If Egypt is on your travel bucket list, here are some of the must-see places

Egypt is a staple on many travel bucket lists, largely because it is home to the Pyramids of Giza—the only surviving site among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

But there is more to see in this North African country, especially for history junkies. Egypt is one of the world's oldest civilizations, with a history spanning more than 5,000 years.

For those who want to visit, here are some the things you must know:

• Philippine passport holders need a visa to enter Egypt.
• There are no direct flights from Manila to Cairo, but many airlines like Emirates and Qatar Airways operate that route.
• Currency in the country is the Egyptian Pound. One pound is approximately 1.23 Philippine Pesos.

"Unang Hirit" broadcaster Lyn Ching recently went on an Egyptian trip and shared several attractions awaiting the tourists.

If you're already planning your itinerary, here are some of the sites you can visit.

Pyramids of Giza

Of course, the first on the list is the Pyramids of Giza. You can book a tour that begins at the Giza Welcome Center, or the King Khufu Center. It is the main entrance to the pyramids. There is also a modern exhibition hall that houses replicas and information about the site.

Tourists are also transported by bus to each pyramid. The visitors' center is the first bus stop, followed by the panorama, then the Menkaure, Khafre, Sphinx, and Khufu.

Ching recommends visiting the Sphinx station first because it gets crowded fast.

Pharaoh Khufu's pyramid was completed in early 25th century BC, and was the tallest manmade structure in the world for around 4,000 years. Visitors can take photos at the bottom of the pyramid, and climbing is not allowed.

The pyramid of King Djoser is the first Egyptian pyramid to be built in the 27th century BC. It is smaller compared to the other pyramids.

The Pyramids of Giza also conduct camel rides. According to Ching, these cost 10 to 20 dollars depending on how the bargaining goes. It is a 30-minute ride atop the tall camel.

Old Cairo

Old Cairo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to some of the oldest Christian churches in the world.

One of them is the Hanging Church, which is believed to have been built between the 3rd and 7th centuries. It has been a place of worship for the Christian community for centuries.

It is called the Hanging Church because it was built on top of the Roman Fortress of Babylon, which makes it look like it is suspended in the air.

A short walk away is the Abu Serga Church or the Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, a popular spot for pilgrimage. It is home to a well where it is believed that Jesus, Mary, and Joseph drank from. There is also a crypt beneath the church, where the Holy Family was said to have lived in for several months at the end of their journey into Egypt while hiding from King Herod's persecution.

The Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is home to one of the largest archaeological collections in the world. Founded in 1902, the museum has a large amount of artifacts. Ching said it took her four hours to tour the museum, given the large number of pieces.

Right from the entrance, visitors would be surrounded by statues and sarcophagi with hieroglyphs etched. There is also a room with ancient papyrus on the second floor, as well as mummified bodies.

The most popular attraction is the mummy of King Tutankhamun.

King Tut's possessions, particularly his jewelry, are inside a guarded room. Outside the room is his golden throne, made of wood, gold, silver, and semi-precious stones.

More artifacts include Akhenaten's coffin, the sphinx statue of Hatshepsut, the head of Queen Hatshepsut, wall painting of maiden geese, statues of Rahotep and Nofret, statue of Khafre, the colossal statue of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye, and more.

The museum shop also carries books and jewelry.

"One thing to consider should you visit, is that the museum has no air conditioning. So wear comfortable clothing as it can get quite hot," Ching said.

National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is a modern museum that houses 50,000 artifacts from prehistoric to the modern era.

It has a Mummies Hall which holds royal mummies from the 17th to the 20th dynasties.

Papyrus shops

At a papyrus shop in Egypt, guides give demonstrations on how papyrus are made.

Papyrus is an old aquatic plant that was used in ancient Egypt for documents, scrolls, and books. The shop also carries modern and glow-in-the-dark designs, and personalized ones with hieroglyphics equivalent to the English alphabet.

Khan El Khalili Bazaar

For souvenir shopping, the Khan El Khalili Bazaar has been operating since the 14th century. There are also small coffee shops in the area.

"Beware that the place gets very packed and sellers can get a bit aggressive, so plan accordingly," Ching said.

Nile River

A good cap to a day of touring is the Nile River dinner cruise. Food is served buffet-style with Egyptian and international cuisines. There is also traditional music and dancing.

A view on the side of the ship showcases a view of the Nile River and the sunset.

Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa

After Cairo, you can travel north to the city of Alexandria. One of its attractions is the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a multilevel underground burial complex from the Roman Era. It is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.

There are three levels of tombs and chambers that could accommodate more than a hundred bodies.

Pompey's Pillar

A quick walk from the catacombs is Pompey's Pillar. The column is the only ancient monument in Alexandria that still stands in its original location.

Library of Alexandria

Beneath the pillar is the Daughter Library of Alexandria which was used to store scrolls.

Qaitbay Fort

Qaitbay Fort was once where Alexandria's lighthouse was located, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. There is a scenic view of the Mediterranean Sea.

Montaza Gardens

Montaza Gardens is a public park that was originally built as a summer home for the royal family. It is next to the beach.