Egypt has been capturing the interest of tourists for decades. Going to the bedrock of world civilization will be one of the most memorable trips you’ll ever take. It’s where it all started.
From magnificent tombs, historical monuments, ancient temples, museums with treasures and pyramids to journeys down on the Nile and abundant beaches, this country has everything for history buffs and world travelers.
Here is our list of the top places to visit in Egypt for an unforgettable holiday.
Islamic Cairo
Cairo, the largest city in the Arab World, attracts countless visitors each year and will put you deep into Arab culture. There is a wealth of history to explore here. You can find endless tourist attractions here like Roman ruins, the ancient city of Memphis, famous pyramids, tombs, churches, medieval monuments, and mosques.
While in Cairo, visit the magnificent Sultan Hassan Mosque, the Al-Azhar Mosque, and the Citadel of Saladin. Be sure also to climb to the roof of the great medieval gate of Bab Zuweila. Visit also the Egyptian museum which is one of the most visited sites in Cairo.
Egypt now has more than 93 pyramids and the most iconic ones are those at Giza which are one of the top tourist sites in the world. They were constructed during the Old Kingdom to honor certain Pharaohs of Egypt’s fourth governing dynasty.
It’s unthinkable to travel to Egypt without visiting the Pyramids of Giza which are one of the seven wonders of the world and the symbol of the country.
The monumental tombs were constructed some 4,500 years ago. Until the Eiffel Tower was completed in Paris, for more than 3,000 years, the Great Pyramid held the record for the world’s tallest man-made monument.
Today they serve as an impressive memorial to the power, organization, and accomplishments of ancient Egypt.
The Pyramids are easily accessible from Cairo thanks to a variety of transportation options.
Read more: Why Travel To Egypt?
Aswan and Luxor
Aswan is one of the top-rated destinations in Egypt and it’s a must-see for any traveler. It is home to tranquil Nubian villages, rich historical treasures, and breathtaking Nile views.
You simply must take a Nile River Cruise between Luxor and Aswan because it stops at all the temples of the New Kingdom. Don’t forget to visit the Old Cataract hotel’s terrace for one of the most scenic views in Egypt.
Situated in the Nile Valley in Upper Egypt, Luxor has a glut of tourist attractions and it’s an essential part of any Egyptian itinerary.
The Valley of the Kings is located near Luxor on the Nile’s west bank. It is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in human history.
Designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for over a thousand years, the Valley of the Kings was used for royal burials. There are 65 spectacular royal tombs discovered so far.
Karnak is a complex of obelisks, temples, chapels, and other buildings in the form of a village. Even though it doesn’t have the same international fame as the Valley of the Kings and the Pyramids of Giza, most tourists who visit Karnak are blown away and it’s definitely one of the most iconic sites to see in Egypt.
Along with The Pyramids in Cairo and Karnak, and The Valley of the Kings in Luxor, the Temples of Abu Simbel are among the most magnificent temples of ancient Egypt. It’s a stunning sight to behold and we absolutely recommend adding it to your Egypt travel itinerary.
These temples, built by Ramses II over 3,000 years ago are his attempt to achieve immortality and they survived the test of time.
The monuments are located 280 kilometers south of Aswan and are near Sudan’s southern border. The cheapest way to go to Abu Simbel is by bus, which takes about three hours. If you want more luxury, you can take a cruise on lake Nesser from Aswan to Abu Simbel. The fastest option is a plane, which takes only 45 minutes to go between the airports of Aswan and Abu Simbel.
Sharm el-Sheikh
One of the top holiday destinations in Egypt is the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, often called Sharm al-Shaykh, which is located on the Sinai Peninsula’s southeast coast.
This resort is one of the best destinations in Egypt and it welcomes you with 3000 palm trees, magnificent sea views, year-round sunshine, and modern style. It’s also one of the best scuba-diving tourist places in the world.
You can spend the day relaxing on one of the best beaches in the world, exploring the Old Town, or visiting one of the many historical sites in the area, like Sharm Old Market, Al-Sahaba Mosque, or St. Catherine’s Monastery, which is located at Mount Sinai.
Many of the historic tourist attractions on the Sinai Peninsula are just a day-trip distance away from Sharm el-Sheikh.
At Sharm El Sheikh, which lies 10 kilometers north of Na’ama Bay, there is an international airport with many connections to Europe and the Middle East.
The majority of the buses depart from Cairo’s Al Torgoman Station. You can also take a bus to Dahab and then Sharm from Eilat. You can also take a boat from Hurghada to Sharm El Sheikh.
Cruise down the Nile
One of the best ways to see Egypt is with a cruise that lasts a few days. It is considered to be the highlight of an Egyptian vacation and while drifting in luxury you will get the chance to stop and see some of the country’s ancient sites and outstanding temples.
