Can’t decide where to pick for your next holiday destination?
Why not soak up the sunshine and bathe in the rich ancient history of Egypt – any history lover’s dream holiday!
With over 98 million inhabitants, it is located in Northeastern Africa and is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.
Egypt has many attractions for visitors to enjoy. The stunning capital is Cairo which lies on the banks of the River Nile. It is home to Ottoman landmarks such as the Egyptian Museum and Muhammad Ali Mosque and much, much more!
In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know before you plan your ideal trip to Egypt.
It is a good idea to plan your sightseeing trips as there are lots of things to do in Egypt!
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The most popular Egypt tourist attractions are the breathtaking Pyramids of Giza. The Great Pyramid of Giza is known to be also called the Khufu Pyramid or the Pyramid of Cheops. These are the last surviving of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
You will find them on the edge of the desert of Cairo. The monumental tombs were constructed around 4,500 years ago. You can also witness the tomb art showing pictures of the work ancient farmers did such as tending livestock, working in fields, religious practices, and burial practices.
Keep in mind when visiting inside the pyramids they are full of steep steps and low tunnels so make sure to wear suitable footwear. It is also recommended to bring plenty of water as there will be no shade out in the desert!
They surely are a fascinating sight and a must-see in your list of top things to do in Egypt!
Another place to visit in the country, Luxor meaning “The Palaces” in Arabic is located about 500 kilometres from Cairo on the Nile-side town of Luxor in Upper Egypt.
With many temple and tomb sights to see along with colourful wall art dating back to the 16th to 11th centuries B.C. The history of Luxor showed that the city has a deeply religious nature as Luxor was considered to be a vital city in Egypt’s old kingdom.
It has been declared as the biggest open-air museum in the world and Luxor was labelled as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
There are different sites to visit when in Luxor such as Luxor Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings.
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Luxor’s Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings – a wonderful tourist attraction you have to visit when travelling to Egypt, the most famous collection of elaborate tombs.
The valley became a royal burial ground for pharaohs during Egypt’s New Kingdom. Pharaohs like Tutankhamun, Seti I, and Ramses II were buried here along with queens and high priests.
The tombs showed extreme preparations for the next world, it is believed. Pharaohs were to become one with the gods and promised a continuing afterlife.
They practised mummification here to preserve the body letting the deceased’s eternal soul reanimate it in the afterlife.
Many treasures were found in the tombs like golden masks, furniture, clothes, and jewellery.
Located 280 kilometres south of Aswan, this temple belongs to Ramesses II’s and this is something special for tourists to witness.
Ramesses II was a warrior king who tried to grow Egypt’s territory into the Levant.
Built in 1224 B.C, visitors can explore Abu Simbel, you will see the four massive 33 meter high colossal stone statues of a seated pharaoh Ramesses II built from a solid rock at its entrance.
You will witness the incredible engineering carried out by UNESCO in the 1960s by moving this whole temple to save this temple from disappearing under the rising water from the Aswan dam.
Not only will you see the temple but you will be in awe about the international effort made to save this temple complex.
Many tourists enjoy taking a trip to the beach to cool off along the Red Sea.
Egypt is full of beautiful beaches in the South Sinai region. These include Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab – the most famous Asian part of Egypt resorts where you’ll find a beach for every type of tourist.
You can also find more resorts on the African side including Marsa Alam, Soma Day, and Hurghada.
Beaches are fantastic places to visit in Egypt as they offer once-in-a-lifetime diving experiences where you can dive deep and explore the coral reef of the Red Sea. You can also observe the bright colourful fish, dolphins, turtles, rays, and even sharks! The most popular town for diving is Sharm el-Sheikh.
Or why not finish off your sightseeing by taking a relaxing cruise down the Nile to view the temples along the banks of the river?
Two of the most famous sights on the Nile Cruise are Edfu’s Temple of Horus and the Temple of Kom Ombo – these are not to be missed! Make sure to include them in your list of things to do in Egypt.
