We tell you what you can see during your holidays in Egypt, in addition to the Red Sea. Sights of Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Giz.
Egypt is the most visited foreign country by Russian tourists. Here summer is all year round, which gives a magnificent beach holiday on the coast of the Red and Mediterranean Seas.
Where to find cheap tickets? This is most conveniently done using the search engines Aviasales and Skyscanner. To find the best price, check both and see tickets for different dates. Read also the instructions on how to search for cheap flights correctly.
What to see in Egypt?
What is the first place to see in Egypt? Of course, pyramids at Giza - eternal and imperishable, the hallmark of Egypt. There are about a hundred of them, located on the left, western bank of the Nile River on the site of the ancient capital Memphis. The best-preserved pyramids of Cheops, Khephren and Mikerin are best preserved. They can be seen 25 km southwest of the center of Cairo. In the evenings, illuminated pyramids look mesmerizing. Here, at the base of the Giza plateau, there are burial churches and the Great Sphinx. You can get to Giza by buses 355/357 from the airport and from Heliopolis. It is better to plan an inspection in the morning, with the opening of the entrance to the pyramids. The ticket price is approximately 80 Egyptian pounds (EGP).
The second most important attraction in Egypt, which must be seen - Luxor, interesting for its "city of the dead". Architectural monuments are associated with the names of famous pharaohs: Ramses and Tutankhamun, Seti I and Amenhotep, Thutmose and Queen Hatshepsut. Tourists get acquainted with the Luxor and Karnak temples, the necropolis in the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, where the tomb of Nefertari, the wife of Ramses II, is of interest.
From the Egyptian capital and important resorts to Luxor, which is located on the western bank of the Nile, is a considerable distance. Therefore, the best mode of transport to visit this city will be air (although Egipt Air tickets are not cheap - from $ 100 one way). From Cairo, planes leave daily. It is more convenient to get acquainted with the sights in the morning, when it is not so hot: their opening hours are from 6 (7) to 16 (22) hours. The cost of the entrance ticket is from 50 to 100 EGP.
You can also see the dam in Egypt Aswan - in its construction in the 60s. XX century. builders from the USSR took part. The large-scale structure has become a landmark not only for the city, but for the entire country. It is more convenient to get to Aswan from Luxor - the road will take about 5 hours. Dam inspection cost - 20 EGP.
What is there to see in Hurghada?
In Hurghada, in addition to the Red Sea, there are enough interesting sights that can be added to a beach holiday. They are located both in the city and in its environs. What to see in Hurghada:
- Abdulhasan Elshazi Mosque;
- palace "1000 and 1 night";
- aquarium;
- monasteries of st. Paul and St. Anthony.
The Abdulhasan Elshazi Mosque is located on the Aldahaar mosque (Central District). The entrance is free, it is better to get there by taxi or by bus with a guided tour.
Palace "1000 and 1 Night" is located 10 km from the airport and 17 km from the center of Hurghada (Safaga Road). It is more convenient to get there by sightseeing bus or taxi. You can get to the Palace by paying about 20 USD.
The aquarium is located on the territory of the Sea Life Hotel in the old district of El Dahar. This is the only attraction in the world, where many representatives of the flora and fauna of the Red Sea are represented. You can get to know them both with a guide or on your own. You can get there with an excursion group by bus or local minibuses. The entrance ticket costs approximately 15 EGP. The aquarium is open from 10 am to 10 pm.
The active monasteries of St. Antonia are at a distance of 45 km from Hurghada. The oldest Christian monasteries in the world appeared in about 356 AD. and attract attention with four ancient churches and a spring flowing from a 350-meter height. Monasteries are open from 9 am to 5 pm. It is more convenient to get there with a guided tour, which costs about 55 USD.
What to see in Sharm El Sheikh
In the popular Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, you must see:
- Colored canyon;
- Ras Mohammed Nature Reserve;
- the Great Mosque and the El Mustafa Mosque;
- ice skating rink in Soho;
- water park "Cleo-Park".
Ras Mohammed National Park is 25 km from Sharm El Sheikh. It is better to visit it with a guided tour or by renting a car. It is open from 8 am to 5 pm, entrance will cost 10 USD, including 5 USD per car.
The Grand Mosque in Sharm El Sheikh is located near the pier. The main Muslim temple appeared here in 2007 and is considered the largest on the Sinai Peninsula. And the El Mustafa Mosque is located in the residential area of Hai Nur. These two landmarks are visible from afar and adorn the city.
