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Situated on the northwestern tip of Africa, Egypt incorporates the Sinai Peninsula, the only land bridge between the continent of Africa and the rest of the Eastern Hemisphere. In this bustling, colorful, loud, and busy nation are the roots to one of the most ancient civilizations to exist on Earth. There is something for everyone here, whether you’re interested in the Great Pyramids, the crowded markets, the historic Nile River, the fantastic cuisine, or the nation’s vast number of museums. Egypt at its simplest is a study in contrasts: ancient and modern, desert and oasis, crowds and isolation. These pairings make Egypt a compelling travel destination, worthy of any traveler’s top ten list.

The Top 10: What to Do in Egypt

1. The Pyramids and the Sphinx: Even if you’ve seen them before, we suggest that you see them again: the pyramids and the Sphinx, both located in the town of Giza, are among the most iconic structures in the history of the world. Some travel agencies offer tickets to a laser show that takes place on the horizon between the pyramids and Cairo, but we recommend that you plan your visit mostly for during the day.     

2. Luxor: Ancient Greeks and Romans themselves flocked to the city of Luxor to see the monuments on the East Bank. Karnak Temple is one of the most beautifully excavated ancient sites we have ever seen, and Luxor Temple comes in a close second. Comprising one of the largest open-air museums in the world, this ancient conglomeration of temples, stelae, obelisks, and hieroglyphs makes for a stunning figurative trip back to ancient Egypt.

3. Valley of the Kings: Located on Luxor’s West Bank, this archaeological site has been under excavation for almost two centuries, but it was the discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamun in 1922 that made headlines around the world. If other tombs were raided and looted before they were discovered in modern times, King Tut’s tomb, virtually untouched since his death, in 1323 B.C.E., serves as a pristine example of ancient burial ceremonies. Though all artifacts have been moved to the Egyptian Museum in nearby Cairo, the Valley of the Kings is a must visit.

4. Egyptian Museum in Cairo: This museum has a mimd-boggling accumulation of artifacts from Egyptian antiquity. The sheer volume of pieces, not to mention their physical scale, is astounding. Any tour guide worth his salt will lead you on a tour of the highlights; otherwise, it would take days to see every one of the spectacular items. Featuring collections arranged in chronological order, the museum includes some of King Tut’s treasures, pre-dynasty monuments, artifacts of the Middle and Modern kingdoms, Greek and Roman antiquities, coins and papyri, and sarcophagi.

5. Alexandria: Less than three hours from Cairo by minibus, Alexandria is home to summer beach lovers, many of whom are escapees from Cairo’s intense summer heat. Walk on the beach and enjoy sites like the Kom al-Shoqafa catacombs, Muhammad Ali’s ancient palace, and the Royal Library of Alexandria, once the largest library in the world.

6. Egypt’s Bazaars: Your trip to Egypt won’t be complete until you spend an afternoon touring an endless maze of stalls and alleyways in a city bazaar. Bazaars in Egypt are usually divided into Muslim and Christian markets and keep separate schedules accordingly. Confronting an array of home goods, clothes, jewelry, fruits, vegetables, souvenirs, fabrics, musical instruments, and more, you must negotiate the price before accepting a merchant’s initial offer; it’s customary to haggle in this region.

7. Abu Simbel: Originally carved out of a mountainside, the temples at Abu Simbel were constructed by King Ramses II near the city of Aswan. When a proposed dam construction threatened to flood the temple, UNESCO engineers developed a project to cut the entire site into giant blocks and move it to higher ground in 1964. Today’s reconstruction of the site allows visitors to bear witness to not only an amazing feat of antiquity but an impressive modern achievement as well.

8. Sailing in Aswan: Observe the Blue Nile’s lush green banks against the backdrop of a desert landscape while sailing on a felucca, a type of sailboat used in Egypt since antiquity. A guide can help arrange a group or private ride, which usually lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. This is a great time to pick up some handmade keepsakes.

9. Temple of Horus at Edfu: Situated on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, this temple permits a dramatic peek into the ancient rituals of Egyptian religion, especially if you visit at night. Preserved hieroglyphs adorn every surface of the temple. Guides reenact certain ceremonies for the sake of visitors. Witnessing ancient Egyptian rituals while standing in a room previously reserved for only the highest of priests is an unforgettable experience.

10. Siwa Oasis: In the western desert near the Libyan border is Egypt’s most remote oasis town. Siwans speak their own language and have an identifiable style of jewelry and crafts, influenced by the Berbers. The natural beauty of this area is what drew us in: travelers can relax in the hot springs and eat local snacks, such as the town’s famed olives.

When to Go

Egypt has two seasons: a mild winter, from November to April, and a hot summer, from May to October. More often than not, days are warm or hot and nights are cool and breezy. The only major differences between winter and summer are the daytime high temperatures and the changes in wind flow. Summers in the desert undergo wide variations between day temperatures and night ones: average minimums are 57 degrees Fahrenheit (14 degrees Celcius,) and high temps can climb to over 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celcius.) The lower temperatures in Alexandria have made the city a popular summer resort. Egypt receives very little rainfall annually, so the best time of year to visit is either in September through November or February through April, for taking advantage of the mild air.