If you’ve missed the memo, I’ve been on a bit of a campaign lately, making the case for Egypt as one of the most extraordinary travel destinations going. I’m fairly certain that if you happened to read my last blog, you’ll get what I'm talking about…
But as I sit here penning this one, a thought interrupts me: Am I even qualified to write about Egypt?
Cairo
With Cairo being the second-largest city in all of Africa by population, you could spend weeks exploring and still not run out of things to do here. But if you’re visiting for the first time, there are a few places that easily make it to the top among the best places to visit in Egypt.
Places to Visit in Cairo
A. Pyramids of Giza & Great Sphinx
I mean, they were always going to be at the top of the list, weren’t they? They’ve been standing there for over 4,500 years after all, and they’re still the only surviving wonder of the ancient world. The Great Pyramid alone once rose to 146.6 meters and held the record as the tallest thing humans had ever built for nearly 3,800 years. Not far from it, sits the Great Sphinx, carved from a single limestone ridge, with the body of a lion and the face of a pharaoh looking out across the desert.
B. Egyptian Museum
You could spend hours here without realising it. The Egyptian Museum holds more than 120,000 artefacts, many of them pulled from tombs and temples across the country. Most visitors come hoping to see Tutankhamun’s famous golden death mask, but there’s plenty more inside, from fragile papyrus scrolls to statues that have been around for thousands of years. There’s even the Royal Mummy Room, where several ancient pharaohs now rest…
C. Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
Established in the 14th century, it’s one of the oldest markets in the Middle East. It’s a stunning maze of alleys offering jewelry, spices, souvenirs, and traditional Egyptian crafts. You’ll hear shopkeepers calling out, smell coffee and spices in the air, and sooner or later someone will try to convince you that today is the perfect day to buy something!
D. Alexandria
If you have the time, it’s worth heading north to Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, the city has always felt a little different from the rest of Egypt, shaped as much by the Mediterranean as by the desert…
Some of its most fascinating sites come from the Roman period. The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are an underground labyrinth of tombs that bring together Egyptian, Greek, and Roman design. Not far away stands Pompey's Pillar, a towering red-granite column rising from the ruins of an ancient temple complex. And at the Roman Amphitheatre of Alexandria, rows of marble seating still curve neatly around what was once a performance space nearly two thousand years ago.
Things to Do in Cairo
Stand before the Pyramids of Giza
Visit the Pyramids of Giza, the last surviving wonder of the ancient world.
See the iconic Great Sphinx of Giza, carved directly from the limestone plateau.
Explore Bazaars & Try Street Food
Sample koshari, ful medames, and freshly baked falafel while wandering through colorful streets.
Engage with vendors and experience Cairo’s lively street culture firsthand.
Guided Tours of Museums & Historic Sites
Gain insights into pharaonic history, Islamic Cairo, and Coptic heritage.
Recommended: private guides to navigate the sprawling Egyptian Museum efficiently. The city alone could keep you busy for days or even weeks, and it easily accounts for some of the most unforgettable places to visit in Egypt.
If it’s your first visit to Egypt and you want the essentials done right, the 7-day Egypt Pyramids and Nile Cultural Tour by Cox and Kings is a great place to start…
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On The Nile Cruise: Aswan to Luxor
Follow the Nile south and you’ll start running into some of the most remarkable places to visit in Egypt, almost one after the other…
Places to Visit During The Nile Cruise
Aswan Temples
Aswan takes the more peaceful route than the cities further north, sitting along one of the most scenic stretches of the Nile. It’s often the starting point of a Nile cruise, and the place helps you take a breather before continuing the journey toward Luxor.
One of the best places here is the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. The temple stands on an island in the Nile, and you have to reach it by boat. Not far away is the Aswan High Dam, a massive structure that changed the course of Egypt’s agriculture and economy in the 20th century. You can also visit the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient granite quarries, where you can still see how the Egyptians carved enormous monuments directly out of the bedrock.
Kom Ombo & Edfu Temples
Sailing on the Nile between Aswan and Luxor, two temples almost always make the itinerary: Kom Ombo and Edfu. The Temple of Kom Ombo is unusual because it was built to honour two gods at once: Sobek, the crocodile-headed god linked to the Nile’s power, and Horus, the sky god often depicted with a falcon’s head. The temple is perfectly symmetrical, almost like two mirrored sanctuaries sharing the same space.
