On the cusp of Africa and Arabia, home to thousands of years of history, Egypt pairs desert, river, and Red Sea to devastating effect. Many of the most memorable things to do in Egypt explore its ancient wonders, be that cruising the Nile, riding a camel around Cairo’s Giza Pyramids, or soaring over Luxor’s Valley of the Kings in a hot-air balloon. Yet the nation’s Red Sea coasts offer beach resorts, from scuba hotspot Sharm el Sheikh and laid-back Dahab to bustling Hurghada and Marsa Alam.
Tourists primarily visit Egypt from October to April, when the weather is dry and sunny. The two downsides to winter, however, are Cairo’s sometimes overcast weather and a cool Red Sea—especially between December and March. Come June, most cities are quiet, thanks to summer’s heat; coastal breezes make resorts like Sharm el Sheikh tolerable. Popular annual events include the Abu Simbel Sun Festival, which takes place twice a year (in February and October) and the Sandbox music festival in El Gouna in May.
In cities, private cabs are the tourist go-to, but remember to agree to a price before getting in. You can also get around pretty well using Egypt’s public transportation systems. (Renting a car isn’t advisable, due to the country’s often chaotic roads.) Air-conditioned trains (including some with sleeper cars), can whisk you between Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. There are also buses run by private companies that make the trip between the Nile Valley and Red Sea resorts more comfortable (though domestic flights are quicker).
For a taste of classic Cairo, seek out the Naguib Mahfouz Café, located deep in the city’s Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Named after the 20th-century writer Naguib Mahfouz, this elegant coffee house offers a respite from the market’s sweltering, noisy lanes. Step through the curtains into its air-conditioned sanctuary of cushioned benches, and cool off with a zingy lemon-and-mint juice. For the full Cairene experience, pair your drink with the café’s signature hawawshi, pita loaded with herby minced beef.
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Egypt is best known for its pharaonic period archaeological sites. Most famous are Cairo’s UNESCO-listed Giza Pyramids—three 4,500-year-old royal tombs guarded by the Great Sphinx. Other claims to fame are Cairo’s collection of Tutankhamun’s funerary treasures, Luxor’s temples and tombs, and the beach and diving resorts of the Red Sea coast.
...MoreEgypt’s ancient relics are must-sees, with Cairo’s Giza Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum’s Tutankhamun artifacts major draws. Don’t miss a Luxor-Aswan Nile cruise—sailing the timeless river to view age-old monuments, including Karnak and Abu Simbel’s temples. Beach and scuba-diving enthusiasts, meanwhile, will love the Red Sea’s sands and coral reefs.
...MoreCairo’s Giza Pyramids and Sphinx lure the most tourists, with millions visiting every year. Other crowd-pullers include Cairo’s Egyptian Museum with its pharaohs’ mummies and Tutankhamun burial cache. Also popular are Luxor’s Karnak temple and tomb-filled Valley of the Kings, as well as the gigantic Abu Simbel, overlooking Lake Nasser.
...MoreAdmiring Cairo’s antiquities and taking multi-day Nile cruises around the treasures of Luxor and Aswan are visitor favorites. But Egypt has plenty to enjoy. Revel in the beaches and underwater beauty of its Red Sea resorts, browse atmospheric souks, sunset-watch from a felucca or sailboat, and explore vast desert landscapes.
...MoreYes, a week is enough to cover Egypt’s principal ancient monuments. It allows a short sightseeing stint in Cairo before a 3-, 4-, or 5-day Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan to experience temples like Karnak and Abu Simbel. For a Red Sea beach break on top, add another week.
...MoreYes, Egypt is generally safe. Terrorism can sometimes occur, with a heightened risk at religious and tourist sites, so take extra care and follow security advice. Otherwise, crime is low, although pickpocketing and scams can blight cities like Cairo. Female travelers should avoid walking alone after dark.
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