Top things to do in Egypt

The Pharaoh Who Changed Everything: King Akhenaten When people think of ancient Egypt , they often picture grand temples, towering statues of gods, and a long, steady line of pharaohs honoring centuries-old traditions. But not every ruler followed the script. King Akhenaten is one of the most fascinating and controversial figures in all of Egyptian history precisely because he broke the mold — and did so in dramatic fashion. Before Akhenaten , Egypt worshiped a vast array of gods . Temples to Amun , Osiris, Isis, and dozens of others stood as the spiritual and cultural backbone of Egyptian society . Then came Akhenaten, and with him, a radical shift that shocked the kingdom. Check our daily tours offers! From Amenhotep IV to Akhenaten Born as Amenhotep IV , he inherited the throne during the height of the 18th Dynasty, a time of wealth and power. But not long into his reign, he made a decision that would rewrite Egyptian religion . He changed his name to Akhenaten, which means “Effe...

Overview of the Babylonic Fortress Located in the centre of Coptic  Cairo , the  Babylonic Fortress  is one of the historically deepest sites in  Egypt . Many visitors often overlook the fortress in favour of the  Pyramids  or Islamic Cairo, but the fortress was an important site of military, religious, and urban place-making in Egypt’s history. Despite its name, the fortress has nothing to do with Mesopotamian Babylon; nevertheless, the fortress is a potent symbol of Roman occupation, early Christian residence, and multi-culturism under Cairo’s history. Today, the remains of the fort provide a striking backdrop to some of the oldest and most important Coptic churches in Cairo, including the Hanging Church. For history buffs, it is a must-see site for how Rome, Byzantium and early Christianity shaped the Egyptian landscape. Check our  day tours  offers! Historical Background The Fortress of Babylon was constructed in the late 1st century CE by the...

  The  Temple of Philae , nestled on a small island in the  Nile  near  Aswan , is one of the most romantic and beautifully located temples in  Egypt . Originally built during the Ptolemaic period (starting in the 3rd century BCE) and expanded under Roman rule, it was dedicated to Isis, one of the most beloved deities in the  ancient Egyptian  pantheon. Isis was worshipped as the goddess of magic, motherhood, healing, and protection. Pilgrims traveled from across the Mediterranean world to visit Philae, making it one of the last active temples of  ancient Egyptian religion . Remarkably, it remained a place of worship until the 6th century AD, when it was finally closed under the Christian Byzantine Empire. Check our  day tours  offers! Relocation and Preservation In the 20th century, the construction of the  Aswan High Dam  posed a major threat to  Philae . Its original location was flooded by the rising waters of Lak...

Introduction to the Valley of the Queens Located on the west bank of the Nile , near the town of Luxor , the Valley of the Queens is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Egypt . This ancient burial ground was primarily used for the tombs of royal women, including queens, princesses, and royal children, who were buried during the New Kingdom (1550–1070 BCE). The valley is often overlooked in favor of the more famous Valley of the Kings , but it offers its own share of treasures, including well-preserved tombs and murals that provide a glimpse into the life and death of Egypt’s royal women. Check our  daily tours  offers! Historical Significance The Valley of the Queens was established during the 19th Dynasty of Egypt and remained in use for centuries. It became the final resting place for the wives and children of Egypt’s pharaohs, as well as some of their royal concubines. The site is most famous for the tombs of the queens of the 19th and 20th Dyna...

  Man, before we had all those fancy satellites or weather apps spitting out rain icons, Egyptians were already on top of things with something just as cool — if not cooler: the   Nilometer . Yeah, the name’s kinda literal, but don’t let that fool you. This thing changed the game for thousands of years, and pretty much ran the show when it came to farming, taxes, and even whether folks starved or feasted. Let’s set the scene: tucked away on  Roda Island  in Cairo, the  Nilometer  isn’t the tourist trap everyone’s Instagramming. Which — honestly — makes it better. But it’s got some serious street cred; you can almost feel the old-school science vibes coming off the stone. The Nile and ancient Egypt? Basically inseparable. These folks didn’t just build pyramids — they built a device to read a river like some sort of supernatural meter stick. And yes, people took it *very* seriously. Check our  daily tours  offers! What’s a Nilometer? “Measuring stic...