The Philae Temple, Egypt

Not only is Philae one of the headlining sites in Egypt’s collection of ancient temples, it also represents one of the more astounding architectural feats you’ll come across while traveling the country. The Philae Temple, also referred to as the Temple of Isis, is certainly impressive, but it’s made all the more remarkable because it no longer stands on the island of Philae Egypt.

The explanation is simple and yet mind-boggling: Following the completion of the initial Aswan Dam in 1902, the Philae Temple was submerged underwater for ten out of twelve months every year, which ultimately meant that it had to be moved if it were to be saved, as water and sandstone brick don’t traditionally mix well together. Thus, UNESCO launched a huge project to save the Philae Temple, exporting it brick by brick to the island of Agilkai, which is just over 500 meters from Philae.

The project took eight years to complete; thankfully, when it finally came to an end in 1980, it was declared a comprehensive success. Today, then, a visit to Philae actually entails a visit to the island of Agilkai. But no matter: This is still a stupendously awesome archaeological site, and visitors will find its general levels of preservation more than make up for its lack of geographical authenticity.

The Temple of Isis was built in dedication to the goddess Isis, a magical, matriarchal figure in ancient Egyptian worship. It’s a huge construct, notable for its great, flat-front façade and the enchanting, mystical hieroglyphics that line its walls. Visitors can have a memorable time exploring these attractions, which inevitably herald a multitude of photo-taking opportunities.

While at the Philae Temple, many make a point to seek out Trajan’s Kiosk, an imposing square structure whose each wall features imaginatively carved columns. Trajan was a Roman Emperor in the region around the time of 100 AD; illustrations on the kiosk depict him making offerings to various Egyptian gods, including Isis herself, as well as Horus and Osiris. While it’s not quite as awe-inspiringly grand as the Temple of Isis, Trajan’s Kiosk lacks nothing when it comes to sheer beauty.

Thanks to its location at the northern head of the massive Aswan Lake, Philae is pretty simple to reach, with regular tours operating by boat from the nearby city of Aswan. Aswan itself is one of Egypt's most popular travel destinations, with vacations often ending there after having traveled down the Nile, stopping off at Cairo and Luxor on the way. Such vacations are basically what dreams are made of, taking in as they do massive Egyptian attractions such as the Giza Pyramids, the Citadel of Saladin, and the Khan El Khalili (all in Cairo), and the Valley of the Kings and the Luxor Museum (in Luxor).

If the Philae Temple leaves you intrigued and hoping to see more ancient temples, there are plenty at various sites a short journey north of Aswan. These include the Temple of Seti at Abydos, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, and the temple at Kom Ombo.

Edfu Egypt

Edfu is a smallish city located on the Nile close to the major urban hubs of Aswan and Luxor (and, to a lesser extent, Cairo). 60,000 people live here, which means it's not a city to be sniffed at, but there's one attraction here that dominates all else in terms of travel to Edfu: the Temple of Horus, sometimes referred to as the Edfu Temple. A massive and magnificent Ptolemaic temple (Ptolemy being a ruler around 250 BC), the site ranks alongside the Giza Pyramids, the Citadel of Saladin, and the Karnak Temple as a must-see attraction while in Egypt.

In terms of size, the Edfu Temple is second only to the Karnak Temple, while it's widely held to share the title of the best preserved temple in Egypt with the Temple of Hathor at Dendera. Visiting the Temple of Horus, then, is a real treat; rarely do you find examples of the ancient world as large, impressive, and intact as this.

This temple at Edfu was built over the course of 200 years; it was finally finished during the reign of Ptolemy XII, father of the famous Cleopatra VII, in 57 BC. Dedicated to the Egyptian God Horus, it's linked to the temple at Dendera because of the supposed marriage between Horus and Hathor, who lived at Dendera and who would travel to Edfu every year to meet her husband.

