Top 12 Ancient Sites in Egypt, beyond the Pyramids

Located in the middle of Luxor, or Ancient Thebes, Karnak Temple Complex is one of the largest and most impressive sights in all of Egypt.

My favorite features in Karnak and the ones that definitely make it worth the visit were the Hypostyle Hall, Queen Hatshepsut’s two Obelisks and the Sacred Lake.

Location: Luxor

Cost: 200 EGP*

Like Karnak, Luxor Temple is located on the East Bank, however, its typically much less busy. Luxor took multiple Pharaohs about 500 years to build. It is famous for its large statues of leaders like Ramses II and Tutankhamun.

An interesting detail about Luxor is that the Abou al-Haggag Mosque actually sits just above the ruins of the First Court and the Adhan, or Prayer Call, can be heard quite clearly while exploring the grounds.

Location: Luxor

Cost: 160 EGP*

Located on Luxor’s West Bank, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s most powerful female Pharaohs, is a wonder. Built against the side of a mountain, it seems to create a natural amphitheater to all approaching visitors.

The road leading up to the ramp of the Temple used to be one of Luxor’s ancient “Sphinx Avenues“, which was lined with small Sphinx statues on either side. Today, most of these statues are gone, destroyed, but one Sphinx does still sit off to the right side of the road to take photos with.

The Temple of Hatshepsut was unique in that its open court held a garden dedicated to her “father”, the god Amon. The garden held exotic trees and plants from Punt, including date palms and papyrus plants. While these trees and plants no longer exist (do not let any signs next to small shrubs or planters convince you otherwise – they’ve only been added in more recent years for tourism), the open court is still an impressive sight.

My favorite part about visiting was that so many of the original colors are still visible across multiple spots inside the Temple. The hieroglyphs and stories they told completely jumped off the wall with their detailed vibrance.

Location: Luxor

Cost: 145 EGP*, for Entry and the Tram

The Valley of the Kings is one of the more common things that people think of when they picture Ancient Egypt. The Valley is an ancient royal burial ground where Egypt’s New Kingdom Pharaohs, Queens and sometimes nobles hid their tombs, and in them, their mummies and treasures.

The most famous tomb re-discovered at the Valley of the Kings is that of Tutankhamen by Howard Carter in 1922. Although the treasures in that tomb, like the others in the Valley, have long been moved to museums, King Tut’s mummy still rests inside.

Today, visitors can visit 3 of the 65 currently excavated tombs** with general admission (240 EGP*). Out of every spot on this list, The Valley of the Kings is the place I most highly recommend purchasing optional add-on tickets along with general admission.

The first optional ticket is for the Photography, costing 300 EGP*. If you’re planning to take photos on anything other than your cell phone OR are planning to shoot videos with your cellphone or another device, you must purchase this ticket. Rules change frequently regarding the photo pass, so make sure to check-in with your guide.

The next add-on ticket options are for the most famous and colorful tombs in the Valley: that of Ramses V and Ramses VI, Seti I and Tutankhamen.

1. Ramses V and Ramses VI – Tomb KV9 – 100 EGP*
2. Seti I – Tomb KV17 – 1,000 EGP*
3. Tutankhamun – KV62 – 300 EGP*

Since the number of tombs you can visit in a day is limited, it’s important to note that some tombs are much more decorated and well preserved than others. Talk with your guide about the tombs they recommend and/or research the different open tombs prior to arrival so you can guarantee you’re seeing the best of the best!

Location: Luxor

Cost: 245 EGP* for General Admission and the Tram. Optional add-on prices listed above.

**Some excavated tombs might be closed to the public on your visit for restoration work and preservation purposes.

Located on Luxor’s West Bank, Medinet Habu, or the Mortuary Temple of Ramses III, is known for its vibrant colored ceilings and beautiful hieroglyph reliefs. Take a trip here if you have extra time following your visit to the Valley of the Kings or the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut.

Location: Luxor

Cost: 100 EGP*

The Colossi of Memnon are two giant sitting statues that Pharaoh Amenhotep III constructed in his image as part of his Mortuary Temple in ancient Thebes, or modern-day Luxor. Although most of the temple was destroyed in an earthquake, the statues are the largest and most noteworthy construction still standing today. A visit to these statues is usually included on operated tours of the West Bank.

