With its rich history, breathtaking landmarks, and vibrant culture, Egypt is an unforgettable destination that draws travelers from around the world. We've received numerous requests for recommendations on what to see and do while visiting this remarkable country. While we have an entire video series detailing our adventures, we wanted to share some additional insights and tips to help you make the most of your journey. From the incredible warmth and hospitality of the local people to navigating language differences, you'll find that with a little effort, you'll easily connect with the culture around you. Join us as we explore the must-visit sites and experiences that Egypt has to offer!

Cairo Sites to Visit

*The Sphinx and the Great Pyramid must be seen in person to do them justice*

Pyramids and the Sphinx. Any trip to Egypt must include these sites. It’s the primary reason most people travel to Egypt. While you can explore on your own and potentially pick up a guide at one of the sites, it’s much wiser to book in advance so know the price and what you will learn about. Sometimes tours to the Great Pyramid are combined with a tour of the Egyptian Museum, and while that might sound interesting, we recommend against this. A much better option is to spend the day visiting Giza’s Pyramids and the Sphinx, but also seeing Memphis and, importantly, Saqqara. Here's the tour we used. Throughout our time in Egypt, Saqqara was mentioned again and again, so it was helpful to have spent time there and be able to put it into context. You’ll see the oldest stone building complex there, called the Pyramid of Djoser and it also will help you put the size of the Great Pyramid into perspective. Also, Memphis has an immense statue of Ramses II that took my breath away. We didn’t spend a lot of time there, but it absolutely was worth seeing. The Memphis Necropolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

*The Great Pyramid’s exterior casing finishing stones have been removed or eroded, revealing the stepped core of the pyramid*

*Scams abound in negotiating camel rides. Be careful!*

Camel rides. Unless it's on your bucket list, I'd avoid a camel ride, which can be expensive and is a place where it’s easy to get scammed because some vendors aren’t honest about what the full cost will be until after you ride and then you’ve lost your negotiating power. If this is something you absolutely want to do, I’d suggest adding it onto a guided tour of the Great Pyramid. Your guide can help you negotiate so you are treated fairly.

Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. This is the most famous shopping district in Cairo. We’d suggest avoiding it. You will quickly discover that nearly every archeological site will have some sort of bazaar that you are required to walk through to get to the entrance of the attraction. The vendors will be calling to you everywhere you go, so I’m not sure why you’d deliberately seek it out by visiting this particular bazaar. But if you love to shop, go for it. There are tours you can book that will take you to the Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum, and the Bazaar, but I’d recommend breaking up these items.

*Not every mosque allows non-Muslims. Al-Rifa'i Mosque is one.*

Cairo Tour to Egyptian Museum, Citadel and Old Cairo. This is the tour we used and recommend to see the Egyptian Museum. We loved the added experience of Old Cairo, which includes seeing Coptic Cairo, a walled district that holds a high concentration of historic Christian churches. You’ll hear about the Coptics throughout the archeological sites you’ll be seeing, so having this frame of reference is useful. Our guide suggested we skip the Citadel in favor of seeing a few mosques, which we agreed to do. Since Muslim culture is everywhere, it was a worthwhile detour for us, especially because we did not feel comfortable enough with the customs to explore a mosque on our own. Our guide’s commentary during our visit to the oldest mosque in Egypt, Amr ibn al-As Mosque, gave us insights into the Muslim religion that we appreciated, along with seeing inside the Al-Azhar Mosque in medieval El-Darb El-Ahmar.

National Museum of Egyptian Civilization NEMC: If you still have time in Cairo and you enjoy museums, we’d recommend stopping at NEMC. Here’s a link to a private tour. The highlight of the museum is the Royal Mummies Hall, where you can see mummies of Kings of Hatshepsut, Tuthmosis, and Ramses. In total there are 20 royal mummies, 18 kings, and 2 queens on display.

*Coffin of Nedjemankh, National Museum of Egyptian Civilization NEMC*

Luxor places of interest

*Medinet Habu Temple is colorful and well preserved*

Medinet Habu Temple, Valley of the Workers & Valley of the Queens. These sites on the West Bank of the Nile aren’t typically included a Nile River cruise, so we suggest you book an excursion to visit them on your own. We did a private tour with a local, but it turned out that it wasn’t actually a tour but only a driver and we were on our own at the sites. You can read about our experiences in our Luxor's Hidden Gems: A Day of Surprises article. We picked up a guide for Medinet Habu Temple at the entrance, and while he was very helpful and thorough, it was a little unnerving not knowing how much he was going to be satisfied with us paying him at the end. For the best and easiest experience, we suggest you schedule an organized tour of these three sites instead.

