Egypt is a country that is known all over the world because it has lots of magnificent attractions that have made it famous. Its interesting to note that many of these magnificent attractions are found along the River Nile so when you take a tour along the Nile you will to sample some of the best attractions found in Egypt. Egypt receives millions of tourists each year who are attracted to its famous Pyramids,temples, monuments found in the Nile valley among other attractions.



Pyramids are no doubt the greatest attraction in Egypt. The kings of Egypt are believed to have built more than 80 pyramids between 2600 BC and 1500 BC, all of which are situated close to the banks of the Nile River. The purpose of these Pyramids was to preserve carefully the bodies of rulers and other prominent royal figures whose dead bodies were wrapped and preserved as mummies and placed in the pyramid. This custom emanated from Egyptians' believe in an afterlife in which the soul returned to the body thus necessitating proper preservation of both the body and valuable objects of use in the afterlife.

1. The Awesome Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx

The Great Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza are the most popular attraction in Egypt. It is said that the pyramids of Giza might have taken 80 years to construct and needed a labor force of about 20,000 people to construct them. The Great Pyramid is the oldest and and largest of them all and its said it was dedicated to Khufu. This pyramid boasted as being the tallest man made structure for more than 3500 years and it stands at 481 feet in height. The other two smaller pyramids ( Pyramid of Kafhre & the Pyramid of Menkaura) held the tombs of other Egyptian Kings.

The Great Sphinx is on the other hand one of the best known monuments of ancient Egypt architecture. Also located in Giza, the bewitching sphinx (a Greek word meaning to strangle) is a huge sculpture of a lion with a woman's head believed to have been curved around 2,500 BC. The Sphinx was used to symbolize the strength of the Pharaoh. The body of the sphinx is 200 feet (60m) in length, and 65 feet (20m) in height and it stands out as a symbol of man's earliest attempts at civilization.

2. Khan al-Khalili

Khan al-Khalili is one of the largest markets in the world which attracts both local's and international tourists. This is a great place to buy exotic perfume bottles, Arabic clothing and other souvenirs. Bargaining has been the way of life in these bazaars since late 14th Century and it is easy to be mislead by the sweet-tongued salesmen who abound in the market.

3. The Awesome Egyptian Museum of Antiquities

Near Khan al-Khalili is the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. With over a hundred thousand artifacts in 107 halls, the mosque contains the oldest university in the world (AD 970). The exhibits in the museum bring Islamic Cairo to life with arts, ceramics, mosaics and calligraphy.

4. The Amazing Karnak Temple

Another great attraction in Egypt is the Karnak Temple situated in modern town of Luxor, the site of the famous city of Thebes( popularly known as the city of a hundred gates). The temple is renown for its countless columns, statues and sphinxes. A row of sphinxes line the entrance to Karnak Temple and the most famous section of the temple is a huge hall called the Great Hypostyle Hall. The 50,000 sq ft hall dwarfs all the others and is one of the most visited monuments in Egypt.

5. Theban Necropolis

And on the West Bank of the Nile is the vast Theban Necropolis, containing some of the world's finest tombs: the Valley of the Kings; Valley of the Queens; and Tombs of the Nobles. Highlights include the Tomb of Tutankhamen; Ramses II; and the Tomb of Nefertari, reputed to be the country's finest, which is newly restored and allows only 150 visitors a day for 10 minutes.