The 12 best places to visit in Egypt

When one speaks of Cairo, one immediately thinks of the imposing pyramids of Cheops, Khephren and Mikerinos, which rise in the distance on the Giza plateau. Needless to say that this wonder of the world will be one of the highlights of your trip to Egypt. But one of the biggest surprises ahead is the richness of the city, which is quite understated. Of course, you cannot go to Cairo without visiting its museum, from the treasures retrieved from Tutankhamon's tomb and all the beautiful artefacts gathered across the country from years of archaeological research. That being said, do not miss the historical heritage of the old town either, which has been changed through the course of history by many different influences, starting with the Copts and their orthodox churches. Not without mentioning the beautiful mosques of Sultan Hassan and Al Rifai, perfect departing point for a stroll on the old Muslim quarters of Cairo. Get lost in the sublime citadel of Saladin and the narrow alleys of the Fatimids quarter. Rest under the shade of the Al Azhar park before visiting the swarming souk of Khan Al Kalili. At the end of your day, immerse into the atmosphere of the city by drinking tea or going to a Hookah bar.

The city was found by Alexander The Great 2,000 years ago and was meant to be a cultural and economic hub in the Mediterranean. Still today, the modern face of Alexandria does not fail its ancestor. It's cosmopolitan atmosphere and lively nightlife will please travellers looking for modern features in a city. You can pass by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, futuristic version of the great library of Alexandria. It's still sheltering million of books, but also museums, exhibition halls and cultural events. Then walk along the cornice close to the Fort of Qaitbay. Some say it was built with stones from the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the 7 wonders of the antique world. Take a step further into the cultural heritage of the antique world by visiting the amphitheatre or the Greco-roman museum. Beach and watersport lovers will also find their happiness on one of the beaches of the city, such as Al-Mamurah or El-Mandara, which are the most popular.

For those have a bit of time, discover magnificent treasures of Ancient Egypt in the Southern part of the capital. Such as the ancient pharao capital of Memphis and the Saqqarah necropolis, sheltering the oldest pyramids of mankind. Do not miss the famous pyramid of Djoser! 95km/60miles south of Cairo is also the oasis of Faiyum, the largest in the country. Remains of the ancient city of Karanis and old pyramids are also to be found here. But the greatest treasure resides in the beauty of its nature. The Wadi Al Hitan valley, for instance, an impressive witness of the old presence of the sea at this very place with its strange geological formations and fossils.

The name of the place itself sounds like a sweet promise of marvels to be discovered. And you will not be disappointed! Luxor, the ancient capital of Egypt known as Thebes, is home to some of the most beautiful remains of ancient Egypt. The heart of the city is located on the eastern bank of the Nile, where you will come face to face with the Temple of Luxor and its never-ending Sphinx Alley, a magnificent introduction to the best that the city has to offer. You can then travel only three kilometres north of the city, by horse-drawn carriage or small motorboat to discover Karnak, one of the most beautiful pharaonic temples in the country. Its hypostyle hall in magnificent condition contains no less than 134 pillars, all covered with hieroglyphics of rare delicacy. You can also stroll through the old Arab souk or along the cornice in the city centre. Not to mention the Luxormuseum, much more refined than the one in Cairo, but containing absolutely unique pieces!

Rendez-vous on the western bank of Luxor, the one that leads to the famous valley of kings. Here, hundreds of tombs hide in the enclaves of the mountain. You will pass in front of les colosses of Memnon for an introductory lesson of the most imposing kind. Then, it is up to you to choose between visiting the tombs of several Ramses, Seti, Tutankhamun, or Toutmosis II, to name but a few. Prepare to be taken aback by discovering millenary tombs, whose paintings, hieroglyphics and quality sculptures seem to be as old as yesterday. Then head towards the Valley of the Queens to discover the temple of Hatshepsout, completely renovated and whose frescoes are simply stunning.. If time permits, also visit the valley of the nobles and the valley of the craftsmen, with the village of Deir-el-Medinah, where the craftsmen in charge of building the tombs of the pharaohs lived.

The cradle of Upper Egypt is located in this area, especially on the small elephantine island, just in front of the east bank of Aswan. In this part of the country, Egyptian culture is influenced by the Nubians, with more African traditions. It is also where the Nile is at its most beautiful, as the river breaks into hundreds of small granite islands whose tall grasses shelter white ibises and other birds of all kinds, all against a backdrop of golden sand dunes. One thing is certain, you will be amazed by the visit of the temple of Philae, rising from the waters. It is also difficult not to let yourself be charmed by a trip in a small motorboat on the Nile to take you to the lush botanical garden of Kitchener Island, to the Coptic monastery of Saint-Siméon, lost in the dunes, or even to the heart of a traditional Nubian village. And don't forget to think of yourself as Agatha Christie, for a drink, at the Old Cataract Hotel, the birthplace of her famous book "Death on the Nile".

