Best Places To Visit In Egypt - Top 16 Places To Visit In Egypt

Egypt is located in North Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia, where many cultures and countries collide. Egypt developed a brilliant civilisation that is regarded as one of humanity's oldest.

Like other countries and territories, the best places to visit in Egypt are charming and diverse. You will have the time of your life exploring breathtaking natural scenery, delicious food, exciting entertainment venues, and typical Egyptian cultural beauty.

Egypt is now a popular tourist destination due to its secrets, legends, and wonderful world heritages. The best time to visit Egypt is from February to April and October to November, when you can see all of Egypt's landmarks, including all 16 Egyptian tourist attractions.

Cairo

Is Egypt safe to travel to? We can’t say the same for the whole country, but Cairo, the capital city, is a safe bet. In 1979, UNESCO designated Cairo as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

It is considered the country's heart, where economic, political, and cultural activities are concentrated. Weaving through the cities are numerous historical sites awaiting to be explored.

Like the old town of Cairo, it is home to the remains of ancient capital cities that date back to the 6th century. Here you can see the Islamic Cairo area - part of the historic centre of Cairo. This is also where you can find the Amr and ibn Tulun Mosques.

Visitors can also visit flea markets specialising in selling bronze jewellery, carpets, and other items. Anyone will feel as if they have entered a magical land when they arrive.

The Rifai and Sultan Hassan Mosque - an ideal destination for tourists who love ancient architecture. Photo by Omar Elsharawy on Unsplash

Khan El Khalili Market, located in Cairo's old town, was established in the 14th century and is an exciting place for visitors to feel the local style, take photos, or shop for souvenirs.

This vibrant and magnificent market is regarded as the epitome of Cairo. Both tourists and locals flock here to experience mediaeval shopping with its narrow lanes and nooks and crannies. Many areas sell a variety of items such as spices, textiles, crystals, handicrafts, and jewellery.

From this city, if you want to start exploring Europe, we recommend taking a 3-hour flight to Rome, one of the most beautiful places in Italy. It is often a common entry point for first-time travellers on this continent.

Alexandria

Alexandria - located in the western Nile Delta, 225 kilometres (139 miles) from Cairo - runs along the Mediterranean coast for about 32 kilometres (about 20 miles).

It is Egypt's second-largest city and a major economic, political, cultural, and Egypt tourist centre. Most of the ancient city's buildings have been destroyed and sunk deep in the ocean over thousands of years. 

A Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria in the city of Monastir - recommended place to pay a visit. Photo by Farah Samy on Unsplash

Among them are the Pharos Lighthouse, Alexandria's symbol and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The city is also famous for the Library of Alexandria, the world's first library, which houses many valuable books about the Roman and Greek peoples.

The Royal Library of Alexandria, also known as the Great Library, was built in 2002. This latest work carries the meaning of a strong revival and the desire to resurrect the golden age of Alexandria's library.

With the main reading room of approximately 70,000 m2 (~750,000 ft2) and millions of books stored, this is currently one of the largest libraries in the world. This library has 11 floors, four of which are below sea level.

Aswan

Aswan, which stretches along the Nile's banks, is a friendly town that offers a tranquil atmosphere. It was once the gateway to Africa for ancient Egypt. Aswan is a great place to explore the temples and other tourist attractions south of Upper Egypt and the region's distinct Nubian culture.

Coming to Aswan, you will find various fascinating temples like the temple of Isis, the goddess of love. Photo by unai - stock.adobe.com

Elephantine in the Egyptian island of Aswan, teeming with palm tree plantations and colourful mud-brick villages, attract thousands of Egypt tourists daily.

Aswan's museum is located in a beautiful late-nineteenth-century mansion that is partially open to visitors and houses a collection of historic Elephantine objects from the Roman period.

You can take a boat to Kitchener Island - the so-called Aswan botanical garden - from the marina on the west side of Sioux island. The island was once the property of Lord Kitchener, who turned it into a lush green of exotic plants from Asia and Africa.

Luxor

Luxor is one of Egypt's tourist attractions to visit for any first-timer. The entire city is an open-air museum filled with magnificent Egyptian palaces and ruins. It is divided into two sections, the West and the East Banks. Tourist attractions such as the Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple, and the desert-strewn Karnak Temple can be found in both.

