Egypt has inspired countless books and movies, from Death on The Nile to James Bond: The Spy Who Loved Me. Once again, Egypt has captured the imagination of millions, thanks to the Disney+ and Marvel TV show: Moon Knight. Many have been swept away by Moon Knight and its portrayal of Egypt. As a result, many who might not have considered Egypt as a holiday destination are now researching the best way to explore our beautiful and ancient country.
If you’d like to learn more about our tours in Egypt, please get in touch. We’re passionate about our country and would love to hear from you!
An Introduction to Moon Knight
The TV series follows Stephen Grant, an English shopworker who is suffering from DID. He discovers that he is sharing his body with American mercenary Marc Spector.
But that’s not the only twist in the series; it’s later revealed that Marc Spector is an avatar for the moon god Khonsu. Chaos ensues as Stephen and Marc have to work together to stop the goddess Ammit who plans to punish people before they’ve even committed a crime — risking the lives of innocents in the process.
For fans of the show, you may be surprised to hear that none of the series was shot in Egypt. That’s not to say they didn’t do an excellent job of depicting Egypt. For example, the actress May Calamawy who plays the archaeologist and friend Layla El-Faouly stated that as an Arab watching the show she felt that it was an authentic representation of Cairo.
An Egyptian Superhero
As we consider the representation of Egypt and Egyptian people in modern media, please can we take a moment for a pivotal scene when Calamawy’s character Layla El-Faouly becomes an avatar for Taweret, the goddess of fertility and childbirth.
A young Egyptian girl sees Layla fighting and asks, “Are you an Egyptian superhero?”. It’s a touching moment. If you’re feeling inspired by the incredible Egyptian Women like Layla — take a look at our custom experiences. We can design the Egypt tour of your dreams, including all the activities and destinations we know you will enjoy best.
As you can probably tell, we are BIG fans of the show here at Mr & Mrs Egypt. Without further ado, let’s go through the famous Egyptian spots that feature in Moon Knight and tell you a little bit more about them.
Moon Knight Scenes in Cairo
So, let’s learn a little bit more about this beautiful place. Cairo is an incredible city. It’s the largest city in Africa and the historic section of Cairo itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The first shot we see of Cairo in the series is when Marc Spector gets up to look out of his hotel room window; we can see the outline of the pyramids in the distance and the hustle and bustle of Cairo below.
Let’s talk about Cairo’s Old Town too. It’s a physical manifestation of the different cultures and religions in Cairo. There are mosques, Coptic Churches, a synagogue, and a citadel.
When you visit, check out the Islamic architecture of the mosques, including the mosque of Ibn Tulun — one of the oldest mosques in Egypt. We think it’s a must-see.
We are passionate about showing off Cairo and introducing tourists to its incredible history, culture, and atmosphere. We think you’ll love Cairo as much as we do after visiting!
Great Pyramid of Giza
When the Great Pyramid of Giza appears in the show, it’s at a pivotal moment in the plot. The Egyptian Gods have gathered inside thanks to Khonsu provoking a solar eclipse. This is a theatrical scene, and the Great Pyramid of Giza adds an ethereal quality to the already fantastical show.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is so impressive that you don’t need to be a character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to feel wholly swept away.
The ancient Egyptians built the Pyramids of Giza more than 4,500 years ago. The pyramid itself is a feat of engineering: there are 2.3 million stones which make up this imposing structure, and it’s estimated to have taken over two decades to complete. It’s believed that the pyramid was built as a tomb.
Pyramids were built to be a portrayal of great wealth; they were also built to guarantee life after death. Being prepared for the afterlife was very important for the Ancient Egyptians; one would be buried with items such as clothing, pots and pans, and special amulets that would keep them safe.
Wondering why Ancient Egyptians were mummified? They believed that it would be easier for the soul to return to the body after death if the body was preserved as well as possible.
The Desert Scenes in Moon Knight
Did you know that the desert scenes for Moon Knight were shot in Jordan? Luckily, we have a tour in the magnificent Jordan as part of our Luxury Jordan and Egypt Tour. So let’s learn a little more about this incredible place.
Jordan is in the Middle East and borders Syria, Saudi Arabia, and the Red Sea. Jordan is also the home of the ancient biblical kingdoms of Gilead, Moab, and Edom.
Jordan’s Valley of the Moon stood in for all the desert scenes in Moon Knight. In Arabic, the spot is called Wadi Rum, which is Arabic for ‘Roman Valley’. Its red sand and rugged landscape have made it the location of a number of productions including Lawrence of Arabia and The Martian.
Moon Knight sites you can visit
The series was not shot in Egypt, but these are the real places it shows, plus the Jordanian desert where its desert scenes were filmed. All of them are sites you can still walk, with a private guide.
- The Great Pyramid of Giza. The setting for the gods’ gathering in the show. Built more than 4,500 years ago, it stands on the edge of Cairo with the other Giza pyramids.
- Historic Cairo. The city Marc Spector looks out over from his hotel window. Its old quarters hold mosques, Coptic churches, a synagogue and the Citadel, all within one UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The Mosque of Ibn Tulun. One of the oldest mosques in Egypt, and the one in historic Cairo we would not miss.
- Wadi Rum, Jordan. The “Valley of the Moon”, where the desert scenes were filmed. It is part of our Luxury Jordan and Egypt Tour.
Private visit
Historic Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza are places you can stand in yourself. With a private guide the car and the order of the day are yours, and you see each site at your own pace rather than on a coach timetable.
- Private licensed guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Entries arranged so you are not waiting on a coach group
Well, there you have it. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the fantastic world of Moon Knight and how it ties into our magical Egypt tours. If you have any questions or would like to chat with us about your next Egyptian adventure, then please give us a call.
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Frequently asked questions
Was Moon Knight filmed in Egypt?
No. None of the series was shot in Egypt, although Cairo and the Great Pyramid of Giza appear on screen, and May Calamawy, who plays Layla El-Faouly, has said the show felt like an authentic picture of Cairo. The desert scenes were filmed in Wadi Rum in Jordan. The real places the show draws on are all open to visitors.
Can you visit the places shown in Moon Knight?
Yes. The Pyramids of Giza and historic Cairo, with its mosques, Coptic churches, synagogue and citadel, are open to visitors. Wadi Rum in Jordan, where the desert scenes were shot, can be added on a combined Jordan and Egypt trip. With a private guide you set the order and pace of each day rather than following a coach timetable.
