1. Giza
Containing three magnificent
Egyptian pyramids as well as the renowned Sphinx, Giza is just a
stone’s throw from Cairo and lies literally across the road from
many of the most popular hotels. Giza
is probably the most famous and most visited entry on our top
ten tourist attractions of Egypt list,
so while you won’t get any peace and quiet you will have an amazing
experience and will see a site which can’t be beaten.
2. Abu Simbel
Vast and spectacular, this UNESCO
listed site contains an incredible array of Ancient Egyptian
monuments, the most famous of which are two massive Temples of
Ramesses II. Ramesses built these mighty temples as a way to
immortalise himself and ensure he would never be forgotten; judging
from the thousands of tourists who visit this attraction every year
it seems this famous pharaoh got his wish… Don’t miss the main hall
of the Great Temple which was cut directly into the sandstone and
includes two rows of imposing statues of Ramesses himself, each one
30 feet high!
3. Catacombs
of Kom ash-Shuqqafa
Not a standard entry on a list of top tourist attractions of Egypt,
we think this site takes some beating, as much for the experience
of exploring these ancient underground tunnels as anything else. As
you stroll down the winding stairways into its depths, you find
yourself in the heart of an ancient necropolis, reflecting a
culture infused with Roman, Greek and Egyptian architecture. This
relatively unknown attraction houses at least 300 tombs. Don’t miss
the Hall of Caracalla, said to contain the unfortunate victims of a
brutal ancient massacre.
4. Cairo
Museum of Egyptian Antiquities
With over 100,000 pieces in all, the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities
in Cairo holds the most comprehensive collection of ancient
Egyptian artefacts in the world. Among its most prized possessions
is the iconic funereal mask of the boy king Tutankhamen, as well as
a number of other objects related to this famous young pharaoh.
With so much to see it’s a good idea to plan your route before
getting started, otherwise the whole experience can be somewhat
overwhelming!
5. Dendera
The beautiful ancient temple at Dendera really stands out for its
excellent state of preservation. Dating back to the first century
BC, this fascinating ancient temple is part of a wider complex of
temples, tombs and even a Christian chapel. Many tourists visit
Dendera on a day trip from Luxor and this makes it both a popular
and practical place to explore, ensuring it remains among the top
visitor attractions in Egypt.
6. El
Alamein Battlefield
One of the most poignant and thought-provoking tourist destinations
in Egypt is the site of the Battle of El Alamein. This crucial
World War Two encounter saw battle rage across the Egyptian sands
and an eventual hard-fought victory for the Allies. Today, it
remains a place of great importance not just to veterans and their
relatives, but to visitors from across the globe. As well as the
battlefield itself a number of other points of note can be visited,
including the Commonwealth Cemetery, El Alamein War Museum and the
German and Italian cemeteries as well.
7. Abydos
Located about 50 miles north-west of Luxor, Abydos includes the
stunning ancient Egyptian temple of Seti I – its decorated columns
and perfect symmetry remains a great monument to the skill and
expertise of its creators. Most tourists visit Abydos via an
organised tour from Luxor, often incorporating a visit to Dendera
at the same time.
8. Underground
Library of Alexandria
Nudging its way on to our Top 10 list as much for what it
represents as for what survives today, this is all that remains of
the once-world famous Great Library of Alexandria. Located
underneath the ruins of the Serapeum, this fascinating attraction
is comprised of a series of underground tunnels and rooms where
part of the collection of the Great Library was stored. Not far
from the ancient site, visitors can now also visit the impressive
Bibliotheca Alexandrina, or New Library, which opened to the public
in 2002.
9. Karnak & Luxor
Temples
The sanctuaries at Karnak and Luxor rank among the largest ancient
temples on the planet. Originally forming part of the Egyptian city
of Thebes, these temple complexes housed a number of religious
sites, sanctuaries, sphinxes and other ancient buildings. Probably
the most impressive attraction at Karnak is the Temple of Amun-Ra,
with its world famous Great Hypostyle Hall. This huge looming
structure contains a series of massive columns, each sixty-nine
feet high. Just a short distance further down the river, Luxor
temple contains the famous Avenue of the Sphinxes as well as a
variety of vast structures and giant statues. Their close proximity
to the heart of the Luxor tourist resort means these temples sit
among Egypt’s most popular tourist attractions.
10. Valley
of the Kings
Along with Giza, the Valley of the Kings is probably Egypt’s most
famous tourist attraction. The burial place of many of the great
pharaohs, the Valley of the Kings contains a myriad of ancient
tombs cut into the limestone of the valley itself. Among other
highlights, visitors can discover the tomb of famous boy-ruler
Tutankhamen as well as the tomb of Ramses the Great and Ramses IV.
However, the real one to that you simply can’t miss is Hatshepsut's
Temple, which is phenomenal.
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