TOP 10 amazing places to visit in Egypt
TOP 10 amazing places to visit in Egypt
With a fascinating history that reaches back to the dawn of civilization, Egypt is considered the oldest travel destination on earth.
Who hasn’t dreamed of going to an ancient and mystical land Egypt? 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.
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.
Learn more about tours in Egypt: Tours in Egypt
Egypt is filled with famous landmarks 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.
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 a refreshing freshwater spring oasis.
Where to go in Egypt?
Here are some fascinating tourist spots in Egypt that should top your travel itinerary on your trip to this beautiful country.
1. Egyptian Pyramids
The top Egyptian attraction is the Cheops Pyramid near Cairo on the Giza Plateau. It is surrounded by smaller pyramids and next to it is the famous Great Sphinx. The Cheops pyramid is almost 150 meters high and the sphinx statue is about 70 meters long. A visit to the pyramids is usually included in the tour together with a visit to Cairo, but you can also come to the pyramids on your own from Cairo. In the evenings there is a sound and light show that lasts 45 minutes. During this time, the pyramids are lit in different colors. The illumination is accompanied by a story about the history of the place in different languages.
There is a lot of speculation surrounding the pyramids. Some researchers are of the opinion that they were built by a non-human race of aliens.
2. Egyptian Museum in Cairo
This museum is so large and keeps so many secrets that it is impossible to go around it in one go. It consists of 107 rooms on three floors with 160,000 artifacts covering 5,000 years of Egyptian history. The most famous exhibits are the treasures of Tutankhamun, portraits of the Fayum, and mummies of the New Kingdom pharaohs. The museum is located in the pink palace in Tahrir Square.
3. Siwa Oasis
Siwa takes you far off the beaten path near the border of Libya. In the middle of the Siwa Oasis is a 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 are plenty of desert adventures from dune buggy rides to sandboarding.
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4. Valley Of Kings, Luxor
Located on the East bank of the River Nile, Luxor was the site of the ancient city of Thebes and is one of the most popular tourist spots in Egypt. Hailed as the world’s largest open-air museum, Luxor is best known for the Valley of Kings which houses rock-cut tombs of ancient pharaohs. Famous ancient kings such as Tutankhamun and Amenhotep were buried here. Although there are about 63 tombs that have been excavated, only a small number is open to tourists. Tutankhamun’s tomb, called the KV62, has a separate entry charge. One of the most haunting places to see in Egypt for sure!
5. The Colossi of Memnon.
Two monumental stone figures depict the seated pharaoh Amenhotep III. They are located near the museum city of Luxor but on the opposite bank of the Nile. There was once a temple on this site, but it has not survived. The statues are especially popular during the Balloon Festival when balloons float in the sky above the colossi. You can see the colossi on your own or during a tour.
6. Alexandria
Alexandria city once housed the world’s biggest library and was a jeweled outpost for the Greco-Roman empires. Since then, little remains of the fabled places in the city, but the city has become one of the best Egypt destinations away from the grind and dust of the rest of the Egyptian cities. The Pompey pillar square is a great place to hang out, and the streets are lined with chic cafes.
7. The White Desert
This is Es Sahra el Beida National Park in the eastern Sahara, whose main features are the white-colored Crystal Mountain of calcite and limestone formations sticking up out of the sand. The area borders the oases of Bahariya and Farafrah. It is difficult to get here on your own. Organized excursions sometimes include an overnight stay in a Bedouin settlement near the oases.
8. Sharm el-Sheikh – city of peace
One of the most famous Egyptian resorts with an emphasis on youth recreation. There are many bars, restaurants and club hotels. The infrastructure of the resort is perfectly developed, offering entertainment for all tastes and ages. The beaches of Sharm el-Sheikh are stone, with the exception of Nabq Bay.
9. St. Catherine Monastery
Perhaps the most famous landmark near Sharm el-Sheikh. The monastery is located near Mount Sinai, where Moses received the tablets with the 10 commandments. The monastery has a museum with Christian icons, manuscripts, mosaics, and ancient manuscripts. For those who want to visit the monastery as a pilgrim, it is possible to stay there overnight. The mountain itself can also be climbed by climbing about 4,000 steps. It is important to remember that the monastery is open all the time and the museum is closed on Fridays and Sundays.
10. Ros Mohammed Reserve
This is the main national park of Egypt, which is located 25 kilometers from Sharm El Sheikh. Its main wealth is coral reefs and their inhabitants. But diving in the reserve is not possible everywhere. The most popular sites are Anemone City Coral Garden, Yolanda Reef, and Shark Reef. Basically, the reserve is visited by vacationers on the Sinai Peninsula. You can get to the reserve on your own by car or taxi, or on a sightseeing yacht.
And the bonus: El Gouna
El Gouna is a small resort that is considered the main modern attraction in the province of Hurghada. The young city is an urban miracle and is unlike any other Egyptian resort. Its entire territory is indented by a network of canals along which boats ply. Hotels stand on separate green islands. Architecturally, they also differ from the buildings typical of Egypt and rather resemble the buildings of southern Italy and Spain. You can get to the resort from Hurghada by public transport or by car.
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