ancient places in egypt that will blow your mind

Introduction

Egypt is a place with one of the most popular cultures and mythology. There are so many stories and movies created around the culture that is widely accepted and appreciated by people all around the world. That is one of the reasons why this country is so much popular in terms of tourism. But that is not all, it also offers plenty of opportunities for learning and earning. All that being said, it becomes pretty obvious how the country of Egypt has got visitors from everywhere with all sorts of purposes.

Today we will talk about the ancient places of Egypt that will give you a wonderful insight into the culture of Egypt and make you want to experience it all first-hand.

Pyramids of Giza

The tombs of Pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure have been honoured for centuries and considered by many to be among the greatest structures ever created. The Sphinx with its enigmatic wisdom guards these majestic tombs against a distance. 

The giant mud brick pyramids of Sakkara are still a sight to behold, and when visiting Egypt, are an unforgettable highlight. 

Luxor's Temples and Tombs

The capital of Upper Egypt, Luxor, was the home to many pharaohs and their temples. Several monuments stand in the city that is of enormous historical importance including the Karnak Temple, Hatshepsut Memorable Temple, and Valley of Kings. 

The west bank has plenty of farmland where most of the charming tomb and temple sights are located.  

If you stay in Luxor for a few days, you will have plenty of time to admire the colourful wall art and columns that cover this vibrant city. The Colossal Columns covered by these amazing buildings keep historians and archaeologists enthralled!

Cruising the Nile

With its cultural variety, Egypt is an ideal destination for visitors. Upon arriving in Cairo, you can embark on a multi-day cruise across the famous Nile River that was held in the era of Pharaonic rule and watch the riverbanks from Luxor to Aswan, seeing ancient temples and watching the sun rise and set over them. "Feluccas" may leave from Aswan, but they cannot be chartered for multi-day trips from Luxor.

Aswan

Aswan is a town on the banks of the Nile in Egypt and is located on the first of its curves. It offers a relaxing escape, with beautiful dunes and orange sand at its back, from bustling Cairo.  

One way to cross the Nile River is by taking a river ferry across to Elephantine Island. Ride a camel over to St. Simeon's Desert Monastery, where locals once lived before they moved away in order to create a more civilized society. For dinner, watch some feluccas drift past while eating at one of the restaurants located by the riverboat docks. 

Take the time to enjoy the incredible sunset in Aswan from a felucca. This is by far, one of the most popular activities in Aswan and will allow you to take in the sights on its islands. Sightseeing here has plenty of historic sites, including Philae Temple, or temple-like monuments like the Nubia Museum and various statues.

Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel is famous for its huge proportions, well known from the 1960s engineering effort to move the temple upstream and save it from disappearing under water of the Aswan dam. 

Today, you can visit the Abu Simbel Temple to see the ingenuity of this international scientific effort restoring ancient building works as well as witness for yourself Ramses II's awe-inspiring building.

Red sea

Scuba diving off the coast of Egypt and Sudan offers an atmospheric underwater view, with a wide variety of sea life. From colourful corals to a wide variety of fish, it’s easy to see why newbie divers are so excited. 

In order to dive in Egypt, divers should base themselves out of Sharm el-Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula and visit the reefs at Ras Mohammed National Park. The Straits of Tiran are also close by, as dive into the Red Sea along the Gulf of El Gouna and near Marsa Alam.

Islamic Cairo

With Islamic Cairo's atmospheric, narrow lanes, colourfully lined with mosques, madrassas, and monuments from the Fatimid through to the Mameluke eras, you'll find the labyrinth-like Khan el Khalili bazaar. Here you'll find stalls full of ceramics, textiles, spices, and perfumes in tiny workshops. 

Near the market, there are streets lined with beautifully preserved architecture from the Islamic empires. This bustling area is rich with history to explore. Stop by Al-Azhar Mosque and see its dazzling minarets stretched overhead. Make a trek up to its rooftop for a bird's eye view of the bazaar across the district.

South Sinai

Sharm el-Sheik, a European-style resort town, is also popular with vacationers who are looking for sun and sand. 

Dahab's inexpensive package-based diving deals and low-key allure make it a destination for budget travellers. That said, the town's Lagoon Beach is famous for windsurfing and kitesurfing. 

With a free day trip pass, you can escape the hustle and bustle of life for a simple getaway on the beach, relaxing in a bamboo hut.

Saqqara

Saqqara has been and continues to be, utilized by pharaohs throughout history. This vast cemetery is just a short distance from Cairo but is in fact the largest necropolis of tombs and pyramids in Egypt. Nearby, the site called Dahshur is home to the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid, so make sure you don't miss out on a visit if you're near Saqqara.

Egyptian Museum

Walk a few blocks from any other museum you'll be overwhelmed by the treasures on offer at Cairo's Egyptian Museum. It features items from history's past, but problems with organization and lack of labelling make this one confusing place to step into outside the world of ancient Egypt, where everything is the highlight of your time here. 

