The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Following the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty with the overthrow of the British-backed monarchy in 1952. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to meet the demands of Egypt's growing population through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure.

Cairo – the capital of Egypt, home to the Giza Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum and fabulous Islamic architecture

Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx

The only remaining monuments of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it is the country's most famous tourist attraction.

Egyptian Museum

On Midan Tahrir. The world's premier collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts.

Citadel

In Islamic Cairo. A grand castle built by Salah Al-Din. Also parts of the water pipes (Majra Al-Oyouon) are still there, these pipes used to carry the water from the Nile River to the citadel.

Al-Azhar Mosque

One of the pillars of Islamic thought and home to the world's oldest university.

Ibn Tulun

Close to Sayida Zeinab. The oldest, and maybe most beautiful mosque in Cairo.

The Coptic Museum

In Coptic Cairo.

The "Hanging Church" (Church of the Virgin Mary)

In Zabaleen Area (District of Manshiet Nasser) below Mokkatam Hills, not far away from the Citadel

Cairo Tower (185 m./610 ft.)

On Gezira Island offers a 360-view of Cairo, along with the Giza Pyramids off in the distance to the west.

Al-Azhar Park

A recently opened landscaped gardens overlooking the Citadel

Khan El Khalily

Cairo's souk area where visitors will find many merchants selling perfume, spices, Gold, Egyptian hand craft.

Abdeen Palace

Located about one Kilometer away from the Midan El-Tahrir a five minutes walk, home of the last king of Egypt the exiled king Farouk.

Pharaonic Village

It is about twenty minutes driving from Downtown.

Alexandria – Egypt's window on the Mediterranean, with still-palpable glimpses of the past

Citadel of Qait Bey

Ras el-Tin (yellow tram #25). One of the icons of the city at a beautiful location, the fortress overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and the city itself. Built by Mameluke Sultan Abdul-Nasser Qait Bey in 1477 AD but razed and reconstructed twice since.This citadel was built in 1480 by Sultan Qaitbey on the site of the Pharos Lighthouse, to protect the city from the crusaders who used to attack the city by sea. LE 20.

Cemetery of Mostafa Kamel

The cemetery includes four tombs dating from the second century BC, all of which are in excellent condition and beautifully decorated. The cemetery bears the name of Mostafa Kamel, one of Egypt's largest political twentieth century legends. It was he who pronounced the famous phrase: "If I was not born as an Egyptian, I would like to be an Egyptian." 

Roman Catacombs

Kom-el-Shuqqafa. -17:00. A stunning set of catacombs with a fascinating mix of Roman and Egyptian iconography. Best viewed early in the morning or late afternoon when no one else is around. Shoes that can get muddy. Some guides recommend a flashlight but this is not necessary. LE 25.

Pompey's Pillar

Karmouz. An ancient monument, this 25-meter-high granite column was constructed in honor of the Emperor Diocletian in AD 297. The confined area where the column stands has also other ruins and sculptures. The area seems mostly to be visited by Europeans.Also beside this area very big shopping for cloth and furniture equipments called " El-Saa3a" where you can fine many types of cloth or clothes LE 15.

Roman Theatre

Kom El-Dikka. Built in the 2nd century AD, this Roman amphitheater has 13 semicircular tiers made of white and gray marble, with marble seats for up to 800 spectators, galleries and sections of mosaic-flooring. In Ptolemaic times this area was the Park of Pan, a pleasure garden surrounded by Roman villas and baths. LE 15/2 foreigner/Egyptian.

Montaza Palace

El Montaza. Built in 1892 by Abbas II of Egypt Abbas Hilmi Pasha, the last khedive of Egypt. One of the palace buildings, the Haramlek, now contains a casino on the ground floor and a museum of royal relics on the upper levels, while the Salamlek has been converted into a luxury hotel (see Sleep). Parts of the extensive gardens (over 200 acres) are open to the public. There is a entrance fee for the park. LE 5.

Ras el-Tin Palace

Ras el-Tin. Not open to visitors, alas.

Presidential Palace

El Maamoura.

Alexandria National Museum

Raml station. History Museum with more than 1800 archaeological pieces exhibited chronologically: the basement is devoted to Prehistoric and Pharonic times; first floor to the Graeco-Roman period; second floor to the Coptic and Islamic era that highlights artifacts raised during recent underwater excavations.

Graeco-Roman Museum

Raml station. Closed. A history museum with a vast collection mostly dating from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD, spanning the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Closed for renovation in 2008 and for three years.

Museum of Fine Arts

Moharram Bey. It contains a lot of royal and precious jewels.

National Institute For Oceanography & Fisheries

El Anfoushy (beside Qait Bey). Aquarium and museum displays.

Royal Jewelry Museum

Zezenia. It contains a lot of royal and precious jewels. Unfortunately it has been closed for renovation since 2005.

Attarine Mosque

El Attarin.

Abou el-Abbas al-Mursi mosque

Bahary. Built in 1775 by Algerians, the mosque was built over the tomb of the thirteenth century Sufi saint Andalusan Murcia, Ahmed Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi (Abul Abbas). The walls of the mosque are dressed in artificial stone, while the minaret, located on the south side, stands at 73 metres.

Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria

Mansheya. The head church of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa.

Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral

Mahatet El Raml. Founded in 60 AD and the historical seat of the Pope of Alexandria, although in 1971 — after nearly 2000 years here — the seat was moved the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo. Saint Mark the Evangelist (yes, the one who wrote the Gospel of Mark) founded the church and was buried here, but the body was stolen by the Venetians in 828 to be enshrined in St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. The head was kept though, and its shroud was ritually changed by every new Patriach, but it too was later lost. Not much of this history remains today: the cathedral has been rebuilt at least five times and the present building dates from 1952.

