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Top 10 Things to Do in Egypt on Your Next International Vacation

TeamAckoFeb 21, 2024

The ever-popular Pyramids of Egypt, which ranks among the surviving wonders of the world, perhaps are the most popular aspects of the country that attracts people here. However, there is a lot more to explore and admire in Egypt that can leave you in awe with its astounding scenic beauty.

Amidst the numeros sightseeing options and tourist sites, it can sometimes be overwhelming for you to plan your international trip. So here is a complete guide, showing you the top 10 things to do in Egypt, to make your trip fun and memorable.

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Contents

Best 10 Things to Do in Egypt
Frequently Asked Questions

Best 10 Things to Do in Egypt

Below is a curated list of the 10 most popular things to do in Egypt.

1. Explore the Pyramids

Pyramids are what Egypt is known for. So why not start your trip by exploring the panoramic view of Giza? You can also visit the Ruins of Saqqara, where you can witness some stunning pyramids to leave you in awe. You can head to the pyramids early in the morning and start your day by having an Egyptian breakfast, overlooking the ancient wonders of the country.

Location: Al Haram, Giza Governorate, Egypt & Saqqara, South Cairo, Egypt

Timings: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Best Time to Visit: November to February

Price Per Person: Rs. 1700 approx for Giza & for Saqqara Rs. 377.97 approx. May vary according to the tomb you are visiting

Major Attractions: Great Sphinx of Giza, Pyramid of Khafre

Pro Tip: You can plan your visits on Fridays & Saturdays in the early mornings to avoid crowds. Do not forget your hat and sunscreen.

2. Stroll Through the Alleys of Ancient Cairo

One of the best things to do in Egypt is to soak in the architectural wonders the country has to offer. The alleys of Cairo are filled with ancient monuments, tombs, museums and mosques, that depict the historical and cultural richness that Egypt has. You can start from El Moez Street and walk through the vibrant passages to make your way to the Khan El-Khalili market.

Location: Cairo, Egypt

Operational Timings: NA

Best Time to Visit: October to April

Price per Person: NA

Major Attractions: Al-Azhar Mosque, Sultan Hassan Mosque, Souks Market etc.

Pro Tip: Start your strolling in the early mornings and brush up your bargaining skills. Also, plan your trip to the Bab Zuweila Gate during sunset so that you witness one of the most fascinating views of the country.

3. Kitesurf at the Blue Lagoon

Located between the Sinai Mountains and the glittering water of the Red Sea, Blue Lagoon is a place blessed with strong winds and flat waters. It is a perfect spot for kitesurfing. However, if you are not into such fun activities, Blue Lagoon is a place that also allows you to do absolutely nothing but relax and soak yourself in the scenic beauty.

Location: Masbat, Blue Lagoon, Egypt

Timings: NA

Best Time to Visit: April to October

Price Per Person: Rs. 833.83 approx.

Major Attractions: Brimketill, Gunnuhver, Seltun etc.

Pro Tip: The water you get from Blue Lagoon is filled with skincare elements due to the minerals infused in it. So do not forget to splash some water into your skin.

4. Experience Camping in the Fayoum Desert

If you are here for a nighttime experience, one of the things to do in Egypt is to visit the Fayoum Desert. You will have an unforgettable memory of spending the night camping, in the middle of the desert overlooking the Wadi el Rayan waterfalls and blue lakes. In addition, you can arrange a Bedouin dinner to have with your loved ones under the glittering night sky.

Location: Wadi el Rayan, Egypt

Timings: NA

Best Time to Visit: November to February

Price Per Person: Starting from Rs. 8,336.45 approx.

Major Attractions: The Magic Lake, Jabal El Modawar, Wadi Hitan etc.

Pro Tip: Wear comfortable clothes if you are here during summer. However, the winters here are extremely cold so pack all your warmest clothes for the matter. Also, to see the ultimate starry sky, plan your trip when there would be no moon.

