Egypt is one of those countries with a rich and undeniably fantastic history. If the epitome of “archeological treat” would be a country, it would definitely be Egypt. It is the home of many discoveries from the past, and still, many more to unlock in the future. Whenever we hear “Egypt” the first thing that comes to the majority of people’s minds is probably The Great Pyramids. Yes, The Pyramids are undeniably one of the trademarks of the country, but still, there are also a lot of unique places there that sure is no stranger to some, but still a stranger to many.
Adventure seekers should definitely have Egypt on their list as they would be surprised with treats and majestical stories and history. Well, if you are curious as to what are the other interesting places you can visit in Egypt, this article is all for you.
Ready your list and backpacks for future travel as we will list down the top 10 interesting places you can visit in Egypt!
Interesting Places You Should Definitely Visit in Egypt
#1 Valley of the Kings
Aside from the great Pyramids, this place is undoubtedly one of the most interesting places to visit if you travel to Egypt. Valley of the Kings was the major burial ground for the Pharaohs in ancient times. After years of excavation and archeological digs, there are more than 60 tombs unearthed in the burial grounds and some of these are tombs of the most famous and important Pharaohs such as Seti/Sety I, Ramses II, and the most famous tomb of the boy king—Tutankhamun.
During the 15oos, experts believed that the ancient Egyptians stopped making pyramids as tombs for the Kings and instead buried them in the Valley which is located west of the River Nile, near Thebes, the ancient capital of Egypt. Some say there is a significant meaning as to why the Valley was located there, but it’s still a mystery. The burial ground was not only for the Kings too, but a little further from the kings’ tombs are burial grounds for some royals too such as Queens, royal family members, high priests, and others who are significant to the Kingdom back in the day. If you are going to make your visit worthwhile, then the Valley is right there waiting for you.
#2 The Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza such a famous and full of history place in Egypt, it is built in the time of the 4th dynasty of the old kingdom of Egypt for the ancient time, it is made for the purpose of keeping the tombs of the three famous and powerful pharaohs: Menkaure, Khufu, and Khafre. It’s quite a tourist attraction because of its magnificent well-crafted architecture, even just in the photos online, it already looks so astonishingly beautiful.
Tourists also do have the chance to feel a connection with the old life of ancient Egypt and learn about its civilization, culture, and history. Like everyone in this world, people still wonder how are pyramids really made and there is so much depth about the mysteries regarding pyramids, especially on how it is so precise, exact, and big. How are they able to do it? Well, that keeps these pyramids interesting.
#3 Luxor Temple
Not only is this temple an interesting place, but it has more to it. Luxor temple is created to be an area or a place to be used for ceremonies and rituals. It also has become the political and religious center of Egypt. To the people of Egypt in history, this place has been the place of what they call the “First Occasion” when the god Amon underwent rebirth to evolve himself into Amun-Ra. The place structure comes with basically two statues of Ramses the Great at the entrance with a big pylon gateway with multiple columns to the court.
#4 Aswan
Aswan is a city in Egypt located within the Nile River. It is famous for the breathtaking scenery of the Nile and sometimes tourists make the most of their time and sail through the Nile with a felucca—an Egyptian sailboat. This southernmost city of Egypt is bustling with markets to visit and at the same time just a peaceful and serene tranquil view. This place is safe even though it is visited by many tourists who want to sail and experience the Nile.
Sailing through the Nile can be a heck of a moment to do and surely one that you can’t miss while in Egypt. Definitely must see!
#5 Egyptian Museum
Egypt’s Egyptian Museum is a fantastic location in the heart of Cairo that particularly is pretty ideal for history buffs, which for the most part is fairly significant. It is home to many ancient artifacts, including the famously well-known Tutankhamun (the boy King), you can find artifacts and memorabilia, which are items found in the tomb of the very young pharaoh. And other particularly significant items from Ramses II’s reign were found here.
