From pyramids, temples, sphinxes, and mausoleums to cruises on the Nile, diving, dunes, and quiet beaches. In The Happy Traveler, we want to share with you a review of the must-see cities in Egypt to get to know this ancient territory. The country, located in northeast Africa, has a vast history to know. To give you a brief idea, the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt dates back to 3150 B.C., almost five thousand years ago. From that date until 332 B.C., there was what we know as Ancient Egypt: the splendor of the Egyptian Pharaohs, the Egyptian civilization, its hieroglyphic writing system, the construction of monumental pyramids, temples, obelisks, and sphinxes.
There are few Egypt Cities in the world like Cairo. What is now a metropolis was founded in 116 A.D. It has been in existence for almost two thousand years! Through it have passed ancient Egyptians, Romans, Christians, Muslims, and the Arab world. Its name comes from the Fatimid Al-Qahira which means the victorious city.
Of Egypt’s cities, Cairo is located on the banks and islands of the great Nile. The capital of Egypt is the largest city in the Arab world, at least in Africa and the Middle East; with 16 million inhabitants, it is the most populous city on the African continent.
2. Alexandria
Alexandria is one of Egypt’s cities and is as beautiful as it is well-known, it seems more magical the more history you find in its streets. The city was founded in 331 B.C. and, like other cities in Egypt, today it is a metropolis with almost five million inhabitants, the second most important after Cairo. Alexandria is one of the most significant ports in the history of the West, today, it is still the main port of Egypt.
The city is remembered for having been a cultural center of the ancient world. You have probably heard of the Library of Alexandria: the most important icon of knowledge and science in antiquity.
Here you can not miss the Pompey Column, located in the archaeological park of Alexandria. This was part of the temple of Serapeus and is the largest column of its kind built outside of Rome or Constantinople.
Just 20 kilometers from Cairo is the city of Giza. Known for its three pyramids (Cheops, Kephren and Mikerinos), the Sphinx and the rest of the necropolis. thereforeThese constructions are more than 4,600 years old, and you notice it when you arrive because the hair stands on end with these monuments. The great pyramid of this place is the only one of the seven wonders of antiquity that has come down to our time, it is impossible to miss it! Its dimensions are colossal: 146 meters high and a surface of 230 square meters.
Luxor is an Egypt Cities town built on the ruins of the city of Thebes, the capital of several periods of Ancient Egypt. Compared to Cairo, therefore this population is small: barely half a million people inhabit it. Like many major cities in Egypt, Luxor is also located on the banks of the ancient Nile, its climate is hot and dry.
The city of Luxor is known for housing the great temples of ancient Egypt, and the most famous necropolis where many Pharaohs and nobles were buried. That is why, among the cities of Egypt, in Luxor, you cannot miss the impressive Egyptian Temple of Karnak. It was built in the 15th century B.C. and the building is so majestic that it takes you back 3,500 years in time to the time of its splendor.
5. Esna
Esna, in Egypt: what to see, how to visit, and all the information you need, Esna is a small town in Upper Egypt known for several reasons. One of them, for being the starting point of many cruises on the Nile, because here is the lock of Esna, which makes possible the crossing from here to Aswan. The other is its temple, which retains some elements of great beauty. On this page, we tell you more details about what to visit and how to travel to Esna. Egypt Exclusive makes it easy, as we can plan the whole experience for you.
Edfu is an Egypt Cities located on the west bank of the Nile River, the place chosen by its founders is a wide and fertile valley protected from the annual floods that presented the Nile until the construction of the High Dam. The city is located about 90 km south of Luxor. It functioned as a commercial and religious center and with a large production of sugar and ceramics.
therefore Beginning its construction in 237 B.C. by Ptolemy III Evérgetes I. In the year 212 B.C. the works of the inner part had been concluded by Ptolemy IV Philopator, and it was decorated in 142 B.C. by Ptolemy VIII Evérgetes II who also finished the first hypostyle hall. The entire work was not completed until 57 BC with the placement of the doors.
7. Kom Ombo
The temple of Kom Ombo is the main attraction of this city in Upper Egypt. It is one of the most beautiful in the south of the country. In addition to this building, there are a number of other proposals that may be of interest to those who come to visit here, whether on board a cruise on the Nile or by other means of transportation.
On this page, we present all the information you need to know to organize your tourist visit to Kom Ombo. Our agency, Egypt Exclusive, therefore can take care of this for you, as we have extensive experience and a portfolio of highly professional suppliers. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.
Aswan is another of Egypt’s cities on the banks of the Nile River. With 220,000 inhabitants, is the third most populated of Egypt, and is about 250 kilometers from Luxor (so you can continue down south to know the city). In the gateway to Africa, as Aswan is also known, you can visit from ancient monuments, to enjoy its small islands and palm trees; here you can also take a cruise in the traditional faluccas and enjoy the silhouette of the Nile.
The city can be reached by landing at Daraw Airport, and then taking a cab or bus to Aswan. A magical way to visit the city is to sail south from Luxor on the Nile.
9. Abu Simbel
Leaving Egypt without visiting Abu Simbel would be a real shame. Especially for those who take a cruise on the Nile because, although these monuments are at the southern tip of the country, not too far from the city of Aswan, where usually end almost all river circuits.
It would be a shame because it is one of the most spectacular constructions of the country and one that best exemplifies the magnificence of ancient Egypt. Therefore, thousands of people come here every day to visit Abu Simbel, ready to discover in person one of the most photographed tourist attractions in the country. And in these lines we tell you everything you need to know about it
Abu Simbel is located in the extreme south of Egypt, on the western shore of Lake Nasser, just a few kilometers from the border with Sudan. There are no cities worth mentioning around it. Therefore, visiting Abu Simbel entails planning a specific excursion, as it is not on the way to any other visitable destination.
10. Sharm el-Sheikh
While in Egypt we marvel again and again at its antiquity, this country also surprises us with its modernity and its Western part. The city of Sharm el-Sheikh is the most modern city in the country, and perhaps the westernmost. At the southern tip of the Sinai and on the coast of the Red Sea, Sharm el-Sheikh was born as a small and humble fishing village.
Do not find it strange that most of the employees of the city are of European origin, this city was born to be enjoyed by tourism, although it was also created to be an Egyptian naval base. Here you can dive, snorkel, eat, and party, and if we go on with the list, we probably won’t finish. The truth is that you can’t miss the scenery, the food, the activities and the nightlife of Sharm el-Sheikh.
The peaceful Marsa Alam is another of the cities of Egypt located on the coast of the Red Sea that you should be encouraged to visit. It is located almost at the same level as Aswan, a little further south, so if you finish touring the wonders of Ancient Egypt in this city, you can travel from there to Marsa Alam and rest a few days.
Marsa Alam is a quiet destination, with lots of nature around it. Its beaches and spectacular seabed are its great tourist attractions. Because, unlike other cities in Egypt, here you will not find monuments of interest. In fact, the city is gradually growing and opening up to tourism.
Note of this is given by the many luxury resorts that have been built in recent years in the vicinity of Marsa Alam. Around them and their beaches is where the greatest movement takes place.
Like the previous ones, Marsa Alam is very sought after by diving enthusiasts. The marine life in this area is exceptional. Even the Red Sea here is famous for being a favorable habitat for dolphins and for the famous dugongs or sea cows.
Hurghada is a pioneer in tourism in Egypt. It was the first major sun and beach resort destination to take off. Especially since the 1980s, when it was the object of massive real estate investments to build some of the best resorts that can be found in the country today.
Its great attraction lies, above all, in the beauty that exists in the waters of the Red Sea: it is one of the most suitable places for diving or snorkeling, not only of this Egyptian coast but of the whole world. Moreover, the guarantee of sunshine and warmth all year round sustains tourism in Hurghada in any season, is very popular, especially among Russian travelers, although it is fully open to tourists from all backgrounds.
Finally, Egypt is a dream vacation destination for those who want to discover the extraordinary world of antiquity. Enjoy your vacation in Egypt with vacation packages to Egypt
