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Étaperia

Egypt travel guide: what to see and when to go

Five thousand years of history along the Nile: the pyramids of Giza and the brand-new Grand Museum, the columns of Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel rescued from the waters and the feluccas gliding at sundown. Add the coral beds of the Red Sea, Islamic Cairo and the oases of the White Desert: Egypt is a total journey, where every stage tells a chapter of humanity. The Nile cruise remains one of the great classics of travel, and for good reason.

Capital
Cairo
Currency
Egyptian pound (EGP)
Language
Arabic
Direct flight
≈ 4 hr 45 from Paris
Time difference
+1 hr all year round
A camel caravan passing the pyramids of Giza in the setting sun

Itineraries

Our trip ideas in Egypt

The itineraries in Egypt are in the works: the day-by-day program, named hotels, tickets to book flagged in advance. Leave your address to be notified when they come out.

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Itineraries available in Africa

We don't sell an itinerary in Egypt yet. Here are the ones already on sale, for other countries.

The right season

When to go in Egypt?

From October to April, Egypt is at its best: 25 °C in Luxor, crystal skies, cruises fully booked, with a visitor peak at Christmas. Summer crushes Upper Egypt beyond 42 °C, visits then happen at dawn; only the Red Sea stays very pleasant. May and September, hot but liveable, offer quiet sites and good prices.

  • January : Ideal
  • February : Ideal
  • March : Ideal
  • April : Pleasant
  • May : In-between
  • June : Avoid
  • July : Avoid
  • August : Avoid
  • September : In-between
  • October : Ideal
  • November : Ideal
  • December : Ideal
  • Ideal
  • Pleasant
  • In-between
  • Avoid

Quick guide

Understanding Egypt

Getting around

The night train and domestic flights link Cairo to Luxor and Aswan; the Nile cruise strings the temples together without repacking. In town, Uber and Careem spare you any haggling.

Money

The Egyptian pound (EGP). Withdraw locally, keep small notes for baksheesh, tips expected everywhere. The major sites increasingly take cards.

Language

Egyptian Arabic. English is common in tourism, French still present among guides. A few words of Arabic (shukran, la shukran) smooth everything.

Useful apps

Uber or Careem for the cities, the sites' official online ticketing (Giza, GEM) to skip the queues, and a local eSIM, 4G covers even the desert.

Accommodation

Historic palaces on the Nile, cruise boats of every class, colourful Nubian guesthouses in Aswan: the choice is immense and the value excellent.

Etiquette

Covering clothing in the mosques, smiling bargaining in the bazaar and easy baksheesh for any service rendered. On Friday mornings, the country slows down.

Must-sees

The iconic places

  • Pyramids of Giza

    Cairo

    The last of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, guarded by the Sphinx. Arrive at opening time for the raking light and the calm.

  • Karnak

    Luxor

    The largest religious complex of antiquity: the hypostyle hall and its 134 giant columns leave you literally speechless.

  • Valley of the Kings

    Luxor

    The painted tombs of the New Kingdom pharaohs, including Tutankhamun's. The colours look laid down yesterday.

  • Abu Simbel

    Nubia

    The four colossi of Ramses II, cut apart and rebuilt above Lake Nasser. Twice a year, the sun reaches into the sanctuary.

  • Philae

    Aswan

    The temple of Isis on its island, itself rescued from the waters, reached by boat. The most romantic of Egyptian temples.

  • Dahab's Blue Hole

    Sinai

    The Red Sea's legendary dive site, a 100 m coral well accessible from the beach. Mask and snorkel are enough to fall for it.

Pick a point on the map, or browse the list below.

Also on the map

  • Grand Egyptian Museum : Tutankhamun's treasure in full
  • Khan el-Khalili : The great bazaar of Islamic Cairo
  • Bibliotheca Alexandrina : Alexandria's cultural lighthouse
  • Temple of Hatshepsut : The terraces of Deir el-Bahari
  • Mount Sinai : The sunrise of Moses
  • Blue Hole : The legendary dive of Dahab
  • Siwa Oasis : Palm groves and a salt fortress