Tourists arriving in Sharm el-Sheikh can come to the ice skating rink in the Soho shopping center by taxi from anywhere in the city. A local transition from summer to winter, taking into account the rental of skates, will cost about 20 USD.
Another attraction of Egypt that is worth seeing in Sharm el-Sheikh is the Colored Canyon, an unusual multi-colored gorge in the Sinai Mountains. It is located at a distance of 150 km from the city and the best way to visit it is to use an excursion jeep. These multi-colored rocks leave the most vivid impressions. An excursion here will cost about 50 USD.
The Cleo-Park water park will give a lot of adrenaline not only to adults, but also to children. It is located in the Naami Bay area, next to the Hilton hotel. The amusement park is open from 10 am to 5 pm, for 35 USD adults can frolic in it like children, together with children.
Cairo landmarks
The capital of Egypt is a real metropolis full of ancient architectural structures and recently erected buildings that deserve the attention of tourists. What can be seen in the capital of Egypt - Cairo:
- Ibn Tulun Mosque;
- Sultan Hassan Mosque;
- Citadel and Fort;
- Khan el-Khalili market;
- The Coptic Quarter in the Old City;
- Cairo Egyptian Museum.
One of the many Muslim temples, the Ibn Tulun Mosque settled between the Citadel and the Old City. It occupies a significant area and is considered the oldest in Cairo. Its inspection is free, requires suitable clothing and a change of shoes at the entrance.
The Sultan Hassan Mosque stands on El qalaa Square, near the Citadel. It can be reached by taxi and minibus, as well as by the Sadat metro, which is 3 km away.
The citadel is ranked among the main city attractions. The fort that appeared here in the Middle Ages played a decisive role in the history of Egypt. It is located on the spur of Mokattam Hill, not far from the historic city center near Calaa Square. From here to the Citadel 5 minutes walk. You can get here from other places of the capital by minibus. The entrance ticket costs 50 EGP.
The colorful eastern market of Khan el-Khalili opened back in 1292. It works from Monday to Saturday until late at night, the shops on the territory are open from 10 to 21 hours. You can buy almost anything your heart desires. You just always need to bargain with the seller. The bazaar is located near the Citadel, it is very easy to get here by taxi for 10-15 EGP.
Well, the main thing to see in Cairo is the Old City and the Coptic Quarter, an island of Christianity in a Muslim city. Six Christian churches (including the Hanging Church of the Virgin Mary and Abu Serg) and monasteries have survived in the Coptic Quarter; it is interesting to look into the Coptic Museum and the Babylon Fortress. In general, the Coptic Quarter looks very atmospheric. You can get to it by metro - Mar Girgis station.
Alexandria and its attractions
Alexandria is one of the most ancient cities in Egypt, during its long history it was influenced by the Arabs, the Greeks, then the Romans - that is why elements of these three cultures are bizarrely combined in it.The city is named, as you might guess, in honor of the famous commander Alexander the Great.
In Alexandria, it's worth getting to know:
- The Royal Museum of Jewelery;
- Fort Kite Bay;
- the palace and park of Montazah;
- the catacombs of Kom al-Shawkaf;
- the Abul-Abbas al-Mursi mosque.
The Royal Treasury Museum is located in the suburbs, three blocks from the Corniche and is served by tram # 2 at the Kasr Safa stop. You can admire the delightful exposition daily from 9 am to 4 pm by paying 20 EGP.
Fort Kite Bay appeared in the 15th century. on the site of the Pharos lighthouse. Its round towers with embrasures overlooking the sea are located on the edge of the headland of the Eastern Bay of the Mediterranean Sea. People get here on foot, first reaching the Anfushi area by tram number 15. The fort is open for visits every day from 9 to 14 hours. Not far from the fort there is an openwork mosque of Abul-Abbas al-Mursi, which is very revered by Muslims.
The catacombs of Kom ash-Shawkafa are an underground architectural complex of the 2nd century. Here, in three levels, there is a necropolis of noble families of that time, the two lower ones have already been flooded. Opening hours from 9 am to 5 pm, ticket price is about 35 EGР.
The beautiful Montazah Palace, built on the Mediterranean coast, is definitely worth seeing while on holiday in Egypt. And although it is impossible to get into the palace itself, tourists have the opportunity to admire the architecture of the palace and stroll through the adjacent park with tropical plants. The entrance to the park costs about $ 2. You can get to the palace from Mahatta Masra by buses No. 250 and 728, and from Orabi Square - No. 260.
