Local Expert Assem On How Egyptian Traditions Make It Such a Welcoming Destination

by Leanne Williams | 1 May 2025

At sunset, when it becomes so colorful and full of light, that is when we all go out. Then everything comes alive after dark.

Home to ancient wonders including the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, Egypt boasts an unrivalled account of history, culture and achievements. But what makes this destination even more special is the Egyptian traditions, hospitality and warmth of its people.

Egyptians have every reason to be proud of their country – their contributions to art, science and philosophy have profoundly influenced human knowledge and culture – and they welcome millions of visitors each year with open arms, who come to admire the incredible engineering and artistry of their ancestors.

To find out more about these traditions, and what you can expect on your visit to Egypt, we asked Travel Director and Egyptologist Assem to tell us more. “At the heart of Egyptian culture is the value placed on hospitality, generosity and kindness, and for us that is characterized by an open door and a warm smile,” he explains. “We’re extremely proud of our country and the historical riches we can share with visitors, and we want to ensure you’ll come back again and again.”

Assem inspired this week’s travel trivia quiz questions, clues to which can be found in this article. 2 mins, 5 questions, why not have a play?

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The ancient Egyptians worshipped over 2,000 gods and goddesses.

Are the locals pleased to see visitors?

Assem explains that Egyptian hospitality is a deeply rooted tradition, and you’ll not only be met with warmth by adults, but it’s the kids also who truly embody the spirit of welcome.

“Of course, visitors are welcomed by those in the tourist sector,” he says, “such as taxi drivers, vendors, and shopkeepers. Those whose friendliness often serves a business purpose. However, while driving through cities and countryside you’ll see young kids so excited, waving to you and blowing you kisses.

“This affection and enthusiasm is not motivated by profit or expectation, they know nothing about the importance of tourism for this economy. They are simply thrilled to meet someone from another part of the world. Often, they approach visitors with the desire to practice their English, asking questions like, “What is your name? Where do you come from?

“As they grow, they will become increasingly aware and proud of their country’s rich heritage. Children frequently embark on field trips to historical sites and monuments, gaining a sense of pride and ownership over their history.”

When visiting Egypt, what kind of welcome can I expect?

“First of all, it’s important to note that Egyptian social customs are warm,” Assem explains. “We are very expressive, and that shows through in the hospitality. The most common greeting is the handshake when you meet someone for the first time. If I’m meeting a friend I haven’t seen for a while, I would give him a hug or a kiss on each cheek. We only do this with the same gender, though — man to man or woman to woman. The handshake is for either gender.

“When welcoming someone into the home, generosity and warmth are at the forefront, and we have the saying, ‘My house is your house.’ As is part of Egyptian traditions, you will immediately be offered a drink, either coffee, tea, or juice, and you will always be invited to stay for the next meal. It’s not just something that is said; it is a genuine invitation. We love to share meals together. As the visitor, you could usually bring a box of Bucha chocolates.

“If you do stay for a meal, you may enjoy traditional dishes such as koshari (a mixture of rice, lentils, pasta, and tomato sauce), molokhia (a green soup), and freshly baked bread. Food in Egypt is not just about nourishment; it is a communal experience. For us dining together keeps us connected, our meals are a time for conversation and laughter, allowing visitors to truly feel at home.”

Useful phrases to learn

“Learning some key phrases and traditional greetings always endear you to the locals,” says Assem. “If you are going to a sightseeing or touristic area, on a cruise ship or in a taxi, most people will speak some English, but if you’re walking in the street or at the market, the average working-class Egyptian will not speak English. So, it is always appreciated to learn some local phrases. Our language is Arabic, and some of the most useful that I aways share with guests are:

Hello/Goodbye: Marhaba / Wada’an
Can you tell me the way to: Hal yumkinuka ikhbari b’al-tariqah ila
Please/Thank you: Min fadlik / Shukran
Can I help you? Hal yumkinuni musaadatuka? (you may hear this when out and about)
Al-salam alaykum – peace be upon you is a traditional greeting: Al-salamu alaykum
Welcome: Ahlan wa sahlan
How much is this?: Bikam hatha?

The working week

“In Egypt our official working week is Sunday to Thursday,” Assem explains. “Most of our population is Muslim (Egypt is 90% Muslim and 10% Christian), so our official day off is Friday to attend the Jumah prayer, at noon time. This means that the most exciting night of our week is Thursday night – you have it Saturday Night Fever and we have Thursday night fever! That’s where all the weddings take place, concerts, big events, always on a Thursday night.

“But to confuse things a little, although Sunday is a working day, but shops are often closed, because people tend to do their shopping on a Friday.”

Why Egypt’s streets are full and fun at night

“We normally work from nine to five and, since it’s a hot country, we often come back from work and have a little siesta,” Assem says. “Then, at sunset, it becomes lovely, bright, colorful, and full of light and we all go out – it’s one of the most fun Egyptian traditions. At night, we go browsing, shopping in malls, or stroll the streets—everything comes alive after dark. I was surprised when I visited America to find that once the sun sets, things go very quiet! That’s not the case in Egypt. Even the kids stay out at night; it feels very safe to wander around. We don’t typically have violent crimes in the streets, so it’s quite safe to be out and about.

“Although a predominantly Muslin country, in terms of dress Egyptians are used to seeing tourists. So it’s absolutely ok to wear short sleeves, they are used to that and will not be offended. They understand it is a different culture. It’s a hot country so wear whatever makes you comfortable. You just need to cover up to visit a mosque or church.

“However, Egyptians will be astonished by public displays of affection in the street, and this would be considered offensive, so please abstain from that.”

Tips to determine between genuineness and insincerity

“To invite someone for a cup of tea after meeting them is one of the common Egyptian traditions,” says Assem, and a good illustration for this point. Every site we go to, there’ll be a shopping arcade, and most people there are after a profit. So, they will be friendly, the way they act, the way the body language, the warmness and their voice. Same as everywhere, you need to be smart. If they invite you for a cup of tea, they probably looking to make more money. But saying that, like we you could be in a hotel, and I guess friendly with the staff, and they might invite you, let’s have a tea together after hours, after the working hours happens a lot. So those are genuinely hospitable and friendly.

“We also always advise to use a reputable tour company to make sure you are getting the most genuine deal for your excursions,” adding that all official guides in Egypt are required by law to have an Egyptology degree, ensuring the knowledge they share is the most in depth, accurate and up to date.

Why 2025 is a great year to visit Egypt

“One huge reason to visit Egypt in 2025 is the much-anticipated opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, hopefully in July,” says Assem. “This monumental moment has been years in the making, and everyone is holding their breath. Already, 12 amazing galleries and the grand stairway are open, but the real excitement lies in what’s to come.

“For the first time ever, all the treasures of King Tutankhamun will be displayed, featuring more than 5,400 artifacts from his collection. And for the first time, everything that was previously stored in the old museum’s basement has been completely restored and will be showcased.

“The museum will utilize cutting-edge technology to present these artifacts in a remarkable way and among the highlights will be the solar boat discovered next to the pyramids of King Khufu, which has been meticulously dismantled and reassembled in a special hall. This ancient vessel, believed to have transported pharaohs to the afterlife, alongside silk clothes and various other treasures, will be worth the visit to the museum.

“Whenever you choose to come, visiting Egypt is an absolute must. The sights here are like nowhere else on earth, from the icons to the local markets. Combine that with the in-depth knowledge you receive from your Egyptologist guides, and the level of hospitality and we guarantee you will leave with memories that will last a lifetime!”

Discover the delights of Egyptian traditions and hospitality for yourself on one of our premium tours to Egypt.

About Leanne Williams

I'm a writer, editor and interview specialist with a lifetime's love of travel. There’s nothing more inspiring to me than meeting, and writing about, the world's leading destination experts and travel industry insiders. The thing I love most about writing for Insightful is that I'm always learning something new.

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