On the West Bank of the River Nile, the Valley of the Kings at Luxor is home to many historical sites. The Valley of the Kings is home to over 60 tombs and over 120 chambers. This is where the pharaohs were buried and was believed by them to be the place they hoped to meet their gods in the afterlife. You will also find the area that the tomb of Tutankhamen was discovered. Unfortunately, most of the tombs are not open to the public. SInce the 18th Century, this places has been a popular archaeological exploration spot. It is truly unique. As one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, it became a World Heritage Site in 1979.
Luxor Temple
The Temple at Luxor is right in the centre of Luxor, so if you do head to Luxor you shouldn’t miss it. The annual festival of Opet was celebrated at the temple, which was built in around 1400BC. Well over 3000 years old, this place will leave you awestruck. The complex is lit up spectacularly, so an evening visit is well worth it. A definite must see is the temple.
The Temple of Karnak
This vast complex of ruined temples, pylons and chapels is located near Luxor. It is considered one of the most important places of worship in Ancient Egypt. Hieroglyphics decorage everything around. The result is spectacular. You can also find historical performances and sound and light shows here explaining much more about the history of Karnak’s Temples.
The Egyptian Museum
Located in Cairo, the Egyptian Museum is home to over 120,000 items of treasured found around Egypt. As the museum is one of Egypt’s most popular attractions, it is advised to arrive there early. Many treasures were discovered within the tombs here, as well as over 20 genuine mummies in the Royal Mummy Room. The star attraction here, however, is undoubtedly the tomb of Tutankhamen and the treasures buried with it. A good crowd usually gathers around the solid gold mask that rested on the king’s head. This mask weighs 24.five pounds of solid gold, and the face is believed to bear an uncanny resemblance to the King’s face.
The Great Sphynx of Giza
The Great Sphynx is the largest statue created from one piece of stone. Built by the Ancient Egyptians in around 3000BC, it has a lion’s body and the head of a human. The Sphynx was buried up to its neck in sand until the 1920s when it was fully uncovered.
The Pyramids of Giza
If you are at the Sphynx then there is not a chance that you will be missing the Pyramids. Giza is home to three main pyramids, the most famous of which is the Great Pyramid. The pyramids were originally made from smooth, polished limestone, but years of weather erosion have left us with step like structures from bottom to top. The only remaining limestone is at the top of the smallest pyramid, but even this has lost its polished texture due to years of erosion. Of the sevent wonders of the ancient world, the Great Pyramid is the only one still in existence.
A trip to Egypt is one you’ll never forget. If you are taking advantage of the cheap Sharm holidays that you find, then you cannot afford to miss any of these amazing attractions that this awe inspiring country has to offer.
