The global travel website “Lonely Planet” has highlighted lesser known destinations that can be enjoyed when visiting Egypt, in its article titled “Dig deeper with these eight alternative destinations in Egypt“.
Lonely planet called Egypt the cradle of civilizations, showcasing its many ancient monuments that are unparalleled anywhere else in the world.
Although millions around the world may not have the opportunity to travel to Egypt, they know its most prominent and famous destinations such as the pyramids, the Sphinx, King Tutankhamun and the Valley of the Kings.
The website added that as these historical places have attracted foreign travelers to Egypt for thousands of years, tourists are accustomed to visiting them, as first-time visitors to Egypt tend to follow a route from Cairo to Luxor and end their trip in Aswan.
However, Egypt has a lot to discover beyond these traditional excursions, such as:
The Djoser pyramid (Saqqara pyramid)
The website advised its readers to visit the Pyramid of Saqqara alongside the Pyramids of Giza, claiming that it was impossible not to be surprised when they see it for the first time.
The Saqqara Pyramid is one of the largest archaeological sites in Egypt, it said, referring to wooden coffins, mummies, bronze statues and cheese pots from the 26th Dynasty.
The Step Pyramid of Djoser is the oldest pyramid in Egypt, and also oldest stone structure in the entire world. It was renovated and reopened in 2020 after 14 years of closure, the article said.
The Manial Palace
The website advised visitors to put “Manial Palace” on the list of destinations, saying it was built by Prince Muhammad Ali Tawfiq in 1899.
It added that this formerly royal residence is a mixture of Ottoman, Persian, Andalusian and European styles.
Abydos
The Karnak temple complex in Luxor is considered one of the largest religious sites in the world, on an area of 200 acres, even larger than the Vatican City.
While the Temple of Abydos isn’t as large, the website still said the visit has a lot to offer, given its close roots to the god of death, Osiris, as ancient myth claims the temple is built on the spot where the god’s severed head landed after his dismemberment – making it a site of many ancient pilgrimages.
Deir el-Madina
Deir el-Medina, in Upper Egypt, is part of the Thebes necropolis in the north of the Valley of the Kings in the Luxor Governorate, specifically on the west bank of the Nile. It was the seat of families of craft workers during the era of the New Kingdom of Egypt (1570 – 1070) BC.
A selection of tombs are still open to visitors today, but steep pricing means many of its most beautiful tombs are scarcely visited.
Dendara
While Edfu is a regular stop on Nile cruises, the Temple of Hathor at Dendara is not often visited despite its proximity to Luxor. Some of the Nile cruise companies include a visit to this wonderful temple.
Lake Nasser
Many visitors to Egypt say that the Great Temple at Abu Simbel, faced by giant statues of a seated pharaoh, is their favorite, thanks to its superior architecture, peaceful lakeside location and incredible story of rescue from rising waters as a result of the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
As a result of the dam construction the Lake Nasser, one of the largest artificial lakes in the world, was created.
Only a few companies take tourists in cruises on the lake, to see the monuments that are not often seen.
