Egypt Destination Guide

Undoubtedly, Egypts ancient heritage, including the iconic Sphinx, the great Pyramids and fabled Valley of the Kings are its defining symbols. The truth however, is that there’s a great deal more to Egypt than its priceless antiquities, as travellers will delight in discovering. Few realise that the Holy Land too is a part of Egypt, or that visits to Christian and other religious monuments are equally popular. For lovers of nature, Egypt offers exciting desert treks, superb scuba diving sites and activities like golf, fishing and bird watching trips.

In short, a kaleidoscope of experiences awaits the traveller in Egypt, from a pleasurable cruise down the Nile to Cairo’s cultural riches and the treasures of the Red Sea.

This Egypt Destination Guide page lists some of numerous highlights worth checking out on a trip to Egypt. Keep in mind that there are much too many things to list here. For more detailed information about things to see and do in specific cities or regions, click on one of our local destination pages:

- Cairo
- Alexandria
- Aswan & Luxor
- Hurgada
- Dahab
- El Gouna
- Marsa Alam
- Sharm El Sheikh

Things to See & Do in Egypt

There’s no escaping the enduring fascination of the Pyramids, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. They are the country’s biggest tourist attraction and rightly so, considering their history and sheer magnificence.

The pyramids number more than 100, mostly built as tombs for Egypt’s Pharaohs and their queens, during the Old and Middle Kingdom eras. The Pyramid of Djoser is the earliest known, built during the third dynasty of the Pharaohs. The architect Imhotep designed this structure and its surroundings, thought to be the world’s oldest monuments built of dressed masonry.

On the outskirts of Cairo stand the Pyramids of Giza, the best known of all. Many of these pyramids continue to find a place among the list of largest monuments ever constructed by man. Giza is where you’ll find the Pyramid of Khufu (popularly known as the "Great Pyramid" and the "Pyramid of Cheops"), the relatively smaller Pyramid of Khafre or Kephren and the modest-sized Pyramid of Menkaure (or Mykerinus). Also present are several smaller structures called “Queen’s Pyramids”. And of course, there’s the Great Sphinx.

The original, polished limestone facade of the structures can be seen only at the apex of the Khafre pyramid. By a curious optical illusion, Khafre appears to be larger than the neighbouring Khufu pyramid, the reason being its elevated location and steeper angle of inclination. In fact, both its height and volume are smaller than the Khufu.

Since antiquity, curious travellers have been drawn to the Giza Necropolis. Its fame received a tremendous boost during the Hellenistic era when Antipater of Sidon listed the Great Pyramid as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Of these ancient wonders, the pyramid is the only one left.

This intriguing monument has the body of a reclining lion with a human head. Situated on the west bank of the Nile in the Giza Plateau near Cairo, it is the world’s largest monolithic statue and is thought to have been built by the ancient Egyptians in the third millennium BCE. The east-facing Sphinx has a small temple nestling between its paws. Its enigmatic expression has fascinated mankind for millennia and no doubt, will continue to do so.

You’ll often find national parks being referred to as protected areas in Egypt. The concept of a national park is a fairly new one, though more areas are rapidly being conferred this status. Ras Mohamed, at the southernmost tip of the Sinai has been a national park since 1983; most of the other areas have been thus designated only in recent years.

Some of the parks are located in remote areas and attract only a few travellers. Others, such as St. Catherine’s are well-known attractions in their own right and receive many visitors, who may be quite unaware that they are visiting a protected area! Some parks are more open to tourists; there are others though, which require special permission to visit.

The parks are dispersed all over the country, from its uppermost tip to its southern border. They are geographically diverse, from the Sinai’s mountainous regions to underwater sites, desert areas and islands on the Nile. Some, like the Elba Protected Area, are completely different from any other region in Egypt.

A trip to a desert country would be incomplete without visiting an oasis. Over the ages, oases have been celebrated in art, literature and music as places of great beauty and charm with a unique culture. Some of Egypt’s must-see oases are Fayoum, Bahariya Oasis, Farafra Oasis, Siwa Oasis and Kharga Oasis.

For beach lovers, the Red Sea Riviera offers a plethora of choices. Sharm el-Sheikh, for instance is such a huge hit with British tourists that it is humorously referred to as “the new Benidorm”. El Gouna is a more upscale resort, accessible within an hour from Hurghada. Sunny and pleasant all year round, this Riviera, with its international hotels, reasonable tariffs and plenty of family-oriented facilities is a delightful option for a quick break.

Newer resorts have come up along the Mediterranean coast. Almaza Bay is one such development, but there are several others coming up. This area is served by the Marsa Matrouh airport.

Water sports enthusiasts have much to look forward to in Egypt. There’s the enormous coral pillar at Tower Beach – a sight no diver would like to miss out On. The Red Sea coast and Gulf of Aqaba, with their abundant marine life and fascinating shipwrecks are naturally a big draw. Near Sharm el-Sheikh lies a famous shipwreck from World War II, the SS Thistlegorm. Close by are the Straits of Tirian with their breathtaking offshore reefs and more shipwrecks.

Depending on the time of the year, divers will encounter changing conditions. In February-March, the waters are full of manta rays, attracted to the extra plankton in the sea. In November and December, the water is especially clear.

The major diving sites are on the Sinai Peninsula, at Sharm el-Sheikh and Ras Mohamed. Instructors are available for all skill levels and equipment can be readily hired. For E£5, twice-weekly tours are available to four Red Sea islands: Abou Kizan, The Emerald, The Rocky Island and The Two Brothers.

Snorkelling rivals diving in the popularity stakes. Don’t miss out on the delightful experience of swimming in Na’ama Bay’s coral gardens or going for a ride in a glass-bottomed boat. Other enjoyable watersports are sailing, windsurfing and pedalos.

Safaris in Egypt don’t confine you to a bus. Hire a jeep or motorbike or go traditional, on the back of a camel. Some safaris can be done partly on foot followed by climbing up Mount Sinai. A sunset visit to St. Catherine’s Monastery will make for an unforgettable experience.

Several cruise steamers operate on the Nile, offering professional standards of service. These vessels can accommodate 50-100 passengers. Onboard facilities vary according to the vessel’s size. It is best to book your cruise through a specialist operator who will be able to advise you on the various options. Generally speaking, package bookings are done through tour operators. You can also choose to charter a traditional felucca.

The romantic experience of a lifetime awaits you on a horse-ride into the desert – don’t miss this one! Whether you’ve the time only for a quick, one-hour ride or a leisurely overnight trip, the Sofitel Equestrian Centre will organise it for you. Alternatively, why not a camel ride? Dinner on the trip will be thrown in.