From ancient pyramids and temples to bustling cities and luxury beach resorts: Incredible pictures show Egypt in all its glory

Few countries can match Egypt for awe-inspiring ancient architecture and sheer mystery.

This 5,000-year-old civilisation hypnotises with its majestic wonders-of-the-world pyramids, lavish temples, hidden tombs and bustling cities, rich in history.

These incredible pictures show this side to its allure – and much more. They also underscore how Egypt has become an exotic modern holiday destination, with stunning beaches and eye-catching luxury resorts. There is also some truly bizarre geology to behold.

The awe-inspiring pictures are all from a new book in Amber Books’ Visual Explorer Guide series called Egypt, by Trevor Naylor. Among them are snaps of the mighty pyramids of Giza, the intricate tomb of Tutankhamun, the stunning marina of Port Ghalib as well as the beautiful Al-Azhar Park in Cairo.

Trevor said: ‘Egypt’s allure comprises a wide mixture of historical and cultural attractions, as well as beach-side holidays and the nation’s greatest asset, its friendly and fun-loving people.’

Scroll down to see MailOnline Travel’s pick of the 200 fascinating images that appear in the book, with captions courtesy of the author…

Giza Pyramids 

The Pyramids of Giza stand alone as the last remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Having stood for 4,000 years under the blazing sun, these monuments to the Old Kingdom pharaohs, Khafra (back) Khufu (centre) and Menkaure (front) are a lasting testament to the skilled labour of the thousands of workers who toiled at this site

The Sphinx and the Great Pyramid, Giza

This iconic view of the two star attractions of the Giza plateau shows the Great Pyramid, created for the Pharaoh Khufu, standing behind the Great Sphinx of Giza. The Sphinx is believed to have been built for the Pharaoh Khafra, who constructed the second Giza Pyramid

West Bank of Luxor

The burial place of many pharaohs and nobles of the New Kingdom era lie on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor (Thebes). These tombs are in several areas including the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. There are 63 tombs in the Valley of the Kings, dug over a period of 500 years between the 16th and 11th centuries BC. Hiding their treasures in these desert hills did nothing to deter tomb robbers who stole much of what was buried alongside each sarcophagus

Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple comes as a sudden surprise to new visitors as it sits in the very centre of Luxor town itself. With the Nile on one side and the town square on the other, it is impressive and statuesque in its setting. Here we approach the first pylon from the Avenue of the Sphinxes and are met by the Luxor Obelisk built by Ramesses II. The twin of which is now in Paris

Tutankhamun, The Tomb, Valley of the Kings

Tutankhamun died aged 19 and was hurriedly buried. His tomb in the Valley of the Kings has recently reopened after years of restoration work

Abu Simbel, Nubia 

The two giant temples of Abu Simbel were saved by a Unesco project from being lost under the waters of Lake Nasser by the building of the Aswan High Dam between 1964 and 1968. Sitting in majesty in the Nubian landscape, the Great Temple of Ramesses II (left) and the Small Temple (or Temple of Hathor – right) lie some 174 miles south of Aswan overlooking Lake Nasser