Egypt is a fabulous land of pyramids, mummies, temples, and pharaohs. The sights of Egypt beckon deep into the centuries, forcing you to plunge into the history of antiquity and feel the spirit of those times. Modernity and antiquity surprisingly get along with each other here, giving this land a mesmerizingly magical appearance. The country is distinguished by its originality, loyalty to traditions and a characteristic oriental flavor. The dry and hot climate allows you to come here for holidays in any season: even in the winter months, the water temperature in the sea stays above 20 degrees. For guests arriving in Egypt for the first time, the question naturally arises — what to see in Egypt in the first place? Let’s look at the list of the main attractions that deserve your attention and, undoubtedly, will not leave you indifferent.
What to see in Egypt first of all
Tourists can enjoy not only educational excursions in Egypt to places of ancient civilizations, but also exciting trips through the desert, visits to water parks and much more. It will not be possible to cover everything at once in one visit, but the information we have collected will give us a chance to quickly determine where we would like to go the most.
1. Pyramids of Giza (8 km from Giza)
The Pyramids of Giza are a symbol of the ancient Egyptian civilization
In the Libyan desert, on the Giza plateau, there is the most important “place of power” on the continent and, perhaps, one of the most beautiful places on our planet. These are the Great Pyramids of Giza, which represent an entire cemetery city with temples, tombs, and roads. The ancient necropolis includes the Pyramid of Khufu (also known as the Pyramid of Cheops, one of the 7 wonders of the world), the slightly smaller Pyramid of Khafra and the much more modest Pyramid of Menkaur, as well as several small satellite pyramids.
In fact, this complex is a cemetery for real aristocrats, where the pharaohs were buried, as well as all their close associates — wives, servants, close relatives and all those who had noble origins and wanted to go to the next world after their master.
In general, the whole complex, in addition to the pyramids, consists of:
- temples located at the beginning of the memorial road that leads to the pyramids; cemeteries where the closest relatives and courtiers of the pharaohs were buried; the world’s oldest monument — the sculpture of the Sphinx.
The rocky plateau on which the pyramids were erected provided the material for their construction — limestone blocks were extracted from a quarry located nearby.
Official website: https://www.sca-egypt.org
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2. Valley of the Pharaohs (Luxor)
The ancient royal tomb of the Valley of the Pharaohs
In the 16th century BC, in order to bury the rulers of Egypt, the Valley of the Kings was created — a place in a rocky gorge where a number of tombs were organized. At one time, this place was secret and strictly guarded by caretakers who protected it from raids and robbery.
The tradition of the burial of the pharaohs was laid by one of them — Thutmose I, who, fearing for the looting of his own tomb, ordered to organize it in an inaccessible, impassable place. This is how the valley of Thebes appeared — the most important landmark of Egypt, which has preserved its appearance to the present day.
The place for the Great Magical Necropolis was not chosen by chance:
- the material for the construction of tombs — limestone — in this rocky area is quite hard, which allows you to protect the tombs from cracks and destruction; the path to the Valley allows the funeral procession to move quickly and unhindered; at the same time, there is only one single entrance to the Valley, passing along a narrow path and protected by steep cliffs; the location of the Valley is at a great distance from the funeral temple, the tombs of which have been looted more than once.
To date, more than 60 pharaohs, as well as the wives and children of the rulers, rest in the Valley. A whole system of complex tunnels and wells has been formed inside the Valley, and the walls are covered with frescoes telling about the lives of the buried persons.
3. Luxor Temple (Luxor)
An impressive sight of the Luxor Temple Complex
If, by the will of fate, you find yourself in the most ancient city of history and magic — Luxor, then the question of what to visit in Egypt can be considered solved. Of course, this majestic Luxor Temple is a monumental religious building built in the 14th century BC. The temple impresses with its perfection and harmony of forms, especially when realizing the degree of antiquity of this historical monument. One of the largest temples in Egypt has a total length of about 260 meters, and the massive trapezoidal tower — pylons decorating the entrance reach 20 meters in height and 70 meters in length.
