.5 thousand years ago. The means and purpose by which the monuments were erected are still not known. There are only several versions, according to one of which the pyramids were used as granaries during the great famine - these events have a confirmation in the sacred Scripture. According to another legend, the pyramid was used to bury the body of a pharaoh whose soul passed here to the higher world. The masonry of the structure is impressive - the density of the adjoining stones is so great that the finest razor blade would not pass between them. Inside the pyramid there are passages and chambers, mysterious rooms and vents.

17. The Great Sphinx (Giza Plateau)

On the same Giza plateau, not far from Chephren Pyramid, is another impressive ancient monument - the mysterious Great Sphinx, which is considered to be the oldest monumental sculpture in the world. The mystery of its origin and purpose of its erection remain a mystery. The monument is 73 meters long and about 20 meters high and is carved directly out of the rock and represents a lion with a human head. I must say, the image of the sphinx is traditional for Egyptian culture - he was worshiped as a royal animal associated with the sun god - Ra. For many centuries the mysterious sculpture was under a thick layer of sand - attempts to excavate it have been made since the 14th century BC, but the first excavations were unsuccessful. The restoration of the sculpture revealed interesting facts - for example, it turned out that the sphinx was built before the well-known pyramids, and that under the left paw of the lion deepens a tunnel leading to the Chephren pyramid.

18. Egyptian Museum (Cairo)

In the heart of the capital city of Cairo sits the largest repository of artifacts reflecting Egypt’s ancient history-the Cairo Egyptian Museum. The grandiose collection of 136 thousand artifacts is housed in more than a hundred halls, and another 40,000 exhibits lurk in the basements, where many artifacts have already absorbed the soft ground. The collection of the museum is so large that according to general estimates, to study all the exhibits would take more than a year! All items in the museum are placed chronologically and thematically, and the age of the oldest items is five thousand years. Within the walls of the complex, for example, you can see 11 mummies of pharaohs, sarcophagi, art objects, everyday life and other things that reflect the life of ancient Egyptians. Special attention should be given to the collection dedicated to the objects from the tomb of Tutankhamun - this is a death mask, as well as furniture, dishes, jewelry and even the king’s chariot.

19. The Church of the Holy Virgin Mary (Cairo)

If the Mohammed Ali Mosque is a famous Muslim symbol of Cairo, the Church of the Holy Virgin Mary is the main symbol of all Egyptians who preach Christianity and are called Copts. The Church of the Virgin Mary was built around the 3rd century B.C. and has kept its current appearance since the 7th-9th centuries A.D. The church is located in the Coptic quarter where a number of other Christian churches are located in addition to the shrine. The main attraction within the walls of the temple is the carved wooden iconostasis made of Lebanese cedar from the 12th and 13th centuries. Perhaps one of the most memorable moments in the history of the church was a three-year period in the 20th century when a number of miraculous phenomena occurred in the neighborhood – for example, a luminous image of the Virgin Mary appeared in the sky above the roof several times, and everything inside the church periodically lit up with mysterious light and shining birds like doves flew in and circled.

Official website: https://www.coptic-cairo.com

20. Tutankhamun Museum (Sharm el Sheikh)

Perhaps of utmost importance in the study of Egypt are the historical and cultural sites of Egypt. Sharm el-Sheikh is a city where a museum dedicated to the life of an Egyptian pharaoh was recently opened in 2014. Despite his short 18-year life, Tutankhamun today is one of the most famous rulers, but he became famous not for his outstanding reign, but for the fact that his tomb was the only one that has survived unlooted to this day. That is why the Tutankhamun Museum exhibition is based on the numerous objects from his tomb, which number more than a thousand and a half in total, but only about a hundred are exhibited here. It is worth noting that the exhibits on display are only copies of these items, and all one and a half thousand originals are stored elsewhere - in the National Museum in Cairo.

Official website: https://www.genenacity.com

21. Abu el-Abbas Mosque (Alexandria)

In the middle of a crowded square in Alexandria, the ornate 73-meter minaret of the Abu el-Abbas Mosque with its 4 symmetrically arranged domes rises into the air. The whole facade of the building is covered with lace ligature of Arabic patterns - arabesques, which can be viewed for hours. This large beautiful mosque was built in the 14th century over the tomb of Prophet, after whom it was named. This holy prophet is one of the most revered saints in the country, he is considered the patron saint of sailors and fishermen. There are two main entrances to the mosque: the northern entrance leads from the square and the street adjacent to the royal palace, the eastern door leads to another part of the square. The main inner hall of the mosque has the shape of an octagon with each side being 22 meters long. The inside of the walls and ceiling are finished with fanciful mosaics, and the ceilings are decorated with traditional Arabic paintings.

22. The Colossi of Memnon (Luxor)

The Colossi of Memnon are an integral part of the architectural heritage of ancient Egypt. These giant statues were once erected in honor of one of the Egyptian pharaohs, Amenhotep III, and it is believed that he is the one embodied in these stone statues. Once the sculptures were part of the complex - there was a temple in the name of the pharaoh, but over time it collapsed, and 20-meter “guards”, built from blocks of sandstone, have survived. The reason for the destruction of the temple allegedly caused by the Nile River floods, which over time “washed” it off the face of the earth. The Colossi were once called “singing” - they did indeed produce a peculiar sound: when heated, the air seeped through a certain hole in the northern Colossus, creating a kind of melody. However, one of the earthquakes significantly destroyed the northern statue, which even after restoration by the Romans never began to “sing”.

