Egypt's Top Attractions

Explore 5,000 years of history through the world's most magnificent ancient monuments and museums

Must-See Attractions in Egypt

Pyramids of Giza

Pyramids of Giza & The Sphinx

The last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. The Great Pyramid of Khufu, built 4,500 years ago with 2.3 million stone blocks, stands alongside the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure. The enigmatic Great Sphinx guards this eternal necropolis.

  • Location: Giza Plateau, 20km southwest of Cairo
  • Built: c. 2560-2510 BCE (Old Kingdom, 4th Dynasty)
  • Height: Great Pyramid originally 146.5m (now 138.8m)
  • Entrance Fee: EGP 540 ($17 USD) - extra for inside pyramids
  • Best Time: Early morning (8 AM) or late afternoon
Explore Giza đŸĒ Private Tour
Grand Egyptian Museum

Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)

The world's largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilization. Houses over 100,000 artifacts including the complete 5,000+ piece Tutankhamun Collection displayed together for the first time in history. State-of-the-art galleries showcase Egypt's 7,000-year history.

  • Location: Near Giza Pyramids, 2km from Great Pyramid
  • Opened: Soft opening 2024, grand opening ongoing
  • Size: 500,000 square meters
  • Entrance Fee: ~$25-50 USD (prices being finalized)
  • Allow: 4-6 hours minimum to explore properly
Visit GEM đŸŽĢ Buy Tickets
Valley of the Kings

Valley of the Kings & Luxor Temples

The royal necropolis where New Kingdom pharaohs rest in elaborately decorated tombs. Explore tombs of Tutankhamun, Ramses VI, and Seti I. Combined with the magnificent Karnak and Luxor temples on the East Bank, Luxor is the world's greatest open-air museum.

  • Location: Luxor (ancient Thebes), 670km south of Cairo
  • Period: New Kingdom (c. 1550-1070 BCE)
  • Tombs: 63 discovered, 3 open on standard ticket
  • Entrance Fee: Valley EGP 480 ($15); Karnak EGP 440 ($14)
  • Best Time: November-February for comfortable touring
Explore Luxor

🏛ī¸ Attractions by Category

Ancient Pyramids & Tombs

  • Pyramids of Giza: Great Pyramid, Khafre, Menkaure, Sphinx
  • Saqqara: Step Pyramid of Djoser (oldest pyramid, 2650 BCE)
  • Dahshur: Bent Pyramid, Red Pyramid
  • Valley of the Kings: Royal tombs near Luxor
  • Valley of the Queens: Queens' tombs including Nefertari
  • Tombs of the Nobles: Non-royal elaborate tombs

Magnificent Temples

  • Karnak Temple: Largest ancient religious site (134 giant columns)
  • Luxor Temple: Avenue of Sphinxes, evening illumination
  • Abu Simbel: Ramses II colossal rock temples
  • Philae Temple: Island temple of Isis (Aswan)
  • Edfu Temple: Best-preserved Egyptian temple
  • Kom Ombo: Unique double temple (crocodile mummies)
  • Hatshepsut Temple: Female pharaoh's mortuary temple

World-Class Museums

  • Grand Egyptian Museum: World's largest archaeology museum (NEW!)
  • Egyptian Museum (Tahrir): 120,000 artifacts, Tutankhamun galleries
  • Coptic Museum: Early Christian Egypt artifacts
  • Islamic Art Museum: One of world's finest Islamic collections
  • Alexandria Library: Modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina
  • Luxor Museum: Exquisite pieces from local temples
  • Nubian Museum (Aswan): Nubian culture and history

Islamic & Coptic Cairo

  • Khan el-Khalili: Historic bazaar (1382 CE)
  • Citadel of Saladin: Medieval fortress with Muhammad Ali Mosque
  • Al-Azhar Mosque: 970 CE, oldest university
  • Sultan Hassan Mosque: Mamluk architectural masterpiece
  • Hanging Church: Coptic Christianity gem
  • Ben Ezra Synagogue: Historic Jewish heritage
  • Al-Muizz Street: Medieval Islamic Cairo (UNESCO)

Natural Wonders & Landscapes

  • White Desert: Surreal chalk-rock formations
  • Siwa Oasis: Alexander the Great's Oracle Temple
  • Ras Mohammed: National park, world-class diving
  • Blue Hole (Dahab): Famous diving sinkhole
  • Colored Canyon: Sinai geological marvel
  • Wadi El Rayan: Waterfalls and lakes
  • St. Catherine's Monastery: Sinai, Mount Moses

Coastal & Mediterranean Sites

  • Qaitbay Citadel: Alexandria fortress (1477)
  • Bibliotheca Alexandrina: Modern library, stunning architecture
  • Roman Amphitheatre: Alexandria ancient theater
  • Montaza Palace: Royal gardens and beaches
  • Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa: Roman tombs
  • Red Sea Coral Reefs: Underwater wonders