The temple was built by order of the then ruling Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who dedicated it to the sun god Amon-Ra, his wife Mut and their son Khons. In ancient times, 6 huge statues of Pharaoh Ramses II towered at the entrance to the temple, but only two of them have survived to our time. Here you can also admire the huge 25-meter obelisk painted with frescoes. Initially there were two of them, but one of them was donated to France by order of Ruler Mohamed Ali in 1819.
For many centuries this temple stood covered with sand, and only in the middle of the 19th century its excavations began. It is noteworthy that excavations continue to this day, and archaeologists continue to find new details of the temple complex.
4. The resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh (south of the Sinai Peninsula)
The beaches of Sharm El Sheikh
In the south of the Sinai Peninsula, there is a favorite attraction of Egypt — the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, which has a reputation as the most prestigious seaside resort in Egypt. The love of the country’s guests for this city is justified — it has its own special charm, and the local landscapes contrast noticeably against the background of sands, numerous ruins, rocks and canyons. Numerous palm trees, bright greenery of lawns, a variety of strange flowers, an emerald sea with a rich and colorful underwater world, wide beaches with the purest and softest sand — all this turns the resort area of the town of Sharm el Sheikh, stretching for 35 kilometers, into a real oasis in the desert sands.
The resort is especially attractive for scuba diving enthusiasts. This is due to the fact that Ras Muhammad National Park is located here, known all over the world for its underwater riches – in terms of the number of corals and colorful fauna, it has practically no equal in the whole world. Dozens of diving centers here offer everything you need to equip divers, and local shops are literally littered with professional scuba diving equipment.
In addition to diving, there are plenty of entertainment options: jacuzzis, tennis courts, swimming pools, golf clubs, gyms, parachutes, jet skis, dolphinarium and much more.
5. Montaza Palace and Park (Alexandria)
Montaza Royal Palace and Park Complex
Once in the mysterious and ancient land of the pharaohs, every traveler can see from his own experience that he has something to see in Egypt, in addition to exploring numerous excavations and ancient ruins. One of the clearest examples of this is the royal palace and park complex Montaza, located in eastern Alexandria, on the shore of a small bay. Against the background of most of Egypt’s attractions, the Montaza Palace stands out for the beauty of natural landscapes, the comfort of green alleys and intricate gazebos. Here, among the greenery of centuries-old trees, flower beds, ponds, Greek sculptures, you can wander for hours, inhaling the aromas of vegetation and enjoying the excellent panorama.
The palace itself was built not so long ago — at the junction of the 19th and 20th centuries, as the summer residence of the Egyptian kings. In 1892, a small Salamlik palace was built on the vast territory of the park. It was made in the Austrian style and served as a hunting lodge for the last ruler of the dynasty, Muhammad Ali Khedive Abbas II. The main palace and royal gardens appeared on this territory a little later, in 1932. Elements of Florentine and Turkish architecture are intertwined in the exterior design of the palace, and around the palace there is a luxurious park planted with palm trees, pines and other coniferous trees, equipped with alleys for walks and gazebos for relaxation.
See the beautiful places of Egypt in this wonderful video!
6. Karnak Temple
The largest open-air museum is the Temple of Karnak
One of the largest structures of Ancient Egypt that have survived to the present day, as well as the largest religious complex in the world, is the temple of Karnak, located on the eastern bank of the Nile, 2 kilometers from Luxor. Today, the Karnak Temple is one of the main historical monuments and the second most visited attraction in Egypt, after the famous pyramids of Giza.
The temple of Karnak is a huge temple complex measuring 1.5 kilometers by 0.7 kilometers, which includes 33 temples and halls — all this looks more like a kind of city than a building. The whole complex has been subjected to a number of changes and additions over the course of 2 millennia, because each of the pharaohs sought to complement and transform this splendor in his own way, to make his contribution and leave some memory of the period of his reign.
The entire temple complex includes several parts:
- the central part is dedicated to the god Amon-Ra, with a colonnade of 134 sixteen—meter columns that once supported the vault and formed a sacred corridor; the southern part is a temple dedicated to Queen Mut, the wife of the Sun God; the northern part is the ruins of the temple of Montu, dedicated to the son of Amon—Ra and Mut.
7. Mount Sinai (Sinai Peninsula)
Mount Moses in Egypt
There is one interesting place in Egypt that preserves a history dating back thousands of years. The importance of this place has recently faded somewhat against the background of popular Egyptian attractions such as the pyramids of Giza or the resort of Sharm el Sheikh. Mount Sinai, located on the Sinai Peninsula, is perhaps the first thing to visit in Egypt for those who are interested in local shrines.
