A life well-traveled cannot be considered complete without at least one visit to Egypt! Egypt isn’t just home to the oldest and best-preserved historical sites (Sphinx, Giza Pyramids, Alexandria, Abu Simble etc) on earth, the country offers a wide range of holiday experiences. You can enjoy an immersive urban experience in Cairo and Alexandria, discover some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving sites in the world in the Red Sea, get a taste of life on the Nile on star rated Nile cruises, or create your own desert adventure.
Located in the northeast corner of the African Continent and the southwest corner of Asia, Egypt connects the two continents through the Sinai Peninsula, which acts as a land bridge.
With seven UNESCO World Heritage sites and jaw-dropping historical destinations, no matter where you go in Egypt, you are bound to find history bursting at the seams! Egypt is A Time Traveler’s Paradise.
The Nile River is the defining template in Egypt. The Nile River crosses Egypt’s desert plateau, flowing from the southernmost borders of the country all the way to the Mediterranean Sea in the north. And the best way to see most of Egypts historical sites is by traveling through the Nile River via large Cruise ships.
Visiting the monuments erected by the strikingly sophisticated people of ancient civilizations will give you remarkable insight into early systems of governance, religious rites, military conquests, complex record-keeping, ingenious architecture, and, of course, spectacular art that continues to inspire the worlds of design, literature, music, and all forms of artistic expression to this day. What’s even more miraculous is that many ancient Egyptian monuments are still standing and in remarkably good condition.
Cairo
Founded in the 10th century ,Cairo, the capital city, is brimming with stunning mosques, madrasas (Islam-centered schools), hammams (baths), and fountains. The beating heart of the city is nestled and centered around the banks of Egypt’s majestic River Nile and its glistening waters that have served as a lifeline for Egyptians since the dawn of human civilization.
One of the most iconic monuments in Historic Cairo, and arguably one of the most impressive defensive fortresses dating back to the Middle Ages, the Citadel gives a glorious panoramic view of Cairo and you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the “City of a Thousand Minarets” and snap dozens of iconic photos.
Located south of Cairo is the pyramid area which has a lot of Unesco World Heritage sites including the world famous Giza Pyramids, Saqqara Pyramids, and Dahshur Pyramids, the iconic Sphinx , as well as many private tombs in rectangular superstructures called mastaba.
A must in your Egypt itinerary is Cairo’s iconic medieval bazaar – Khan al-Khalili – where you can spend hours or days browsing through a labyrinth of shops and tiny alleyways that are brimming with history and merchandise. Everything from silver and gold jewelry and accessories to antiques, stained-glass lanterns, copper, brass, incense, spices, and handmade leather goods and souvenirs can be found there.
Luxor
Once the capital of Egypt, Luxor – earlier called as Thebes- includes the temples of Karnak and Luxor and the royal temples on the west bank, along with the different necropolises (burial sites with tombs), the most famous of which is the Valley of the Kings with the Tomb of Tutankhamun. Don’t miss the Valley of the Queens, especially the stunning Tomb of Nefertari, as well as the Tombs of the Nobles, and the ancient Egyptian workmen’s village, Deir al-Medina.
Aswan and Abu Simbel
The Temple of Philae south of Aswan and the colossal Temples of Abu Simbel on the shores of Lake Nasser are also must-sees on any visit to Egypt. This UNESCO World Heritage site is best known for the four iconic, colossal, seated statues that dominate the façade of Abu Simbel, the awe-inspiring monumental temples carved and cut into the mountain by King Ramesses II as a testament to his strength as ruler of Egypt.
Egypt’s Natural Diversity
Exploring Egypt’s rich landscape is the perfect way to connect with nature. You can enjoy bird-watching on the Nile in Aswan, dive among the stunning marine life of the Blue Lagoon in Dahab, or swim with dolphins in Marsa Alam.
If a quiet holiday surrounded by natural splendor is what you seek, experience life on an ecolodge in Siwa, go on a desert safari to see the stunning formations of the White Desert; explore one of the many natural protectorates, such as Nabq Bay, or simply luxuriate on the sandy white shores of the Mediterranean North Coast. On this coast is the world-renowned Sharm al-Sheikh, famous for the picturesque marine life that thrives under its turquoise blue waters. It is an internationally known Scuba diving site and has a lot of five-star hotels and resorts, restaurants, golf courses, shopping malls, and movie theaters.
Best time to visit Egypt
Egypt’s climate is temperate with moderate winter from November to April and summer from May to October. In the Nile Valley, winters are cool and mild, with certain regions in the south remaining warm year-round. Almost every day is a sunny day in Egypt, with average daylight ranging between 10 and 14 hours, depending on the time of year. So any time of the year is a good time to visit !!