After living and traveling in Egypt for 4 months, I couldn’t wait to share the best places to visit in Egypt. We made a point to get to EVERY destination and attraction in Egypt what we could, and now I have an incredible repertoire of experiences to share with you.
Egypt is one of the countries that surprised me the most. We had planned to visit a friend here for a month, and absolutely fell in love with the incredible desert landscapes, rich history, and sparkling coastlines this country has to offer. If there are best places to travel in Egypt, we have hit them all and listed them below from experience.
Egypt is a larger country than many might imagine, but everything is easily connected by long bus rides, trains, or short flights. It’s also SO much safer than the media portrays, especially in smaller destinations. Here are the most beautiful places in Egypt and why you should budget plenty of time to see them all.
Top 5 Best Places to Visit in Egypt
Here are the absolute MUST SEE and most famous places to see in Egypt. I recommend you see a mixture of bigger cities in Egypt, coastal towns on the Red Sea, and historic sites along the Nile. For more info on all these Egypt destinations, keep scrolling!
- Cairo – So much history in a massive, bustling city of 20million. The pyramids, Islamic and Coptic Cairo, Museums, and the Citadel are musts! Check out more things to do in Cairo.
- Luxor – home to most of the temples of the New Kingdom and the Valley of the Kings and Queens, Luxor is one of the most pertinent and fascinating historic places in the world. Start a Nile River Cruise here, too.
- South Sinai Peninsula – a visit to Egypt is not complete without seeing the stunning, sparkling, clear Red Sea and doing some snorkeling or diving. My favorite place is Dahab, but many enjoy Sharm el Sheik.
- Hurghada – One of the most popular touristic cities in Egypt, Hurghada is a bigger coastal destination with TONS of diving, great food, and beautiful islands to visit off the coast
- Alexandria – Alexandria was the capital of Egypt during the Ancient Greek times and has a fantastic mixture of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman history. It’s also on the Mediterranean Sea, where you can relax on the beach between visiting monuments. Its doable in a day trip to Alexandria from Cairo.
Before visiting Egypt, make sure to know your visa requirements or apply ahead of time online.
I have divided all these destinations into 3 sections: the best places to visit in Egypt for history, for sun/sea/sports, and for remote desert landscapes. Make sure to check off all three!
Best Places to Visit in Egypt for History
Here are the best places in Egypt to see truly incredible history. Egypt is considered the oldest tourist destination in the world, which was home to the most ancient civilization that still leaves dozens of traces from the last 4000 years to be marveled at.
From the pyramids of the Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt to the temples of the New Kingdom to the Ancient Greeks and Romans, to the arrival of Christianity and the coming of Islam, there’s an unparalleled rich history in Egypt you have to see to believe.
Cairo: The Bustling City with Deep History and Incredible Monuments
First and foremost, Cairo is the first stop on most Egypt itineraries and one of the best cities to visit in Egypt. Here are some of the best things to do in Cairo:
Cairo Citadel of Salah Al-Din Al-Ayoubi and Mosque of Mohammad Ali
The Salah Al-Din Al-Ayoubi Citadel is one of the most important landmarks in Cairo. Based in an 8th-century fortress that used to house nobility, the citadel is now home to museums and mosques. Some of the best museums in the Citadel are the Police Museum, the Prison Museum, and the Military Museum, which encompasses both the outside and the entire inside of a huge 2 building detailing warfare from Ancient Egypt until now.
The Mosque of Mohammad Ali is the grandest silhouette on the Cairo skyline. It’s an impressive limestone mosque with Islamic relics from the 1800s.
Pyramids of Giza
One of the most obvious beautiful places to visit in Egypt are the pyramids of Giza! These ancient wonders have been standing more than 4000 years and still carry with them many mysteries about their construction and purposes.
You can visit the 3 main and 6 smaller pyramids of Giza in a day and enter two of them if you like – the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the pyramid of Khafre. The Giza necropolis is very large, and many people choose to do a camel or horse ride to see different views of them. There are also some amazing hotels and restaurants with Giza views – check out some of the best here.
Saqqara Necropolis
After being officially reopened in 2020 after extensive renovations, the oldest standing pyramid of Djoser is now ready for your visit. Known as the ‘step pyramid,’ the pyramid of Djoser (Khufu’s grandfather) is known to be the oldest stone structure in the world.
The rectangular Saqqara necropolis and surrounds are home to dozens of tombs and even smaller pyramids spread throughout the desert – some which no doubt haven’t even been discovered yet. It’s actually the largest archaeological site in the country too.
Pyramids of Dahshur – Red, White, and Black
Located a bit farther from Cairo you will find the pyramids of Dahshur, which are the second oldest after the pyramid of Djoser and were built for Djoser’s son, the Pharaoh Sneferu.