Mount Sinai, also known as Mount Moses, is a place associated with a biblical story. It is believed that it was here that the prophet Moses received the ten commandments from the Lord and passed them on to his people. Since this story exists not only in Christianity, the Jewish and Islamic religions also adhere to these commandments.
Therefore, here, on the top of the mountain, at an altitude of 2,285 m, each of these religions has its own temple dedicated. There is also a chapel dedicated to the Trinity, and a mosque of about the same size, and the Jews will show the way to the cave, which, according to legend, served as a refuge for Moses for 40 days while he communicated with God.
The pilgrimage to the top of Mount Moses (Sinai) has been going on for millennia — the pilgrimage of the Byzantine Empress Elena herself was made here. According to legend, it was by her order that the chapel of the Burning Bush was laid.
8. Ramses II Temple in Abu Simbel (Nubia)
The seated colossi of the Pharaoh in the temple of Ramesses II
One of the most famous monuments of ancient Egyptian culture is another historical landmark of Egypt — the cave temple of Ramses II in Nubia. This temple was built around the 1260s BC, in compliance with the then existing traditions of tomb decoration. The Abu Simbel temple consists of two structures — a Large and a Small temple.
The large temple was dedicated to Pharaoh Ramses II, who ruled at that time, as well as to the gods Amon-Ra, Ptah and Khorakhta. The entrance to the temple is directed to the east, and one interesting fact is noteworthy: twice a year, on March 21 and September 21, at about 6 a.m., a ray of the rising sun penetrates into all the rooms of the temple and illuminates the figure of Ramses II and Amon-Ra, and then for a while illuminates the face of the Pharaoh so that he seems to he begins to “smile”. Then the ray moves forward and illuminates the figure of Khorakhte for a while, but Ptah always remains hidden in the shadows, because he is the lord of the underworld, and he does not need sunlight.
The small temple was dedicated to the goddess of heaven Hathor. The decoration here is much simpler, and the temple itself consists of a sanctuary and a pillared hall. There are 3 niches in the sanctuary, one of which houses the figure of a cow, personifying the image of the goddess.
9. St. Catherine’s Monastery (Mount Sinai, Sinai Peninsula)
St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai
At the foot of Mount Sinai, there is another of Egypt’s oldest landmarks, one of the world’s oldest operating temple complexes — the Monastery of St. Catherine. The temple, built about 1.5 millennia ago (527-565 AD), has never been destroyed, captured, or damaged in the entire history of its existence, so nothing has prevented it from preserving its appearance to the present day.
The name of Saint Catherine was not given to the monastery immediately, but only in the 11th century, in honor of the Great Martyr Catherine. From a young age, this virgin believed in Christ, converted many people to Christianity, for which she suffered a lot of troubles and hardships during her life. She was repeatedly forced to return to the worship of pagan gods, but the young maiden was adamant. For this, Emperor Maximin, who ruled in those years, ordered her to be executed by beheading. According to legend, Catherine’s body was carried by angels to the top of Mount Sinai after her death, and the monks found the remains of the great martyr, identifying her by a ring given to her by Jesus Christ himself.
The monastery includes a large church — the Basilica of the Transfiguration, as well as 12 small chapels, there is a garden, a refectory and a huge library of manuscripts, inferior in value only to the Vatican library.
Every Orthodox pilgrim who comes to this monastery receives a silver ring, which depicts a heart with the monogram “K” – so the Great Martyr Catherine, who suffered a martyr’s death, gives everyone who comes here a piece of her heart.
Official website: https://www.sinaimonastery.com
10. Alexandrina Library (Alexandria)
The New Library of Alexandria
The technological progress inherent in our time could not radically change preferences, and true connoisseurs of literature who have something to see in Egypt besides popular resorts, majestic castles or ancient ruins have not been transferred among us. Of course, this is the Alexandrina Library in Alexandria, also called the New Library of Alexandria.
The progenitor of the new library was the Ancient Library of Alexandria, founded in the 3rd century BC. How it was destroyed, history is silent, it remains only to assume that it was either a fire or a set of events, as a result of which the cultural place was looted and destroyed to the ground.
The idea of building a New Library of Alexandria first appeared in the 1970s in the circle of professors at the University of Alexandria. It was only in 1992 that preparatory work began on the construction of the library building, and in 1995 the construction process itself began, which was completed in 2001. In 2002, the library officially opened its doors in the presence of the leaders of many countries.
The library building has an unusual cylinder shape made of glass and aluminum with a beveled dome. The library is designed for about 8 million books, and the collections of works stored in it are collected literally from all corners of the world. The main reading room has a huge area of about 70 thousand square meters on 11 levels running in a cascade. In addition to the reading room itself, the library complex includes:
- conference hall; specialized library for the blind; planetarium; 3 museums; 4 art galleries; laboratory for the restoration of manuscripts.
Official website: https://www.bibalex.org
Sights of Egypt: what else to visit while in Egypt
The key to a successful trip to the land of the Pharaohs will be professional guides in Egypt and a pre-compiled list of places that you definitely need to visit. Another important point is the weather conditions (more precisely, the choice of time for the trip), because it is very hot in this country, and some of the attractions are located in the open space.
11. The fortress of Kite Bay (Alexandria)
Entrance to the Kite Bay Fortress
On the Mediterranean coast, near Alexandria, a major commercial, industrial and financial center of the country, there is another important landmark of Egypt — the fortress of Kite Bay. It was determined that the fortress was built in 1477 right on the ruins of the Lighthouse of Alexandria. As you know, the Lighthouse of Alexandria is recognized as one of the 7 wonders of the world. The strongest earthquake in 1100 destroyed this building, but the lighthouse was not destined to completely disappear from the face of the earth, and its foundation was “immortalized” in its own way as the foundation of the fortress.
The fortress of Kite Bay played the role of a strategically important point in the Mediterranean. She suffered crushing blows at various times as a result of enemy raids, but time after time she was restored, and her military power was revived again.
So, for the whole 5 centuries, the fortress passed into the possession of the Ottoman Empire. Later, the famous outpost could not resist the blows of the French army led by Napoleon. At the beginning of the 19th century, Muhammad Ali put a lot of effort into restoring the fortress and eliminating the destruction. Less than a century later, the fortress suffered a severe defeat as a result of an attack by British troops.
It was only in 1952 that Kite Bay came under the patronage of the Egyptian Maritime Museum, and in the last years of the 20th century, large-scale reconstruction work was carried out, and the fortress acquired almost its original appearance, which it retains today.
12. Tsvetnoy Canyon (Nuweiba)
The fantasy of nature in the Colored Canyon
One of the most extraordinary places on the planet is the Colored Canyon near the town of Nuweiba in Egypt. Once here, a person clearly feels all the power of nature and the power of the elements. About 5 million years were spent on the formation of this miracle of nature: initially, a powerful earthquake occurred, which split the rock and created a crack 5 kilometers deep in it. Over millions of years, the crack was washed away by rains, deepened as a result of strong winds, and its lines became more and more smooth.
The rocks consist of an unusual rock — colored sandstone. It is thanks to the combination of different colors in the rocky rock that the canyon got its name. Despite the heat, the canyon floor is always cool. Walking along a narrow gorge, from 30 cm to 1 meter wide, you will be able to take a closer look at its walls, formed from rocky soil interspersed with corals — confirmation that this part of the Sinai Peninsula was once under water a long time ago.
The entire canyon consists of many labyrinths, and its total length is about 5 kilometers. The route starts at the top, and then a narrow winding path gradually descends you to the bottom of the gorge, the passage becomes narrower and narrower, and bizarre patterns created by nature itself are observed on the steep cliffs. Jeeps and numerous souvenir shops await travelers at the exit of the canyon.
13. Khan El Khalili Market (Cairo)
The unique medieval flavor of the Cairo bazaar
Noisy shopping bazaars, full of a variety of goods, can be found in any corner of the world, but only a few of them become iconic for both locals and visiting tourists. Those who want to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a lively market and plunge into the local flavor, undoubtedly have something to see in Egypt.
