Things to do Egypt

Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is a worldwide popular tourist destination and an amazing gateway for any visit to Egypt. Lying at the shores of Nile River in northern Egypt, the city is not only the administrative hub of the country but also a major regional cultural and historical center.

Africa's largest city, Cairo is proud of its millennial history which dates back to the Pharaohs Times. Visitors will enjoy exploring the Old Cairo and the Saladin Citadel. History lovers will be fascinated by the extensive collections of the magnificent Museum of Egyptian Antiquities among which treasures from Tutankhamun's tomb. Collectors will relish bargaining with spices, perfumes or fabrics merchants in one of the largest bazaars in the world.

The city is distinctive with its ancient monuments in juxtaposition to the modern and cosmopolitan buildings. Modern Cairo offers its visitors all the amenities of a contemporary metropolis. It boasts a wide range of accommodations and conference centers making it a leading spot in the MICE industry.

Great Pyramids of Giza

Egypt possesses over 100 pyramids spread all over its territory. Made of sandstone brick, these structures served as burial places for the rulers of Egypt since the third dynasty.

The most renowned of them, are the ‘Pyramids of Giza’ lying on the outskirts of Cairo.
These impressive structures were built as the burial places for Khufu, Khfare, and Menkaure, the three Pharaohs of the Old Kingdom.

The Pyramid of Khufu is believed to be the largest Egyptian pyramid ever made in the history and is considered as one of the seven wonders of the worlds.

The pyramid of Menkaure has 3 smaller pyramids that are subsidiary to this main pyramid and are called the queens’ pyramids. Offering a moving trip back in time, this site attracts a great tourist number every year.

The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities

The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities is the wealthiest museum in the world thanks to its extensive collections of ancient Egyptian antiquities. Lying in Tahrir Square, the heart of Cairo, since 1906, it has on display over 100,000 artefacts spread in 107 halls.

The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities commonly known as the Egyptian Museum provides a fascinating trip back on times and days of exploration through its priceless finery belonging to antique royal tombs and about 27 royal mummies from the pharaonic times.

Established in 1835 to protect the country’s ancient heritage,  the museum is housed in a building designed in consequence of an international competition organized by the UNESCO.

Old Cairo

Old Cairo, the oldest part of the city, comprises Coptic Cairo and its numerous old churches and vestiges of Roman fortifications.

This haven for strolling and relaxation away from the noisy city is a must-see attraction for any visitor to Cairo. It offers to tourists magnificent sites such as the Coptic Museum, the Babylon Fortress, the Hanging Church, the Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Mosque of Amr ibn al-'As, the first mosque built in Egypt.

Saladin Citadel (Al-Qalaa)

The Saladin Citadel, a massive medieval stone fortress built by Salah ad-Din during the XIIth century, is one of Cairo's most popular tourist attractions.

Initially used for its view on Cairo, it became a fortress and a royal city between 1176 and 1183, when Saladin decided to take advantage from its strategic location both to dominate Cairo and to defend outside attackers.

This beautiful medieval castle remains in its pristine condition. It includes two mosques which are Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad dating back to the XIIIth and XIV centuries, and the Mosque of Suleyman Pasha built during the XVIth century.

Sharm El Sheikh is one of the world's most extraordinary tourist destinations. Nestled at the southern flank of the Peninsula where the gulfs of Aqaba and Suez meet with the Red Sea, it offers a rich diversity of shopping, water sports, nightlife and dining opportunities.

Originally a small fishing village, Sharm El Sheikh has become a main destination for travellers and businessmen thanks to its diverse features of environment combining together history, tourism, industry and agriculture.

This magnificent resort offers to its visitors miles of golden beaches, extraordinary aquatic fauna and flora, shopping opportunities ranging from modern malls and traditional bazaars, and a glimpse of the impressing cultural and religious heritage of Egypt.

Business travellers will also enjoy the offered wide range of state-of-art MICE facilities which allowed the city to be referred by the UNESCO the best city in the world for peace and beauty.

Sinai Mountain

The Sinai Mountain, also called “the Mountain of Moses”, is not only one of the most important pilgrimage sites often taken up by the devout Christians, but also an exceptional tourist destination enjoying a rich historical significance and hosting some impressive geological formations.
Separated from the rest of Egypt by the Suez Canal in the west and bordered by Palestine in the east, this site is believed to be the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments from the Almighty. After climbing up the Mountain, visitors will enjoy seeing the old monuments and churches that it boasts such as the Monastery of St. Catherine and the Burning Bush in addition to Elijah's Plateau and Plain of ar-Raaha.

Ras Mohamed National Park

Ras Muhammad is the most famous national park in Egypt and one of the most famous diving sites in the world.
Located between the rich coral reefs of the Red Sea and the inland desert of the Sinai, it has become since 1983 an essential asset to the regional economic development.
The site is proud of its stunning geological features including uplifted coral reefs, alluvial plains, wadis, granite and Sandstone Mountains and soft sand dunes. The park is also home to many forms terrestrial life in addition for being the valuable breeding area for many aquatic species. It offers an outstanding experience and stunning nature viewing experiences to the visitors.

