Egypt: Best Places to Visit in Egypt

#egypt #africa #alexandria #cairo
Egypt – the place reflects a glorious history and fascinating sculptures. A trip to Egypt will surely become a lifetime experience. The awe-inspiring pyramids and temples have always captured the imagination of travellers for an eternity. Ancient monuments, natural attractions, warm people, superb cuisines – you will find plenty of reasons to visit the place. Read this blog to know about the places you must visit once you are in Egypt.

Alexandria

Alexandria is the second-largest city in Egypt and a prominent seaport. It is located at a prime spot on the edge of the Mediterranean sea. Established in 331 BC by Alexander the Great, Alexandria was once considered to be the crossroad of the world. Pharaohs like Cleopatra ruled the entire country from this city. During 30 BC, the nation fell to Rome.

Alexandria is a centre for literature and arts. The city’s Roman Theatre features amazing marble seating and mosaic flooring is a remnant of the city’s Roman occupation. Visit the place for its cultural attractions and stunning glimpses of the past.

Also, during your stay, visit the city library. It was ruined by the earthquake during the 14th century and over 50,00, 00 books were destroyed. Now, a new city library is built next to it. For historical enthusiasts, Alexandria National Museum is a must-visit. Its artefacts are arranged chronologically and reflect the glories of the Greco Roman Period, Islamic age, and Coptic era.

The lighthouse at Alexandria is yet another prominent feature. The towering structure is considered one of the seven wonders in the ancient world. It crumbled into the sea during a heavy earthquake. Scuba divers can find massive statues and stones lying on the seabed.

If you have a turn to taste local cuisines, try Foul Fava bean dip with tahini, falafel, and tomato salsa. Also, taste fondue is made up of 7 different cheese mixtures. You will also find various types of seafood and liver sandwiches in Alexandria.

For shopping, hit FSW Shoe Warehouse, Alexandria Homemaker Centre, Victoria’s Basement, White Runway, Pacers Running, Fibre Space, The Hour, The Shoe Hive, Red Bam Mercantile, Hooray for Books, etc.

Alexandria International Airport is the nearest one to the city, located at a distance of 10 km from the city centre. Hire public or private transport to reach your destination.

Cairo

Established on the banks of the Nile River, Cairo is the capital city of Egypt. It is a medieval Islamic city that houses over 17 million people. Situated near the ancient capital city called Memphis, Cairo is one of the famous and crowded starting points for cruising up the Nile. You can explore the Pyramids at Giza outside the city limits.

The famous Egyptian Museum of Tahrir Square is situated in Cairo. Here, you can get a close view of the treasures of Tutankamun, mummies, and other artefacts of ancient Egypt. Also, pay a visit to the city’s great masques. Some of these date back to the 9th century when the Fatimids considered the city to be their capital.

The oldest mosque in Cairo is the Ibn Tulun Mosque. Apart from that, the mosque of Mohammed Ali Pasha or the Alabaster Mosque is a must-visit. Its gleaming white edifice is sure to stun you.

Immerse yourself in the bustling life of Cairo. Embrace the warm crowd and shop at the city’s lively marketplaces. You can also smoke shisha in the local Ahwaz. Boat rides on the Nile are also quite common in Cairo.

If you are a shopaholic, you cannot overlook Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, Street of the Tentmakers, Souk al-Fustat, Cairo Festival City Mall, City Stars Mall, Mall of Arabia Cairo, etc. 

Cairo has a plethora of delicacies to charm your tastebuds. Once here, try Falafel, Ful Medames, Molokhia, Koshary, Mesakaa, Feteer Meshaltet, etc.

Cairo airport is the nearest one from the city, located at a distance of 15.2 km away from the city centre. Private and public transports are available right outside the airport to help you reach your destination.

Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh is one of the popular resort towns in the country. Located at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula, the place is a popular tourist destination. With its deep blue water bordering golden beaches, Sharm has its airport.

