12 of the Best Tourist Attractions in Egypt

Many people ask about the best tourist attractions in Egypt, whether Egyptians who wish to travel within their own country or non-Egyptians who want to visit it and learn about the most famous and best places to see in Egypt and the cities that should be visited during their stay.

Egypt means the Pharaohs; it is a global destination for tourism in all its forms, such as temples and tombs that amaze all visitors in a way unlike any tourist attraction in any other country. If you are not fond of archaeological atmospheres, there are vast desert spaces for camping. If that does not appeal to you, there is wonderful diving in the Red Sea with its coral reefs. If you seek contemplation, the Nile opens its arms to you.

If you love the beach, the beaches of the North Coast call out to you. Everything is here in Egypt. Egypt is for everyone. Egypt always has much more to offer all visitors and tourists; it is considered the ideal country for all activities combining adventure, relaxation, culture, and history.

1- The Giza Pyramids – One of the Best Tourist Attractions in Egypt

The Giza Pyramids are one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that still remain to this day, and they are among the most prominent landmarks in the world.

They were originally built during the Old Kingdom era as tombs for the powerful pharaoh kings, and the Great Sphinx was built as their guardian, with a body symbolizing strength and a head representing intelligence and skill.

The Giza Pyramids continue to attract tourists from all over the world when they come to Egypt.

Visitors tour the pyramids, enjoy camel or horse rides in the area, and buy souvenirs from there.

If you are looking for a magnificent archaeological view and rich history, visiting the pyramids will truly amaze you.

2- Islamic Cairo

Islamic Cairo, or Old Cairo, dates back from the Fatimid era through the Mamluk periods.

This area is famous for its many mosques, Islamic schools of learning, and monuments from that era.

Here you will find Khan El Khalili, with many carpenters, artists, and their small workshops, as well as areas selling ceramics, textiles, spices, and perfumes.

Surrounding Khan El Khalili market is a network of streets that are home to some of the most beautiful buildings in the history of the ancient Islamic state. There is much to explore in this place.

Visit Al-Azhar Mosque and Sultan Hassan Mosque, and climb to the top of Bab Zuweila to get the best panoramic photos of the entire area. You will truly feel as if you have traveled back in time to Islamic Egypt.

3- The Egyptian Museum in Cairo – One of the Best Tourist Attractions in Egypt

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is a treasure of the Pharaonic world and is one of the largest museum collections in the world.

The pink palace houses an extraordinary number of exhibits.

The ground floor contains Pharaonic artifacts from the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms.

On the upper floor, you will find the golden glory of King Tutankhamun and the magnificent Royal Mummies Gallery.

In every corner of the place, you will find a wonderful piece of ancient Pharaonic art.

4- Saqqara Pyramid – One of the Best Tourist Attractions in Egypt

Everyone knows the Giza Pyramids, but they are not the only pyramids that Egypt possesses.

A trip to the Saqqara area, where the Step Pyramid of Saqqara is located, consists of six terraces.

It is the tomb of King Djoser, one of the kings of the Old Kingdom, and nearby are the Hawara Pyramid and the Dahshur Pyramid.

Inside these pyramids, you will find drawings that depict scenes from the daily life of the ancient Egyptian.

5- The City of Alexandria

After the capital, the ideal destination for an outing and leisure is Alexandria. Alexandria is a city with a European background and a history that cannot be compared to other cities.

It was founded by Alexander the Great and was home to Queen Cleopatra.

This coastal city enjoys an attractive atmosphere in summer as a seaside resort and in winter as a moderate destination with slightly cool temperatures and rainfall.

Nevertheless, you can still find historical آثار in its streets and archaeological areas, such as the Roman Theatre.

Along the Corniche, you can breathe in the fresh air and stroll freely.

Of course, you cannot go to Alexandria without visiting one of its cafés and shopping in the streets of Mansheya.

6- Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings

The city of Luxor, located on the banks of the Nile in Upper Egypt, is famous for the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Hatshepsut Temple.

