20 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN EGYPT

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We have all dreamed on occasion to stand alone in front of the Pyramids of Egypt. Or with crossing the waters of the Nile. Also with getting lost in the halls full of hieroglyphs in the temples of Luxor. Or with watching a sunrise in Abu Simbel, in front of the huge and eternal statues of Ramses II. Or with all of the above, of course ... Egypt is one of those destinations that put goosebumps just by naming, and it is not for less. If you have finally decided to visit this African country, surely you are wondering what is the best of egypt. Here we tell you what they are for us, the best 20 things to see and do in Egypt.

:: The best thing to see and do in Egypt ::

1. First, you must visit the Pyramids of Giza (the Great Pyramid of Cheops, Chephren and Micerino). For how many books you have read, for how many photos and videos you have seen, you will never be prepared for the sensation of contemplating their iconic silhouettes in the distance. And when you are under them and can touch their stones of more than 4,000 years of history, it will be a magical moment! Entrance to the site costs 160EGP (about € 8) and can be visited for free, although we recommend doing so with a guided tour. This tour includes guided tour, tickets and transportation to the pyramids of Giza, those of Saqqara and Memphis.

2. In the same enclosure of the Pyramids there is another essential visit from Egypt: the Sphinx, the famous sculpture with the face of a man and the body of a lion. Everything indicates that he would represent Pharaoh Kephren, but there are theories in many directions, who knows ... What is certain is that you have to take a selfie giving yourself a dizziness with her.

3. When the night takes over Cairo, a light and sound show is projected on the Pyramids. But we recommend you pass it, the price is not worth it. Peeeeero there is a trick: go to dinner at El Hadaba restaurant. It is practically at the first line of the Pyramids and from its terrace you will be able to contemplate an unforgettable sunset. If you hold on to the show, from here you can also see it (although more distance, of course, but free!). In addition the kitchen is completely homemade and the prices are very good.

4. Get lost in the halls of Egyptian Museum of Cairo, among mummies, treasures of pharaohs, statues and a thousand and one more surprises. The entrance to the museum, the Tutankhamen treasure room and the mummy room costs 300LE (about € 15) and yes, they are very well spent. Tip: do not even think about going without a guide or without having studied the most important pieces before, it is huge and you can go crazy. We visited him during our day tour in Cairo.

5. And of course, kick yourself Cairo, a chaotic, dusty and noisy city that, however, knew how to catch us. In this post we tell you 20 things to see and do in Cairo. In addition, here you will pass byuuuuro (who wants to miss the pyramids?) And is the starting point of all the circuits through Egypt (like this one).

6. Contemplate the Step Pyramid of Saqqara (or Pyramid of Zoser) is another of the things you have to do in Egypt. The reason is very simple: this pyramid, built by Imothep, was the first in history! Another pyramid that deserves a visit is the Dahshur layered pyramid and, of course, the Red pyramid (the second largest, after that of Cheops). Curiosity: did you know that the country with the most pyramids in the world is not Egypt but Sudan, where there are more than 250?

7. Since you are there, come to know the first capital of Egypt: Memphis. Although it is more interesting for its history than for what it offers the visitor today, you can see a set of necropolis, pyramids and a very interesting museum.

8. Enjoy a Nile cruise, which usually make the stretch between Luxor and Aswan. It is tired (ains those early rises) and tourist, no doubt, but it is an unforgettable experience. And no, nothing tides hehe. Here we tell you more about our experience on the Nile cruise

9. Luxor is one of the cruise stops, and there are a few interesting visits. Like for example the Luxor Temple, dedicated to God Amun, that of the wind. It is one of the best preserved temples, and that has about 3,500 years of history! It highlights an incredible facade with 6 colossi of Ramses II and inside, between huge columns and statues, a mosque and a chapel with paintings of Christians who found refuge here. These are the best temples in Egypt.

10. We continue in Luxor and take you to Karnak Temple, where you will fall in love with his hypostyle hall. Seriously, being surrounded by hundreds of columns full of hieroglyphs so well preserved is like being clothed by thousands of years of history. For us it was one of the great surprises of this trip to Egypt.

Tired? encouragement: you have 10 other things to see and do in Egypt!

11. Feel like an explorer from another time when you enter the tombs of the pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings. With the ticket, which is worth 200EGP, you have the right to enter 3 graves. We enter those of Ramses IV (KV2), Meremptah (KV8) and Ramses IX (KV6) and buah, incredible all. If you want to enter Tutankhamen, you have to pay an extra 100EGP, but it is not worth it.

12. Nor can you miss a visit to the funerary temple of Hatshepsut, one of the few queen-pharaoh that had Egypt. Unfortunately, there is almost nothing left of his images and statues, since at his death, Thutmose III (his stepson) destroyed everything he remembered to take revenge: he had snatched the throne.

13. Another interesting experience in Luxor is See the sunrise from a hot air balloon! We didn't do it, but in our group several people told us that it was a wonderful thing. The best thing is that it doesn't cost much: here you can book it online at a good price.

14. The other end of the Nile cruise is the city of Aswan, much friendlier and quieter than others. Here you have to approach to know the Philae Temple, stroll through the streets of the market, fall for the purchase of spices or perfumes and smoke a sisha in a cafeteria.

15. Move earth and sky tovisit Abu Simbel at sunrise. The early morning is championship, but we arrived first (literal) and it was something incredible. In silence, illuminated only by the dim lights of the few street lamps and by the thousands of stars, and in front of us, centuries of history. That is priceless, for us it is the best thing to do in Egypt! And yes, the excursion is expensive, but believe us it is very worth it. You can hire it online at this link.

16. The temples of Edfu and Kom OmboThey are also a pasote: the first for a very simple reason, is the largest and best preserved of all Egypt. And the second for being a double temple, dedicated to God Horus and God Sobek, with a crocodile head! Here we talk more in detail about both.

17. After so much hustle you deserve a rest. And what better way to fly to the Red Sea and enjoy a few days between colorful fish, crystalline waters and sun tanning replenishes fatigue. They say that in Sharm El Sheikh there are the best sea beds, but they also talked to us very well about Rummaged (from where there are also very interesting snorkeling tours). We will have to go to check which one is better 😉

18. While today Alexandria It is no longer the great city that was in the past, it certainly deserves a visit. Founded in 332 B.C. by Alexander the Great himself, in this place the largest library in the world was built (they say it came to house all the books ever written) and the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the greatest engineering works of the past. Ideally, spend two days here, but if you only have one there are interesting excursions from Cairo.

19. Another thing you have to do in Egypt is try its cuisine and its typical dishes. Get ready to wear purple vegetables, drink a lot of tea and smoke a lot of sisha. In this post we tell you what dishes you have to eat in Egypt.

20. Returns: a visit to Egypt is not enough to know everything the country offers, and you may be left without seeing wonders like the Medinet Habu Temple, the White Desert, the Valley of the Queens or the Dendera Temple.

Here we leave you a map with the location of the places to visit on your trip to Egypt

You see that Egypt as a destination is a real past. We have it clear: we visited it for the first time with an organized trip, but the second will be for free and for much longer.

These are the essential ones for us, The best of Egypt. Have you traveled there? Do you know more things to see and do in Egypt?