Egypt, the land of pharaohs, with its ancient history, is in the travel bucket list of almost everyone. And why not? The land has witnessed one of the full civilizations in the history of this planet, and now those memories are preserved through artwork and museum, which attracts people from all over the world. Not only its history, Egypt has a lot more to offer, and in fact, if you plan to go to this country, below given are some of the best Egypt tourist attractions. The top 10 places that you just cannot miss visiting.
10. Pyramids of Giza
This is the one place that you surely must have heard about and thus should top your must-visit list. These structures were built around 2500 BC and have been serving as reference points to various buildings created since then. It is the largest and the oldest of the 3 pyramids present in Giza. It even is the ancient Seven Wonders of the World’s sole surviving structure. Though people still cannot completely figure out how they were constructed but it did take three generations for it to be complete. They are 139 meters tall and are situated on the outskirts of Cairo.
See also; 10 Most Famous Cultural Monuments Around the World.
9. Mosque of Ibn Tulun
The Mosque of Ibn Tulun was created between 876 and 879 AD and is one of the most ancient mosques in Cairo. This structure was commissioned by Egypt’s Abbasid governor, Ahmad Ibn Ţūlūn. The mosque has been built around a courtyard and has a covered hall in all the four sides. The minaret which has a helical outer staircase just like that of the popular minaret in Samarra perhaps was created many centuries later.
See also; 10 Most Amazing and Beautiful Mosques in the World.
8. Abu Simbel Temples
Situated in Nubia, in southern Egypt, are the Abu Simbel temples. These temples have two huge rock temples crafted out of the mountainside. It was created by Pharaoh Ramesses the Great in the 13th century BC for his queen Nefertari and for himself. The lake Nasser surrounds this beautiful temple. In the 1960s it was felt that the temples might disappear under this lake and so UNESCO undertook a big operation and shifted this temple from its actual setting. The operation continued for four years. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Egypt.
See also; Top 10 Oldest Temples of The World.
7. Siwa Oasis
Siwa Oasis, situated in the Libyan Desert is an isolated settlement of Egypt with about 23,000 people and most of them are ethnic Berbers. Situated on an old date trade path, Siwa was on oasis important to the trade route. Its shade offering palm trees and natural springs offered relief to the travelers of the desert. As the Roman Empire collapsed the decline of Siwa also started. Nowadays tourism is their main source of income.
See also; 10 Oldest Continuously Inhabited Cities.
6. Karnak Temple Complex
Almost all Egypt sightseeing tours will take you to the Karnak Temple which is basically the ruins of an old temple city. This is one of the biggest places of worship ever found and was created over a period of 100 years. As per records, construction started during the period of the middle kingdom and it continued until the pharaoh reign ended. The most famous structure at this site is the huge Hypostyle Hall that covers an area of 5000 square meters.
See also; 20 most enormous monuments and statues around the world.
5. Temple of Philae
Philae Temple, constructed in 690 AD is believed to be the last ancient temple that was crafted in real ancient Egyptian style. It is a beautiful structure that any good Egyptian tourism package is sure to include. Today, the Philae Temple is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But, it was relocated from its original location on Philae Island to the Agikia Island where it is presently located. If the temple was not moved it would have got destroyed because of the rising waters of Lake Nasser after the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
4. Valley of the Kings
Located quite close to Karnak is the Valley of the Kings. Like various other Egyptian structures, this place too has a historical significance. Many tombs had been built from the 16th to 11th century BC for the kings and the legal representatives. This valley has over 60 tombs and they range in structure. In addition, you can find something as simple as a pit to huge and complex tombs with 120 chambers. They are carved keeping in mind the ritual and beliefs of the period.
3. Hurghada
Hurghada is a famous Red Sea resort town that is loved by snorkeling and diving enthusiasts. It is also famous as a family holiday destination because of its family-friendly hotels and resorts. Also, it offer lots of fun activities like sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving, and so on. Not only is Hurghada a perfect place to relax in but is also known for its great shopping opportunities and nightlife.
2. Egyptian Museum
This popular museum has a minimum of 120,000 ancient Egyptian antiquities and is one of the top attractions of Cairo. It has two main floors, the ground, and the first floor. The ground floor has a great collection of coins and papyrus used in the ancient Egyptian era. And on the first floor, there are artifacts from the two final dynasties of Ancient Egypt and also artifacts taken from the Valley of the Kings. The highlights of this museum include objects from the Royal Mummy Room and Tomb of Tutankhamen.
1. The Nile River
The longest river in this world, Nile, surely is a place you must explore when in Egypt, and the best way to explore it is by opting for a Nile river cruise. You have many Nile cruises to choose from and all of them will include a trip to Luxor and Aswan, those places in Egypt that is sure to give you the best experience ever.
So, you must plan a trip to Egypt as it has so much to offer. And whenever you do, do check these best Egypt tourist attractions. In addition, visit all these 10 places to enjoy an experience that you will thoroughly love.
