Egypt is a country where the historical past meets the cutting-edge future. In no other country in the world can you find such a fusion of old and new. The country’s capital, Cairo, is home to some of the most famous landmarks in the world like the famous Giza Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the Valley of the Kings.
But it also has neighborhoods with high-rise apartments, restaurants serving New Egyptian cuisine, and nightclubs packed with young people dancing to their favorite pop songs from around the world.
At first glance, it may seem that there’s little else to see or do in this ancient land of pyramids and pharaohs.
After all, how many different ways can you say “ancient”? But delve deeper beneath those famous landmarks, and you will find a fascinating country bursting with culture, history, and natural beauty.
1 Visit the Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza are the most famous landmarks in Egypt and the world. The three largest pyramids on the desert plateau of Giza are the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Great Pyramid of Khafre, and the Great Pyramid of Menkaure. The Great Sphinx stands nearby, carved from a single piece of limestone. The Pyramids at Giza are about 30 miles from Cairo, the Egyptian capital. The city is a major travel hub for the rest of Egypt. The Pyramids are open from 8 am to 5 pm. Admission is 100 LE for foreigners. You can get there by taxi, tour bus or walking from Cairo. If you choose the last option, it’s a nice walk, but you’ll need to be prepared to sweat. The sun is relentless in the afternoon. If you’re walking, you can expect to spend about 3-4 hours at the Pyramids.
2 Luxor’s Temples & Tombs
The city of Luxor is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is one of the most visited tourist places in Egypt. The city has many landmarks such as the Temple of Karnak, the Colossi of Memnon, the Luxor Temple, and the Tombs of the Nobles. If you are someone who loves to explore culture, then this is the place for you. The ancient city is filled with culture and history. The city is very famous for its amazing temples and tombs. You will get to explore many places which are filled with amazing cultural significance.
3 Cruise on the Nile River
Egypt’s most famous river is also one of its most popular tourist destinations. The river has inspired poets and authors for centuries and remains a source of great inspiration. The Nile is a river that truly has to be seen to be believed. Cruising the Nile is easy and hassle-free. All you have to do is book a tour, pack your bags, and enjoy the ride.
4 Explore Islamic Cairo
Cairo, Egypt’s capital is a city that never sleeps. The city is filled with a hectic energy, a “we can do anything” attitude, and a sense of togetherness that is truly admirable. Islamic Cairo is a place you must visit. It is the heart of the city. Cairo, being the capital, houses significant landmarks of historical value. Some of the most famous landmarks in Cairo are the Egyptian Museum, Tahrir Square, and the Citadel of Cairo. The most famous place in Islamic Cairo is, of course, the Al-Azhar Mosque.
5 Saqqara, a vast necropolis of tombs and pyramids
Saqqara
Saqqara is home to some of the earliest pyramids, temples, and tombs ever built. The city is located about 30 miles from Cairo. Saqqara is the best place to see the evolution of Egyptian architecture and art from the Old Kingdom to the Middle Kingdom.
6 White Desert
The White Desert is the world’s largest desert of gypsum. The desert is located in the upper Egyptian desert, near the border with Libya. The desert is famous for its massive rock formations that are covered with a thick layer of white gypsum. If you are an avid photographer or want to spend a few peaceful hours with yourself, then the White Desert is the perfect place for you.
7 Abydos Temple
Abydos is one of the most ancient cities in Egypt. The city is considered to be the most important religious site of Ancient Egypt. The city is home to a large temple of Osiris. The temple is one of the world’s most ancient and important places of worship.
8 Siwa Oasis
The Siwa Oasis is a natural wonder of the world. The oasis is located deep in the Egyptian desert, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The oasis is home to many natural wonders like dunes and palm trees. The oasis is also home to the Temple of the Oracle, where priests offered prophecies and advice to kings and queens of Ancient Egypt.
9 St. Catherine’s Monastery
St. Catherine’s Monastery is built on the summit of Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. The monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in the world and is home to a library dating back to the 6th century AD. The library contains thousands of priceless manuscripts in a wide variety of languages, including Ethiopian, Arab, Armenian, Georgian, Greek, Latin, and Syriac. Although they are not allowed to take pictures inside, this is a must-see destination for anyone interested in the history of Christianity.
10 Coptic Cairo
For a real understanding of what makes Egypt unique, visit this predominantly Christian neighborhood where the old and new blend together seamlessly. There are numerous churches to visit here, including the Hanging Church and the Church of St. Barbara. Explore the Souk al-Hai, Cairo’s famous flea market, and finish your tour with a meal at one of the city’s many sidewalk café-style restaurants.
11 Wadi Al-Hitan
The Desert of Whales is a stunning coastal desert that consists of boulders covered in the world’s most extensive collection of whale fossils. It is known as Wadi al-Hitan in Arabic and was once a tidal area where whales came to give birth. The fossils can be found in various colors, including bright blue, green, and purple, and the desert is often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”.
12 Temple of Hathor (Egypt Travel Guide)
The Temple of Hathor is a fascinating place to visit. It is one of the most important temples in all of Egypt and dates back to the time of the New Kingdom. The temple has survived thousands of years of natural disasters, looting, and climatic changes, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple was used as a place of worship for the goddess Hathor, who was believed to be the mother of the sun god Ra.
13 Monastery of St. Anthony (Egypt Travel Guide)
Situated near Mount Sinai, the Monastery of St. Anthony is a place of pilgrimage for Christians who come to pay homage to the man who is thought to have been the first to live as a hermit. The monastery was built in the 6th century AD but was only rediscovered in 1892. The buildings are built in the same architectural style as the famous Egyptian pyramids.
14 Visit Alexandria (Egypt Travel Guide)
Egypt’s second-largest city, Alexandria is a vibrant, welcoming city with a unique charm. Visit the famous Alexandria Library, built in the 3rd century BC and once home to the most extensive collection of books in the world, or take a walk along the Corniche, the city’s famous seaside promenade. And don’t forget to taste some of Alexandria’s celebrated sweets.
15 Relax in Sharm EL Sheikh
Sharm el Sheikh is Egypt’s most famous resort city. It is the country’s main southern Red Sea resort, a hub for scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. Visit the famous Cleopatra Beach and see the underwater sculptures created by a Brazilian artist. If you are lucky, you can watch a wedding taking place on the beach.
16 Explore the Valley Of The Kings (Egypt Travel Guide)
The Valley of the Kings is a vast, dry, barren desert. It was here that the Pharaohs chose to be buried in vast tombs that were then hidden beneath the desert sands. This is where tourists will find the world-famous Tutankhamun’s tomb, an Ancient Egyptian pharaoh who ruled during the 18th dynasty reign from 1332 to 1323 BC.
17 Visit the Tomb Of Nefertari in the Valley Of The Queens (Egypt Travel Guide)
Another famous Egyptian pharaoh, Ramesses II, chose to be buried in the Valley of the Queens. His tomb is the largest in the valley and contains some beautiful paintings. Another noteworthy attraction in the Valley of the Queens is the Tomb of Nefertari, an ancient Egyptian Queen who was the great royal wife of the Egyptian pharaoh, Ramesses II.
18 Marvel at The Karnak Temple Complex (Egypt Travel Guide)
The Karnak Temple Complex is massive. It is the largest temple complex in the world and contains a staggering number of buildings and temples, each more impressive than the last.
The Temple of Amun, which stands in the center of the complex, is the largest religious structure ever built.
19 The Great Sphinx of Giza (Egypt Travel Guide)
The Great Sphinx of Giza is a 21-meter-high statue carved into desert sandstone. It is believed to have been created around 2500 BC and is the most famous of Egypt’s architectural wonders. The Sphinx has been a source of wonder and speculation for thousands of years. No one knows who is buried in the tomb beneath the Sphinx, although many believe it may have been the Pharaoh Khafra.
20 Get a History Lesson at the Egyptian Museum (Egypt Travel Guide)
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is the world’s oldest and largest museum and has been open to the public since 1902. If you want to understand the importance of this place, you only have to look at the numbers: it contains over 800,000 artifacts and receives around 2,000 new items every year. It is home to a collection of incredible mummies, including the three most famous pharaohs: Tutankhamun, Ramses II, and Nefertiti.
The Colorful Nubian Villages
You’ll be enamored with the quaint and colorful Nubian villages dotting the banks of the Nile in Egypt. These settlements are home to the Nubian people who have been living here for centuries. The Nubians are an Aric-speaking subgroup of the larger Nile Valley population. They speak one of Old Egyptian’s two main dialects, called A-Group, or ‘A’ Nubi.
First things first, let us visit a Nubian village. These villages are located on both banks of the Nile in Aswan, Beni Sweif, and Qalubiya. They are also found in Burg al-Arab and Kom Ombo. There are an estimated 40,000 Nubians in Egypt who mostly live in these villages. You can choose to visit any of these villages and experience the culture, traditions, and way of life of the Nubian people. You can also walk through the souq, or market, and the place where they weave their famous baskets.
How to get to a Nubian Village?
The best way to get to these villages is by booking a tour. You can easily find these tours online or at any travel agent in Egypt. Most of the tours last only a few hours and include a visit to one or two villages. They also include a boat ride on the Nile and an Egyptian/Nubian cultural show. You can book a tour online and visit these beautiful places on your own. The only thing to remember is to wear appropriate clothing, as you will be visiting religious places.
Seeing the most colorful village in Egypt
If you want to see the most colorful village, then you must visit the village of Beni Sweif. It is about 14 km south of Aswan, on the western bank of the Nile. The people of Beni Sweif weave baskets, made from palm leaves, in all colors. The most famous color is blue, but you will also find baskets in red, green, and yellow. You can also buy Nubian dresses and shawls made from cotton of various colors. For those interested in the history of these people, a visit to the Nubian Museum is a must. It has a collection of objects from the Nubian culture and history.
Food and drinks
You can also try some traditional Nubian food like fuel and Tamiya. Full is a mixture of beans and tomato while Tamiya is a Nubian dish made of rice with tomato sauce. Nubian tea is also famous and can be found in all the villages. It is made from a mixture of herbs and spices and has a unique taste. It is green in color and has a fragrant smell. Nubian tea is served hot accompanied by a piece of bread. You can also try the famous Nubian sweets like Luqman al-club and qalyubiya.
Which of these destinations from Egypt are you planning to visit this year?
Book your trip now and enjoy your trip unlike any other. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to Download Framey (available on Google Play and Apple Store), and let’s explore the world!