The Nile is without any doubt the masterpiece of the country, the very river without which there would have been no history of Egypt, pharaohs and civilizations of this importance! i=It deserves to be discovered in its own right, along the water, on a cruise. Between Luxor and Aswan, the Nile is full of sublime remains not to be missed, starting with the magnificent temples of Edfu and Kom-Ombo, both in a state of unique quality. You could also discover the Daraw camel market, one of the most important in the whole African continent. Also take time to observe the life of the Nile in its most ancestral form, to the rhythm of boat fishermen, feluccas drifting slowly and children cooling off by the water.

At one time, the pharaonic project to move the Abu Simbel temple was on the news. A crazy idea in which the temple had to be dismantled stone by stone, then moved up to the heights of Lake Nasser, in order to save it from the waters invading the valley following the construction of the dam. Never seen before! Thanks to this initiative, it is still possible to visit one of Egypt's most beautiful temples. Located about 280km/173 miles south of Aswan, it can be reached by bus in the middle of the night. After about 4 hours of travel, you can discover in the early morning the well-known four statues of Ramses II marking the entrance to the most recognizable temple in the world. The frescoes and hieroglyphics of this temple, as well as that of his wife Nefertari, are breathtaking. The atmosphere in the early morning is almost mystical. Get ready for one of the highlights of your journey.

Sink into this intriguing region and become an adventurer! Less known to the public, the Western Desert region extends throughout the western part of the country, along the Libyan border to the Sudanese border in the south. Despite its deserted landscapes, the region is not lacking in water and multiple oases have developed over the course of history, becoming the main hubs of trade routes. Among the most famous oases, that of Bahariya, Siwa, Dakhla or El-Kharga, all housing magnificent Greek-Roman remains, pharaonic temples, thousand-year-old tombs and the lushest palm plantations of the country. You will also have the opportunity to discover the richness of the Egyptian desert, between the golden dunes of the Great Sea of Sand, the incredible geological forms of the white desert and its chalk fungi. Or the basaltic conical mountains of the black desert, which crack the golden range of the desert, in a Mordor-like setting.

You may have already heard of Charm el-Cheikh, a must-see seaside resort of Sinai for all lovers of diving, festive evenings and paradisiac landscapes such as lagoons. However, Sinai has much more to offer than that! Water sports lovers will find their happiness in the north, in Ras Sidr, for windsurfing or kitesurfing. The most experienced divers will try diving in the famous Blue Hole, a gaping hole 100 meters deep near Dahab. The rest of Sinai will seduce adventure and history enthusiasts, with an excursion in the preserved lands of the Ras Abou-Galloum national park. Take the opportunity to visit the monastery of Sainte-Catherine and the legendary mount Sinai, and then get lost in the caves and multicoloured heights of the Colored Canyon. Then end on a blazing sunset over Naama Bay.

With more than 1,500 kilometres of coastline along the entire Gulf of Suez, this relatively uninhabited part of the country has seen the development of a multitude of seaside resorts in recent years. This enables Egypt to offer a totally different image from that of its legendary history. Here, it's more like immersing yourself in the world's unique coral reefs, relaxing at the beach and active nightlife between family activities and trendy bars. There is something for everyone! From El-Gouna, the luxurious "Little Venice of the Red Sea" and its small canals, to Hurghada the festive, passing by Marsa Alam, the old small fishing town with beaches and bottoms still preserved, without forgetting Ismaili, whose proximity to the Suez Canal gives it its flowery houses in a very colonial style, you choose !

Egypt is a dream coming true. I was part of this 1980s generation of kids growing up with archaeology games and Egyptian gods statues collections Having the chance to discover this thousands-years-old historical heritage with my own eyes was a fantastic experience. To find yourself in front of the tomb of the pyramid of Khufu and to sweat with large drops (because yes, it is very hot in a tomb, in fact), is surreal. Admiring, at sunrise, the temple of Abu Simbel will remain engraved in my memory. Sailing on a felucca along the Nile, with the only occupation being to admire the scenery, eat fresh fish, laugh with the crew and discover their Nubian songs by the fire for several nights, is a one in a lifetime experience. Beyond all these wonders, I would particularly like to stress what has seduced me the most during my stay: the people. Egyptians have that sense of hospitality that makes me little nostalgic even today. The difficulties caused by the fall in tourism in recent years have seriously affected their daily lives. They are all the more welcoming when they meet open people they can talk to. If you leave the door open to unsuspecting discussion and exchange, you may well find yourself with friends for life.