Tiran Island

Located at the entrance of the straits of Tiran, the Tiran Island is an unmissable tourist attraction in any trip to Sharm El Sheikh. It features some of the most beautiful beaches in the world with white sands and blue clear waters. The island is also a popular diving site thanks to its extensive banks of coral and a teeming marine life. The water is 1800 meters deep in this part of the Aqaba Gulf and it is very probable to spot sharks, manta rays and barracudas in the deeper waters. Even a simple boat excursion in the Tiran Island will be a unique experience thanks to the charming and unique nature of the site.

Alexandria, known as "the pearl of the Mediterranean", is the second largest city in Egypt after Cairo, with a population of 4.1 million. Located in the Mediterranean coast, it is a very important tourist resort, with a 20 km-long waterfront. Founded by the Macedonian king, Alexander the Great, the city quickly flourished into a prominent cultural, intellectual, political, and economic metropolis, the remains of which are still evident to this day.

Today, Alexandria is a commercial, economic and transportation centre, about 80% of Egypt's imports and exports go through its harbors. Its healthy economic environment attracts foreign trade and investment thanks to its convenient policy, internal stability, and trade and market liberalization. Besides to its economic environment, Alexandria's ambiance and cultural heritage distance the city from the rest of the country, although it is only 225 km away from Cairo.

This charming destination presents to every visitor the fragrance of the past, rich in history, civilization and culture. The city has attracted the greatest men of letters in the world. It was famed for its great library (which has recently been rebuilt) and the Pharos lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Alexandria also offers several fascinating insights into its proud Greek past such as Pompey’s Pillar as well as several beautiful mosques and interesting museums etc.

Bibliotheca Alexandrina

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a revival of the legendary ancient library built in classical Greek times (288 BC). This Ancient Library, holding the largest collection of manuscripts in the world, was the world's hub for human knowledge as well as the largest and the most famous center of learning and excellence in the ancient world for 600 years until it burnt down in the 3rd century.

In 2002, Bibliotheca Alexandrina was built in almost exactly the same spot, intended to recapture the spirit of the ancient library and to inherit its goals while keeping pace with the world's most advanced technological developments. Its main reading area is a single open space with eight terraces, each accommodating a different subject section, starting from the roots of knowledge (philosophy, history, religion, geography) and ending with the latest technologies.

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina also houses  a conference center, three museums, seven research centers, three permanent galleries, space for temporary exhibitions, a planetarium, a public plaza, offices, a cafeteria and all the necessary services required for such a complex. The circular form of the library also has a strong symbolic significance and an iconic presence. Its exterior wall is clad with four thousand granite blocks carved with letters from the alphabets of the world.

Alexandria National Museum

Inaugurated in 2003, Alexandria National Museum is housed in a restored Italian-style palace: Al-Saad Bassili Pasha Palace, built in 1926. The museum contains about 1,800 artifacts that narrate the history of Alexandria and Egypt throughout the ages, including the Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic and Islamic eras.

There are even some more modern pieces, including 19th century glassware, silverware, chinaware and precious jewels, which provide a sense of the richness of the court of Mohammed Ali Pasha, an Ottoman Turkish military leader who ruled Egypt from 1805 to 1848, and his descendants.

Mummies are shown in a special underground chamber (basement). Also, some of the items found during the archaeological underwater excavations in Alexandria are now on the same floor as the Greco-Roman artifacts.

Pompey’s Pillar

Pompey’s Pillar is one of the most visited attractions within the ancient city of Alexandria. It was installed and dedicated to the Roman emperor Diocletian who ruled from 284 to 305 C.E.

Erected around 292, this pillar was meant to honor the emperor for saving the city of Alexandria from a famine caused by an internal revolt against Roman rules. The column is the tallest ancient monument in Alexandria measuring 28 m height and 2.70 m base diameter.

The upper part of the base bears an inscription in Greek that says: “To the most just Emperor, tutelary of Alexandria Diocletian, the invincible, Postumus, the Prefect of Egypt (has erected this monument)”.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria

The lighthouse of Alexandria was built in the early 3rd century BC (around 296 BC) by the ruler Ptolemy I, an ex-general of Alexander the Great, on the island of Pharos. Actually, the Egyptian coast needed a landmark to help with navigation, and that was the purpose of the lighthouse for over a thousand years, until it collapsed after a series of earthquakes in the 14th century.

With a height between 115 and 150 m, it is considered as the second tallest building in the ancient world (after the Great Pyramid of Giza). Due to its height and impressive architecture, the lighthouse of Alexandria was recongnized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

In 1480, the Sultan of Egypt Qaitbay ordered the building of a castle, known as the Fort of Qaitbay, on the same spot at Pharos and with the same structure, which still stands there today. Many of the Lighthouse’s stones were used in the building of the fort, and are clearly visible due to their excessive size in comparison to surrounding masonry.

