Egypt destinations and travel guides

Egypt by the Mediterranean

Alexandria is a sea-breeze contrast to Cairo. Visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Qaitbay Citadel, the Roman catacombs and Pompey's Pillar, then eat fresh seafood on the corniche. It works well as a long day trip from Cairo, or as an overnight stop if you want to enjoy the evenings by the sea.

Slow Nile, Nubian colour

Aswan is calmer than Cairo or Luxor. See Philae Temple by boat, sail a felucca around Elephantine Island, visit a Nubian village and take the early road to Abu Simbel. Aswan is also where many Nile cruises from Luxor finish, so it pairs well with a cruise or a Cairo, Luxor and Aswan package.

Egypt's capital: museums, mosques and markets

Cairo is where most Egypt tours begin. Explore Islamic Cairo's mosques and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, walk through Coptic Cairo's ancient churches, and see the treasures of the Grand Egyptian Museum. On a private Cairo tour, a local guide handles the traffic, tickets and timing so you see more in less time. Most travellers combine Cairo with the Giza pyramids, Saqqara and a flight south to Luxor and Aswan.

The Great Pyramids and the Sphinx

The Giza Plateau is home to the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, and the Great Sphinx. A private Giza pyramids tour with an Egyptologist guide lets you pick the best viewpoints, avoid the busiest hours and understand what you are looking at. The Grand Egyptian Museum is close by, so many travellers pair the pyramids and the museum in a single day.

Red Sea reefs and desert adventures

Hurghada is a Red Sea base for snorkelling and diving trips to the Giftun Islands, plus desert safaris by quad or jeep. Nearby El Gouna and Sahl Hasheesh offer polished resorts. Many travellers finish a Cairo and Luxor trip with a few days of beach time in Hurghada.

The world's greatest open-air museum

Luxor is ancient Thebes, home to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Give Luxor at least two days: the East Bank temples on one, the West Bank tombs on the other. Luxor tours can also include a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the temples, and Luxor is where many Nile cruises to Aswan begin.