23. temples of the island of Philae (river Nile)

If the famous Luxor temple, of which only fragments remain today, witnessed the economic and political flowering of the ancient Egyptian civilization during the New Kingdom period, the temple of Isis on the island of Philae is a living witness to the Ptolemaic era. It was once the center of the cult of the goddess representing the Egyptian ideal of womanhood and motherhood, but as a result of the construction of the Aswan Dam the original structures were completely hidden in the water. An operation was carried out to remove all the Philae monuments from the water, after which they were moved to a nearby island and rebuilt. The Temple of Isis was the first building on the island - it began under construction in the 4th century BC, was completed during the Ptolemaic dynasty and was only completed under Emperor Caracalla. Today the temple complex, in addition to the temple of Isis, includes the temple of Nektaneb I, the temple of the goddess Hathor, the “kiosk” of Trajan.

24. Suez Canal (Egypt)

The Suez Canal is one of the most important maritime arteries on the planet, allowing ships to sail both ways without rounding Africa. In the past, cargo was transported by unloading ships, by overland transport between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Today, the canal waters are the shortest route between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean. For this purpose, the canal was opened in the 19th century, although it is worth noting that the idea of creating such an artery first emerged in antiquity - in the 7th century BC, but the project never materialized, and a century later the Persian conquerors of Egypt still began construction, but never completed it. And only in the 19th century the great project, whose author was a French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps, began. Today between 60 and 80 ships pass through the canal every day, and the income from its operation is one of the main items of profit of the Egyptian budget.

25. The Aswan Hydrosystem (Dam) (city of Aswan)

The great engineering invention of the 20th century in Egypt is the Aswan Dam, which, incidentally, was designed by Soviet engineers. The creation of the dam allowed the country to solve the problem of floods, establish control over floods of the Nile River and switch to year-round irrigation of the land. But at the same time we should not forget that the dam also brought misfortunes associated with the destruction of the homes of local Egyptians and ancient monuments located in the path of water. The dam is a huge dam with a stone embankment with cement and clay at its core. A four-lane highway runs along the top of the dam and six tunnels have been created on the right bank of the Nile to bring water to the hydroelectric plant. As a result of the construction of the dam a huge artificial reservoir was formed - Lake Nasser, one of the largest artificial lakes in the world, which today is actively used for land irrigation.

26. The Nile River, Egypt

When mentioning Egypt’s natural attractions, the report must necessarily include one of its recognizable symbols-the country’s most important waterway, the Nile River. Indeed, the fate of Egypt has always been closely linked with the Nile - the sacred river was the source of life for the ancient civilization, starting from the Stone Age. And the very birth of ancient Egypt occurred thanks to this great river. And to this day in the Nile valley are all settlements, where almost the entire population lives, because the Nile is the main source of fresh water. Among other things, along the Nile runs the main tourist route - because the vast majority of ancient monuments are concentrated here. Cruises are constantly organized on the waters of the river: a comfortable boat trip is an ideal way to get acquainted with the country, its values and culture.

27. Hurghada Grand Aquarium

The Hurghada Grand Aquarium is unique in its kind as it is the first large aquarium in the world where the Red Sea flora and fauna are gathered in such numbers and diversity. This facility opened just recently - at the beginning of 2015, and occupied an area of 40 thousand square meters, and in the future it is planned to open an area of another 100 thousand square meters. The main objective of the construction of the Hurghada Grand was to preserve the endangered species of the Red Sea. There are 24 thematic exhibitions in the halls of the Aquarium, corresponding to different types of environment. For example, one section features sharks and rays, with smaller fish scurrying between them, as well as an artificially cultured coral reef. Another section displays the remains of ancient whales. There is also a recreated tropical forest area, a mini-zoo, a whale valley, an exhibition about the life and livelihood of the Bedouin, and much more.

Official website: https://hurghadaaquarium.com

28. Blue Hole (Red Sea) (Dahab)

What are some of the interesting creations of nature in Egypt? The first thing that deserves attention is an extraordinary natural formation near the Sinai coast. The so-called Blue Hole - a complex of vertical underwater caves, which from the surface of the water look like a bottomless dark spot in the emerald sea, as if a mysterious gateway to another dimension. At a depth of about 56 meters begins a tunnel - the so-called “Arch” of overhanging corals, and a special professionalism among divers is considered the passage of this path without a scuba diver. The fate of many divers who dared to pass the path without equipment, was unfortunate and brought this place negative fame. However, do not be afraid to dive into the waters of the Blue Hole with equipment and to a depth of no more than 30 meters - it is enough to get acquainted with the beautiful coral world of the Red Sea.

29. Cairo Nilomer (Rhoda Island)

As is already known, the life of Egypt, since antiquity, has been inextricably linked with the great river Nile. Every year the Nile flooded, providing irrigation of the land, but the fluctuations of the water level were not always the same - in some years there were droughts, which brought mass starvation, in others - floods with disastrous consequences. To predict the behavior of the river, the Egyptians five thousand years ago invented a peculiar instrument to measure the water level - the so-called Nilomer. One of such structures, preserved to this day, is located in Cairo, on the island of Rhoda. It is an eight-cornered marble column in a deep square well. In order to know the water level, one had to go down a ladder and examine the column. Water entered the well through three pipes installed at different depths. The notches on the column were used to determine whether the year would be dry or auspicious, or to wait for floods.

