Egypt has been attracting tourists since the Romans arrived to marvel at the pyramids and cruise the Nile. The sites that pulled them across the Mediterranean 2,000 years ago still feature high on any itinerary today — and the country manages the wholly unusual feat of being both easily accessible and a bucket-list destination. The extraordinary achievements of the early Egyptians are the undoubted stars; temple complexes in the Valley of the Kings and the pyramids of Giza will wow any traveller. Nile cruises are as atmospheric and unmissable as they ever were. However impressive, these blockbusters won’t be the things you remember the most. That will be the small, special moments you’ll experience every day here — tucking into the tastiest fruit, sourced from a Nile valley garden; wandering through a grove of date palms; being invited to take a hookah pipe at a local café; and listening to the call to prayer as you watch the sun set over the Nile.
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What to do
You’ll want to start in Cairo. The pyramids of Giza are on its outskirts and should absolutely feature on your hit list, but it’s worth spending a couple of days roaming the city itself, diving into museums and bazaars and strolling the narrow streets of its old city, traditionally home to Egypt’s Coptic Christians. The characterful riverside towns of Luxor and Aswan make a great base for visiting a number of ancient sites, including the Valley of the Kings. The best way to travel between them is by boat, whether on a large cruise ship or a tiny felucca.
From Aswan, don’t miss the chance to take a day trip to the two Unesco-listed temples at Abu Simbel, located three hours’ south on Lake Nasser. The entire complex was relocated here in the 1960s to avoid being destroyed by the rising waters of the Nile. Once you’ve finished exploring, popular spots for R&R can be found on the Sinai peninsula, east of Cairo. Plenty of Red Sea resorts tempt with activities including diving, guided tours, snorkelling and excursions in south Sinai, often involving a camel ride and a desert meal cooked on an open fire.
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• Best Nile cruises
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Where to stay
There’s a terrific range of accommodation available in the main tourist spots, from family-friendly beach resorts and international chains with every amenity you could want to small, locally run guesthouses that haven’t changed in years. Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Sharm El Sheikh are where you’ll find the cream of the accommodation options and the most choice; it’s a cinch to find something to suit your budget and taste in each location.
When staying on the Nile, it’s worth paying extra for a room with a river view. And, if you hanker after Agatha Christie vibes, there are a few historic hotels worthy of your attention: the Old Winter Palace in Luxor, the Old Cataract in Aswan, and the Windsor Hotel in Cairo for starters.
Expect to uncover some interesting options in the unlikely settings, the ecolodges and unique desert architecture of Siwa in western Egypt among them. Wherever you stay — a big resort with hundreds of staff or a small family-run operation — you’re bound to experience first-hand why Egypt has a legendary reputation for hospitality.
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Don’t miss
Most visitors to Egypt find so much to fill their holidays along the Nile valley and on the Sinai peninsula that they don’t realise that the country has a vast chunk of the Sahara within its borders. The White Desert National Park is home to an extraordinary landscape of white rock formations that poke up from the flat floor; the region doesn’t look like it belongs on Earth at all. A visit here can be combined with time spent in the Black Desert, home to conical hills covered in the dark residue of eroded rock.
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Be sure to spend time at Bahariya Oasis, too — a bucolic patch of desert fed by natural springs, giving rise to small villages and groves of date and mango trees. More oases can be found at the far edge of Egypt, close to the Libyan border. Siwa is worth several nights, with boutique hotels, temples, springs and four-wheel-drive trips into the dunes being reason enough for the long trip west. Note that the UK government urges caution when visiting the region and you should follow the advice of local operators and Egyptian authorities before planning a trip.
FAQs
Is Egypt safe for tourists?
It’s worth stressing that the vast majority of visits to Egypt are trouble-free. There have been a few high-profile acts of terrorism in the country over the years and the UK government warns that the risk of terrorist attack remains high in some areas. It advises vigilance at religious festivals and at religious sites, to avoid travel to North Sinai, and to exercise caution in some parts of the Western Desert. If you’re interested in visiting the latter, seek travel advice from a tour operator.
• Is it safe to travel to Egypt?
How many days do I need in Egypt?
You could spend a month in Egypt and still just touch the surface, particularly if you want to spend time exploring areas of the Western Desert. Allow at least a week to see the highlights of the Nile Valley, including Cairo, Aswan and Luxor. There are frequent flights from the UK to Sharm El Sheikh and you could easily come for a long weekend on the beach.
Which is the best month to visit Egypt?
November is a good all-round bet; temperatures are in the high 20Cs in the day and evenings are mild rather than cool. If possible, avoid the school holidays to be rewarded with thinner crowds at popular tourist sites such as the Pyramids of Giza and at the temples around Luxor and Aswan. March and April are good choices, too, with similar temperatures — though try and avoid Easter when everywhere gets busier.
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Inspired to visit Egypt but yet to book your trip? Here are the best packages from Tui and Tropical Warehouse.
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