For many travelers, the first thing to come to mind every time someone mentions Egypt is the Giza Plateau. But beyond Giza, there is an extraordinary tapestry of civilizational history, subterranean royal tombs, desert landscapes, and vibrant coastal sanctuaries in Egypt. From Luxor to the foot of Mount Sinai, there are many places to go and see in Egypt beyond the pyramids. Here’s a definitive list of where to visit in Egypt beyond the Pyramids of Giza.
Places To Visit In Egypt Beyond Giza
Luxor
Located roughly 500 miles south of Cairo, Luxor is known as the world’s highest concentration of ancient monuments. It is divided by the Nile River into the East Bank and the West Bank.
The East Bank has two beautiful temples known as the Karnak Temple Complex and Luxor Temple. The Karnak Temple was constructed, expanded, and modified by over 30 pharaohs. Its crowning jewel is the Great Hypostyle Hall, which is a forest of 134 sandstone columns. The Luxor Temple is located in the heart of modern Luxor and is connected to Karnak by the newly restored Avenue of Sphinxes. It shines the brightest at night under spotlighting.
The West Bank has the Valley Of The Kings and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. The Valley of the Kings is carved deep into the limestone cliffs of the Theban Hills. These burial chambers have intensely vibrant wall paintings that detail The Book Of The Dead.
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Aswan & Abu Simbel
As you travel south into Upper Egypt, the Nile slows down, which weaves around emerald islands and granite boulders. This is Aswan, which is known as the historic gateway to Nubia and Africa. It houses the Philae Temple, Elephantine Island, and Abu Simbel.
Philae Temple is dedicated to Isis. It was relocated stone by stone to Agilkia Island after the High Dam floods. The best time to visit is late afternoon or evening for the sound-and-light show.
The Elephantine Island houses the traditional Nubian villages, an ancient Nilometer, and colorful mud-brick architecture. You can take a traditional wooden felucca sailboat to reach the island.
Abu Simbel are twin rock-cut temples that were built by Ramses II and features four 65-foot seated colossi guarding the entrance. It is accessible via a short flight or an early morning desert trip.
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The Nile River
If you wish to witness Upper Egypt in its historic cadence, you must board a Nile cruise or a Dahabiya sailing ship between Aswan and Luxor. This river voyage will bring you to the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the Temple of Kom Ombo.
The Temple of Kom Ombo is a unique double temple. It is symmetrically divided between Haroeris and Sobek. The temple features ancient surgical instrument engravings and also mummified crocodiles.
The Temple of Horus at Edfu is known as the most intact temple from the ancient world. It is actually dedicated to the falcon-headed god.
Alexandria
Alexandria is perched on Egypt’s northern coast and offers a dramatic shift in atmosphere. It was founded in 331 BCE by Alexander the Great. This city is known as the intellectual capital of the Greco-Roman world. You can visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Citadel of Qaitbay, and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a modern tribute to the ancient Great Library of Alexandria. It is known for housing millions of books along with rare manuscript archives and art galleries.
The Citadel of Qaitbay was built in the 15th century on the exact site of the fallen Pharos Lighthouse. It was built using recycled stones from its original structure.
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The Sinai Peninsula And The Red Sea
The eastern border of Egypt offers deep spiritual history and world-class coastal ecosystems. Positioned at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Ras Mohammed National Park is known for vibrant coral reefs. These reefs drop off into the deep ocean wall teeming with rays, sea turtles, and pelagic fish.
At the foot of Mount Sinai is located Saint catherine’s. It is one of the oldest continuously operating Christian monasteries in the world. You can take the midnight trek up to Mount Sinai to watch the sunrise over the rugged desert.
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Note: This article was compiled after verifying current publicly available business information.
Summing Up
Egypt is surely more than just the Pyramid of Giza! We have tried to list some of the best places that must be on your travel itinerary along with the famous Giza. Make sure you save this article and visit the best!