She is the most famous queen of Egypt during the Pharaonic era, and dear reader, you can learn more about Queen Hatshepsut here.

This is Thebes, the capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom, and a place where you have a great deal to see in a single visit.

While the eastern bank is full of vibrant market activity, the western bank is calmer, embracing many tombs and temples that have earned it the title of the largest open-air museum in the world.

Spend a few days in Luxor to explore the art meticulously carved on the walls as if it were done yesterday, and to gaze at the massive columns found in the temples.

You will see for yourself why Luxor continues to amaze historians and archaeologists around the world.

7- Abydos Temple – One of the Best Tourist Attractions in Egypt

Abydos is not as famous as other archaeological cities such as Luxor or Aswan.

However, what drew attention to it is the Osiris Temple in Abydos, which is considered one of the most magnificent artistic treasures of ancient Egypt.

Its columns and massive walls are covered with remarkable hieroglyphs and splendid reliefs.

Enchanting scenes take you on a journey into ancient Egypt without crowds or congestion.

Despite the historical importance of the temple, it receives relatively few visitors compared to the temples located in the city of Luxor.

8- Aswan – One of the Best Tourist Cities in Egypt

The calmest city in Egypt is Aswan, located along the winding curves of the Nile.

It is the ideal place to stop and relax for a few days and enjoy the perfect weather, especially during Egypt’s winter months.

Take a river ferry to Elephantine Island and wander through the colorful streets of the Nubian village.

Ride a camel to the Desert Monastery of Saint Simeon on the eastern bank.

All of these are examples of ways to enjoy your time in Aswan.

Or you can simply have a cup of tea at one of the riverside restaurants and enjoy the view of sailboats on the Nile.

There are many historical sites and nearby temples in Aswan, but one of the most popular things about Aswan is the simplicity of life and observing river life.

9- Abu Simbel Temple – One of the Best Tourist Attractions in Egypt

Even in a country full of temples, Abu Simbel Temple is something special. This is the great temple of King Ramses II.

It is adorned with massive statues on the exterior and a luxurious interior decorated with wall reliefs.

Everyone knows that many temples underwent restoration, but relocating an entire temple from its original location is not common.

This temple is famous for being moved from its original site, which was destined to be completely submerged due to the Aswan Dam during the 1960s.

This great event was carried out by UNESCO and took four years. Today, it is a captivating tourist attraction.

10- Nile River Cruises

Egypt is the gift of the Nile, and when visiting Egypt, it is highly recommended to take a Nile cruise for several days along this famous waterway that witnessed the rise of the Pharaonic era.

A Nile cruise is an ideal way to see the temples located along the riverbanks between Luxor and Aswan.

It also allows you to enjoy sunrise and sunset along the palm-lined banks of the river.

The two famous stops on a Nile cruise are Kom Ombo Temple and the Temple of Horus in Edfu.

All major Nile cruise boats stop there. If you prefer a less crowded experience to view these two temples, it is truly a magnificent sight worth experiencing.

11- Saint Catherine’s Monastery – One of the Best Tourist Attractions in Egypt

Saint Catherine’s Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in the world, where Saint Catherine stood at the foot of Mount Sinai.

It is said that Prophet Moses received the Ten Commandments there.

The monastery is home to an incredible collection of religious and artistic icons and manuscripts (some of which can be seen in the on-site museum).

In addition to the Burning Bush, most visitors come to see the sunrise or sunset.

12- Diving Sites in the Red Sea

Beneath the surface of the Red Sea in Egypt lies another world.

Among the many vibrant, colorful coral reefs, you can see the remains of ships that sank in the Gulf of Gubal and the Gulf of Aqaba.

Under the warm waters of Sharm El Sheikh, you can see the wreck of the British ship “Thistlegorm.”

It was a cargo ship during World War II that was on its way to resupply British forces while they were bombing the Germans in 1941.

The ship lies beneath the Red Sea in Sharm El Sheikh.

Egypt is a country rich in its landmarks and monuments in every governorate and in its diversity everywhere. If you intend to visit Egypt, you will certainly have a great deal to see.