Location: Luxor

Cost: Free to Enter

Dendera is dedicated to the the Ancient Egyptian goddess, Hathor. Known as the goddess of love, beauty, music, dancing, fertility, and pleasure, she is often depicted with a cow head or with a human face when at seen at top of a Temple’s pillars where you may normally find a papyrus or lotus flower design.

Dendera is more of a Complex housing multiple Temples and ruins, including mud brick houses dating as far back as the Old Kingdom.

Originally built around 2250 BC, the main Temple is impressive for many reasons. Most noticeably, the ceiling in its Hypostyle Hall is the bluest and most magical in perhaps all of present-day Egypt.

Lovers of astronomy and/or astrology, like myself, will definitely find something to marvel here. The ceiling reliefs in this part of the Temple sketch the sun’s daily journey through the zodiac signs and across the sky goddess, Nut.

Location: Luxor*

Cost: 120 EGP*

*Dendera is just under 2 hours north of Luxor, but the trek is oh so worth it because of the amazing state of this temple!

A more remote site, Abydos Temple shocked and wow’ed me with all the knowledge and history held there. It’s definitely one of the most important places in all of Ancient Egypt.

Firstly, the Temple contains the famous Abydos Table, a chronological list of past Pharaohs, as documented by King Seti I, the temple’s original commissioner. Of the 76 Pharaohs who came before Seti I, he left out a few notable and controversial exceptions: the female Pharaoh Hatshepsut and the boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun.

Secondly, Abydos is located on top of the Osireion, the ancient sacred location for the heart of the Egyptian god, Osiris.

And finally, Abydos is home to its share of ancient graffiti, some of which, due to its writing over past inscriptions, even resembles modern day transportation.

Location: Luxor***

Cost: 100 EGP*

Located along the Nile River, Kom Ombo Temple is best visited en-route from Luxor to Aswan or vice versa. This double temple is dedicated to the crocodile god, Sobek, and the falcon god, Horus.

What makes Kom Ombo standout as a Temple are the all the Ancient Egyptian technologies that are highlighted across its walls. Notable achievements shown in hieroglyphics include the Ancient Egyptian calendar and medical instruments.

Location: Between Luxor and Aswan

Cost: 140 EGP*

Another important Temple worth the visit between Luxor and Aswan is Edfu. This Temple was constructed during the Ptolemaic (Greek) period in Egypt and is dedicated to the god, Horus.

The Nilometer at Edfu is relatively easy to spot, just off the right side of the main Temple. In ancient times when the Nile River was much closer to the Temple’s walls, the Nilometer was used to measure water levels for planting and harvesting.

Another feature of the Temple is the “Sacred Drama” inscriptions located toward the back of the Edfu’s Inner Passageway. The Sacred Drama in great detail describes the story of Horus’ victory over Seth, the ancient god of the underworld.

Location: Between Luxor and Aswan

Cost: 180 EGP*

Quite possibly my favorite site in all of Egypt, Abu Simbel consistts of two Temples built by Ramses The Great, or Ramses II. The main Temple is dedicated to the Egyptian sun gods Amon-Re and Re-Horakhte and features four colossal statues of its maker, Ramses II. While most might recognize the famous exterior of this Temple, I found the interior to be equally impressive.

With six tall Osiride statues of Ramses II lining the hallway entrance, the temple immediately drew me in, making me feel like I was in a real-life Indiana Jones adventure. And past the Osiride statues, vibrant hieroglyphs dotted the walls of side rooms and the temple’s innermost sanctuary.

Likewise, Abu Simbel’s secondary Temple has an incredible interior and exterior. Revealing a unique reverence for both celestial and living women, Ramses II dedicated this temple to the Egyptian goddess, Hathor, and his favorite wife, Nefertari, whose statues stand tall on either side of the Temple’s entrance.

Location: Aswan****

Cost: 240 EGP*

****Abu Simbel is located about 3 hours driving distance from Aswan and the general tourist track, but is still fairly safe to visit. The road there and back is only open from 5AM-5PM, with frequent security checkpoints to keep the area safe. Plan your visit from Aswan, the closest city with tourist-friendly accommodations and restaurants.

Philae Temple is unique for its position on a lone island in the center of the Nile River in Upper Egypt. Built during the reign of King Ptolemy II, Philae Temple is dedicated to the gods Osiris, Horus and most importantly, Isis, the ancient Egyptian goddess of fertility, magic and health.

Location: Aswan

Cost: 180 EGP*