5. Visit the Coloured Canyons

Visiting the coloured canyons is among the must do things in Egypt. It represents a classic wonder of nature, where the canyon's 40 m high sandstones flaunt a varied range of colours due to the presence of magnesium and iron oxides in it. These 800m long canyons have taken millions of years to evolve as a result of water erosion. So it will be fun to witness such majestic structures and enjoy the Egyptian street food once you are done exploring.

Location: Nuweiba, South Sinai Governorate, Egypt

Operational Timings: NA

Best Time to Visit: May to September

Price per Person: From Rs. 2997.50 to Rs. 6000 approx.

Major Attractions: Dahab, Taba borders, Port Town of Nuweiba etc.

Pro Tip: You must bring your cameras. Also, diving packages near this place are quite cheap.

6. Try Egyptian Street Food

When you talk about things to do in Egypt, what you cannot miss doing is trying Egyptian street food. Start with Kebdet El Prince, which is considered the street food heaven of the country. Also, Egypt is a shawarma paradise, with varied kebabs and koftas by its side. So, do not miss immersing yourself into the delicious Egyptian street food, while you walk through the ancient streets. Want friendly advice? Go from basics to the popular ones, such as Molokai, Sogo, Kebda Makhasi, Mombar Shorbet Kaware etc.

Location: Kebdet El Prince, Cairo, Egypt

Timings: 12 p.m. to 5 a.m. approx. and 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Sundays

Best Time to Visit: October to April

Price Per Person: Starting from Rs. 16.18 to Rs. 134.85, depending upon the restaurant you are visiting and the dish you ordered.

Major Attractions: Kebab and Kofta at Shaker Restaurant, Shawarma at Abu Haidar, Basbousa at Mandarine Koueider etc.

Pro Tip: Go with a good appetite and plan according to your budget.

7. Experience Snorkelling at Dahab

For all the water babies out there, one of the things to do in Egypt would be snorkelling to experience the magical world underwater. You can visit Dahab, located in the South Sinai and go for a dive. Even if you are not a pro diver, you can get yourself trained in Dahab by several trainers. Also, you can visit Blue Hole, which is towards the North of Dahab. It is a submarine sinkhole through which you can go up to 100 m down the water. However, go for it only if you are an advanced diver.

Location: Dahab, South Sinai, Egypt

Timings: NA

Best Time to Visit: September to February

Price Per Person: Starting from Rs. 2,392 approx. depending on the package you are going for.

Major Attractions: Ras Abu Gallum, Canyon, Blue Hole etc.

Pro Tip: Go for a three pool package with lunch to have a stress-free dive.

8. Take a Cruise Tour in the Nile

Exploring the calmness of the world's longest river is among the popular things to do in Egypt. You can opt for a cruise ride for a few days or a felucca ride, experiencing the panoramic views of sunsets along the banks of the river. If you are going for a cruise ride, you can enjoy the live performances that are arranged for the visitors, with delicious cuisines included in the package.

Location: Cairo or Aswan, Egypt

Operational Timings: NA

Best Time to Visit: October to April

Price per Person: Rs. 21,408 approx. for 1 day

Major Attractions: Garden City, Zamalek, Maadi etc.

Pro Tip: Get some snacks, drinks and camera ready with you during the sunset.

9. Float in a Hot-air Balloon in Luxor

Floating in a hot-air balloon in Luxor is perhaps among some exciting things to do in Egypt. Even though it requires you to wake up early in the morning to be able to witness the sunrise, it is all worth it in the end. When you see the Nile, ancient mountains, farms and locals waving at you, you shall get over your pre-ride anxiety instantly.

Location: Luxor, Egypt

Timings: 4 a.m. to 5 a.m.

Best Time to Visit: June to August

Price Per Person: Rs. 6,666.76 approx.

Major Attractions: Karnak Temple, Temple of Khons, Ancient Thebes etc.

Pro Tip: Book your balloon ride well in advance and leave all your electronics at the hotel. Also, balloon rides may get cancelled due to bad weather conditions, so get a brief about the refund policies from the concerned authorities.

