Tourist attractions in Egypt
Egypt is home to the oldest and most famous monuments on Earth. From the Pyramids of Giza to the temples of Luxor and the colossal statues of Abu Simbel, the country preserves five thousand years of history along the banks of the Nile. Egypt has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Memphis and its necropolis, Ancient Thebes and the Nubian monuments.
Almost all of Egypt's 110 million people live on a narrow ribbon of green along the Nile and its delta, which together make up only a few per cent of the country's area; the rest is desert. That contrast – fertile fields a stone's throw from sand dunes – shaped the civilisation of the pharaohs and still defines the landscape travellers see today. Beyond the ancient sites, the other UNESCO sites include Historic Cairo, the monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai, the early Christian site of Abu Mena and Wadi Al-Hitan, the "Valley of the Whales", where fossil whales lie in the Western Desert.
Why visit Egypt?
Nowhere else can you stand beneath the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, walk through painted royal tombs and sail the Nile past temples that have stood for millennia. Egypt also offers the bustling streets of Islamic Cairo, the Mediterranean charm of Alexandria and world-class diving in the Red Sea.
Few countries can match the sheer density of history. In one trip you can move from the Old Kingdom pyramids, built around 4,500 years ago, to the New Kingdom temples and tombs of Thebes, the Greco-Roman monuments of Alexandria and Aswan, the Coptic churches of Old Cairo and the mosques and madrasas of the medieval city. The Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza, now the largest archaeological museum in the world dedicated to a single civilisation, brings Tutankhamun's treasures together for the first time.
Getting there and around
Most visitors arrive at Cairo International Airport, with further international flights to Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. Domestic flights, comfortable sleeper trains and Nile cruises connect Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, while organised tours make it easy to visit the main sites.
Many nationalities can obtain an e-visa online or a visa on arrival at major airports. Distances are considerable – Cairo to Aswan is around 900 kilometres – so most travellers fly or take the overnight train south, then sail between Aswan and Luxor on a three- or four-night Nile cruise or a traditional dahabiya. In Cairo, ride-hailing apps are an easy way to get around, and the metro reaches several downtown sites.
Highlights not to miss
- Pyramids of Giza: The Great Pyramid, the Sphinx and the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, on the edge of Cairo.
- Karnak Temple: The largest temple complex of ancient Egypt, in Luxor, with its forest of 134 giant columns.
- Valley of the Kings: The painted tombs of the pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, cut deep into the Theban hills.
- Abu Simbel: The monumental temples of Ramesses II, rescued from the waters of Lake Nasser in one of history's greatest engineering projects.
Planning a route
A first visit usually combines Cairo with a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. The 8-day Egypt tour with a Nile cruise covers the classic sights, while the Iconic Egypt tour adds Alexandria and Abu Simbel. Short on time? Explore the Land of Pharaohs fits Cairo and Luxor into four days, and the Cairo, Nile cruise and Hurghada holiday ends on the Red Sea.
As a guide, allow three days for Cairo and Giza (including Saqqara and the museums), two to three days in Luxor to cover both the East and West Banks, and two days in Aswan with an excursion to Abu Simbel. Alexandria makes an easy day trip or overnight from Cairo, and a few days on the Red Sea coast are the perfect way to unwind at the end of a busy sightseeing trip.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Egypt is from October to April, when temperatures are pleasant for sightseeing. Summers from June to August are very hot in Luxor and Aswan, but quieter and ideal for Red Sea beach holidays.
December and January are the busiest and most expensive months, with chilly evenings in the desert. Spring can bring the hot, dusty khamsin wind, while October and November offer warm days, smaller crowds and comfortable Nile cruising. Whatever the season, start sightseeing early to avoid the midday heat and the largest tour groups. During Ramadan, opening hours may be shorter, but evenings come alive with festive iftar meals and lanterns.
Select a tourist attraction below to see its description, images & location. It also shows suggestions of our tours to Egypt which include the selected attraction.
You can also use the map of Egypt below to see where the country's highlights lie.