🌟 Top 10 Must-See Attractions

  1. Pyramids of Giza & The Sphinx - Last Ancient Wonder, absolutely essential!
  2. Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) - World's greatest archaeological museum, recently opened [Buy Tickets]
  3. Valley of the Kings - Royal tombs with stunning hieroglyphics and paintings
  4. Karnak Temple Complex - Largest ancient religious site with Great Hypostyle Hall
  5. Abu Simbel Temples - Ramses II's colossal rock temples (Sun Festival Feb 22 & Oct 22)
  6. Egyptian Museum (Tahrir Square) - Tutankhamun treasures, royal mummies
  7. Luxor Temple - Magnificent temple with evening illumination
  8. Philae Temple (Aswan) - Beautiful island temple of Isis
  9. Khan el-Khalili Bazaar - Historic market in Islamic Cairo (since 1382)
  10. Saqqara & Step Pyramid - World's oldest stone pyramid (2650 BCE)

📍 Attractions by Destination

Cairo & Giza

  • Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx
  • Grand Egyptian Museum - Book tickets online
  • Egyptian Museum (Tahrir Square)
  • Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
  • Citadel of Saladin & Muhammad Ali Mosque
  • Islamic Cairo (Al-Azhar, Sultan Hassan)
  • Coptic Cairo (Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue)
  • Saqqara Step Pyramid
  • Memphis ancient capital ruins
  • Dahshur Pyramids (Bent & Red)
Explore Cairo

Luxor (Ancient Thebes)

  • Valley of the Kings (Royal tombs)
  • Valley of the Queens (Nefertari's tomb)
  • Karnak Temple Complex
  • Luxor Temple
  • Hatshepsut Temple (Deir el-Bahari)
  • Colossi of Memnon
  • Luxor Museum
  • Tombs of the Nobles
  • Medinet Habu (Ramses III temple)
Explore Luxor

Aswan & Abu Simbel

  • Abu Simbel Temples (Ramses II & Nefertari)
  • Philae Temple (Island of Isis)
  • Unfinished Obelisk
  • Nubian Museum
  • Nubian Villages (colorful houses)
  • Aswan High Dam
  • Elephantine Island
  • Tombs of the Nobles (Aswan)
Explore Aswan

Alexandria

  • Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Modern Library)
  • Qaitbay Citadel (site of ancient Lighthouse)
  • Roman Amphitheatre
  • Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
  • Montaza Palace & Gardens
  • Alexandria National Museum
  • Pompey's Pillar
  • Corniche waterfront
Explore Alexandria

Red Sea (Hurghada & Sharm)

  • Ras Mohammed National Park (diving)
  • SS Thistlegorm Wreck (WWII ship)
  • Giftun Island (snorkeling paradise)
  • Blue Hole Dahab (famous dive site)
  • Coral reefs & marine life
  • St. Catherine's Monastery (Sinai)
  • Mount Sinai (Moses mountain)
  • Colored Canyon
Red Sea Resorts

Desert & Oases

  • White Desert National Park
  • Siwa Oasis (Oracle Temple, Cleopatra's Bath)
  • Black Desert (volcanic formations)
  • Bahariya Oasis (hot springs)
  • Wadi El Rayan (waterfalls, Valley of Whales)
  • Fayoum Oasis
  • Great Sand Sea
Desert Adventures

ℹī¸ Visitor Information

Entrance Fees (2024-2025)

  • Pyramids of Giza: EGP 540 (~$17 USD); Inside Great Pyramid +EGP 900 ($29)
  • Grand Egyptian Museum: ~$25-50 USD (being finalized)
  • Egyptian Museum: EGP 450 (~$15 USD); Mummy Room +EGP 300 ($10)
  • Valley of the Kings: EGP 480 (~$15 USD) for 3 tombs; Tutankhamun +EGP 600 ($19)
  • Karnak Temple: EGP 440 (~$14 USD)
  • Luxor Temple: EGP 320 (~$10 USD)
  • Abu Simbel: EGP 540 (~$17 USD)
  • Student Discount: 50% off with valid ISIC card!
  • Note: Prices subject to change; USD approximations based on EGP 31/USD

Photography Rules

  • Most Sites: Photography allowed (no flash in tombs)
  • Inside Pyramids: Usually not permitted
  • Valley of Kings Tombs: No cameras inside (leave at entrance)
  • Museums: Camera ticket required (EGP 50-300 extra)
  • GEM: Photography policies being established
  • Tip: Respect no-photography signs - protect ancient art

Best Times to Visit

  • Pyramids & Cairo Sites: Early morning (8-10 AM) to avoid heat and crowds
  • Luxor & Aswan: November-February only (summer dangerously hot 40-45°C)
  • Museums: Any time (air-conditioned), open 9 AM-5 PM typically
  • Islamic Cairo: Late afternoon/evening cooler and atmospheric
  • Abu Simbel: Early morning (Sun Festival Feb 22 & Oct 22 crowded)
  • Avoid: Friday mornings (prayer time), midday summer heat

Essential Tips

  • Guides: Hire Egyptologist guide for deeper understanding
  • Hydration: Bring 2-3 liters water per person
  • Sun Protection: Hat, SPF 50+, sunglasses essential
  • Modest Dress: Shoulders/knees covered (especially in mosques)
  • Comfortable Shoes: Lots of walking on uneven terrain
  • Cash: Small bills for tips and restrooms (EGP 5-20)
  • Start Early: Beat heat and crowds at major sites

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