Once an old fishing village, Sharm has more to offer than sunbathing. The place is known as the City of Peace. Various international peace talks are often hosted here. It is one of the most famous scuba diving spots in the world. If you visit the place, try snorkelling and scuba diving. Various extraordinary reefs around Ras Mohammed National Park and Tiran Islands offer surprisingly colourful marine life.

As an ideal spot for fly and flop holidays, Sharm El Sheikh is an amazing place for adventure enthusiasts. Located at the tip of the Peninsula, the place offers access into the desert. Here, you can visit Bedouin camps and also climb Mount Sinai. Enjoy a spectacular view of the sunrise here.

During your trip to Sharm El Sheikh, try lip-smacking delicacies like Baklawah (nuts, honey, filo dough), Um Ally (raising cake soaked in milk), Konafa, and Katayef.

Some of the shopping destinations in the town include Soho Square Sharm El Sheikh, Khan El Sheikh, Genena City, etc. Visit these places for buying various gift items.

Located 15 km away from the city centre, Sharm El Sheikh is the nearest airport to land and reach the city. Various options of private and public transport are available at the airport gate to help you reach your destination.

Hurghada

A resort town by the Red Sea – Hurghada is a leisure destination for global tourists. People consider it to be a popular alternative to Dahab and Sharm El Sheikh. It is now one of the most-visited destinations in Egypt. Numerous beaches and warm water will surely offer you a relaxing experience.

The place was a simple fishing village once. Now it has emerged as a resort town with numerous high-end hotels along the sea line. The place is renowned for scuba diving, coral reefs, and watersports such as jet-skiing, windsurfing, snorkelling, etc.

Should you seek to admire the fascinating marine life, plan a trip on glass-bottom boats. Also, visit Nile Valley and the city of Luxor during your stay at Hurghada.

There are several restaurants you may hit to try local cuisines and seafood. Here are a few to mention: Star Fish, The Heaven Restaurant, El Halaka, Kan Zaman, El Dar Darak, Sofra, The Smokey, Malu’s Deli, Granada, Puddleduck Bar and Restaurant, etc.

If you are a shopaholic, check out Senzo Mall, Cleopatra Centre, Esplanade Mall, Ad-Dahar Sheraton Street, Sakkara, Downtown, Morgana Gallery, etc.

Hurghada is the nearest airport to the city, located at a distance of 7.6 km from the city centre. You can hire a taxicab or a bus to reach your hotel.

Luxor

Luxor is the hub of the largest open-air museum in the world. It is one of the most popular travel destinations in Egypt. From tombs to temples – there are so many things to explore while you are in Luxor. All you need is to spend a couple of days there.

Most of the city attractions are located around the east and west banks of the Nile. Karnak temple is situated on the east bank of the Nile. The temple city was built in 2000 years. Though the complex of Karnak has four parts, the main structure or the Temple of Amun is the one open for the public.

The large religious building has a massive structure and breathtaking view. The stone forest is made up of 134 columns with a height of 69 feet. On the other side of the Nile, you can witness the homes of many pits, burial chambers, and tombs. Some of the tombs demand you to buy tickets while others will let you enter for free. King Tutankhamun’s tomb is a must-watch here.

Should you look to try Egyptian food, check out 1886 restaurants, Gerda’s garden, Koshari Alzaeem, Wenkie’s German Ice Cream and Ice Cofee parlour, etc.

To buy souvenirs and art handicrafts, visit Lotus Bazar, Abdin Art Gallery, Nobles Art Gallery, Luxor Art Galery, Caravanserai, and Luxor Market. From clothes to antique items – the shops are filled with lots of items to buy. You can also take a stroll around the bank of the Nile. 

Located 18 km away from the city centre, Luxor international airport is the best airport to land at during your trip to Luxor. You can avail of any public or private transport to reach your hotel.
 
Egypt is full of mystery, history, culture, art, and a vibrant lifestyle. No matter whether you are a cultural enthusiast, history lover, art collector, or travel lover, Egypt will surely charm you. The warm welcome of the people will also melt your heart. You can also attend various festivals that take place in Egypt at different times of the year. Plan a trip there and you will get a lifetime experience.