Inevitably, given this history, there's a lot to see when visiting the Temple of Horus, so it's worth giving yourself plenty of time to explore its numerous rooms and sweeping courtyards, and the decorative hieroglyphs that line its walls. These hieroglyphs provide an important insight into Egyptian culture, detailing not only traditional ways of life at the time but also architectural practices and processes. Aside from their scholarly importance, the hieroglyphs are also just beautiful to stare at, an art in their own right.

Geographically sandwiched between Luxor to the north and Aswan to the south, Edfu proves easy to access for the visitor touring Egypt. As with Dendera and Abydos, trips to the Edfu Temple are often one-day affairs, with tour groups starting out from either Luxor or Aswan during the early morning and then returning late at night. Unlike Dendera, however, Edfu Egypt is easier to stay in overnight should you want to spend a little longer exploring the Temple of Horus and its surroundings.

Both Luxor and Aswan are major destinations within Egypt, which means continuing your travels from Edfu will be a guaranteed delight, whichever way you go. Both cities offer the tourist an authentic and unique Egyptian experience. Luxor probably boasts more famous tourist attractions, offering as it does the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, the Luxor Museum, and the Mummification Museum. Aswan, meanwhile, is a slightly more down-to-earth type of place—make sure to check out the Aswan Dam while spending time here.

Kom Ombo Temple, Egypt

While the town that surrounds it hardly grabs the average traveler’s attention, the Kom Ombo Temple is splendid enough to draw visitors in hordes—and rightly so. This large temple dates back to Ptolemaic times, its period of construction lasting somewhere between 200 BC and the turn of the Christian calendar. Today, the Temple of Kom Ombo is a highlight on any itinerary that heads along the Nile, attracting particular attention due to its unique design.

This so-called double design of the Temple of Kom Ombo refers to the fact that the temple consists of two halves, which almost exactly mirror each other. Kom Ombo Temple was dedicated to two distinct ancient Egyptian gods: Haroeris and Sobek-Re. Not wishing to favor one over the other, Ptolemaic architects designed the temple so that each God received an equal amount of reverence. The signature sight for visitors to the Temple of Kom Ombo is the Outer Hypostyle Hall. Boasting fifteen wonderfully decorated columns, this hall features a multitude of historical information thanks to its intricately carved walls, which depict various scenes of religious imagery.

Just outside the Outer Hypostyle Hall is the Sacred Well at Kom Ombo. Not only was the well considered sacred, it also held an important officious role during Ptolemaic times, when the year’s taxes would be calculated by specially chosen priests who would descend the stairway that leads down the well and thus measure the depth of the Nile. Another water feature at the Temple of Kom Ombo is also worth seeking out. This is the small pool found near the well. Sobek-Re was known as the Crocodile God—in this pool, sacred crocodiles were raised. You can also find fascinating mummies of crocodiles in the temple’s Chapel of Hathor.

The Kom Ombo Temple is easy enough to reach, thanks to its close proximity to Aswan and Luxor. Aswan is the closer of these two major urban hubs, and many visitors take the opportunity to combine a trip to Kom Ombo Egypt with a cruise up the Nile on a felucca, a traditional wooden boat. While such a cruise makes for a memorable vacation experience, it’s certainly the more time consuming way of doing things, and you’d be best off just taking the train if you want to minimize traveling time and therefore maximize sightseeing time. Trains from both Aswan and Luxor stop in the town of Kom Ombo Egypt.

As with the Abydos, Dendera, and Edfu temples (all of which are close to Kom Ombo Egypt), trips here tend to be daytime excursions, providing a break from the hectic sightseeing that naturally comes with time spent in either Luxor or Aswan. Luxor is the larger of these two cities, and it’s probably the more established in terms of tourism, offering such standout attractions as the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, the Mummification Museum, and the Luxor Museum. Aswan, meanwhile, is a little more laid-back; vacationers who stop here enjoy its varied shopping opportunities, its wonderfully atmospheric coffeeshops, and, of course, the modern miracle that is the Aswan Dam.