The Egyptian Museum’s amazing haul of treasures from Tutankhamen's tomb is collecting dust in storage. Travellers should know that the Egyptian Museum collection is expected to transfer to the newly constructed Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in the next few years after many delays throughout construction. 

The Grand Egyptian Museum will finally have a worthy home, and release years' worth of ancient treasures that have been kept in storage for too long.

White Desert

With its surreal shapes and giant icebergs in the barren desert, this national park is one of Egypt’s most bizarre natural sights. It’s just south of Bahariya Oasis and is easily accessible on a paved road that winds through the Western Desert. 

For those who are tired of temples and tombs, this unbelievable natural landscape is theirs for the taking. This beautiful oasis is perfect for 4WD desert trips and night camping where one can take in the gorgeousness that it has to offer. For some, this will be an ultimate science fiction playground while others are looking for the activities that people typically gravitate towards.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a modern city that holds much history. The location of Alexander the Great and Cleopatra created a sense of time gone by. The city offers an eclectic lifestyle that can't be beaten. 

The town of Alexandria is one of only a few historical sites that survived the war. It is a favourite place for Egyptians and foreigners to cool off with ocean breezes throughout the summer. 

The water immersion archaeologists of Alexandria have found some important artefacts while exploring the city's museums. 

Abydos Temple

Visitors to the Temple of Osiris in Abydos, Egypt can explore a vast necropolis site where archaeological excavations are underway. There are various other temple remnants to explore here but for most visitors, and due to its significance, the Temple of Osiris is their main focus. 

Amongst the temple's marvellous halls, you'll find beautiful relief work depicting pharaohs and Egyptian gods.  

Siwa Oasis

It is located off the town of Siwa, this idyllic spot has a population of only 2000 people and remains tranquil amidst Cairo's hustle. Its beauty is its most prominent feature, surrounded by date palm plantations and hot-water springs. One of the top spots in Siwa to relax and slow down for a few days is the Fortress of Shali, which dominates the view.. 

St. Catherine's Monastery

St. Catherine’s is a monastery that houses an interesting collection of religious artwork and manuscripts, including the burning bush. The sun rises and sets on Mount Sinai, and a trip to St. Catherine’s also includes hiking up to see the sunset. 

 Red Sea Beaches 

The Red Sea Beaches of Egypt's coast offer swaths of sand in Hurghada that can be explored by travellers. During winter, the resorts located along the shoreline surrounding Hurghada come alive as holidaymakers from Europe arrive on package tours.

There are two resort towns with closer access to Luxor: Hurghada and El Gouna. For a smaller town near the Red Sea, Marsa Alam is worth considering.

Coptic Cairo

 This is where the ancient Fortress of Babylon sits and where you'll find the excellent Coptic Museum with its world-renowned Christian art collection. 

Some parts of the walls that were repaired and expanded under the Roman Empire still stand, which marks the entrance into the district. Save your visit for later, as you thread down the winding alley to enter the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus, which is said to be built atop the site where Jesus lived in exile.

Wadi Al-Hitan

In the Fayoum region, Wadi Al-Hitan is fed by old water canals. The ancient irrigation system is surrounded by the desert and has many cultural attractions to explore.  

Wadi Al-Hitan is home to a great number of well-preserved dinosaur fossils, with most of them on display at the museum dedicated to the site.

Temple of Hathor

One of Egypt’s most famous temples is the Temple of Hathor, which you can visit on a day trip from Luxor. The temple is beautifully preserved, with unique features like the hypostyle hall and wall reliefs depicting scenes from Egyptian histories, such as Tiberius paying tribute to the Gods Hathor and Horus on columns topped with their heads. 

Monastery of St. Anthony

In the northern mountains of the Red Sea coast, there is a monastery called St. Anthony’s that is believed to have been around since the 4th century. Today, it has around 120 monks living there. 

Monks in the monastery run tours that involve visiting the church, some of the monastery's gardens, and a guided tour of the walls.

Best time to visit Egypt 

There are many different times to visit Egypt, depending on what you are looking for. However, the country is also beautiful year-round. 

Apply for visa 

If you are planning to visit Egypt, it is important to apply for your visa online at Egyptvisa.com. This way, you can avoid long lines and wait times at the embassy or consulate. The website is easy to use and has a variety of information about the visa process, including step-by-step instructions. You can also find information about the types of visas available and how much they cost.

Conclusion

If you’re thinking of visiting Egypt, now is the time to do it! Not only will you get to explore one of the world’s oldest and most impressive civilizations, but you’ll also be able to see some of its stunning natural wonders. From white-sand beaches to lush oases, there are plenty of places in Egypt that will completely change the way you look at this ancient country. So what are you waiting for? Plan your trip today and see for yourself just how wonderful this amazing place can be! 

Apply Egypt Visa