This country of contrasts holds historical secrets, ancient civilisations and bustling modern lifestyles, contributing to an unforgettable experience.
Visiting Egypt with a small group is one of the best ways to see the country, knowing that your transport and activities are seamlessly arranged. Relax, enjoy the sights and bring your camera as you explore the ancient history, golden coastlines and delicious cuisine.
Places to travel in Egypt
Planning what to include on your trip through Egypt ensures you won’t miss unique experiences, from the Great Pyramids to the Nubian Museum, temples, mosques and Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Cairo
Cairo, Egypt by Dennis Bunnik
A journey through Egypt often begins in the vibrant capital, Cairo. Just a short distance from Cairo are the world-renowned Pyramids of Giza and the majestic Great Sphinx. A day trip to see these iconic sites up close is a must on a first visit to Egypt.
Egypt is renowned for its exquisite carpets, so visiting a weaving workshop offers an opportunity to learn more about the craft — and even purchase an Egyptian carpet to bring culture and well-travelled style home.
Take time to shop at the Khan El Khali Market. After dark, see the illuminated Ottoman architecture, including the Bayt Al Suhaymi, built in 1648. Cairo has plenty to explore at the beginning of an Egyptian adventure.
Alexandria
Alexandria, Egypt by Adobe Stock
The next stop is Alexandria, a port city on the Mediterranean. Alexandria is home to the Lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Explore the city from the fish markets to Fort Qaitbey, see Sidi Morsi Mosque with its ornate ceilings and pillars, and finish with a stroll along the Corniche at sunset.
Alexandria is famous for being home to the largest library in the ancient world (long since destroyed by time), commemorated today by the disc-shaped ultramodern Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, or “mound of shards”, were discovered in the 18th century when a donkey disappeared into the ground. These catacombs are the largest known Roman burial site in Egypt, a well-preserved blend of Roman, Egyptian and Greek cultures. Alexandria is a fascinating city, and there’s so much to see and do.
Nile River
The Nile River is the lifeline of Egypt, stretching over 6,800 km before expanding into a delta that enters the Mediterranean Sea. Ninety-five per cent of Egyptians live within a few miles of the Nile.
Cruising the Nile River is a highlight of any visit to Egypt, an opportunity to see many of the temples and sights with the river as the central transport route.
Nile River, Egypt by Megan Pearce
Aswan
Poised on the banks of the Nile River, Aswan is a strategic centre for trade and commerce. Dotted with open-air markets, blessed with tranquil views and rich in well-preserved archaeological sites, this city offers opportunities to explore feats of engineering and famous temples.
Aswan’s High Dam is one of the world’s largest embankment dams, completed between 1960 and 1970 to fuel hydroelectric power, support agriculture and regulate the flow of the Nile. Travellers can visit a colourful Nubian village near Aswan, an opportunity to take photographs and see how local communities live.
Aswan, Egypt by Annelieke Huijgens
Edfu
On the west bank of the Nile River, between Aswan and Luxor, is Edfu, most famous for the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus which was built between 237BC and 57BC. The Egyptian god Horus appears as a falcon whose right eye is the sun or morning star, son of the goddess of healing, Isis. Horus was instructed by his mother to protect the people of Egypt from Set, god of the desert.
Edfu, Egypt by Amie Bunnik
Luxor
Luxor, Egypt by Dennis Bunnik
Often referred to as the world’s greatest open-air museum, near Luxor you find the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and Avenue of Sphinxes leading to the stunning Luxor Temple. King Tutankhamun’s tomb reveals intricate hieroglyphic paintings, ancient artefacts and well-preserved Egyptian history. This magical area is awe-inspiring to walk through and fun to view from a hot air balloon in an early morning adventure as the sun rises over the region.
Avenue of Sphinxes
Karnak Temple, Egypt by Amie Bunnik
The Avenue of Sphinxes is 2.7km long, connecting the Karnak Temple to the Luxor Temple and is lined with ram’s head sphinxes. Built across several dynasties, the Avenue was completed during the reign of Nectanebo. This ‘path of god’ held celebrations, special occasions and coronation ceremonies between the two temples.
Philae Temple
Philae Temple, Egypt by Abbie Bell
Downstream from Aswan on the banks of the Nile River, the Philae Temple perches on a tiny island. Sometimes called the “pearl of Egypt”, this fertile island is 450m long and less than 150m wide. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, the temple contains multiple rooms with reliefs of kings and Roman Emperors displaying ritual scenes.
Queen Hatshepsut Temple
Queen Hatsheptsu Temple, Egypt by Amie Bunnik
One of the few women to receive the title of pharaoh, Queen Hatshepsut sponsored one of Egypt's most successful trading expeditions, bringing gold, wealth and artistry to the country. The temple was one of many buildings erected during her reign, situated dramatically at the base of towering limestone cliffs. Despite its enormous size, the complex is elegant and gracefully designed.
How to get around Egypt
Many of the sights of Egypt line the banks of the Nile River, so cruising the Nile is a comfortable way to travel between each location of interest. To visit other destinations, visitors might fly, for example, between the capital Cairo and Luxor or Aswan.
Private transport, such as an air-conditioned bus or coach trip guided by an Egyptologist, provides travellers time to relax and fully immerse into the journey, free from worries about local driving norms. This is the best way to travel between closer destinations away from the Nile, and during the trip, an experienced guide can add their knowledge to the scenery you pass by.
In the cities, taxis or buses can get you from A to B affordably, though public transport options can be crowded and travellers should be confident about the route to take before beginning each trip.
How to get to Egypt
Most international flights to Egypt arrive in Cairo, and airfares can be included from the origin country when selecting a small group tour. Travellers exploring nearby countries such as Jordan or Kenya can visit Egypt via a short flight from Amman in Jordan, or Nairobi in Kenya, landing in Cairo.
Tips for Visiting Egypt
Planning an Egyptian itinerary with advice from experienced travellers can help make a trip to Egypt seamless. Once the itinerary is in place, first-time visitors can experience Egypt’s fascinating ancient civilisations without worrying about travel details. Here are a few tips to make the most of visiting Egypt.
Seasonal timing for a visit to Egypt
Visiting in the cooler months will provide a more temperate climate, so consider travelling between November and March to avoid the hottest weather. In the north the heat is dry, but lower in Cairo the air is humid, intensifying the heat in summer. Pack lightweight clothes that cover your skin, a hat and sunscreen.
If visiting Egypt during Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking openly in public, as this may offend locals during their observant fasting period.
Making the most of each day
Travelling in a small group means not worrying about transport, or haggling prices for various activities and services, and there’s a level of protection from persistent sellers in public spaces too. A guide with extensive knowledge of Egyptian history and culture can add valuable insights to your journey and smooth the trip.
Cultural expectations and commerce
Tipping is ubiquitous throughout Egypt, so include a buffer in the travel allowance or find out if gratuities like this are included in a tour package - one less thing to think about day-to-day.
While taking photos is permitted at popular attractions, be discrete and don’t take photographs of anyone without asking permission first. Some attractions require visitors to purchase a photograph pass, so check on arrival if this applies.
Arabic phrases for travel
Arabic is a language with many regional variations and is filled with sounds quite different from the sounds of the English language. Nevertheless, learning a few Arabic phrases can enhance the enjoyment of travelling through Egypt and allow visitors to express gratitude for the hospitality received along the way.
This list combines some phrases to use along the way with phrases and words a local guide may use.
- As-salaam alaikum (or simply ‘salaam’): (السلام عليكم), Peace be upon you
- Sabah al-khair: (صباح الخير) Good morning
- Shukran: (ﺷﻜﺮﺍﹰ) Thank you
- Lazeeza: (لذيذ) Delicious
- Najma: (نجوم) Stars
- Jameela: (جميل) Beautiful
- Ma'an: (مـَييـَه) Water
- Insha Allah: (إن شاء الله) God willing
- Yalla: (يللا) Let’s go
- Law samaht: (لو سمحت) Excuse me or Please
- Na’am: (نعم) Yes
- Ana la afham (أنا لا أفهم ) I do not understand
- Ayn al-hammam?: (أين الحمام؟) Where is the bathroom?
What is Egyptian food?
Aswan, Egypt by Kirsten Bertram
Classic Egyptian foods include mezze-style snacks like hummus, dukka, baba ganoush, stuffed grape leaves and baklava which are also popular throughout the Middle East.
Try the local street food for authentic local flavour - look out for ‘ful medames’, a paste of mashed broad beans (fava beans) flavoured with garlic and olive oil. Served with a ladle from a copper pot into a pita pocket, this is a delicious (and healthy) snack or meal. Tamiya (falafel) is also made with mashed broad beans, rather than chickpeas, in Egypt, and served in flat discs inside a sandwich or salad.
Koshari is an iconic Egyptian dish, served in restaurants with chefs dedicated to perfecting it. Mixing brown lentils, with rice, lentils and macaroni garnished with fried onions and spicy tomato sauce, this is a meal to sit down to and enjoy.
Pigeon is a traditional meat delicacy to try, grilled or baked and stuffed with seasoned rice or freek. In the coastal cities of Egypt, fish is a staple. One dish to try in Alexandria is sayadiyah fish, prepared using white fish like sea bass or bluefish cooked with yellow rice, onions, spaces and tomato sauce in a casserole. These are both meals to savour.
Shawarma is a tasty Egyptian meal of lamb or chicken grilled vertically in a cone shape. As the meat cooks, sections are sliced off and mixed on a hot plate with tomato, onion and parsley, before being wrapped into a tasty flatbread.
With so many delicious savoury foods to try, remember to save room for dessert. Egyptian desserts can be light, for example, mahalabiya, a delicate rosewater-flavoured ground rice dessert topped with nuts and cinnamon. Roz bi laban is a rice pudding, served cold and delicious to finish a meal on a hot day.
An old traditional dessert to seek out, fiteer is a light, flaky, multilayered bread made from dough stretched paper-thin and folded over and over. This dish can be served with minced meat or cheese, brushed with ghee or dusted with icing sugar. Finally, a taste of Egypt ought to include umm ali (the name means ‘Ali’s mother’), a moreish dessert made with layers of puff pastry soaked in milk, mixed with nuts, raisins, coconut flakes and sugar, before being baked in hot milk.
Egypt’s blend of ancient civilisation and modern culture provides a memorable journey
Visiting Egypt is a trip of a lifetime, whether the journey is a couple of weeks or a month long, and there’s plenty to explore in nearby Africa as well. Come home with photographs and memories to fill stories for years to come, new connections and an increased appreciation of the oldest great civilisation’s monumental scale.
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules for tourists in Egypt?
Complying with social norms in Egypt means avoiding public displays of affection with a partner or loved one, so try not to hug, kiss or dance in public. Visitors should always carry photo identification (your passport). When eating, use your right hand only when not using cutlery. Generally speaking, it’s culturally more acceptable for women to wear more modest clothing that covers the skin.
Do female tourists need to cover up in Egypt?
Female travellers may feel more comfortable complying with social norms and wearing clothing that covers the skin. Tourists aren’t expected to cover their heads everywhere, however, women should carry a scarf or shawl to cover their hair if visiting a mosque with this requirement.
Dos and don’ts in Egypt
When visiting Egypt, avoid putting your feet on a table or pointing the soles of your feet at others, even unintentionally. Tourists should avoid patting dogs or cats in the street. Men should avoid exposing their chests, and wear T-shirts or shirts rather than singlets. It’s also illegal to fly drones in Egypt.