Egypt attractions

During Egypt’s Old Kingdom period, Memphis, outside Cairo, was home to the pharaohs who built the Pyramids of Giza. But domestic architecture didn’t last like the pyramids did, so most of what remains of Memphis today is within the Mit Rahina open-air sculpture museum. Highlights include the alabaster Sphinx of Memphis and a colossal statue of Ramses II.

The last surviving wonder of the ancient world, the Great Pyramid of Giza is also known as the Khufu Pyramid or Pyramid of Cheops, in honor of the pharaoh who built it around 2570 BC. The oldest, largest, and tallest of the three Giza pyramids, it is full of narrow tunnels and eerie chambers that are open to visitors.

Measuring a mighty 4,132 miles (6,650 kilometers) from end to end, the Nile is the longest river in the world. It's also the lifeblood of Egypt, flowing through the heart of the Sahara desert and passing through cities including Aswan, Luxor, and Cairo, before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea at the vast Nile Delta. A Nile River cruise is a quintessential Egypt experience.

Sometimes known as the second pyramid, the Pyramid of Khafre (Pyramid of Chephren) towers 446 feet (136 meters) above the desert, its tip still encased in the white limestone that once decorated all three Giza Pyramids. It looks taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza, built by Khafre’s father Khufu, because it stands on higher ground.

Located in south Cairo on the Nile’s east bank, Old Cairo, also known as Misr Al-Qadima, dates to the sixth century BC and occupies the sites of several early Egyptian capitals, including Fustat. Merging into Islamic Cairo to the east, its heart is Coptic Cairo—home to a crumbled Roman fortress and numerous early medieval Coptic churches.

Blissfully serene compared to the Giza Pyramids chaos, Dahshur’s desert sands were once home to an impressive 11 large pyramids. Today, two survive, the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, both built by Pharaoh Snefru around 4,500 years ago. Unusually, travelers can explore inside both of them, as well as a smaller side pyramid.

Standing proud above the hubbub of the modern city, the Cairo Citadel (Citadel of Saladin)) is one of Old Cairo’s most striking sights. First built by Saladin in the 12th century, during the Crusader conflicts, the fortress complex houses palaces, museums, and mosques, including Muhammad Ali’s 19th-century Alabaster Mosque.

The smallest of Cairo’s three main Giza Pyramids, the Pyramid of Menkaure stands with its two counterparts on the Giza Plateau on the southwestern edges of Egypt’s capital. As part of Cairo’s most-visited attraction, this 4,500-year-old tomb is seen by millions of tourists each year.

Aswan’s granite quarries supplied raw materials for some of ancient Egypt’s greatest monuments, and the partially excavated Unfinished Obelisk is a rare chance to see that work in progress. Mysteries surround the monolith in Aswan’s northern quarries. At the site, you’ll also find ancient rock paintings left behind by stone workers.

The centerpiece of the Kom al Dikka archaeological site, Alexandria’s Roman amphitheater extends in 13 tiers of white-marble seating. Built in the second century AD with space for 800 citizens, it’s the only known Roman theater in Egypt and housed political demonstrations and wrestling matches as well as drama.

Built on the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the longest surviving Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the 15th-century Citadel of Qaitbay (Fort Qaitbey) is a postcard-pretty sea fort. The battlements offer sweeping city views, the small museum houses maritime relics and aquariums, and three pillars likely date from the lighthouse.

Tucked among Coptic Cairo’s winding streets, the Hanging Church is more than 1,000 years old. Enter the 19th-century façade to find icons, elegant screens, a marble pulpit, and a window onto Roman ruins beneath the church. The Hanging Church is an important site for Egyptian Christians, as well as one of Coptic Cairo’s top attractions.

The citadel of Saladin—and the Cairo skyline—is dominated by the Alabaster Mosque (also known as the Mosque of Muhammad Ali). Modeled on classic Turkish architecture, it took 18 years to build the structure (1830-1848), with a complete restoration taking place in the 1930s. It was commissioned by Muhammad Ali, ruler of Egypt from 1805-1849, who lies in the marble tomb inside.

Vivid wall paintings keep watch over the Tomb of Tutankhamun, where King Tutankhamun’s linen-wrapped mummy is preserved in a glass case. While most of Tut’s treasures are on display at the National Museum in Cairo, visit the tomb to see where the young king’s body lay for thousands of years.

The most accessible of the Western Desert oases, Bahariya Oasis, and its main town Bawiti offer a wealth of travel riches. Savor ancient Egyptian tombs, golden mummies, Bedouin culture, rolling dunes, the scorched-looking Black Desert, and the sculptural White Desert, or set out on an epic drive along a historic caravan route.

