Are you looking for an all year round destination with culture, beaches, a warm welcome and the chance of a bargain? Look no further than Egypt, where history, hospitality, heat and the chance to haggle collide, offering you the adventure of a lifetime.
Plan a Trip to Egypt
For over 7000 years Egypt has been a source of wonder and delight. With one of the oldest recorded written languages and home to two of the seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it is the perfect destination for anyone with a passion for history.
Egypt is a country of exciting contrasts, and there is nowhere else on earth where history feels so accessible and alive. From the colossi of Abu Simbel to the bustling bazaars and tranquil mosques of Cairo, thousands of years of tradition exist harmoniously with contemporary life.
You could plan and do a trip independently, but tours are a great way to experience this fascinating country on journeys from Aswan to Cairo along the mythical River Nile.
View my travel tips and experience this magical country for yourself.
Weather & Best Time to Visit
It’s Africa! So you are pretty much guaranteed sun all year round with the added bonus of beautiful sunrises and sunsets to mark the passing of the days.
The summer months, June to August can be very hot, with temperatures often rising to a melting 40 degrees. If you like it hot, then that is the time to go.
But for the best experience, I recommend that you plan your visits between October and April when the weather is cooler. It may be cooler, but the temperature can still rise to 30 degrees during the day.
Egypt Backpacking Itinerary
Keen to explore Egypt independently? You’ll need 2 – 3 weeks to see the main highights.
Start your adventure in Cairo, a cosmopolitan city straddling The Nile where the ancient and modern worlds jostle side by side. Though the streets are busy, transport is cheap and you can catch tantalising glimpses of of the pyramids as you travelling through the city.
Massive and imposing, the Pyramid complex at Giza is a must see whether your passion is history or art, or simply a love of all things wonderful. Take the opportunity to climb high inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu to the burial chamber, and marvel at the night sky carved into the stone.
Take a camel ride across the dunes, marvel at the views and then head over the enigmatic Sphinx. Don’t miss out the Necropolis at Saqqara where you will see even older monuments, such as the Stepped Pyramid built by Djoser over 5000 years ago.
You cannot leave Cairo without spending time at the famous Cairo Museum. Permanent home of the Tutankhamun exhibition, his golden sarcophagi is just one of the many treasures on display. The museum is rich with priceless papyri and room upon room of gold and precious jewels. You can even come face to face with some ancient mummies.
Take the overnight train from Cairo to Aswan, an adventure not to be missed, and be woken to breakfast and the contrasting views from either side of the train. Desert, sand and mountains on one side, and fertile flood land on the other.
Whether you take a cruiser or a local falluca, a cruise on the Nile is exhilarating. Relax with a drink as ancient monuments, palm trees and beautiful scenery glides by.
Another adventure awaits in Luxor and The Valley of the Kings. Nothing can prepare you for the astonishing vividness of the colours inside the tombs. As your eyes accustomed to the light, brilliant gold, blue and red jump out at you as the paintings bring the glory of ancient Egypt to life.
For a relaxing experience or all-inclusive style holiday, head to the Red Sea coast.
Egypt Tours
If you want to plan a unique experience, combining history and relaxation to create your own your adventure of a lifetime, lots of highly rated tour companies offer group tours in Egypt with monthly departures. If you book a tour most are run by local guides who will take you to the best places.
Top Things to Do in Egypt
Cairo
Nowhere does this harmonious contrast exist so obviously as Cairo, where you can trace the country’s fascinating history from ancient to modern times. Begin 4000 years ago at the Giza pyramids, the only remaining of the original Seven Wonders of the World.
The oldest and largest of the three pyramids, the Great Pyramid of Giza now also holds the title of the oldest structure in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Archaeologists believe it was built as a tomb, and was made using over 2 million stone blocks. While it is certainly the most famous, there have been around 130 pyramids found in Egypt.
Echoes of a lost mythology are brought to life on a guided tour, and the sphinx tells the story of the pyramids during an atmospheric evening light show. The construction of the pyramids remains awe inspiring, and an air of mystery surrounds the topic despite centuries of theories and speculation.
Tutankhamen’s death mask can be viewed at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo along with thousands of other fascinating artefacts from ancient times. It is easy to spend a while morning in the museum, and every room reveals new wonders.
After exploring the many facets of the ancient world, fast forward to medieval times with a stroll around Islamic Cairo, where antique mosques and monuments conjure a bygone era. Minarets, spires, decorative tile work and tranquil courtyards set the tone a walking tour of the area, and mosque courtyards provide a tranquil haven away from the hustle and bustle of modern Cairo.
Modern Egyptian life comes in the form of delicious food, cosy coffee shops and contemporary art exhibitions. Sit out on cafe patios during warm summer evening with locals playing chess and backgammon around you, and dine on Middle Eastern cuisine with contemporary flair. Watching life and locals pass you by from street side cafes is one of Cairo’s most enjoyable experiences.
The Nile
The fertile Nile valley is also an open history book, exhibiting the breathtaking creations of lost dynasties alongside snapshots of modern Egyptian life. On a cruise, passengers will witness riverside villages where life goes on in the same way that it has done for thousands of years. Traditions endure, from the natural building materials used to the farming methods. Approaching Abu Simbel by boat is a humbling site, the four colossi gazing proudly from the carved rock.
The Red Sea
If you are looking for the ultimate relaxation, beaches, watersports and amazing resorts head to Sharm el Sheik.
If you are seeking adventure The Red Sea is the world capital of diving with its bright coral gardens and clear waters. Dahab is situated in Egypt along the coast of the Red Sea in the South Sinai desert, only 90km north of the international resort of Sharm El Sheikh.
