Egypt situated in North Africa is renowned the world over for its magnificent monuments and ancient attractions that have become synonymous with the historical country. Interestingly, most of all Egyptian attractions are lined up along the Great River Nile and therefore an adventure along the world’s longest river is loaded with opportunities to sample the best attractions of Egypt. The country attracts millions of tourists each year to the world-famous pyramids, great monuments of the Nile Valley, temples and mosques among many other attractions.
The greatest attraction that draws tourist to Egypt are the pyramids. Historians say that more than 80 pyramids were built on this land between 1500-2600 BC. Its interesting to know that all of these pyramids were built along the Great River Nile. The main purpose of the pyramids was to preserve the bodies of the rulers of Egypt where it was believed that the soul of the person did not die but returned so they went to great lengths by preserving the bodies and other precious objects.
1. The Awesome Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx
Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx are the most popular among visitors. The Pyramids of Giza are said to have been built by over 20,000 workers in a span of 80 years and they include the largest of all pyramids popularly known as ‘Great Pyramid’. The Great Pyramid is the oldest and largest of the three Pyramids of Giza and it is believed to have been built as a tomb for Khufu, the Fourth dynasty Egyptian king around 2560 BC. The pyramid, which stands 481 feet high, remained the tallest man-made structure in the world for more than 3500 years. The other Pyramids of Giza are Pyramid of Kafhre and the Pyramid of Menkaura, each of them being a tomb dedicated to a different king of Egypt.
On the other hand, The Great Sphinx is also considered to be one of the best known monuments of Ancient Egypt. This structure is also located in Giza and it represents the sculpture of a lion with a woman’s head. It is said to have been curved at around 2500 BC. It symbolized strength of the Pharaoh. Its measurements are as follows; body is 60m in length, 20m in height.
2. Khan al-Khalili Market
Khan al-Khalili is one of the largest markets in the world which attracts both local’s and international tourists. This is a great place to buy exotic perfume bottles, Arabic clothing and other souvenirs. Bargaining has been the way of life in these bazaars since late 14th Century and it is easy to be mislead by the sweet-tongued salesmen who abound in the market.
3. The Awesome Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities is located near to Khan al-Khalili. This Museum has thousands of artifcats in its 107 halls and the mosque boasts of the oldest university in the world established way back in AD 970. The artifacts and exhibits found in this museum have the effect of bringing Cairo to life with ceramics, arts, calligraphy and mosaic.
4. Karnak Temple
Another great attraction in Egypt is the Karnak Temple situated in modern town of Luxor, the site of the famous city of Thebes( popularly known as the city of a hundred gates). The temple is renown for its countless columns, statues and sphinxes. A row of sphinxes line the entrance to Karnak Temple and the most famous section of the temple is a huge hall called the Great Hypostyle Hall. The 50,000 sq ft hall dwarfs all the others and is one of the most visited monuments in Egypt.
5. The Theban Necropolis
The vast Theban Necropolis is located on the West Bank of the Nile and has some of the world’s greatest tombs. These are: Tombs of the Nobles, Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. Some of the highlights are the tomb of Ramses II, Tutankhamen and the tomb of Nefertari which is known to be Egypt’s finest. This tomb has been restored recently and only 150 visitors are allowed per day for ten minutes.