It’s hard to decide which tourist destinations in Egypt are the ‘must see’ stops for your itinerary–there are so many places to see in Egypt! So, to make your planning easier for you, here is the short list. Discover how each of these top sightseeing attractions rank so you know which Egypt tourist destinations should be at the top of your Egypt itinerary.
CONTENTS – In this article you will learn about the six top sightseeing destinations in Egypt. We don’t want to introduce any spoilers here, so scroll down to find out how they rank.
Top Sightseeing Destinations In Egypt, Ranked
The ancient Egyptians were among the first full-scale human civilizations to pop up and really develop a lasting culture and impact on the world. As such, modern Egypt is a treasure trove of sightseeing destinations.
Here we rank some of the top attractions. Find out more below.
7. Saqqara
Saqqara isn’t the first place you think about when somebody mentions Egypt, but it is certainly one of the most interesting. This ancient tomb complex is a little different from other sites in Egypt, primarily because of its age.
Saqqara is the site of the Old Kingdom Step Pyramid. It was one of the earliest designs of pyramids – something that the ancient Egyptians were playing around with hundreds of years before the construction of the great pyramid.
Tours of the area take you past some of the original paintings that adorned the tomb. They are among the best in the whole of the Middle East.
6. Islamic Cairo
Fast forward several thousand years, and you’ll run into Islamic Cairo. This district is home to multiple mosques, all heralding from the mamluk era. There’s shopping to be done here, as well as exploring sites like the Sultan Hassan Mosque and Al-Azhar Mosque which both offer panoramas of the surrounding city.
5. Red Sea
The Red Sea isn’t just a body of water like the English channel. Instead, because of the movement of land over the centuries, it is also a historical site.
The Red Sea is one of the best places to go scuba diving. It has a sort of coral reef of its own, and is home to multiple species of fish, many of them tropical.
Here, you will also find various boat wrecks, including that of the Thistlegorm, a British WWII cargo ship that the Germans sunk in 1941.
4. Abu Simbel
Many Egypt tours take you to the temple of Abu Simbel, once the seat of power for the great Ramses II. The structure features large sitting stone pharaoh statues on the outside with interiors decorated with sumptuous paintings and beautiful artwork from the ancient world.
Abu Simbel is of megalithic proportions. Archeologists still aren’t quite sure how the ancients did it. For many, it is a triumph of engineering and a testament to human creativity and ingenuity.
3. The Town Of Aswan
Aswan is famous for being one of Egypt’s most peaceful places, well away from the hustle and bustle of Cairo. The best way to see it is by boat, with the orange-tinted dune hills in the background.
You can also travel around the location on a camel. Tours run from the East Bank and go all throughout the area. Close by is the Philae Temple, a must-visit attraction for anyone remotely interested in history.
2. Luxor
If you head to Luxor, you’ll find the impressive ancient city of Thebes. Attractions include the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Memorial Temple and Karnak Temple. These structures give you a real impression of what living in ancient Egypt was like. Nothing brings you closer. Plus, you can usually see it all in one visit.
1. Giza Necropolis
So what is the #1 tourist destination in Egypt?
Surely you know you can’t go to Egypt without seeing the famed pyramids of Giza!
You’ll find Giza on the outskirts of Cairo on the Giza Plateau. When you visit the Giza Pyramid Complex (also known as Giza Necropolis), you’ll have a chance to see the:
- Great Pyramid of Giza (Khufu)
- Pyramid of Khafre
- Pyramid of Menkaure
- Great Sphinx of Giza
These giant 4th-dynasty pyramids and the historic half-man, half-cat monument on the west bank of the Nile River are incredible feats of engineering, history, and culture.
They are one of the most iconic landmarks in the world and a World UNESCO site. The Great Pyramid of Khufu, which is the largest of the pyramids, is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Therefore, the Giza Necropolis is a must-see when you’re in Egypt.
Final Thoughts on Tourist Destinations in Egypt
While you’ll no doubt want to see as many attractions in Egypt as you can, these 7 should definitely be on your shortlist. If you have the time in your itinerary, try to see each of them,
Finally, while you’re planning a trip to Egypt, be sure to avoid these mistakes planning your trip to Egypt.
Photo credits: Saqqara – Dmitrii Zhodzishskii, Abu Simbel – Lea Kobal, Luxor – Jeremy Bezanger (Unsplash)
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