10 ESSENTIAL PLACES TO VISIT IN EGYPT

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There are many essential places to visit in Egypt, the well-known country of the pharaohs and one of the most important ancient civilizations in history. Egypt is undoubtedly a trip that marks all travelers and that is to see the Pyramids of Egypt and the Sphinx, reach the Temple of Abu Simbel, take a cruise on the Nile, look for the Tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of The Kings, crossing the desert or getting lost in the Kalili Bazaar in Cairo, are just some of the moments you will never forget.
After a turbulent time of revolts and insecurity, we could say that it is already a good time to travel to Egypt, especially avoiding the hottest summer months, since time is an added value to this trip.
In addition it is convenient to know that although most tourists make the trip by agency, it is also possible to do it by free, or by taking local guides. If you decide to travel to Egypt with an agency, a cheaper and safer option, you can book one of the best rated circuits by travelers such as this 8-day all-inclusive or this 11-day circuit that also includes the Red Sea.
We have to confess that we have a special affection for Egypt, since it was our first trip together and it is one of those destinations that we have in mind to return soon.
Based on the experience of our trip to Egypt in 11 days we have made a list of what we believe are, the 10 essential places to see in Egypt.

1. The Pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza, the only one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World that is preserved, is one of the most impressive places to visit in Egypt and also in the world. Located less than 20 kilometers from Cairo, the 3 great pyramids with the tombs of the pharaohs Cheops, Chephren and Mycerines, stand out above the rest of the country's monuments and pyramids.
During its construction around 2500 B.C., its exterior was covered with large blocks of limestone forming pyramids of white stone in which the sunlight was reflected and through which the pharaohs believed they would reach immortality.
Next to the Pyramids of Egypt is the always vigilant Sphinx, with its more than 20 meters high, which next to the pyramids are one of the symbols of the country.
We recommend whenever possible, visit them first thing (they open at 8 in the morning) because in this way, in addition to avoiding organized groups you can get some of the few tickets to visit inside the Pyramid of Cheops or Chephren , which should be taken into account that it is not advisable to enter if you have claustrophobia.
You can arrive by taxi from Cairo by previously setting a price, by minibus or bus. Another good option is to book this guided tour in Spanish with which you will be picked up at the hotel. In addition to the Pyramids, this tour includes the stepped Pyramid of Zoser, the first that was built in Egypt and Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, which highlights the statues of the Alabaster Sphinx and the Colossus of Ramses II.

The Pyramids of Giza

2. Abu Simbel

In Nubia, in southern Egypt, there is a place that shades in beauty to the Pyramids of Egypt, Abu Simbel. This archaeological zone stands out for the two temples carved out of rock that the great pharaoh Ramses II built in the 13th century. C. to commemorate a war victory. These two incredible temples in honor of the pharaoh and his favorite wife, Nefertari, had to move in 1968 to a higher location, as a result of the construction of a dam on the Nile River, making them even better known to the world.
Like the Pyramids, we recommend you to visit early, to avoid the hottest hours and more people, in addition to taking into account that it may be a good option to stay near the complex, to also enjoy the light show It is done at night.
To get to Abu Simbel you can do it by plane from Cairo in one day, or by bus or car, joining the convoys that leave from Aswan, where you will arrive after a journey of about 3 hours.
A good option from Aswan is also to book this guided tour in Spanish with which you will be picked up at the hotel.
Note that if you are going to spend the night, you can book this two-day tour in Spanish that includes tickets, light show and accommodation.

Abu Simbel

3. The Valley of the Kings

On the west bank of the Nile, 10 kilometers from Luxor, is the Valley of the Kings, one of the most essential places to visit in Egypt. This valley became the cemetery of most pharaohs, as well as queens and princes of the New Kingdom era and is composed of two valleys, the East and West or Valley of the Queens, where more than 60 have been found tombs
Although for reasons of security, desecration and preventing theft of their most valuable objects, the tombs were excavated in the limestone of the slopes of the valley, their entrance being hidden, as they were being discovered, they saw that they had all been looted, except for the intact tomb of the pharaoh boy, Tutankhamen that in 1922 was discovered by Howard Carter, a British archaeologist.
Buying the entrance to the Valley of the Kings, you can visit 3 tombs, we recommend those of Thutmose III, Setos I, those of Ramses IV, VI and IX, Tausert and Setnakt, taking into account that the one of Tutankhamen, which must be paid as an extra.
From Luxor you can reach the Valley of the Kings, which opens at 6 in the morning, by taxi. A good option is to book this tour with a Spanish guide where in addition to the Valley of the Kings you will visit the Temple of Hatsepsut and the Colossi of Memnón.

King's Valley

Recommended travel cards
Remember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.

