Tourist Attractions in Egypt

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Egypt

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Egypt

For many decades Egypt has been one of the most popular beach holiday destinations. Tourists from all over the world come here to relax on the picturesque shores of the Red and Mediterranean seas. The season at the well-known resorts of Hurghada, Taba, Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab lasts all year round. Egyptian hotels offer all-inclusive holidays, which is the most convenient for travellers.

The best time for travelling to Egypt is considered to be April to the first half of November. During the winter months the winds blow and the sea remains cold, although it is sunny and warm enough during the day. Many tour operators offer New Year tours with a varied holiday programme.

Top-25 Tourist Attractions in Egypt

The Great Pyramid of Giza

 4.6/5

23665 reviews

Majestic buildings of antiquity, which are about 5000 years old. The tombs of powerful pharaohs, keeping a large number of still unsolved secrets. A lot of speculation exists around the pyramids. Some researchers are of the opinion that they were erected by a non-human race or aliens.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The Great Pyramid of Giza

 4.6/5

23665 reviews

The largest of the pyramids, the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops) and his dynasty. The construction was built for more than 20 years and completed by 2260 BC. The height of the construction is 146,5 meters, it consists of 2,3 million rectangular stone blocks. The Great Pyramid is the central structure of the complex in Giza.

Open time

Great Sphinx of Giza

 4.7/5

18688 reviews

The statue of a giant lion with a human face is 73 meters long and 21 meters high. The statue is hollow inside. Such structures were used for executions and sacrifices, which is why the Egyptians call the Great Sphinx “the king/father of terror”. It also symbolized retribution and catastrophe, which according to ancient beliefs, should come from the sky.

Open time

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

 4.7/5

18611 reviews

A large museum containing a huge number of rare exhibits. A visitor will need several days to see everything. Here is the famous treasury of Tutankhamun, which occupies 8 halls. It was discovered in 1922 almost unlooted. The oldest manuscripts of the museum are more than 5000 years old.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Karnak

 4.8/5

21544 reviews

The main sanctuary of ancient Egypt of the New Kingdom era (XVI-XI centuries BC) Once the temple was a residence, treasury and administrative center of the capital of Thebes. It is located 500 km. from Cairo near Luxor. The well-preserved buildings of the temple complex attract many tourists.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Luxor Temple

 4.8/5

24644 reviews

One of the greatest creations of the ancient Egyptian civilization, where the central place is given to the supreme god Amon-Ra. It is distinguished by monumental architecture, elegant bas-reliefs, high columns and majestic statues of gods. The temple began to be erected in the period of prosperity and power of the New Kingdom under Amenhotep III.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Suez Canal

 4.4/5

7030 reviews

A man-made sea route connecting Africa and Eurasia. It was opened for navigation in 1869. The length of the canal is 161 kilometers, it starts in Port Said in the Mediterranean Sea and ends in Suez on the Red Sea. In honor of the opening of this waterway, the brilliant Italian composer Verdi wrote the opera “Aida”.

Open time

The High Dam

 4.4/5

5657 reviews

A huge 110-meter dam on the Nile River, a miracle of engineering thought. It is more than 3 km wide and 800 m thick. It was erected according to the project of Soviet engineer N. Malyshev. The hydrosystem was conceived to eliminate the consequences of floods in the 60-70s. XX century, as well as to provide the country with electric power.

Valley of the Kings

 4.8/5

14035 reviews

The burial place of many Egyptian pharaohs and nobles near Luxor. The tombs were equipped with clever traps for protection, and the entrances to them were camouflaged to hide the treasuries from the eyes of robbers. The most famous tomb belongs to Thutmose III, who initiated the burials in this place.

Open time

Abu Simbel Temples

 4.8/5

13623 reviews

Located on the shore of Lake Nasser in the depths of the Nubian desert. They are giant rock-cut statues of the gods, Pharaoh Ramses II and his wife Nefertari. The structures were erected in honor of the ruler’s victory over the Hittites. In the mid-20th century, the temples were moved to a higher place due to the construction of the Aswan hydroelectric power plant.

