Best Places to Visit in Egypt

The Best Places to Visit in Egypt are undoubtedly amazing and provide each visitor with a wide range of breathtaking historical and natural sites to explore. This article’s objective is to arm every tourist with all the knowledge they need to make informed decisions on where to go and what to see in Egypt. This post was created by a team of tour guides, tour operators, and travel advisors with twenty years of expertise writing about the top tourist destinations in Egypt.

The largest collection of monuments and artifacts ever built in human history may be found in Egypt, a land of wonders with a history spanning more than 4500 years. Travelers from all over the world come here to fully enjoy their stay while discovering its secret tales and treasures. Egypt is a highly recommended travel destination because it is home to more than a third of the world’s monuments, according to UNESCO. Anyone can visit any of Egypt’s gorgeous locations and have a wonderful holiday thanks to the enormous quantity of Egyptian monuments and alluring locations. The top locations in Egypt to visit in 2022 are listed below, starting with:

Best Places to Visit in Cairo

The first tourist destination in Egypt for visitors, Cairo has always been a city of wonder, minarets, and skyscrapers, as well as spectacular tourist sites from the pharaonic, Coptic, and Islamic sights in old Cairo.

The Pyramids of Giza

One of Egypt’s most majestic tourist destinations is the Giza Pyramids. On the west bank of the Nile, on the Giza plateau, are the Giza Pyramids. Khufu, Khafre, and Menquare’s three pyramids, which date back roughly 4,500 years, are among them. They are the royal tombs, each of which is named after the monarch for whom it was constructed. The Pyramid of Khufu, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, is the most well-known and was the highest structure up until the 17th century. If you don’t visit the Giza Pyramids on your Egypt excursions, you’re not doing it right. The pyramid represents a particular stage in the evolution of tomb architecture in ancient Egypt. Because it is home to the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid, the pyramid site of Dahshur shouldn’t be overlooked on any trip to the Saqqara region which also includes a visit to the magnificent Step Pyramid of Saqqara.

The Great Sphinx

The Sphinx is a statue of a mythical animal with a lion’s body and a human head that is known as the of the Sphinx. It is thought to have been constructed by the Egyptians during the time of Pharaoh Khafre “2558-2532 B.C.” to resemble him, and it is situated on the Giza plateau on the west bank of the Nile at Giza, Cairo. It was carved from a single piece of limestone.

The Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum houses a sizable collection of exhibits, many of which are prehistoric relics from ancient Egypt; there are currently about 136 000 pieces on show in the museum.

The Grand Egyptian Museum

One of the greatest museums in the world devoted completely to displaying the history and culture of ancient Egypt is the Grand Egyptian Museum. It houses a sizable variety of facilities, amusement areas, and displays, some of which feature more than 150,000 ancient Egyptian items, including the whole collection of Pharaoh Tutankhamen.

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC)

In order to shed some light on the ancient Egyptian Civilization, which lasted for more than 5000 years, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) is a cultural and historical gate situated in the ancient city of El Fustat in old Cairo, which was the first capital of Egypt. The museum is expected to be a feat of archaeology, displaying 50,000 items from various periods of Ancient Egyptian history, including Prehistoric, Pharaonic, Archaic, Greco-Roman, Medieval, Coptic, Islamic, and ultimately Modern & Contemporary.

Khan El Khalili Bazaar

The 14th century saw the creation of this enchanted market, which is a maze of golden splendor on each of its corners. One of the most well-known sites in old Cairo is Khan El Khalili, which is distinguished by the presence of exquisite handicrafts made of copper, wood, and other materials. Visitors can purchase any mementos they desire from this amazing location.

Islamic Cairo

Islamic Cairo, sometimes referred to as Historic Cairo or Medieval Cairo, is a fascinating location that is centered on the Citadel of Cairo and provides a thorough examination of the historical and cultural heritage from the early years of Islam. It was one of the world’s oldest Islamic cities and the new center of the Islamic world when it was designated a World Cultural Heritage site in 1979. It is home to many famous mosques, madrasas, hammams, and fountains, including the Al-Azhar Mosque, the legendary Salah El-Din Cairo Citadel, the Ibn Tulan Mosque, and many others.

