Everyone dreams about Traveling to Egypt and who can blame them; since it is harbors one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Besides, its culture, tradition, myths and gastronomy are enticing and allure any traveler.
So we want to help you and tell what to do in Egypt so you won’t miss what this amazing country has to offer. The first step we recommend is to create a travel itinerary based on the days you are going to stay, and the attractions you’ll visit.w
We have compiled a list of the best things to do in Egypt so you make the most of your time in there accordinf to the number of days that you are staying there.
10 things to do in Egypt in 5 days
Lets begin son you can get to know the most iconic places and monuments in Egypt
Discover everything Cairo has to offer and walk through the Citadel
It doesn’t matter where you come from, the best thing is that your first stop is Cairo, the capital of Egypt, since the Cairo International Airport is located there, and receives flights from all over the world.
Because of your reduced travel time, we recommend you start with the oldest bazaar in the city, the Jan el-Khalili, inside which you will find the famous Fishawi café, where you can taste Turkish coffee or seasonal infusions.
Once you leave, you can go to the Citadel, the fortification built by Saladin to protect the city from attacks in the Crusades. Inside the Citadel, you can visit the Gawhara Palace, the Sultan Hasan Mosque, the Ibn Tulun Mosque, and the Al Rifa’i Mosque.
Get to know the Pyramids of Giza
Who has not dreamed of going to the Pyramids of Giza? You probably want to take a selfie with these wonderful monuments. We recommend that you hire a guided tour, since this way you will avoid getting lost, and also, you will discover the stories and mysteries of this place.
You can book a tour online with specialized agencies depending on the time you choose and your budget. On the tour, you will see the pyramids of Cheops, Kefren, and Menkaure. And if you want to enter the Great Pyramid, it is important to note that it costs 200 EP (approximately $11).
You can also go to the pyramids on your own by getting a taxi service or private transport to the ticket office. Be careful if you decide to take this option. Because many times you’re offered a camel or horse ride, for a fee, to the ticket office when the truth is that transportation there would require no additional cots.
Take a picture of the Sphinx
The Sphinx is located a few steps from the Giza pyramids, so you can visit it without any problems. Its structure has a height of 20 meters and a length of 73 meters.
The entrance hours are from 7:00 am to 7:30 pm. To visit the Sphinx, you will not have to buy an additional ticket, since by paying for the entrance or ticket to the Giza pyramids, you will be able to access this monument with no additional costs.
Visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo
There is no doubt that the Egyptian Museum of Cairo is an unmissable stop in the city because it houses more than 140,000 objects of historical value from periods such as the Tinita and empires such as the Old, middle, new, late, Hellenistic, and the roman.
You will be able to visit more than 50 rooms with highly prestigious exhibitions and collections, but we recommend you pay special attention to the treasure room of Tutankhamun’s tomb since it is one of the most famous.
The cost of entering the museum is 100 EP ($3.50) and you can visit it from Wednesday to Monday from 9:00 am. On Tuesdays, the museum is closed.
Choose a tour to the Colossi of Memnon
To continue your adventure through this wonderful country, you should go to Luxor, the second most visited city by tourists in Egypt. In this city, you will find spectacular things, such as the Colossi of Memnon, built approximately 3,400 years ago.
The advantage of getting a tour of the Colossi of Memnon is that they will usually also include a tour of the Valley of the Kings and a couple of other temples.
Did you know that visiting them is free? To go there, you will not need to pay an additional cost, although it is recommended to hire a guide to understand better all the details of this destination.
Explore the Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings is a jewel that you should discover. There you will find memorable tombs, such as that of King Tutankhamen, full of art, murals, paintings, hieroglyphics, and history. But also, you will see the temples of the sons of Ramses II and Amenhotep III.
When you buy your ticket for the Valley of the Kings, you will be able to enter three tombs of your choice, but this will depend on which ones are available on that specific day.
The entrance has a cost of 120 EP
($3), but if you want to enter the tomb of Tutankhamen, you will have to pay an additional amount of 160 EP ($5). You can visit it from Monday to Sunday from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Tour the Luxor Temple
The Temple of Luxor is one of the most important buildings in Egypt. Its construction dates from 1400 and 1000 BC. You will see 74 papyrus-shaped columns that show Ramses II’s interactions with the Egyptian gods. And you will also find the hypostyle room, the vestibule, the rooms, and some rooms with images of Amun and Min.
You can visit the temple from Monday to Sunday from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. The cost of the entrance is 40 EP ($1.20), but if you hire a guided tour, you must pay 100 EP ($3).
It is important to note that to take pictures in this and other temples, you will have to pay a fee of 20 EP ($0.60). We also recommend you try to visit the temple in the morning because after 10:00 am the heat tends to be unbearable.
Visit the Temple of Karnak
If you like temples, visit the one at Karnak because it is the most imposing antiquity. The temple covers approximately 100 hectares, and inside is the temple of Amun-Ra, the temple of Montu, the Temple of Mut, the Temple of Jonsu, the Temple of Opet, the Temple of Ptah, the Sacred Lake, chapels, warehouses, and rooms.
