Sattin - Discover Egypt Travel Guide

This Is Egypt

There has never been a better time to visit Egypt. Stirred by the 2011 revolution that overthrew President Mubarak, embellished by some recent archaeological discoveries and some newly refurbished museums, its living through a period of excitement unmatched for the past half- century. For all the new-found energy, the age-old attractions remain: the great monuments, the lure of the Nile, the glitter of the gold-fringed seas and the great desert.

The past still throws a long shadow over the present. Egypt has more monuments and artefacts from its glorious past than any other ancient civilisation. From the Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to the temples and tombs of Luxor and the majesty of Ramses IIs temples at Abu Simbel, visitors are spoilt for antiquity choice almost wherever they go.

The coast is enough of a lure for many people: Egypt has some 2900km of shoreline, from the Mediterranean in the north to the Red Sea in the east. The Mediterranean coast gets crowded in summer, but its the Red Sea that brings in the most visitors, drawn by the promise of winter sun and stunning waters that hide coral gardens and myriad varieties of fish. Here, theres another choice to make: whether to look for quiet on a remote stretch, or head to Sharm el Sheikh or some of the other resorts to party.

Modern Egypt has never been livelier. More than 80 million Egyptians are in the process of creating a new country, but still have to deal with their age-old problems of limited farmland and a shortage of water. But Egyptians are resourceful and resilient. Theyre also playful people who have learned to laugh at adversity. Stunning monuments, vast deserts, coral-filled waters, characterful people elements you can find in many countries, but in Egypt they are strung together in such a way as to make a journey here a memorable, perhaps even life-changing, experience.

Decorated house, Luxor
PHOTOGRAPHER: FRANS LEMMENS / LONELY PLANET IMAGES

Egypts Top Experiences

Pyramids of Giza

Towering over both the urban sprawl of Cairo and the desert plains beyond, the Pyramids of Giza ( ) and the Sphinx are at the top of every travellers itinerary. Bring lots of water, an empty memory card and a lot of patience! Youll have to fend off plenty of people pushing horse rides and Bedouin headdresses in order to enjoy this ancient funerary complex, but no trip to Egypt is complete without a photo of you in front of the last surviving ancient wonder of the world.

RICHARD I'ANSON / LONELY PLANET IMAGES

Temples of Karnak

One of the greatest religious complexes anywhere on earth, the Temples of Karnak ( ) is a series of temples and shrines dedicated to the local trinity and embellished over 1000 years. Much of the complex is still closed while archaeologists continue their work, but what you can see is mesmerising. The hypostyle hall, a stone representation of a papyrus swamp, and the granite obelisks are among the highlights.

Great Hypostyle Hall, Temples of Karnak
RICHARD I'ANSON / LONELY PLANET IMAGES

The biggest and most extraordinary religious complex in the country. ( )

The last great temple built during the ancient empire: majestic, beautiful and full of mystery. ( )

Where all ancient Egyptians hoped to be buried, in the shadow of a magnificent temple. ( )