The Mummy Travel Guide: Cairo and Luxor
The Mummy Travel Guide: Cairo and Luxor
Reel Places Series
Welcome to “Reel Places“, a blog post series where I create a travel guide that makes you feel like you’ve entered the world of your favorite film. In this post, I’ll be sharing themed-recommendations for Egypt – specifically Cairo and Luxor – through the lens of the beloved adventure film, The Mummy. I plan to cover both real locations from the movie as well as a few unique spots that fit in with the film’s archeology-core imagery. So buckle-in and join me on this epic Mummy-inspired adventure through Egypt:
reel places – the mummy travel guide
Where To Stay
Cairo and Luxor are two of the biggest cities in Egypt and are popular stops for many explorers. In looking for Mummy-inspired accommodations, I focused in on finding places with a little historic luxury and classic charm that can be enjoyed in between rugged desert adventures.
Cairo Hotels
Marriott Mena House – $$$
El Otel – $
Luxor Hotels
Moudira Hotel – $$
Djorff Palace – $
reel places – the mummy travel guide
What To See in Cairo
Cairo is a wonderful base point for the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum and more. But to give you that classic Mummy-style you’re hoping for, I looked to turn-of-the-century museums and slightly less-frequented archaeological sites that will transport you back into the world of the film:
Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
Starting off with a location that’s actually included in the film, Cairo’s Museum of Antiquities is one of the world’s oldest archaeological museums and Evie’s place of employment. It houses treasures like the full burial collections of Yuya and Thuya and the Narmer Palette.
When I visited in 2021, the museum also housed the world-famous Mask of Tutankhamun. Walking these halls and realizing the depth of history around me immediately made me feel as though I too was a scholarly librarian ready to embark on my next big academic or archaeological adventure.
Saqqara Necropolis
While it’s still a must visit, the crowded Giza Necropolis doesn’t quite fit in with the secret ancient sites uncovered in The Mummy. So make sure to create your own Rick O’Connell-inspired adventure by looking to the off-the-beaten-path treasures of Saqqara:
Pyramid of Djoser
Arguably the main reason to visit Saqqara, the Pyramid of Djoser is the oldest pyramid in the world still standing today. Built around 2630 BC, it is a classic step pyramid.
Southern Tomb of King Djoser
The Southern Tomb of King Djoser’s funeraral complex is the oldest stone building of the ancient world. Located near the entrance of the necropolis, the Southern Tomb is decorated with a frieze of cobra heads symbolizing power and protection.
Pyramid of Unas
Dreaming about visiting the inside of a pyramid? The Pyramid of Unas may be small compared to the Greats in Giza, but it does provide a quick trip without the massive crowds.
Descending into its small chambers, I felt as though I was discovering a new and ancient place for the first time alongside Rick and Evie!
Mehou’s Mastaba
Not far from the Pyramid of Unas, richly-colored paintings from the Old Kingdom line the walls inside Mehou’s Mastaba. This “eternal house” was the royal vizier’s final resting place.
Manial Palace Museum
The lavish former home of Prince Muhammad Ali, the Manial Palace Museum, was built from 1900-1929. Take a step back in time while strolling through the pristine desert garden or while explore its opulent and colorful interiors.
Interested in Uncovering Even More of the City?
Consider visiting these 5 Stunning Cairo Mosques during your trip to Egypt.
reel places – the mummy travel guide
What To See in Luxor
Luxor is a popular base point for what are arguably the best temples and tombs in all of Egypt. And while similar to Cairo in having some tourist-laden sites, Luxor also has some must-see, classic experiences and wonderful hidden gems that feel true to the adventurous spirit of The Mummy:
Nile Cruise
First, arrive to Luxor in style on one of Egypt’s many classic river steamboats. Just make sure not to get stuck on the wrong side of the river before exiting!
Valley of the Kings
Made famous from the re-discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun, the Valley of the Kings is the ancient burial site of almost all of Egypt’s 18th-20th century Pharaohs. With broken sarcophagi, vibrant hieroglyphics and long descents underground, you’ll be feeling like Rick O’Connell and crew in no time.
Valley of the Queens
Not too far from Valley of the Kings is Luxor’s equally beautiful Valley of the Queens. More off-the-beaten-path, this is a wonderful spot for fans of The Mummy to explore.
And if you’re hoping to visit a tomb so well preserved that it looks like it’s been undisturbed for a few millennia, don’t pass up a visit the Tomb of Queen Nefertari.
Temple of Seti I
Possibly the crown gem of all the off-the-beaten-path places near Luxor, the Temple of Seti I, the Pharaoh from The Mummy, is located about 3.5 hours from the city and makes a wonderful day trip.
More commonly known as Abydos Temple, the site contains the famous Abydos Table, a chronological list of past Pharaohs as documented by Seti I. Of the 76 who came before him, Seti I left out a few notable and controversial Pharaohs, including Hatshepsut and Tutankhamun.
Abydos is also located on top of the Osireion, the ancient sacred location for the heart of the Egyptian god, Osiris, making it all the more special and mysterious to visitors today.
Looking for More Ancient Tombs and Temples to Explore?
Discover the Top 12 Ancient Sites To Visit in Egypt Beyond the Pyramids.
reel places – the mummy travel guide
Where To Eat
Where To Eat
As for restaurants, I looked for spots that had unique Egyptian details, sophisticated stone and brass elements, and a dash of 1920’s elegance.
Cairo Restaurants
Abou El Sid – Traditional Egyptian Cuisine
Moghul Room – Indian Fine Dining inside the Marriott Mena House
Zeeyara – Traditional Egyptian Cuisine
Luxor Restaurants
1886 Restaurant – Mediterranean-French Fine Dining inside the Sofitel Winter Palace
Royal Bar – Elegant Bar inside the Sofitel Winter Palace
Sofra – Traditional Egyptian Cuisine
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