Egypt is a historic and populous country in North Africa, the Middle East. Known as the dwelling place of the ancient Pharaohs, it is a fantastic tourist destination with thousands of years old monuments such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Nile Delta, the Karnak Temple Complex and the Valley of the Kings. The country is not all about archaeological sites. It has a comprehensive collection of stunning beach destinations including Ras Abu Galoum, El Gouna, Taba, Mahmya Island, Ras Shitan, Marassi and Hurghada. With plenty of wonders to see and lots of activities to do, Egypt is an ideal holiday spot for people of all ages. Now, let’s find out and pick the best areas to tour in Egypt.

Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

Built as tombs for the ancient Egyptian pharaohs, the Pyramids of Giza are one of the most preeminent landmarks in the world. Although they are not included in the present list, they were recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the World in earlier eras. The Giza pyramid complex primarily contains the Great Pyramid of Giza or the Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, whose names are linked to the kings for whom they were constructed. These Pyramids along with the Great Sphinx of Giza, some cemeteries, a workers’ village and an industrial complex were built during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt. The creation of the Pyramids of Giza has been a mystery to the archaeologists as well as the general public for ages and these memorials to deceased rulers of Egypt remain as phenomenal as they were in the past.

Islamic Cairo, Egypt

Regularly called by many names such as Islamic Cairo, Historic Cairo and Medieval Cairo, this particular area of Cairo is one of the oldest Islamic regions in the world. It is the historic nucleus of the capital with numerous primordial mosques, madrasas and monuments. One of the main attractions of this historic centre of Cairo is its market, which is known as ‘Khan el-Khalili. This bazaar is home to a great number of workshops and stalls, which are involved in making and selling traditional crafts, ceramics, textiles and so on.

Islamic Cairo is packed with ancient Islamic architecture from different Muslim empires. So, a journey into the region would acknowledge being a journey into its history. Take a walk around the region to appreciate the masterpieces of Islamic architecture, which include Al-Hakim Mosque, Al-Hussain Mosque, Al-Azhar Mosque, Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan, Mosque of Ibn Tulun, Bab Zuweila and Bab al-Nasr.

Luxor’s Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings, Egypt

Surrounded by several enormous ancient masterpieces, such as the Luxor Temple, the Karnak Temple, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, the river-side city of Luxor in southern Egypt is a favourite destination with the tourists as well as the historians and archaeologists. Located on the east bank of the Nile River in Luxor, the Karnak Temple Complex is considered to be the country’s second most-visited historical site, which contains numerous ancient structures including the colossal Amen-Ra temple. On the west bank of the Nile River is the Valley of the Kings or the Valley of the Gates of the Kings. This renowned Archaeological site features more than 60 tombs of the mighty rulers of Egypt. Attractions in Luxor is tough to explore in a single stay and once visited, the willingness to visit more is likely to arise.

Aswan, City in Egypt

Aswan is a serene city lying on the banks of the Nile River in southern Egypt. Due to its calm environment, it is considered to be an ideal destination to unwind after long working days. The city is home to many distinguished archaeological sites like the Unfinished Obelisk, a huge bedrock-carved obelisk placed amidst granite quarries; the Nubian Museum, an archaeological museum housing a variety of historical and cultural artefacts; and the Philae temple complex, an ancient temple complex dedicated primarily to Egyptian deities such as Isis, Osiris and Horus. For more archaeological sites, take a river ride to Elephantine Island, a small island on the Nile River that contains remains of early temples and a picturesque Nubian village. Other popular activities in this city include riding a camel to the desert monastery of St. Simeon, having a cup of tea or more on a riverboat restaurant, and simply kicking around and appreciating the scenic views.

Abu Simbel, Aswan Governorate, Egypt

Abu Simbel, a village in Egypt’s Aswan Governorate, is rightly classified as the site of the Abu Simbel temples, two colossal rock temples built by the great Egyptian king Ramesses II. In a country full of remarkable temples and monuments, these particular temples carry some speciality that distinguishes them from others. These roughly 3,000 years old structures have their inside decorated with wall artworks and the outside with immense statues of guards. Publicly known, one of the two temples relocated during the construction of the Aswan dam in the 1960s.

White Desert, Farafra, Egypt

The White Desert or Sahara el Beyda is a protected site in Al Farafrah, Egypt. With massive chalk rock formations caused by sandstorms, it is one of the best dessert destinations in the country. These unique chalk rock formations coloured from snow-white to cream present the look of more like a snowy Eden. The wonderland, with its magical landscape, draws tourists from various parts of the world. For an otherworldly experience, the White Desert is incomparable. So, hurry up and plan your tour now.

Egyptian Museum, Giza, Cairo

The Egyptian Museum, also referred to as the Museum of Cairo, is a well-known museum of ancient Egyptian antiquities in Cairo, Egypt. It houses more than 100,000 ancient objects which cover thousands of years of history. The museum’s collection of items ranges from mummies and coffins to jewels and other important relics. The central attraction of the museum is the exhibition of Tutankhamun’s treasures upstairs. The Mummy Room upstairs also attracts visitors with well-preserved mummies of some of the great kings of Egypt in earlier periods. No matter where you look, this amazing museum will impress you with some astonishing pieces of ancient art or sculpture.

