Highlights of any visit to Egypt include famous archaeological sites from both Lower (North) and Upper (South) Egypt. The most famous are:

Greater Cairo:

The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.The Egyptian Museum.The pyramids and temples of Saqqara and Dahshur.Citadel of Salah El Din and Mosque of Mohamed Ali.Khan al Khalili bazaar and al Hussein Mosque.

Alexandria: Alexandria, with several historical sights and the stunning new Bibliotheca Alexandrina, is the country’s main summer attraction for Egyptians escaping the summer heat and looking for a place to spend the summer vacation. Tourist attractions include Roman and Greek monuments, Bibliotheca Alexandria, Qa’edbay’s Castle, and Qasr El Montaza (El Montaza Palace).

Luxor:

the temples of Luxor and the West Bank across the Nile
The Valley of the Kings.The Temples of Abu Simbel.

Aswan:

In Aswan, you can see even more temples and ancient monuments. You can also see Geziret El Nabatat (The Island of Plants). This is an island in the Nile River of Aswan which was planted by rare species of plants, trees, and flowers.

Perhaps the most popular activity in Luxor and Aswan is to do the Nile Cruise on a ship from Aswan to Luxor. It enables you to stop at each location along the Nile where you can see all the famous ancient monuments as well as experience being in the Nile River inside a five-star hotel boat.

The Red Sea resorts at Sinai peninsula, including Dahab, Hurghada, and Sharm el Sheikh. The Red Sea offers some of the best dive locations in the world.The sights of the Sinai peninsula, including Saint Catherine’s Monastery and Mount Sinai.The western desert and the oases there, including Siwa.

Memphis, with some relics of ancient Egypt – including a huge statue of Ramesses II, evoking the image which inspired Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poem Ozymandias.

NOTE: Egypt is unusual in that most sites offer a hefty 50% discount for holders of the International Student Identification Card (ISIC), or the teacher equivalent. This can be significant, especially say somewhere like the Pyramids of Giza – around USD70 equivalent to enter everything, or USD35 with the card. If you are a student or teacher, it may be worthwhile to apply for one before leaving your home nation.

Written by The Travel Valet

Photo courtesy of Gateway to Egypt Tours.