Going to Egypt is like traveling back in time and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. That’s probably because of its grand history and welcoming people. I highly suggest getting an English-speaking tour guide and seeing as much as you possibly can. The entire country has so much to see and do that it’s impossible to see and do everything in a short amount of time. Rise early and stay up late! Here’s my list of the top 10 things to see and do in Egypt (from a first-hand perspective).
1.) Great Pyramids/Sphinx of Giza
If you go to Egypt you absolutely have to see the pyramids. If you don’t you’ll kick yourself! The Great Pyramids of Egypt are the only remaining 7 wonders of the world (of the ancient world) and they are a phenomenal sight to see. Not only are they far bigger than what most people imagine, they are even more amazing when we consider that they were built nearly 4600 years ago.
You’ll have the option of riding a camel around the pyramids. I suggest doing this!
*The Pyramids are a very popular place to go and so there will be many Egyptians trying to sell you things. Be careful. Nothing is free (no matter what they say).
2.) Nile Cruise
Spending 5 days cruising the Nile was one of the best decisions of my trip. It gave me plenty of time to relax and allowed me to see far more than I could have if I chose to travel by foot/car. Your boat will make many stops at famous temples, giving you the opportunity to travel through 5,000 years of ancient Egyptian history. I suggest taking a cruise that goes from Aswan to Luxor.
3.) Temple Karnak
Karnak, located in Luxor, is one of the most amazing temples in the world. First of all, it is by far the largest temple to have ever been built. There are plenty of remains left to allow your imagination to think back to ancient times. It is by far the largest of its kind in the world. The Great Hypostyle Hall is particularly impressive. It is situated in Luxor city. You can see this if you take a Nile cruise.
4.) Valley of the Kings and Queens
Ever heard of a Pharoah named King Tut? That’s short for Tutankamun and you can see his world-famous tomb at the Valley of the Kings and Queens. Spend a day here at the carved underground tombs of over 60 pharaohs. It is near Luxor.
5.) Ancient temples
There are obviously a number of ancient temples to visit in Egypt. You can see most, if not all, of these on your Nile Cruise. Here are some of the most famous ones to see:
Deir el Bahri – The temple of the only female pharaoh – Queen Hatshepsut. This is a beautiful temple.
Abu Simbel – This is Ramses II temple. It has four statues of Rameses II that guard his temple’s entrance.
Luxor – Next to Karnak. This is also a large temple and I recommend seeing itat night when everything is lit up beautifully!
Kom Ombo Edfu – This is a miraculously preserved temple dedicated to Horus (the bird god). It’s one of my favorites for its beautiful location.
Esna – This is a sanctuary from the Ptolomaic-era. It is engulfed in a modern-era city setting. Wonderful sight to see!
6.) Mt. Sinai
If you stay in the Cairo area this will be a 1-2 day trip for you. It is located on the Asian part of Egypt next to the Red Sea. Hiking up the mountain of Mt. Sinai (famous mountain in the Bible) is one of my greatest memories. You can stay at a lodge and wake up very early (2 or 3 a.m.) to climb the mountain in time for sunrise. Since the elevation is higher it’s very cold, so pack a warm outfit and don’t forget your flashlight!
*This is something for the adventurous and athletically inclined. However, you can take a camel up the mountain for a reasonable fee if you decide not to walk. It’s a very challenging mountain to climb.
7.) St. Catherine’s Monestary
St. Catherine’s is at the foot of Mt. Sinai and is rich with history. View the water well where Moses met his wife, see the ancestor of the famous burning bush and view the cage of old monks’ skulls. Definitely a place to see if you’re going to be in the area!
8.) Sakkara (Saqqara)
The area of Sakkara has a lot to see and do. Visit a carpentry school (where students learn to make rugs and carpets and sell them), the Sphinx of Sakkara and other ancient statues. You will likely meet a lot of friendly natives here and there are lots of inexpensive souvenir’s to purchase!
9.) Markets of Aswan
Get your bargaining shoes on and head to the expansive markets of Aswan. There is plenty to see and buy here and the view is one you will never forget. It reminded me very much of the movie Aladdin where you see the marketplace.
10.) Egyptian Museum
You can see a lot in a short amount of time if you make a stop at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. It houses over 100,000 artifacts that are up to 4000 years old. See items from 3500 BC to 500 AD. Here are some great exhibits to check out:
King Tut exhibit – shows King Tut’s famous golden burial mask, his innermost coffin (crafted from solid gold), treasures found in his tomb and personal items.
Mummy Room – For a little extra you can “meet” pharaoh mummies from the ancient past. This is a room full of real and famous pharaohs lie in state, including Ramses II (one of the most famous and greatest Pharaoh’s in all of history).
Good luck with your trip! For other traveling advice and must-see’s, click ‘Wendy Rose Gould’ at the top of this article. Enjoy!
