Introduction

The highlights include Cairo, Alexandria (North Coast), Nile cruises, Luxor (ancient Thebes), the rock temple of Abu Simbel, Aswan, the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea. The combination of beach resorts and historical sites makes Egypt one of the most interesting holiday destinations.

Cairo

The bustling capital of Cairo, with its amazing diversity connects Africa, the Orient and Western Europe. The Egyptian Museum contains the largest and one of the most important collections of Pharaonic and Byzantine art. Ritual and everyday objects from five centuries are exhibited here. World famous is the treasure from the grave of Tutankhamun, who lived around 1360 BC. In the heart of the city lies the Tahrir Square (Square of the Revolution). Multi-storey buildings in the French neoclassical style is typical for this neighborhood, in the 19th Century by Ismail Pasha was built, whose ambitious plans to modernize the country fell into ruin. From the observation deck of Cairo Tower, you have a wonderful view over the city.
The 187 m high tower stands in a wealthy residential area. A charming contrast to this, the hustle and bustle of the Khan El Khalili Bazaar, where traditional leatherwork, brass and handgeschneiderte dresses are offered. A tour through the old town, a hotbed of Islamic art and architecture, is a fascinating journey into the past. The Citadel (12th century) and the nearby Al-Rifai Mosque, Sultan Hassan Mosque, one should be must-see. Cairo has more than 1,000 mosques, one of the most beautiful is the Al Azhar Mosque (10th century), who is also a madrasah. Worth visiting are also the Coptic Museum and the Museum of Islamic Art. The Cairo museum open in the summer clock 08.00-13.00, 09.00-16.00 in the winter clock. Fridays from noon often closed.

In the Age of the Pharaohs was the east bank of the Nile for the living, the west shore of the Dead. Today’s west bank is the modern part of the Egyptian capital with the university, the suburb of Zamalek and the apartment blocks on the outskirts of Dokki, however, begins abruptly, the fellah of Egypt (rural) with date palms, canals, mud villages and lush green fields. Casinos and luxury hotels suddenly soft sand dunes and magnificent, towering pyramids of Giza. The largest of the three pyramids is about 137 meters high and consists of approximately three million stone blocks. Through a labyrinth of tunnels and stairways can penetrate deep into the interior of the pyramids. Next to it stands the majestic Sphinx. Horses and camels can be hired. In the evening the night sky is illuminated by a light show: the Pyramids and Sphinx are effectively brought to bear.

A new archeological diggings at Dahshur, Egypt’s capital during the Old Kingdom, should result in an improvement program. The plan is also the creation of tourist and cultural facilities. An investigation will reveal hidden archaeological monuments in this area, which is known as the Golden Treasure Area, locate. Since the area was formerly military exclusion zone, it remained largely untouched until now.

The well known spa and summer resort of Helwan is situated 30 km from Cairo. In nearby Saqqara is the Step Pyramid of King Djoser, which is considered the forerunner of the pyramids of Giza. Especially in the necropolis (city of the dead), there are extraordinary stone carvings. Donkey rides at Giza to Saqqara are offered. Approx. 50 km further south lies the Al Faiyoum saltwater lake, the already visited the Greek historian Herodotus around 450 BC.

Nile

Numerous tour operators offer cruises on the Nile, the majority operating between Luxor and Aswan. Some tours include side trip to Abydos and Denderha. Abydos is located in the Osireion, one of the most important and oldest places of worship. It was built about four and a half thousand years ago.

The Luxor / Aswan cruise last five, the ride on Abydos and Denderha seven days. Some companies offer occasional longer trips to El Minya after, a charming town with Roman, Greek and Pharaonic ruins, or to Cairo. Countless excursion steamers sail the Nile, the standard is generally high. Depending on the type they carry 50-100 passengers. It is advisable to book through a travel agency specializing in cruises. Usually only bookings for the entire duration be canceled immediately. Traditional felluccas can be rented.

The North Coast

Alexandria is more modern than Cairo, numerous Greek and Roman monuments, however, suggest the importance of the former city as a cultural center. Its beautiful Mediterranean location makes the important port city into a popular holiday destination of the Egyptians.

The northern beaches range from the Libyan border to the Nile Delta and along the Sinai Peninsula. The resort located west of Alexandria Mersa Matrh offers a sandy beach, from here you can visit the Siwa oasis (site of the oracle of Amun) at the Libyan border. Beautiful beaches are also available in El Alamein, Baltim, Gamasa, Sisi date Create and Ras El Bar. The bathing season lasts until November.

Luxor

Luxor, Homer’s Thebes of the hundred gates, is located about 500 km south of Cairo. Here visitors expect a number of significant archaeological sites: including the mighty Temple of Amon at Karnak, 2.5 km away, with huge statues, obelisks and halls (as in Giza, there is also a light show) and the famous Valley of the Kings, where 64 pharaohs and buried in a huge, are shown from the rock-hewn stone relief. The grave of Amun-Her-Chopeschef is considered the most beautiful in the Valley of the Queens. The colors of the images have been beautifully preserved. An American archaeological team discovered in 1997 in the tomb of the sons of Ramses II, 46 more grave chambers, in addition to the 60 Chambers, were found in 1995 during cleaning operations. A total of 108 chambers are of 48 m length in six rounds. It is the largest yet discovered tomb. The sight of the other temples, tombs and monuments is overwhelming. One can enjoy this magnificent view from the hot air balloon.

Aswan

Aswan is particularly in winter, a beautiful resort with numerous temples and monasteries. On the island of Elephantine is the Nilometer (water gauge). The city is known mainly by the Aswan Dam, one of the three largest dams in the world. Approx. Located 2 km south of Philae, a classical temple, which had to be relocated because of the dam. The two magnificent temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel were rescued in the sixties by UNESCO’s assistance before the expiration. One of the best preserved temple of Edfu stands, 120 km north of Aswan.

Sinai and the Red Sea

Ras Mohammed, Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, El Arish and Nuba, are among the most popular holiday destinations on the Sinai Peninsula. Almost all offer diving centers that are equipped for every skill level. The view over the Gulf of Aqaba to the Saudi Arabian mountains is magnificent. Temperatures remain warm until the end. Anywhere on the east coast of Sinai, there are holiday villages with excellent water sports facilities. The Palm Beaches are directly along the desert border. The northernmost mangrove forest in the world is located in Ras Mohammed at the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula.

The rugged Sinai mountains in the interior has numerous impressive peaks. The nearly 2300 m high Jabal Musa is regarded as the biblical Mount Sinai. The famous St. Catherine’s Monastery is situated at the foot of Jabal Catherine, rises to 2637 meters. In the 4th Century by hermits founded the plant in the following centuries, has been continually enhanced. The monastery is in possession of important manuscripts, which are on display for the most part. Saladin’s mighty fortress Qalaat Al Gundi, one of the many witnesses of the Crusades, attracts many visitors as well as Al Tur, on the Red Sea lies the capital of the southern Sinai. The west coast of the Red Sea was not discovered until recently, for tourism. Hurghada, located about 400 km south of Suez, is a resort with many leisure facilities and a magnificent coral reef. The nearby modern village El Gifton also offers diverse recreational opportunities.