North Africa
Egypt
Where civilization began — and where it left its most permanent marks.
Egypt contains more ancient monuments than any other country on Earth, and most of them are still being excavated. The Valley of the Kings alone holds over 60 pharaonic tombs. The Great Pyramid of Giza remains the only ancient wonder of the world still standing — built 4,500 years ago to a precision that modern engineers still study. The country rewards those who get out of Cairo.
Plan Your Trip to Egypt
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Hotels & Accommodation
Flights
Tours & Experiences
What to See
The Great Pyramid of Giza
The only surviving wonder of the ancient world, built around 2560 BCE. It was the tallest structure on Earth for over 3,800 years. You can go inside. Go inside.
Valley of the Kings, Luxor
The burial ground of pharaohs from the 16th to 11th centuries BCE. Over 60 tombs have been discovered — the walls of Ramesses VI are among the most spectacular. Tutankhamun's tomb is here but the others are more impressive.
Abu Simbel
Two massive rock temples carved by Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE, relocated in the 1960s to save them from rising Lake Nasser. Twice a year, sunlight hits the inner sanctum for a few minutes at dawn. The engineering of the relocation alone is remarkable.
Karnak Temple Complex
Built over 2,000 years by successive pharaohs, the largest ancient religious site in the world. The Hypostyle Hall — 134 massive columns, 23 meters tall — gives a sense of what ancient Egypt actually looked like.
The Egyptian Museum, Cairo
The world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including Tutankhamun's gold death mask. Chaotic, overwhelming, and essential. The new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza is now partially open.
Sailing the Nile
A felucca — a traditional wooden sailboat — between Luxor and Aswan covers temples, villages, and riverbanks that haven't changed much in centuries. Two or three days minimum.
Essential Info
Best Time to Visit
October–April — summer temperatures in Luxor routinely exceed 40°C / 104°F
Currency
Egyptian Pound (EGP)
Language
Arabic (English widely spoken in tourist areas)
Further Reading
The books that make a destination make more sense before you arrive — history, culture, context.
📚Books About Egypt
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