What’s amazing is that tourists/visitors are able to connect to the civilization that mostly thrived thousands of years ago by exploring the rich and complex history of ancient Egypt through the display of more than 120,000 items. It’s a fantastic chance to learn about a fascinating and awe-inspiring world by immersing yourself in its culture and traditions. The exhibits in the museum offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the wonders of actual ancient Egypt. The Egyptian Museum is definitely worth a visit if you are interested in art, history, and Egypt. Therefore, if you’re planning a trip to Cairo, the museum should be on your list of places to see, kind of contrary to popular belief.
#6 Alexandria
A three-hour drive from Cairo, to visit this stunning city that was once a powerful city in the ancient period. It is known for being founded by Alexander the Great and having the Lighthouse which was considered to be one of the wonders of the world, and for having the famous ancient Library of Alexandria which was all ruins now, but still, it was one of the biggest libraries before, in its prime.
The coastline of Alexandria or “El Corniche“ is one of the famous tourist spots in Alexandria. The coastline starts east from “El Montazah Palace” and ends west at the “Qaitbay Castle”. If you are looking for more of a metropolitan getaway in Egypt then you might want to visit Alexandria.
#7. Temple of Hathor
This temple is one of the most preserved archeological sites ever. It is so well preserved that you could not feel a difference in the time between the ancient period and now. The architectural design of the place is one example of Egypt’s Pharaonic architecture. The place was built by Ptolemy XII during the Ptolemaic dynasty—a period when the Greek rule Egypt.
If you are looking for an escape in the modern era, then you might want to visit the rich and breathtaking site of the Dendera complex. The beautiful temple was made out of sandstone and was carved and painted. Also, it is said that the main temple was built by Ptolemy XII and was nearly completed by Cleopatra VII. Well, this rich history is waiting for you, so you might want to add Temple of Hathor to your bucket list.
#8 Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel is another temple of Egypt located in its southern region near Sudan. It specifically is created with a very complex structure that makes a lot of people stuck in awe. It is very interesting for its nurtured history that is relevant to the existence of this wonderful temple. Also, this temple was built during the rule of the 13th century BCE Pharoah named Ramesses.
This temple exhibits wonderful and intricate carvings that may have been really valuable to history researchers for it shows information about their culture. A fun fact about this temple; this temple has a smaller twin named “Nefertari” it’s for the Ramesses’ queen and inside this temple, are paintings that a preserved.
#9 Saqqara
Saqqara is considered to be one of Egypt’s richest archeological sites. This place is also considered an open museum as all the ancient sites are laid in the open air, out under the sun and moon. This village is also a necropolis and burial site for some royals and other ancient Egyptians.
This village is the home to Egypt’s oldest (the only one left) pyramid! The 4,700-year-old Step Pyramid is believed to be 200 or more years older than the famous Giza Pyramids.
#10 Tiran Island
This island is found on the southern end of Aqaba and is also located beside Yotvat Island. This island may have occasional tourists, but that’s not the main use of this island. It actually is at this point in time used or is being inhabited by the military personnel from Egypt and its Multinational Force and Observers.
Since this island is deprived of civilization all the water creatures have a high chance of living, making the sea have great coral reefs and underwater habitats. A few historical information about this island; it became a part of the British Empire but regained its control after World War II when the British rulers declined, and Egypt and Saudi Arabia were fighting over it. Going back to the present day, even though tourists are not allowed to check the Island itself, people are still able to dive into its amazing sea, and see the beauty of its underwater nature.
To wrap up this topic, I would like to say Egypt is a country rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, and there are countless interesting places to visit in this ancient land. From the Great Pyramids of Giza to the ancient city of Luxor, and from the Red Sea coast to the White Desert, there is something for everyone in Egypt.
With the country’s tourism industry slowly recovering from the effects of the pandemic, 2023 is a great time to plan a trip and explore the wonders of this fascinating country. So pack your bags, immerse yourself in the wonders of Egypt, and create memories that will last a lifetime.