The sights you MUST see in Egypt

The Sphinx

The Giza Pyramids Plateau is just 10 Kms from Cairo. The Sphinx is open 8.30am-4.30pm daily and the office can be contacted at +2023838823. The Sphinx was carved out of limestone and is was named so by the Greeks - it has the body of a lion and a head of a woman - one of Egypt’s most fantastic monuments.

Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu)

Cairo, Egypt The Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu) is open 8.30am-4.30pm daily and the office can be contacted at +2023838823. It is the oldest and largest of the pyramids on the Giza Plateau. It contains and estimated 2.3 million blocks averaging 2.5 tons. You cannot climb the pyramid anymore, but you can go inside it and look around at the King’s and Queen’s chambers.

The Pyramid Sound and Light Show

Open these hours: Winter: 6.30 pm, 7.30pm, 8.30 pm daily; summer: 8.30pm, 9.30pm, 10.30pm daily and the office can be contacted at +2023857320. This is an awesome light show of the Sphinx and Pyramids and three times a night there is a story that goes along with it – you’ll hear the narration by Omar Sharif. Touristy, but an incredible sight to behold - make sure you see it.

The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities

This amazing Museum is on Midan Tahrir in central Cairo behind the Nile Hilton, the office number is +2025742681. The Egyptian Museum is open the hours: 9am-5pm daily. It has the world's greatest collections of Egyptian artifacts - more than 136,000 artifacts from every period of pre- Islamic Egyptian history and on the top floor is a mummy museum, which has the mummy’s of Egypt's mightiest Pharaohs. King Tut’s exhibit is a must see – and the Pharaonic jewellery collection is beautiful and timeless.

The Citadel

Just 13 Kms far form downtown Cairo, near Khan el Khalil, the Citadel is open from 8am-5pm daily and the office can be contacted on +2025129619. The Citadel offers breathtaking views of Islamic Cairo and it is in a castle setting. It was built in the 12th century and it has characteristics of Mohammed Ali - the early 19th century leader who freed Egypt of the Mameluk reign and begat Egypt’s Royal lineage.

An-Nasir Mohammed Mosque

The An-Nasir Mohammed Mosque is open from 9 am – 4.30 pm daily. It was built between 1318 and 1335 and is a beautiful example of classical Mameluk architecture. You will love looking around at its exquisite interior. This was once the main mosque that was used by the Citadel.

Step Pyramid of Saqqara

In Saqqara, about an hour from Cairo, the first Step Pyramid can be visited. It is open the hours: 8am-5pm daily, but there is not a phone number available for contact. This was the first pyramid built in Egypt, so it is amazing it still stands. There is special permission needed to enter the pyramid, but many find it a most extraordinary experience touring the hall and the Great South Court. While there visit Darshour and the Bent Pyramid and Djoster’s Pyramid, plus the Solar Temple of Ra – the only Pyramid with an actual altar in front of it. There are wonderful remnants of the altar to be seen.

The Coptic Museum

The Coptic Museum is in Mari Girgis St, Old Cairo (Misr al-Qadimah) Cairo. The museum is open the hours: 8am-5pm daily and can be contacted at: +2023628766. This incredible historic museum is filled with paintings, textiles, metal, wood, glass and ivory craftsmanship that you will just love looking at, much from the Byzantine era. Take your time through this great museum and enjoy all the beautiful works of art you will see. While in the area, visit the Hanging Church.

More amazing places to see in Egypt

Luxor and Aswan

Take a Nile cruise and visit ancient temples, where one third of the world's antiquities reside. A must for those who wish to see these timeless monuments and the fertile crest of Upper Egypt. The sunrise balloon trip over the Valley of the Kings is spectacular. In Aswan, visit the High Dam and Winter Palace where Agatha Christy and Churchill stayed.

Alexandria

The beachside port town with the world's oldest library is a two and a half hour train or coach trip from Cairo. See King Farouk’s Palaces at Montaza and Greco-Roman Museum.

Sinaii

Visit the Monastery of St Catherine’s, experience the rugged Sinaii desert, with camel train tours and night safaris under the stars.

Red Sea

Hurghada, Sharm El Sheik, El Gouna, Dahab, etc - another lively summer playground, the coast is popular with Egyptians and tourists year round, the weather is lovely and the beaches are fantastic. Lots of night spots, bars and shows too. Great shopping and holiday atmosphere. Divers say its one of the world's best diving areas. Nuweiba has a great eco-lodge for fun holidays.

Siwa Oasis and the White Desert

Travel to the northern coastal Bedouin town of Marsa Matruh then down to Siwa’s lush oasis and springs, complete with eco-lodges and historic monuments. Then to the Western Desert with its magnificent natural rock formations – a legacy from when the desert was once sea – a photographer's paradise. Also see the Golden Mummies, the most well preserved mummies in the world, excavated only a few years ago in Bahariya Oasis, on the way to back to Cairo from the White desert, as you drive through the Farafra Oasis.