Egypt Travel Guide
Egypt is one of those countries that we all know and have thought about visiting, yet for me thinking about Egypt was like thinking about the moon: a far away land I have heard thousands of stories about but would never actually get to visit. I thought I would only go there when transported by a book or movie. At the end of March, however, I decided to change that and finally experience for myself this ancient land that I have been obsessing over since I was a little girl. Pharaohs, camels, and pyramids await!
I arrived in Cairo on a warmish day, and the bustling streets welcomed me to one of the largest cities in the world. With one of the fastest growing populations and already over 10 million people living in the city, Cairo’s sheer size is something that is difficult to prepare yourself for. But don’t get overwhelmed, and go there with a plan of what you want to experience. Read Prancier’s Egypt Travel Guide to get some ideas and inspiration for your own trip!
Best time to visit Egypt
Spring is the perfect time to visit Egypt, as you’ll beat the true heat of the summer months and the crowds and high prices of November to February. The temperatures were actually perfect to visit every Egyptian destination I had in my bucket list.
There’s a lot to do in Egypt, and the country is not as expensive as some of its Middle Eastern neighbors. So you’ll be able to enjoy very diverse destinations and discover some of the mysteries that surround this ancient land. Egypt is a country full of unforgettable experiences along with unique vestiges of human civilization that you won’t be able to find anywhere else in the world.
So if you are looking for an authentic travel experience while getting in touch with the roots of the modern world, Egypt is the right place for you.
Egypt Travel Tips
Language
The official language in Egypt is Arabic, but many people speak decent English, especially in the touristy areas. Main road signs are also in English. We didn’t have any issues with language barriers, even when we ordered Uber cars.
Transportation
We normally rent car in many of the countries we travel to, which makes it easy to explore and discover a country on our own schedule. With this said, we usually avoid driving in large cities, as it’s often easiest to simply walk, take a taxi or use public transportation.
Cairo was definitely one of these places. We used Uber to go everywhere, which was cheap, reliable and super safe. If you plan to rent a car, please be aware that driving in Egypt could be a little difficult if you have never driven in the region. Cairo is an extremely busy city at all times, especially the roads. Several times we found ourselves in traffic jams that only experienced local drivers could navigate through.
Currency
The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound. Many tour operators and agencies also accept payments in USD or Euros. It’s a good idea to get some local currency from the airport ATM just in case.
Visa
American travelers will need a visa on arrival to enter Egypt. The cost is $25 dollars, and it gets done quickly at the airport.
Safety
Egypt is a busy country, so when visiting Cairo or any other large city please be aware of your surroundings, just like you would do in any other large city around the world. Make sure you buy all tickets from the official vending stations, especially when visiting the pyramids. Depending on the kind of traveler that you are you might want to be aware of a couple of things:
If you are an experienced solo traveler, male or female, you will have no problems in Egypt. Just use common sense when visiting touristy places, and make sure you buy your tickets in the official booth and don’t adventure around areas you don’t know.
If you have some travel experience but you feel hesitant traveling by yourself, consider hiring a guide or joining a group tour. This might be the best option for you, just remember that if you go as part of a group you’ll have to stick to their schedule. If you hire a local guide, make sure you do your research first and know for sure which places you want to go and which ones you want to skip. This way, you can make the itinerary suitable to your specific goals.
During our time in Egypt we mostly explored the country ourselves, except for some scuba diving tours in the Red Sea.
I‘m used to traveling alone and exploring cities by myself, and even though some places are more challenging than others I generally believe that if you do your research and use common sense you’ll be okay.
While we had to be on our toes once or twice due to some insistent hustlers wanting us to buy souvenirs or take camels rides, I never felt unsafe in Egypt. The important thing, however, is to remember that there are different options for you to choose that determine where and how you will experience Cairo, and you should always choose the one that makes you more comfortable. That way, you’ll not only be safe but you will be able to truly experience the magic of this magnificent country!
Things to do in Egypt
Take a Nile River Cruise
If you guys are regulars readers of the blog, you’ll know by now that I love to take river cruises no matter where I am around the world. Cairo was no exception. Taking a cruise down the Nile to either see Cairo from a new perspective or to extend your trip to nearby places like Aswan and Luxor is an experience you won’t want to miss. Floating down the Nile will somehow remove you from the hustle and bustle of Egypt while also letting you see the sights and experience the city. The ancient pharaohs loved to cruise up and down the river in magnificent boats, so why not do the same?
Visit the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx
There’s nothing quite like the magic of riding a camel with the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx in the background! The feeling I got from looking at the Wonders of the World and finally seeing them up close was indescribable. There’s a uniqueness and beauty behind every new destination you visit around the world, but the magic of the Pyramids is something that I am convinced everyone should try to experience at least once in their lifetime!
Before visiting Egypt I read mixed reviews about actually going inside the Pyramids. While I agree with those saying that the passages inside the pyramids are narrow and sometimes crowded, it's a truly unique experience that I definitely recommend doing. My inner 12 year old was definitely jumping with excitement!!
Visit the Egyptian Museum
The Egyptial Museum should be a designated stop on your Egyptian travel itinerary, even if you are not a museum lover. This is one of those museums that everyone will want to see. The place is huge, and it has many interesting exhibits. My favorites were the mummies, the mask of Tutankhamen, and the royal jewelry section. If you are planning to visit Egypt next year, make sure you go to the New Egyptian Museum, which has been long awaited and should be simply breathtaking. To know more about the secrets of the museum, click here.
Discover Egypt from the Cairo Tower or from the roofs
If exploring Cairo by sea and land are some experiences you won’t want to miss, doing it by air would have been a once in a lifetime adventure. Since we couldn't find helicopter tours in Cairo we did the next best thing and went to enjoy a delicious dinner with a spectacular view. We went to the Grand Nile Tower Revolving Restaurant for amazing 360 degree views of the city (and the good food!). Other places where you can enjoy great views are the Cairo Tower, the Upper deck of the Four Season in the Nile Plaza, and the lounge in the Ramses Hilton.
Go scuba diving in Sharm el-Sheikh or relax in the beaches of El Gouna (the Venice of the Red Sea)
I have a love-hate relationship with all inclusive hotels. Where I stay while traveling can definitely make or break the trip, so I always put a lot of time into researching hotels. When it comes to choosing the right all inclusive hotels, I have both ended up disappointed and had my expectations well exceeded, like in Zanzibar!
Regardless, I prefer non-inclusive experiences in general, as I can choose which local restaurant I want to try and where I want to adventure. When traveling to the Red Sea, however, you’ll find that most hotels are all inclusive. The good thing is that it will be quite easy to join a snorkeling/scuba diving adventure, or simply go on a cruise on the red sea.
For first time divers, the Red Sea is the perfect place to see if diving is right for you! You won’t need a scuba license to dive here, as you’ll be constantly accompanied by a certified guide under the water.
If you are staying in El Gouna, make sure to enjoy the beach, relax, and maybe adventure a bit outside the hotel. There are guided group outings to explore the town if that interests you. Just make sure you take at least one day of leisure by the beach and the pool, with nothing to do but sip delicious drinks and enjoy the sunshine. Your body will thank you for the rest, especially if you had an adventure in the desert the days before, or if you’re planning on exploring the pyramids soon after.
I know my body was very happy to have a few days off in between riding camels!
Explore Alexandria
Approximately 3 hours away from El Cairo you’ll find Alexandria, another of the well known tourist destinations in Egypt. If you are visiting for just a few days, Alexandria is totally doable as a day trip from Cairo. The city is the 2nd largest in Egypt, and contains fascinating historical sights like Pompey’s Pillar and the Roman Catacombs. The port city once housed the famous Library of Alexandria, though we still don’t know exactly what happened to it or where it was located. Maybe you can do a bit of adventuring of your own and find its secrets!
Spend a day at one of the city markets & visit a mosque
Whether you’re in Cairo, Alexandria, or any other Egyptian city, spending a day at one of Egypt’s markets is definitely a must! I was lucky enough to spend time in some of the markets near the Red Sea, and we also devoted a day to visiting Cairo’s Khan el-Khalili market and the nearby Citadel of Salah El-Din .
Learning about world history is definitely one of my passions, and even though I was aware of the historical richness of the Middle East, I was constantly in awe at the stories and details behind some of the places we saw. Having read a lot about Salah El-Din before my Middle Eastern trips, it was truly a remarkable experience to follow some of his steps in Jordan and Egypt. I recommend that everyone does the same! Whether you want to learn about a person or a group or just a place, having some context and background knowledge about what happened in the places you visit will truly enrich your experience.
If you want to know more about my travel adventures in Jordan and in the Middle East region click here.
Places to stay in Egypt
The Four Seasons in the Nile Plaza is a very popular hotel in Cairo, and it has one of the best views of the city from its upper deck. Plus, you’ll have the Nile River as your backyard in the downstairs restaurant.
The Ramses Hilton food was delicious too, especially if you are planning to stick with familiar dishes like burgers and pastas. The roof lounge is really fun at night as well! You’ll see the lights of the city and enjoy amazing cocktails.
The Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City Cairo is definitely one of my top recommendations when choosing places to stay in Cairo. I always love the Kempinski hotels! The Dead Sea location is my favorite Kempinski, but the Cairo one definitely doesn’t disappoint. Stay here for a luxurious and perfectly located home base in Cairo.
What to wear in Egypt
While packing for Egypt, you should take a couple of things into consideration: the weather, the culture, and the places you will be visiting. It’s often hot in Egypt, so my recommendation is to pack clothing with light fabrics and bring some layers. You can use scarves to layer up, or a denim jacket.
Khaki pants, long shorts, linen maxi dresses and two piece sets would all work perfectly in Egypt. I always bring a basic outfit (basic t-shirt, white, gray or black, a pair of jeans, and some sneakers) with me to every destination. If you are planning an adventure day while visiting Egypt, this will keep you comfortable (not too hot) and you won’t have to feel self conscious about disrespecting the local culture. Top it off with a light fabric unbuttoned long sleeve shirt to protect yourself from sunburn!
While Egypt is a conservative country, you definitely don’t need to dress like the locals, especially if you spend most of the time at more touristy destinations.
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Besitos from the Pyramids,
Laura
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There’s a lot to do in Egypt, and the country is not as expensive as some of its Middle Eastern neighbors. Read Prancier’s Egypt Travel Guide to get some ideas and inspiration for your own trip!