6 EPIC Reasons To Visit Egypt
Made famous by its towering pyramids and ancient history, there are plenty of reasons to visit Egypt.
It's not just mummies and the Nile that Egypt has got going for it. There are surprising jewels to uncover in the country, such as its incredible marine life, unforgettable beaches, and mouthwatering culinary delights.
In this post, we'll run you through some of the top reasons why you need to add Egypt to your bucket list.
Made famous by its towering pyramids and ancient history, there are plenty of reasons to visit Egypt.
It's not just mummies and the Nile that Egypt has got going for it. There are surprising jewels to uncover in the country, such as its incredible marine life, unforgettable beaches, and mouthwatering culinary delights.
In this post, we'll run you through some of the top reasons why you need to add Egypt to your bucket list.
The Cuisine
Despite being part of the African continent, Egyptian cooking is heavily influenced by the Middle East. Hummus, falafel, and kebabs all feature on Egyptian plates.
The cuisine also takes inspiration from Africa, as well as Europe. The result? A fusion of exotic flavors from three different continents, that is a bold and refreshing experience for the taste buds.
The national dish of Egypt is Koshari, however, you may be interested to know that the dish was made by the Indians before the Egyptians put their spin on it.
During the first world war, Indian soldiers came to the country, and through their communications, the Egyptians came to know the beloved dish.
Made from pasta, rice, and lentils, Koshari includes a flavorful tomato sauce, garlic, chickpeas, and fried onions, to create a culturally diverse masterpiece.
The Great Pyramid of Giza
Step foot in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza and be transported back in time by the last standing ancient wonder of the world.
More than just a relic of ancient Egypt, the pyramid is over 4,500 years old and was built as a tomb to house the pharaoh Khufu's remains.
While there are three pyramids that make up the pyramids of Giza, the one that housed the mummified Khufu is the oldest and largest, making it the Great Pyramid.
Contrary to popular belief, the pyramids were not built by slaves, but instead by paid workers, who were trained laborers. There is evidence that suggests the laborers worked in three-month stints each to complete the tomb, which took over 30 years to build.
Mount Sinai
You may not have heard of Mount Sinai itself, by name, however, it is significant in the Bible as the place where Moses was presented with the 10 commandments.
The mountain was traditionally known as Jabal Mousa and three religions depict Moses receiving the commandments upon it in their holy books — the Bible, the Quran, and the Torah.
The mountain stands at a whopping 2,285 meters tall and is close to the city of Saint Catherine. There are other peaks within the same mountain range and Mount Sinai sits next to the even mightier Mount Catherine, the highest mountain in Egypt.
The hike up to the peak is around 5 kilometers/ 3 miles and is a moderately challenging climb.
The Red Sea
The Red Sea is known to be one of the saltiest stretches of ocean in the world. In fact, the salt content is so high that everyone who enters it, floats.
While its name may sound ominous, it's anything but. Colorful red coral is bountiful under The Red Sea which is how the body of water got its name.
The Red Sea also holds biblical significance as the famous sea that Moses parted in order to free the Hebrews from slavery.
It seems impossible that such salty water could host any life forms, but the Red Sea is home to some of the most diverse sea life in the world.
One of the many reasons to visit Egypt is for its world-class diving, where you can see over 1,000 species of fish, an abundance of sharks, 150 species of coral, and if you're lucky, maybe even a dugong, which is affectionately known as a sea cow.
Luxor
The city of Luxor has many charms. Those who are fascinated by life in Ancient Egypt will be in their element in the city. Some of the most exciting museums and temples scattered throughout Luxor include the Temple of Karnak, Luxor Temple, Luxor Museum, and the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari, all of which hold fascinating links to the past.
A city for everyone, Luxor interests nature lovers too, as a prime alighting point for those embarking on tours of the River Nile.
Sunrise brings the city to life, with a host of colorful hot air balloons floating overhead, through the sky, providing tourists with memorable views over Luxor and the surrounding area.
The Luxor you see today was built on the site of the ancient city of Thebes.
If you're itching to share your photos of Luxor with the world, consider joining our community, a hub for female travelers, which connects women around the globe to share stories, photos, and experiences. You may even meet your next travel partner. See what our community offers here.
Desert Safaris
The country of Egypt is over 90% desert, making it the perfect place to enjoy a sand safari.
Desert safaris may not be as fruitful at catching a glimpse of a roaring beast, as they are in Kenya, but they sure are fun.
These safaris take place on either a camel or a quad bike, the latter of which allows you to charge through the desert, leaving nothing behind except a cloud of sand.
It's hard to imagine that life could survive in these barren areas, let alone thrive, but there are seven oases in the eastern and western deserts of Egypt where palm trees flourish.
Once used to provide agriculture, the neighboring villages are now abandoned and you can wander around the ghost towns, picturing the bustling neighborhoods in their prime.
More Reasons To Visit Egypt
There are countless reasons to visit Egypt and we've only mentioned a few of them. If you're hungry for more, here are some of the major attractions you can't miss while in the land of the camel.
The city of Cairo
The River Nile
Sharm-El-Sheikh
The city of Alexandria
Valley of the Kings
Abu Simbel temples
Aswan & Philae temple
Dendera
Final Thoughts On Why You Should Visit Egypt
Egypt is well-known for being a hub of rich culture dating back almost 5,000 years. If its unique carvings, architecture, and tombs aren't enough to make you add the country to your bucket list, we hope this list of reasons to visit Egypt has given you extra inspiration and shown you what else the African nation has to offer.