Egypt is one of those destinations that never disappoint. With a rich and fascinating history, the country is a mix of ancient and modern wonders that amaze any traveler. From the Pyramids of Giza to the Karnak Temple, there are thousands of must-see places to explore. This destination has a lot to offer, from well-known sites to the most remote places. No one can miss the opportunity to explore this country whose monuments have been preserved for centuries.
Best Places to Visit in Egypt:
Table of Contents
1. Giza pyramids
The Ancient World has 7 Wonders, but the Pyramids of Giza are the only ones that are preserved today and are undoubtedly a must on your visit to Egypt. This incredible place was built in 2,500 BC with pyramid-shaped limestone blocks, with the idea that when light reflected on them, immortality would be achieved. These three immense structures are kept inside the tomb of three important pharaohs, Cheops, Kefren, and Menkaure. At one end, the Sphinx, 20 meters high, acts as a watchman for the pyramids.
2. Karnak temples
Thebes was the capital of Egypt for more than a thousand years, and in its lands is the set of temples of Karnak. For hundreds of years, great pharaohs competed in the construction of imposing temples and statues to honor the god Amun. This area of Egypt (essential on your trip), has statues, temples, obelisks, and even a sacred lake. In this enclosure, the Great Hypostyle Room stands out, with large columns with hieroglyphics. There you can also visit the Avenue of the Sphinxes, an impressive place that joins the temples of Luxor and Karnak. At its entrance, you can still see some ram-headed sphinxes.
3. Temple of Luxor
Another of the great monuments was built by Egyptian pharaohs in honor of the god Amun. The sovereigns Amenhotep III and Ramses II built this temple just two kilometers from the Temple of Karnak more than 3,500 years ago. This building is one of the best preserved and its great façade, colossi and obelisks are one of the most visited places in Egypt. One of his great obelisks is located in the center of the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
4. Cairo
An essential visit on your trip to Egypt is the great city of Cairo. Walking through its streets you can soak up its great history and appreciate the great contrasts between a part of the population with an Islamic tradition and a more modern one. Its culture and gastronomy impress everyone who comes to this city of the African country. The markets of the place are one of the great protagonists with their streets full of stalls and bazaars where you can buy crafts from the area. Cairo is also home to large and famous mosques such as the Mosque of Muhammad Ali or the Alabaster Mosque.
5. Temple of Kom Ombo
The great Nile River is known throughout the world, and on its bank stands the Temple of Kom Ombo. Pharaoh Ramses II was commissioned to build this great building that is two. It is a double temple, with two symmetrical parts, one dedicated to the god Haroeris and the other to the god Sobek. Inside it hides a crocodile mummy (in honor of Sobek) and on the outside there are reflected reliefs with surgical materials from those years. This is undoubtedly one of the most impressive places in Egypt, and even though it is not completely preserved, it is a mandatory stop on your trip.
6. Temple of Horus
Also on the banks of the Nile, Edfu is the second largest temple after Karnak. Pharaoh Ptolemy III ordered the construction of this place during his reign in honor of the god Horus. This temple is one of the best preserved and its statues and reliefs are almost intact, but this is because the great wind and desert sand buried it for years until the Frenchman Auguste Mariette found it and it came to light again.
7. Alexandria
Possibly one of the most famous places in the world. In the north of Egypt, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and very close to the delta of the Nile, Alexandria is one of the most visited cities by tourists. Its name comes from its founder, Alexander the Great, who in the year 332 BC, built the city that became one of the most important commercial enclaves. Apart from the Great Library of Alexandria, which kept millions of historical documents that were lost in a fire; this city had the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World that measured more than 120 meters high.
8. Abu Simbel
To the south of the country, there is an archaeological zone with great historical elements. In the 13th century BC, Pharaoh Ramses II ordered the construction of two large temples built into the rock to commemorate a war victory. In 1986, these two temples built in honor of the pharaoh and his wife had to be moved to another place due to the creation of a Nile dam.
9. White Desert
When we think of Egypt and Africa, great deserts with golden sands come to mind, but in the country of the pyramids, there is a very special desert. Located in the western area, 400 kilometers from Cairo, is this place that you will not believe exists. Large white mountains with hard golden sand coexist accompanied by limestone and chalk rock formations that make it a dream landscape. There you can spend the night under the clear sky and the stars, for the next day visit other incredible places in the area such as the Black Desert, the Crystal Mountain, or the Bahariya Oasis.
10. Grand Egyptian Museum
Grand Egyptian Museum has been postponed numerous times due to construction delays and the pandemic, but it is finally finished. It intends to be a tourist reference for the whole country and its building has an area of 480,000 square meters. In it, you can visit rooms with more than 5,000 objects from the tomb of Tutankhamun, the emperor who has two rooms dedicated to him. The other rooms will house works ranging from Prehistory and the Predynastic Period to the Late Roman Period.
Egypt is a destination that deserves to be visited at least once in a lifetime. Through its ancient monuments and cities, it offers a rich cultural experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The combination of natural beauty and impressive architecture makes Egypt an unforgettable place.
11. Mount Sinai
Whether you are fascinated by the story of Moses, or a simple atheist hiker, climbing Mount Sinai is a must. This hike is relatively short and easy, so everyone can follow its steep ridges and admire the panorama from the summit.
12. Nuweiba Canyon
The hiking trails around this canyon will take you to a very rare natural spectacle. The rocks have vibrant colors that range from yellow to red to orange and gray. Don’t forget your camera, and also take plenty of water, because it gets very hot in the fiery-hued canyon!