The world-famous Khan el Khalili market in Cairo attracts guests from all over the world with its assortment, which amazes the imagination of the most sophisticated visitor. There is everything here to buy and take with you a piece of this country that embodies the local flavor: all kinds of spices, jewelry, scarves, perfumes, lamps and much more that can leave the memory of a trip to Egypt for many years to come. While walking through the narrow streets of the market, the atmosphere of the Middle Ages begins to be felt especially clearly, which not only allows you to enjoy shopping, but also gives you the opportunity to look into the ancient past.
Countless shops, shops full of goods, noisy sellers and visitors — all this will pull you into a single cycle of events and impressions. Tired of the hustle and bustle of the market, you can drop into any local coffee shop or restaurant, drink a cup of fragrant coffee or explore a variety of local dishes.
14. Ros Mohammed National Park (south of the Sinai Peninsula)
The magical world of coral reefs in Ros Mohammed Park
Between the rich coral thickets of the Red Sea, on the southernmost coast of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt’s most famous national park is located, which has become the world’s most popular place for spearfishing. Real divers have something to see in Egypt — this is Ras Mohammed, whose territory was declared a protected area in 1989. The underwater world of the coastal zone of the reserve is so rich that this picturesque place once conquered the famous traveler Jacques Yves Cousteau. The coral world in the Ras Mohammed Nature Reserve is incredibly rich and diverse: It can be whole mountains of coral reefs under water, and endless cliffs leading into unknown depths of the sea, and flat endless plateaus.
The age of the reefs that have risen here from the depths of the sea can be billions of years old! The emerald waters of the Red Sea on this coast are distinguished by a real abundance of different forms of life. There are about 220 species of corals here alone. The local fauna is also amazing in its diversity:
- about a thousand species of fish; 25 species of sea urchins; one and a half hundred species of crustaceans; one hundred species of mollusks; and also here you can find green sea turtles, dolphins, white storks.
15. Al-Azhar Park (Cairo)
The green oasis of Al-Azhar Park
One of the new attractions of Egypt worthy of your attention is the Al-Azhar Park in Cairo. The construction and equipment of the grandiose park with a total area of 30 hectares began in 1997 and was carried out for about a decade.
Work on the development of the park began with the clearing of the territories located between the tomb of the Mamluks and the city wall of Salah al-Din. The hilly, abandoned and landfilled area was leveled and cleared of debris, resulting in a view of many hidden sections of the city wall — towers, galleries, gates and more. All this was subject to restoration, and the old city backyards were eventually turned into a beautiful park.
The area has been leveled, water supply systems have been laid underground, a pumping station has been installed that provides water supply and the operation of park fountains. 655,000 seedlings of various plants have been planted throughout the park, roads have been laid, and extensive areas for walking and recreation have been equipped. There are also more complex facilities, such as restaurants and cafes on the grounds, which offer beautiful panoramas of the park.
Today, the Al-Azhar Park complex is a huge space surrounded by greenery of planted trees, shrubs, flowers, with a small man-made lake, water channels, paths and a palm courtyard in the very center. The official opening of Al-Azhar Park took place in May 2005.
Official website: https://www.azharpark.com
16. The Pyramid of Cheops (Giza Plateau)
The Pyramid of Cheops is the largest of the Egyptian pyramids on the Giza Nina plateau
Tourist Egypt is simply impossible to imagine the greatest monuments of antiquity — the grandiose Egyptian pyramids. The largest of the pyramids located on the Giza plateau is the pyramid of Cheops. Presumably, the weight of the structure is about 4 million tons, and the height is about 140 meters — impressive figures, considering that the structure was erected by people 4.5 millennia ago. It is still not known for certain by what means and for what purpose these monuments were erected. There are only a few versions, according to one of which the pyramids were used as a granary during the great famine — these events are confirmed in the holy Scriptures. According to another legend, the pyramid was used to bury the body of the Pharaoh, whose soul passed into the upper world here. The masonry of the structure is impressive — the density of the stones is so great that the thinnest razor blade will not pass between them. Inside the pyramid there are passages and chambers, mysterious rooms and air vents.
