The Pyramids of Giza, along with the Sphinx and a handful of smaller tombs, form one of the most iconic sights in the world.

The Pyramids of Giza were built almost 5,000 years ago, at the beginning of human recorded history.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, also known as the Pyramid of Khufu or the Pyramid of Cheops, is the oldest of the three main pyramids on the Giza plateau. This pyramid was built around 2570 BC and it is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In fact, it is the only Ancient Wonder to remain largely intact.

Plan on spending a minimum of 3 hours at the Pyramids of Giza. This gives you enough time to go inside the Great Pyramid, visit Panoramic Point, and snap a photo with the Sphinx.

Drifting on the Nile River, past the ancient tombs and temples, is one of Egypt’s top experiences. Most cruises sail between Aswan and Luxor, with visits to Esna, Edfu, and Kom Ombo along the way.

You can travel the Nile River by cruise ship (the most popular option), on a dahabiya (smaller wooden ships, perfect for those who want to travel in a smaller group or want a more romantic experience), or a felucca (a small, Egyptian sailboat).

Saqqara, also spelled Sakkara, is the necropolis for the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis. This area contains numerous pyramids, including the Step Pyramid of Djoser (Zoser), the oldest stone building complex in the world.

Located on the Mediterranean Sea, Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt and a popular tourist destination. You can visit Alexandria on a day trip from Cairo or spend a night or two in the city.

Top sights include the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Alexandria National Museum, the Serapeum, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Corniche, the Stanley Bridge, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, and Montazah Palace Gardens.

Enjoy an amazing Sunrise balloon ride in Luxor, it is a magical flight experience you'll enjoy views of the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Karnak.

For 20 years, Hatshepsut ruled over Egypt, and she is considered to be one of the most powerful female rulers in the world.

In the cliffs of Deir el-Bahri sits Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple, her most famous architectural achievement. This colonnaded structure has a much different appearance than many other temples in Egypt, but that is what also makes it so memorable.

Without a doubt, a visit to the Valley of the Kings is one of the best things to do in Egypt.

The Valley of the Kings is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. This is a royal burial ground, with exquisitely decorated tombs for the pharaohs who ruled Egypt between 1539 and 1075 BC. There are over 60 tombs in this small area, although only a handful are open to public.

Karnak Temple is the second largest temple complex in the world (Angkor Wat in Cambodia is the largest). For over 2,000 years, starting in 2000 BCE, temples, monuments, and buildings were added to the complex. Approximately 30 pharaohs added something to the Karnak Temple Complex.

Karnak Temple is the second most visited site in Egypt, coming in right behind the Pyramids of Giza. This is one of the best things to do in Egypt.

Walk along the avenue lined with ram-headed sphinxes, enter the awe-inspiring Hypostyle Hall, see the obelisks of Tuthmosis I and Hatshepsut, and see the beautiful reliefs on the pylons.

This huge temple complex is dedicated to Ramesses III. There are several courtyards, pylons, and peristyle halls, with inscribed reliefs depicting the defeat of the Sea People during the rule of Ramesses III. It is located on the West Bank of Luxor.

Luxor Temple looks and feels like a smaller version of Karnak Temple, although this temple served a different purpose than many found in and around Luxor. This temple is not dedicated to one particular god or pharaoh. Instead, it may have been where many of the kings of ancient Egypt were crowned. This temple was built in 1400 BC, mostly by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II.

This temple can be visited while on a Nile Cruise or on the drive between Luxor and Aswan.

This is a magnificent temple that is dedicated to the god Horus. It was built in the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BC.

It is in excellent condition, despite being over 2,000 years old (although it is relatively young by Egyptian standards). The first pylon is in almost perfect condition and you really get an idea of how these temples looked when they were first constructed.

The Temple of Kom Ombo is a double temple that was constructed for two sets of gods. One half of the complex is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god who is associated with fertility of the land along the Nile River. The other half is dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god.

Sitting on the bank of Lake Nasser is one of Egypt’s most striking monuments, the twin temples of Abu Simbel. Built by Ramesses II over 3,000 years ago, these temples have stood the test of time. The story behind Abu Simbel becomes even more fascinating when you learn that the entire complex was dismantled and relocated to higher ground, after the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The Philae Temple is one of the best-preserved Ptolemaic temples in Egypt, joining the list with the temples of Dendera and Edfu. More than two-thirds of the surviving buildings of the temple complex were built during the Ptolemaic period (332 to 30 BC). Isis was the primary deity who was worshipped here, although Osiris and Hathor were also honored.

The White Desert is a national park that is located in the Western Desert of Egypt. Uniquely shaped limestone rock formations decorate this desert landscape.

To get here, it’s a long drive from Cairo and you will need a 4×4. Most people visit the White Desert on a guided tour. A visit to the White Desert usually includes a quick visit to the Black Desert and to the Bahariya Oasis.

Journey away from the tombs, temples, and densely populated cities of Egypt into the Western Desert. It is here that you can visit the oases, where groves of palm trees and freshwater springs dot the immense desert landscape.

Egypt has several oases that are located in the Western Desert.

Siwa Oasis, located in western Egypt near the Libyan border, is considered to be the most beautiful oasis. It is also the most remote, located 560 km from Cairo. Alexander the Great came here to consult the oracle at the Temple of Jupiter-Amun.

The Bahariya Oasis, which is located 330 km from Cairo, has several small ancient sites. A visit here is often combined with the White Desert.

The Fayoum Oasis is a quasi-oasis that is located next to the Nile River, south of Cairo. Visit Wadi El Rayan, a national park that contains man-made lakes and several waterfalls. You can also explore The Valley of the Whales, where you can see the skeletons of sharks, whales, and other fossils that date back millions of years.

The Red Sea is one of the world’s top scuba diving locations. With pristine reefs, numerous shipwrecks to explore, warm water, and excellent visibility, Egypt’s Red Sea is a bucket list destination for many scuba divers.