Karnak Hypostyle hall columns in Luxor Thebes Temple. Photo by CALIN STAN on Unsplash

When you arrive in Luxor, one of the first temples you will see is Luxor Temple. This ancient Egyptian temple complex is conveniently located in the heart of Luxor and is easily accessible.

The ancient Egyptian ruin was built in 1400 BC when the area was still known as Thebes. Luxor Temple was the place where the ancient Egyptians crowned their kings.

To the west of Luxor, Colossi of Memnon temple is a collection of ancient and one-of-a-kind architectural works. Covering an area of more than 35 hectares, this was ancient Egypt's largest and most sacred temple. It is famous for its large stone statue depicting the portrait of Pharaoh Amenhotep III from 3,400 years ago.

Hurghada

You don’t necessarily have to visit the best places in Greece to swim in the ocean blue. Hurghada is Egypt’s tourist attraction and most popular seaside resort. It has beautiful beaches and excellent diving spots and is a good choice for those who want to enjoy a beach vacation.

Visitors are compelled to visit New Marina, a true Egyptian paradise. It’s where you can enjoy the beauty of the large ships in the harbour, a variety of delicious food and all of your favourite drinks at the bars with panoramic views. Furthermore, you can go shopping at luxury malls such as Senzo Mall or Al Nol.

 Luxurious romantic landscape with a beach resort at Hurghada. Photo by Vegan Oasis on Unsplash

El Gouna Beach is a delightful oasis for everyone. Enjoy the sun while relaxing on the warm sand and participating in fun activities such as kayaking, kite flying, or swimming in the open sea with friendly dolphins.

Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh is a famous place in Egypt on the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula. Coming here, you can soak up the sun, snorkel the incredible coral reefs, and enjoy the sea whenever you want. Its Red Sea coast is home to numerous resorts and a network of luxury hotels, restaurants, bars, and casinos.

 

Coming to Sharm El Sheikh, you won’t believe you are in Egypt. Photo by OlegD - stock.adobe.com

The weather is hot and sunny all year, there is almost no rain, and the sea water is crystal clear and very warm. Everything is ideal for scuba diving and admiring the natural world. The red sea region has many must-see coral reefs and numerous unique and rare fish species. 

Al Mustafa Mosque is a stunning architectural mosque that is a popular Egypt tourist place that should be on your schedule even if you are not religious.

Completed in 2008, it has always drawn tourists with its majestic architecture, standing 72 metres (236 feet) tall and featuring a massive dome in the centre. The Mustafa Mosque's entire area has high historical and religious value and is a popular destination for many archaeologists.

Furthermore, Sharm's newly developed old town is home to many locals and will give you an authentic insight into Egyptian culture. Its Old Market is popular with bargain hunters, as goods are frequently cheaper here than in tourist hotspots like Naama Bay.

Giza

It's a shame if you visit Egypt but don't see the Pyramids. The Giza Pyramids in Egypt are the greatest man-made structures in history. The Great Pyramid of Giza was one of the ancient world's seven wonders (also known as the pyramid of Kheops). The stone blocks are carved, shaped, smoothed, and perfectly stacked to a height of 146.5m (418 feet).

The world-renowned pyramids at Gizeh, Egypt. Photo by Ruben Hanssen on Unsplash

The most important ones here are Khufu (Great Pyramid or Cheops), Khafre, and Menkaure, which were built over three pharaoh reigns between 2560 and 2450 BC. It is located on the top of the Giza plateau. These are thought to be the world's first stone skyscrapers and became one of the best places to visit in Egypt.

Right there is also the location of the Red Pyramid. It is made entirely of red sandstone and stands 104 metres (341 feet) tall. This is the first success of mankind when building a pyramid with a smooth surface.

Egypt is best visited during the winter months of October to March. More specifically, the best time to visit the Pyramids of Giza is between 10 a.m. and noon, when there are fewer tourists and less heat.

Not far from Giza, visitors can experience visiting the Coptic Museum - an art museum that houses Coptic artworks from the earliest days of Christianity. Many artefacts date from the Roman Empire, when Christianity was Egypt's dominant religion.

Dahab

Dahab, located 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Sharm el-Sheikh, is a popular place to visit in Egypt. The site is known for its still unspoiled scenery, massive mountains, and its unrivalled blue beaches, which are ideal for scuba divers.