4. Temple of Hatshepsut and The Colossi Memnon

The day of the excursion to the Valley of the Kings is also advisable to visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, one of the most impressive in Egypt, in addition to stopping in front of the imposing Colossi Memnon.
The Hatshepsut Temple is unique in Egypt, not only for its design, but also for being dedicated to the only female pharaoh, Queen Hatshepsut. Built by the architect Senemut, it has a part excavated in the rock and another external part with three terraces that stand out over the rest of the country's monuments. The reliefs of the temple explain the history of the queen, although many of her mentions were destroyed by her stepson Thutmose III, for revenge by having snatched the reign.
Another place that is close to the Valley of the Kings and Luxor are The Colossi Memnon, which we previously advised you to visit the same day. These two twins and huge stone figures represent Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who along with 4 other fallen colossi, presided over access to the eternal resting place of Amenhotep III.

Hatshepsut Temple

5. Karnak, one of the best places to visit in Egypt

Karnak is a set of temples located in Thebes, the region that was for more than 1000 years the capital of ancient Egypt, in which for 2000 years more than 30 pharaohs were competing and building the best temples and statues in honor of the great god Amun .
This enclosure, formed in addition to temples by chapels, obelisks, statues and a large sacred lake, is the second most tourist place in the country, behind the pyramids and another of the most essential places to visit in Egypt.
Among all the buildings, the Great Hypostyle Hall stands out, with its huge columns covered with extraordinary reliefs and hieroglyphs, in addition to the Avenue of the Sphinxes, which linked the temples of Kanar and Luxor, with ram-headed sphinxes, of which some are preserved at the entrance and that is another of the best known places of this set of temples.
To visit the temples you can do it from Luxor, it is next to the Karnak temple and is a regular stop for the Nile cruises. From the hotel you can take a taxi or book a guided tour in Spanish that includes the Temple of Luxor .

Karnak, one of the best places to visit in Egypt

6. Temple of Luxor

Built in honor of the god Amun by the pharaohs Amenhotep III and Ramses II, the Luxor Temple is located 2 kilometers from the Karnak Temple. This temple of more than 3500 years old is another of the best preserved in Egypt and stands out for its great facade, the colossi and obelisks, of which one of them is located in the center of the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
The best option to visit all the temples, if you are not an expert in Egypt, is to hire a guide, if you can be an Egyptologist, for the better history and not miss any important details.

Luxor Temple

7. Cairo

You cannot leave Egypt without visiting the largest, chaotic and populated city on the African continent, Cairo. Soon you will realize when you step on the city that traffic lights are simple objects of decoration and crossing a street will become practically an act of faith, in which you will only get through with determination.
Although Cairo is not only chaos, as you walk through the city you will discover an ancient history, good gastronomy, great contrasts between Islamic and modern tradition, always accompanied by the good humor and kindness of its people.
Another of the things you must do in the city before leaving is to haggle to the fullest in the immense bazaar of Jan el-Jalil in addition to going to the popular Tahrir Square to visit the great Egyptian Museum with the great treasure of Tutankhamen.
Also, do not stop climbing to the Citadel of Saladinom, where the most famous mosque in the city is located, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali or Alabaster Mosque, which has a spectacular viewpoint over the city.
A good option to learn more about its history and visit all its points of interest is to book this visit with a guide in Spanish.

Cairo

8. The Temple of Horus

The Temple of Horus or Edfu, the second largest temple after Karnak, is another of the places to visit in Egypt. Located on the banks of the Nile, in the city of Edfu, it began to be built under the reign of Ptolemy III in honor of the god Horus. For centuries the temple was buried underground by the desert sand, until the French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette discovered it.
This time underground allowed it to be one of the best preserved temples with statues and magnificent reliefs and being on the side of the Nile is one of the usual stops for cruise ships that cross the river.
A comfortable way to visit this temple is to book this excursion with a guide in Spanish that leaves from your hotel in Aswan or book this one that leaves from your hotel in Luxor, in both the beautiful temple of Kom Ombo is included.

Temple of Horus

9. Temple of Kom Ombo

The Temple of Kom Ombo, located on the bank of the Nile about 50 kilometers from Aswan, was the second temple we visited on the cruise on the Nile, after the Temple of Philae. This temple built by Ramses II has the peculiarity of being a double temple, having two symmetrical parts, one in honor of the god Sobek and the other to the god Haroeris.
Sobek was a god with a crocodile head and a human body, while Horus had a falcon head. As a curiosity inside the temple you can see a crocodile mummy and outside you can see reliefs with surgical instruments of the time.

Kom Ombo Temple

How to have internet in Egypt?
If you want to have internet in egypt a good option is to buy one Holafly SIM card, with which you will have internet from the moment you land, several GB of data, keeping your WhatsApp number and support service in Spanish.
You can buy your Holafly prepaid SIM card here with a 5% discount for being our reader.

10. The Nile

On the banks of the Nile, the second longest river in the world after the Amazon, most of places to visit in Egypt important. Being in one of the most desert areas of the planet, the river has always been an inexhaustible source of life and resources, transcendental for the birth and growth of Ancient Egypt.
Take a trip for free or organized, you can not miss a cruise on the Nile for several days that we assure you, it will be an experience you will not forget.
Most cruises make the route from Aswan to Luxor in 3 or 4 days, sailing at night and stopping to visit some of the most important temples.
We leave you two magnificent cruises to put the icing on a great trip through Egypt: