When I think of Egypt, my mind conjures up images of Cleopatra reclining in a milk bath in a distant desert land, dotted with pyramids, tombs and mummies all around.

Yes, I can understand why some people think that visiting this country is best left to the history buffs. With such a rich history, the home of one of the most advanced ancient civilisations of all times can seem a little intimidating at first.

Visiting Egypt’s temples and tombs means stepping back in time and garnering a deeper understanding of how an ancient culture lived, felt and developed into what it is today. Egypt really is one of those magnificent places where you can never spend long enough, never quite see everything. No matter how hard you try, there will always be more – more to discover, more to explore. Not convinced? Take a look at our guide to visiting the forgotten gems of beautiful Egypt, starting with Cairo.

Begin your Egyptian Adventure in Cairo, the capital city and a fascinating juxtaposition of modern culture and ancient civilisation in one place. Cairo is home to the Great Pyramids that sit at the edge of this growing city, along with plenty of other monuments, making it an excellent place to start your trip. The River Nile snakes its way through the city, with various bridges spanning its width. Let’s get the negative out of the way quickly, though: be prepared to spend a while sat in your car waiting on these bridges, as traffic is pretty bad in the city. And if you decide to walk instead, remember that, as a female traveller in what is considered to be a Middle Eastern Country, you might feel a little bit uncomfortable out on the streets at first. But this doesn’t have to have a negative impact on your trip. Just make sure that you respect the culture and dress conservatively (and resist the temptation to react to any catcalling) and you’ll be fine. Sigh.

I recommend booking a trip through a reputable travel agent and getting yourself a good guide. There are several agents that do amazing trips out to Egypt and Citizen Femme would be happy to recommend our favourites. But don’t let any of that put you off. If you visit with an open mind, you’re sure to have an incredible experience! Being a little bit cautious is a small price to pay to see such a culturally rich city

Part 1

The Pyramids

The image of the Great Pyramids, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is plastered all over pretty much every postcard and picture of Egypt that you’ve probably ever seen. But this is for good reason – these outstanding pyramids rise regally off the plateau in Giza amidst a cascade of houses on what is one of the most famous ancient sites on the globe. But, interestingly, they’re not the only pyramids that Egypt has to offer. Egypt is actually covered with over a hundred pyramids around the country, yet these ones are the most visited. Deservedly so, but there are a couple of others off the beaten track that are also worth dropping in on for comparison, such as the smaller pyramids in Memphis (the first capital of Egypt) and first pyramid to ever be built, the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, which is truly unique in its structure.

But of course, the Great Pyramids of Cairo really do steal the show. Their magnificence is potent, especially when viewed off the plateau and appreciated close up. The sheer size of these structures is colossal. Each stone making up the structure is bigger than the average human being. Looking up at the ancient monument towering far above you, you’ll find yourself questioning just how the primitive man could complete such an architectural feat. It is phenomenal, to say the least.

There are three pyramids to see on the Giza plateau: the Great Pyramid of Cheops, followed by the smaller pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, which are nonetheless still majestic in their own way. I love the labyrinthine myths and legends surrounding these structures. Speculation as to the reason why they were first built abounds. Most people think that they were originally funerary structures for the pharaohs. Step inside and explore their inner chambers or delve into one of the descending subterranean tunnels which lead into the chambers of the tombs. Slightly claustrophobic, yes, but it’s worth it to see such an ancient structure come alive. The tickets into the Great Pyramid are limited to 150 a day, so if you really want to go inside be sure to book in advance. However, the smaller pyramid doesn’t have any restrictions and is probably a better more enjoyable because of the reduced number of tourists.

The mythological half-lion, half-human creature known as the Sphinx crowns the complex of Khafre, one of the images most synonymous with Egypt. There are various theories surrounding the existence of this mythical creature, but no matter what interpretation you take, it can’t be argued that it’s a marvel, even with part of its nose missing! The best time to visit the pyramid plateau is either early in the morning, or in the early evening so that you get to see the breathtaking sunset over the pyramids. However, remember that the entry and exit times will differ before and after Ramadan, so it’s best to check with your guide before you set off.

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The Egyptian Museum

Okay, I know I said that Egypt isn’t only for the history buffs, but you might just find yourself feeling all historical in this museum. I dare you to spend just half a day wandering amidst the artefacts in this small, unassuming building, which secretly houses most of the treasure of ancient Egypt, without falling in love with the history of it all. Feast your eyes upon mummies and trinkets and pay your respects to the famous boy King Tutankhamen. The museum is worth visiting to see King Tut’s Galleries alone. The gallery rooms are full of the trinkets, the gold, the alabaster jars and the famous bed and ‘lion chair’ that once belonged to the boy king. Tut’s four shrines fit into each other like a Matryoshka doll and the golden-lined décor is simply awe-inspiring. The pièce de résistance, his funerary mask, is kept in a secure room along with his jewels. Although this room is almost always crowded with people, it’s worth the wait to get up close to see the ornate mask, every bit as breathtaking as the postcards.

I would also recommend spending some time viewing the mummies in the air conditioned Royal Mummy Room (you have to pay a separate admission fee but is well worth it). It is all kinds of creepy but also fascinating to see how well this ancient civilisation has been preserved. King Seti 1 looks like he is asleep and about to wake up at any minute, sending shivers down your spine!

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Tipical ancient Egypt image of a Mask similar to Tutamkamon’s with copy space.

Khan el Khalili

My final recommendation in Cario is the bustling and colourful Khan–el–Khalili market, where you can get anything and everything under the sun, from spices to soaps to shisha. This is literally a shopper’s and culture vulture’s paradise. The atmosphere is buzzing, with locals and tourists alike bustling all around. Just don’t forget my earlier tip of dressing conservatively. See how paper is made from Papyrus, buy yourself a scroll or gaze upon the hand-made silver jewellery carved with real hieroglyphics. Indulge in local delicacies such as crispy falafel the Egyptian speciality, ‘Koshary’, a mixture of rice, lentils, potatoes, pasta and crisps, all tossed together and dressed with some fermented chilli tomato sauce. And when I say ‘tossed’, I really mean it – the chef literally scoops out each component from a huge bucket and tosses everything together into a steel bowl in less than a minute in front of you. I’d probably say that the closest comparison of taste is a very spicy Indian “bhel”, and it’s certainly delicious.

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So there you have it, part one of our guide to Egypt. Cairo, we’ve got you down. Join me in the next part where I recount my trip along the illusive Nile.