In truth, the highlights of Memphis Egypt itself are few and far between—but then, that’s all part of the charm and intrigue of the place as a tourist site. This was once the biggest city in the land, acting as a commercial and political hub for a large swath of Egypt. Today, most of the relics from the city’s ancient era are found around the village of Mit Rahina. Here you can see the remains of a temple dedicated to the pagan god Ptah and a four-meter (thirteen-foot) alabaster statue of Ramesses II. Another, larger statue (this time ten meters, or 32 feet, tall) to the same pharaoh can be seen in Memphis’ excellent open-air museum. The gardens here are also well worth exploring.

Memphis Egypt

Memphis Egypt

The Step Pyramid of Djoser (also spelled Djozer or Zoser) in Saqqara is the oldest stone pyramid in Egypt and an important development in Ancient Egyptian architecture.

Chapel facades found at the complex surronding the Step Pyramid at Saqqara.

The necropolis of the ancient city of Memphis.

Two miles from Memphis Egypt lies the Saqqara, which once served as the city’s massive necropolis, or burial ground. Compellingly ancient Saqqara easily warrants as many hours of your time as the ruins of the city it once served, not least because Egypt’s iconic Step Pyramid, also known as the Pyramid of Djoser, is found here. Widely held to be the world’s largest stone structure, the Pyramid of Djoser is an awe-inspiring site that dates back to the time of King Djoser (around 2630 BC), who was entombed in the structure after his death. Quite simply, it’s one of the most astounding things you will see on your travels.

Coptic Cairo is the area of Old Cairo that most travelers want to spend most of their time exploring. The Coptic Museum is a particular draw here, given its preeminent collection of Christian Egyptian artifacts, including a collection of Coptic art that’s simply unrivaled anywhere across the globe. Another breathtaking thing to do while in Coptic Cairo is visit the Babylon Fortress, which once marked the boundary between Lower and Middle Egypt. Today such a boundary has long since gone, but the fortress’ walls stand tall nonetheless, providing a captivating reminder of times past.

Cairo, Egypt, Old Cairo

Old Cairo

Ahmad ibn Tulun mosque in Old Cairo.

Old Cairo Street

The streets of Old Cairo, wonderfully lit in the night.

Coptic Cairo

Different Coptic churches in the Coptic District of Cairo.

]]> http://toptouristsites.com/old-cairo/feed/ 0 http://toptouristsites.com/valley-of-the-queens-luxor/ http://toptouristsites.com/valley-of-the-queens-luxor/#comments Tue, 23 Nov 2010 02:47:14 +0000 Tommy http://toptouristsites.com/?p=2879 The Valley of the Queens is one of those attractions that make a vacation to Egypt unforgettable. A massive expanse that once served as the burial ground for the country’s dead queens and their children, the Valley of the Queens Egypt is one of the most impressive sites to be seen while touring the country.

Heralding around 80 tombs, including the famed tomb of Nefertari, it’s almost hard to know where to start when it comes to exploring the Valley of the Queens. Most, however, make a beeline to Nefertari’s Tomb—it’s probably the most famous of the many to be found here. Queen Nefertari was the wife of Ramesses the Great, and her fame, both today and in Ancient Egyptian times, is outdone only by that of Cleopatra. Consequently, it comes as little surprise that the tomb of Nefertari is lavishly decorated, both inside and out. Visitors here can enjoy an impressive amount of access to the tomb, thanks to extensive restoration work done during the latter decades of the twentieth century.

Aside from the tomb of Nefertari, other noteworthy people buried here include Queen Titi, who’s believed to be the Queen of the Twentieth Dynasty, which was in place around 1100 BC. That Queen Titi’s tomb remains in the state to be found today is all the more remarkable for the fact that tomb robbing became a massively popular activity around the time of her death.

