Few places rival Egypt for the sheer amount of world class historical sites and jaw dropping desert landscapes.
Whilst everyone knows about the pyramids and tombs, fewer people are aware of all the phenomenal natural wonders Egypt has to offer. From pure white deserts, to colourful mountains, deep slot canyons (rivalling those in Utah) and some of the best snorkelling you’ll find anywhere on earth. We spent over a month here and are already thinking about going back as didn’t make it to everywhere on our wish list.
Here are 26 of the best things to do in Egypt that cover the bucket list items, as well as some lesser known adventures which are guaranteed to wow you.
26 of the best things to do in Egypt
1. Explore the Pyramids of Giza & the Sphinx
Forgive us for starting with the obvious, but you can’t visit Egypt without seeing the only wonder of the ancient world that still exists today: the great Pyramids of Giza.
The Pyramids are iconic and visiting them is one of the most memorable travel experiences you can have in Egypt. However, knowing what to see, how to get around, and how much time you need there is not so straightforward if you’ve never been before. There’s more to a visit than simply looking at the Pyramids from the outside, and the deeper you delve, the more you’ll get out of your trip.
We visited the Pyramids three times to bring you this guide which should make planning your day a breeze.
It is possible to visit without a guide or a tour of any kind (don’t listen to anyone saying you must take a camel, horse cart or taxi).
2. Explore Egypt’s Antelope Canyon
Few people outside the country know that Egypt has narrow slot canyons to rival even those in Utah! As we made our way between towering sandstone walls that blocked out almost all light, we had to pinch ourselves that there was no one else around. Anywhere else but Egypt, it would be a star attraction, but with places like the Pyramids and tombs of Luxor stealing the limelight, Arada Canyon goes unnoticed.
It’s one of the most beautiful slot canyons we’ve been to, not to mention one of the most fun, with several slides including one that requires rope or maybe a little helping hand from your guide (for novices like us at least!).
You can read all the details on what it’s like to visit Arada Canyon here.
3. Go inside a pyramid
Seeing the Pyramids from the outside is amazing, but there’s something about venturing inside which just feels that bit more adventurous. Many people will tell you there’s not much to see inside, and in some ways that’s true. There isn’t any elaborate artwork or dramatic pillars - this is one of those experiences which is all about the journey and not the destination.
But what a journey it is. You’re heading deep into an ancient tomb, via steep stairways and low passages. It’s hot and tight in places, but you never lose sight of the fact you’re inside the pyramid, and that’s a very cool feeling. You can read about our experience going inside two of the great pyramids here (there are only ever two of the three open at any one time).
For the truly adventurous, head to the Bent Pyramid in Dahshur. This was by far the wildest adventure into a pyramid we had. It involves climbing down a series of very long, very narrow tunnels before reaching a burial chamber full of bats! Definitely an experience you won’t forget!
4. Explore the incredible tomb of Seti I
The Tomb of Seti I is the premier tomb in the Valley of the Kings, with a labyrinth of chambers on a scale not seen anywhere else in Egypt. Some of the art is so well preserved that it looks like it was painted yesterday.
The low lighting, lack of crowds and vivid depictions of scenes of the underworld combine to create the most atmospheric tomb in the valley - and we visited them all!
The corridors and smaller rooms culminate in the burial chamber, a vast room with hundreds of intricate golden paintings.
The ticket to the tomb does come at a hefty cost, but it is unrivalled in terms of scale and grandeur. You can read all about how to visit in our comprehensive guide to the Tomb of Seti I.
5. Retrace the footsteps of Moses at Mount Sinai
The view from the top of Mount Sinai is jaw-dropping. Endless jagged mountains and vast desert as far as the eye can see. If you happen to be at the top with the soft light of sunrise or sunset, then it becomes even more magical.
The walk is steep in places, but the trail is in excellent condition and there are drink stops galore.
Whilst it’s debatable whether it truly is the Moses Mountain, regardless of the validity of the story, the experience of getting to the top is one you’ll always remember. The surrounding peaks and valleys give you the feeling of being on top of the world.
Most people choose to go for sunrise, but we highly recommend going for sunset to avoid the crowds and to avoid having to start your hike in the middle of the night. You can read how to get to there and everything involved in this magical hike in our guide to Mount Sinai.
