Egypt is considered the oldest travel destination worldwide, as its beauty and incredible architecture have enticed explorers for thousands of years. Egypt is a transcontinental country that sits between the northeast corner of Africa and the southwest corner of Asia. Consequently, Egypt is a predominantly Islamic country, meaning that it’s a cultural experience with traditions such as Ramadan, Eid, and Qurbani taking place at various times throughout the year. Egypt is filled with stunning temples, fascinating pyramids, ancient monuments, and a multitude of natural attractions. It’s certainly a country that isn’t to be missed off any traveler’s bucket list.
Giza Necropolis
First up on the list of can’t miss destinations for Egypt is Giza Necropolis, which is regarded as one of the most notable locations in the world. Although most people associate Giza solely with the pyramids and the sphinx that drive the majority of tourists to this location, it’s actually abundant in modern architecture. In fact, you’ll find pulsing nightclubs, huge shopping complexes, famous restaurants, and luxury hotels in the city. The three main pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs, including Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. As well as this, the surrounding pyramids were built for the burial of their wives and other regal family members.
Luxor
Although the pyramids were once the ancient capital, the power has since shifted to Luxor. This area is enriched by gold mined in the deserts, which is responsible for the area’s political and cultural prominence. Despite this, Luxor has since been described as the world’s largest open-air museum, which is why it’s one of the most predominant tourist destinations. Luxor is filled with things to do and see, including tombs, temples, and everything in between. Make sure you set aside a couple of days to allow enough time to experience Luxor, otherwise you’ll be rushed through your visit.
Cairo
Cairo is Egypt’s capital city and is home to upwards of 17 million people. Although it’s a medieval Islamic city, it’s since been modernized and industrialized to suit a modern society. Cairo is a particularly dusty city that is filled with beige buildings, each of which is topped with satellites. Despite this, it’s by no means old fashioned and is a hotspot for cruises to embark on up and down the Nile. It’s not all about the modern things to do in Cairo either; there are a handful of historic mosques that need to be visited when you find yourself in the city.
Aswan
The aforementioned locations are all filled with hustle and bustle; however, Aswan presents a contrast. Aswan is a much more relaxed location that sits beside the Nile with smaller monuments when compared to its counterparts. This is one of Egypt’s most picturesque cities, with granite cliffs and shallow white-water rapids. In fact, the granite quarries are what put this city on the map, as Aswan’s granite was responsible for building the multiple obelisks of Luxor. In addition to these quarries, you’ll find two stone temples, as well as a handful of other monuments. This is the perfect location for serenity seekers across the globe.
Dahshur
Dahshur is a small village that sits just below Cairo and is home to some pyramids that aren’t as famous as the Pyramids of Giza. It isn’t until recently that this location could actually be visited, as it was a restricted military zone until 1996. 11 pharaohs were buried in this location; however, they still weren’t able to compete with the original pharaohs. Despite this, the Red Pyramid can be found here, and this is the oldest true pyramid in Egypt.