Some more remnants of the Lighthouse were discovered at the bottom of Alexandria’s Eastern Harbor by a diving team in 1994. It’s possible to view the submerged ruins today by taking an organized dive.

Hurghada, known as a party town, particularly among Europeans, is one of Egypt's leading resorts as well as an international vibrant destination, attracting each year thousands of visitors from all corners of the globe. It was a small fishing village, but today it has transformed into a world class diving destination, a spectacular retreat with 25 kilometers of golden sand and luxurious beachside hotels. The warm water is ideal for windsurfing, sailing, swimming, deep sea fishing, but above all, snorkeling and scuba diving. There are also shisha cafes, bars, restaurants and classy boutiques in Hurghada’s city center.

In addition, Hurghada is an important destination to organize congresses, conventions, seminars etc. In fact, there is a wide selection of hotels ranging from 5 star luxury accommodation to more simple and traditional Egyptian guesthouses, equipped with high standard business meeting facilities, ensuring satisfactory recreation for conference participants after a long work day.

With its year-round sunshine, and stunning scenery, Hurghada can satisfy the needs of every visitor, from scuba diving, windsurfing to desert safaris.

Red Sea Aquarium

Hurghada is one of the most exciting places in Egypt with its Marine life. With the Red Sea Aquarium, you can get a glimpse of the rich marine life within the Red Sea. There is a large variety of red sea fish such as the poisonous Stone fish, Scorpion fish, Turtles, Morays, Sea eels, big Groupers, Surgeon fish, Sharks and much more. Then, you can then enjoy a chilled drink on the large terrace overlooking the sea.

Qena

Qena is a must see destination when visiting Egypt. It gives you a chance to explore an area of Egypt only recently opened to the public. This important provincial capital, located south-west of Hurghada, offers a number of attractions to the visitors. It provides many ancient temples such as mosques of Islamic faith and some monasteries of Coptic Christianity. There are also some Pharaonic remains like Dandara's Temple which dates back to 116 B.C. and contains relics and paintings that document the start of the Pharaoh families until the emergence of Christianity.

Port Safaga

Located 50 km south of Hurghada, on the coast of the Red Sea, Safaga is one of the most popular coastal destinations in Egypt. Founded between 282 BC and 268 BC by the greek egyptians, Safaga was a small harbor village and has transformed into a commercial port and a holiday resort, known its superb diving opportunities and windsurfing conditions. Its clear water, unspoiled beaches and stiff breezes made it the ideal venue for the 1993 World Windsurfing Championships. In addition, Safaga is the closest beach resort to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings.

Known as the world’s "greatest open-air museum”, Luxor is one of the most historically rich and diverse places to explore, particularly for those interested in ancient Egypt. It is located to the south-west of Hurghada, offering its visitors truly world-class attractions and historic sites ranging from the stunning scenery of the Nile, to the Pharaoh's tombs. This exceptional destination was a monumental tourist attraction even in ancient times, when travelers from Greece and Rome flocked to Luxor to marvel at its splendor. Towers, temples, monuments and statues are everywhere. The main attractions include the Karnak Temple, the Luxor Museum, the Valley of the Kings and the Mummification Museum where you can learn the secrets of mummification. In addition, Luxor city center is crowded with souvenir shops, bazaars, markets, hotels and restaurants. You can also enjoy a boat trip on the Nile, and see the sights of Luxor from the river.

Temple of Karnak

After 100 years of foreign occupation, the New Kingdom (1550-1150 BC) of Egypt emerged, with its capital at Thebes. The capital city was embellished with grandiose temples worthy of the majesty of the pharaohs, the greatest being the Temple of Karnak.It is the biggest temple complex in the world, covering an area of 100 hectares. This massive site comprises of a number of different temples dedicated to various gods. Around 30 successive pharoahs added their own touches to the complex. Throughout the temple there are many images of the Ankh - the ancient symbol of eternal life.

Luxor Museum

Opened in 1975, the Luxor Museum offers one of the best displays of antiquities in Egypt. Its modern building is extremely spacious, housing an important collection of relics found in temples and tombs around Luxor and the Theban Necropolis. The facade of the museum is designed to face the Nile, giving guests a spectacular view of the great river while exploring the sumptuous displays of the museum.

Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is the setting where the burial tombs of the New Kingdom Pharaohs are located. Situated on the West bank of the Nile, it contains 63 magnificent royal tombs and 20 unfinished pits from the New Kingdom period (1550–1069 BC). The Valley of the Kings was chosen as the royal burial place for several reasons the main of which is the quality of its limestone bedrock which is solid, strong, and at least in some areas, relatively free of cracks and fractures.