Alexandria, City in Egypt

The port city of Alexandria is a prominent commercial centre and one of the largest cities in Egypt. It is probably the most European city in the country with a history which is completely different from the others. It was founded in 331 BCE by Alexander the Great, and for a long period of time, it was home to a lighthouse built during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus known as the Lighthouse of Alexandria or the Pharos of Alexandria. That legendary lighthouse was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World until several deadly earthquakes destroyed it. Present-day, Alexandria has numerous attractions stored for tourists to offer including the Citadel of Qaitbay, a 15th-century defensive fortress; the Montaza Palace, a grand royal palace with extensive gardens; and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a vast modernist library with shelf space for eight million books in it.

Siwa Oasis, Human Settlement in Egypt

Located between the Qattara Depression and the Great Sand Sea in the Western Desert, the Siwa Oasis is a pretty little oasis in Egypt. The place is free of the hustle and bustle of the big cities and thus, provides a peaceful environment to hang loose. At the centre of Siwa Oasis is a huge mud-brick fortress dating back to the 13th-century. Known as Shali, it is the top tourist attraction of the picturesque region. Around the Oasis, there are several freshwater pools and lakes including Cleopatra’s Spring and the Salt Lakes. Other noteworthy attractions of the area include the Temple of the Oracle, the Mountain of the Dead, the Fantasy Island and the Siwa House Museum.

South Sinai Governorate, Egypt

Located in the east of Egypt, South Sinai is known to be the country’s least populated governorate and a renowned beach fun destination. It is called the South Sinai because it covers the southern half of the Sinai Peninsula. The region contains some of the best sand beaches, coral reefs and diving sites in the world. Ras Muhammad National Park and Tiran Island in the resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh and the Blue Hole and Canyon in the small Sinai town of Dahab are ideal spots for diving. Among them, the Blue Hole is regarded as the world’s most dangerous diving site, with a depth of more than 100 metres inside the hole. South Sinai also offers a variety of luxury hotels, world-class restaurants and lots of sightseeing and shopping opportunities.

Saint Catherine Monastery, South Sinai, Egypt

Resting at the base of Mount Sinai in Egypt, Saint Catherine’s Monastery or “Sacred Monastery of the God-Trodden Mount Sinai” is a Greek Orthodox monastery named after Catherine of Alexandria. It is the place where the prophet of God Moses is said to have received the Tablets of the Law or the Ten Commandments and the Old Testament was recorded. It is one of the oldest monasteries on Earth containing ancient religious manuscripts, icons and artworks. The entire area of the Monastery, including the burning bush, is equally considered to be sacred in three major religions in the world such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Find and book the best tour to explore St. Catherine’s Monastery or you can drive to the spot. Do not miss hiking Mount Sinai to see the sunrise or sunset from the mountain top.

Abydos Temple, Ancient City, Egypt

Abydos is an ancient town and one of the most significant archaeological sites in Egypt. It gets the attention of the tourists because of its historic temples, especially the Temple of Seti I, which is further recognised as the Great Temple of Abydos. Built by Pharaoh Seti I, the temple is undoubtedly one of the nation’s most remarkable historical sites. The Abydos King List, an engraved table of the names of seventy-six kings of Ancient Egypt from the nineteenth dynasty, and some other artefacts from the Early Dynastic Period to Graeco-Roman periods have been discovered in the temple. Unfortunately, not many of the ancient structures in the town remain intact today. They may either have been destroyed by the air of development or destructive natural calamities.

Saqqara (Burial ground), Lower Egypt

Egypt, as known worldwide, is a land of centuries-old pyramids. Although, as an archaeological site, Saqqara may not be as famous as the Pyramids of Giza, it holds great archaeological significance with pyramids, tombs and stone building complex dating back to a primaeval period. This ancient, extensive necropolis is full of impressive architectural wonders. However, it is mainly famed for its Step Pyramid or the Pyramid of Djoser. Built during the reign of Djoser, the Pyramid is the earliest or first constructed pyramid in Egypt. The nearby Bent Pyramid, as well as the Red Pyramid, is also counted as the highlights of Saqqara.

Thistlegorm Dive Site, Red Sea Coast, Egypt

Throughout history, countless incidents happened causing numerous ships to sink and meet the bottom of the Red Sea. The most popular and well-known of all these shipwrecks is the SS Thistlegorm, a British loaded Merchant Navy ship that was hit and caused to descend by the Germans during WWII. Found near Ras Mohamed Nature Reserve in the Red Sea, the SS Thistlegorm is truly an underwater wonder, as equally charming as the significant on-land monuments of Egypt. The wreck, in today’s world, is widely regarded as one of the best diving sites with spectacular marine lives around it. Dive boat tours both from Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada are available; so, choose according to your convenience.

Nile River Cruise, Egypt

The River Nile is an integral part of Egypt and a favourite tourist attraction, with numerous archaeological sites along its banks. Cruising on the river allows you to see all of these ancient structures that stand on its shores in a more relaxing way. Also, sunrise and sunset views at this location, over the date-palm-studded river banks, is out of this world. The double-structured Temple of Kom Ombo and the Temple of Horus with a statue of the falcon-headed god Horus are the two most loved or popular of many sights on a Nile Cruise. Excursion boats ranging from luxury cruisers to traditional felucca sailboats are on offer for the taking. For a less crowded and slower outing experience, a felucca, the traditional Egyptian wooden boat is highly recommended. Keep in mind that while the cruise boats depart from both Luxor and Aswan, a felucca can be borrowed solely from Aswan and for multi-day voyages.

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