Pharaohs' temples, a great river and a coral-lined sea.
Egypt holds some of the world's most famous monuments. The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx stand at the edge of Cairo, and a cruise or train ride up the Nile reaches Luxor's Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings, then Aswan and the temples of Abu Simbel. On the Red Sea coast, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh offer coral reefs and year-round diving.
Cairo is loud, crowded and endlessly fascinating, while Upper Egypt runs to the slower rhythm of the river and felucca sailing boats. Koshari, ful medames and fresh bread are everyday staples. October to April is the best time for sightseeing; summer is extremely hot around Luxor and Aswan, though the Red Sea coast stays popular.
Best time to visit Egypt
January, February, March, November, December.
Places to visit in Egypt
Cairo: Africa's great metropolis on the Nile, with the treasures of the pharaohs and a medieval Islamic old city.
Pyramids of Giza: The Great Pyramid, its two companions and the Sphinx on a desert plateau at the edge of Cairo.
Luxor: The world's greatest open-air museum: vast temples on the east bank, royal tombs on the west.
Aswan: Egypt's most relaxed Nile town, with feluccas, Nubian villages and the island temple of Philae.
Abu Simbel: Two rock temples of Ramesses II with colossal seated statues, moved in the 1960s to escape the rising Nile.
Alexandria: Egypt's Mediterranean city, founded by Alexander the Great, with a seafront corniche and a new great library.
Sharm el-Sheikh: A Red Sea resort at the southern tip of Sinai, known for world-class diving in Ras Mohammed.
Dahab: A relaxed Sinai town of seafront cafés and reef diving, with the Blue Hole just up the coast.
Mount Sinai and St Catherine's: A mountain climbed at night for sunrise, above the sixth-century St Catherine's Monastery.
Siwa Oasis: A remote Western Desert oasis of palm groves, salt lakes and the ruined mud-brick fortress of Shali.
Essentials
Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)
Language: Arabic; English common in tourist areas
Plugs: Type C / F, 220 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC+2
Tipping: Tips (baksheesh) are expected for most services; 10–15% in restaurants
Getting around: Trains and domestic flights along the Nile; ride-hailing and metro in Cairo
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking