One of the oldest civilizations in the world is found in Egypt. Mysterious pharaohs ruled the nation starting in 5500 B.C. Afterwards, the country functioned as a crucial outpost for the Roman and Greek empires. In 332 B.C., Alexander the Great founded the city of Alexandria.
Egypt is unquestionably a haven for travelers looking to see breathtaking archaeological sites and landmarks from the world’s most ancient and classical civilizations. The ancient Nile and Sahara desert serve as a surreal backdrop for these African travel destinations in Egypt. What time of year is ideal for visiting Egypt? Don’t worry, it’s a year-round destination.
This is a brief guide to the top Egypt travel destinations that you should not miss while on vacation.
1.THE GIZA PYRAMIDS
One of the most recognizable sites on the planet is the Pyramids of Giza, the final remaining wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The mysterious Sphinx guards the tombs of the Pharaohs Cheops (Khufu), Chephren (Khafre), and Mycerinus (Menkaure), which are usually the first places tourists go after landing in Egypt and are usually at the top of most visitors’ lists of things to see.
Situated on the desert fringe of Cairo’s sprawl, these megalithic monuments to deceased pharaohs remain as breathtaking as ever and are without a doubt the highlight of any trip to Egypt.
2.The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities
More than 120,000 ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the well-known Tutankhamun collection with its exquisite gold death mask and sarcophagus, and the royal Mummy room with the mummies of eleven more Pharaonic dignitaries, are housed in this renowned museum.
3.The Valley of the Reyes
One of the most visited places in Egypt for tourists is Luxor, which is situated on the east bank of the Nile and was once home to the ancient city of Thebes. Luxor has earned its distinction as the largest outdoor museum in the world thanks to the Valley of the Kings, which houses the rock-cut tombs of ancient pharaohs.
Renowned historical monarchs like Tutankhamun and Amenhotep rest here. Just a small number of the roughly 63 tombs that have been excavated are open to visitors. Admission to Tutankhamun’s KV62 tomb is charged separately. Unquestionably one of the creepiest locations in Egypt! One of the most well-known places in Egypt is this one.
4.KARNAK
Few Egyptian sites are more impressive than Karnak, despite its severe damage. It is the biggest religious site ever built in antiquity and the product of numerous generations of Egyptian architects. The Temple of Karnak, which is roughly 2.5 kilometers north of Luxor, is made up of multiple outer temples, smaller, enclosed temples, and three main temples. The Hypostyle Hall, a 5,000-square-meter hall with 134 massive columns arranged in 16 rows, is one of Karnak’s most famous buildings.
5.Luxor Temple
Constructed by the Egyptian pharaohs Ramses II (1279–1213 B.C.) and Amenhotep III (1352–1352 B.C.), the Luxor Temple is one of the most aesthetically pleasing monumental sites you will ever see.
Over time, Alexander the Great, the Romans, and King Tutankhamun made changes to this temple, also called the Southern Sanctuary. Beautiful sandstone walls within the UNESCO World Heritage Site glow magnificently at dusk.
6.CRUISE A NILE RIVER
Being the epitome of Egypt’s natural beauty, the Nile is among the most picturesque locations to visit. Any lover of the outdoors can be in awe of the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets as well as the crystal-clear blue waters. Additionally, the Nile River offers fantastic chances for cruising, including multi-day cruise tours.
Travelers can see some of the nation’s most well-known sites while on their Nile River cruises, such as the Temple of Kom Ombo and the Temple of Horus in Edfu.
7.Reef Barrier Red Sea
One of the world’s most stunning dive sites is the Red Sea, off the coast of Egypt. The Red Sea’s waters are well known for their unusual underwater scenery and superb visibility. It is home to tens of thousands of different marine species because of its vast coral reefs.
There are beach resorts on both sides of the Red Sea, such as the well-known Sharm el Sheikh and its neo-hippie counterpart, Dahab, on the eastern side of the Sinai peninsula. The relatively old and popular tourist city of Hurghada is located on the west coast of the Red Sea, along with a smattering of new resort towns.
8.MUSLIM CAIRO
One of the most visited tourist sites in Egypt is Cairo’s Islamic district, which is home to numerous medieval mosques, monuments, and madrasas. One striking example and obvious reminder of this city’s Islamic past is the Sultan Hassan Mosque-Madrasa. If you dig deeper into the vicinity of the walled city, you can discover artisan families and workshops that have existed there for a millennium, making it one of the top tourist destinations in Egypt in 2022.
9.ASWAN
Located on the gentle bends of the Nile, Aswan is Egypt’s most tranquil city. Surrounded by orange-colored dunes, this is the perfect place to unwind for a few days and take in the laid-back vibe.
Travel to Elephantine Island by river ferry and stroll through the vibrant streets of the nubian villages. After that, ride a camel to the Saint Simeon desert monastery on Aswan’s east bank. After that, relax in one of the restaurants on the riverboats as you watch the feluccas sailing by on lateen sails.
You ought to set out on a felucca at dusk and cruise the islands of Aswan. This is the most leisurely way to see the sights and is also, by far, the most popular activity in Aswan.
10.ABU SIMBEL
Even in a nation full of temples, Abu Simbel stands out. This is the magnificent temple of Ramses II, with enormous statues adorning the exterior and elaborate wall paintings decorating the interior.
In addition to its remarkable megalithic proportions, Abu Simbel is widely known for the amazing engineering feat carried out by UNESCO in the 1960s to relocate the entire temple from its original location in order to save it from being submerged by the rising waters of the Aswan dam.