Safaga
Safaga is the oldest port city on the Red Sea. Especially water sports fans love this place. Surfers and kiters will find optimal wind conditions here. Divers and snorkelers can dive into great underwater worlds. A particularly popular diving spot is the wreck of the Salem Express. Diving and snorkelling excursions to Soma Bay or the Giftun Islands can also be booked. Excursions to Hurghada, Luxor or Cairo are offered on land.
Sahara Desert
No desert is bigger than the famous Sahara (more than nine million km2). It spreads across 11 countries in North Africa – and also across Egypt. After all, 95% of the country consists of desert. Only the regions near the Nile are green and extremely fertile. So Egypt is not only worth a vacation because of its unique beaches and diving spots. A tour through the desert, away from the tourist metropolises, is highly recommended. Fine sand dunes, rocky deserts and green oases leave a lasting impression. A night under the clear starry sky of the desert is unforgettable. In addition to oases such as Al-Bahariyya, Dakhla or Kharga, worthwhile destinations include the so-called White Desert, Mount Moses and the Ras Mohammed National Park.
- Topschoolsintheusa: Guides to study in Egypt, including geography, climate, economy, and tourism of the country.
Saqqara
Saqqara is a huge ancient cemetery near Cairo. The necropolis is one of the oldest tombs in Egypt. The best known is the step pyramid of Pharaoh Djoser. It is considered to be the first pyramid built in Egypt. A masterpiece of its time, designed by the famous Egyptian master builder Imhotep. He was the first to build a stone structure of this size. In addition to the step pyramid, there are a large number of temples, chapels, tombs and other pyramids in Saqqara. Recently the tombs of two priests (6th Dynasty) were discovered in which exceptionally well-preserved wall paintings were found.
Sharm El Sheikh
The tourist stronghold Sharm El Sheikh is located in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula directly on the Red Sea. Aptly translated, Sharm El Sheikh means “Bay of the Sheikh”. There are several sights in Sharm el Sheikh: In addition to the Papyrus Museum, you can see the Al-Mustafa Mosque or the Coptic-Orthodox Church El-Sama-Eyeen. Short trips to the surrounding area are also recommended. For example to St. Catherine’s Monastery, to Moses Mountain or to the Colored Canyon. Tours to Cairo, Luxor and Abu Simbel are also offered. But Sharm el Sheikh is best known for its extraordinarily beautiful diving areas. The reefs of the Ras Mohammed National Park to the south are popular with day trippers. The Nabq National Park to the north is also worth a (multi-day) trip.
Sinai
The famous Sinai Peninsula is located in northeastern Egypt. Inside, it consists almost entirely of desert. In contrast, the coastal regions in the north (Mediterranean Sea) and south (Red Sea) offer an incredible variety of flora and fauna. Here are some of the most beautiful diving areas with impressive coral reefs. Nabq Bay is a true paradise for divers. Those who prefer to have solid ground under their feet can visit the nearby St. Catherine’s Monastery or Mount Sinai, which is almost 2,300 meters high. A wide variety of one-day and multi-day tours are organized from the popular seaside resorts of Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab.
Taba
On the Sinai Peninsula lies a particularly interesting place: Taba. It is interesting because it is located in a four-country corner. This is where Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia meet. Located directly on the Red Sea in the Gulf of Aqaba, the small town, together with Taba Heights, which is about 20 kilometers away, offers numerous opportunities to spend a unique holiday. Excursions into the desert are offered, you can visit various Bedouin villages or drive into the nearby mountains. A trip to the Pharaoh’s Island and its fortress Salah el-Din or to the Colored Canyon is highly recommended. Or you are looking for adventure in the sea. Taba is known for its fascinating coral reefs.
Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens
The Valley of the Kings near Luxor is one of Egypt’s most famous and most visited attractions. The pharaohs of the 18th to 20th dynasties were buried in over 60 graves. Precisely hewn tunnels lead to subterranean burial chambers, where the dead were buried together with immeasurably rich grave goods. Unfortunately, most of the graves have fallen victim to looting over time. Tutankhamun’s famous tomb was spared. The beautiful and very well-preserved burial chamber was not discovered until 1922 by Howard Carter. The treasures found there can now be admired in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. In April 2014, 50 mummies were found in a necropolis northeast of the valley – an incredible discovery. The Valley of the Queens, a little to the south, consists of over 90 tombs of the wives and relatives of the pharaohs. Even if this valley is less well known, it is still worth a trip there.
Wadi El Natroun
The Wadi El Natrun, also called the Valley of the Monasteries, is about 100 kilometers from Cairo and can be visited as part of a day trip. A large number of Coptic monasteries (more than 50) were built in the desert valley, also known as the Sketian Desert. Today, however, most are orphaned and dilapidated. Monks still live in four of the remaining monasteries. These inhabited monasteries can be visited. Deir Al-Baramus (Monastery of Baromeus), Deir Anba Bishoi (Monastery of Saint Bishoi), Deir Abu Maqar (Monastery of Saint Macarius) and Deir Al-Surian (Monastery of the Syrians) welcome visitors with great pleasure. About 50 kilometers to the north are the ruins of more than 1500 hermitages, which are also worth a detour (with a guide).
