Located at the northeast tip of Africa, Egypt is a country rich in culture, history and much more. That’s why you will find thousands of tourists visiting the country every year. Egypt tourist attractions are versatile and can suit different tastes and hobbies.
Although the country is famous for its ancient history including the Pyramids and the Sphinx and the temples in Luxor and Aswan, Egypt includes many other tourist places that are sure to satisfy your liking.
What attracts tourists to Egypt?
As we already mentioned, Egypt is full of tourist destinations being the best place in the world to explore the ancient pharaonic history. However, you can enjoy much more than that in Egypt.
Many tourists go to Egypt to enjoy the beautiful weather and the sunny beaches in Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, along with various activities such as diving. Others prefer the sightseeing tours around Egypt, to see what the country has to offer.
Top cities to visit in Egypt includes Cairo, Giza, Alexandria and coastal cities located on the Red Sea shores like Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada.
If you are intending to travel to Egypt, you have to plan your visits ahead, set your priorities not to get confused after arrival and lose precious time trying to figure out where to start.
Egypt tourist attractions are all over the country, although there are a couple of things you don’t want to miss.
Top Egypt tourist attractions
Giza complex
One of the most famous historical sites in Egypt, where you can see one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The site provides an eye on a long-vanished world, which could have been forgotten if the pyramids weren’t built.
Giza Pyramids and Sphinx are great landmarks, reflecting the architectural renaissance of the Pharaonic era. Khufu pyramid is the biggest of the 3 main pyramids there, it’s 147 meters (481 ft.) tall; leaving you wondering how they lifted 2.3 million blocks weighing 2.5 tons each that high.
Till now, archaeologists are trying to discover and unveil the secrets of the pyramids, yet they stay puzzled by how ancient Egyptians managed to create such enormous monuments without modern tools. In addition, the alignment of the pyramids, the mysterious voids and the hidden chambers kept them thinking.
The Sphinx is a whole other story. It’s a gigantic lion limestone statue with a human head, which is thought to be the head of Pharaoh Khafre. The status -measuring 20 meters high (66 feet) and 73 meters (240 feet) wide- was carved in a one piece of limestone, which suggests that it took them years to finish the status.
Other than exploring ancient heritage, many visitors to Giza complex enjoy a tour in the desert on horseback or ride a camel to fully check the Giza plateau.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
The original Bibliotheca Alexandria was said to be built 23 centuries ago, by Alexander the Great. Unfortunately, it was burned and destroyed by the year 48 B.C.
The Library came back to life by the year 2002 when the Egyptian government started rebuilding it again with the help of UNESCO, in the historic centre of Alexandria city.
The new Bibliotheca Alexandrina is 11-story high, which contains about 8 million books and other cultural and educational facilities such as the planetarium, museums and more.
The library is distinguished by its contemporary circular design, representing a new timeless symbol for learning.
You can book a day tour to Alexandria; get to explore this major attraction and more.
Luxor and Aswan trip
Move south along the Nile to the land of the Pharaohs, where famous Kings and Queens built their temples.
Start off by visiting the well-known Karnak Temple complex in Luxor, where you can also visit the Karnak Open Air Museum. The site is on top of the list of most visited sites in Egypt, following Giza Pyramids.
You can’t go to Luxor without passing by the Valley of the Kings, where you can visit a large number of kings and Queen’s Tombs, including the tomb of the famous Tutankhamun.
Hieroglyphic writing and paintings adorn the walls of the old tombs, representing a part of history that no longer exists.
For an exciting twist, you can book a hot air balloon ride in Luxor. It is highly rated and considered one of the cheapest.
If you are planning to go to Aswan, you must visit Abu Simbel Temple. The colossal monument saved from drowning in 1964, it was sectioned and moved to a higher location. In front of the temple is four huge Ramses II status. The temple is famous for the fact that it was built in a way that allows sun rays to pass through the inner temple cave, illuminating the four statues at the end of the cave.
Let’s not forget the colourful Nuba, with its rich culture, friendly people and amazing landscape.
In most of these trips, you will need a guide, to give you an idea about the history of each place. Most tourism companies have guided tours; however, make sure to check the languages the guides can speak.
If you choose to fulfil your dream and go on the trip of your dreams, we recommend that you check these tours: 8 Days Egypt Nile Cruise holidays, Cheap Holidays to Egypt in 7 Days, and 10 Days Egypt Holidays Package.
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