6. Marvel at the stunning Coloured Canyon
Coloured Canyon has the wow factor. We were in awe of the the sheer size of the canyon, which at times reminded us of the Grand Canyon in the US!
The walk weaves through a series of narrow constrictions and the vivid colour of the walls is mesmerising. We were the only people (along with our guides) in the entire canyon, and the silence was absolute. A truly special experience.
However, make sure you read this guide to Big Coloured Canyon to avoid a disappointing scam which has sprung up surrounding the canyon.
7. Enjoy a drink at the 9 Pyramids Lounge
The Nine Pyramids Lounge has one of the best views from a cafe in the entire world! The uninterrupted view of all nine pyramids and the rolling desert foreground is a vista we’ll never forget.
The Nine Pyramids Lounge is actually a proper restaurant, but the Bedouin seating area in front of the main restaurant is much more casual. You can simply rock up, buy a coffee or some food and take in those truly memorable views.
The view was so good it made it to the top of our best photography spots at the Pyramids list.
Getting there isn’t so straightforward if you plan to go with a driver/taxi, as security in the pyramids complex will ask for “proof of a reservation”, which essentially is code for a tip/baksheesh. You can read more about handling that in the guide linked above.
8. Stay overnight at Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel is one of the most impressive temples you’ll see anywhere in the world. Built into the side of a mountain (well, originally, before it was moved to avoid being flooded by the Aswan Dam), the huge colossi of Rameses II flank the entrance and the effect is simply jaw-dropping.
Once inside, you’ll see more colossi as well as intricate artwork and statues.
The majority of people chose to visit on a quick day trip, but a visit here is much more atmospheric if you stay overnight.
That way you can see the Sound and Light Show (which is probably the best in Egypt) and explore the temples with hardly anyone else around - which is going to be much more like the Egypt of your dreams than it is with hundreds of people milling around.
You can read all about making the most of an overnight trip to Abu Simbel by clicking here.
9. Spend a night in the White Desert
The White Desert is unlike anywhere else we’ve been. For miles in all directions, you’ll see bright white sand and crazy rock formations that make you feel like you’ve landed on another planet.
At sunset the landscape becomes even more beautiful, with soft light providing the perfect backdrop to the amazing desert scenery.
The highlight of a trip to the White Desert is the chance to camp in the solitude of the vast desert. You’ll see thousands of stars as you eat dinner cooked on the camp fire.
The White Desert has become very popular in recent years, so you’ll want to brief your guide carefully if you’re trying to escape the crowds - we did the main attractions in a different order to the tour groups which made it a much more enjoyable experience.
10. Snorkel the Red Sea
The Red Sea is home to some of the best snorkelling we’ve done anywhere in the world. The water is incredibly clear, full of colourful coral and fish, and it’s surprisingly easy to access.
There are many sites which simply involve swimming straight off the shore, so it’s a cheap and easy way to explore the under water world without the need for a guide or boat trip.
The pick of the bunch for us was the Dahab Blue Hole, which is spectacular. This huge coral shelf drops deep into the ocean and is teeming with life that is close to the surface.
We’ve written a detailed guide about how to get there and the things you need to know before you go, which you can read here.
11. Sail down the Nile in a Felucca
Sailing along the Nile is a quintessential Egyptian experience, and one of our favourite things to do in Luxor. You can hire a boat for as little as a couple of hours and there’s no better way to end a day exploring.
It’s wonderful to drift along the water without the typical engine noise and its most special at sunset when the mountains and river are bathed in golden light. You can watch local life on the banks of the Nile, as well as keep an eye out for various birdlife.
If the wind is in your favour, you can go to Banana Island and pick up some snacks for the journey.
12. Explore the truly wild pyramids in Dahshur
The Pyramids of Giza are on everyone’s bucket list, but much fewer people know that the Red Pyramid of Dahshur pre-dates them and was the first perfect pyramid ever to be built.
This pyramid has the setting you always dreamed of: in the middle of the desert with nothing for miles around (quite unlike the Great Pyramids, which are on the edge of the city).
You can also see the Bent Pyramid at the same site, which was an attempt at building a perfect pyramid that unfortunately went wrong (it was too steep and had to be adjusted midway to stabilise the building).
Both pyramids feel like the real deal and have a fraction of the crowds you’ll find at the pyramids in Giza, so it’s well worth making the day trip from Cairo.
13. Sip tea with the Bedouins
Trying some Bedouin tea is a must in Egypt. If you’re on a tour in the White Desert or Sinai, it’s pretty likely that your guide will stop at some point, set up a fire and put the kettle on.
On our trips round the Sinai, this seemed to happen multiple times a day!
It’s a special thing to experience, sat in the shade of huge mountains, sipping tea brewed the local way. If you don’t like your tea sweet, make sure you say in advance because sometimes it’s as sweet as a dessert!
14. Stroll the colourful streets of the Nubian Village in Aswan
For those looking for a change from desert landscapes and historical buildings, the Nubian Village in Aswan is the place to head.
It starts with a scenic boat journey down the Nile before a stroll around the colourful village. After exploring the laneways, relax with a drink at one of the many cafes and restaurants that look out onto the Nile.
There’s next to no cars in the village, so it’s a welcome break from the congestion of the major cities. You don’t need a guide or a tour to visit, you can go it alone like we did, and have complete control over what you do - avoiding some of the typical tourists traps in the village.
15. Get your Indiana Jones on at the Valley of the Kings
We’ve already mentioned the tomb of Seti I, but the Valley of the Kings definitely deserves a second mention. It’s one of the most significant historical sites in the world, and even if you’re not a history buff, this place should earn a spot on your Egypt Itinerary.
Not only can you visit the resting place of some of the most significant pharaohs of ancient Egypt, but you can learn more about the real life Indiana Jones’ who spent years trying to find new tombs in the hunt for elusive hoards of treasure and artefacts.
General entry to the Valley of the Kings will allow you into 3 of 12 tombs open to the public and we visited every one to create this guide on the best ones to visit.
16. Take a dip in the Maldives of Egypt - The Blue Lagoon
Ok, so the Maldives of Egypt is a bit of a stretch (we didn’t name it that!) but the colour and stillness of the water at the Blue Lagoon make it a fantastic place for a dip.
Situated just north of Dahab, the Blue Lagoon still has a rustic laid back vibe, with wooden huts and nothing but towering mountains in the distance.
It’s best experienced alongside snorkelling at the nearby Blue Hole. Take the scenic coastal walk to Ras Abu Galum and then hop in a taxi for the short drive to the Blue Lagoon.
17. Stay in a hotel with a million dollar view
Whilst you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to hotels with a view in Egypt, the Guardian Guest House in Giza has a view that rivals any hotel in the world and doesn’t come with a 5* price tag. We paid just under USD $70 for our room that looked directly on to the Sphinx!
Watching people explore the pyramids from our window almost didn’t feel like real life! The rooms are a little dated and it’s not exactly luxury, but we’ve never stayed in a hotel with a view quite like it.
Find the latest prices and availability on:
18. Stand in awe at the Hypostyle Hall at Karnak Temple
We’ve visited Karnak Temple three times now and it never loses its magic. Although the site is huge, it’s the 134 giant columns in the Great Hypostyle Hall that will be forever etched in your memory.
Walking amongst them makes you feel small in the best possible way. Some still have detailed artwork in quite good condition, although most is largely worn away.
The hall is at its best just before sunset, or a little after sunrise when the soft light makes it especially atmospheric.
19. Take on the adventurous White Canyon
We visited the White Canyon at the end of a very long day in the desert (which included hours of the bumpiest driving we’ve ever done)! By the time we arrived, we were feeling pretty tired, but as soon as we saw the White Canyon all weariness was forgotten.
The landscape blew us away. It’s magnificent, and though the narrow slot sections are not particularly long, the entire walk is utterly stunning.
Exiting the canyon requires navigating a pretty rickety ladder and clambering up some foot holds etched into the rock, which all adds to the sense of adventure!
20. See 2,000 year old art that looks like it was created yesterday
The Sinai is an ancient land that has a history dating back to before biblical times. In several parts of the Sinai you can see rock art that is still incredibly vivid, despite the fact that much of it is over 2,000 years old!
The art depicts life back in those times, with scenes of hunting, various animals (including some no longer found in the country) and even Nabatean script. There are a vast number of sites spread across the desert, so there’s endless possibilities depending on your interests and how far you want to travel.