The Dendera Temple, Egypt

Small and yet impressively maintained, Dendera is an archaeological site to gaze at in wonder. With roots in Egyptian history that stretch back to 2600 BC, the Dendera Temple complex that is to be found today in the tiny town of Dendera is a true feat of human engineering. The complex includes the Temple of Hathor, which is widely held to be the best preserved temple in the entire country, which is certainly impressive, as there are plenty of temples in excellent states to be found here such as those at Abydos and Edfu.

The Dendera Temple complex spreads out over an expansive 40,000 square meters, or more than 430,000 square feet, its ruins enclosed by a solid mud brick wall. The Temple of Hathor is far and away the main attraction here; it's a hugely magnificent and magnificently huge square structure that looks every bit as ancient as it is. Inside, visitors to the Temple of Hathor explore the structure's various imposing halls and its associated necropolis. One thing that unfortunately can't be seen here is the Dendera Zodiac, for while it was initially found in this temple of Dendera, it's today displayed in full grandeur at the Louvre in Paris.

One of the best things about the Dendera Temple as it stands today is that the vast majority of the structure is open to visitor exploration. Local authorities have done well to allow tourists here a sensible amount of free reign, and as a result visitors often rank a trip to Dendera as top of their list of most enjoyable things to do while in Egypt. The site also includes such tourist provisions as a coffee shop and eatery, a bazaar for shopping, and a well-equipped visitors center that fills you in on the site's unique past.

As with the archaeological site of Abydos, Dendera is normally treated as a day trip out from Luxor, with service taxis running routes from the latter to the former and back again. Some Luxor hotels also organize tours to the site, with coaches or river boats the preferred mode of transportation. Such tours provide an eminently relaxed way of visiting the Temple of Hathor and its sister attractions, as you don't have to worry about organizing anything.

Luxor itself is one of Egypt's most dazzling of city gems. Old and teeming with character, it includes such immense sites as the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. Visiting museums is another popular activity among travelers here, thanks to the impressive duo formed by the Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum. For those who want to buy gifts and souvenirs while in Egypt, Luxor also proves a haven of craftsmanship and trinkets, with its souks (markets) creating a fun and atmospheric shopping experience.

Getting to and from Luxor is no problem thanks to the city's extensive transportation network. Both Cairo (to the north) and Aswan (to the south) are regular ports of call for visitors leaving Dendera and Luxor.

The ancient site of Abydos in Egypt

The ancient site of Abydos in Egypt is one of the many breathtakingly impressive necropolises, or burial grounds, that line the banks of the River Nile. A little farther north, the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens tend to draw the most travelers, but that’s not to say Abydos Egypt doesn’t deserve attention. Far from it, in fact: This is one of the most important and fascinating sites Egypt has to offer.

The first recorded mention of Abydos comes from the Predynastic Period, before 3100 BC, when it was the seat of power for the rulers of the time. Over the subsequent 3,000 years it remained of vital importance to the various kingdoms of Egypt, housing and then entombing various pharaohs as eras came and went. Today, Abydos Egypt lives on in the form of the ruins that dot the landscape here, enchanting visitors from all over the world.

One of the main attractions that visitors seek out is the Temple of Seti. Seti was the father of the great Ramesses II, who oversaw the finalization of the temple’s construction following Seti’s death. This massive memorial tomb was dedicated not just to Seti but the Gods Ptah, Amun, and Osiris as well, and it consequently continued as a place of reverence long after the demise of both Seti and his son. Much of the temple is still in existence today, and it’s possible to look around its huge structures and gaze in awe at the hieroglyphics that line its walls.

Half a mile from the Temple of Seti is the Temple of Osiris. In truth, however, because the Seti temple is so large, the Temple of Osiris has come to form part of its grounds. This is another extremely integral part of the ancient city, home as it was to much of the cult worship of Osiris associated with Abydos through the ages. As with the Seti temple, the Temple of Osiris is imaginatively decorated, featuring wall paintings that date back thousands of years

Given Luxor’s close proximity, many visitors to Abydos Egypt chose to do it as a day trip, traveling from Luxor by train in the early morning and returning late at night. It’s a fun way to do things, not least because, on arrival at al-Balyana, the closest railway station, you have to haggle for a police escort to take you to the temples. Various tour agents also operate from the station and from Luxor as well though you’d be well advised to inspect their itinerary closely and compare their prices against one another. Whatever you decide to do, your time spent exploring Abydos will be limited as a return trip to Luxor inevitably looms. So make sure to take those all-important perfect shots of you standing next to the Abydos Temple before time runs out.

