Egypt is a country with a fascinating history dating back to the beginning of civilization. The attractions of the ancient world of the pharaohs await tourists here. Monumental pyramids, vast deserts, oriental scents and landscapes that will take your breath away, are only part of what tourists can see there. Here you can also experience extraordinary adventures and discover places unseen anywhere else in the world.
The Grand Egyptian Museum (GME)
Egypt has a lot to offer, and the Grand Egyptian Museum will be one of the most iconic attractions in the world. When the Great Egyptian Museum fully opens to the public, it will be the largest archaeological museum complex in the world. The GME holds in trust for Egypt and the world a chronological compilation of Egypt’s ancient history over the past 7,000 years. Adjacent to the timeless wonder, the pyramids of Giza, the new museum is set to pay tribute to Egypt’s eternal ancient monuments, treasures and history with more than 100,000 artefacts, approximately 3,500 of which belong to the famous King Tutankhamun.
Giza – the showpiece of Egypt
The Pyramids of Giza are one of the most recognizable sites not only in Egypt, but around the world. They are counted among the Seven Wonders of the World and visited by thousands of tourists every year. No wonder, as their monumental appearance is breathtaking and their mysterious origin arouses everyone’s curiosity.
Situated on a desert plateau to the west of the capital, Cairo, Giza is a separate city that has grown over years to become a separate district of Cairo. Giza is also one of the most touristic parts of Egypt, a cluster of exclusive hotels, famous restaurants, gigantic shopping malls and pulsating nightclubs./p>
The three main pyramids at Giza are ancient structures whose construction still remains a mystery. Built near the large pyramids, the three smaller, less advanced pyramids are believed to be the burial place of important Egyptian celebrities and members of the royal family.
The largest of the three pyramids, the Pyramid of Cheops, is the one you can enter and visit. While you are here, don’t forget to visit the Sphinx situated next to the pyramids and being considered the guardian of the pyramids. It is very popular with tourists who enjoy admiring its majesty. A camel ride is also a major tourist attraction.
Cairo
It is a medieval Islamic city built on the banks of the Nile with a perpetually misty horizon and beige buildings with interesting architecture. It is also Africa’s largest city with a population of more than 17 million people and the best place for a shopping spree in the historic part of the city, known as Old Cairo or Coptic Cairo. At the heart of the district is Khan El-Khalili, the oldest bazaar in the world, where you can not only buy unique souvenirs from your travels, but also sample the local cuisine or drink the famous Arabic coffee. When visiting Cairo, do not miss the city’s oldest café – El Fishawy, where local writers and Napoleonic army commanders once met. Tourists are hugely impressed by the city’s ancient defensive walls with their massive entrance gates, which can be admired by climbing the minaret built at the Bab Zuweila gate. Another Cairo attraction is the Egyptian Museum, which over the years has accumulated treasures from discovered tombs and temples. This is where the real knowledge of ancient Egypt is to be found – more than 160,000 museum exhibits, among them a whole huge hall with coffin-sarcophagi and mummies that used to be extremely colourful and richly decorated. Coptic Cairo is all about temples. One of the most famous temples is the Church of Saint Sergio. Very close is another church of the same style, the Church of Saint Barbara. Another fantastic site in Old Cairo is the Ben Ezra Synagogue. The Ben Ezra Synagogue in Cairo is one of the oldest synagogues in Egypt. Inconspicuous from the outside, it hides real treasures inside, including a beautifully decorated openwork gate. It leads to one of the most beautiful churches in Coptic Cairo – the Hanging Church. Also worth seeing is the City of the Dead, a former cemetery that is now inhabited by around one million living people. It is impossible to miss the Citadel, which is visible from afar. Today, the Citadel is one of the symbols of the city. It was built between 1176 and 1183 at the request of the legendary ruler Saladin. The Citadel served as the seat of Egypt’s rulers for hundreds of years. The Citadel, as befits a fortress, towers over the whole of Cairo. It is an excellent vantage point for viewing Cairo, which seems to lie at its feet.
The Arab and Islamic Quarter – this is another gem on the Cairo map. In this part of Cairo, the mosques and madrassas are a real curiosity. The decorations of these buildings delight all tourists. One cannot fail to mention the ceilings, which captivate everyone with their ornaments. The first mosque you absolutely must visit is the Qalawun, built over thirteen months in the 13th century. It is already impressive from the outside, but inside it is even more phenomenal. The decoration of the walls, the ceiling, the intricately patterned stones and the woodworking – all of them attract tourists’’ attention. Two other mosques that are equally interesting are the Al-Ashraf Mosque and the Sultan al-Mu’ayyad Mosque built by the Zuwelia Gate. Cairo’s historic Islamic quarter, Al-Muizz Street, is home to numerous architectural gems. The Sultan Hassan Mosque, an imposing Mamluk-era mosque with intricate stone carvings and grand minarets, reflects the breathtaking Mamluk architectural style. Al-Azhar Mosque, founded in the 10th century, is one of the oldest universities in the world and continues to be a symbol of Islamic learning.