Official site: https://www.waterhistory.org

30. White Desert (east of the Sahara Desert)

To the east of the Sahara Desert stretches an unusual area of about 300 square kilometers, the White Desert, which Egypt granted national park status in 2002. The snow-white sands of the desert have a pearly sheen, and in some places there are bizarre figures, as if in a fantasy movie. Millions of years ago the White Desert was an ocean floor, where the remains of microorganisms were deposited. Over time, the sea dried up and the wind bare the massive white layer. Today at the entrance to the park you can see Crystal Mountain, where calcite crystals lie everywhere, shimmering in the sun. The next place is a small oasis with a spring, and further along the route visitors have an incredible view of the White Desert. Especially attractive against the background of the sands are huge limestone figures, shaped like mushrooms. The park ends with another oasis with a small Bedouin village.

• Sightseeing

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21 Top Tourist Attractions in Egypt

The tourist attractions in Egypt are not limited to the famous Pyramids of Giza and its temples. This intriguing country, with its rich and preserved history, has varied attractions for the most diverse styles of travelers.

Throughout the country, there are everything from beautiful natural landscapes to impressive human constructions. Ancient temples and modern architectural constructions.

In Egypt, there is a desert and a beach. Contemplation and consumption. Culture and fun for all tastes. It’s a fantastic place that should always be on travelers’ bucket list. Check out everything you need to know to create the ideal itinerary for your trip to Egypt.

What to Do in Egypt

1. pyramids of giza and great sphinx.

The Pyramids of Giza are, without a doubt, the most famous among Egypt’s tourist attractions. And yes, the pyramids are an unmissable attraction in the country. They are part of a complex called the  Necropolis of Giza , which includes, in addition to the three Great Pyramids (Cheops, Chephren, Myquerinos), the Great Sphinx.

The pyramids are the only  one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World  that still exist today. They were erected for the burial of Kings Cheops, Chephren, Micherinos, grandfather, father, and son, respectively.

The ancient Egyptians believed in resurrection. Thus, the buildings were intended to store the pharaoh’s body and a large part of his treasures so that they could be used when he returned to life.

The entrance to the plateau that houses the pyramids gives access only to the external area. To enter any of the pyramids, it is necessary to purchase specific and more expensive tickets.

The simple entrance also entitles you to visit the  Great Sphinx  up close, also located nearby. It is the largest monolith statue in the world.

With its lion’s body and human head (in this case, the face of Pharaoh Khafre), its function is to protect the pyramids that can be seen from a short distance away.

At night, there is the option of watching a light show projected onto the Pyramids and the Sphinx. This attraction has a separate  ticket for the light show at the Pyramids of Giza , which lasts about an hour. The entire complex is located in the city of Giza, about 20 kilometers from the center of  Cairo , the country’s capital.

2. Egyptian Museum, One of the Best Places to Visit in Egypt

The  Egyptian Museum  is another must-see attraction among the tourist places in Egypt. Located in Cairo,  its collection comprises more than 120 thousand pieces of antiquities , mostly extracted from excavations throughout the country.

Visitors can observe utensils, statues, sarcophagi, and even some mummies (there is an exclusive room dedicated to them that is accessible at an extra price, but there are also some on display for the public who purchase the general ticket).

However, the biggest attraction of the Egyptian Museum is the part dedicated to  Pharaoh Tutankhamun , whose tomb was one of the few discovered intact.

Thus, it was possible to preserve and display the sumptuous funerary ornaments that guarded his body, in particular his beautiful gold death mask, which is displayed. Buy your  ticket to the Egyptian Museum   here .

3. Khan El Khalili Market

Anyone who enjoys popular fairs can’t miss the Khan El Khalili Market, the largest in Cairo. This is also one of the popular tourist spots in Egypt. Along several intersecting streets are hundreds of small shops selling trinkets in general and countless vendors eager for tourists’ money.

Fabrics, papyrus, crystals, jewelry, clothes, and all kinds of souvenirs are sold in its alleys. You can find that pyramid that will decorate your living room or that stuffed camel as a gift for your niece.

This is also a place to bargain. The prices offered are always inflated. So, if something is offered to you for the value of 100 (whatever the currency of negotiation), do not hesitate to offer to pay just 20.

After a lot of negotiation, there’s a good chance you’ll get what you want (plus some freebies) for 35. A golden rule that, by the way, applies to practically all Egyptian businesses aimed at tourists.

4. Coptic Quarter

Coptic is the name given to Christians in Egypt, who are a minority in this predominantly Muslim country, but which does not discriminate against any religion.

In this context, the Coptic Quarter is an interesting attraction in Cairo, where beautiful churches and synagogues are concentrated. So, it will be a shame if it misses out on this list of the top tourist attractions in Egypt.

The highlight is the  Church of Santo Sergio , built on the spot where the Holy Family took refuge for around three months when Jesus Christ was still a baby.

Other attractions are the  Cairo Hanging Church, St. George’s Church, St. Barbara’s Church, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue.  Be sure also to visit the  Coptic Museum , which houses some of the oldest manuscripts in Egypt.

5. Cairo Tower, One of the Best Things to See in Egypt

The Cairo Tower is the tallest building in the Egyptian capital, located in the modern region of Zamalek, in the center of the city. From the viewpoint located at the top of its 187 meters, it is possible to have a 360-degree view of the city.

The view of the Nile River and the surrounding buildings is impressive during the day, but it is even more beautiful at night. The Cairo Tower was designed to look similar to the shape of the lotus flower, one of Egypt’s symbolic plants.

Hurghada is a coastal city located about 460 kilometers south of Cairo, whose main attraction is being bathed by the beautiful waters of the Red Sea. Therefore, a visit here is definitely one of the best things to do in Egypt.

