Egypt is considered the oldest travel destination on Earth with its fascinating history that goes back to early civilizing times.
The beautiful temples and pyramids of the African nation have captured travellers’ imagination for thousands of years.
Although the majority of people come to Egypt, natural wonders often draw travellers. The Red Sea coast is renowned for its coral reefs and beaches and tourists will experience a relaxing oasis on a stroll through the Sahara.
Here’s a peek at Egypt’s best places:
No. 10. Hurghada
Once upon a time, Hurghada was a rather small and impressive fishing village, situated by the Red Sea with a number of sandy beaches.
Now the resort has become an almost forgotten tourist town in the past, with over 100 hotels on the shoreline, many of which have become the most famous in Egypt. Hurghada is particularly popular for its waters.
No. 9. Alexandria
Alexandria is Egypt’s leading port and transport hub on the shore of the Mediterranean.
The city was once considered the crossroads of the world, established 331 BC by Alexander the Great.
Many of Alexandria’s most famous sites in history were destroyed by devastating earthquakes, including a library that had over 500 000 books.
Nowadays the city is a faded shade of its glorious cosmopolitan ego but it is still worth to visit because of its multitude of cultural attractions.
No. 8. Mount Sinai
The king of Moses is said to have obtained the Ten Commandments from God at Mount Sinai, located in the middle of the Sinai Peninsula.
Although this statement is supported by very little evidence of archaeology, the mountain remains a popular site for pilgrimages and the Monastery of St. Catherine.
The Greek Orthodox Monastery was founded in the 6th Century and is one of the world’s most long-running monasteries.
No. 7. Siwa Oasis
Siwa Oasis Found near the western frontier of Egypt in the late 19th century, Siwa Oasis was historically segregated. Siwa Oasis is today a popular destination for tourists.
Tourist love to folk around the city, where they can enjoy the town’s many springs of fresh water, wander around acres of palm groves and explore the antique, sandy fortifications and relics of the Greco-roman history of Siwa.
No. 6. Sharm el-Sheik
Sharm el-Sheikh is a popular South Sinai beach resort, popular with tourists and divers. It’s one of the world’s finest places for diving.
At Sharm el-Sheik you can also schedule jeep, camel or quad trips through hotels and travel agencies.
Some of the most popular tours are snorkelling to Nabeq, jeep to the Colored Canyon and overnight tours of the monastery of Saint Catherine and Sinai.
No. 5. Dahshur
Dahshur is a necropolis located about 25 miles south of Cayro in the desert on the western bank of the Nile River. It is quieter and isolated you can also see some very large pyramids compared to Giza.
The number of visitors is much smaller, the queues are much shorter and the hassle is much less. The Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid constructed during Pharaoh Sneferu’s reign have pyramids in Dahshur.
No. 4. Aswan
Aswan is a mid-size city located north of Lake Nasser, in the southernmost city of Egypt.
While Aswan is the base for excursions to the Philae and Kabasha temples and the Ramses II Temple of the Sun, at Abu Simbel on the south, its own monuments are not very much popular in comparison to Luxor City.
It is also the best place to go on hikes between Aswan and Luxor at the temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu.
No. 3. Cairo
The new capital of Egypt is a busy city, with long and tumultuous past near the mouth of the Nile River Delta.
New Cairo is a famous starting point to crossing the Nile and exploring Giza’ s pyramids just outside the city limits and was built near the ancient capital Memphis.
Visitors can get a glimpse into the riches of Tutankhamun and other artefacts from ancient Egypt in the world-renowned Egyptian Museum of Tahrir Square.
No. 2. Luxor
The green landscape of Luxor is host to impressive ancient monuments.
The Nile slowly crosses the area, with Luxor, a modern city on the East Bank, and Thebes, the former capital on the West Bank.
The once glorious city of the old world is like a contemporary open-air visitor’s museum.
The famous Karnak and Luxor temples can be found on the eastern bank, and the Kings’ and Queens ‘ valleys on the West Bank.
No. 1. Giza
Giza Necropolis is probably the world’s most famous old town located in the immediate vicinity of the south-west suburbs of Cairo.
The iconic image of Egypt is the pyramids and the Sphinx at the foot of the Giza plateau. The three generations were created by Khufu, Khafre’s second son, and Menkaure, his grandson.
A number of smaller satellite structures called Queen pyramids, other temples are also included in these major monuments.