Egypt’s maritime attractions
Egypt is also one of the best diving destinations in the world. This is thanks to the Red Sea. Its clear water, extraordinary fauna and flora and the most beautiful coral reefs make the biblical body of water a real paradise on Earth. You can see the colourful underwater life in well-equipped diving bases, which are located in popular holiday resorts such as Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. If you are lucky enough to dive, you can also come across numerous shipwrecks, underwater caves and unusual sculptures, created by nature.
The Siwa Oasis
It is located in the north-western part of Egypt, close to the Libyan border and 300 km from the Mediterranean coast. It is inhabited by more than 20,000 people. The first asphalt road was built here in the 1980s. The location of the oasis means that tourists rarely come here. It is often referred to as the unknown pearl of Egypt. The name of the oasis comes from the Arabic language and means ‘Land of Palms’. This is all because around 250,000 date palms grow in the Siwa Oasis. There are also orange and other citrus bushes, as well as plenty of olives. However, the real attraction of this place is more than 200 water springs.
The Nile cruise
Quick, simple and spectacular – that’s exploring Egypt from the deck of a ship. On a Nile cruise, you can see the highlights of the ancient world of the pharaohs. The most popular cruise route leads from Luxor to the port of Aswan. Along the way, you pass extraordinary sites such as Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo. While sailing, tourists are also captivated by spectacular scenery. The Nile Valley is home to the Valley of the Kings, the iconic pyramids, the majestic Sphinx and the magnificent temples of the Luxor and Karnak. By taking a journey along the longest river in the world, you get to know the cradle of civilization and admire the wonders of the ancient Egyptians in a unique way.
Abu-Simbel Temples
The Abu Simbel Temples are one of the most recognizable monuments in Egypt. They are massive rock structures built by ancient Egyptians between 1264 BC and 1244 BC. One of them, known as the Temple of Ramses, the beloved of Amon, is one of six rock temples built in Nubia during the reign of Ramses II. The scale of the Abu Simbel temples is incredible. They possess a timeless beauty that continues to attract millions of tourists each year. These temples are a must-see for any visitor to Egypt.
A visit to the Mummification Museum
Luxor is the former capital of ancient Egypt and is often referred to as the world’s largest open-air museum. The myriad of palaces, temples and monuments present there make quite an impression on visitors. The real treasure, however, is hidden in a museum, and more specifically in the Mummification Museum. Visitors to the museum learn about the technique of embalming bodies and discover the funeral rites of the inhabitants of ancient Egypt. Among the museum’s many artefacts, there are elaborate coffins, statues of deities, mummified animal remains, and specialized tools to prepare the body of the deceased for the final journey.
. Climbing Mount Sinai
For those who love an active holiday, a hike up Egypt’s mountain slopes is ideal. Mount Sinai is one of the most important sites for Christian culture. It was here, according to the Old Testament, that God handed Moses the tablet with the Ten Commandments. To reach the Monastery of Saint Catherine you have to walk about 6 km. The entire route runs amidst wonderful flora and fauna, and on reaching the summit, breathtaking views of the rocky landscape and desert valleys await visitors. St Catherine’s Monastery is the oldest and longest-active monastery in the world.
The Sahara – the world’s largest desert
The Sahara is the largest desert on Earth, of approximately 9 million square kilometres, and is 5,700 kilometres wide from the Red Sea to the Atlantic. In such a dry climate, camels – dromedaries (one-humped) – do very well. In some parts of the Sahara, you can still find nomads engaged in breeding them. The desert can be explored in various ways – by camel, 4×4 or quad bike. You can visit a Bedouin village or an oasis. There are several deserts in Egypt – Arabian, Libyan, and Nubian and they are part of the Sahara. The landscapes are varied – there are sandy, rocky, or even mountainous sections. The contrast between the greenery along the Nile and the harsh desert landscapes makes an incredible impression on tourists travelling through Egypt.
Traditional dancing, or an Egyptian holiday in a nutshell
A must on every tourist’s list is also to attend a dance show. The Tanoura Dance Show is a truly energetic performance that is full of fairytale colours and extraordinary visual effects. It is spectacular and enchanting – simply magical as if you were visiting Egypt. Egypt’s touristic attractions provide a captivating blend of ancient history, natural wonders, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality.
Egypt’s touristic attractions invite you to explore a rich tapestry of ancient history, breathtaking natural landscapes, vibrant arts, delectable cuisine, and the warm embrace of its people. Whether you’re admiring ancient wonders, lounging on pristine beaches, or immersing yourself in local culture, Egypt promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you with cherished memories.
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