(Guest post by Colton Davis).
(Post Featured image credit: Photo by Osama Elsayed on Unsplash)
Many holidaymakers flock to Egypt for its pretty beach resorts which offer sun, sea, sand, and plenty of relaxation. For active travellers who prefer to stay busy, these quiet beach resorts are less appealing. Let’s take a look at three destinations in Egypt that have lots of fun activities on offer to appeal to energetic travellers.
Cairo is Egypt’s capital city and it has a huge array of attractions to visit. Those who love to be on the go will certainly stay busy in Cairo. The Giza pyramid complex, which lies on the outskirts of the city, is by far the most popular historic site, but wandering around the ancient structures in the baking heat is not for the fainthearted. There’s also the Fortress of Babylon, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Abdeen Palace, Giza Zoo, and a vast range of museums to explore. Even strolling around the Egyptian Museum in Cairo requires some stamina due to the sheer scale of the collection; there are around 120,000 antiquities on display here. Cairo’s position on the Nile also allows for active travellers to try their hand at kayaking and rowing to see a different side to this sprawling city.
Marsa Alam is a scenic resort town that lies on the Red Sea’s western shore and although its beaches are lined with sun loungers and umbrellas, there’s far more to do than simply relax. The town is considered one of the best destinations in the world for kitesurfing. Its waters are relatively flat and see plenty of sunny, windy days that are perfect for kitesurfing, particularly between September and April when average temperatures range between 18 and 29.5°C (64 – 85 F). The waters in Marsa Alam are very clear and there are beautiful natural barrier reefs to explore if you’re into diving or snorkelling. You might even get the chance to see sea turtles, dolphins, and dugongs (sea cows). If you love water sports or enjoy trying new activities, Marsa Alam is a fantastic destination.
Luxor is a fascinating city best known for its proximity to the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, two royal burial sites that have played an important role in our understanding of ancient Egypt. More than 150 tombs have been excavated across the two sites, including that of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. On the opposite bank of the river, there’s the Karnak temple complex to explore. This is an enormous 247-acre site that was developed over the course of 1,500 years by 30 successive pharaohs. There are many more temples and monuments in Luxor to explore, such as the Ramesseum, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut, as well as some excellent museums such as Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum. You’ll need to be on the go throughout your stay in Luxor for a chance to see all the sights.
There’s so much to see and do in Egypt that it’s the perfect holiday destination for active travellers. Choose one of these three cities as your base or consider travelling around the country to experience all that Egypt has to offer.