Egypt is a prominent tourist destination in Africa, it has a very long history and great civilization.
This civilization yielded a huge number of monuments, which are now considered the backbone of tourism in Egypt.
Besides, Egypt has many other tourist attraction factors such as beaches, the Nile river cruise, diving places, oases, and resorts.
So if you are interested in Egypt vacation, you need to know more about the main tourist cities there.
Cairo
Cairo is the capital of Egypt, it is a large city located near the mouth of the Nile delta.
The city of Cairo was built during the Fatimid period, on the site of the ancient city of “Iwnu” and near the ancient Memphis.
Cairo has many attractions that make it an essential tourist destination in Egypt, for example:
- The grand Egyptian museum
- The citadel of Saladin.
- The mosque of Mohammed Ali.
- The two opposite mosques of Sultan Hassan and El-Refai.
- The hanging church of the Virgin Mary.
- Mosque of Ahmed Ibn Tulun.
Beside that, the bazaar of “Khan Al-Khalili” must be part of your tour, it is an authentic market where you can find a big variety of traditional products.
Also, never miss visiting “Muizz street”, it is a historical place where each inch bears traces from the past.
It contains many old mosques along with educational buildings called “Madrasas”.
For more entertainment, the Nile cruise in Cairo is highly recommended, it lasts for a few hours and usually includes lunch or dinner as well as some entertainment shows.
Giza
Near Cairo lies the city of “Giza” where you can see the most famous Egyptian monument “the Giza pyramids” and the sphinx.
Saqqara is also a famous historical site in Giza, where you can find the first complete pyramid built in Ancient Egypt, “the step pyramid of king Djoser”.
There are also many individual tombs in Giza, they have very significant documentation of everyday life in Ancient Egypt since various scenes from daily life decorate the walls of the tombs.
Alexandria
Alexandria is called the bride of the Mediterranean, it is located in the north of Egypt on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
It was constructed by Alexander the Great after conquering Egypt in 331 BC.
In Alexandria, you can enjoy swimming on its marvelous beaches, visiting monuments, and enjoying a delicious meal near the sea.
The main attractions in Alexandria include:
- The citadel of Qaitbay.
- The catacomb of Kom El-Shoqafa.
- The Pompey's pillar and the Serapeum.
- The roman theater in Kom El-Dikka.
- The old mosque of Abu el-Abbas El-Mursi.
Also, never miss seeing the new library of Alexandria, which was built in the same place as the ancient library.
Inside the library, there are large reading halls with a huge amount of books, as well as museums and art exhibitions.
Luxor
The city of Luxor is located in upper Egypt, it is one of the most important destinations in Egypt.
Luxor was once the capital of Ancient Egypt during the new kingdom, and it was known as “Thebes”.
It is to be noted that Luxor has a third of the whole world's monuments, so it is a must-visit city during your vacation.
The most outstanding monuments there are:
- The complex of the temples of Karnak.
- The temple of Luxor.
- Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari.
- Royal tombs in the valley of the kings.
- The mortuary temple of Ramses II, that is known as the “Ramseum”.
Also, you can see Luxor’s museum and the museum of mummification.
Furthermore, there are other delightful things to do in Luxor like the hot-air balloon rides, sound and light show in Karnak, and the Nile cruise.
The Nile River cruise is one of the most interesting things you can do in Egypt.
You may like to do a short Nile cruise by the traditional boat “Felucca”, which lasts for only a few hours.
To spend more time at the heart of the Nile river, you can do a long Nile cruise in a luxury floating hotel that may last for 5 days or more.
Aswan
Aswan lies in upper Egypt south of Luxor, usually, most tours include visiting Luxor and Aswan in one package.
It has spectacular nature and a peaceful atmosphere where you can enjoy a calm and relaxing time.
The temple of Abu Simbel is the most famous place there, it is a large rock-cut temple built by king Ramses II.
This temple was one of the rescued Nubian monuments after building the high dam.
If you have a Nile cruise in the lake of Nasser behind the high dam, you will be able to see most of those Nubian monuments.
Sharm El-Sheikh
Sharm el-Sheikh is one of Egypt's most prominent tourist cities.
It is the largest city in the governorate of South Sinai, which is located on the Red Sea coast.
It has marvelous beaches with crystal water and rich underwater life.
So Sharm el-Sheikh is very well-known for its underwater activities, scuba diving is the most interesting one.
Divers from the whole world come to it to enjoy diving and to see the different species of sea creatures, and the colorful coral reefs.
In addition, you can do a private cruise on the sea to relax, snorkel and see dolphins.
If you want to see underwater life without diving, the glass boat tour will be a great choice for you.
For shopping, a visit to the old market and the Soho square is recommended, where you can purchase nice gifts and souvenirs.
Hurghada
Hurghada was once a small fishing town on the western coast of the Red Sea, but it is now considered one of the main tourist resorts in Egypt.
It is located in the governorate of the Red Sea, and it is the most important city there.
Like sharm El-sheikh, Hurghada is also known for its beaches and diving centers.
Furthermore, a safari tour is a very exciting activity to do there.
Siwa
It is an oasis in the west of Egypt that can be considered its main natural healing spot.
It is known for the hot springs with mineral water, which is believed to be a natural therapy for many diseases.
Cleopatra’s bath is the most popular natural spring there, its name refers to the belief that queen Cleopatra was swimming in it.
Also, hot sand baths and swimming in salt lakes are other kinds of natural therapy in Siwa.
In addition to these natural attractions, Siwa comprises many ancient monuments and castles.