We recently visited Egypt and explored the country on an Intrepid tour that took us through Cairo, Aswan and Luxor. We visited so many incredible ancient sites and whilst it was difficult to pick our top ones, here are 5 of the top places to visit in Egypt.
The Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza are the last remaining wonders of the ancient world, built almost 4,500 years ago. They were built to endure an eternity and have done just that.
The pyramids are at the top of most bucket lists and they do not disappoint. Visiting the pyramids is an experience you will never forget. I’d heard stories of some people finding them underwhelming, however for us, the experience could not have been any different.
Our minds were truly blown by how incredible they were! After visiting the pyramids most tours will head to the Egyptian Museum where you will see all the treasures that were found in the pyramids and tombs.
Philae Temple
We took a motor boat cruise across the Nile to Philae Island to visit the beautiful Temple of Isis. Philae and the Temple of Isis were one of our favourite places in Egypt.
Located on an island, surrounded by the Nile – Philae was one of the most peaceful and beautiful of all the temples and sites that we visited.
Karnak Temple
Karnak Temple is often described as the most impressive of all the ancient Pharaoh’s works. Karnak is enormous and is considered to be the largest religious building ever constructed.
Karnak was amazing and there was so much to see. We particulary loved the Hypostyle Hall which had 134 columns that were covered in hieroglyphics and we were speechless walking around here.
Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel is around a three hour bus ride from Aswan as it is located right at the bottom of Egypt near the Sudanese border.
The reason you visit Abu Simbel SO early is because it is insanely hot. After 10am it gets to over 50 degrees celcius most days and so the majority of tour groups arrive by 7am and leave by 10am.
Abu Simbel is two temples which were built by the Egyptian king, Ramses II. In the 1960s, the temples were saved from the rising waters of the Nile River due to the Aswan High Dam. In a feat of engineering by countries from all around the world, the temples were cut up, moved and rebuilt.
There is an old film that is played on repeat in the visitor centre which shows footage from this and it was amazing to watch so make sure you give yourself some time to watch it.
Other than the pyramids, Abu Simbel was our favourite sight in Egypt.
Valley of the Kings
We started so early on the Valley of the Kings day because it gets insanely hot up in the Valley, which is one of the driest places on Earth! Being one of the driest places on Earth, it has created the perfect conditions to preserve the Pharaoh’s tombs.
Your tickets include entrance to three tombs. Our guide recommended we visit Rameses IX, Merenptah and Tausert/Setnakht and they were all mind-blowing! Whilst the tombs are mostly empty, the walls are adorned with colourful hieroglyphics and paintings.
Before visiting Egypt I had no idea that the hieroglyphics were still so colourful and well preserved. It was such a wonderful surprise and as this was one of our last sites in Egypt, it was so refreshing to visit such a different site to all of the others we had seen.
Egypt was incredible and the sites were unforgettable. There is an endless number of awe-inspiring sites to visit and these are our 5 must visit sites in Egypt.
What would you most like to visit in Egypt?
This post was written in collaboration with Audley Travel.
All opinions and words, as always, are our own.
