🕌 Egypt: 13 must-visit attractions

What comes to mind first when it comes to Egypt? Of course, the pyramids. However, this country is full of other, no less ancient and interesting sights. We have compiled a list of 13 places that everyone who decides to vacation in Egypt should see.

Pyramids of Giza (8 km from Giza)

However, we will still start with the pyramids built on the plateau in Giza. This is the only Great Wonder of the World that has remained intact to this day. Today it amazes with its impeccable geometry and dimensions, and the technology of their construction still raises a lot of questions and debates. 

The complex includes three main pyramids – Cheops, Khafre and Mikerin. Nearby are temples leading to the tombs. In addition to the most famous buildings, there are also the Small Pyramids of Giza. The wives of the pharaohs were buried in them. 

There is also another building shrouded in mystery – the statue of the Sphinx. It was recognized as the oldest surviving monumental sculpture on Earth. It is believed that he protects buried rulers.

Valley of the Kings (Luxor)

In the Valley of the Kings, the Egyptians buried their pharaohs for five centuries, turning the space on the sides of the Nile into a real city of the dead. It is divided into two parts. Most of the tombs were built in the east, and in the western part, scientists found only a small group of tombs. There are 64 of them in the valley, but excavations continue. 

It was here in 1922 that the famous tomb of Tutankhamun, surrounded by mysterious and terrifying legends, was found. His tomb was made of two hundred kilograms of gold and precious stones and filled with the pharaoh’s personal belongings, jewelry, chariots, dishes, weapons and other valuable items.

Colossi of Memnon (Luxor)

Two massive stone statues are all that remains of Amenhotep's mortuary temple, built on the Nile floodplain. It was the annual floods and earthquakes that destroyed the building and severely damaged the colossi themselves. They depict Pharaoh Amenhotep III, and not Memnon, as the Greeks believed. 

He was depicted sitting with his hands on his knees and his gaze turned east towards the river and the rising sun. Two small figures were carved at his feet – his wife and his mother. And on the side panels you can see the god Nile Hapi. The temple itself was at one time the largest and most luxurious in Egypt and occupied an area of ​​35 hectares.

Temple of Luxor (Luxor)

In addition to the Valley of the Kings, it is worth paying attention to the Temple of Luxor. It was built in the 14th century BC. e. under Pharaoh Amenhotep III. The temple was dedicated to the god Amun-Ra, his wife Mut and son Khonsu. The size of the building is immediately striking. The length of the entire complex is 260 meters, and the height of the towers decorating the entrance reaches 20 meters.

Here you can also see two majestic statues of Ramses II – previously there were 6 of them. Other ancient artifacts deserve attention – a 25-meter obelisk made of pink granite and 14 columns, which depict the life of Amun-Ra.

Abu el-Abbas Mosque (Alexandria)

This magnificent building was erected in the 13th century in honor of the Sufi saint Abul Abbas al-Mursi from Spain. In the last years of his life he moved to live in Alexandria. His writings were extremely widespread and had great significance for the entire people of Egypt. 

A mosque with a small minaret was built around the saint’s grave. An elegant snow-white building with fine carvings on the facade and high towers stands out against the backdrop of the city. 

Kite Bay Fortress (Alexandria)

This fortress was founded in 1477 by the Mamluk Sultan Al-Ashraf Saif al-Din Qait Bey. It is believed that it was built on the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Lighthouse of Alexandria, using its ruins. For many centuries it served as an outpost in the Mediterranean; more than once it was captured and destroyed, and then restored from ruins. Nowadays, it houses the Alexandria Maritime Museum.

Church of the Holy Virgin Mary (Cairo)

It is considered one of the oldest Christian temples in Egypt and dates back to the 3rd century AD. e. Previously, in its place there was a bastion of a Roman fort, and it was on its foundation that the church was built, so it seems to hang over the city. The building took on its modern appearance in the 7th century. The outside walls are decorated with overlays, columns and bas-reliefs, as well as filigree stone carvings in the Byzantine style.

Inside there is an ancient iconostasis made of Lebanese cedar wood , inlaid with ivory. In addition, the temple houses 100 icons, the oldest of which date back to the 8th century. There are also relics of several saints.

Temples at Abu Simbel (Nubia)

Two ancient Egyptian temples are carved into the rock of Abu Simbel. The first, the Bolshoi, was built in honor of Pharaoh Ramesses II, under whom work began. It was dedicated to the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty and Ptah. The second, Small, was erected in honor of the pharaoh’s first wife, Queen Nefertari Merenmut, and dedicated to the goddess Hathor.

Inside the first temple there are important historical images of the king surrounded by other gods. And on the facade you can see colossal images of the gods and the king himself, each about 20 meters high. An amazing phenomenon is associated with them. Twice a year – at 6 a.m. on October 22 and February 22 – a ray of sunlight crosses the 65-meter corridor and illuminates the statues of the gods. And in front of the Small Temple there are 6 statues with images of the king and queen. Their height is about 10 meters.

Mount Sinai (Sinai Peninsula)

This mountain is mentioned in the Bible. According to legend, at its peak God appeared to Moses and gave him the first law, which he carved on stone tablets. This is how the Ten Commandments came into being. The height of the mountain is 2,285 meters. Three religions converge here: Christian, Jewish, Muslim. Every year thousands of pilgrims climb it to watch the sunrise and pray. 

At the foot of Sinai, the convent of St. Catherine was built in the 4th century. This is an elegant temple, the walls of which are decorated with marble and mosaics. And the holy altar rises above the roots of the burning bush. On the territory of the temple there are 12 chapels, a garden, a refectory and a huge library of manuscripts.

Ros Mohammed National Park (southern Sinai Peninsula)

This is the country's first national park, the real pride of Egypt. Its area is 480 sq. kilometers, most of it falls on the water surface. Two unique bodies of water deserve attention – Lake of Desires and Salt Lake. The first is partially fresh, and the second is twice as salty as sea water.

In the south of the park there are picturesque beaches from which it is easy to dive under the water. There you can see turtles and many rare species of fish, as well as amazing coral reefs. And among the mangroves, rare species of animals and birds thrive.

Karnak Temple (Karnak)

According to scientists, this is the largest temple complex of Ancient Egypt and the main state sanctuary of the New Kingdom. It is divided into 3 parts. The first is dedicated to Amun-Ra, the second to his wife Queen Mut, and the third to their son Khonsu. In total, the complex includes 33 buildings and halls. They were built over 13 centuries. 

At the entrance to the Karnak Temple there is an alley of ram-headed sphinxes. Near them, on one side, is a statue of Ramses himself, on the other, the chapel of Seti II. Afterwards, visitors enter the columned hall of 134 huge pillars. And this is just the beginning. The temple hides many more historical and architectural wonders. 

Colored Canyon (Nuweiba)

A whole galaxy of colorful rocks attracts thousands of tourists. The stones are painted in unusual shades of red, purple, yellow or pink. The brightness is also uneven – in some places the colors are saturated, in others they are calmer. It is assumed that the Colored Canyon was formed after a major earthquake. Its length is about 5 kilometers, and the height of the rocks reaches 30 meters. 

White Desert (eastern Sahara Desert)

This relatively small area of ​​the desert also amazes tourists with its color scheme – ordinary sand is mixed here with snow-white particles. Many thousands of years ago this area was the bottom of the world's oceans. Over time, chalk karst formations turned into sculptures of amazing shape and color. The height of some reaches 12 meters. 

Egypt is not only beaches and hotels. Ancient temples, tombs, fortresses, unique rocks and national parks – everyone will find something interesting here.