The White Pyramid or ‘Bent Pyramid’ is known for the change of angle about halfway up. Some Egyptologists believe that it was constructed at the wrong angle and corrected halfway, but others believe it was intentional.
The Red Pyramid was built soon after, and is the first sloped pyramid built at a steady angle. You can enter the white and red pyramids – which I highly recommend if you aren’t claustrophobic – to see the fascinating passageways inside and also the improvements from the white to the red Pyramid.
Coptic Cairo
Coptic Cairo is known as the oldest part of Cairo, continuously inhabited since the 6th century BC. This is the center of Christianity in Egypt and contains some of the oldest Christian churches in Africa, such as the Hanging Church (built in the 8th century, but it is believed there was a church here from the 2nd or 3rd), as well as the fortress of Babylon, the Coptic Museum, and the Coptic Cemetary.
Islamic Cairo
Islamic Cairo is the center of Islamic History in the Center of Cairo. Here you can find some of the oldest streets (such as historic Al-Muizz Street), turrets from old city gates (Zuwayla Gate), mosques, parks, and more.
The Al Azhar Mosque is incredible, and make sure to watch the sunset from the big green Al Azhar Park as well. Check out the Museum of Islamic Art for some more history, and make sure to end at the Khan El Khalili Bazaar for some good old-fashioned haggling and shopping.
The Egyptian Museum + the New Grand Egyptian Museum
For the largest dose of Egyptian history and culture in the shortest time, spend a while in the Egyptian Museum in Downtown Cairo, OR the Grand Egyptian Museum that just opened near the Giza Necropolis.
The Egyptian Museum is packed FULL of artifacts from the dawn of Egyptian history. The Grand Egyptian Museum is a new, state-of-the-art MAASIVE museum near the Pyramids of Giza that houses larger artifacts and lots more.
Luxor: The Ancient Capital City Full of Tombs and Temples
Luxor is a historic city on the Nile that used to be the ancient city of Thebes, capital of the New Kingdom. On its east and west bank, visitors can find more ancient wonders than are normally possible in one visit – from the dozens of tombs in the Valley of the Kings to the largest temple complex in the world. Many sites boast the title of ‘open air museum’ which is not a common achievement.
Valley of the Kings + Queens
Luxor is perhaps most famous for the Valley of the Kings – a desert valley where over 60 New Kingdom tombs have been discovered and excavated. You can visit 3 tombs with the entry ticket. They’re are all carved deep down into the rocks of the mountain and covered in bright, authentic colors that survive from thousands of years ago.
You’ll have to pay extra for famous tombs such as that of Tutankhamen and Seti, or you can see all of King Tut’s items in the Egyptian Museum. The Valley of the Queens, where the tombs of Queens are located, is just over the hill.
Temples: Luxor, Karnak, Medinet Habu, and More
The temples in Luxor are among the most elaborate and majestic in all of Egypt. The Luxor Temple is in the city center and is known for being the site where Kings were crowned. It’s great to visit at dusk when the columns and hieroglyph-filled facades are lit up.
The Avenue of the Sphinxes is a 3km road that connects Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple, finally opened in 2021. Karnak Temple is the second largest temple complex in the entire world, characterized by its Huge “Hypostyle Hall” with 138 pillars full of hieroglyphs.
Medinet Habu is another stunning temple near the Colossus of Memnon, which is another amazing site to see in this area.
Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
This is one of the most unique temples in Egypt and a must-see place to visit in Luxor. Queen Hatshepsut was the first female pharaoh with full pharoah duties. Her temple was carved partially into a cliffside and is one of the most magnificent designs of all ancient Egyptian architecture.
With 3 levels connected with ramps, the structure is incredible to see. There are many remaining colorful images covering the walls and ceilings.
Day trip to Abydos and Dendera
If you just can’t get enough of all the Luxor Temples, take a day trip to the Dendera Temple (just north) or the temples of Abydos (150 km north of Luxor). These are lesser-known places to visit in Egypt that offer amazingly preserved ancient architecture and art. They’re possible to see in a day trip from Luxor.
Nile River Cruise
If there’s one thing you MUST do in Egypt, it’s a Nile River Cruise between Luxor and Aswan that stops at ALL the temples of the ancient New Kingdom. On a Nile River Cruise, you will see all the temples of Luxor and Aswan as well as temples in between – Kom Ombo and Edfu.
Edfu Temple
The Edfu Temple dons the title of one of the best-preserved Ancient Egyptian Temples, and it’s surely impressive enough to show it! This amazing temple between Luxor and Aswan is a regular stop on a Nile River Cruise, which includes taking a horse-drawn carriage to the temple at sunrise.
Edfu Temple is dedicated to the God Horus, and was built during the Ptolemaic dynasties from around 200BC.
Kom Ombo Temple + Crocodile Museum
Kom Ombo Temple is a rare double-temple, half dedicated to the crocodile God Sobek and half dedicated to Horus. This temple had surgery rooms and some of the most fascinating medical hieroglyphs of Ancient Egypt, telling how they did medical procedures all those years ago.
There was also a massive crocodile cemetery/tombs found nearby, giving way to the Kom Ombo Crocodile Museum. Here you can see 4000-year-old mummified crocodiles and understand how crocodiles were both worshipped and sacrificed to the gods.
Aswan: The Colorful Nile-Side Place to Visit in Egypt
Aswan is where River Cruises end (or start) and is home to some of the cleanest water of the Nile. There are rocky untouched bays here that you can actually swim in, and more historic temples, villages, and museums.
Philae Temple
The Philae Temple is an extraordinary temple on an island just south of Aswan. Surrounded by the grey-blue waters of the Nile, the Philae Temple is dedicated to the goddess Isis. The entire temple had to be moved piece by piece by archaeologists after the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 60’s to an island nearby.
The site was used for perfume making before and during the Greek and Roman periods, and you can find many hieroglyphs alluding to lotus and papyrus scents as offerings. There are also Greco-Roman additions to this temple with corresponding architecture.
Nubian Village
The Nubian Village is a vibrant little village on the west bank of the Nile near Aswan full of markets, spices, and colorfully painted Nubian houses. The homes here are all painted with all the colors of the rainbow and feature classic mud-brick Nubian-style dome roofs.
This village has some of the BEST views of the Nile in all of Egypt, often from cute little restaurant terraces. You can stay overnight here or visit as a day trip from Aswan, often including a camel ride into town.
Abu Simbel Temple
Abu Simbel may be the most remote Egyptian Temple near the border of Sudan, but it also may be the most extravagant. Built INTO the side of a rocky mountain, this temple was dedicated to Ramses II and features 4 massive statues of him outside the front.
Next door, there’s a twin temple dedicated to Ramses’ main wife and partner, Nefertari. Both of these incredible temples are on the banks of Lake Nasser, the largest man-made lake in the world. Abu Simbel is definitely worth the drive if you have the time.
Alexandria
Alexandria is Egypt’s second-largest city and was the capital of the empire during Greek rule – founded by Alexander the Great. Cleopatra ruled from here! Because of its Egyptian, Greek, and Roman influence, you can find a concoction of different historic sites as well as beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean Sea.
The Citadel + Alexandria Library
While the Alexandria Lighthouse (one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world) may not be standing, you can still visit the Citadel, which stands on the site of the ancient Lighthouse. The Library of Alexandria was unfortunately burned down thousands of years ago, causing TONs of ancient knowledge to be lost, but a new beautiful modern library was opened in 2002 that you must visit today.
Pompey’s Pillar and Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
Some of the MOST fascinating places to visit in Alexandria Egypt are the Ancient Greek Serapeum, containing Pompey’s Pillar (which used to be part of an acropolis) and more, and the catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa.
These catacombs were a burial site for dozens of people/families and have perhaps the most fascinating combination of Greek, Egyptian, and Roman symbolism in all of Egypt due to their construction around the year 0.
To learn more about Alexandria and some of the best places to visit in Egypt there, check out my full guide to Alexandria as a day trip from Cairo.
Best Places to Visit in Egypt for Sun, Sea, + Sports
Many don’t know that some of the BEST places to visit in Egypt involve beautiful beaches, coral reefs, scuba diving, and sunny coastlines. This is what you’ll find on the coast of the Red Sea – all along Egypt’s east coast and around the south Sinai Peninsula. Here are some of the most famous spots:
Dahab: My Favorite Coastal Hippie/Backpacker Town with Amazing Adventures
It’s no secret that we LOVE Dahab – we ended up spending over 2.5 months living here while in Egypt. It’s got the perfect lifestyle – tons of adventurous sports and outdoor places to visit, amazing food, fun parties, and a relaxed seaside vibe.
Many come to Dahab to learn scuba diving and free diving due to the amazing reefs and easily accessible depths with calm waters. There’s also lots of hiking, climbing, kite surfing, wind surfing, and snorkeling in the area. The Blue Hole is a notorious place to go diving and freediving that has known to be dangerous for pros.
Ras Abu Galum + Blue Lagoon
Just north of the Blue Hole in Dahab, you can find two gorgeous off-grid coastal towns known for having basic camps along the water. Pick a camp and stay in a little wooden hut and really sink into nature for a few days without much cell reception.
