The Best Temples and Sights of Ancient Egypt
Historic Egyptian Landmarks Beyond the Great Pyramid
Oct 8, 2009
Most ardent travellers will be familiar with sights like the great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx as the most recognised tourist destinations in Egypt. Egypt is a great place to visit for the informed traveller, yet before a tour itinerary is finalized, it’s important to note some of the other popular ancient sights and structures of Egypt that should not be missed.
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
The large Museum building, located in Tahrir Square stands out - not just for its bright-red exterior in an otherwise grey and sand-covered city, but also for the impressive and extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts held within. The Tutankhamun room displays a collection of gold and jewel-encrusted pieces that give an incredible insight into the way an Egyptian King’s tomb was set up and the wealth they carried. The Royal Mummy Room displays the mummified remains of many of Egypt’s ancient Royals and there are a wonderful amount of revealing artefacts; statues, tools and chariots to be found in this unforgettable museum.
The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
The Pyramids of Giza sit on the edge of Cairo, a surprisingly short distance by car or bus from the city’s centre. Perhaps the accessibility of the Pyramids and the Sphinx are one of their lingering appeals – or maybe it has something to do with their sheer magnitude and importance; the Great Pyramid (one of three in this location) is the only structure of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World surviving intact. The Sphinx is walking distance from the three Pyramids of Giza, making this sight Cairo’s (and probably the world’s) best ‘look where I’ve been!’ photograph opportunity.
Edfu Temple
This is one of the best preserved ancient temples in all of Egypt. Built well over 2000 years ago, Edfu is remarkable for its surviving detail; the hieroglyphics are some of the most intricate and the exterior survives surprisingly intact considering the age of the temple. The temple is located in the city of Edfu, between Aswan and Luxor, and is a worthwhile journey if travelling in Southern Egypt.
Climbing Mount Sinai
Popular on many tourist itineraries in Egypt is a climb up the picturesque Mount Sinai. The Mountain is notorious in Biblical History; it’s believed to be the location where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. At the Mountain’s peak is ‘Moses’ cave’ where it’s believed Moses waited for God to hand down the Commandments. The two and a half hour walk up the mountain is of more than just historical significance; the views of the immense Egyptian landscape below are spectacular and the walk itself breathtaking.
Abu Simbel
Possibly Egypt’s most visually stunning temple, Abu Simbel is carved into the side of a mountain; the sheer impossibility of its immense construction will leave the most travellers in utter awe. This is also one of Egypt’s hardest temples to access; while many tours visit there, it’s almost solely accessible for tourists by police escort. It location is in a very secluded part of the desert three hours drive from Aswan on the Sudanese border. The lengthy journey to see Abu Simbel is part of what makes the visit more exciting and a must for history fanatics travelling to Egypt.
Karnak Temple Complex
For its sheer size, Karnak must be seen to be appreciated. The Temple Complex is the largest ancient religious site in the world, and Karnak’s mass of massive columns rarely fails to have heads tipped back in awe. If the impossibility of the building of the Great Pyramid is a drawcard for travellers, then Karnak will match and exceed this wonder: the 134 columns that make up Karnak’s Hypostyle Hall, which hold up rows of heavy architraves, will boggle the mind with their construction and immensity. Karnak, located near the town of Luxor, should top any Egyptian itinerary.
Valley of the Kings
This mountainous valley located near Luxor is the home to 63 discrete underground tombs and chambers, a burial ground for Royals and Nobles of ancient Egypt. The Valley looks deserted enough, but a familiar pyramid-shaped mountain overlooking the site seems a dead giveaway in hindsight. Visitors to the Valley can descend into many of the ancient tombs, including that of Tutankahmun, and get an incredible insight into how the ancient Egyptians buried their dead and their beliefs about the afterlife.
Luxor Temple
Located in the city of Luxor, on the banks of the River Nile, the Luxor Temple is very easily accessible to travellers visiting the famous Egyptian city. The temple is huge and displays a fantastic range of hieroglyphics, pillars and statues; a prime example of a great Egyptian Temple. This is also notable as the site from which Napoleon took the Obelisk now standing at the centre of the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
Philae Island and Temple Ruins
On the River Nile, not far from the shore of Aswan, lies the Island of Philae, where several ancient temples are located. The temples were actually relocated here when the Nile Dam was built to save them from water damage and eventual destruction. The temples are of particular interest because they represent a range of periods in Egyptian history and include constructions built by both Greeks and Romans in dedication to the ancient Egyptian belief system. Combined with their beautiful setting on a stark Island in the middle of the Nile, this site will definitely impress.
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