*This guide met us at the entrance to Medinet Habu Temple*

Medinet Habu Temple is best known because it contains the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III. The site and etchings are all extremely well preserved. It’s not touristy, so you won’t have to deal with crowds, but the temple is very worth seeing. The Valley of the Workers (also known as Deir el-Medina) is where all the artisans lived who worked on the burial sites for the royal pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings. They also built their own burial tombs, which are richly detailed. Workers occupied this area for over 400 years. The tour culminates with the Valley of Queens, where you can appreciate the burial sites of the wives of pharaohs. Although you might think you’ve seen enough tombs, Queen Nefertari, the favorite wife of Pharaoh Ramses II, is buried here. It’s rich in detailed artwork and is considered one of the most beautiful tombs in Egypt. It’s also one of the best preserved burial sites.

Felucca boat rides. You can expect a vendor to offer you a felucca ride any time you are near the Nile River. If you already have a Nile River cruise scheduled, this will be part of your tour, so you do not need to arrange it separately while you are in Egypt. The ride was covered as part of the cost of our cruise.

*Rides on a felucca boat in Luxor, Egypt are part of the Nile River cruise and are built into the cost of your travel*

*Bucket list: our sunrise launch on Luxor’s West Bank*

Hot air balloon ride. Floating above the West Bank of the Nile over the temples and mortuary temples was one of the highlights of our trip to Egypt. Catch a sunrise balloon and fly over the Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Valley of the Workers, and more while watching the sun come up. If you’re afraid of heights, we assure you that you won’t have to worry about any butterflies in your stomach! This experience is like nothing you’ve ever experienced or imagined. If this sounds fun, we encourage you to make a reservation for as soon as possible after you arrive in Luxor since flights depend on proper weather conditions and you want to give yourself time if it needs to be rescheduled. We share more about our experience in our Balloons Aren’t Just for Birthdays blog post and you can watch our one-minute #short or detailed video, Stunning Hot Air Balloon Ride over Luxor, Egypt - Everything You Need to Know for more information. We highly recommend Hod-Hod Soliman for one of the safest rides in Egypt. They’ve been in business since 1993.

We have a series of videos from our month in Egypt that you can watch from here. Our Do’s and Don’ts episode has over 373,000 views!

Nile River Cruises

*Merchants selling wares to cruise ship passengers*

Even if you don’t typically enjoy cruising, we believe that a four- or five-day Nile River cruise is worth your time and money. Understanding ancient Egypt requires knowledge of the Nile River, which provided food and resources, served as the primary means of travel, and was essential for transporting building materials and quarried stone used for monumental structures.

We booked our excursion a couple of weeks in advance on the M/S Nile Style, even though taking a Nile River cruise wasn’t originally part of our plans or budget. Being so close to the Nile, we felt it would be a missed opportunity not to experience it, and we are thrilled that we did. Most of the places you'll visit along the river are more accessible by water than land. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the cost was extremely affordable considering everything we saw and did. Initially, we tried to schedule a five-day cruise while in Luxor, but one wasn’t available. Instead, we took a train from Luxor to Aswan for a four-day cruise.

Although we paid a small penalty for purchasing train tickets at the last minute due to the online portal not working, it all worked out in the end. Our train was delayed by two hours, leading us to take an alternate train that was also delayed but arrived earlier. Give yourself plenty of time to get to Aswan.

Costs can vary because the value of the Egyptian pound is always changing. The main difference between spending four days versus five on a cruise is the starting location. Four-day cruises start in Aswan, while those departing out of Luxor are five-day cruises. Both itineraries cover the same sites, but you aren’t as rushed on a five-day cruise. The extra day departing from Luxor means that you’re less constrained for time; a four-day cruise may have to skip Luxor Temple if there are delays in transit, which can happen when the locks get crowded. Additionally, the cruises depart on different days of the week, so consider enough days in your visit to accommodate your preferred option.

We got a great deal for our five-star mid price four-day cruise from Aswan to Luxor. We highly recommend our guide, Mahmoud Nour, who can also help you prepare your trip to Egypt. Mahmoud was the glue that made our experience so memorable—he is passionate, speaks excellent English, and truly helped our group of 16 tourists to gel, allowing us to build lifelong friendships.

Whatever tour you book, your tour guide will manage and guide your tour. They can make or break your tour, so choose carefully. While you may save money by coordinating a tour at the last minute upon arrival, you might discover that the ships are sold out in your price category or that the cruise isn’t great. When you go to a vendor you encounter on the street, there is less of an incentive for them to provide you with the best experience if they know you are primarily focused on getting a good rate. Those places typically do not rely on reviews or care about your referral business.

