The top tourist attractions in Egypt have long been one of the major foundations of its economy. And ever since relics of its colorful past has been dug up and restored, as many as 12.8 million a year people have come to visit the state, thereby providing it with revenues of up to $11 billion annually.

Today, 12% of the workforce of the country is employed through tourism, serving in hotels, restaurants, recreational facilities as well as tourism agencies. And there are also those that are involved in the maintenance of the highlights that have turned this deserted landscape into one of the world’s greatest treasures.

Egypt is a populous country found on the continent of Africa. But there are parts of it expanding to the Middle East. It also has one of the longest-spanning history as far as modern states go. Egypt is believed to have been inhabited since the 10th millennium BCE, thereby explaining its long, detailed and historical relics.

One of the most famous representations this truth is the Giza pyramid complex and the Great Sphinx which were found to have been established and completed around 450 BC. Another one of the top tourist attractions in Egypt is the Valley of the Kings, which basically is a network of tombs constructed during the 16th to 11th century BC.

This site can now be found on the west bank of the Nile, opposite to Luxor. But before its discovery 1816, it was basically just mounds of dirt and dust. In 2008, two new tomb entrances were found, thereby implying that this site still has a lot of secrets waiting to be discovered.

Of course, the top tourist attractions in Egypt don’t only involve ancient ruins in Memphis, Thebes and Karnak. There are also beach escapes found in Alexandria, which is the second largest city in the Egypt.

Although there are still important archeological sites in the area, related to the occupation of several colonizers (Temple of Taposiris Magna, Pompey’s Pillar as well as Kom al-Shoqafa, to name a few), what people most enjoy here is the peace and leisure offered by Stanley and Maamoura Beach as well as Marina Resort. You can often find some pretty cheap Egypt holidays to Alexandria which is a good alternative to more expensive Mediterranean beach destinations.

The Sinai Peninsula is also a welcome retreat for those who want to experience a more secluded beach getaway (Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba). And as an added bonus, this region also offers guests ecotourism and religious attractions such as the Ras Mohammad National Park dive sites and the challenging trails of Mount Sinai.

The top tourist attractions in Egypt can be accessed through the Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport or by bus, train or boat from neighboring cities Cairo and Aqaba, Jordan.