It’s been an exciting year for tourism in Egypt. The country is on track to break all-time tourism records with an expected 15 million visitors in 2023.
This would break the country’s previous record of 14 million visitors in 2010.
Egypt is one of the most unique cultural and historical destinations in the world. Ancient Egypt has captured the imagination of millions of travelers who flock to the country to see ancient sites like the Great Pyramids of Giza, Abu Simbel Temple, and Luxor Temple.
You can also have bucket list experiences like cruising down the Nile River on a traditional felucca boat or riding a camel through the dunes of the Sahara Desert in Egypt.
If you’re thinking of visiting Egypt soon, here are the top destinations you can’t miss:
1. Cairo
Egypt’s vibrant and chaotic capital city is a must-visit destination for travelers. It’s a central hub for visiting many popular attractions, including the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx and the world-renowned Egyptian Museum.
A new museum, the Grand Egyptian Museum, is expected to open in Cairo in late 2023, which will add another great attraction for history buffs and those fascinated with Ancient Egypt.
Additionally, tourists in search of an authentic experience in Cairo shouldn’t miss Khan el-Khalili, the city’s main bazaar where you can haggle for unique souvenirs.
2. Luxor
Another one of the top places to go in Egypt is Luxor. This is another historically significant city located on the banks of the Nile River that was once the site of the pharaoh’s capital thousands of years ago.
Today, some of the most popular ancient sites to visit in Luxor include Luxor Temple and Karnak, an ancient palatial complex.
Not far from Luxor, travelers can also explore the Valley of the Kings, an ancient burial complex where pharaohs and other nobles are buried in stone tombs in the desert.
3. Dahab
Many people only think of the Sahara Desert when they think of Egypt, but this country is also home to two coastlines and great beaches on the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.
Dahab is a beach town on the Red Sea, and it’s known as an up-and-coming relaxing, bohemian destination that draws comparisons to Bali.
This Red Sea destination has excellent beaches and is known as a scuba diving hotspot. And while Bali was once known for being affordable but has gotten much pricier in recent years, Dahab remains an extremely affordable destination for Western travelers.
4. Aswan
Aswan is another one of the top destinations in Egypt. This historic city along the Nile is known for being home to many Nubian people, an ethnic group indigenous to southern Egypt.
One of the top things to do in Aswan is visit the Philae Temple complex, an impressive complex dating back to antiquity. The Nubian Museum is another interesting site where you can learn about the history of the Nubian people who inhabit this part of Egypt.
5. Alexandria
Located on the northern coast of Egypt, Alexandria is one of the most famous cities from ancient times. It is best known for being the site of the Great Library of Alexandria and the Pharos of Alexandria, a lighthouse that is considered to be one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World.
Today, Alexandria doesn’t have as many historic sites as other destinations in Egypt like Cairo or Luxor, but it’s still worth paying a visit to this Mediterranean city.
Some of the best things to do include visiting the 15th-century Citadel of Qaitbay, strolling the waterfront Alexandria Corniche, and checking out the Bibliotheca Alexandria, a modern imagining of the ancient library.
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