Egypt

Save

Advertisement

Giant statues at Abu Simbel, Egypt

Introducing Egypt

The land that gave birth to the first great civilisation needs little introduction. The pyramids, the minarets, the Nile – the scope of Egypt is magnificent.

Advertisement

Visitors are surprised to discover that those legendary pyramids are merely the tip of the archaeological iceberg. Pharaonic nations, ancient Greeks, Romans, Christians and Arab dynasties have all played their part in fashioning Egypt’s embarrassment of architectural wealth.

Cairo’s chaos whirrs around a medieval core that has remained unchanged since the founding days of Islam. Upriver, Luxor, the site of ancient Thebes, is lined with warrens of opulent burial chambers and boasts some of the most formidable monuments in all antiquity. Further south at Aswan, even more geometrically imposing temples write a testament to the power of archaic gods and omnipotent pharaohs. It is here that the Nile is best explored by ancient sail, on a felucca (Egyptian sailing boat) at the hands of the prevailing currents and winds.

Out west, Egypt’s ocean of sand stretches infinitely to the Sahara, with a handful of oases feeding solitary islands of green. Hivelike, medieval fortresses cower out here, interspersed with bubbling springs and ghostly rock formations. Meanwhile, the deep, crystal waters of the Red Sea lie brilliantly awash in coral, surrounded by an aquatic frenzy of underwater life. In the deserts of Sinai’s interior, visitors can climb the mount where God had word with Moses, and spend their remaining days in halcyon bliss at coastal Dahab’s backpacker Shangri-La.

Though it is one of the more politically stable countries in the region, modern-day Egypt is not without strife. Thirty years of authoritarian rule, an erratic economy and rising living costs fan the flames of social unrest. Still, Egyptians are a resilient lot, and visitors making the journey here will find as much ancient history as they will modern hospitality.

Make it happen

Last updated: 15-Jul-2010

Tips & articles

  1. 10 classic sailing adventures

    1 September 2010

    Pack your sea legs for this whip around the world’s sunniest sailing spots. In this excerpt from Lonely Planet’s 1000...

    Read more

  2. Top 10 highlights of 10 great countries

    31 August 2010

    Want to get straight to the cream of 10 great destinations? Check out these Top Tens!1. Top 10 ways to...

    Read more

  3. Egypt: travel books to read before you go

    25 August 2010

    This excerpt from Lonely Planet’s Egypt guide provides a selection of travel literature to get you in the mood for...

    Read more

See all tips & articles for Egypt

Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. cycleethiopia avatar
    Cycling from Addis>Harar

    by cycleethiopia 3 replies, last post 02 September 2010

    Hi All, My friend and I are experienced cycle tourists and we are looking for some comments and advice from people who have travelled…
  2. someyounggirl avatar
    Travelling in Jan.

    by someyounggirl 1 reply, last post 01 September 2010

    Hi all, I'm new to lonely planet & I've joined to get some help/inspiration on where to go in the first of Jan. Me and my bf haven't been…
  3. psychically avatar
    Female travel companion wanted for Egypt or Bali

    by psychically 10 replies, last post 02 September 2010

    Hi. I'm looking for a female travel companion, preferably 40 plus, to go to Egypt or Bali. Independent travel or tours, either is okay.…

See all Thorn Tree forum discussions for Egypt

In our shop

Hotels & Hostels in Egypt

See all hotels and hostels in Egypt

Travel Insurance

Going to Egypt? Make sure you're covered.

Get a quote

See all travel services

Advertisement