The beauty of its beaches and the blue tones of its crystal clear waters, suitable for diving, contrast with the desert image that most people have of Egypt.

From here, there are tours to the  Giftun Islands , which have wonderful beaches. Another attraction is the quad bike ride in the desert near the city. Hurghada can be reached by plane (domestic flight) or by land, depending on the visitor’s convenience.

7. Nile River Cruise, Another of the Exciting Things to Do in Egypt

A practical way to see many cool tourist attractions in Egypt is to take a  cruise along the Nile River.

The routes can be down the river, starting from the city of Aswan to the city of Luxor or in the opposite direction. Both locations can be accessed by plane (domestic flights) or train departing from Cairo.

If you opt for this type of attraction, combine the convenience of booking all at once, accommodation, meals, and some guided tours at various tourist attractions in the country visited during the journey.

It is possible to do the journey in four days (and three nights). But, since your time might be limited due to the abundance of attractions, you might miss out on some. Therefore, if you have more time available, choose tours with at least one more day of travel.

8. Temple of Philae

The Temple of Philae, built in honor of the goddess Isis, is on an island in the Nile River near the city of Aswan (about 860 kilometers south of Cairo).

This imposing construction dates back to the reign of Ptolemy II and has both Egyptian and Greek architectural features.

The main attraction of this temple is its various columns, in Greek style, which have representations of a lotus flower, typically Egyptian, at the tip. It is the only large temple in Egypt dedicated to a goddess, who for a long time was looked after by priestesses.

Furthermore, it was a temple much frequented by Cleopatra. All of this gives the place a much more feminine air than other temples in the country. There are countless inscriptions carved into its large walls, which fill the eyes of visitors.

To get to the island, you need to take a boat from the Shallal deck. This crossing is short but very beautiful. At night, the place also has a much-appreciated light show. Without a doubt, it is one of the top tourist attractions in Egypt.

9. Kom Ombo Temple

This temple is located in the city of Kom Ombo, about 830 km from Cairo. For tourists who choose to cruise on the Nile River, this place is certainly one of the ship’s stops.

This is the only large Egyptian temple dedicated to two gods:  the crocodile god  (deity of fertility and creator of the world) and  the falcon god Horus  (deity of the heavens and war). Each half of the temple bears inscriptions referring to one of these gods.

Very close to this temple is a curious Crocodile Museum, where visitors can see crocodile sarcophagi and mummies, something that most people are not even aware exists.

10. Abu Simbel, One of the Best Places to See in Egypt

Abu Simbel  is a complex of two temples located in southern Egypt, close to the border with Sudan. Built during the reign of Ramesses II, the first was built in his honor and the second in honor of Nefertari, one of his wives.

Despite being built in the 13th century BC, they are not today in the same place they were made. This is because Abu Simbel would be submerged by the lake formed due to the construction of the great Aswan Dam on the Nile River.

Thus, in the 1960s, UNESCO raised funds and promoted the relocation of both temples to a higher region, safe from the waters of the dam to be formed. Departing from Aswan (about 860 kilometers south of Cairo), the journey to Abu Simbel takes about three hours. It is also possible to travel by plane.

Tours that take you to the site usually leave very early, and visits are made on a “round trip” basis. It can be a little tiring, but the beauty and grandeur of the place make the effort worth it.

11. Edfu Temple

The Edfu Temple is located in the city of Edfu, on the west bank of the Nile River. It is the right place to stop for anyone taking a cruise along the Nile River.

Leaving the ship, there is a short carriage ride to the location, lasting about 15 minutes. It is also possible to reach the city by train or taxi from Aswan (about 860 kilometers south of Cairo).

Built in the Ptolemaic kingdom  (between 237 and 54 BC) in honor of the falcon god Horus, the Temple of Edfu is one of the best preserved historical places in Egypt. This fact is because this imposing construction remained under the sand for centuries, being revealed again by excavations that began in 1860.

The complex consists of a large open courtyard, a room with 18 columns, followed by another interior room with 12 columns. At the end, there is the sanctuary at the bottom of the temple.

Everywhere, there are large inscriptions and drawings on its high walls, which depict the mythological story of Horus, as well as various rituals and offerings.

As it is among the top Egyptian attractions, it is recommended to visit early in the morning in order to better enjoy the place without the competition of hundreds of other visitors around.

12. Luxor Temple

The  Luxor Temple  is located in the city of Luxor (ancient Thebes, 700 kilometers from Cairo) and was considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.

The place  was built in honor of the god Amon-Ra,  but the image of Ramses II is everywhere.

Right at the entrance, there are several huge statues of the pharaoh, as well as a large obelisk (the other one that was paired with it is now in Paris, in Place de la Concorde). During the Roman occupation, parts of the buildings were adapted to be used as churches.

Some walls show classical Christian paintings that were made over ancient Egyptian inscriptions. Nowadays, there is also a functioning mosque right next to the complex. 

13. Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is the place near the city of Luxor (ancient Thebes) where several tombs of Egyptian pharaohs were found and today attracts tourists from all over the world.

Located on the western bank of the Nile, the place has several elevations, where paths were built to store the body of a pharaoh or members of his family.

When we talk about the burial of pharaohs in Egypt, the first image that comes to mind is the Pyramids of Giza, near Cairo.

However, over time, the use of pyramids for this purpose was abandoned. This began with Amontep I (1511 BC to 1524 BC), and since then, pharaohs have been buried in this valley. This makes it one of the most important points of interest in Egypt.

The region is desert, with dry air and almost no shadows. Therefore, the use of sunscreen and constant hydration is recommended. There are dozens of tombs that can be visited. Their interior is impressive, with many drawings on the walls.

But don’t worry about going into all of them, as  they are all very similar . Ticket prices vary depending on the number of tombs you intend to visit.

There are special places, like  Tutankhamun’s tomb , which require a specific ticket (and it’s not even worth it, as the cool stuff is in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo).

It is important to highlight that if you want to take photos inside the tombs,  you have to buy a permit  for an extra fee.

In all of them, there are inspectors to prevent photos from being taken by those who don’t have this pass, and their approach is not at all friendly.

14. Deir El-Bahari, Another of the Best Places to visit in Egypt

Deir El-Bahari is a beautiful complex of tombs and mortuary temples located near the city of Luxor. Its great highlight is the  mortuary temple of Hatexepsut , also known as Djeser-Djeseru (The Wonder of Wonders).

Located on the western bank of the Nile River, close to the Valley of the Kings, the site was built in honor of Amun-Ra, the sun god. Its wide staircase and columns mark this construction made at the foot of a large elevation, which can be seen from a long distance, including during a balloon ride in Luxor.

15. Balloon Ride in Luxor

The  balloon ride in Luxor  is one of the coolest things to do in Egypt for anyone visiting this ancient city. The balloon departure point is on the west bank of the Nile, and the tours always start very early.

Tours are, as a rule, booked with local guides in advance. They pick up the tourist at the hotel or ship where they are staying in the early hours of the morning.

Everyone is taken to a small pier from where boats leave for the other side of the river and where a small breakfast is served. The crossing is very short.

Those who arrive early can climb when the first rays of the sun appear. The view from up there is wonderful, whether looking down (you can see the city) or looking at the horizon (with several colorful balloons composing the landscape). It’s definitely worth getting up early to appreciate it all.

16. Aswan Dam, One of Egypt’s Top Attractions

The Aswan Dam is one of the largest dams in the world. This great work was made entirely of granite without the use of concrete.

Its construction represented greater control by the Egyptians of the waters of the Nile River, putting an end to the great seasonality of periods of drought and floods.

Furthermore, its turbines are responsible for generating a large amount of electricity in the country. The construction of the Aswan Dam,  between 1960 and 1970 , was responsible for the emergence of Lake Nasser, 500 kilometers long, on Egypt’s southern border with Sudan.

A concern at the time was the realization that the lake would cover a large number of archaeological sites, which motivated movements to preserve some of them.

This is how UNESCO obtained resources to save the Abu Simbel complex, moving it from its original location to a place safe from the waters that would cover it.

The Aswan Dam was built during the Cold War and was financed by the Soviet Union. For this reason, the Russian-Egyptian Friendship Monument was built in its surroundings, celebrating collaboration between governments. The monument can be visited for free, but you need to purchase a ticket sold separately to climb it.

17. Karnak Temple

The site known as Karnak Temple is, in fact, a huge complex with several buildings erected for Egyptian deities, which has been continuously expanded for more than 1,700 years. Located in the city of Luxor, it has more than 2 thousand m² and was considered the religious center of the kingdom until the end of Egyptian civilization. Today, it is one of the top tourist attractions in Egypt that boasts a rich history and grandeur.

Its main building is the temple dedicated to the god Amun-Ra, God of the Sun . The largest obelisk in Egypt is located there, measuring 27 meters high. Throughout the complex, there are also 134 huge papyrus-shaped columns, one of the country’s symbolic plants.

A large avenue connected Karnak with the Luxor Temple in the same city. Until the mid-18th century, the temple was still submerged in the sand, which explains its remarkable state of conservation to this day.

18. Library of Alexandria

The Library of Alexandria was built in 2002 in the city of the same name (220 km north of Cairo) and is the largest in Egypt. And being one of the cool tourist spots in Egypt, I suggest you take a  tour to explore the history of Alexandria .

Its imposing building houses the largest collection of books on the entire African continent. Its main reading room extends over more than 20 thousand m² on 11 floors (four of them underground).

This space is covered by a 120-meter-diameter glass dome, which provides natural light to the environment. The organization of its shelves and a large number of study tables, many of them with computers connected to the Internet, are impressive.

Outside, the windowless walls are covered in granite and are encrusted with various symbols used by humanity to communicate in different eras and civilizations.

The entire structure includes, in addition to the main library, four specialized libraries, laboratories, a planetarium, a science museum, a calligraphy museum, and a congress and exhibition room.

In a country that has ancient buildings as its main tourist attractions, the grandeur and modernity of the Library of Alexandria stand out and show that Egypt is not just made of pyramids and tombs. For those who want to visit Alexandria but have little time, this is, without a doubt, the main attraction to visit.

19. Qaitbay Citadel (Fort of Alexandria)

The Qaitbay Citadel (also known as Alexandria Fort) is a fortress  built in the 15th century  on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It is in the exact location where the famous Lighthouse in the city of Alexandria once stood (220 km north of Cairo).

The legendary Lighthouse was destroyed in the 14th century after shocks suffered from several earthquakes. Currently, the site does not have a military function and houses a naval museum.

It’s worth a visit to see not only the beautiful construction but also to enjoy a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea. If you love historical places, then a visit here is definitely one of the best things to do in Egypt.

20. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa

The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa is located in the city of Alexandria (220 km north of Cairo). It is one of the largest Egyptian Roman funerary sites. This tomb complex is considered one of the “Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages” and, of course, is among the main tourist sights in Egypt.