Further along the river is the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus. It’s one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, which means you can still see towering pylons, detailed carvings, and entire halls that make it easier to imagine how these places once looked when they were active centres of worship.
Luxor Temples & Valley of the Kings
Luxor is home to some of ancient Egypt’s most remarkable sites. The grand Luxor Temple, built mainly during the reigns of Amenhotep III and Ramesses II, stands as one of the finest examples of pharaonic architecture. It’s hard not to imagine the centuries of history that passed through those massive stone columns.
Nearby lies the Valley of the Kings, the royal burial ground of Egypt’s pharaohs, where elaborately painted tombs, including that of Tutankhamun (one of the busiest tombs), gives you visuals from ancient texts like the Book of the Dead! Also visit the striking Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a monumental mortuary temple known for its elegant terraces and stunning setting against towering desert cliffs.
Abu Simbel
Carved into a mountainside by Ramses II, the twin temples of Abu Simbel are among Egypt’s most magnificent monuments. Relocated in the 1960s to save them from flooding caused by the Aswan High Dam, the temples are famed for their colossal statues at the entrance and intricately carved interiors that celebrate the legacy of Ramses II!
Not sure where to begin? Speak with our travel experts and they’ll help map out the right Egypt vacation packages for you.
Things to Do on the Nile Cruise
Felucca Ride & Scenic Views
Sail gently along the Nile at sunset, tea in hand, as palm-lined banks pass by.
Guided Temple Tours
Experienced guides bring ancient stories to life, explaining hieroglyphs, architecture, and history.
Photography & Sunset Experiences
Capture the contrast of ancient stone against golden sunsets, one of the most photo-worthy moments in Egypt!
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Sharm el-Sheikh
After days spent exploring the pyramids, wandering through Cairo, and cruising along the Nile past temple after temple, you might reach a point where all you want is a few quiet days by the sea. That’s usually when people like me start looking at Sharm el-Sheikh.
A beach, a good hotel, maybe the plan to do absolutely nothing for a while…
But give it a day, once the sun, the water, and the slower life settle in, that familiar travel itch tends to show up again. You might be looking at boats heading out into the Red Sea, wondering what the coral reefs look like underwater, or planning a short trip to a nearby national park!
Places to Visit in Sharm el-Sheikh
A. Red Sea
The biggest reason people come here is the Red Sea itself. The beaches are lined with pale sand and the water is famously clear, the kind where you can see straight down to the coral reefs even before putting on a snorkel mask. It’s perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or just floating around while colourful fish move through the reefs below…
B. Ras Mohammed National Park
A short drive from the city, Ras Mohammed is widely considered one of the best marine reserves in the world. The reefs here are spectacular, and the waters are full of life, schools of tropical fish, coral gardens, and the occasional sea turtle drifting past. Even if you’re not a seasoned diver, a simple snorkelling session here can feel beautiful to say the least.
Things to Do in Sharm el-Sheikh
A. Snorkelling and Diving Adventures
Sharm el-Sheikh is widely considered one of the best places in the world for snorkelling and diving. The reefs are healthy, the visibility is excellent, and even beginners can experience incredible marine life just a few metres from the shore. For divers, there are countless sites to explore, including famous shipwrecks and deep reef walls!
B. Relax and Unwind
Of course, doing very little is the major part of the experience here. Spend your time by the beach, take long swims, watch the sunset over the Red Sea, or simply enjoy an evening by the waves…
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Travelling to Egypt from India
For travellers coming from India, the easiest way to experience the best places to visit in Egypt and many of the most unforgettable things to do in Egypt is through a well-crafted itinerary that connects the country’s major highlights.
Journeys like this 10-day Voyage Through Sands and Sea Egypt tour, brings together Cairo, a scenic train journey to Aswan, a Nile cruise through some of Egypt’s most iconic temple towns, and a relaxing finish in Sharm el-Sheikh by the Red Sea, all without a worry in the world!
If this has sparked your curiosity, explore more Egypt travel packages with Cox & Kings, from classic pyramid itineraries to longer Nile adventures!
