Are you booking a trip to Egypt and wondering what are the must-visit places? In this post, is a map of Egypt to save so you know exactly which cities are unmissable!
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If you want to be able to see all of the amazing historical places Egypt has to offer then be sure to keep reading and save this map!
Egypt is one of those countries with such a rich and deep culture. The kind of places you don’t forget learning about when you were a child. It’s everyone’s dream to walk around the ruins of Ancient Egypt.
Whether you are taking a tour or traveling alone, here is a map of the top 6 cities to visit in Egypt to be sure you don’t miss a single place worth seeing.
Map of Cities in Egypt
Cities in Egypt to Visit
While there are more than just these six cities, these are the top ones you want to visit as a tourist. They have the most historic culture and archeological sites as well as being tourist friendly.
1. Cairo
Cairo is the busy capital city of Egypt. This is likely where you will land and begin your trip.
While Cairo is definitely a hustle-and-bustle kind of city, it is a must-visit place because the Great Pyramids of Giza are located right outside of the city. The pyramids are located just 10 miles away from downtown Cairo, about a 30-minute drive west.
Memphis Necropolis is also close to Cairo where you can see the largest statue of Ramesses II. In the same area is Saqqara where you can see the Pyramid of Djoser. It is known to be an even better experience than the Pyramids of Giza because it’s much less touristy and the pyramid is in better condition.
Besides the incredible pyramids located near Cairo, the city also houses the immaculate treasures found in King Tut’s tomb at the Egyptian Museum. When I visited in early 2022, they were in the process of opening and moving artifacts into the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) just a stone’s throw away from the Giza Pyramids.
Here is a list of a few other attractions in the city of Cairo worth visiting –
- Islamic Cairo
- Khan el-Khalili Bazaar (shopping market)
- Salah Al-Din Al-Ayoubi Castle
I do briefly want to mention that while Cairo holds such great attractions, the city itself can be dirty and overwhelming. There are much calmer and quieter places in Egypt so I recommend spending as little time as possible in the capital city.
2. Luxor
My favorite ‘city’ by far was Luxor. There’s so much to see and do around the town and it’s easily walkable.
Located about 8 hours south of Cairo, Luxor is a much smaller and more beautiful city located right along the Nile River. Luxor is divided into two sections – the West Bank and the East Bank.
The East Bank is where all of the hotels and restaurants are as well as the town of Luxor itself. This is where most tourists stay and spend their time. There are also two main temples located on this side – Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple. You can even walk from one to the other via The Sphynx Avenue.
The West Bank is where the ancient Egyptians buried the dead. Valley of the Kings, which housed the tombs of royal pharaohs, is located on this side. As well as many other archeological sites and tombs. Some of these are The Valley of the Queens, Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, and Deir El-Medina (Valley of the Artisans).
If you’re interested in learning more about Luxor and the West Bank vs the East Bank, you can read my post all about it here.
3. Alexandria
Alexandria is a beautiful northern city located in the delta of the Nile River right along the Mediterranean Sea. This town is also more quaint and much quieter than Cairo. The city is infamous for the Library of Alexandria which was burned by mistake by Julius Caesar over 2,000 years ago.
Although the library no longer remains, they have built the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina as an homage to the ancient library. There is also much more to see in this seaside town. Here is a list of popular attractions for your visit to Alexandria –
4. Aswan
Aswan is another small town nestled along the Nile River. It’s further south about three hours away from Luxor. If you happen to do a Nile Cruise at all, this tends to be one of the main stops.
Philae Temple is the main attraction located on Philae Island just a short 10-minute boat ride from the mainland. There are plenty of boats here available to take you onto the island.
Besides Philae Temple, there are other attractions and temples to visit here. Some of these include Unfinished Obelisk, Tombs of the Nobles in Aswan, the Nubian Museum, and the colorful Nubian Village.
5. Abu Simbel
Although Abu Simbel isn’t a city at all but instead a small village, it’s worth the visit to see the marvelous Abu Simbel Temple. You only really need a day here to see the area so most people take a day trip from Aswan.
Abu Simbel Temple actually has a rather interesting history. After the Aswan Dam was built, the water levels started rising in Lake Nasser causing the original location of the temple to be covered by water.
So in the 1960s, they had to cut the entire site into large blocks, dismantle it, and then carefully reassemble it at its new location about 600 feet away from the water. This was quite an achievement in archeological engineering.
6. Sharm El-Sheikh
Lastly, another popular tourist destination is Sharm El-Sheikh located on the Sinai Peninsula. It’s an Egyptian resort town on the Red Sea. Besides soaking in the beach and having a vibrant nightlife, the main attraction to see is the Mustafa Mosque.
This is a popular destination however, it isn’t one most travelers visit on their trip through Egypt. You must take a flight to get there and it’s more of a vacation spot for locals living in surrounding countries.
I believe most travelers visiting Egypt go to see and experience the culture of Ancient Egypt but I figured I’d mention this town on the list.
Although it’s a quite safe tourist travel destination today, in the past, there have been bombings that resulted in the closure of Sharm El-Skeikh. Because of this, many travelers are hesitant to visit this beachside town. However, the government assures that the safety and security of travelers is their number one priority.
I hope this list and map of the top cities to visit in Egypt has given you a better idea of destinations to stop at during your trip! Although Egypt has its negative sides, overall it’s a country with beautiful history and ancient archaeology that ultimately it’s worth a visit at least once in your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main cities in Egypt?
The main cities with rich ancient Egyptian history and culture to visit are Cairo (for the Pyramids of Giza), Luxor (for the Valley of the Kings), Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and Sharm El-Sheikh (resort town on the Red Sea).
What is the best city to go to Egypt?
This of course depends on what you’re looking for but besides Cairo for the Pyramids of Giza, Luxor has way more historical archeological sites and tombs which give you a better look into how life was in Ancient Egypt.
How far are the pyramids from Cairo?
The Pyramids of Giza are just a 30-minute drive west of Cairo, making it a great first stop on your visit to Egypt. The Pyramid of Djoser, as well as a few others, are also located just outside of Cairo and are worth a visit, especially if you want a quieter less hectic pyramid experience.
For more Egypt information, you may also like:
- Fantastic 17-Day Itinerary For Remarkable Egypt And Jordan Trip
- How To Easily Visit Luxor: West Bank vs East Bank
