/

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Egypt

45 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Egypt

Updated January 25, 2023

Cities

Top Cities

All Cities

Unusual Attractions in Egypt

Alexandria, Egypt

The Lost City of Heracleion

An ancient city exhumed from the depths of the ocean.

Cairo, Egypt

Nilometer

An ancient instrument used to measure the waters of the Nile so Egyptian farmers would know whether to expect famine or flood.

Nubia, Egypt

The Temple of Abu Simbel

Ozymandias’ time-keeping temple.

Dandarah, Egypt

Hathor Temple

One of the most well-preserved temples of ancient Egypt.

El-Saf, Egypt

City of the Dead

An endless sea of white conical domes.

Al Farafrah, Egypt

White Desert

An alien landscape of chalk-rock in the Egyptian desert.

Luxor, Egypt

The Tomb of Nefertari

Known as the Sistine Chapel of Egypt, this tomb houses some of the most well-preserved paintings in Egypt.

Luxor, Egypt

Colossi of Memnon

These Egyptian statues have survived for 3,400 years and were an acoustic wonder of the ancient world.

See All 45 Things To Do in Egypt

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Egypt

Aswan, Egypt

King Jamaica Restaurant and Cafe

This eatery is emblematic of the connection between Jamaica and Nubia.

In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Guided Tours of Egypt

Atlas Obscura Trips

Ancient Wonders: Egypt & The Nile

Discover ancient and modern Cairo then cruise along the Nile taking in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel.

Explore Egypt

Catacombs And Crypts 5

Architectural Oddities 5

Natural Wonders 4

Sacred Spaces 4

Egypt Leaderboard

Places Added

Join the Ranks!

Add an unusual place to Egypt.

Places Edited

Join the Ranks!

Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

Join the Ranks!

Visit a place in Egypt.

Recent Egypt Activity

P

perstefone

wants to go to The Cairo Genizah
K

kevdonelly

wants to go to Colossi of Memnon
F

fjthesharpe

wants to go to Cave of Swimmers
K

kevdonelly

wants to go to The Tomb of Nefertari
F

fjthesharpe

wants to go to The Aquarium Grotto Garden

Stories About Egypt

Did Ancient Egypt Have a Pigeon Problem?

More than 3,000 years ago, the birds appeared in unexpected places.

by Shoshi Parks

January 25, 2023

In Egypt's ‘Land of Death,’ Dinosaurs Were Supersized—and Hungry

Fossils unearthed in the Bahariya Oasis tell a story of giant predators hunting on land and in the water.

by Abe Musselman

What We Overlooked in King Tut's Tomb

A new exhibit focuses on the Egyptians left out of the story of the most famous archeological find of the 20th century.

by Amy Crawford

Dolphins in the Red Sea May Use Coral to 'Self-Medicate'

Scientists observing a pod in the wild think the animals may choose specific species for a skin care wellness routine.

by Ashley Stimpson

How to Make Olive Oil Like the Ancient Egyptians

Press your olives following archaeological clues provided on wall paintings and reliefs.

Remembering the Remarkable Queens Who Ruled Ancient Nubia

Scholar Solange Ashby is uncovering the once-revered, now little-remembered female leaders of the Kushite kingdoms.

December 15, 2021

Podcast: Red Sea Blue Hole

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.

by The Podcast Team

November 18, 2021

How World War I Turned Soldiers Into Tourists

A new exhibit reveals the wondrous sights service members found away from the trenches.

November 8, 2021

Lists Featuring Egypt

Original letter of Abraham, the son of Maimonides found in the Cairo genizah.

A sculpture of the Tower of Babel, by Alan Baughman, from the Introductory Room of the Museum of the Alphabet

Boontling word of the week in the tap room of the Anderson Valley Brewing Company.

A Linguistics Lover's Tour of the World

12 places to marvel at the history of human language.

Including The Cairo Genizah , The Museum of the Alphabet , and Boontling Language of Boonville

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads and no pop-ups.