Below are sample itineraries for both a 5-day cruise starting from Luxor or a 4-day cruise starting from Aswan:

5-day sample itinerary from Luxor to Aswan

Day 1: Arrive onboard in Luxor and visit Karnak and Luxor Temples (ship remains docked overnight)

Day 2: Valley of Kings, Hatchepsut Temple & Colossi of Memnon (ship sails to Edfu)

Day 3: Temple of Horus in Edfu, travel to Kom Ombo to visit Kom Ombo Temple (sail to Aswan)

Day 4: Land tours at (1) High Dam, (2) Unfinished Obelisk, (3) Philae Temple

Day 5: Disembark. You can add optional tours to Abu Simbel or Nubian Village or explore Aswan on your own

4-day sample itinerary from Aswan to Luxor

Day 1: Arrive onboard in Aswan, land tours at (1) High Dam, (2) Unfinished Obelisk, (3) Philae Temple

Day 2: Optional tour of Abu Simbel (sail) travel to Kom Ombo to visit Kom Ombo Temple (overnight sail to Edfu)

Day 3: Edfu’s Temple of Horus (sail to Luxor), visit Luxor Temple (Luxor Temple may be skipped if ship is delayed getting through the locks)

Day 4: Depart ship; land tours of Colossi of Memnon, Valley of Kings, Hatchepsut Temple, Karnak Temple

NOTE: there will be side trips to visit a papyrus shop, an alabaster shop, and a perfumery regardless of your tour.

*Boarding the M/S Nile Style at night after a full day of excursions in Aswan, Egypt*

Aswan’s Nubian Village

The upside of beginning our journey in Aswan was spending a night in the Nubian Village, which we talk about in our Nubian Village Wonders: Our Aswan Adventure article before picking up our cruise, which enriched our understanding of the Nubian culture and provided deeper context before our excursions. It’s possible to spend the night here after your five-day cruise as well. As we drove into the village, the bright, multi-colored homes and shops, along with the vibrant murals painted on clay buildings, immediately stood out. The Nubians, known for their warm hospitality, have lived in Egypt for thousands of years, and their community is famously associated with King Ramses II’s beloved wife, Nefertari.

We stayed at Nubian Palace, where the ambiance was welcoming and we were greeted by a craveable fruit smoothie. The village is conveniently located steps from the Nile, allowing us to watch camel rides pass by with their handlers. We enjoyed watching an evening river cruise go by with the moonlight sparkling on the water. Strolling among the market stalls filled our senses with the fragrant incense and perfumes, where we browsed souvenirs like clothing and trinkets.

Aswan is central to the spice trade, which enhances the local cuisine, making it spicier and more flavorful than in Cairo or Luxor. Set your alarm for an early morning wakeup and catch stunning sunrise views. You can watch our Nubian Village in Aswan, Egypt: Our Overnight Experience episode for more details.

*Our view from Nubian Palace of camel rides in Aswan*

*Carriage ride to Edfu’s Temple of Horus*

Horse and carriage rides are included as part of a Nile River cruise, so you don’t have to pay for one separately during your on-shore time if you want to have the experience. The ride itself was covered by the cruise, and we were responsible for the tip, which was about E£100 per person.

Add-on Activities to Your Nile River Cruise

Hot air balloon ride. We scheduled our hot air balloon ride for the day after our arrival in Luxor, which turned out to be ideal due to the perfect weather conditions. Rides can be postponed for safety reasons, including high winds, so it’s important to plan accordingly. There are only two flight times each day—sunrise with a 5 AM pickup or a later option at 7:30 AM for a 9 AM flight. If you're short on time in Luxor, it’s wise to maximize your chances of flying. Since hot air balloons do not operate in the afternoon, cancellations in the morning could mean waiting a day or more to reschedule. You can also add a hot air balloon ride to your Nile River cruise itinerary, but keep in mind you’re subject to weather conditions. Flights only depart from Luxor, so you'll need to ensure your timing fits, and be prepared for an early morning wake-up on one of your cruise days.

*Sunrise over Luxor’s Colossi of Memnon*

Abu Simbel. You’ll ideally add this site to your itinerary as part of your Nile River cruise, but if you aren’t cruising, you should still book a tour here. It wasn’t on our original itinerary, but I am so glad our tour guide encouraged us to include it. It’s a very early morning departure from your cruise ship (4:30am), but this is a site you cannot miss. Our cruise ship provided us with a hearty box breakfast to help us start our day. The temples in Abu Simbel were built by Rameses II. There are two side-by-side temples. The first temple was built to demonstrate his power, and the second to show his love for Queen Nefertari. You’ll be awed by the size of these temples, but it may stop you in your tracks to know that as part of the building process for Aswan’s High Dam, the entire complex was painstakingly sectioned, numbered, and dismantled in order to be relocated to higher ground.

*Abu Simbel is often an add-on to your cruise and it requires a very early morning start to get there*

The scale and preservation of the artifacts and sites of Egypt are unparalleled, and the memories you will make in Egypt will last a lifetime. While Cairo is chaotic and frenetic, spending time in these iconic locations exceeded our expectations. From the majestic pyramids and the serene Nile to the vibrant streets of Cairo and the welcoming spirit of the Egyptian people, we hope your time in Egypt will enrich you and inspire a deeper appreciation for its incredible history and culture.

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Egypt Trip Planning (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan)