45 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Egypt - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Egypt

Alexandria, Egypt

The Lost City of Heracleion

An ancient city exhumed from the depths of the ocean.

Nilometer

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

The Temple of Abu Simbel

Ozymandias’ time-keeping temple.

Dandarah, Egypt

Hathor Temple

One of the most well-preserved temples of ancient 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.

Colossi of Memnon

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

The Tomb of Nefertari

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

See All 45 Things to Do in Egypt See All 45 Places

Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in 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 Get Your Guide

Guided Tours Nearby

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

Launch Map

Egypt Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Egypt Activity

sameenahshaikh wants to go to The Lost City of Heracleion

socialistsophie has been to The Tomb of Nefertari

socialistsophie has been to Colossi of Memnon

socialistsophie has been to City of the Dead

ctuna1947 has been to Pyramid of Djoser

Stories About Egypt

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

English archeologist Howard Carter is well-known for his discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. "We really wanted to showcase the Egyptian team, whose hard work has been overlooked for 100 years," says Oxford University Egyptologist Daniela Rosenow, co-curator of the exhibition.

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

A bottlenose dolphin in the Red Sea near the southern Israeli coastal city of Eilat.

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

A hand clutching an olive branch, ca. 1353–1323 BCE, New Kingdom, Amarna Period.

How to Make Olive Oil Like the Ancient Egyptians

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

Nubian Queen Amanitore and King Natakamani carved brutal reliefs of themselves killing their enemies onto the walls of the lion temple at Naqa.

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

Egypt is home to fossils that include a range of ancient marine animals, such as this early whale from Wadi al-Hitan, southwest of Cairo.

Meet the Egyptian Scientists Studying 'Ghosts' of the Desert

The country's extensive fossils include early ancestors of whales, the largest mammals on the planet.

by Jessica Leigh Hester

September 21, 2021

Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.

Lists Featuring Egypt