Dahab, meaning ‘gold’, is a unique tourist destination, originally an untouched palm fringed bay visited by nomadic bedouins during the summer months for the fresh wind and ample supply of fish. Its constant warm climate makes it a perfect year round diving location, with a fresh breeze making it a paradise during the hottest summer months.
The location in Dahab means that you are never far from a world-class dive site. These include the famous Canyon and the almost-mythical Blue Hole, together with an abundance of local dive sites with stunning coral gardens and sheer drop-offs, which are home to a kaleidoscope of shimmering reef fish.
Alexandria
Alexandria is the leading port for Egypt as well as being the nation’s second largest city. The Middle Eastern city with the Mediterranean atmosphere has remained a key centre of transportation and commerce from ancient times and is now the heart of a prominent industrial area.
Facts:
• Alexander the Great founded Alexandria in 331 BC, making it the capital of Graco-Roman Egypt.
• Alexandria was the setting of the dramatic relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony.
• The majority of Ancient Alexandria is underwater or built over with very few original landmarks easily accessible.
• During his pursuit of Pompey and Octavian Julius Caesar temporarily occupied Alexandria.
• Napoleon also took Alexandria in 1798 during his Egyptian campaign but it fell into the hands of the British just three years later.
Attractions:
The Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al- Mursi is one of Alexandria’s main draws. It’s stunning from the outside and has a beautiful interior. If you want to get the most out of your visit it’s best to take a guided tour.
One of the top ranked attractions in Alexandria is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. This modernised version of Alexandria’s ancient library is eleven stories high and a striking cylindrical shape, but what really attracts the tourists is the fact that the unique architecture houses more than 8 million books.
Anyone with an appreciation of Egypt’s history will want to visit the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa. The catacombs are said to have been discovered by a donkey (after it fell into an underground tunnel) and date from the Roman period. Although a little dark and gloomy in some places the catacombs do boast some impressive wall paintings.
If the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa appeal then you should definitely visit Alexandria’s Roman Amphitheatre, built in the 2nd century AD. With its 13 semi-circular marble tiers it certainly makes an impression!
Alexandria’s Stanley Bridge overlooks the Stanley Bay along the Corniche and offers spectacular views, particularly of the Stanley beach with its three levels of beach cabins.
Giza
Giza, capital of the Giza Governorate, is Egypt’s third largest city and is situated on the west bank of the river Nile. Although there is a lot more to the city than history its most famous aspect is undoubtedly the Giza Plateau, on which a complex of ancient Egyptian structures stand.
Facts:
• Giza is famous for its three large Pyramids and Sphinx.
• Khufu was the first Pharaoh to build a pyramid at Giza.
• The Great pyramid took over twenty years and 2,000,000 building blocks to build.
• The capital of ancient Egypt (Mn Nefter or Memphis) is just 20 km outside of Giza and the iconic Pyramids of Giza were built to overlook it.
• There are three chambers currently known of inside the Great Pyramid – the unfinished chamber, the King’s chamber and the Queen’s chamber.
Attractions:
The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the most famous of Giza’s pyramids and was included in the seven wonders of the ancient world. It is also the largest, being 481 feet tall at its highest point. A museum is housed on the south side of the pyramid.
The Great Pyramid is also responsible for protecting another Giza attraction, the Khufu Ship. The Khufu Ship is a full-sized and intact vessel from Ancient Egypt which survived the centuries by being sealed in a pit within the pyramid complex.
The second largest pyramid in Giza (10 foot shorter than the Great Pyramid) is the Pyramid of Khafre and was commissioned by Khufu’s son. Khafre’s granite sarcophagus can still be seen by visitors.
Close to Khafre’s pyramid is the Sphinx, an iconic sculpture of a half cat half human creature. Many believe it was built to watch over the pyramids. The human face of the Sphinx has been missing its nose since about the 14thcentury.
If you’re still hungry for history after seeing those attractions then you may want to pay a visit to the Mastaba of Ti. This is a private 5th dynasty tomb which was only discovered in 1865. The tomb is of a high quality and features richly decorative wall-paintings.
Egypt Travel Tips
People & Culture
Since ancient times, Egyptians, have organised feasts to honour their guests, the warm and welcoming hospitality has always been a part of Egyptian culture. Whether it is your first visit, or your 100th, Egyptian hospitality never wavers.
Food and Drink
Egyptian cuisine is a fascinating fusion of international influences. Perhaps the best example of this is kushari, a local favourite of rice, macaroni and lentils topped with tomato sauce and garnished with spaghetti, chickpeas and crispy onions!
Other quintessentially Egyptian fare include ful medames, a spicy fava bean stew frequently adorned with hard-boiled eggs; and fatteh, a meat soup accented with garlic and vinegar and served with crispy flatbread and rice, served on special occasions.
Traditional establishments like the Nubian Café & Restaurant in Hurghada promise to serve the best of these local delicacies.
Markets and Haggling
If you love markets and shopping for a bargain, Egypt is your ideal destination as every town and village has its own marketplace.
In Cairo you will find the famous Khan El Khalili Market, a 500 year old bazaar selling everything from spices to handmade jewelry. A first step into the market may be overwhelming, but with the right attitude and some top-level bargaining skills, it is a fantastic place to pick up some beautiful souvenirs and meet some amazing locals.
Be prepared for some amazing sites, from donkey carts stacked with vegetables to motorbikes piled high with merchandise. You will come for the bargains, but we know you will stay for the people.
Tipping
Backsheesh is a word you will hear often in Egypt as Egyptians rely heavily on tips, so expect to tip anyone who helps you. The hotel butler should get 3-10 Egyptian pounds, the maid 5-10 EGP a night. In restaurants you may see 10 percent already added to your bill, but this service charge goes to the restaurant not your waiter, so be sure to give around a 10 percent tip to your waiter as well. The taxi cab price is agreed upon beforehand with a tip already included.