There’s no one as passionate or as knowledgeable about the art sites as Joe from King Safari. We booked a trip with him and would highly recommend it (we paid full price, so you don’t need to worry about bias). You can contact him via Whatsapp on +20 106 020 0950.
21. Visit the Mummy of King Tutankhamun
The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb is a real life Indiana Jones story, as until it was found no royal tomb had been rediscovered with its treasure still fully intact (all other tombs had been plundered before the archaeologists arrived). His sarcophagus and mummy were also still untouched.
Whilst all the treasure has been moved to various museums - the majority being in the Grand Egyptian Museum - the mummy has been returned to the tomb in a glass box.
We weren’t expecting it, so were really taken aback to see Tutankhamun’s mummified face staring back at us. It’s a little creepy, but also fascinating….
22. Check out the most beautifully located temple in Luxor
The Temple of Hatshepsut is probably the most visually stunning of any temple in Luxor on the approach. It’s one of the most iconic spots on the West Bank, and it features on almost every program you watch about ancient Egypt.
The temple was built in honour of Egypt’s first female pharaoh, though after various earthquakes, the temple fell into disrepair and has been painstakingly restored to resemble its original form. Unfortunately, as it is heavily reconstructed, it feels almost too new when compared to Luxor’s other sites. However, a trip here is a must for the view alone.
It’s best experienced at the end of the day when the crowds are at their lowest and when you can avoid the heat of the midday sun.
23. Visit the first pyramid ever built in Saqqara
We’ve mentioned a few pyramids on this list, but the Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara is unique. This was the first pyramid ever built, prior to this, the pharaohs of Egypt built mastabas to entomb their bodies.
Djoser decided to do something different, starting with a mastaba that eventually had a series of different levels to create a step pyramid. At 4,500 years old, it’s staggering that it still stands in remarkably good condition.
There’s plenty to explore within the site, including a hidden statue of Djoser that can only be seen by finding two holes on the side of a wall. Saqqara is best visited with the pyramids of Dahshur, but you’ll want to make an early start. You can read more about visiting the step pyramid in this guide.
24. Star gaze in the desert
Outside the cities, Egypt is a great place to see the true wonder of the night sky - the desert environment means there is a high chance of clear nights and the atmosphere is dry. There really is nothing like catching a glimpse of the Milky Way.
In areas such as the Western Desert, the Sinai and even Abu Simbel, you can easily organise a night’s star gazing.
Our pictures are from our overnight stay in the White Desert, as well as our sunset hike up to Mount Sinai. Both were magical experiences.
25. See the sunset from Makhroum Cave
Makhroum Cave is located in a gorgeous stretch of the Sinai desert, with amazing Lawrence of Arabia style views. There’s nothing to do here as such, but it’s a great place to come if you want to sit and relax whilst taking in the stunning scenery. It was one of our favourite things to do close to Dahab.
Climbing into the cave involves walking up a very small sand dune, and then there are footholds cut into the rock to get into the cave. It’s quite easy on the way up, but a touch slippery on the way down (but only for a few steps), you could just go down on your bum though, which was my preferred exit method.
It’s the perfect place to finish if you’ve booked a trip to Arada Canyon or the ancient rock art sites.
26. Visit the stunning Saint Catherine’s Monastery
Saint Catherine’s Monastery is one of the most significant places in Judaism and Christianity. Sitting at the foot of Mount Sinai (where Moses spoke to God), it is also home to the famous burning bush, which is still there today. It’s hard to imagine a monastery in a more spectacular location than Saint Catherine’s Monastery. Backed by the jagged peaks of the Sinai Mountains, the setting is out of this world.
The monastery itself is also incredibly picturesque and dates all the way back to 330 AD. The highlight is the basilica with it’s collection of ornate lanterns. You can’t take pictures inside this room, but it will likely remain forever etched in your mind.
Inside the museum you can see some of the oldest books in the world, it was absolutely fascinating to see these beautiful old tomes, some of which dated back many thousands of years.
Even if you’re not a religious person, Saint Catherine’s Monastery has such historical significance that it is a must do if you’re visiting the Red Sea area.
Saint Catherine’s Monastery is only open until 11.30am from Monday to Thursday and Saturdays. It should be open on Fridays for shorter hours, but it is closed to the public on Sundays.
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