Egypt Must See Sites

The Pyramids of Giza represent one of the greatest architectural feats by man. The last surviving member of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the world's oldest tourist attractions and the reason most people visit Egypt today. There are in fact three main pyramids in Giza; the Great Pyramid of Khufu (or Cheops), The Pyramid of Kafhre and the smaller Pyramid of Menkaura. Each Pyramid is a tomb to a different King of Egypt. In front of the pyramids lies the Sphinx, or Abu al-Hol in Arabic, "Father of Terror". Carved out of a single block of stone, this enormous cat-like sculpture has mesmerized millions of visitors. 

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is one of the first stops on most people's itineraries when traveling to Egypt. With over 120,000 artifacts, the museum houses an incredible display depicting ancient Egypt's glorious reign. You can enjoy mummies, sarcophagi, pottery, jewelry and of course King Tutankhamen's treasures. King Tut's goodies include his socks, underwear and the boy-king's death-mask made of solid gold, described as the most beautiful object ever made. The displays are not all labeled very well and it's a little haphazard but you'll enjoy it nevertheless.

The Valley of the Kings is situated on the ancient site of Thebes is where the pharaoh's were buried and hoped to meet their Gods in the afterlife. This is where you will find Tutankhamun's tomb which was discovered almost intact in the 1920's. You can go inside the tomb, but you'll have to visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to see the treasures he was buried with. Tutankhamun was actually quite a minor king in the scheme of things and there are many larger and more impressive tombs to discover in the Valley of the kings. 

The spectacular Temples of Karnak are not to be missed when you travel to Egypt. As Michael Wood of the BBC History channel puts it: "Karnak is like a theme park of ancient Egyptian religion - in which every god and goddess of that civilization was represented over a period of about 2,000 years". It is no wonder then that Karnak was the most important place of worship in ancient Egypt. The site is huge, measuring 1500 x 800 meters, and is a spectacular complex of sanctuaries, kiosks, pylons and obelisks, all dedicated to the Theban gods. If you don't have the energy to cover all that ground then don't miss the Hypostile Hall in the Great Temple of Amun. There are several performances of the sound and light show a night with mixed reviews, but mostly good.

Luxor Temple: If you travel to Luxor (ancient Thebes) then it will be hard to miss the spectacular Luxor Temple situated in the center of Luxor city. The Temple of Luxor was built largely by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II around 1400BC. Its main purpose was to celebrate the festival of Opet. Many rulers built on to the temple yet it always remained a place of worship for Christians and later Muslims. A mosque built inside the temple still exists and is one of the highlights of the site. Luxor Temple is beautifully lit at night so it's worth visiting the site at sunset.

Abu Simbel Temples: Next to the Pyramids of Giza, Abu Simbel is perhaps the most recognized monument of ancient Egypt. The two temples built for the pharaoh Ramesses II have been attracting visitors since Victorian times. Almost as impressive as the monument itself is the story of its restoration in the 1960's. The temples had to be dismantled and physically moved 60 meters up a cliff where they were reassembled in the exact same relation to each other and the sun. A daily sound and light show is a highlight not to be missed. If you can make it you should also see the Abu Simbel Festival which takes place twice a year in February and October. Natural sunlight and architectural brilliance combine to make the inner sanctum of the temple light up. It's a breathtaking sight and makes the music, dance and food that accompanies the festival pale in comparison.

The Nile: Known as the longest river in the world, the River Nile has been a lifeline for Egyptian Society since ancient times. The Nile possesses a rich history as well as fascinating flora and fauna. Take the opportunity to be entranced by the Nile's beauty and opt to go for one of the many Nile cruises. These cruises vary in routes and duration, so you can choose a cruise that best fits your schedule. Sit back, relax and enjoy the unique sights and sound of the Nile as you sail on routes taken by Pharaohs and other legendary figures.

Siwa Oasis is known for its dates and olives. It has also been acknowledged as one of the most beautiful spots in Egypt. The Siwa Oasis differs from most of the rest of Egypt as it has its own Siwan culture distinct from the mainstream Arabic culture. The area is also famous for its numerous hot springs, which are said to have healing properties.

Red Sea: Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh are Egyptian cities on the Red Sea that is a tourist favourite.Both cities are known for their sea sports. There are a number of quality aquatic sports facilities. They also boast several magnificent underwater gardens offshore. Visitors who do not dive may opt to go for a ride on the glass bottom boat, which will allow them to enjoy the sight of the many fish and coral under the sea.  Its nightlife, in particular, is a main attraction. Among many other clubs and bars. Besides its nightlife, There is also a large bazaar in downtown Hurghada.

Islamic Cairo: More than 16 million people call Cairo home and it's chaotic, exotic, dusty and also beautiful. Perhaps the most interesting section of Cairo is Medieval (Islamic) Cairo. Medieval Cairo is a warren of streets just bustling with life. There are mosques at every corner, Coptic churches, huge medieval gates and bazaars selling everything from motorbike parts to perfumes. Highlights include the Citadel and the Khan Al-Khalili bazaar (for all your tourist trinket. The major mosques worth visiting include: the Mosque of Mohammed Ali; the Ibn Tulun, one of the largest mosques in the world; and the Al-Azhar mosque which houses the oldest university in the world (from 970AD).


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