For many, Egypt sums up images of ancient colossal stone structures steeped in a rich cultural history, stories of modern day tomb-raiders and of course the majestic and seemingly all knowing Great Sphinx in Giza . A visit to the pyramids tops many a traveler’s wish list but Egypt has so much more to offer if you just know where to look.
Whether you’re looking for ancient or modern tourist attractions alike, Egypt has it all; from the vibrant, teeming capital of Cairo bursting with tourist attractions, to the modern metropolis that is Alexandria.
But first let’s take a look at the essential facts and figures if you are planning to make Egypt your next holiday destination:
Currency – The Egyptian pound (made up of 100 piastres), coins range from 10 piastres-1 pound. Notes range from 1 pound to 100 (1’s and 5’s are particularly useful to have in good supply for tipping).
Tourist Visa – upon entry into the country you are required to purchase a tourist visa which is valid for 3 months and will expire 1 month after first use. This should only set you back around $15 (US Dollars).
When to visit – The summer months can be unbearably hot so not for the faint hearted. It is best to travel between May and October (Egypt’s winter). If you do plan to travel during summer, get out and about early and spend the afternoons doing as little as possible to avoid the afternoon sun.
What to wear – Egypt is an Islamic country so it is respectful to keep knees and shoulders covered when travelling. Women should avoid wearing figure hugging clothes as a rule too. This is not required by law but certainly considerate of local customs and by doing so the locals are more likely to engage with you.
Cuisine – Egyptian food is a cheap and flavourful affair with delicacies unique to this country. Meals usually start with “Mezze” which consist of a variety of salads and tasty dips with pita bread. A must try is the Egyptian falafel which is a deep fried ball of mashed broad beans. Main courses mainly consist of meat or seafood (Kosheri – a mix of pasta, lentils and chickpeas – should not be missed by the vegetarians amongst you) along with salads and vegetables.
Now let’s take a look at the top destinations in Egypt and the alternative delights they have to offer:
Cairo – A brilliant place to start any holiday in Egypt; attractions topping your must see list should include:
- Khan El Khalili Bazaar – If you fancy some haggling this is the place to brush up your skills. On this site since the 1300’s, the market has a wonderful array of gifts and richly ethnic treasures just waiting to be found.
- The Suez Canal – A feat of 19th century engineering, opened in 1869, the canal allows ships to cross from the Mediterranean to Red Sea without having to travel around the coast of Africa. At 100 miles long you won’t be able to walk along this particular tourist attraction but a good place to start is in the seaport of Suez.
- Egyptian museum – Established in 1835, the museum has an amazing selection of treasures including; funeral pieces, beautiful and intricate jewellery and – not to be missed – the vast collection of artefacts taken from the tomb of King Tut (Egypt’s famous boy king who ruled for only 9 years).
- Cairo Opera house – Most tours in Cairo take in the pyramids and ancient sites but fail to include this wondrous 7 storey attraction. Opened in March 1988 and an intricate fusion of Islamic design features. Capable of seating 1,300 people, the ballets and opera shows give you a chance to dust off your best dress and black tie for night of superb entertainment.
Aswan – 80 miles to the south of Luxor and on the banks of the river Nile, the city has much to offer by way of temples, ancient bazaars and beautifully decorated mosques. Must see attractions should include:
- The Aswan Dam – Perhaps one of the most spectacular sites in Egypt (other than the pyramids of course) and a feat of modern engineering. There are actually 2 dams in Aswan but the most impressive is the “High Dam” which was built to harness the awesome power of nature that is the river Nile. At one point the hydroelectric generators supplied up to 50% of the countries electricity (now closer to 15%) by channelling up to 11,000 cubic metres of water per second. At almost 4km in length the dam makes for an impressive photo opportunity.
- Abu Simbel Temples – The sheer size of the figures hewn from rock at the entrances of the twin temples is truly awe-inspiring (not to mention an excellent photo opportunity). Originally constructed by Ramesses the 2nd in the 13th century BC as a display of the might of the Egyptian empire and a visual warning to her enemies; the temples spent thousands of years buried in the desert sand until they were rediscovered in the early 20th century. Now relocated to protect them from the raised water level of the Nile (due to the Aswan Dam) they are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.
Alexandria – A sprawling metropolis and one of the most populated cities in Egypt; Alexandria is home to many tourist attractions and is the perfect place to visit if you want to combine the old with the new (be warned; a popular cruise ship destination so tourist numbers can swell dramatically). Top of your must see list should be:
- The New Library of Alexandria – opened in 2002; words do not do justice to the beauty of this modern design feat. A building of stunning architectural styling, some say the sprawling site resembles a giant sundial. Whatever the verdict this is an attraction that should not be missed. Built on the site of the original and famous library, it is intended to once again house a collection of the worlds most important books and manuscripts as did the original in the days of Cleopatra.
- Montazah Royal gardens – the gardens occupy over half of the 350 acre grounds in which the Montazah palace resides. Nestling the shoreline, the gardens and the spectacular beaches they give access to, are a beautiful oasis in which to take time out from the busy hustle of Alexandria. Swimming pools located in the garden are accessible to the public so don’t forget your bathing suit.
- Alexandria National Museum- if you are a fan of period architecture, this magnificently restored Italian palace makes the perfect setting for the vast collection of artefacts carefully displayed that cover thousands of years of Egyptian history.
Sahara Desert – No tour of Egypt should be complete without a visit to the Sahara Desert and it’s hard to miss considering the fact that it covers 97% of the country. An arid and harsh landscape of dunes and ravines to the untrained eye but possessing hidden oases of verdant scenery nestling around water sources. Whether you want to experience life in the desert of perhaps ride a camel or quad bike through this alien looking landscape, it offers a sometimes welcome escape from the bustle of the city and busy bazaars across the country. Whatever your reason for the visit, don’t miss the following on your wish list:
- Siwa Oasis – at almost 50 miles long this is one of the largest oases and has a population of around 23,000 people due to the hundreds of springs that supply clean drinking water (local rumour has it that it is also medicinal). Ancient Olive and Date trees are in abundance and still cultivated for harvest every year. Once home to the Oracle of Siwa (in the days of Alexander the Great) and important enough for the King of Persia to lose 50,000 men to the desert in trying to destroy; the oasis is full of history and a fascinating place to visit whilst in the western Sahara Desert.
- Fayoum Oasis – Also in the west, a man-made oasis (and the largest) centred around the natural 200km square “Lake Qaroun”. Unlike a true Oasis, the water is not supplied by underground springs and instead receives Nile water via a series of canals that irrigate the landscape. Amongst the things to see are; water wheels, ancient mosques and a number of monasteries still standing from the middle ages. Again this Oasis is the ideal spot in which to take a break from the busy life of the city and should not be missed.
Whatever piques your interest when it comes to exploring a country, Egypt has something to offer for all. If you’ve visited the Pyramids or fancy seeing what else the country has to offer, the attractions above make for an excellent start to your voyage of discovery.
