Egypt should be the first destination on your travel wish list and should be on your bucket list if you consider yourself to be a world traveler. There is a tonne to do, see, and buy in this North African nation in addition to having the most gorgeous cities, Cairo, Alexandria, and Giza.
You can indulge in a variety of enjoyable and instructive activities in Egypt that aren’t particularly covered in any travel guides, such as visiting many locations to observe and learn about Egyptian culture.
Egypt provides travelers with the opportunity to design itineraries that combine culture, adventure, and relaxation all in one trip because there is so much to see and do there.
Best Things To Do In Egypt For First-Time Visitors!
These are the list of 15 exciting things to do in Egypt that you can organize your sightseeing as an avid traveler.
1. Pyramids of Giza
One of the most well-known sights in the world and the final surviving example of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are the Pyramids of Giza.
These tombs of the Pharaohs Cheops (Khufu), Chephren (Khafre), and Mycerinus (Menkaure), guarded by the enigmatic Sphinx, have amazed visitors throughout time and are frequently the first place they visit after arriving in Egypt.
These megalithic monuments to deceased pharaohs are still a breathtaking sight today, located on the outskirts of Cairo’s sprawl in the desert. They are without a doubt the highlight of any journey to Egypt.
2. Catherine’s Monastery
St. Catherine’s, one of the world’s oldest monasteries, is located in the Sinai Peninsula’s desert mountains, close to Mount Sinai, where it is believed that Moses received the Ten Commandments.
In addition to the flaming bush, this desert monastery is home to an amazing collection of religious iconography, artwork, and manuscripts (some of which can be seen in the on-site museum).
3. Coptic Cairo
The oldest surviving church, synagogue, and mosque in Cairo are found here, along with the excellent Coptic Museum, which houses the largest collection of Coptic Christian art and antiquities in the entire world.
This area was originally the Fortress of Babylon and dates back to the Achaemenid Empire’s conquest of Egypt in 525 BCE.
The district’s entrance may be found on a portion of the Fortress of Babylon’s walls, which were rebuilt and repaired during the Roman era.
Visit the Hanging Church, which was constructed partially above a water wheel from the Roman Empire and has a beautiful collection of icons (thus the church’s name).
4. Cruising the Nile
Luxor, a town in Upper Egypt on the banks of the Nile, is home to numerous tourist destinations, including the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and the Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut.
This was the old Thebes, the capital of the New Kingdom pharaohs, and it was home to more attractions than most people could see in a single trip.
The two temples of Karnak and Luxor, the museum, and the modern city with its bustling souq are all located on the east bank of Luxor.
The majority of Luxor’s tourist attractions are located on the west bank, which is known for its fertile farmland and stark cliffs. With so many tombs and temples, it has been dubbed the largest open-air museum in the world.
5. Luxor’s Temples & Tombs
Luxor, a town in Upper Egypt on the banks of the Nile, is home to numerous tourist destinations, including the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and the Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut.
This was the old Thebes, the capital of the New Kingdom pharaohs, and it was home to more attractions than most people could see in a single trip.
The majority of Luxor’s tourist attractions are located on the west bank, which is known for its fertile farmland and stark cliffs. With so many tombs and temples, it has been dubbed the largest open-air museum in the world.
6. Abu Simbel
Even though the country is covered in temples, Abu Simbel is unique. This is Ramses II’s huge temple, which is guarded by enormous statues outside and lavishly decorated within with murals.
In addition to being renowned for its enormous size, Abu Simbel is also well-known for the amazing engineering accomplishment performed thereby UNESCO in the 1960s, which saw the relocation of the entire temple from its original location to prevent it from being submerged by the Aswan Dam’s rising waters.
7. Explore Islamic Cairo
Mosques, madrassas (Islamic schools of learning), and other landmarks from the Fatimid to the Mameluke eras are jammed into the evocative, winding lanes of the capital’s Islamic Cairo area.
This is where you’ll discover the maze-like Khan el-Khalili souq, a market where coppersmiths and other artisans still maintain little workshops and where booths are piled high with pottery, fabrics, spices, and perfume.
8. Abydos Temple
The Seti I-built temple is located amidst a sizable necropolis where archaeological work is now being done. However, for the majority of visitors, the Temple of Osiris is the main attraction. There are several other temple ruins to explore in this area.
Some of the best relief work in Egypt may be seen in its hypostyle halls, which are decorated with papyrus-headed columns and have scenes depicting the monarch and the gods of Ancient Egypt.
It draws far fewer visitors than the temple sites in Luxor and the Nile-side temples to the south because the temple is located north of Luxor and isn’t on the major Nile cruise ship route.
Because of this, you frequently get the opportunity to explore the temple’s hallways alone or with a small group of other guests.
9. White Desert
White Desert National Park, located south of Bahariya Oasis in the Western Desert, is Egypt’s quirkiest natural wonder. Here, bizarrely sculpted chalk pinnacles and enormous boulders tower over the desert plateau, giving the impression that icebergs have become stranded in the middle of a sandy environment.
This incredibly beautiful area, which resembles something from a science fiction film, is a favorite location for 4WD desert excursions and overnight camping since Bahariya Oasis makes it simple to arrange both activities.
10. Siwa Oasis
Siwa, which is situated in seclusion in the westernmost region of the Western Desert, is the quiet antidote to the bustle of Egyptian cities. One of the most stunning locations in the Western Desert is this lovely tiny oasis, encircled by date palm plantations and several hot springs.
While numerous temple remnants, including the Temple of the Oracle, where Alexander the Great is rumored to have gone to seek advice, are dispersed throughout the larger oasis area, Siwa town is centered around the ruins of a vast mud-brick citadel known as the Fortress of Shali, which dominates the view.
11. Aswan
Aswan, located among the Nile’s sweeping curves, is the most calm town in all of Egypt. This is the ideal area to stop, unwind for a few days, and take in the laid-back environment because it is surrounded by orange-hued dunes.
Take the river ferry to Elephantine Island and explore the Nubian settlements’ vibrant alleys. Then take a camel to St. Simeon’s Desert Monastery on Aswan’s East Bank. After that, unwind in a riverboat café while observing the feluccas with lateen sails cruising by.
12. Diving the Red Sea
Even though the country is covered in temples, Abu Simbel is unique. This is Ramses II’s huge temple, which is guarded by enormous statues outside and lavishly decorated within with murals.
In addition to being renowned for its enormous size, Abu Simbel is also well-known for the amazing engineering accomplishment performed thereby UNESCO in the 1960s.
Which saw the relocation of the entire temple from its original location to prevent it from being submerged by the Aswan Dam’s rising waters.
Nowadays, visiting Abu Simbel is as much about celebrating the success of the global campaign to preserve the temple complex as it is about staring in awe at Ramses II’s magnificent construction efforts.
13. Egyptian Museum
One of the greatest museum collections in the world, Cairo’s Egyptian Museum is a treasure trove of the Pharaonic civilization. There are a bewildering number of exhibits housed in the dilapidated pink palace in central Cairo.
It’s a disorganized space with scant labeling and a serious lack of chronological order. An amazing piece of antique art or statues may be found around every corner here, which would be the focus of any museum.
The trove of golden artifacts recovered from Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings is the centerpiece of the museum.
14. Alexandria
This seaside city, which was founded by Alexander the Great, was the birthplace of Cleopatra, and for much of its existence was a razzmatazz renegade city of the Mediterranean.
Even though there aren’t many historical artifacts from Alexandria’s illustrious past left to see today, the city’s long Corniche seafront road that leads to its fort.
Which is located where its famed ancient lighthouse once stood, remains a popular summer destination for both Egyptians and tourists from other countries to enjoy the cooling sea breezes.
15. Red Sea Beaches
Travelers seeking a break from touring temples might find stretches of beach along Egypt’s Red Sea coastline.
The resorts dotted along the shoreline near Hurghada come to life in the winter as European families travel there as part of vacation packages.
The main benefit of picking a resort on the Red Sea coast over one on the Sinai Peninsula is that Luxor is easily accessible by day trip, making this the greatest location to visit for beach life while still being close to some of Egypt’s most iconic landmarks.
What Are the Best Historical Sites to Visit in Egypt?
The ancient civilizations and extensive history of Egypt are well-known. The Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, the temples of Abu Simbel, and the Karnak Temple Complex are some of the top historical monuments to see in Egypt.
What Are the Best Beaches in Egypt?
Egypt’s Red Sea and Mediterranean coastlines each have stunning beach locations. Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, Dahab, Marsa Alam, and El Gouna have some of the nicest beaches. These places provide a variety of water sports and activities as well as waters that are crystal clear and have vivid coral reefs.
Are There Any Festivals or Events Worth Attending in Egypt?
Throughout the year, Egypt observes several festivals and events. The biggest one is Ramadan, a Muslim fasting month that is celebrated and which gives the nation a lively environment. Additionally, there are the Cairo International Film Festival, the Abu Simbel Sun Festival, and the Sham El Nessim Festival (an Egyptian spring festival).
