Egypt is probably the world's oldest civilization having emerged from the Nile Valley around 3,100 BC, historically. Egypt is probably one of the oldest vacation spots. Early Greeks, Romans and others went there just for fun, and to see the wonders of some of mankind's earliest triumphs. But Egypt is much more than Pyramids and Monuments. It is also Red Sea scuba diving, hot night spots, luxury hotels and five star restaurants. It is romantic cruises down the Nile on festive river boats, a night at the grand opera and it is a cultural experience like none you have ever experienced. Egypt is a land bustling with life, sound, visual beauty and excitement. More than anything else, we want you to think of Egypt as fun. For thousands of years, it has been the playground of emperors and kings, and we hope you will take the time to find out why.
Interesting Facts About Ancient Egypt
1. Most Ancient Egyptian pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs(rulers of Ancient Egypt) and their families. To date, over 130 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt.
2. The afterlife was incredibly important to the Egyptians. They believed that by preserving a dead person’s body – which they did through the process of mummification – their soul would live on in the after-life forever.
3. The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid. This incredible structure weighs as much as 16 Empire State buildings!
4. Both Egyptian men and women wore make-up. The eye-paint was usually green (made from copper) or black (made from lead). As well as offering protection from the sun, the Egyptians believed make-up had magical healing powers, too!
5. Unwrapped, the bandages of an Ancient Egyptian mummy could stretch for 1.6km. Yikes!
6. The Egyptian alphabet contained more than 700 hieroglyphs! Uncover the meaning behind these ancient symbols by checking out our awesome hieroglyphics feature.
7. Ancient Egyptians believed in more than 2,000 deities! They had gods for everything, from dangers to chores! Each had different responsibilities and needed to be worshipped so that life could be kept in balance.
8. Cats were considered to be a sacred animal by the Ancient Egyptians. It’s thought that most families kept a cat as a pet, which they believed would bring the household good luck!
9. Love playing boardgames with your pals? Well, gang, so did the Ancient Egyptians! One popular game was Senet, which was played for over 2,000 years! The game involved throwing sticks (in the same way we throw dice) to see how many squares to move your piece forward on the board.
10. The Ancient Egyptians invented lots of things we still use today, such as paper, pens, locks and keys and – believe it or not – toothpaste!
Places to visit in Ancient Egypt
1. Giza Necropolis
The Giza necropolis, situated in the immediate vicinity of the southwestern suburbs of Cairo is probably the most famous ancient site in the world. The pyramids, together with the Sphinx at the base of the Giza plateau, are the iconic image of Egypt. They were built over the span of three generations – by Khufu, his second reigning son Khafre, and his grandson Menkaure. Along with these major monuments are a number of smaller satellite structures, known as queen pyramids, causeways and temples.
2. Aswan
Egypt's most tranquil town is Aswan, set upon the winding curves of the Nile. Backed by orange-hued dunes this is the perfect place to stop and unwind for a few days and soak up the chilled-out atmosphere. Take the river ferry across to Elephantine Islandand stroll the colorful streets of the Nubian villages. Ride a camel to the desert monastery of St. Simeon on the East Bank. Or just drink endless cups of tea on one of the riverboat restaurants, while watching the lateen-sailed feluccas drift past. There are plenty of historic sites here and numerous temples nearby, but one of Aswan's biggest highlights is simply kicking back and watching the river life go by.
3. Karnak And Luxor Temples
Famed for the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and the Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut, the Nile-side town of Luxor in Upper Egypt has a glut of tourist attractions. This is ancient Thebes, powerbase of the New Kingdom pharaohs, and home to more sights than most can see on one visit. While the East Bank brims with vibrant souk action, the quieter West Bank is home to a bundle of tombs and temples that has been called the biggest open air museum in the world. Spend a few days here exploring the colorful wall art of the tombs and gazing in awe at the colossal columns in the temples, and you'll see why Luxor continues to fascinate historians and archaeologists.
4. Sinai
Sinai is a place of sundrenched seaside resorts. It’s a major holiday destination and over the years has really developed a personality unlike the rest of Egypt. It’s a beautiful area and as soon as you see the empty desert stretching for miles away from you, you’ll absolutely agree. Historically, there is a great deal of religious importance here and for centuries Sinai served as a crossroads for change and progress. Once you’ve soaked up all you can of the beach life, step away from the holiday makers and see what the heart of the Sinai Peninsula is about. In the mountains you’ll find the Bedouin working to preserve their traditions as modern life moves forward. It’s an enchanting place at the top of everyone’s must see list.
5. Cairo
Located near the mouth of Nile River delta, Egypt’s modern capital is a busy, bustling metropolis with a long and turbulent history. Built near the ancient capital city of Memphis, modern Cairo is a popular starting point for cruises up the Nile and for explorations of the Pyramids at Giza just outside the city’s limits. At the world-renowned Egyptian Museum of Tahrir Square, visitors can get a close-up view of the treasure of Tutankhamun as well as mummies and other artifacts from Egypt’s ancient past.
6. Egyptian Museum
A treasure trove of the Pharaonic world, Cairo's Egyptian Museum is one of the world's great museum collections. The faded pink mansion is home to a dazzling amount of exhibits. It's a higgledy-piggledy place with little labeling on offer and not much chronological order, but that's half of its old-school charm. Upstairs is the golden glory of King Tutankhamen and the fascinating royal mummies exhibits, but really every corner you turn here is home to some wonderful piece of ancient art or statuary that would form a highlight of any other museum.
7. Al Azhar Park
The hillside area of Al-Azhar Park is surrounded by some of the most interesting historic areas of Islamic Cairo. Perhaps the most popular destination, the park is located in the heart of this historic area and provides a phenomenal view of the city. Created in 1984 by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, the basic idea behind the park is the Islamic belief that all people are caretakers of our planet. Visitors will love this oasis as they tour the city’s monuments and neighbourhoods.
8. Siwa Oasis
Located near Egypt’s western border, Siwa Oasis remained culturally isolated from the rest of the country until late in the 19th century. Today, Siwa Oasis is an increasingly popular travel destination. Vacationers come to the city to enjoy the town’s many freshwater springs, to stroll through acres of palm groves and to explore ancient mud-built fortresses and remnants of Siwa’s Greco-Roman past.
9. St. Catherine's Monastery
One of the oldest monasteries in the world, St. Catherine's stands at the foot of Mount Sinai, where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments. This desert monastery is home to an incredible collection of religious iconography, art, and manuscripts (some of which can be seen in the on-site museum) as well as the home of the burning bush. For most visitors here, a trip to St. Catherine's also involves a hike up Mount Sinai to see sunrise or sunset. Take the camel path for the easy route or climb the famous Steps of Repentance if you want better views.
10. Alexandria
Although no signs of Alexander the Great remain in modern day Alexandria, this city is the stuff of legends. The list of unbelievable aspects of this city are long: once home to Queen Cleopatra, the Pharaohs lighthouse (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world), and the Great Library. These days, Alexandria is a key commercial hub for Egypt and the cultural renaissance is alive and well. It’s now home to writers and poets who are struggling to find their voice in an uncertain political climate. The modern library is a landmark of innovation for the entire country. Be sure to plan enough time to cover the historical circuit in order to visit the museums and monuments. Then spend a day or two relaxing in an old world café and soaking up the atmosphere.
Read also : Machu Picchu the lost city of Peru !
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