Luxor itself is full of great things to do for the visitor, with attractions in the city including the impressive collection at the Luxor Museum and the educational exhibits at the Mummification Museum. No matter where else you go on your Egypt vacation, it's well worth including a stop to this riverside city—you won't be disappointed.

Abu Simbel Temple in Southern Egypt

Located in Southern Egypt on the western side of Lake Nasser, two huge rock temples tower on a hill overlooking the surrounding landscape. This is Abu Simbel, a famous attraction in Egypt. Carved out of the side of a mountain from 1244 BC to about 1224 BC on the order of pharaoh Ramses II, Abu Simbel Temple was intended to serve as both a tribute to Ramses and his queen Nefertari as well as to intimidate and impress the Nubian nation to the south of Egypt.

As the longest ruling pharaoh in ancient Egypt, Ramses II is a name common at almost every Egyptian tourist attraction. He ruled for sixty-seven years and his mummy is currently located in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Abu Simbel Temple consists of two temples. The more famous and larger of the two has four colossal statues of Ramses sitting patiently but sternly along its face. The four statues are about the height of a five-story building. All four are identical except for one damaged in an earthquake, which has tumbled to the ground. Standing at the feet of the large statues, statues of Ramses II's wife and several of his children are about life sized. This temple is dedicated to the gods Amun-Ra and Ptah along with Ramses himself, who was considered a deity. Twice a year near the spring and fall equinoxes, the sun shines in through the opening of the Abu Simbel Temple all the way to the very back room called the sanctuary, illuminating statues of Ramses and Amun-Ra. Ptah remains in shadow since he is the god of the underworld.

The smaller temple at Abu Simbel Egypt reveres the goddess Hathor and Nefertari, the chief wife of Ramses (no Pharoah stuck with just one wife). There are six statues guarding over this temple-four of Ramses and two of Nefertari. While the statues on the face of this temple are smaller than on that of the pharaoh, what is unique about this Egyptian tourist attraction is that the king and queen are of equal height.

In the 1960s, the Aswan Dam was constructed, creating what is known today as Lake Nasser. As Lake Nasser rose, the Abu Simbel Temple was threatened and an international effort saved the structure from submersion in the lake. The entire two temples were moved piece by piece to higher ground. Since the temple was originally carved into a mountain, an artificial mountain was constructed behind them to complete the look.

Getting to Abu Simbel, as with any Egyptian tourist attraction, is flexible depending on your budget and preferred way to travel. Busses are available from Aswan. However, for security reasons, cars and taxis may not travel to this site. Flights go to Abu Simbel from both Cairo and Aswan. Some Nile cruise lines offer a route that travels through Lake Nasser to the temple as well. Check with your nearest tourist office or hotel front desk for local options as there are many.

While Abu Simbel is quite a bit south of some of the main tourist attractions, the journey by air, river, or bus is worth it if you are interested in great temples from pharaonic times.

Temple of Karnak, Egypt

In the ancient city of Thebes, the sprawling Temple of Karnak covers more than 200 acres. Often referred to as a temple, don't misunderstand this term to mean anything in the singular. The Temple of Karnak is actually a complex of temples as well as other monumental and religious buildings situated near the Nile River close to the modern city of Luxor, which was built on the site of the ancient Thebes.

