26 December

12 Egypt Ancient Sites You Will Fall in Love With

Egypt is full of ancient sites that you can spend months to visit and it won’t even be enough.
From the Mediterranean and Red Sea Coast, to the Sudanese border in the south, many of these archaeological sites are dating back thousands of years ago.
So, if you’re worrying you might get bored of your visit, no worries; there is no chance. We promise!

Here are some of the most famous historical and sacred places, including the top ancient Egyptian monuments in Giza and the various temples in Luxor and Aswan.
Let’s start the adventure!

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Pyramids & Sphinx

Giza pyramids are one of the most amazing and popular ancient Egypt sites. They are three great pyramids which exist more than 4000 years. These three towering constructions were considered to be tombs for powerful kings and queens. Besides, one of the admirable Egyptian monuments is Sphinx; it is a superb stone carving of the body of a lion and the head of a human, it is closest to the Great Pyramid. It is carved out of an enormous block of sandstone representing an ancient Egyptian sun god.

Further Reading: How the Great Pyramids of Egypt Were Built?

Saqqara

Saqqara is a tremendous historic site; it was the capital of the ancient Egypt founded in 3000 BC by Menes. It contains major pyramids such as the first-ever pyramid, known as the Step Pyramid and the funerary complex of pharaoh Djoser.

Dahshour

Dahshour is a wonderful place that has ancient attractions including the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid. The Red Pyramid is named that for the rusty reddish tint of its red limestone stones. It was not always red because there are white limestones cased it but they are now few remain at the base of the pyramid. The name of Bent Pyramid is called that due to its unusual change of angle built by Sneferu. It has two entrances and its outer casing was made of limestone.

The Luxor Temple

The Luxor Temple was considered a sacred temple established in the 14th century BC by Amenhotep III. It is located on the east bank of the River Nile in the ancient city of Thebes. This enormous temple has manifested archways and giant statues.

Karnak Temple

Karnak Temple is one of the most prominent ancient temples in Egypt. It is situated as a part of the city of Thebes built and expanded by a succession of pharaohs. It is really a huge temple that includes many wonderful temples, sanctuaries, sphinxes, obelisks, columns, and pylons among other ancient buildings such as the Temple of Amun-Ra.

Habu Temple

Medinet Habu is a great temple complex; it is the second large temple in its size after the Karnak Temple. It is located on the West Bank of Luxor. It is well known for its perfect wall carvings and it has surprised ancient paints on its many columns; especially, in the peristyle hall.

Abu Simple Temple

Abu Simbel is an Egyptian house of a chain of gorgeous ancient Egyptian monuments, especially temples. the most famous temples there are the two Temples of Ramesses II. The twin temples were carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses. The Great Temple also includes a hall of huge statues of Ramesses II inside. It also has sophisticated carvings on all the walls and a room at the back with four statues.

Dendera Temple (Hathor Temple)

Dendera is one of the stunning places that attract tourists containing some of the best-preserved ancient Egyptian ruins including temples, tombs and a Christian chapel. For example, Hathor temple; the name of Hathor expresses a major goddess in the ancient Egyptian pantheon. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the Dendera complex. It has a grand entrance, amazing detailed carvings, hieroglyphs, and decorated ceilings.

Horus Temple

The Temple of Horus is dedicated to the falcon god Horus located in Edfu. It is one of the best-preserved temples; its entrance is guarded by two colossal granite falcons and once inside the court. It has 32 decorated columns and festival reliefs on the inner walls. Moreover, you can see in the temple at the oldest section the sacred barques (a sailing ship) and a sailing vessel of Horus carved in adorable detail.

komombo

The Temple of Kom Ombo is located in a high dune overlooking the Nile. It is a “double temple” which was dedicated to two different sets of gods. The double parts of the temple are exactly similar, everything is multiplied; two entrances, two courts, two colonnades, two hypostyle halls and two sanctuaries.

Valley of the Kings

Valley of the Kings is the burial site for many famous pharaohs such as Ramses I, Tutankhamen, and Amenhotep. It also includes about 62 ancient pharaohs. It is situated behind the Theban hills near Luxor.

Philae Temple

The island of Philae was dedicated to the cult of the goddess Isis. It is located on Agilka Island in Aswan. Philae Temple has a double colonnade directing to the main part of the temple. The temple has two facades and it contains a collection of temples. The story of Osiris was carved into many of the walls. If you go west out of the hypostyle hall to the Gate of Hadrian, you will see an image of the god Hapi, sitting in a cave at the First Cataract representing the source of the river Nile.

Consequently, you cannot miss visiting these historical Egypt ancient sites once at least. You should go to the Giza’s renowned pyramids and their elaborate burial complexes; besides, you should take around in a host of top Ancient temples in Luxor as well as the Philae Temple in Aswan.

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 Verified Trip of a lifetime We just got back from a family "trip of a lifetime" to Egypt: 3 couples arrived in Cairo from different parts of US and Canada, at different flights and times, and yet the reception and arrival coordination and documents arrangement could not have been smoother. All was arranged, and the trip was custom designed by Ahmet from GAT Tours. We were a bit apprehensive considering the issues in the Middle East, but really there never has been a moment of concern and a complete feeling of safety as we were chauffeured, flown and sailed to the various destinations of this great country of Egypt. We visited the important sites around Cairo : the fantastic, new, Grand Egyptian Museum, the pyramids, the Sphinx, Civilization Museum, the market, Citadel, and other sites. Our hotel was first class. Our voyage down the Nile from Luxor was in upgraded suites (courtesy of GAT) on top of the line Sonesta Cruise line : gourmet meals in absolute comfort! We were lucky to have Asmaa in Cairo and Simon in Luxor and Aswan to guide us through the exhilarating sites of Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Kim Ombo, Edfu, Abu Simbel etc. in a very knowledgeable and entertaining fashion. WOW !! What a trip. GAT Tours made it happen. George C.
  
 
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   Andrew C 
 154 days ago
 
 
 Verified Fantastic family trip to Cairo and Luxor. GAT tours was great Our tour guides Asmaa and Simon made our trip to Cairo and our Nile cruise so much more meaningful.
  
 
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   Marc C 
 154 days ago
 
 
 Verified Cairo and Nile Cruise This was an excellent tour! GAT Tours planned every detail and was very accommodating. We were initially going to cancel the tour considering the recent instability in the Gulf Region, however, the tour manager (Ahmed Omar) ensured our safety. We felt very safe in the hands of our tour guides (Asmaa - in Cairo and Simon in Luxor/Aswan). Both tour guides were extremely knowledgeable, personable, engaging, and advised us well on how to save time and money at the various sites and markets. Strongly recommend Asmaa and Simon as tour guides! Our travel/logistics person (Seif) was also great. He ensured our transportation, pick-ups, and meals were all on time. Everyone operating the tour was accessible and responsive via iPhone. The tour guides really showed us how rich their culture (ancient or modern) is. Highly recommend this tour: Six adults (incl. 2 seniors). My personal favorites: Valley of the Kings, GEM, and any of the evening tours of the temples!
  
 
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   Angustias R 
 155 days ago
 
 
 Verified Una agencia muy fiable Fue todo excelente desde Dina hasta Omar el representante de la agencia , los guías auténticos profesionales , nos sentimos muy agustos y protegidos
  
 
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   Neil91 
 157 days ago
 
 
 Verified Good experience overall It’s a mixed review of the tour and I will divide it into office staff and guide & drivers. Ahmed Omar in Cairo office helped us with our 5 days-Nile cruise and associated sightseeing. He was very prompt, polite and professional. As we didn’t get the morning flight on the day of our cruise, Ahmed helped us book a Luxor hotel for the night before. He also asked us for a personal favour and we obliged. Ahmed was thoughtful and offered to arrange ‘meet and greet’ at Cairo airport, in addition to the pick up on our return to Cairo after the cruise. Mr Mina met us at Cairo airport for helping with visa, Sim and money exchange. Despite Ahmed’s assurance that we would be helped with exchanging money, Mr Mina was walking out without doing that. When my wife pointed that out, he tried to blame us for not reminding him, which was not very nice! At Luxor airport, we were expecting My Ayman, but someone else came, which is fine. He was helpful and went to the hotel with us and next morning picked us up from hotel and dropped us at the cruise. We chose Sonesta star goddess for our trip and Ahmed had arranged everything. The guide Mohamed Refaat met us at 3pm. He said was a freelancer, and that he was given to us because he is a close friend of Mr Ayman. We found difficult to understand his English initially and his knowledge was just ok. He spent 20 minutes outside the Karnak temple talking about canals etc and as a result we had to rush at the end. He didn’t offer to take photos, but obliged whenever we asked. He repeated himself a lot and was not very interesting or engaging. We did think of calling the office to change him but didn’t. In Aswan, he said that we should pay for the felucca ride which was included. And then went on to say that we should pay the driver as he is not paid well and that we have to spend a lot during our Abu Simbel trip. On the final day, Mohamed went to our cruise reception and asked the person to give us an envelope and then turned around and told me to give them tips, before he leaves. That was very disrespectful behaviour and we were angry. Then we went to Abu Simbel and throughout the journey, he mostly chatted with the driver or slept. The driver, Kareem, was holding his phone with his left hand and talking while driving on the highway, which we found quite scary. Despite clearly telling Mohamed that we will not take out money using our card and that we will exchange money when we return to Aswan, after our trip finishes, he kept asking us to take money out throughout the day whenever he saw an ATM, very irritating behaviour. It left us with a bad taste. On the positive side, he was always on time, was friendly and did the basics. There were other little negative things like the car didn’t have water or tissue box, though it was sorted after informing Ahmed twice. It would have been good if someone from Gat tour contacted us directly to see if we were ok. We had to keep texting Ahmed for all minor issues, and he was always prompt. The representatives for Aswan airport and then again at Cairo airport were all on time and professional. So overall it was good. Gat tours is recommended but the guide Mohamed is definitely not.
  
 
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   Malau M 
 190 days ago
 
 
 Verified Agence au top Agence vraiment au top gestion des visites, transports, choix des hôtels malgré des changements d’horaires causer par les avions, une personne était là à chaque étape au moment de notre arrivée. Un grand merci à Dina qui nous a organisé un séjour sur mesure en famille dont nous garderons de merveilleux souvenirs
  
 
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   Anne 
 193 days ago
 
 
 Verified The best! Highly recommended! 10 out of 10 The best. Seamless from start to finish. Nothing is too much. Excellent communications. We did the Renaissance 5 day river cruise from Luxor to Aswan. 4 of us. We had our own knowledgeable and very solicitous guide who accompanied us throughout the cruise. GAT also met us at the airport and in Luxor to take us to the boat and introduce us to our tour guide. Everything on time, with clear communication. GAT also booked us the Elite sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor. Their cost was was very reasonable and it was a fabulous experience: a wonderful, clean and well designed compartment with excellent service, they even provided slippers! Mr Omar, one of the managers, based in Cairo, was superb in choreographing our entire trip. Thank you GAT
  
 
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 200 days ago
 
 
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12 Egypt Ancient Sites You Will Fall in Love With

You will read in this article

Feeling Lost ?

Pyramids & Sphinx

Saqqara

Dahshour

The Luxor Temple

Karnak Temple

Habu Temple

Abu Simple Temple

Dendera Temple (Hathor Temple)

Horus Temple

komombo

Valley of the Kings

Philae Temple

Your Journey, Your Way

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