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Egyptian cuisine is known as Eastern Mediterranean and Egyptians are very proud of their culinary roots. They use a lot of spices, vegetables, and fruit in their dishes that are from the Nile Valley and Delta bursting with flavours.
The must-try examples when visiting Egypt are Koshary. It is a mix of rice, chickpeas, lentils, and pasta that is firstly cooked in separate pots then are mixed together and topped with a cumin tomato sauce.
Egyptians are also known for their mixed grill – different charcoal-grilled meat, Molokhia Egyptian spinach, falafels, kebabs, and much more!
Make sure your food has been cooked thoroughly (especially meat). Keep in mind that tap water is not safe for drinking!
The best time for tourists to visit Egypt is between September to April.
It is recommended for visitors to avoid the months between April to October as these months are exposed to extreme hot heat that is unbearable. After all, it is 96% desert!
However, there can be a dramatic change in temperatures at night time with almost 20 degrees difference. Therefore, it would be wise to have a piece of clothing that can keep you warm.
Egypt experiences very little rainfall throughout the year so you don’t need to worry about a rain jacket!
Yes, it is safe to visit the country.
Having said that, it is sensible to take certain precautions during your holiday.
For example, when travelling around markets, especially at night, be wary of scammers, pickpockets, and petty crime. This is often a problem in Egypt’s public spaces.
Keep your valuables at home or securely locked in your hotel safe. Make sure to only bring the amount of cash you will need for the day.
The official language of Egypt is Arabic. 90% of the population are Muslims and the remainder are Christians.
The official currency in Egypt is the Egyptian pound (EGP) so you may need to change your money. One Egyptian pound is made up of 100 piastres which are both available in coin or note form.
You can use an ATM to withdraw money and ATMs are easily found in big cities like Alexandria and Cairo. However, make sure to prepare enough money before heading to a remote area as you will find it hard to come across one.
Tipping is a big thing in Egypt. Usually, around 10% as many workers depend on tips for their wages so make sure to keep that in mind.
Yes, you will need an Egypt visa for your trip to the country.
You can apply for an Egypt eVisa with Visa First. This visa is suitable if you plan to go on holiday to the country for up to 30 days. It is a single-entry visa and it will be valid for 90 days once it is approved.
The Egypt eVisa requirements include having a passport from an eligible country and your visit must be for tourist purposes only.
In order to apply for an eVisa for Egypt, there are certain documents you will need to provide as well.
These include a completed questionnaire, a digital photograph of yourself taken against a white background, and a copy of the bio page of your passport.
Please, note that your passport must be valid for at least six months when you arrive in Egypt.
You will also need to show proof of your travel itinerary and hotel bookings including details about places you plan to visit.
The list of countries eligible for an Egypt eVisa includes but is not limited to:
The process is generally quite quick. If you apply online, your application is usually finalized within 3 working days from the day of submission.
Prices start from as little as €84 for an Egypt eVisa with Visa First!
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Good news – you can!
The Egyptian government lifted the travel ban. However, you will need a negative PCR test that cannot be older than 72 hours to enter Egypt.
There are some exceptions if you are departing from London, Paris, Frankfurt, and North and South America. Your PCR test must be issued no more than 96 hours before the trip.
Once you arrive in Egypt, you must fill out a short declaration form providing some details of your health insurance and where you will be in Egypt.
When in Egypt you must keep the following COVID restrictions in mind:
However, if you are going near tourist areas such as South Sinai, the Red Sea, and Matrouh there are no COVID restrictions for visitors.
Keep in mind that these restrictions may change, so you should check the most up-to-date Covid-19 restrictions before you travel to Egypt.
You can easily apply for your Egypt eVisa at visafirst.com!
We have over 17 years of experience dealing with visa applications.
We aim to provide easy and convenient visa processing and immigration services while avoiding long queues at the local embassy or consulate.
Our team of experts will guide you through the tricky application process. We will ensure your forms and documents are completed correctly.
Visa First can also boost your chances of a successful visa application outcome.
The company has been a visa expert since 2003 and has over 1 million clients worldwide with a 99.7% approval success rate.
If you are interested in visiting Egypt, Visa First can help you get there!
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