10. Explore the Monuments of the Country

Egypt is infused with architectural excellence. Its richness in ancient history and culture is evident in every alley you pass through. Hence exploring the monuments can be one of the peaceful things to do in Egypt. You can start off with the monuments and museums of Luxor City, then stroll through the astounding tombs in Cairo, finally heading to Abu Simbel.

Location: Aswan & Cairo & Luxor, Egypt

Timings: NA

Best Time to Visit: October to April

Price Per Person: Rs. 433.14 approx. and Rs. 216.54 approx. for students (for Luxor), Rs. 3800 approx. (for Abu Simbel)

Major Attractions: Sun Temple, Al-Azhar Mosque, Sultan Hassan Mosque, Karnak Temple, Temple of Khons, Festival Temple of Tuthmos III etc.

Pro Tip: Start your sightseeing journey in the early mornings around 6 AM to avoid crowds by midday. Also, you can skip Friday to visit such monuments since it is the Muslim holy day.

Overall, there are several things to do in Egypt and much more to explore than we can think. It is a land of architectural excellence and natural wonders that you can not afford to miss out on. So, plan your trip by sorting the places you want to visit or your top things to do in Egypt. This way, you can have a properly planned and stress-free international trip that you are going to cherish forever.

However, when you talk about a stress-free trip, what you need the most is travel insurance. Travel insurance can help you get financial coverage over any losses you may face while you travel. It can serve as financial protection in case of any unforeseen circumstances such as loss of baggage, passport or ticket cancellations etc. So, go ahead and buy travel insurance for a fun and convenient international trip to Egypt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Given below are some of the commonly asked questions regarding the things to do in Egypt:

What languages are usually spoken in Egypt?

English is a commonly spoken language among tourists, even though the local language of Egypt is Arabic. You can also find people speaking in other languages, such as Russian, German and French since many Egyptians who work in tourist areas are multilingual. However, if you would like you can learn some of the basic Arabic phrases that will help you throughout your trip.

What are the best things to do in Egypt during summer?

Since the temperature is usually higher during summer months, you can visit Egypt's main tourist attractions, where you can swim or witness waterfalls. You can go snorkelling or experience a deep sea dive. Enjoying Egyptian street food and going for a hot-air balloon ride in the early mornings can be exciting as well.

What can you do in Egypt during winter?

During winter, since the temperature is lower, roaming through the ancient streets, and visiting the museums and tombs are among some popular things to do in Egypt in the month of December. Though it is very cold in the desert during these times, it is a fun experience to visit the white desert in Egypt, go for a boat ride along the Nile and enjoy the famous Egyptian food.

A trip of how many days would be appropriate to experience the wonders of Egypt?

You can plan a trip for at least 4 to 5 days to cover some parts of Egypt. It is a vast country with numerous wonders built into it, so you need to sort out your preferences for regions you want to travel to. And based on your budget, availability of accommodation and other essential issues, you can proceed with planning a trip that is over 5 days.

What are fun things to do in Egypt?

Going for something different than usual can be considered a fun activity. So, apart from strolling through the ancient alleys, you can go for a deep sea dive, hot-air balloon ride, snorkelling, cruise ride and many more. Most of these fun activities come in packages and require training beforehand. So you can plan your trip accordingly depending on the activities you would like to go for.

Is Egypt a suitable destination throughout the year?

Yes, Egypt is a suitable destination throughout the year, however, you need to plan all things to do in Egypt according to the season you are visiting. There are some regions that are more appropriate for winter months and vice versa. And the matter is the same regarding the activities you can do here.

What is the most famous thing in Egypt?

The most famous thing in Egypt has to be the Pyramids. These are counted among the last surviving wonders of the world for a reason. Be it Giza or Saqqara, you can witness these breathtaking pyramids, which shall leave you in awe. So, if you are planning to visit Egypt, the Pyramids here are something you do not want to miss at all.