Another important figure entombed in the Valley of the Queens Egypt is Amenhikhopeshef, who was the son of Ramesses III. Amenhikhopeshef died before reaching adolescence; scenes depicted on the walls of his tomb show his father handing him over to various gods including Thoth and Ptah for protection.

The Valley of the Queens is located on the West Bank of Luxor, once known as Thebes, close to its sister site, the Valley of the Kings. Luxor is, of course, packed with immense attractions for the incoming tourist, so you’ll have plenty to do even after fully exploring the Valley of the Queens Egypt. For example, the Luxor Museum is widely held as one of the country’s greatest historical exhibitions; it may not be jam packed with artifacts, but those that are housed here rank as some of the most important to be discovered in Egypt’s illustrious history. Similarly, the Mummification Museum makes for a great day trip out, with exhibits here designed to school visitors in the practice and process of mummification.

Valley of the Queens

Located on the west bank of the Nile river across from Luxor, the Valley of the Kings was used as a royal burial ground for 500 years, approximately from the sixteenth century BC to the eleventh. At least sixty-three tombs of pharaohs, nobles, and queens dot the Valley of the Kings. Tombs here are cut into rock, often proceeding back into the rock for a long distance, but barely visible at the surface. The interiors are excellent examples of ancient Egypt architecture using a pyramid-like shape as the rooms get progressively smaller. The paintings and bas reliefs decorating the walls of the tombs further illustrate ancient Egypt architecture.

Valley of the Kings

Valley of the Kings, Egypt

The Valley of the Kings is a valley in Egypt where for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the kings, including Tutankhamun and Ramesses the Great. We had the opportunity to visit three of the famous tombs.

Outside of Tutankhamun's tomb, Pyramid mountain above Valley of the Kings

Valley of the Kings overview

In 2,589 BC, the first pyramid of the Giza complex—the pyramid of King Khufu or Cheops—was started. This was not the first pyramid built in Egypt (and these three pyramids are not the only pyramids in Egypt), but it is the largest and most well known. Soon after its construction, Khufu’s son and grandson built the other two pyramids, completing what visitors commonly recognize as the Pyramids of Giza. While the three largest structures are obviously the most attention grabbing, the Giza Plateau is a complex including many other ancient buildings, among them the Great Sphinx.

The Pyramid of Giza

Great Pyramids, Giza, Cairo

Pyramids of Giza sunset

Egypt Pyramids

Egypt rouses a level of mystique and awe in travelers that few nations in the world can match. An ancient country, Egypt has been a unified state for 5,000 years. While most other nations were still hunting and gathering and learning to build huts, Ancient Egypt perfected one of the most colossal structures of all time – the Pyramids of Giza – and rose out of the constant passage of time by establishing something truly amazing.

Today, Egypt tourism and Egypt travel still thrives, centering around just about every facet of vacation possible. Egypt’s long history and varied geography draws visitors from all over the world seeking everything from Islamic history to golf to fishing to a day on an Egyptian beach, but by far one of the largest reasons to go to Egypt is to explore ancient Egypt, which miraculously still largely stands today in monuments throughout the country.

If you visit one city, it is likely to be Cairo given the huge amount of ancient Egypt attractions here. The Pyramids of Giza are just outside of town and in town the Egyptian Museum offers one of the best museum experiences anywhere in the world. Cairo contrasts its antiquity with such modern touches as a bustling Metro, which is a great way to get around. Many Nile cruises leave out of Cairo, offering Egypt tours to such locations as the Temple of Karnak or the Aswan Dam.

If taking a cruise up the Nile is not your thing, there are airports located in Cairo, Alexandria, Asyut, Luxor, Aswan, and Hurghada. Domestic flights are available from most of these to ferry you around the country.

Top attractions in Egypt

• Giza Pyramids
• Old Cairo
• Egyptian Museum
• Temple of Karnak or the Aswan Dam.
• Khan el Khalili
• Memphis and Saqqara
• Valley of the Kings
• Valley of the Queens
• White Desert