Descending a large circular staircase, you will arrive at a series of different rooms, where there is the burial site of hundreds of people.

The most worked parts show traces of Roman and Egyptian cultures, with drawings and paintings from both inspirations.

The lower levels of the complex were flooded until recently, and currently, there are more areas available for visiting in the various open rooms below ground.

21. Pompey’s Pillar

The last place among the top tourist attractions in Egypt is Pompey’s Pillar, located in the city of Alexandria (220 km north of Cairo), where the Temple of Serapeus (protector of the city) was located in ancient times.

It is an imposing column just over 20 meters high and 2.7 meters in diameter at its base. In front of you, there is also a sphinx, and the group formed by the two buildings is a great backdrop for photos at the location.

Also Read: 8 most Beautiful Cities in Italy for Tourists

Tips on Egypt’s Tourist Attractions

Egypt is a large country with the most varied attractions spread across its vast territory. Although it is known because of its imposing figure of the pyramids, there is much more to explore and discover in this captivating land.

The ideal is to book tickets for your tours in Egypt in advance to avoid queues at the entrance to attractions and guarantee presence in more popular activities, as they may be unavailable for last-minute purchases.

In addition,  traveling by train, bus, and ferry boat  is very practical and easy to plan routes around Egypt. My tip for finding the best and cheapest tickets is to use the  transport ticket search engine  that shows the most popular routes between two destinations and compares prices.

In this list, I brought the places that I consider to be more attractive among the tourist attractions in Egypt. But of course, you can find more tours or choose from these options that are more in line with your style of travel.

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Table of contents, why egypt should be on your bucket list, egypt bucket list #1-journey to cairo, egypt, egypt bucket list #2-exploring the nile river cruise, best time to visit egypt, planning your trip: visa requirements and travel costs , unique egyptian adventures to experience, is egypt safe to visit , what are the best ways to get around egypt, do you need to book tours in advance, or can you explore on your own, what should you wear when visiting ancient sites and mosques in egypt , are there any health concerns or vaccinations required for traveling to egypt, do you need a visa to visit egypt, your egypt bucket list adventure awaits.

Your Egypt bucket list adventure starts here! Egypt , a land steeped in ancient history and rich culture, is a destination that should be on every traveler’s bucket list . From the iconic monuments of Cairo to the winding Nile River, this captivating country offers a unique blend of awe-inspiring sights and immersive cultural experiences.

Having personally experienced the magic of Cairo and a mesmerizing Nile river cruise, here’s my expert guide, insider tips, and recommendations to help you plan an unforgettable Egypt vacation to this bucket list-worthy destination.

There are many reasons to visit Egypt and why it should be on your bucket list. Imagine standing in the shadow of the Great Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, or gazing upon the enigmatic Sphinx, a testament to the ingenuity of ancient Egyptian civilization.

Beyond these iconic landmarks, Egypt offers a diverse array of experiences, from exploring bustling cities like Cairo to cruising along the mighty Nile River, witnessing remnants of ancient temples and tombs.

Egypt is also known for its welcoming people, delicious cuisine, and vibrant markets, making it an immersive cultural journey unlike any other.

Whether you’re a history buff, an adventure seeker, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of ancient wonders, Egypt has something to offer every traveler on an Egypt tour or Egypt vacation.

As the vibrant capital of Egypt, Cairo is a bustling metropolis that seamlessly blends ancient wonders with modern life. Here, you’ll find some of the country’s most iconic attractions, along with a lively cultural scene and a rich culinary heritage.

No visit to Cairo is complete without witnessing the awe-inspiring Giza Pyramids and the Great Sphinx . These ancient marvels, dating back over 4,500 years, are a testament to the ingenuity and engineering prowess of the ancient Egyptians.

For a unique experience , consider booking a camel ride to explore the Giza plateau and capture stunning views of the pyramids .

Beyond the pyramids, Cairo offers a wealth of cultural experiences. The Egyptian Museum is a must-visit, housing an unparalleled collection of ancient artifacts, including the treasures of Tutankhamun’s tomb .

For a taste of local culture, head to the vibrant Khan El Khalili Bazaar , where you can haggle for souvenirs, sample delicious street food, and immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere.

For a comprehensive guide to the best things to do in Cairo, check out our article on things to do in Cairo Egypt .

Want to see more of Cairo? Get a glimpse of the beauty of Cairo in this video:

The mighty Nile River played a crucial role in the development of ancient Egyptian civilization, and today, it offers a unique way to explore the country’s rich history. A Nile River cruise is an unforgettable experience , providing a luxurious and convenient way to witness some of Egypt’s most remarkable ancient sites.

As you glide along the Nile, you’ll have the opportunity to visit iconic temples and tombs that have stood the test of time.

From the awe-inspiring Philae Temple Complex to the intricate carvings of Edfu Temple , each site offers a glimpse into the grandeur and sophistication of ancient Egyptian architecture.

One of the highlights of a Nile cruise is the chance to explore Luxor , known as the “world’s greatest open-air museum.” Here, you can delve into the Valley of the Kings, where ancient pharaohs were laid to rest, and marvel at the stunning Temple of Queen Hatshepsut , a stunning example of ancient engineering carved into the cliffs.

Throughout your journey, you’ll be treated to the comfort and luxury of a modern riverboat, complete with amenities such as spacious cabins, fine dining, and entertainment. It’s a truly immersive way to experience the wonders of ancient Egypt.

Egypt’s ancient history is also brought to life through captivating performances, such as the whirling dervish dance, a mesmerizing spiritual ritual that dates back centuries. Consider attending a show to witness this captivating display of music, movement, and devotion.

See these ancient wonders come alive in this video:

When planning your trip to Egypt, timing is crucial. The best time to visit Egypt is during the cooler months, from October to April, when temperatures are milder and more comfortable for sightseeing. Here are some key factors to consider:

• The shoulder seasons (spring and fall) offer the best balance of pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
• Peak season brings more tourists, but if that’s your only option, be prepared for the crowds.
• Summer months in Egypt can be scorching hot, so consider that if you’re particularly heat sensitive.

When planning your trip to Egypt, consider attending major festivals like Ramadan or national holidays, which can impact opening hours and crowd levels at popular attractions.

To help you, I’ve created a guide covering everything you need to know while Visiting Egypt During Ramadan: Insider Guide to Celebration .

Before embarking on your Egyptian adventure, it’s essential to understand the visa requirements and travel costs. Check the visa requirements for your nationality well in advance. Many countries can obtain a visa upon arrival at Egyptian airports, but it’s best to confirm and be prepared. The visa fee is generally around $25 USD.

As for the trip to Egypt cost is relatively affordable compared to other popular destinations. You can expect to spend around $50-$100 per day for a mid-range traveler, including accommodation, food, transportation, and entry fees to major attractions. Here’s a rough estimate of some common expenses:

• Airfare: $500-$1,000 roundtrip from major U.S. cities
• Mid-range hotel: $50-$100 per night
• Budget hotel: $20-$50 per night
• Meals: $10-$25 per day (street food and casual restaurants)
• Transportation: $5-$10 per day (for taxis and public transport)
• Entrance fees: $10-$25 per site (e.g., pyramids, temples, museums)

To save money, consider staying in budget-friendly accommodations. A wide range of options exist, from budget hostels to luxurious hotels. Eating at local street food stalls and local eateries is incredibly affordable, and you’ll find delicious meals for just a few dollars. When exploring attractions, transportation like local buses and taxis is budget-friendly. Consider a Nile Cruise package for an all-inclusive experience.

Here are some unique adventures that you must experience when traveling to Egypt.

• Soar over Luxor in a hot air balloon for breathtaking views of temples and the Valley of the Kings at sunrise-a true bucket list moment!
• Camel rides near the Pyramids are a popular choice, but it’s important to be aware of the ethical concerns. To learn more, check out this article, Why A Camel Ride in Egypt Commands a Conflicting Ethical Decision delves into this complex topic.
• Immerse yourself in Islamic Cairo. Discover its rich history and architectural beauty at the magnificent Al-Azhar Mosque.
• No trip to Egypt is complete without sampling the delicious local cuisine! Try  koshari  (a hearty mix of rice, lentils, and pasta),  falafel  (chickpea fritters), and don’t forget stuffed pigeon – an Egyptian delicacy.

Planning a trip to Egypt can raise a lot of questions, so we’ve compiled some frequently asked questions to help you prepare for your journey.

Egypt is generally safe for tourists, especially when traveling with a reputable tour company or guide. However, it’s always important to exercise caution, be aware of your surroundings, and follow the advice of local authorities.

For long-distance travel, consider taking domestic flights or booking a Nile River cruise. Within cities, taxis and public transportation are affordable and convenient options. Hiring a private driver or tour guide can also make navigating Egypt more comfortable.

While it’s possible to explore some sites independently, booking guided tours in advance can provide invaluable insights and ensure a smoother experience. Guided tours are highly recommended for complex sites like the pyramids, Valley of the Kings, and ancient temples.

It’s important to dress modestly when visiting religious sites or Islamic mosques. Opt for lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Women may also want to carry a scarf to cover their heads when entering mosques.

No specific vaccinations are required for most travelers, but it’s always a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider before your trip. Ensure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date, and consider getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid fever. Bringing insect repellent and staying hydrated are also recommended.

Yes, most nationalities require a visa to visit Egypt. However, the process is relatively straightforward, and there are a couple of ways to obtain one:

Visa on Arrival: Citizens of many countries can obtain a visa upon arrival at Egypt’s international airports. The process involves filling out a form, paying a fee (typically around $25 USD, payable in cash), and having a passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.

E-Visa: For added convenience, many nationalities can apply for an e-Visa in advance through the official Egyptian government portal ([invalid URL removed]). The process is entirely online and typically takes a few days for approval.

Important Notes:

Specific Requirements:  Always double-check the visa requirements for your specific nationality, as there may be variations. Some countries may have additional requirements or longer processing times.

Visa Validity:  The most common tourist visa for Egypt is valid for 30 days. If you plan to stay longer, consider applying for a multiple-entry visa or inquire about visa extensions upon arrival.

Resources:  For official visa information and updates, visit the Egyptian government website or consult your nearest Egyptian embassy or consulate.

By following this expert Egypt travel guide, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and insider tips to plan an extraordinary journey through Cairo and the heart of ancient Egyptian civilization, Nile.

Egypt promises to leave a lasting impression and will surely capture your heart. So, pack your sense of adventure, embrace the rich culture, and embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to this bucket list-worthy destination.

The post Egypt Bucket List: Your Expert Guide to Cairo & The Nile appeared first on The Design Tourist .

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The 5 Top Tourist Attractions in Egypt

In the past, we have written very focused guides to visiting Egypt, such as our blog Touring Egypt’s Death on the Nile Film Locations and our First-time Visitor’s Guide to Visiting Karnak . With today’s guide, we thought we’d zoom out the lens a little, looking at Egypt as a whole.

We know that while many people are fascinated by Egypt, it can be a little overwhelming to look at the entire country — with its wealth of history, culture, and architecture — and then make an easy decision about what you’ll see on your big Egypt trip. That’s where this guide comes in!

Today, we’d like to offer what we believe to be the top 5 tourist attractions in Egypt. In our view, if anyone wants the best possible experience of Egypt, they have to see everything on this list — even if that means coming back for a second time!

Disclaimer: Everyone’s top attractions list might be a little different. This list is uniquely ours. At Literary Tours in Egypt, we have travelled the country many times, experiencing the best Egypt has to offer. Our list may differ from yours, but we hope you will still find our perspective interesting.

1. The Pyramids of Giza

Let’s get the biggest one out of the way first. While it’s perhaps trendy or enigmatic to decry the biggest or most popular attractions in your country, there’s no point in pretending that the Pyramids of Giza aren’t incredible. Yes, it’s a huge tourist attraction with large crowds of people, but there is good reason for this.

The Pyramids are even bigger and more impressive than many imagine, and no one leaves disappointed. That’s often what many guests remark upon when they arrive: this is every bit as impressive as they had always hoped it would be.

Due to the scepticism many modern travellers feel about the big “tourism traps” we decided to write a guide to whether the Pyramids of Giza are worth the trip . Spoiler alert: they absolutely are! Not only are the Pyramids the last surviving wonder of the ancient world, but they are also large enough and impressive enough to drop the jaw of even the most seasoned traveller.

If you’d like to explore the Pyramids of Giza and Cairo with us, following in the footsteps of great literature, take a look at our Noel Barber-inspired Egypt Tours and our Rosie Thomas-inspired tours . If you have a different book that visits the Pyramids and you’d like us to create a bespoke tour just for you, consider our personalised literary Egypt tours — tell us your book and we’ll do the rest!

2) The Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is one of the most important archaeological findings in human history. You’ll find this incredible network of tombs on the banks of the Nile, close to Luxor (known as Thebes in ancient times). What’s so striking about the Valley of the Kings is its staggering scale. Pharaohs for over 500 years (16th to 11th century BC) built their tombs here. There are 63 known tombs in the valley, but two new tombs were discovered as recently as 2005 and 2008, so there may be more there, waiting to be discovered. 

The most famous tomb in the valley is that of Tutankhamun, which was discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter. While the treasures from the tomb are in Egypt’s various museums, Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus and mummified body remains in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings. This is another utterly unmissable component of any full Egypt holiday.

3) Karnak Temple Complex

Karnak is often a surprise to visitors who perhaps didn’t know quite what to expect. While there is a lot of reading material about the Karnak Temple Complex, it doesn’t have the same kind of international fame as the Pyramids of Giza or the Valley of the Kings. However, most guests we’ve shown around Karnak are blown away — and there is often bafflement that more people in the tourism industry aren’t singing the praises of this incredible place.

Karnak is much harder to define than the other attractions as it isn’t a single, unified thing; instead, Karnak is a complex of temples, obelisks, and other structures, all split into four distinct precincts. Many of the structures here are better preserved than anything else that has survived from Egypt’s ancient history.

There is far too much to say about the complex here, so we’d like to recommend our Guide to Karnak Temple .

4) The Temple of Hatshepsut

Just a few kilometres from Karnak, you’ll find the sensational Temple of Hatshepsut. This temple is another incredible place that doesn’t get anywhere near the attention it deserves from the international tourism community.

For better and for worse, the Pyramids of Giza eclipse everything else. Pharaoh Hatshepsut is interesting in her own right, as she was one of the very few female pharaohs in Ancient Egypt, and there is even some evidence (although it is contested) that she was the first female pharaoh. 

In the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, Pharaoh Hatshepsut built this temple to receive the barque of Amun-Re at the climax of the Beautiful Festival of the Valley. While the state of the temple isn’t pristine as her nephew who rose to the throne after her destroyed much of it, it is still in remarkable condition.

Often with ancient ruins we have to appreciate what remains and imagine how impressive the structure must have looked in ancient times, but the main structures of this temple are still intact and it gives visitors a great idea of the original structure.

There is a lot more to say about this remarkable structure; perhaps we can come back with a more detailed guide in the near future.

5) Abu Simbel Temple

Abu Simbel Temple is often visited from Aswan as it’s the nearest Egyptian city, but it is roughly 280km away.  Aswan was a large focus in Agatha Christie’s book Death on the Nile , which is why it features on many of our Agatha Christie Tours in Egypt .

The second you look out at these two impressive temples cut into the rock, you’ll understand exactly why the legendary author had to include Abu Simbel in her book.

What’s interesting is that we can’t quite see Abu Simbel as Christie will have seen it. The entire structure was relocated in 1968 due to the construction of the Aswan Dam causing water levels to rise. To the Egyptian government’s credit, they recognised the incalculable cultural and historical value of Abu Simbel and carried out a many-years-long project to relocate Abu Simbel to a safe location. The project was a success and we have an intact temple to appreciate — albeit in a slightly different location.

That’s it. That’s our list of the top 5 tourist attractions in Egypt. We adore everything on this list here at Literary Tours in Egypt and we hope we’ve conveyed at least a small portion of our passion. If you’d like to ask us some questions about our Egypt tours inspired by literature, please feel free to get in touch whenever you like. And if you’d like a completely bespoke experience, take a look at our Tailor-made Literary Egypt Vacations .

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Jul 11, 2024

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