Standing 614 feet (187 meters) tall on Gezira Island, the Cairo Tower (Burj al-Qahira) is one of Cairo’s most recognizable landmarks. Completed in 1961, with a striking lattice exterior designed to resemble a lotus flower, the tower is topped with a café, an observation deck, and a revolving restaurant.

The Colossus of Ramses II is the showpiece sight at the Memphis Museum, located in Mit Rahinah, just south of Cairo. The open-air museum stands on the site of Memphis, a onetime capital of ancient Egypt, and displays the enormous reclining statue of Ramses inside a 2-story hall, together with a large number of other sculptures throughout its grounds.

On the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Ras Mohammed National Park is home to Sharm el Sheikh’s best diving, notably Shark Reef, Yolanda Reef, and Jackfish Alley. Besides the pristine coral that awaits offshore, the land delivers empty beaches, rugged cliffs, and desert, plus mangrove swamps, salt marshes, and diverse birdlife.

Mt. Sinai rises a lofty 7,497 feet (2,285 meters) above sea level and is an important religious pilgrimage site, where the prophet Moses is said to have received the 10 Commandments directly from God. Visit the site’s ancient monastery or hike to the summit for panoramic views of Egypt’s mountainous Sinai Peninsula.

Opened in 2008, Hurghada Marina is the recreational hub of the Red Sea resort. Centered on a 200-berth harbour and bordered by the Marina Boulevard—a walkway flanked by palms, parks, and ochre-painted shops and residential blocks—the marina boasts an abundance of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Considered the original pyramid and the world’s earliest stone monument, the Pyramid of Djoser (Step Pyramid) is a highlight of any trip to Saqqara. Built in 2650 BC, it still stands proud over Saqqara, surrounded by the remains of ritual buildings.

On Luxor’s West Bank, Ramses III built his magnificent mortuary temple with intricate relief carvings and shrines. With its wonderfully preserved art, Medinet Habu represents the pharaoh's royal legacy and is among Luxor’s most important ancient sites. Images of hunting trips, prisoner executions, and battles with the Sea Peoples offer a window into ancient history.

In the heart of Old Cairo, the ornately decorated Ben Ezra Synagogue boasts a history dating back to the ninth century. Many of its original treasures—from carvings to documents—are held in museums around the world, but marble columns, rich woodwork, and unusual details such as lotus flowers pay tribute to the Jewish community’s long history in Cairo.

Despite the name, the rugged Valley of the Queens doesn’t just house the tombs of ancient pharaohs’ wives: Their children and some high officials are buried here too. Four of the 70-odd graves are open: the tombs of Nefertari, Titi, Khaemwaset, and Amenherkhepshef. There is an extra charge to visit Nefertari’s tomb.

North of Hurghada’s luxury resorts lies the Old Town of El Dahar, where you’ll find the city’s most authentic restaurants and shops. A highlight of the area is a traditional Egyptian souk that’s crammed with shops selling leather, copper, papyrus, spices, and shisha pipes.

Cairo is known as the "city of a thousand minarets," and that's reflected in its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A journey into Islamic Cairo is a journey into the city’s past, from Fustat, Egypt’s first Muslim capital, to the 1,000-year-old walled city, the Cairo Citadel, founded by 12th-century leader Saladin, and beyond.

Built between 1356 and 1363 by Cairo’s Mamluk ruler Sultan Hassan, the Sultan Hassan Mosque and Madrassa was designed as a place of worship and madrassa (Islamic school). Visitors can admire its scale and beauty, see its teaching areas (liwans), and view its other highlight: the mausoleum of Sultan Hassan himself.

Narrow lanes are lined with gardens and brightly painted houses in the villages of Siou and Koti on Elephantine Island. Trails link the two communities, where Arabic blends with the sounds of the Nubian language. In between the colorful homes, find locals offering souvenirs, henna tattoos, mint tea, and photo ops with captive crocodiles.

Abu Serga, or the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus, competes with the Hanging Church for the title of Coptic Cairo’s oldest church. Although it’s been rebuilt many times, its pillars date back to the fourth century, and much of the structure is medieval. It’s named for a pair of martyred Roman soldiers, St. Sergius (Abu Serga) and St. Bacchus.

Building Luxor’s monuments took an army of artists, stone-cutters, and builders, and many of them lived in Deir el-Medina. An ancient village here is a window into their lives, complete with homes, tombs, and irrigation pipes. It’s a fascinating place to visit, and it’s a refreshingly human contrast to the West Bank’s royal landmarks.