The Karnak Temple is unique not only among Egyptian temples, but also among religious sites throughout the world as it is the largest ancient religious site in the world, also often considered the largest open-air museum in the world. Unlike many Egyptian temples, Karnak was not constructed by a single pharaoh or even during a single time period. Construction began in the sixteenth century BC and continued for over 1,300 years. Approximately thirty different pharaohs contributed to the complex, adding temples, pylons, chapels, or obelisks all devoted to the gods of Thebes. Among the contributing pharaohs were Thutmosis I, Seti I and Ramses II, whose tombs are located in the Valley of the Kings and all of whom now rest at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Today, the site of the Temple of Karnak has several precincts or parts, including the precinct of Amun-Re, the only section open to the public. Even though the site lies in ruins, it is second only to the Giza pyramids as most visited of Egypt tourist attractions. Much of the site is open air, including an outdoor museum, exposing visitors to the elements so be prepared for lots of sun, wear sunscreen, and bring water or money to buy water.

Like the Sphinx and pyramids, the Temple of Karnak features a light and sound show every evening, which reviews the history of Thebes, the religious center of Egypt during a large portion of Egyptian history, as well as facts about the Egyptian temples at Karnak and the pharaohs who built them. The show runs in several languages; check a schedule for times and what language the show will be in.

As with many Egypt tourist attractions, there are many ways to get to the Temple of Karnak. If you are staying in Luxor, taxis are always an option, but in this case you can also walk from Luxor - Karnak is just over a mile away - or take a horse-drawn carriage. Many Nile River cruises visit this spectacular site, too, arriving from Cairo or other locations along the Nile.

When considering where to visit on your trip to Egypt, of course don't miss the pyramids of Giza, but also don't miss the Temple of Karnak. A walkway lined with ram-headed sphinxes will take you back to the regal glory of ancient Egypt, while the towering columns of the Hypostyle Hall will take your breath away. Even if you are not a history buff or have not heard of this site, its sheer size makes it one of the best Egypt tourist attractions.

Egyptian Temples

A historical tour of Egypt is filled with excursions to pyramids, temples, and tombs. All of these structures help illuminate the country's history through revealing the lives of ancient Egyptians and how they worshipped. The sheer number of Egyptian temples across the country makes them a popular attraction for visitors. Each city in Egypt had a temple built for the god of that city, and in that temple, people could communicate with their gods through prayers and offerings. The temples of Egypt were a place to appease the gods and persuade them to provide help or assistance.

The Luxor Temple is one of the most famous temple tourist attractions in Egypt. Located on the bank of the Nile River, this large temple complex was built during the stable New Kingdom period, in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries BC. The Luxor Temple is known specifically for its stone carvings, including multiple pharaohs. Built in 1400 BC, the temple is incredibly well preserved for its age. This has resulted in the Luxor Temple finding its way into popular culture through film; for instance, this Egyptian temple appears in both Death on the Nile and the James Bond Film The Spy Who Loved Me.

Tours centered on ancient customs aren’t complete without a trip to an Egyptian tomb. Some tombs are in the form of large pyramids, such as those at Giza or Saqqara, while other tombs were dug into rock. Tombs in Egypt were the burial places for pharaohs and other important political figures. They often contained very valuable jewels and pieces of art. For this reason, they sometimes were robbed, as is the case with the most famous Egyptian tomb, of King Tut. It is believed that his tomb was robbed twice in the time immediately following his burial, though afterward it survived relatively undisturbed until its discovery in 1922.

Egyptian temples had different chambers for different members of society. The outer chamber was available to anyone, while the inner chambers of the temple were reserved for the high priests and pharaoh only. Even these high members of religious society only entered the inner chamber of Egyptian temples at certain times of the day, according to ceremony. Worshippers brought offerings to the gods to the outer chamber and were never allowed to go beyond to the center of the temple. Abu Simbel is a popular temple to visit during an Egypt vacation and displays sculptures of the Pharaoh cut into rock around 1300 BC.

Visiting an Egyptian tomb reveals much about the civilization's attitudes toward the afterlife. Egyptians believed that some part of the deceased lived on, and therefore food and offerings were left in the tomb. This is the thought behind mummification as well, to preserve the body. Each artifact found in tombs has revealed much about the Egyptian way of life. If you’re interested in these artifacts, make sure to tour the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which has the largest display of Egyptian artifacts anywhere in the world.