Egypt Travel Guide

Egypt Travel Guide

Egypt… the land of ancient tombs, archaeological treasures, unique desert landscapes,  the gorgeous Nile River, and of course, the Pyramids of Giza. Egypt has a rich history to discover and countless treasures to explore. Whether you are looking to visit the long list of tombs and temples or immerse yourself with the locals, you won’t want to miss adventuring to this spectacular country.

Egypt Stats

Official Languages: Arabic

Population: 106 million

Capital City: Cairo

Currency: Egyptian Pound

Power Outlet: Type C and F

Abu Simbel

Best of Egypt

Egypt is more than just pyramids and temples, as you will see in this post. Egypt is also home to beautiful beaches, magnificent sand dunes, unique desert landscapes, pristine coral reefs, and luxurious resort towns.

Egypt Itinerary

On this Egypt itinerary, you will visit the intricately decorated tombs in the Valley of the Kings, drift on the Nile River in a felucca, and see the Pyramids of Giza. Are you getting excited yet? The list continues, with visits to the spectacular temples at Abu Simbel, the enormous Karnak Temple in Luxor, and the ancient pyramids in Dahshur and Saqqara.

Cairo & Giza

Cairo…this sprawling, historic, ancient city is most visitors’ first stop on a trip through Egypt. The Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum top the list for most, but there is a lot more to see and do in this city. To help you plan your visit, here are our articles about things to see and do in Cairo and Giza.

Luxor

Luxor, Egypt is the world’s greatest open-air museum. Ancient tombs and temples are scattered along the east and west bank of the Nile River. The Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor Temples, the Temple of Hatshepsut…these are just a few of the best things to do in Luxor.

Aswan

With its palm-tree studded shorelines, feluccas that sail the Nile River, and beautiful temples, Aswan looks and feels a lot different than many other places in Egypt.

Abu Simbel

Sitting on the bank of Lake Nasser is one of Egypt’s most striking monuments, the twin temples of Abu Simbel. Built by Ramesses II over 3,000 years ago, these temples have stood the test of time. In this guide, learn how to visit this extraordinary historical site.

Egypt Travel Advice

There are a lot of important things to know before traveling to Egypt. In these guides, we cover SIM cards, trip costs, how to get around Egypt, and money saving tips.

Top Experiences in Egypt

Cairo. Cairo…this sprawling, historic, ancient city is most visitors’ first stop on a trip through Egypt. The Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum top the list for most, but there is a lot more to see and do in this city.

The Pyramids of Giza. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the last intact ancient Wonder of the World. This pyramid, along with the others that sit on the Giza Plateau, form one of the most recognizable sights in the world.

The Egyptian Museum. The Egyptian Museum contains the world’s largest collection of Egyptian artifacts.

Luxor. Luxor, Egypt is the world’s greatest open-air museum. Ancient tombs and temples are scattered along the east and west bank of the Nile River. The Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor Temples, the Temple of Hatshepsut…these are just a few of the best things to do in Luxor.

Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Kings is a burial ground for pharaohs who ruled Egypt during the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties.

Aswan.  Beautiful, laid-back Aswan…with its palm-tree studded shorelines, feluccas that sail the Nile River, and beautiful temples, Aswan looks and feels a lot different than many other places in Egypt.

Abu Simbel. Sitting on the bank of Lake Nasser is one of Egypt’s most striking monuments, the twin temples of Abu Simbel. Built by Ramesses II over 3,000 years ago, these temples have stood the test of time.

Best Time to Visit Egypt

The best time to visit Egypt is the cooler months of the year: November through March. In the southern part of the country, such as Luxor and Aswan, rain is unlikely. During the winter months, it does occasionally rain in Cairo and Alexandria.

Expect the biggest crowds in December and January.

During the summer months, temperatures can be oppressive. Temperatures can range from 40 to 55°C (104 to 130°F). In Luxor and Aswan, this is a dry heat, but up north around Cairo and Alexandria, the humidity can make the heat feel even worse.