Things to see in Egypt: the basics and must-haves

Egypt is always in the mood.

Cradle of one of the most prosperous civilizations in the ancient world, born on the banks of the Nile and with thousands of years of accumulated history, the country of the pyramids is one of those destinations that you must go to at least once in your life.

It has so much offer that The dilemma has been solved: what to see in Egypt without dying trying?

Let's be honest.

Thinking about the country of the Nile and running over names of gods and pharaohs in our heads is all one.

Monuments, tombs, mummies, temples, cruises, archaeological expeditions... Who is not attracted to a country with that capacity to evoke adventures and with so many historical jewels to see?

That endless cocktail of options makes Get to choose What to visit (and what not to) in Egypt be the first litmus test... that we have already passed for you: take note of the essential things you must see in the African country.

We started!

Things to see in Egypt yes or yes

The country of the ancient pharaohs leads the most visited destinations on the planet, so it has a more than flourishing tourism sector where you can find everything, for everyone and perfectly organized.

Take note.

The pyramids

If we ask any small child to describe something about Egypt, the 99% will draw us a pyramid. And probably 99% of adults, too.

Although the pyramids are not exclusive to there, they are the country's main icon and therefore a must see; it has more than 100 registered! It is surpassed only by its neighbor Sudan.

Among them, the trio that makes up the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that is still preserved stands out: The Pyramids of Giza.

This spectacular complex, more than 4,500 years old, houses the tombs of the pharaohs Keops, Kefrén and Micerinos, which I'm sure they sound like you.

The Egyptians fervently believed that kings were resurrected and ascended to heaven to live among the gods; that's why they designed pyramids: to contain the king's essence for all eternity. The most graphic proof of this is the Saqqara Step Pyramid, which reproduces the figure of a ladder to the sky.

The Nile

Much of Egyptian civilization owes its prosperity to the Nile River, the second longest in the world and whose waters irrigate 10 African countries. Notice how it will be, since 1,300 of its kilometers run through Egyptian lands alone.

Another mandatory activity in Egypt is embark on a cruise on its waters, Of Course; the most common? If there is an iconic one, it is the one that separates Luxor from Aswan and ends at the temples of Abu Simbel.

Not only will these cruises allow you to brag about having crossed the waters of this ancient river, but you can comfortably visit different parts of the country.

Attention Instagrammers inveterate because there is good material here: we bet that most of the photos of this trip will be of sunrises and sunsets from the deck, or of temples in the distant desert contrasting with the green shores.

Are they expensive? Well, there is everything, but for a fairly moderate price you can travel the Nile on a much more than decent boat. It's worth opting for a “normal” cruise and reserving that extra money for more visits or excursions 😉

The temples

Among all the things to see in Egypt without fail are its temples.

As you can imagine, a civilization as fervent as the Egyptian one has been leaving throughout its centuries of existence hundreds of temples across the country, places of worship for their gods and pharaohs.

Here are some of the most impressive:

Hatshepsut, which is dedicated to one of the few women who held the title of pharaoh (no, it wasn't Lola Flores): its original design is carved in the middle of the mountain in Deir-el-Bahari.
Karnak, in the city of Luxor, because archaeologists have catalogued more than 200 structures on its esplanade. And he points to the Hypostyle room because it is mandatory.
Luxor It is one of those things to see in Egypt of colossal dimensions and it is also very well preserved.
Abu Simbel: OK, it's one of the most expensive excursions, but the truth is that when you arrive, everything goes away. It is impressive to see how it was moved stone by stone to prevent the construction of the Aswan dam from flooding it between 1964 and 1968.

Its cities: Cairo and Alexandria

Visit Cairo and letting yourself be carried away by its chaos is something you are going to suffer, no matter how forewarned you go; the good news is that little by little you will get used to it and you will end up surrendered to the magic of the city that, by the way, is the most inhabited on the African continent.

Walking through its bazaars — essential is Khan El-Khalili—, touring the medieval fortress of Saladin or visiting the Coptic neighborhood are essential plans on your trip.

And yes, how could it be otherwise, the country's capital has the masterpieces of Egyptian civilization gathered in the Egyptian Museum, including the well-known Tutankhamun treasure.

If you've already visited all of the above and you still have time, we recommend one last stop: Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, it is famous for monuments that unfortunately no longer exist, such as the Lighthouse and the Library, but it is still a pleasant port city that It mixes Greek, Roman and Egyptian cultures like no other.

Tips for playing it safe and not leaving anything behind

Since this trip is one of the sugar cane producers, here are some Tips so that everything works out great:

Be careful with the date to travel: if you don't want it to become the most overwhelming trip of your life, the most recommended months are from October to April. If you think of Egypt as a cure for sleep and relaxation, change your destination. The saying “God helps those who get up early” is the law for these lands. Get up early and visit the monuments early: you'll avoid the crowds and treat yourself to spectacular sunrises.
Although you can go on your own, it is recommended that you hire a guide or an organized circuit. It would be unforgivable to walk along the same stones that saw the exploits of Tutankhamun and not know that you are doing it...
... And precisely for this reason, it doesn't hurt to review the history book before going. You will be able to get your brain used to the names of the pharaohs again and you will open your mouth to what awaits you.

And to top it off, make sure you bring a Egypt Travelogue where to write down all the things to see in Egypt during your getaway, which is not one of those things to go wherever the wind takes you, quite the contrary.

Ah! And open your eyes wide: most of the Egyptian treasures are yet to be discovered, you never know...