When it comes to ancient history and breath taking historic sights, there’s few countries that can compare with Egypt. The country is famously home to some of the greatest and most recognisable historical sites in the world, including the only remaining member of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World, the Pyramids of Giza. It’s therefore no surprise that visitors have come to see Egypt’s treasures for hundreds of years and continue to do so. Most visitors are drawn to the major sites; the Pyramids and Sphinx in Cairo, Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak in Luxor and Abu Simbel near Aswan. Yet these historic sites are just one part of Egypt’s appeal and there’s plenty more to discover and experience in this desert land.
The other major attraction in Egypt is the Red Sea Coast, along which you’ll find a number of well established resorts. The resorts of Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada continue to grow and attract plenty of visitors attracted by year round sunshine. They’re also attracted by the Red Sea, who’s warm waters offers world class diving at great prices.
There’s plenty of other history to discover in Egypt beyond the Pharaonic period. In the Sinai peninsula in the north east of the country is Mount Sinai, where Moses is said to have received the 10 Commandments. Meanwhile in the north of Egypt lies the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, the sight of the lost Great Library and Lighthouse of Alexandria. A few miles away is the town of El-Alamein, one of the key battles of World War 2 and the sights of an excellent museum.
The west of Egypt remains largely unexplored and wild, however for adventurous visitors there are spectacular oasis’s to discover. The best of these is the oasis at Siwa, which is home to natural salty swimming pools, olive groves and a unique old town. Lastly and by no means least is the Nile River, an attraction in itself. The lifeblood of Egypt, the Nile runs the length of the country and a cruise along this mighty river is an unforgettable experience. Whether you choose a day trip from Cairo, a week long live aboard cruise to Aswan or a trip on a felucca, you won’t regret it.
Egypt is located in north east Africa and links the continent with Asia. Africa’s only land border with another continent is the one between Egypt and Israel / Gaza in the north east of the country. As well as the border with Israel, Egypt also shares land borders with Libya to the west and Sudan to the south. To the north lies the Mediterranean Sea, where Egypt has a near 600 mile stretch of coastline. Egypt also has a significant Red Sea coastline in the east of the country. It extends for almost 1400 miles from the Suez Canal in the north to the Sudanese border in the south.
Egypt’s climate can simply be characterised as hot and dry. The countries location in the Middle East, ensures the country receives year round sunshine and very little rain. It’s these characteristics that attract visitors to Egypt’s Red Sea coast throughout the year, particularly during the autumn and spring months, which are the best times to visit. The summer can be unbearably hot, while the winter is still warm but can sometimes be too cool for swimming.
Elsewhere in the country the period from October to April is considered the best time to visit. Milder temperatures make it more comfortable to see the countries many historic sights. Try to avoid major holidays such as Christmas and Easter where visitors numbers from Europe increase significantly. From May to September the mercury rises significantly and temperatures regularly top 100°F. It’s bets to avoid this period as the heat can be overwhelming, although many historic sights are noticeably quieter.
Visitors to Egypt are typically attracted by either or both of it’s main attractions; the beach resorts and the Pharaonic historical sights. There’s also plenty of other amazing things to see, but’s hard to dispute the star appeal of these dual attractions. If you’ve got 2 weeks available, it’s the perfect amount of time to see both of these amazing attractions. If it’s less you might still be able to combine a bit of both or you can focus on just one. Regardless of your decision, expect a spectacular time in Egypt. Here’s some of the best things to see during your visit.
There’s no shortage of amazing historical sights in Egypt. While the top 5 is dominated by Pharaonic era sights, there’s plenty more to see beyond these.
Our top 5 best historical sights in Egypt are:
Bustling, hot and often dusty, Egypt isn’t renowned for it’s towns and cities. However spend a few days in them and you can soon come to enjoy and appreciate them.
Our top 5 best towns and cities to visit in Egypt are:
Whether it’s along the Mediterranean or Red Sea coast, there’s plenty of great beach resorts and spectacular beaches to discover.
Our top 5 best beach resorts in Egypt are:
You can drive to Morocco from the neighboring countries of Spain and Mauritania, but not Algeria, despite a nearly 2000 km long border between the two countries. Travel between Morocco and any of its neighbors comes with its fair share of challenges. At first glance, you could be mistaken for
If you love solitude, amazing landscapes, and vast open spaces, you’re going to love Western Australia. This amazing land, and the northwest in particular, is often referred to as the ‘Last Frontier’. It’s a land of endless remote possibilities and nowhere showcases this better than the amazing array of national