Ancient Egypt, once home to the Pharaohs, is now a tourist mecca known for its stunning architecture and fascinating history. Egypt is a diverse travel destination with activities for everyone, from 4WD desert safaris to scuba diving at the Red Sea’s world-famous coral reefs and shipwrecks to a relaxing cruise down the Nile.
Our list of the top sights and locations to see in Egypt will help you organise your sightseeing.
Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza are one of the most well-known landmarks in the world and one of the last surviving examples of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Most tourists’ first stop in Egypt is at the Sphinx-guarded Valley of the Kings, where they can see the tombs of Pharaohs Cheops (Khufu), Chephren (Khafre), and Mycerinus (Menkaure).
These megalithic tombs for ancient Egyptian pharaohs continue to be awe-inspiring sights on the outskirts of Cairo’s metropolitan sprawl.
Luxor’s Temples & Tombs
Tourists flock to Luxor, Egypt, on the Nile because of its proximity to the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and the Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut.
The pharaohs of the New Kingdom ruled from this location, ancient Thebes. Most people would need to come back more than once to see everything worth seeing.
On the east bank of Luxor are the two temples of Karnak and Luxor, the museum, and the modern city with its bustling souq. The west bank of Luxor, which has so many tombs and temples that it has been dubbed the largest open-air museum in the world, is where you can find most of the city’s tourist attractions.
Spend a few days in Luxor exploring the colourful tomb wall art and marvelling at the enormous columns in the temples. You’ll understand why this city continues to captivate historians and archaeologists.
Cruising the Nile
The Nile is the lifeblood of Egypt. The most memorable part of many visitors’ trips to Egypt is a cruise down this historic canal, which was instrumental in the rise to power of the Pharaohs.
Aswan
Aswan, located along the Nile’s winding banks, is one of Egypt’s quietest cities. The orange dunes provide a picturesque backdrop for a peaceful getaway.
Abu Simbel
You can find a lot of temples in Egypt, but none compare to Abu Simbel. Ramses II built a large temple here. Outside, towering statues act as sentries; inside, exquisite wall paintings adorn the walls.
Diving the Red Sea
Another fascinating world exists below the surface of the Red Sea, just like the temples and tombs on land.
The Red Sea is a popular diving destination due to its abundance of sharks, dolphins, turtles, rays, and dugongs, as well as its soft corals.
The most popular diving destination is Sharm el-Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula, closest to Ras Mohammed National Park and the Straits of Tiran Reefs.
Explore Islamic Cairo
Mosques, madrassas, and monuments from the Fatimid to the Mameluke eras fill the capital’s atmospheric, narrow lanes of Islamic Cairo.
Visit Khan el-labyrinth Khalili’s shopping souq, where coppersmiths and artisans still have tiny workshops and sell ceramics, textiles, spice, and perfume. Roads surround the souq with some of the best-preserved Islamic architecture. History abounds here. Visit Al-Azhar Mosque and Sultan Hassan Mosque, and climb to the roof of Bab Zuweila’s medieval gate for the best minaret-studded views of the district.
