Uncover: The Unhotel Fortnightly - travel, tales, people, places

Our top picks of Egypt’s best-kept secrets

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This is a deep dive into Egypt's hidden gems to give you a taste of what our premium plans offer. The best tips, historical significance, and what to explore once you arrive are all shared. Visit these secret wonders on your trip to the desert republic!

The city of the dead - for your fill of the macabre

?City of the Dead in Cairo is a place where the living and the dead coexist. About 7 sq km of houses consist of small rooms and sand courtyards.

There are sumptuous pantheons of tombs inside makeshift houses without electricity and water. Sometimes it is the ancestors of the tenants, but, in general, the coexistence is carried out with strangers.

Despite the chaos, hostility, and coldness of the endless avenues, there are many cafes and shops.

Several of the buildings in and around the City of the Deadhouse are important figures from Egyptian history, such as the imposing mausoleum of the Mohammed Ali family, or Sultan Sayf al-Din Inal Mosque.

It's both a blessing and a curse to be in the middle of Cairo. On one hand, it’s very accessible as Cairo runs at the heart of Egypt’s tourist scene, but if you’re looking for a truly offbeat vacay, Cairo is hardly the place you would want to hang around. Fear not! We’ve got options for both sides! Speaking of which:

Hathor Temple – A real sight for sore eyes

If you would rather discover a hidden gem than Cairo, we have one over 550 km away in Dendera! With over 2000 years of history (and looking not a day over 100!), the Hathor Temple has three temples, a sacred pool, and a complex. And wait till you hear the best part - it has been preserved like very few historical sites of this magnitude.

The temples are a mash-up of cultures with influences from Roman, Greek, and Egyptian. Check out an underground crypt, the most detailed depiction of Horus ever found, the Great Vestibules... There's so much to explore.

If you're a big fan of architecture, you'll find the temples a delightful way to spend an afternoon. Luxor has an airport closest to Dendera, which is about 30 km from the temple complex, so it makes sense to fly straight in if you want to see it. And if you're into pretty, historic structures, you'll no doubt want to see...

Nilometer: Structures that pack a punch

Nilometers are devices that were used to predict the behavior of the Nile. The importance of these buildings cannot be understated when the movement of the great river could mean the difference between a bountiful crop and starvation. Explore one of Egypt's many remaining nilometers if historical sights like this are your thing!

Three main types exist, the simplest of which comprises tall columns and beautiful staircases, one of which can be seen on Cairo's Rhode Island. If you plan to spend most of your holiday in the capital city, this nilometer should suit you well and fit easily into the rest of your travel plans.

If you do not mind a short drive, there is another type of nilometer on Elephantine Island in Aswan, just 14 km away from Cairo. The steps leading down to the Nile make it a unique experience.

You can see the third variety at the Temple of Kom Ombo, whose architecture is similar to the previous one, but unique enough to merit a visit. A 15-minute drive from Cairo, the Temple of Kom Ombo is one of the busiest monuments in Egypt. You have half a day planned out if you do both in one balmy evening!

The White Desert – For a view that is mind-bendingly beautiful

Known as the "Sahara el Beyda," Egypt's white desert is gorgeous, and you'll spend the first few minutes just taking it all in. In the middle of a desert filled with sand dunes and oases are large white chalk formations formed through natural processes over long periods of time. That results in a national park with some jaw-dropping natural beauty.

Providing a refuge for several animals, including gazelles, foxes, and sand cats, Sahara el Beyda is ideal for families, solo travelers, and everyone in between. In 2002, the white desert was declared a protected area, but travelers can still explore it. It's best to visit in the winter for maximum effect, but the park is open all year round.

The desert is about a hundred kilometers from the capital and just as close to every other major airport. Our suggestion is to make a road trip out of it, plan what you want to see along the way, and don't just cover the distance in one go. You get a chance to soak up the path along the way and enjoy the five (yes, five!) dazzling oases the desert has to offer! Win-win.

You can find great options that are closer by, such as the grand Colossi of Memnon if driving for hours sounds more like a chore than a holiday plan.

Colossi of Memnon – the sculpted glory of the Pharaoh

The colossi of Memnon have stood tall since 1350 BCE and continue to do so well into the twenty-first century. There are so many things going on with the stonework, from the pharaoh and his wife (even the Nile god shows up! ), that just unpacking everything you see in person is exciting.

Since so much is happening, there have been dozens of interpretations of what the statues' different parts and inscriptions really mean. What more incentive do you need than the opportunity to go up there and come up with a story of your very own?

Luxor is close enough to airports and the happening parts of the country that you can add the colossi to your itinerary at the last minute, even if you don't plan ahead.

Thonis-Heraclaeion - Any Atlantis fans here?

With titles like "the underwater city," "the lost world," and "the Atlantis of Egypt," Thonis-Heraclaeion is easy to understand. Underwater for thousands of years, the city was only a figment of folklore until it was discovered in the early 2000s.

It is estimated that 64 ships, heaps of gold coins, towering statues over 16 feet high, and the remains of a temple were discovered. Several of these treasures have been placed in prominent museums around the area, open to researchers and visitors. Discover the secrets of an ancient civilization from a thousand years ago by visiting the lost city!

While you are in Egypt, make it a personal challenge to take a look at as many treasures as possible! While you're there, you can enjoy the sun, sand, and shoreline of the Mediterranean Sea.

And, finally, a special mention!

A special mention must be awarded to the expanse of blue boulders peppered throughout the dusty Sinai Desert. The brainchild of Belgian artist Jean Verame, the colorful rocks are meant to symbolize peace and unity. A real sight to behold, and a spot seeped with its own rich history, the space has unfortunately been closed to tourists since 2018, so can’t be included as part of our list. If it ever opens up though, you just know you’ve got to see it in person!

So there you have it! A small peek at some of our top Egypt picks. Comment down below if you enjoyed this and we just might surprise you with part 2, this time focusing on particular aspects of Egypt that make it ideal for different kinds of travelers.

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