17. The Great Sphinx (Giza Plateau)
The Great Sphinx on the west bank of the Nile in Giza
Still on the same Giza plateau, not far from the pyramid of Khafren, there is another impressive monument of antiquity — the mysterious Great Sphinx, which is considered the oldest monumental sculpture in the world. The mystery of its origin and the purpose of its construction remain a mystery. The monument is 73 meters long and about 20 meters high, carved directly from the rock and represents a lion with a human head. I must say, the image of the sphinx is traditional for Egyptian culture — it was worshipped as a royal animal associated with the sun god — Ra. For many centuries, the mysterious sculpture was under a thick layer of sand — they tried to excavate it since the 14th century BC, but the first excavations were unsuccessful. The restoration of the sculpture helped to reveal interesting facts — for example, it turned out that the sphinx was built before the pyramids known to all, and under the lion’s left paw, a tunnel leading to the pyramid of Khafren goes deep.
18. Egyptian Museum (Cairo)
The exhibits of the Egyptian Museum on the north side of Tahrir Square in Cairo Ovedc
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The largest repository of artifacts reflecting the ancient history of Egypt, the Cairo Egyptian Museum, is located in the very center of the capital city of Cairo. A grandiose collection of 136 thousand finds is located in more than a hundred halls, and another 40 thousand exhibits are hidden in basements, where many artifacts have already been absorbed by the soft ground. The museum’s collection is so large that, according to general estimates, it will take more than one year to study all the exhibits! All the objects in the museum are arranged according to chronology and subject matter, and the age of the oldest has been five millennia. In the walls of the complex, for example, you can see 11 mummies of pharaohs, sarcophagi, art objects, everyday life and other things reflecting the life of the ancient Egyptians. A special attention should be paid to the collection dedicated to objects from the tomb of Tutankhamun — this is a death mask, as well as furniture, dishes, jewelry and even a royal chariot.
19. Church of the Holy Virgin Mary (Cairo)
The courtyard of the Coptic Church of St. Mary the Virgin on the territory of Old Cairo Daniel Mayer
If the Muhammad Ali Mosque is a famous Muslim symbol of Cairo, then the Church of the Holy Virgin Mary is the main symbol of all Egyptians who preach Christianity and are called Copts. The Church of the Virgin Mary was built around the 3rd century BC, and the look it has now, it has been preserved since the 7th-9th centuries AD. The temple is located in the Coptic quarter, where, in addition to this shrine, there are a number of other Christian churches. The main attraction in the walls of the temple is a carved wooden iconostasis made of Lebanese cedar from the 12th-13th centuries. Perhaps one of the most memorable moments in the history of the church was a three—year period in the 20th century, when a number of miraculous phenomena occurred in the vicinity – for example, a luminous image of the Virgin appeared several times in the sky above the roof, and inside the temple everything was periodically illuminated by a mysterious light, shining birds like pigeons flew and circled.
Official website: https://www.coptic-cairo.com
20. Tutankhamun Museum (Sharm el-Sheikh)
Artifacts from the famous tomb of King Tut at the Tutankhamun Museum in Sharm El Sheikh Matthew Dillon
Exhibition “Treasures of King Tut” at the Matthew Dillon Tutankhamun Museum
Perhaps the most important thing in the study of Egypt are the historical and cultural attractions of Egypt. Sharm el-Sheikh is a city where, most recently, in 2014, a museum dedicated to the life of one of the Egyptian pharaohs was opened. Despite his short 18-year life, Tutankhamun is today one of the most famous rulers, but he became famous not for his outstanding rule, but due to the fact that his tomb was the only one that has survived to this day undisturbed. Therefore, the exposition of the Tutankhamun museum is based on numerous objects from his tomb, of which there are more than one and a half thousand in total, but only about a hundred are exhibited here. It is worth noting that the exhibits presented are only copies of these items, and all fifteen hundred originals are stored in another place — the National Museum in Cairo.
Official website: https://www.genenacity.com
21. Abu el-Abbas Mosque (Alexandria)
The entrance to the Abu el-Abbas Mosque in the Anfushi district of Alexandria
In the middle of a crowded square in the city of Alexandria, the ornate 73-meter minaret of the Abu el Abbas Mosque with 4 symmetrically arranged domes soared skyward. The entire facade of the building is covered with lace knitting of Arabesque patterns, which can be viewed for hours. This large and beautiful mosque was built in the 14th century over the grave of the prophet, after whom it was named. This holy prophet is one of the most revered saints in the country, he is considered the patron saint of sailors and fishermen. There are two main entrances to the mosque: the northern entrance leads from the side of the square and the street adjacent to the royal palace, the eastern door leads to another part of the square. The main inner hall of the mosque has the shape of an octagon, each side of which is 22 meters long. The interior walls and ceiling are decorated with intricate mosaics, and the ceilings are decorated with traditional Arabic paintings.
