12 Tourist Attractions In Egypt For A Historical Vacation

The Egyptian Museum is the oldest archaeological museum in Cairo that encompasses over 17,000 artefacts and antiques. It's said to house the largest collection of Pharaonic antiques in the entire world, and there is no better way to kickstart your trip to Egypt. The museum features exhibits from the Pre-Dynastic Period till the Graeco-Roman Era (5500 BC - AD 364) and has over 100 exhibition galleries. Although what's inside the museum is spectacularly marvel-worthy, the museum itself is a sight to behold. The 10,000 sq meter area was designed by the French architect Marcel Dourgnon and built by the Italian company owned by Giuseppe Garozzo and Francesco Zaffrani.

Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM

Price: Starting at INR 166

Necropolis transcribes to the 'city of the dead', and is super famous for its numerous tombs and burial sites. Home to the three massive pyramids, including the 'Great Sphinx', the space showcases a complex of pyramids, temples, and other subsidiary but significant structures. The funeral complex also envelops the tombs of three pharaohs—Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. An intriguing fact is that the Pyramid of Giza is aligned with celestial bodies. To grasp the ingenuity of this era, we recommend opting for a guided tour, typically starting from INR 2,800.

Timings: 6 AM - 4 PM

Price: Starting at INR 833

The burial site of the pharaohs at the time, the Valley of Kings, is a unique and fascinating space to visit. The space was not only used for the burial of kings and their families, but many priced possessions were also said to be buried here. Designated as a heritage site, it continues to captivate the world's attention, with new finds and discoveries surfacing periodically. Representing a long tradition and a fascinating history.

Timings: 6 AM - 5 PM

Price: Starting at INR 1,666

Karnak is a historical place consisting of various temples, pylons, chapels, and other Luxor buildings. It is a place for worship that is coded with ancient history. A fascinating tale says that the Karnak temple was the point of interaction between the god Amun-Ra and Egyptians.

Timings: 6 AM - 5:30 PM

Price: Starting at INR 750

You will notice that many historical sites in Egypt have strong relationships with stars and celestial bodies. The Abu Simbel temple is one that exemplifies this connection for its visitors. This rock-cut temple is now managed by UNESCO, reflecting King Ramses II's dedication to the sun gods Amon-Re, Ptah, and Re-Horakhte. During February and October, sunlight falls and brightens three statues in wonderful ways, except the statue of Ptah (god of darkness) which remains in the dark. Numerous architects have proposed theories to explain this phenomenon, but no concrete explanation exists. This place is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates architectural ingenuity.

Timings: 5 AM - 6 PM

Price: Starting at INR 666

One of the most renowned religious centres in Egypt, Luxor Temple is a mighty place to behold. Built in sandstone by Pharaoh Amenhotep III, the temple is dedicated to the deities of Mut, Khonsu, and Amun. The entrance of the space includes the Avenue of the Sphinxes, with the separation of the walls representing the separation between deities and Egyptians. The temple is perfect for studying alignments, symbolism, axis, and orientations and is a must-visit.

Timings: 6 AM - 10 PM

Price: Starting at INR 500

A centre of ecotourism, Ras Mohmad Nature Reserve is a national park located on the Sinai Peninsula. It is the first national park in Egypt, with two protective islands and a small mangrove forest. There's a dynamic topography here with mountains, sand dunes, wadis, and coastal mud plains. You will easily spot hawksbill turtles and green turtles floating on the red marine leaf. You can also do scuba diving and snorkelling here.

Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM

Price: Starting at NR 416

Shopping is an inexcusable part of any trip, and that's why you have to make a pit stop at Khan-en-Khalili. It's the oldest and a very affordable shopping destination selling cheap souvenirs and beautiful jewellery, lanterns, and carpets. You'll also find traditional coffee shops here for a good cuppa joe.

Timings: 9:30 AM - 12:30 AM

Price: Free

To seek blessings and experience marvellous architecture, Al-Azhar Mosque is a definite visit. The building is a perfect amalgamation of different architectural styles and designs, with a tomb chamber and a niche mihrab that indicates the direction of Mecca. The city also eventually got the nickname of 'the city of thousand minarets'. 

Timings: 8 AM - 4 PM

Price: Free

Alexandria Bibliotheca is a commemorative library that contains one of the most impressive collections of books and manuscripts. Some of the major milestones that the scholars from this library achieved include Eratosthenes of Cyrene calculating the circumference of the Earth with great accuracy, Callimachus creating the first library catalogue, and many Greek and Roman works and texts used by scholars today. A visit here means sharing the same space as some of the early geniuses.

Timings: 10 AM - 2 PM (Friday Closed)

Price: Starting at INR 35

Head to Cairo Tower for a stellar view of the city. The tower's architecture is inspired by lotus flowers, formed by eight million lozenges, which also involves a revolving restaurant. With a height of 187 meters, the building is touted as the tallest tower in South Africa. You can access most of the building, but access to the top floor is still restricted.

Timings: 9 AM - 1 AM

Price: Starting at INR 123

The Hanging Church has a one-of-a-kind architecture built on the southern gate of a Roman fortress in Basilican style. You will encounter loads of palm trees and layers of stones. The place relays the history of Saint Virgin Mary's life and the inception of this Coptic Orthodox church. Plus, its roof is believed to be like Noah's ark.

Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM

Price: Free