Open time

Monday: 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Philae Temple

 4.8/5

9750 reviews

According to ancient Egyptian beliefs, the god Osiris is buried on Philae Island in the middle of the Nile. There is a temple of the goddess Isis (wife of Osiris) and the goddess Hathor. These are the only structures of this type from the Ptolemaic dynasty that have survived to this day. The island has been under UNESCO protection since the 1980s.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Colossi of Memnon

 4.6/5

6913 reviews

They are stone 20-meter statues – the remains of the temple of Amenhotep III. The building itself has not survived. In ancient times these columns guarded the entrance to the sanctuary. For 3,5 thousand years the columns were subjected to significant destruction, only outlines of figures have reached us. In the XX century after the construction of the dam the Nile floods stopped and there was a chance to preserve the statues.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saint Catherine's Monastery

 4.7/5

3542 reviews

Located on the Sinai Peninsula, it is considered a stronghold and center of Orthodoxy in the Arab East. The monastery was erected under the Roman Emperor Justinian. In the I century A.D. it was used as a fortress for defense against nomadic raids. In the 10th century a mosque appeared on the territory, which allowed to avoid the destruction of the temple with the arrival of Islam in these parts.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Sunday: Closed

Citadel of Qaitbay

 4.4/5

39627 reviews

A medieval architectural monument in the city of Alexandria, built on the site where the Faros Lighthouse stood in ancient times. The fortress served as a defense against the fleet of the rapidly growing Ottoman Empire, but the Turks still managed to take it. For more than 500 years the fort served its intended purpose and was used as a strategic object.

Open time

Montaza Palace

 4.5/5

16392 reviews

Located in the second largest Egyptian city of Alexandria. The park complex is located on the shore of a small cosy bay. In the early XX century the royal palace – the residence of King Farouk was built here. It is a wonderful place for a holiday with picturesque beaches, Mediterranean pine trees and date palms.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Bibliotheca Alexandria

 4.6/5

7076 reviews

A modern building erected on the supposed site of the ancient destroyed Library of Alexandria. The complex includes several museums dedicated to the historical and cultural heritage of Egypt and a cinema hall. The library’s huge reading room can accommodate more than 2,000 people.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Nile

 4.1/5

195 reviews

One of the largest waterways in Africa, stretching almost 7,000 kilometres. It was the Nile that gave impetus to the development of ancient Egyptian civilisation, its fertile valleys amidst lifeless rocks that allowed people to grow crops, devise clever irrigation systems and drive engineering thought.

Colored Canyon

 4.7/5

124 reviews

A gorge in the Sinai Mountains, formed millions of years ago by a massive earthquake. At that time, a monstrous fracture of the earth’s crust occurred and a canyon of red sand with numerous intricately intertwined inclusions of purple, burgundy, white, green and yellow colours was born.

Open time

Monday: 4:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: 12:00 – 4:00 AM
Sunday: Closed

الثقب الأزرق

 5/5

48 reviews

This is the name of the round-shaped underwater hole near the resort of Dahab. The hole is more than 130 metres deep and at a distance of 50 metres from the surface there is a tunnel that connects to the Red Sea. Because of the unique beauty of the coral reef, this place attracts many divers.

Tiran Island

 4.1/5

340 reviews

An island in the Red Sea, located between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which formally owns the territory. But the Egyptian authorities have leased the island and take tourists there, as it offers a real paradise for underwater hunting enthusiasts. The island is practically uninhabited, so its unique nature is still intact.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

White Desert National Park

 5/5

30 reviews

A national park located in the north of the Farafra oasis. Millions of years ago, this was the bottom of the ocean, and from that time there are bizarre karst formations of white colour, which are now of interest to researchers and tourists. A permit is required to enter the national park, but it is easy to obtain.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Ras Mohamed Nature Reserve

 4.8/5

1920 reviews

Egypt’s oldest nature reserve, combining a piece of coastline and the waters of the Red Sea. Famous for having the most beautiful and marine life-rich coral reef in the world. The park is also home to foxes, hyenas, white storks and gazelles. At the bottom are the remains of a British ship from 1941.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Jabal Mousa

 4.7/5

2378 reviews

A mountain sacred to all Christians, where, according to beliefs, God appeared to Moses and gave him the Ten Commandments. At the top there is an Orthodox church and a small mosque. This place is popular among pilgrims, special pilgrimage ascents are organised here.

The Grand Hotel Sharm El Sheikh

 3.9/5

2834 reviews

One of the most famous Egyptian resorts with an emphasis on youth holidays. There are many bars, restaurants and club hotels. The infrastructure of the resort is developed perfectly, offering entertainment for all tastes and ages. The beaches of Sharm el-Sheikh are stone, except for Nabq Bay.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Khan el-Khalili

 4.4/5

54840 reviews

A traditional, colourful Cairo bazaar located in the historic centre of the capital. Here you can buy a huge variety of goods, from antique furniture and manuscripts to Bedouin jewellery. The market is small in size, but it is very popular with tourists and antiquities collectors.

Open time

Monday: 9:30 AM – 12:00 AM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 12:00 AM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 12:00 AM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 12:00 AM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 12:00 AM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 12:00 AM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 12:00 AM