Bibliotheca Alexandrina

East of the Corniche. Open daily except Tuesday 11 AM to 7:00 PM, but opens only at 3 PM on Friday and Saturday. .A huge modern library and research center constructed on the site of the former Library of Alexandria (see History). It has also a big conference center and a planetarium. LE 10 (non-Egyptians).

Corniche

The Corniche is a glorious 15km walkway (wharf/pier/boardwalk) along the harbour dotted with restaurants, markets and historic sights.

Aswan – a more relaxed option, full of amazing sights

Nubian Museum

Located opposite the Basma Hotel, south of the Old Cataract Hotel, at the southern edge of Aswan town on Sharia Abtal al-Tahrir - approximately a half hour walk from the city centre. Entry EGY£20. Camera fee: EGY£10. Open daily 0900-1300 and 1700-2100.

Unfinished Obelisk

Gives a glimpse into the way these structures were constructed.

Sehel Island

Well known for its excellent beaded jewelry. Also the location of the Famine Stela. The site is open till 4:00 P.M.

Elephantine Island

The local Nubian villages of Siou and Koti occupy this island. Also home to the famous Nilometers and the Temples of Sati, Khnum and Pepinakht-Heqaib. There is also Nubian Museum. Entrance fee is 5 pound but the ticket seller usually say no change to the visitors. So, please bring small money. Also, be careful of unsolicited tours from locals, which will result in a request for baksheesh. There is regular boat taxi who run by the locals for only 2 EP for one crossing but they will charge more for the tourist. Five Egyptian pound will be mostly accepted.

Kitcheners Island

Also known as Plantation Island: has wonderful botanical gardens amidst the Nile.

Tombs of the Nobles

The northern hills of the west bank are filled with the rock-hewn tombs of princes from the Old Kingdom to the Roman period. The 6th Dynasty tombs, some of which form linked family complexes, contain important biographical texts. Inside, the tombs are decorated with vivid wall paintings showing scenes of everyday life, hieroglyphic biographies and inscriptions telling of the noblemen's journeys into Africa.

Kubbet el-Hawa

On top of the hill above the Tombs of the Nobles is to be found a small shrine / tomb of a local sheikh and holy man. The climb is rewarded with amazing views of Aswan, the Nile river and the surrounding landscape, richly evoked in the translation from the Arabic of the place name, "the dome of the wind'.

Mausoleum of the Aga Khan

Monastery of St Simeon

The history of the monastery of St. Simeon dates back to the 7th century, and survived long as a Christian stronghold of southern Egypt until destroyed by Saladin in 1173. While still in use it housed 300 monks, and could in addition receive up to 100 pilgrims at a time. The monastery was surrounded by a 10 metre high wall, and doubled as a fortress. Apparently, the monastery did not return to its original use after Saladin's destruction.

The High Dam

Despite being a highly important piece of infrastructure, the Aswan High Dam is (to put it delicately) a bit of a letdown even for dam lovers. Not at all worth the £20 entrance fee.

Philae Temple

Built to honor Isis, this was the last ancient temple built in the the classical Egyptian architectural style. Construction began in approx 690 BC. It was moved from its original location on Philae Island, to its new location on Agilkia Island, after the flooding of Lake Nasser. A major multinational UNESCO team relocated Philae, and a number of other temples that now dot the shores of Lake Nasser. You can see the submerged original island a short distance away, punctuated by the steel columns used in the moving process. Don't miss the Sound and Light show at night, see picture to the right, the least cheesy of the Sound and Light "extravaganzas". On your feet, look out for the extremely creative guards who will do all in their power to get in your photos, or to point out the hieroglpyhs that you can quite clearly see yourself, all for some baksheesh(tip)! Note also the re-use of the temple as a Christian church, with crosses carved into the older hieroglyph reliefs, and images of the Egyptian gods carefully defaced. There are grafitti dating from the 1800s.

Kalabsha Temple

Like Philae this temple and its surrounding ruins were moved by UNESCO to save them from the floodwaters of Lake Nasser. The main temple was built to the Nubian fertility and sun god Marul during the rule of Emperor Augustus. Don't miss the Kiosk of Qirtasi and the amazing Temple of Beit al-Wali built by Ramesses II.

Abu Simbel

Most people use Aswan as a base to see this fantastic temple. There is a convoy that departs at 3AM, and is usually arranged by your hotel. See article for more details

Luxor – gateway to the Valley of the Kings, amongst other fabulous attractions

the Valley of the Kings

the temple complexes of Luxor and Karnak

Medinet Habu

the Tombs of the Nobles

Hurghada – a town on the Red Sea, filled with all-inclusive resorts and diving

Of course, the main reason to visit Hurghada is for the beautiful Red Sea, which is excellent for diving or snorkeling. If you aren't licenced to dive, it is often possible to snorkel and see incredible coral reefs and hundreds of varieties of tropical fish just 10 meters from the beach. Again, either your hotel will have dive escorts on site, or they can arrange a scuba diving expedition with guides. In late March, the water is still quite cold (21 Celsius), so a wet suit is necessary, and even snorkeling in a bathing suit is too cold after about 10 minutes. It is also windy in late March; sustained 20 MPH are common. Make sure your Beach resort Hotel provides wind screens on the Beach. Hurghada has a variety of activities for those who enjoy the sea and the beach. Activities include scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, para sailing, jetskis. You can also ride a glass boat (a boat with a glass bottom) where you can see the amazing coral reefs and underwater scenery. For those of you who want to have a desert adventure you can also ride motorbikes or beach buggies into the desert.

Excursions to Cairo and Luxor

Excursions to Cairo and Luxor are available from Hurghada, as well as desert adventures and safaris by jeep, camel or quad bike and numerous watersports and diving activities.