Are you ready to see a different side of Egypt?
Being the second time visiting this Middle Eastern jewel gave us the chance to look at it with a different set of eyes.
Yes, the pyramids are mesmerizing, but having seen them before, we could look beyond their majesty and take in the atmosphere around us. Instead of gazing out over Cairo, we could take in the polished marble of an abandoned mosque.
The library of Alexandria is filled with one of the greatest collections of literature on earth but it is the modern architecture that is so striking. Students hang out in the complex and ponder the challenges of Egypt's future while we snapshots of its striking design.
Egypt Photography
Egypt is filled with ancient monuments, but it is walking along the streets and meeting the people that is magical.
Egyptians are right up there as some of the friendliest people on earth. As we walked through the streets we were invited into establishments for tea and people greeted us with welcoming smiles.
Children approached us to ask where we were from and everyone asked us to take their photograph.
It is a country close to our hearts as the starting point of this great travel journey that we've been on for the past few years and it brought back fond memories walking through its ancient passageways.
We didn't have enough time to truly immerse ourselves in this culture, but we will definitely be back.
For now, enjoy these photos of a different side of Egypt.
The Alabaster Mosque's outer courtyard is impressive to say the least
The interior of the Alabaster Mosque is even more impressive.
Sunrise a an abandoned mosque in Cairo, Egypt
A different look at the Library of Alexandria
The sun sets at the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo, Egypt
The Pyramids at night during the light show.
Life goes on in the streets of Alexandria, Egypt
Fascinating and Striking White Desert
the sun sets over the White Desert
Early morning sunrise at Pyramids
The massive Valley of the Kings
Felucca Sailing at Sunset
A Visit to the Black Desert before the White Desert
The Pyramids of Giza
Luxor Square
Abul Simbal on Lake Nassar en Route to Sudan
One of our trips through Egypt was courtesy of Memphis Tours.,
We also cycled the continent from Cairo to Cape Town and spent more than 3o days Exploring Egypt.
Scorpio says
Truly an amazing article and you collect some wonderful images.
Mario says
great photos..i just wonder if you use Nikon lens?
I am going in april to Jordan for a couple weeks..w/my Nikon 7100 and 24-70mm Nikon 2.8.
Next year I will go to Egypt.
Any sugestions about lens..day and night time?
Tank you
T.W. Anderson @ Marginal Boundaries says
Stunning.
Hoping to make it to Egypt myself in early 2014 with my SO; these shots are certainly inspirational !
Richard Gazpacho Horvath says
18mm or 14mm?
debndave says
16 mm actually. haha, so close.
Sofia says
Beautiful photos, nice with the light show too.
debndave says
Thanks, that was pretty cool to see.
Peter Lee says
Egypt is totally different from other countries. People visit Egypt not only for its history like Mummies and Pyramids but also to be welcomed by friendly and welcoming people. Library of Alexandria looks beautiful in your clicks.
debndave says
Well said Peter. We have travelled through a lot of Egypt and have always had a warm welcome wherever we go.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Gorgeous photos! And I am incredibly envious you have been to Egypt more than once. We’ve planned our trip to Egypt twice and couldn’t go both times just days before we were supposed to leave on the trip. It’s been my dream to see Egypt for years and I feel I never will.
Steve @ Back-Packer says
Wow – like the other’s down here i can not start this comment without this 😉
Egypt is a very beautiful country and has much more to offer than just the pyramids – very manifold!
Thx for these stunning impressions
Maria (Culture-ist Magazine) says
Absolutely stunning photos. Thank you for sharing.
Kieu ~ GQ trippin says
LOVE this side of Egypt! We also took a 2-day tour with Memphis Tour! 🙂 Wish we saw the light show at the pyramids though. Stunning photos!
debndave says
Hi Kieu, Very cool that you toured with Memphis. For me, I thought the light show was lacking at bit. It was a great way to learn about the history, however it needs a bit of an update. I don’t think they have changed it since the 70’s. Just my two cents though, it seemed that the people around us really enjoyed it.
Mary @ Green Global Travel says
I love that you were able to go beyond the pyramids. Sometimes we tend to brush off opportunities to go to places that we’ve already been before thinking that there is so many other places to explore, however you’re right. Going back enables you to explore the culture on a deeper level. Thanks so much for the great post and amazing photos.
Maria says
I really like anything to do with Eygpt, I admire the history especially the mysteriousness of the pyramid and what lies in it. I really enjoy looking at the pyramids with nice tantalizing colored lights.
Simona says
Great pics! The mosque in the 3rd picture is actually not abandone, is a mosque for the police, still in use, I have been there. I love its shape!
debndave says
Ah, that explains it being beside the police station. Our guide said that it was abandoned, but it makes sense that the police would us it. Thanks Simona.
John says
Absolutely stunning images. Certainly a different side of Egypt represented. Thanks for sharing.
debndave says
Thanks John, it was great returning to explore a few different things in Cairo than we had seen before.
Lane says
OMG. These are amazing photos! *envy*
James - Ouroyster.com says
The Alabastar Mosque looked so surreal. Such a beautiful place 🙂
Kevin - The Mad Traveler says
That’s awesome, guys! I really would love to get back there some day. Too much to see!
Charu says
Your images of Egypt make me want to visit! We were planning a surprise 60th birthday trip for our mom last year, and then the entire uprising happened and we decided not to go. Too bad because the best time to visit was right after the crisis. I’m excited to explore Abu Dhabi this year though. Inspiring shots!
world tourism news says
What camera you use?very beautiful pic,i love it
World Tourism News
debndave says
Thank You. I use a Canon 5D Mark II
cheryl says
STUNNING images .. as always. Makes me want to Egypt stat.
Egypt Excursions cairo says
Our country is the best, thanks for post
debndave says
You are welcome, I am glad that you liked it and we agree. Egypt is amazing.
Erica says
Love your photos!! What kind of lens did you use to shoot the landscape photos of the Alabaster Mosque? I’m a Canon DSLR user and looking to buy a new (wide angle?) lens for an upcoming trip to Cambodia. Thx!
debndave says
Hi Erica. Thank you for the compliments and for enjoying the photos. The Alabaster mosque was shot with my 16-35mm 2.8L on my full sensor 5D MKII. If you are using a crop sensor camera you could look into the 10-22 but be aware that it an EF-S lens and is not compatible with the full sensor bodies. Hope this helps. Have fun in Cambodia!
AlexBerger says
Fantastic shots of Egypt. I love the colors on the pyramids. A fun way to remember that they would have looked completely different in their heyday as well.
Kathy says
Your photos are amazing. Thanks for sharing them…I first read the blog post on the Lonely Planet website and then followed you here. My question/comment is–I REALLY want to go to Egypt but my husband is concerned with all the unrest. We’re fairly adventurous (or like to think so) but figured it would be better to wait until things calmed down even more…can you give me some impressions you got during your trip? We would not only like to do Cairo–but the Nile and maybe into Jordan too. What do you think?
debndave says
Only one answer….go to Egypt! Really, we’ve been twice and spend a total of 5 weeks in the country and the people of Egypt are some of the most friendly and welcoming people on earth. The unrest is not targetted to foreigners and it is localized to the Square in Cairo. Enjoy!
saurabh says
picture owsome and nice one sir and mam
Andrea says
Gorgeous shots! Egypt is next on our Middle Eastern list…
Candice says
That last photo. Unreal.
Laura says
Gorgeous images guys! I especially love the one inside the Alabaster Mosque.
DTravelsRound says
These are stunning!
Amanda says
Absolutely stunning photos! Wow!
Abby says
Ohhh that sunrise photo is beautiful. I’m up now in the dark — almost makes me want to take my camera outside somewhere and take some photographs at sunrise! I also like the angles of the library.
Dayna says
Your photos absolutely NEVER fail to amaze me. I think the abandoned mosque was my favorite, but they are all really stunning. Thanks for sharing!
Angela says
Wow, gorgeous pictures, can’t wait to go to Egypt.
Dean says
Amazing photos as always. I have to say I have never seen the pyramids lit up in different colours like that, it’s quite different.
Bobbi Lee Hitchon says
These photos are breathtaking. I especially love sunrise at an abandoned mosque and the last one. So beautiful.
Zablon Mukuba says
the alabaster mosque looks amazing
Joya says
The interior of the mosque looks amazing! I can’t image what it looks like in person. I think I would be speechless. Gorgeous photos!
JoAnna says
Beautiful photos! I especially love the one of Alabaster Mosque.
Alouise says
Fantastic photos, once again. I’ve never heard of the Alabaster Mosque, it looks amazing.
Bryan Snider says
Incredible photos! Makes me want to go back to this beautiful country.
Bret @ Green Global Travel says
WOW! WOW! WOW! Exceptional images, as always. Just stunning work, guys!
Global Basecamps Ali says
Absolutely stunning photos!
Sabina says
I have never heard of the Alabaster Mosque. I am so glad I read this post! I am definitely, positively going there when I hit Cairo again in a few weeks.
Laurence says
Just fantastic photos. As always!
Kurt W says
Amazing captures. Egypt truly is a majestic land!