Best Places to Visit in Luxor

One of the best sites to visit in Egypt, Luxor is a true reflection of ancient Egyptian heaven and is situated in Upper Egypt. Many tourists like to experience Luxor’s attractions while on a Nile River Cruise, which includes:

Karnak Temple Complex

The city of Luxor has numerous temples built by ancient Egyptian kings and queens from the middle kingdom (2040–1782 BC), which included Senusret I’s rule in the 16th century BC, and the new Kingdom (1570–1050 BC), which lasted until the Ptolemaic period, is best exemplified by the Karnak Temple (323-30 BC). The temple at Karnak was also referred to as Pr-Imn, or “House of Amon,” and I pet-isu, or “The Most Selected of Places.” These temples commemorate the god Amon and other Egyptian mythological deities, with a focus on the god Amun, his wife Mut, and their son Khnsou, as well as other deities discovered at the time, such as Osiris, Montu, Ptah, and Isis. The fabled avenue of sphinxes features stunning light and sound shows that are held every evening. These spectacles are a wonderful way to learn more about these temples. Luxor and Karnak are thought to be separated by around 3 kilometers.

Luxor Temple

One of the most significant and stunning attractions on the east bank of the Nile is the Luxor Temple. The Luxor Temple, also known as the Southern Sanctuary, was built in the New Kingdom (1550–1070 BC) in 1400 BC using sandstone from the Gebel el–Silsila region. It was finished by King Tutankhamun (1336–1327 BC) to honour the creator god Amun of the Theban Triad with Mut, the goddess of justice, and Khonsu, the god of the moon, as well as to celebrate the annual Opet festival. It contains the edifice belonging to King Ramses II, in addition to the obelisk decorated with all the victories achieved by the King, and the many statues placed in the forefront of the expanse. The sound and light show of the Luxor temple are not to be missed.

The Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings, which is situated in the center of a hill tucked away between mountains on the western bank of the Nile River, served as the final resting place for numerous Pharaohs for more than 500 years during the early days of the new country. It has 63 cut-rock decorated tombs and chambers, and this valley is home to many tombs of kings and queens from that time period, including Ramses (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, IX, X), Amenhotep I, Hatshepsut, Seti I, and the well-known boy-king Tutankhamun. These graves are beautifully adorned with engravings and images. All these elements have made this majestic valley the ultimate tourist attraction that bewitched a large number of tourists worldwide.

Hatshepsut Temple

In the Eighteenth Dynasty of the New Kingdom, the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, also known as Djoser-Djeseru (Holy of Holies), was constructed to honor the god Amun. One of the best-preserved temples in Egypt and the entire world, it is situated on the west bank of the Nile River. The temple, which has three ascending terraces and was constructed in her honor, has a wonderful outlook and is one of the most attractive ancient sites in Upper Egypt.

Dendera and Abydos Temples

While the magnificent Abydos temple served as a hub for the religion of the ruler of the underworld Osiris, and was thought to be an entrance to the underworld, the magnificent Dendera temple served as the worship site of the goddess Hathor of healing and love. All of Egypt, they are brimming with the prettiest and best-preserved decorations and antiques.

Best Places to Visit in Aswan

Aswan, in Nubia, is the second-largest city in Upper Egypt after Luxor and is renowned as a mythical golden city of art and originality. It is also the location of many well-known archaeological sites and some of the most breathtaking natural beauty. When visiting Egypt, most visitors choose to take a Nile cruise because it is among the best activities to engage in while there.

Philae Island

One of the last temples ever erected in Egypt was the Philae Temple, which King Ptolemy II built between 380 BC and 362 BC and then expanded by several other rulers throughout the Ptolemaic Period. The ruins of various ancient temples built to honor the Pharaohs may be found here. It is situated on the Nile River, opposite the Aswan desert, where it was formerly the center of worship for Isis, the goddess of Motherhood and healing. This temple had a wealth of knowledge about Egyptian mythology, including the legend of Osiris.

The Unfinished Obelisk

The Unfinished Obelisk was constructed during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut in the contemporary period of the new kingdom, which was a part of the Pharaohs’ empire. It stands out for its vast size and shoddy workmanship.