22. The Colossi of Memnon (Luxor)
Huge dilapidated stone statues on the west bank of the Nile near the city of Luxor MusikAnimal
The colossi of Memnon are an integral part of the architectural heritage of Ancient Egypt. Once these giant statues were erected in honor of one of the Egyptian pharaohs, Amenhotep III, and it is believed that he is embodied in these stone statues. Once the sculptures were part of the complex — a temple in the name of the Pharaoh stood here, but over time it collapsed, and the 20-meter “guards” built of sandstone blocks survived. The reason for the destruction of the temple was presumably the flooding of the Nile River, which eventually “washed away” it from the face of the earth. Once colossi were called “singing” — they really made peculiar sounds: when heated, air seeped through a certain hole in the northern Colossus, creating a kind of melody. However, one of the earthquakes significantly destroyed the northern statue, which even after the restoration by the Romans did not “sing”.
23. Temples of Philae Island (Nile River)
The temple of Philae Island, transported to Agilkia Island by Dan Lundberg
Trajan’s Kiosk is part of the temple complex on the island of Philae Arronestone20034
If the famous Luxor Temple, of which only fragments remain today, witnessed the economic and political flourishing of ancient Egyptian civilization during the New Kingdom, then the temple of Isis on the island of Philae is a living testimony of the Ptolemaic era. Once it was the center of the cult of the goddess, representing the Egyptian ideal of femininity and motherhood, but as a result of the construction of the Aswan dam, the original buildings completely disappeared into the water. An operation was carried out to extract all the monuments of Philae from the water, after which they were moved to a neighboring island and rebuilt. The temple of Isis was the very first building on the island — it began to be built in the 4th century BC, was completed during the reign of the Ptolemaic dynasty, and was completed only under Emperor Caracalla. Today, the temple complex, in addition to the temple of Isis, includes the temple of Nectanebus I, the temple of the goddess Hathor, the “Kiosk” of Trajan.
24. Suez Canal (Egypt)
A tugboat in the foreground in a navigable lockless channel in northeast Egypt
The Suez Canal is one of the most important sea arteries on the planet, allowing ships to sail in both directions without skirting Africa. Previously, cargo transportation was carried out with the unloading of ships, by land transportation between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Today, the shortest route between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean waters runs through the waters of the canal. For this purpose, the canal was opened in the 19th century, although it is worth noting that the idea of creating such an artery first arose in ancient times — in the 7th century BC, but the project never came to life, and a century later the Persian conquerors of Egypt still began construction, but never completed it. It was only in the 19th century that a great project was launched, the author of which was the French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps. Today, 60 to 80 ships pass through the canal every day, and the income from its operation is one of the main profit items of the Egyptian budget.
25. Aswan hydroelectric power plant (dam) (Aswan)
The Aswan Hydroelectric complex (dam) is one of the major attractions of Egypt
The great engineering invention of the 20th century in Egypt is the Aswan Dam, which, by the way, was designed by Soviet engineers. The creation of the dam allowed the country to solve the problem of floods, establish control over the flooding of the Nile River and switch to year-round irrigation of land. But at the same time, do not forget that the dam also brought troubles associated with the destruction of the houses of local Egyptians and ancient monuments located in the path of the water. The dam is a huge dam with a stone embankment, the core of which is made up of cement and clay. A 4-lane highway runs along the top of the dam, and six tunnels have been created on the right bank of the Nile, supplying water to the hydroelectric power station. As a result of the construction of the dam, a huge artificial reservoir was formed — Lake Nasser, one of the largest artificial lakes in the world, which is now actively used for irrigation.