You can visit it freely from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. After that time, the lights are turned on and the historical tour begins. If you prefer guided tours in Spanish, you will have to visit on Mondays and Fridays at 10:30 pm.
The tickets cost 120 EP ($3.60) at regular hours, and 100 EP ($3) for the light show. Remember that this price does not include the cost of the guided tour or the photographic permit.
Prepare your adventure to the Temple of Edfu
The Temple of Edfu is also known as the Temple of Horus, one of the main gods of the Egyptian pantheon, who was important not only for being the son of Isis and Osiris but also for the representative character that the pharaohs acquired upon assuming power since they became a representation of the god incarnated on earth.
This is one of the best-preserved temples in the country, you can find important information about the life and religion in that era. Inside, you can see statues, rooms for offerings and rituals, reliefs on astronomy, and much more.
The entrance hours vary depending on the time of the year: in summer the hours are from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, and in winter, it is from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm. And the tickets cost 60 EP ($1.80).
Enjoy a typical meal in front of the Pyramids of Giza
Back in Cairo, you can finish your adventure and taste the local gastronomy at our recommended spot: the «9 Pyramids Lounge» restaurant, where you will not only eat in front of the Egyptian pyramids but will also discover five rooms decorated inspired by the deities that were worshiped in ancient times, Ennead of Heliopolis.
During your time there, try dishes like baba ghanoush, Fattah, sambusek, and kofta, or desserts like Um Ali. You will find dishes starting at 75 Egyptian pounds, that is, approximately $4.
Discover what to do in Egypt in 7 days
Do you have more time to travel? We will tell you what to do in Egypt in 7 days since you can add some activities to complete your stay.
If you have an extra two days on your trip, we recommend you visit the Philae Temple in Aswan and explore some of the city’s top tourist attractions.
Don’t miss the Temple of Philae
It is the most important temple in Egypt dedicated to the goddess Isis. Before, this temple was located on the Island of Philae, but to protect it from deterioration, it was moved to the Island of Agilkia, so to reach the temple, you must arrive by boat.
As in the Luxor Temple, it is also possible to attend to light and sound shows at night. You will also find the temples of Arensnufis, Imhotep, Augusto, and Hathor, so you can visit them if you wish.
The usual visiting hours are from Monday to Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and as for night visits, these are from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The cost of general admission is 100 EP ($3), but if you prefer to pay for the light show, it is priced at 125 EP ($3.74).
Aswan Botanical Garden
It is an island bathed by the waters of the majestic Nile, where a large collection of very exotic plant species are housed inside, and most of the trees are over 100 years old.
The garden has a great wealth of medicinal and aromatic plants, but the area dedicated to palm trees is the one that usually steals the attention of tourists because just by walking along its paths, you can feel total harmony and peace.
Its opening hours vary depending on the season: From October to April they opens their doors from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and from May to September from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The cost of the tickets is 10 EP ($0.30).
Abu Simbel, an open-air museum in Nubia
This archaeological place is recognized for being part of a series of open-air museums in the southern part of Egypt, which was also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The temple was created to impress the neighboring towns in the south of the country and to reinforce the Egyptian religion throughout the region.
It was dedicated to gods like Amun, Ra, and Ptah, but also Pharaoh Ramses, as the representative of the gods on earth. Something important to highlight is its solar phenomenon, since during the days of October 21 and February 21, the sun’s rays enter the sanctuary and illuminate the figures of Amun, Ra, and Ramses.
The minor temple is dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Nefertari, the favorite wife of Ramses II. To visit Abu Simbel, you must go between 5:00 am and 6:00 pm. Its prices start at 255 EP ($7.67).
What to visit in Egypt in 10 days
If you want to visit Egypt in 10 days, the best way to enjoy your trip is to take a cruise on the Nile. These cruises usually last 10 days, during which you will have included services such as transportation, lodging, food, recreation, and even tickets to archaeological sites.
On the web, you will find hundreds of options to go on a cruise on the Nile. We recommend you purchase packages with those tourist agencies that offer you to go to Hurghada or even Alexandria since they are very complete, but also make sure that they include the archaeological sites we previously mentioned.
Usually, the price of 10-day cruises in Egypt starts at $1,500. The cost does not include the visa, the tip in historic centers, or additional expenses.
What to do in Egypt in 15 days
Finally, if you are looking for a more complete tour with the most important activities to do in Egypt in 15 days, then we have some options that you should include in your itinerary to fully enjoy your trip.
You can choose to do the tour yourself with the places of interest that we summarize for your 5 and 7-day trip, or you can opt for the 10-day cruise, and at the same time, include the destinations that we will show you below.
To make the most of your time, we recommend you continue from Aswan or Luxor to Hurghada, and if you are looking to complete your trip with the city of Alexandria, it is best to return to Cairo and depart from there to Alexandria.
Dive or snorkel in Hurghada
Hurghada is a city in Egypt located on the shores of the Red Sea, which makes it one of the most tourist places in the country, not only because of its crystal clear waters but also because of its shopping bazaars such as El Dahar or Al Fondok avenue.
Diving and snorkeling in Hurghada are one of the favorite activities for everyone, since this way, you will be able to explore the wonderful coral reefs of the Red Sea, where you will even be able to see dolphins swimming in complete freedom.
We recommend that you get a tour or excursion on the web or local tourist offices since it will be necessary to be able to go by boat to the most important spots filled with marine life in the town. You can find them from $70 onwards, with a duration of approximately 8 hours.
Take an excursion to Orange Bay
Orange Bay is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in the region, which is even a Giftun-protected area. On the island, you will find virgin coral reefs, crystal clear waters, beaches with white sands, and marine species that you can see if you decide to go on an excursion or practice some water sports.
The excursions start at $32 and last 7 hours, so going to Orange Bay means that you will enjoy a day at the beach in the middle of an Egyptian paradise that you won’t forget.
Pick a Desert Safari and enjoy a Bedouin dinner
Another great experience in Hurghada is to go on a desert safari in vehicles such as jeeps or buggies since you will have the opportunity to visit a Bedouin village, and you will also be able to have an evening under the stars while you enjoy an Arab show and a barbecue.
It is a unique opportunity to enjoy the Sahara Desert and its charm. The approximate cost with adventure agencies is $27 and up.
Get to know the Montaza Palace in Alexandria.
Probably, you have heard about the city of Alexandria, an unmissable stop if you want to know a large part of Egyptian territory. Thanks to its proximity to the capital, it is possible to go to Alexandria from Cairo to see its most outstanding tourist spots in 1 or 2 days.
The Montaza Palace is currently a museum, but its main attraction lies in its façade, the beautiful gardens, and its view of the Mediterranean. We recommend you have a picnic in their gardens in the afternoon.
To visit it, you can go between 8:00 am and 11:00 pm. The cost of the entrance is 25 EP ($0.75) per person.
Take great pictures at the Library of Alexandria
As you may know, the original Library of Alexandria was one of the most important and prestigious libraries of antiquity, where the greatest source of knowledge in the world was housed, but whose existence was destroyed because of a fire.
Today there is a library that pays homage to the previous one, whose foundation was promoted by the Egyptian government and the UN, to build a modern library with architecture that symbolizes the Egyptian sun.
It is located very close to the Montaza Palace and its entrance is completely free for locals, but foreigners must pay a fee of 10 EP ($0.30). You can visit from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, although on Fridays the opening hours are from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Tour Maamoura Beach
Maamoura Beach is, in addition to a beach, one of the most famous neighborhoods in Alexandria. In it, you can visit the Museum of Royal Jewelry, the Sidi Bishr Mosque, take pictures of the Stanley Bridge, or just walk along the beach or bike to end the day tasting the local gastronomy in its different commercial establishments.
Recommendations to visit Egypt
Here are some final tips and recommendations to ensure you have the best trip>
- Be CAREFUL with street vendors they might try to scam you. If they tell you they are going to give something for free, run away!
- Some countries require a VISA to enter Egypt, you can visit the following page for more information here
- Having mobile internet is really important to feel safe and organized during you trip. Buy an eSIM card with unlimited data for Egypt
- Egypt’s official language is Arabic, but don’t fret, in most tourist places they speak English.
- The best time of the year to travel to Egypt is between October and November or March and April. During this time the weather is more pleasant
- Taste the traditional gastronomy. Visit the street food stalls in the bazaars and markets.
- If you are looking for what to buy in Egypt, you can opt for souvenirs such as papyrus, beetles, djellabas, perfumes, essences, ornaments or alabaster figures, water pipes, wallets, bags, sandals, and others.
- Remember to haggle when buying in bazaars or markets because prices are usually inflated, since the customer is expected to haggle. But don’t do it in malls or supermarkets.
Frequently asked questions
Should I bring a plug adapter on my trip to Egypt?
If you come from a country other than the European continent, it is best to bring an adapter, since in Egypt, they have the same power outlets as in Spain.
What types of transportation are there in Egypt?
You will find transport such as buses, minibuses, metro (only in Cairo), taxis, and Uber.
Is it safe for women to travel to Egypt?
Egypt is a safe country to travel to, but its citizens particularly find it a bit strange to see a woman traveling alone. If you feel insecure, try to travel in a tour group.
If we discuss the Muslim dress code, this applies to locals, but they is not mandatory for tourists, except for places like mosques.
Do they drink alcohol in Egypt?
No. For religious reasons, Egyptians do not drink alcohol, so it is difficult to get alcoholic beverages outside of hotels or tourist restaurants.
What are the business hours in Egypt?
It is usually from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, but during the summer some businesses close their doors from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm due to high temperatures.