Aswan High Dam

A dam named the Aswan High Dam is situated on the Nile River in the Republic of Egypt’s southern region. It was started in the middle of the 1950s, under Gamal Abdel Nasser’s rule. The Nile’s water flow is regulated by the dam, which also lessens the impact of flooding. In Egypt, it is employed to produce energy.

The Two Temples of Abu Simbel

A UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Nubian Antiquities, the temple of Abu Simbel is an archaeological site with two enormous temple rocks in southern Egypt. It is located on the west bank of Lake Nasser, some 290 kilometers southwest of Aswan. Many people who are interested in ancient history travel to this majestic location to learn about the great civilization of the ancient Egyptians. The temple is made up of two temples: one belongs to King Ramses II and commemorates his great victories, such as the historic battle of Kadesh, and the other to his wife Nefertari. The sun festival, which takes place on February 22 and October 22 to commemorate Ramesses’ birthday and the anniversary of his accession to the throne, is the ideal time to visit the Abu Simbel Temple (in October). One of the top tourist destinations in Egypt in 2022 is this magnificent structure.

Best Places to Visit in Alexandria

Alexandria is a Mediterranean port city in Egypt that was founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC. It later became the capital of Greco-Roman Egypt and a rival to Rome before going into decline in the 4th century AD. Alexandria is a heavenly gem and a truly historical city that needs to be visited; it has beautiful sites to discover. Alexandria, the second capital of Egypt and one of the best cities in Egypt, is home to a number of popular tourist destinations, including:

Qaitbay Citadel

Some of the lighthouse’s rescued stones, which had been wrecked by a terrible earthquake in 702 AH, were used to construct the Qaitbay Citadel, which stood where the ancient Alexandria lighthouse once stood. Sultan Al-Ashraf Abu Al-Nasr Qaitbay began construction on it in 882 AH, and it was finished in 884 AH.

Pompey’s Pillar

The sole remaining piece of Roman architecture that can be found outside of its own country is Pompey’s Pillar, one of the world’s tallest structures. In the third century AD, it was constructed out of granite as a memorial to Emperor Diocletian. It is roughly 27 meters long and 26.85 meters high, and it is situated on Sedra’s hill.

Kom Al-Shakafa

The Kom El-Shoqafa archaeological catacombs are situated in the southern part of the Mina Al-Basal district. The name of the catacombs refers to the crushers and pottery fragments that have been discovered there.

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina

One of the most significant cultural landmarks in the city and the entire world is the Alexandria Library. It has more than eight million volumes and is situated in the Shatby region on the Mediterranean coast.

Best Places to Visit in the Red Sea

The Red Sea’s natural beauty is preserved in its resorts, which have first-rate amenities and convenient access to the heavenly natural sights, vibrant coral, and exotic fish that teem beneath its enchanted waters.

Sharm El Sheikh

The stunning resort of Sharm El Sheikh, which is situated between the desert of the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea and is home to some of the most magnificent coral reefs in the world, makes it easy to explore and enjoy the Red Sea coral and marine life. Sharm el-Sheikh, which consists of three lovely bays, is a diving and watersports haven; you may also go there to see Saint Catherine’s Monastery. Among the top spots in the Red Sea the primary attraction is the Sharm El Sheik resort at Naama Bay, which is a chic, cosmopolitan resort with a lot of bars and terrace cafés as well as a lot of diving locations such as Ras Mohammed National Park, where Shark Reef is located.

Hurghada

Crossing the waves of the Red Sea is thought to be the greatest area to take a tropical holiday. It is a stunning beach resort city that stretches for around 40 kilometers along Egypt’s Red Sea coast. It is well-known for offering a variety of water sports, including snorkeling, kite- and windsurfing, scuba diving, and more. Other popular activities include swimming with dolphins, riding a semi-submersible, taking a super safari through the eastern desert to a Bedouin village, and visiting the Hurghada Grand Aquarium. Some of the best locations in Hurghada include Sheduan Island, Abu Minqar Island, Dishet El-Dhaba, Marsa Abu Galawa “Carless Reef,” El Fanus “Dolhin Reef,” Turtle Bay, Oberoi House Reef, Gota Abu Ramada, also known as “The Aquarium,” Gota Abu Makadi, and Gifton Island. There are also some inner resorts surrounding Hurghada, including the Sahl Hasheesh, and El Qu.