You will immerse yourself in the fascinating history of Egypt, cultural attractions, and archeological treasures. You can also combine a visit to almost all of the attractions we mentioned earlier.
Temple of Horus
Built during the Greco-Roman period, the Temple of Horus at Edfu is widely considered to be the most impressive of all of the Nile-side temples.
The temple of Horus built between 237 and 57 BC, is one of the best-preserved ancient monuments and is the second largest temple after Karnak. Edfu’s temple is one of the most remarkable constructions completed during the Ptolemaic era and is one of the best places to visit in Egypt. It is dedicated to Horus, the avenging son of Osiris and Isis.
Edfu sits 130 kilometers north of Aswan and 109 kilometers south of Luxor, so it’s a typical stop between these two major centers of Egypt.
We advise combining your visit with a tour of the Temple of Kom Ombo if you’re planning a day tour, it’s about an hour and a half north of Aswan and an hour and a half south of Edfu.
Alexandria
The pearl of the Mediterranean was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE and it’s the Greco-Roman capital of Egypt.
Some of the reasons why tourists love Alexandria are its fabulous architecture, captivating landmarks, and breathtaking sightseeing.
Many of Alexandria’s most famous historic sites, including a library that housed more than 500,000 books were destroyed by devastating earthquakes but the city is still worth the visit for its many cultural attractions and glimpses of its past.
Some of the must-see attractions are the 15th-century Qaitbay Citadel, the Greco-Roman monuments, Ras el-Tin Palace, the Abu Abbas al-Mursi Mosque, Montazah Gardens, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
Abydos temple
The Temple of Osiris in Abydos is one of Ancient Egypt’s most remarkable artistic treasures. It is also one of the most important archeological sites in Egypt. It served as a necropolis for the earliest kings of Egypt and then became a pilgrimage site for the worship of the god Osiris.
In its hypostyle halls, which are decorated with papyrus-headed columns and include figures depicting the king and the gods of ancient Egypt, visitors can witness some of the best relief art in Egypt.
There were a number of temples built here, but the beautiful Temple of Seti is the biggest and most significant one.
Abydos can be included in a day trip from Luxor along with a visit to Dendara, which is another impressive site.
Saint Catherine’s Monastery
Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine’s Monastery are without a doubt the most beautiful places to visit in Egypt’s Sinai region. Saint Catherine’s is one of the oldest monasteries and home for pilgrims and travelers for centuries. As of 2004, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The surrounding area is stunning. There is a reason it’s such an important area for Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike. Since the monastery has never been destroyed, it preserves intact the distinctive qualities of its Roman and Greek heritage.
This desert monastery houses an amazing collection of religious artwork, manuscripts, and iconography. Most people travel to St. Catherine’s Monastery from Dahab or Sharm el Sheikh for a day trip.
Saqqara
Those who assumed Giza was the only location for the enormous pyramids must visit Saqqara to be astounded. It is without a doubt, one of the most important and captivating archaeological sites on the entire planet.
Over a period of over 3,500 years, particularly when Memphis was the capital city nearby, nobles were buried here. The vast ancient burial ground is filled with additional smaller pyramids, tombs, and funerary complexes.
The Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest complete stone building complex in Egypt or anywhere else in the world, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Egypt. Some of Egypt’s finest wall paintings can be found at Mastaba of Ti’s tomb. Among the best on offer are the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid which hide some of the Old Kingdom’s most splendid treasures.
Which nationalities need a visa for Egypt?
Almost all visitors need to get a visa to enter Egypt unless they are from a visa-exempt country. Visitors from just 10 countries can visit for up to three months without a visa.
Which are the Egypt visa-free countries?
Bahrain
Hong Kong
Israel*
Kuwait
Lebanon*
Macao
Oman
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Malaysia (14 days)
(*)Special conditions apply
What kind of visa do I need to enter Egypt?
There are different types of visas for Egypt – the Egypt e-visa and visa on arrival which can be obtained at the Egyptian border. You will need to queue, apply for, process and pay for the visa on arrival. You should pay in US dollars, British pounds, and Euros and in cash. Cards are not accepted.
Most travelers choose to arrange their visas in advance for peace of mind because the visa on arrival is not guaranteed.
What’s the Egypt E-visa?
The Egypt E-visa is perfect for you if you are planning a holiday to Egypt. With it, you can stay in the country for up to 30 days.
Once issued, the E-visa for Egypt is valid for 90 days and it’s a single-entry visa.
What’s the easiest way to apply for the Egypt E-visa?
We know that applying for a visa can be a complicated and stressful task. Lucky for you, you can simply apply online for the Egypt E-Visa with Visa First today.
Our visa experts will handle your application from start to finish, and take care of the dreaded visa paperwork.
Why apply with Visa First?
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