To talk of Egypt without referencing the mighty Nile would be to mention Venice without speaking of its lagoon or winding canals. Yet, while the watery artery is important, Egypt is hardly reducible to it. Instead, countless artefacts, temples, tombs, monasteries, mosques and bazaars dot the landscape, bringing millennia of history to bear on visitors. Here, among a vast hall of treasures, we look at some of the best things to do in Egypt, by land and river, to experience its greatest sights and sounds.
Best things to do in Egypt
1. Giza Pyramid
What is the number one attraction in Egypt? It has to be the Pyramids of Giza. The only original wonder of antiquity to remain largely intact, the Giza pyramid has stood tall against the ages, perhaps aided its immense size; it weighs in at roughly six million tons. Venture inside or simply marvel at the Sphinx, half-lion and half-man, which is believed to be the oldest monumental sculpture in Egypt.
Sphinx in Gaza © iStock/holgs
2. Climb Aboard a Sailboat
Whether it’s a hot summer night or a morning with a gentle breeze, feluccas – wooden sailing boats and the traditional workhorses of Egypt’s nautical world – look romantic at any time of day. Draped with soft, colorful cushions, visitors can meet a sailor to learn the art of sailing or simply relax under the shade of the billowing sail and let the world drift by.
Dhow at Sunset © iStock/WLDavies
3. Go Underground
Far away from the edifices of the pyramids, where Old Kingdom pharaohs were buried, lies the Valley of the Kings., As most of the New Kingdom treasures are buried, descend down rock-cut corridors, through dark and narrow pathways, and into tombs lined with jaw-dropping paintings, sarcophagi and hieroglyphics.
Ramesses Relief © iStock/barbun
4. Sample Local Bread
Bread has been a staple in these ancient lands for longer than anyone can remember, so head to a working bakery where local artisans could be preparing anything from flatbreads (baladi) to big fat loaves and baguettes. If you have a sweet tooth, there’ll likely be some baklava piled high in the window, too.
pita © iStock/stevenallan
5. Listen to the Singing Statue
So magnificent that even the Romans tried to reconstruct them, the Colossi of Memnon tower 18 meters above bystanders and depict 14th century BC pharaoh, Amenhotep. Listen carefully to the northern colossus if you can. At dawn, the ancients used to hear it whisper the name of ‘Memnon’ (a king of Ethiopia) when the wind whistled through the cracks of these mammoth stone statues.
Colossi of Memnon © iStock/ewg3D
6. Cruise the Nile
Blend old world elegance with modern amenities by boarding the River Tosca, a cruise ship with sun decks, a pool and shaded cabanas. Popular with visitors, guests aboard this luxurious Uniworld boutique river cruise shipdrift by classically Egyptian scenery, from little oases and temples to busy ports, all with a negroni in hand.
7. Enjoy High Tea in Luxury
Follow in the footsteps of some of the titans of history, from Tsar Nicholas II to Churchill, from Jimmy Carter to Princess Diana, and take afternoon tea at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, one of the more luxurious Egypt tourist spots. A British colonial-era hotel, it’s so grand and stately that filmmakers can barely keep themselves away.
Afternoon Tea © iStock/SergioZacchi
8. Discover Egypt’s Only Double Temple
Constructed during the Roman period, Kom Ombo is unusual as it allows visitors to see double. There are twin courts, halls and sanctuaries in order to celebrate both the crocodile god Sobek, and the fertility god Hathor, usually depicted as a cow. The temple also mummified quite a few crocodiles – though these are now displayed in the Crocodile Museum.
Temple of Kom Ombo © iStock/Xavierarnau
9. Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum
The Grand Egyptian Museum, affectionately known as the GEM, began construction in 2014 and was finally opened in XX, set to become one of the top tourist attractions in Egypt (despite the wait). The GEM contains over 100,000 antiquities from Ancient Egypt including a 3,200-year-old sculpture of Rameses II, and is the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilization, boasting the full Tutankhamun collection in one place for the first time – that’s around 5,300 pieces. Once complete, the museum will take the crown of the world’s largest museum from The Louvre in Paris, covering 90,000 square meters of a 50-hectare site.
10. Support Aswan’s Women Co-operative
What to do in Egypt when you want to support local people? In Aswan, you can meet the women of a local women-owned co-operative whose mission is to support vulnerable women from the local villages to learn new skills and become financially independent. The organization provides a hub of support and comfort for over 300 women who may live in poverty or suffer from loneliness and want to become financially independent. Thanks to their newly learnt skills, the women are now able to provide the main source of income for their family. The co-op also strives to reduce waste with a secondary mission to ensure a garbage-free world by using waste and natural material like bamboo or palm trees to create fine handicrafts.
11. Dive into Ras Muhammad National Park
Though Egypt is known for its deserts and temples, you can find some of the best diving and snorkeling here too. Around 20km west of Sharm El Sheikh you’ll find the Ras Muhammad National Park, on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Tourists can go diving and snorkeling, and as well as the pristine waters and coral reefs, you’ll also find a diverse landscape of mangrove swamps, salt marshes, and desert to explore – storks also migrate through the region (sometimes as many as 10,000 at a time, between August and October).
Photo by hany mohamed on Unsplash
12. Marvel at the White Desert
So many of the top places to visit in Egypt have an otherworldly quality to them, feeling as if you’ve stepped back in time – but just a few hours from bustling Cairo you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to another world entirely. In the white desert, you’ll find yourself in an almost lunar landscape where you can see some of the most unique rock formations in the world, formed by centuries of erosion and sandstorms. while the striking white colour is due to the calcium in the rock.
What are some do’s and don’ts in Egypt?
Don’t get caught out when it comes to cultural differences in Egypt – make sure you know these do’s and don’ts.
Do:
- Remember to tip. Tipping is essential in Egypt (known as “baksheesh”) for both tourists and locals, from restaurants and cafes to tour guides and even public toilets, where you’ll tip the cleaning attendants. Keep small bills handy so you don’t look rude or ungrateful.
- Dress modestly. Though Egypt doesn’t have a strict dress code for tourists, it’s respectful to dress modestly – particularly in main cities such as Cairo, Giza and Alexandria. For women, this means covering your shoulders and knees, while men should avoid walking around shirtless. When visiting religious sites or mosques, women will need headscarves.
- Check if you need a photography pass. Some tourist sites require a special photography pass if you’re using professional camera equipment (this doesn’t include a smartphone), while in some sites, like tombs, photography is prohibited altogether.
- Learn a few Arabic phrases. Making sure you’re armed with a few basic Arabic greetings or phrases shows respect and friendliness, and is greatly appreciated by locals.
- Engage with locals. Egyptians are known for their humour and welcoming hospitality, so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation whether it’s with a market vendor or cafe owner.
Don’t:
- Bring your drone. Egypt has strict laws regarding the use of drones, and to use one you must gain a license from the Ministry of Defence – it’s much better to leave it at home.
- Drink the tap water. While Egypt’s tap water is technically treated and safe for locals, it’s best for travelers to avoid drinking it. Stick to bottled water or use a filtration bottle to avoid single use plastic.
- Visit mosques during prayer times. Unless you’re a Muslim intending to pray, it’s considered disrespectful for tourists to enter mosques during prayer times. Plan your visit outside of these hours.
- Drink alcohol in public. Alcohol consumption is restricted in Egypt – of course you can enjoy a drink at licensed venues like bars and restaurants, but avoid drinking in public spaces.
If the sites of this timeless land have inspired you, why not book a trip on either Wonders of Egypt or Splendours of Egypt journeys and tick off some of the best things to do in Egypt.