Once a remote seaside village, Dahab evolved into a hippie haven in the 1980s and is now an attractive tourist destination. The beach town’s location between the Red Sea and the Sinai desert makes it ideal for world-class windsurfing, scuba diving, rock climbing, and Bedouin desert climbing.

 

The famous Blue Hole in Egypt's Red Sea is a free diver's paradise. Photo by Raimond Klavins on Unsplash

The Red Sea is also well-known for its excellent swimming and diving conditions. Walking, diving, and admiring the fantastic corals and marine life are thus activities to consider.

It’s a shame not to partake in scuba diving in crystal clear, turquoise waters. Bedouin Divers Dahab is one of the best diving clubs you could go for in Dahab. Many people highly praise the instructors’ professionalism, as well as their warm and friendly services.

The Nile

The Nile River is the world's longest river, stretching 6,650 kilometres (more than 4,000 miles) and emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. It flows through 11 countries in North Africa, including Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, etc. The Nile River is not only the country's primary source of water from ancient times to the present but also the best place to visit in Egypt.

 

The Nile was known as the river of life as it was the source of water, food, trade, and transportation for ancient Egyptians. Photo by Keith on Flickr

When visiting Egypt, you should take advantage of a traditional felucca sailing along the Nile, especially in the afternoon when the sun sets on the water.

Travelling to Egypt's Nile River is an exciting experience. You will feel many emotions when viewing the wild and peaceful beauty and the beauty of the scenery on both sides of the river. Visitors are moved to owe to the greatness of dozens of architectural works beyond your imagination.

The Sahara Desert

Coming to Egypt, the Sahara Desert is an intriguing destination. It covers almost entirely North Africa, spanning 12 countries: Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Morocco, etc. Even today, the Sahara Desert is expanding and is still one of the best places to visit in Africa.

This famous place in Egypt offers a variety of fascinating and impressive activities. You can ride camels in the sand desert, experience nomadic life, or watch and photograph the sunset in the desert.

Golden dunes stretching as far as the eye can see are what draw people to the mystical Sahara Desert. Photo by Svitlana Belinska - stock.adobe.com

Siwa Oasis is another option. People often think of Egypt when they think of great pyramids and legends of mysterious pharaohs. Still, perhaps only a few people are aware of a paradise right in the heart of the Sahara desert - Siwa oasis.

The Siwa Oasis has everything you could want in a beautiful Egyptian desert destination: thick palm trees centred around freshwater springs and salt lakes; rugged massif, and massive dunes. The ruins of Shali and Aghurmi, labyrinthine towns that once protected the Siwans, are equally impressive.

Abu Simbel

If you love history and ancient Egyptian civilisation, you've probably heard of Abu Simbel. The ancient temple complex on the banks of the Nile River dates back to the 13th century. The Temple of Abu Simbel is situated on a steep cliff 280 m (918 feet) south of the Nile's first waterfall.

The attraction is a one-of-a-kind stone temple architecture system craved out in the 13th century BC. the historic site was built by Pharaoh Ramesses the Great himself as a permanent monument for himself and Queen Nefertari. 

A must-visit is the Temple of Abu Simbel in southern Egypt. Photo by AssuieActive on Unsplash

It is widely regarded as the largest and most beautiful of Ramesses II's temples, as well as one of the most beautiful Egypt tourist places. The temple is part of a complex of seven beautiful stone temples designated as world cultural heritage by UNESCO in the mid-1960s. It is truly the pride of the Egyptian people.

Bahariya and Farafra

Bahariya and Farafra is a small enclave in the western desert - Sahara, accounting for less than 1% of Egypt's total land area. However, it is home to the country's rarest landscapes and geological systems. Thus, it is an ideal destination for those looking for dinosaur fossils and the remains of ancient creatures.

In Egypt, December and January are typically the coldest months. The best times to visit this part of Egypt are sunrise and sunset. The sun illuminates the formations in orange and pink during this time, creating a warm yet magical atmosphere.

When it comes to Bahariya and Farafra, perhaps the most appealing Egypt tourist attraction in this land is the white desert. Visitors will be stunned by the majestic scenery of creamy white rocks eroded by sandstorms over centuries sprouting up on the vast sand. It is like a contemporary open-air museum.

Explore the white desert near the Baharia Oasis in Egypt. Photo by Abdelrahman Ismail on Unsplash

People can also visit a beautiful oasis covered in vast trees and unique hot springs that always maintain temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. Both locals and visitors claim that it has healing powers and can help them relax after a long day.

The moonlit nights, when the sparkling white chalk-covered rocks reflect the brilliant moonlight, are the best time to admire this mysterious depression, highlighting the romantic beauty that captivates visitors.

Mount Sinai

Hiking in Mount Sinai is one of Dahab's most popular activities. This famous place in Egypt, known as the Mountain of God in the Bible, is thought to bring good luck and hope. Tourists can walk and trek, watch the sunrise, and breathe fresh air.

This area is extremely safe; the locals are amiable and welcoming, and the weather is generally excellent, no matter when you visit. The site is densely packed with cafes, shops, restaurants, and nightclubs, some of which stay open until sunrise. 

Impressive barren view of Mount Sinai. Photo by boygostockphoto - stock.adobe.com

Hiking up the holy mountain is popular, with many visitors opting to spend the night or stay at a motel to catch the biblical sunrise. The distance between this sacred destination and Cairo is about 440 km (273 miles).

Karnak Temple

The Temple of Karnak is located in the ancient city of Luxor and has the most extended construction history in Egypt, spanning more than 30 pharaohs and more than 1,000 years of construction and expansion.

With its complex architecture and possession of many giant stone statues, the Karnak Temple in Egypt is the most important temple in the complex of temples.

Ancient Ruins of Karnak Temple, Egypt - A Place You Should Explore. Photo by 2H Media on Unsplash

Rows of ram-headed sphinxes greet you at the entrance to Karnak Temple, and within the temple is the Hypostyle Hall, a large corridor with over 130 massive columns arranged in 16 rows. The temple's walls are adorned with reliefs depicting Pharaohs using bows and arrows to destroy evil in vibrant colours.

This place is dedicated to the sun god Amun-Ra and is the largest temple complex in Egypt that has survived to this day. This is the most important and fascinating archaeological site that you should not miss when you visit Egypt.

The Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum is one of the world's largest museums, containing priceless treasures from ancient Egypt's history. The museum opened in 1902 and has become a repository for hundreds of artefacts from various periods, including antiques dating back 5,000 years.

Every year, millions of tourists visit Egypt to see the world's most extensive collection of pharaoh antiquities; this attraction is the best place to do that.

The museum has two floors: the ground floor is a chronological journey through Egypt's 5,000-year history with thousands of artefacts, while the upper floor houses exhibit such as Tutankhamun's tomb, idols, and life simulations.

Display and storage area for masks, mummies and relics of Tutankhamun, an Egyptian pharaoh. Photo by Abdullah Elhariry on Unsplash

This museum also houses many mummies of the famous Pharaoh, most notably Tutankhamun. For thousands of years, his mummy has been kept in a cabinet with exquisite gold jewellery. A glittering golden coffin surrounded it, as did small vases used to store his organs. 

Above all, an entire section of the museum is devoted to the remains of his tomb. You will be impressed by the meticulous carvings on the golden tomb, which was entirely handcrafted tens of thousands of years ago. The luxury, wealth, and honour bestowed upon Tutankhamun by the locals are impressive.

Saint Catherine Monastery

The Monastery of Saint Catherine Egypt is regarded as one of the world's most impressive Egypt tourist destinations. UNESCO designated the Saint Catherine area as a World Heritage Site in 2002. Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to see and explore this relic.

A close-up view of St. Catherine’s monastery on the Sinai Peninsula. Photo by Stepanych - stock.adobe.com

Saint Catherine's Monastery has now been converted into a museum, housing many priceless works of art dating back to the sixth century, as well as Greek and Russian icons and Arabic mosaics. Many oil paintings on wax can be found on the monastery's west side.

The attraction is distinguished by its use of marble and numerous enamel paintings. The monastery is surrounded by massive statues that are both solid and sturdy. It stood the test of time; many people have been overwhelmed by the monastery's magnificence over the course of 14 centuries.

The monastery is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to UNESCO, it is the world's oldest Christian monastery. Visitors will enjoy the view from the top of the mountain, which overlooks the beautiful beach with palm huts built close to the shimmering water's edge.

Hopefully, the information about the 16 Best Places to Visit in Egypt provided by CabinZero in this article will assist you in planning your trip to discover. The best time to go to Egypt and explore everything this mysterious land has to offer is now.

Vy Nguyen