With a history that is over 5,000 years old, Egypt is the perfect destination for travelers, adventurers and families alike. It is the birthplace of one of the greatest civilizations of the world and a treasure trove of architectural marvels. Its diverse geographical landscape provides travelers with a mix of popular and offbeat attractions for exploration. From the sprawling desert to the fertile Nile Valley, travelers to Egypt can indulge in a variety of unique experiences and get to know the Egyptian, Coptic and Islamic cultures from different periods intimately.
Getting into Egypt
All visitors to Egypt are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond their intended length of stay. Your passport must have enough blank pages for entry stamps. An on-arrival visa is available for citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, the 27 states of the European Union and 10 other nationalities. For others, a pre-arrival visa is needed.
By getting a visa before your arrival you can avoid last-minute hassles and queues at the airport. Please ensure you obtain all the necessary documentation that may be applicable for your entry to Egypt. Do check in with your nearest Egyptian Embassy for the latest information on travel requirements.
When to travel to Egypt
Egypt has an arid desert climate and is generally sunny throughout the year. The winter months from November to January are relatively cooler and the country receives little precipitation during this time. Due to lower temperatures, winter is the peak tourist season.
Summers, which lasts from June to August can be hot. If you wish to avoid busy streets and sights, visiting Egypt during summers is recommended. Make sure you start your tour early in the morning and finish it by noon to avoid the afternoon heat.
What to see in
With its mix of popular and off-beat sights, Egypt has something to offer to everyone. The best way to plan your itinerary is to work with a local travel agency that will help you make the most of your stay in Egypt. Here are some places you may wish to include in your plans in consultation with your travel advisor.
The Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza are one of Egypt’s and indeed, one of the ancient world’s most outstanding sights. There are three pyramid complexes on the site in Giza, each of which has the burial chamber of a different Pharaoh. It is the oldest of the seven wonders of the ancient world and the only one still intact.
Photo by High End Journeys
Sphinx
A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human, the Sphinx is one of the world’s oldest and largest statues that is cut from a monolith bedrock.
Photo by High End Journeys
Egyptian Museum
Also known as the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, this museum is home to an extensive collection of antiquities including the treasures of Tutankhamun, mummies, and artifacts of Egyptians from thousands of years ago.
Photo by High End Journeys
Al Muizz street
This is one of the oldest streets in Cairo and has the greatest concentration of medieval architectural treasures from the Islamic world.
Photo by High End Journeys
Khan El Khalili
One of the major attractions in Cairo, Khan El Khalili is a famous souk that is home to several Egyptian artists and their workshops.
Photo by High End Journeys
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
The largest mosque in Cairo, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun is a majestic red brick complex that was influenced by the Abbasid architecture of Iraq. Build during the 14th century, this mosque is a spectacular sight to behold because of its massive size and unique architectural elements.
Photo by High End Journeys
The Hanging Church
This is one of the oldest churches in the world and was built on top of an ancient fortress back in the 3rd century.
Photo by High End Journeys
The Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church
Dating back to the 4th century, this church is believed to be the place where the Holy Family - Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus, lived after their flight to Egypt.
Photo by High End Journeys
Maimonides Synagogue
This is a historic synagogue in Cairo that has existed since the 10th century. The Jewish philosopher and rabbi Maimonides’s tomb is believed to be located here. According to folklore, the synagogue is located on the site where Moses was found as a baby. A trove of sacred manuscripts in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Judeo-Arabic was discovered in a storeroom in the synagogue in the 19th century.
Photo by High End Journeys
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
The largest mosque in Cairo, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun is a majestic red brick complex that was influenced by the Abbasid architecture of Iraq. Build during the 14th century, this mosque is a spectacular sight to behold because of its massive size and unique architectural elements.
Photo by High End Journeys
Temple of Luxor
Photo by High End Journeys
Karnak Temple
Karnak Temple is the largest religious complex that was ever built for a god and is dedicated to the god Amon Ra, the chief creator god in ancient Egypt.
Photo by High End Journeys
Valley of the Kings
Located in a valley along the west bank of the Nile River, this is where for 500 years rock-cut tombs were created as the final resting place of several pharaohs and powerful nobel people in the kingdom including King Tutankhamun.
Photo by High End Journeys
Temple of Hatshepsut
This is a mortuary temple built for Hatshepsut - the only female pharaoh of Egypt who dressed and ruled like a king.
Photo by High End Journeys
Colossi of Memnon
A perfect photo stop, Colossi of Memnon are two giant stone statues that have been standing in Luxor since 1350 BC.
Photo by High End Journeys
Temple of Isis
Built in the honor of Isis, the goddess of love and passion, this was the last temple to be constructed in the classical Egyptian style.
Photo by High End Journeys
Granite quarries
These quarries once produced the granite that ancient Egyptians used to build their massive structures and decorative sculptures across Egypt
Photo by High End Journeys
The Nubian Museum
Dedicated to the Nubian culture, the museum has a collection of three thousand pieces of Egyptian artifacts from the Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic and Islamic ages.
Photo by High End Journeys
Catacombs
Considered one of the seven wonders of the middle ages, the Catacombs in Alexandria is a necropolis with tombs and statues that exhibit Hellenistic and Roman influences.
Photo by High End Journeys
Pompey’s Pillar
The highest column in Egypt, Pompey’s Pillar is a triumphal column and one of the largest monolithic columns ever built.
Photo by High End Journeys
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
This is a major library and cultural center, built in commemoration of the Library of Alexandria which was lost in antiquity.
Photo by High End Journeys
Abu Simbel Temple
This is the home of two massive rock temples dedicated to Ramses the Second and his wife Nefertiti that has been standing for over 3200 years. It is one of the most impressive temples in Egypt.
Lake Nasser
Lake Nasser is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world and a perfect destination for making a lunch stop.
Temple of Edfu
One of the most intact temples from the ancient world, the walls of the Temple of Edfu contain inscriptions with information on the language, religion, and myth of the Hellenistic period in Egypt. Photo by High End Journeys
Kom Ombo Temple
A double temple dedicated to two gods - the crocodile and falcon gods - the Kom Ombo Temple preserves the texts and reliefs that outline the temple’s theology and formula for worship.
Crocodile Mummification Museum
At the exit of the Kom Ombo Temple, you will find the museum with crocodile mummies that are thousands of years old.
The oldest capital of Egypt, a city that is over five thousand years old. The ruins of several temples can be found in the city in a sort of open-air museum.
Saqqara
The necropolis of ancient Egypt, Saqqara is home to the step pyramid, the first limestone structure ever built and has colored tombs that are over 4,350 years old.
Photo by High End Journeys
Pyramids of Dahshur
TThe Red and Bent pyramids are among the largest and oldest pyramids in Egypt, built during 2613 - 2589 BC.
Photo by High End Journeys
Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai is a mountain in the Sinai Peninsula that could possibly be the location of the biblical Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments.
Photo by High End Journeys
What to experience
Whether on foot, atop a camel or in a five-star cruise ship, there is no dearth of sights you can see in Egypt. Mix up sightseeing with some adventurous experiences to see Egypt in a unique light.
A camel ride across the desert
Take a short ride across the sands of Giza to the Sphinx while admiring the pyramids during the sunset.
Photo by High End Journeys
Sail on a traditional felucca
Ride on the Nile in a felucca, a traditional wooden sailing boat, while sipping some exotic wine on board.
Photo by High End Journeys
Hot air balloon ride in Luxor
Fly over the west bank of Luxor and admire a scenic view of the River Nile and the temples and tombs of Luxor from 3,000 feet in the air.
Photo by Pradeep Gopal
Nile cruise
Enjoy a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan in a luxury cruise ship and make stops in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan along the way to see more of Ancient Egypt and its architectural wonders.
Photo by High End Journeys
Visit the Old Cataract Hotel
Enjoy high tea overlooking the Nile during sunset in this legendary hotel where King Fouad was once entertained and Agatha Christie wrote her novel Death on the Nile.
Photo by High End Journeys
What to eat
Egypt is an amazing culinary destination that makes generous use of meats, vegetables, spices, and seasonings and is rich in flavors. During your trip to Egypt must get yourself to try these delicacies.
- Kebab is made from ground meat and most restaurants serve a variety of mouth-watering kebabs. Shish taouk is among the most popular ones - they are grilled chicken skewers that are marinated in spices and olive oil.
- Kofta is a soft, juicy meatball, perfect for meat lovers and can be served as an appetizer with tahini or yogurt dip or cooked in a gravy.
- Ful medames is a stew made from fava beans and is a staple food of Egypt.
- Koshari is a mixed rice dish that originated in the 19th century in Egypt. It is made from rice, macaroni, and lentils, and topped with tomato sauce and garnished with chickpeas and fried onions.
- Baba ghanoush is an appetizer made from mashed eggplant mixed with tahini, olive oil, and various seasonings.
What to buy
You can choose from high-class souvenir stores and hotel outlets to shop from or walk along the streets of local bazaars and souks and bargain for wares.
- Cairo is famous for rug weaving and you can buy carpets with classic Egyptian designs like hieroglyphic-inspired details or rose-colored patterns.
- The Nubians are famous across the world for making essential oils and perfumes that use recipes that are over 5,000 years old. When in Aswan, do check out these aromatic products, especially the ones made from myrrh and frankincense.
- In Luxor, you can purchase high-quality handmade statues made from alabaster which are light in weight and easy to carry back home in your luggage.
- Giza is one of the places where you find gold in a variety of prices ranges from high-end to mid-range to suit your budget.
- If you need assistance in deciding where to go or what to buy, consult the staff of your travel agency for recommendations.
Tipping in Egypt
Tipping is not compulsory in Egypt, but it is customarily expected. Should you feel like acknowledging the services of those who serve you, please consider the following as a rough guide, per person per day.
- Tour Coordinator: 5 USD per person per day
- Egyptologist: 15 USD per person per day.
- Driver: 5-7 USD per person per day.
- Nile Cruise: 5-7 USD per person per day.
- Hotel Porters (Per bag): 2 USD
- Restaurants: Add about 10% - 15% to the bill in restaurants.
These are recommendations only and are not compulsory. Please use your own discretion in tipping, based on the quality of service you receive.
What to pack
Pack clothes that you are comfortable to wear, like light loose cotton clothes, as the days can get hot in Egypt. Also, like any destination you travel to, maintaining cultural sensitivity is important. Keep your stomach and shoulders covered and if you are a woman, carry a scarf with you, as you may sometimes be required to cover your head. Bring along a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to avoid the scorching sun, apply plenty of sunscreen and carry along copious amounts of water. Don’t forget to wear sturdy shoes that are comfortable for walking as you will be exploring a lot of the sites on foot.
Conclusion
Egypt is an exciting place to travel to and with the right guidance and planning, you can make the most out of your trip - whether you are a budget traveler or looking to travel to Egypt in complete luxury. Book your tours through a trusted local travel agency that has a high satisfaction rating with its customers. They will plan and book your accommodations, make travel arrangements for you within the country and get you exclusive entries to sights. They will also provide you with a qualified Egyptologist to accompany you and tell you the truly fascinating history and the story of every spot you visit.
Here are a few Egypt vacation packages you might be interested in:
- 11 Days Egypt and Jordan Tour to Experience Luxury at its Best
- 8 Days Egypt Tour Package to Experience Luxury at its Best
- 9 Days Egypt Tour Package to Explore the Best Attractions of Egypt
- Explore Cairo, The Nile, and Alexandria on 12 Days Egypt Tour
- Explore the Best of Egypt on a 7 Days Egypt Tour Package
- Full Day Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, and the Egyptian museum