Egypt's ancient wonders

Home to spectacular desert landscapes, the planet's longest river and millennia-old monuments found nowhere else, Egypt is quite unlike any other country in the world. Sandwiched between the Middle East and northeast Africa, this unique and fascinating place has given us some of the greatest ancient treasures on Earth. From elaborate tombs to dazzling pyramids, glistening jewels and soaring statues, these are just some of the incredible treasures the Ancient Egyptians left behind.

Pyramid of Meidum

As one of Egypt's most unique pyramids, Meidum is thought to be the country's first straight-sided pyramid. However, it wasn’t structurally sound and parts caved in over time, leading to the nickname, "the collapsed pyramid”. Located around 62 miles (99.7km) from Cairo, Meidum is thought to have been built by King Snefru during the 4th Dynasty and once boasted exterior steps. These were eventually packed with stone before the entire structure was wrapped in limestone.

Luxor Temple

As one of the most famous shrines in all of Egypt, Luxor Temple is a triumph of ancient engineering. Founded in around 1400 BC, the colossal complex was primarily built by two pharaohs, Amenhotep III and Ramesses II, but Tutankhamun and Alexander the Great are said to have also added to the structure during their reigns. Two towering kings stand guard at the entrance, while the hypostyle hall boasts 32 gigantic carved columns that have to be seen to be believed.

Temple of Kalabsha

Despite being one of the country's lesser-known shrines, the Temple of Kalabsha is well worth a visit. Positioned on an island off the coast at Aswan, the shrine boasts ancient ruins filled with hieroglyphs and images of Ancient Egyptian deities. According to the Egyptian Tourism Authority, the temple was built during the late Ptolemaic period (332-30 BC) and the complex was completed during the reign of the Roman emperor Augustus (27 BC - AD 14).

The Red Pyramid of Dahshur

Also known as the North Pyramid, the Red Pyramid is the third-largest in Egypt. Named after its rust-coloured limestone bricks, the pyramid can be found in Dahshur and was built for the pharaoh Snefru some time between 2575 and 2551 BC. Thought to be the first 'true' pyramid, because of its straight sides and lack of steps, this iconic landmark is fully accessible, meaning visitors can step inside its remarkable burial chamber and take in 4,000 years of history.