26. The Nile River (Egypt)
Nile River and boats at sunset in Aswan
If you mention Egypt’s natural attractions, the report should certainly include one of its recognizable symbols — the country’s most important waterway, the Nile River. Indeed, the fate of Egypt has always been closely linked with the Nile — the sacred river has been the source of life for an ancient civilization since the Stone Age. And the very origin of Ancient Egypt was due to this great river. And to this day, all settlements are located in the Nile Valley, where almost the entire population of the country lives, because the Nile is the main source of fresh water here. Among other things, the main tourist route runs along the Nile — after all, the vast majority of ancient monuments are concentrated here. Cruises are constantly organized along the waters of the river: a comfortable boat trip is an ideal way to get to know the country, its values and culture.
27. Hurghada Grand Aquarium (Hurghada)
Hurghada Grand Aquarium in the historic district of El Dahar Hatem Moushir
The Hurghada Aquarium is unique in its kind — it is the first largest aquarium in the whole world, where the flora and fauna of the Red Sea are collected in such quantity and diversity. This facility was opened quite recently — in early 2015, and occupied an area of 40 thousand square meters, and in the future it is planned to open an area of another 100 thousand square meters. The main task of the construction of Hurghada Grand was the conservation of endangered species of animals of the Red Sea. There are 24 thematic exhibitions in the halls of the Aquarium, corresponding to different types of environment. For example, in one of the sections there are sharks, rays, between which smaller fish scurry, and an artificially cultivated coral reef is located here. Another section shows the remains of ancient whales. A rainforest zone has also been recreated here, there is a mini zoo, a whale valley, an exhibition dedicated to the life and everyday life of the Bedouins, and much more.
Official website: https://hurghadaaquarium.com
28. The Blue Hole (Red Sea) (Dahab)
View of the Blue Hole from the shore of the Red Sea
And what is in Egypt of the interesting creations of nature? The first thing that deserves attention is the extraordinary natural formation near the Sinai coast. The so—called Blue Hole is a complex of vertical underwater caves, which from the surface of the water look like a bottomless dark spot in the emerald sea, like a mysterious gateway to another dimension. At a depth of about 56 meters, a tunnel begins — the so-called “Arch” of overhanging corals, and passing this path without scuba gear is considered a special professionalism among divers. The fate of many divers who decided to walk the path without equipment turned out to be sad and brought this place negative fame. At the same time, you should not be afraid to dive into the waters of the Blue Hole with equipment and to a depth of no more than 30 meters — this is quite enough to explore the beautiful coral world of the Red Sea.
29. Cairo Nilomer (island of the Genus)
The Cairo nilometer at the southern extremity of the island of the Genus Baldiri
As is already known, the life of Egypt, since ancient times, has been inextricably linked with the great river Nile. Every year, the Nile overflowed, providing irrigation, but fluctuations in water levels were not always the same — in some years there were droughts that brought massive famine, in others — floods with catastrophic consequences. To predict the behavior of this river, the Egyptians invented a kind of instrument for measuring the water level, the so—called nilometer, 5 millennia ago. One of these structures, which has survived to the present day, is located in Cairo, on the island of Roda. It is an 8-cornered marble column located in a deep square well. In order to find out the water level, it was necessary to go down the stairs and inspect the column. Water entered the well through 3 pipes installed at different depths. According to the notches on the column, it was determined what kind of year it would be — arid, favorable, or worth waiting for floods.
Official website: https://www.waterhistory.org
30. The White Desert (east of the Sahara Desert)
The white desert between the oases of Bahariya and Farafra in Egypt
The spectacular landscape of the White Desert in the north of the Farafra oasis Ysjyd
In the east of the Sahara Desert, there is an unusual area of about 300 square kilometers — the White Desert, which Egypt awarded the status of a national park in 2002. The snow-white sands of the desert cast a pearly sheen, and in some places there are bizarre figures, as if in a fantasy film. Millions of years ago, there was an ocean floor on the site of the White Desert, on which the remains of microorganisms settled. Over time, the sea dried up, and the wind exposed a massive white layer. Today, at the entrance to the park, you can see the Crystal Mountain, where calcite crystals lie everywhere, shimmering in the sun. The next place is a small oasis with a spring, and further along the route visitors can enjoy an incredible view of the White Desert. Huge limestone figures, shaped like mushrooms, are especially attractive against the background of the sands. The park ends with another oasis, in which a small Bedouin village is located.
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