Ras Abu Galum is known for incredible snorkeling and reefs, while the Blue Lagoon is actually one of the best places in the world to go/learn kite surfing because of its consistent wind and protected lagoon bay. Both have beautiful sparkling clear water like something out of a dream.
Scuba Diving in Egypt
One of the most important things to do in Egypt is try scuba diving in the Red Sea. The best places to scuba dive are Sharm El Shiekh, Dahab, and Hurghada. There’s a mix of liveaboard/day trip dive boats and also shore diving in many places, too, which is perfect for first-time divers. Check out Egypt’s best dive sites.
Sharm El Shiekh
Sharm El Shiekh is a popular resort town at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. This city known as ‘Sharm’ has some of the best clubs in Egypt outside of Cairo and a bustling nightlife scene, as well as stunning beaches and many resorts. Sharm is more popular among families and resort-style travelers, and many beaches will come with a fee.
Ras Mohammed National Park
On the VERY southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Ras Mohammed National Park is known by many as the ‘Egyptian Maldives’ due to its pristine blue waters and tiny islands/reefs. It’s popular to do a full-day boat trip to Ras Mohammed, which can include certified dives, introductory scuba dives, or just a fun day of snorkeling and sun.
Hurghada: A Popular Tourist City to Visit on the Egyptian Coast
Hurghada is a larger resort city on the central Red Sea Coast of Egypt. Many come here to dive, visit, and swim at the beautiful coastal Giftun Islands, Makadi Bay, or Mahmya Island, or stay at resorts along the 40km-long Riviera.
Most beaches are owned by resorts, so you’ll be looking to pay a fee to visit any that aren’t at your resort. The Hurghada Marina is a center for great food and restaurants, the old town has plenty of markets and little Egyptian coffee shops, and there’s also great nightlife here too.
El Gouna: A Bougie Resort City Known for Beach Clubs and Summer Villas
El Gouna is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Egypt. Owned by one man who built the first villa here some 30 years ago, El Gouna has grown quickly with many hotels, uniform-style villas and apartment complexes, and manicured gardens, golf courses, and beaches.
El Gound is a gated city and deemed very safe, so many Europeans have summer homes here and live a luxurious lifestyle along the water and many canals. You can find some of Egypt’s best restaurants here in the downtown area, as well as Abu Tig Marina, beach clubs, and water sports galore.
Marsa Alam: a Half-Developed Tiny Coastal Diving Town
Marsa Alam is known as one of the best places to go scuba diving in Egypt at the famous Dolphin House and Elephantine Reef dive sites. Marsa Alam seems to have struggled to develop in the last few decades, leaving a lot of the buildings and hotels unfinished or inhabited by miners working at a large gold mine nearby.
Located quite far from everything, Marsa Alam is a more authentic Egyptian Red Sea destination and offers lots of boat trips to untouched islands nearby. You can also visit Wadi El Gamel National Park to see stunning beaches without a soul around or take 4×4 trips to remote canyons.
Nuweiba
Nuweiba is a tiny city on the Gulf of Aqaba, a few hours north of Dahab. Many people come here to stay in simple beach camps and pass the time doing water sports or soaking in the sun.
you can also visit the unique Wadi el Weshwash and swim in cool blue springs surrounded by rocky cliffs.
Taba
Taba is a bit farther north from Nuweiba – close to the Israeli border. Here you can find more untouched desert landscapes turning seamlessly into the Red Sea. The best places to visit in Egypt around Taba are the incredible Pharaoh island with a fortress built on it, and the stunning Fjord Bay.
Best Places to Visit in Egypt for Remote Desert Landscapes
White Desert: An Other-Worldly Desert Landscape with Unique White Chalky Rock Formations
The White Desert is perhaps the best place to visit on a 1-2 day camping trip from Cairo. This incredible national park is home to Mars-like landscapes with towering limestone and chalk rock formations. The formations here took millions of years of erosion by wind and sand to reach their current fascinating forms.
‘Mushroom Rock’ is some of the most famous places to visit in the Egyptian White desert (although there are thousands of mushroom rocks which are a sight to see!). The towering cliffs of Agabat are another mind-blowing site, as well as Crystal Mountain, an ancient mountain literally made of crystals everywhere you step.
Black Desert
Most tours will visit the Black Desert in a 4×4 on the way to the White Desert, which is just nearby. You’ll quickly be able to see why it got its name! There’s a thin layer of black powder covering all the mountains and rock formations of this Black Desert, many of them made of basalt, also occasionally giving way to some red, pink, and orange sandstone formations.
Siwa Oasis: The Remote Western Egypt Oasis Known for Hot Springs + Salt Lakes
Siwa Oasis might be one of the hardest places to visit in Egypt, but if you make the 12+ hour bus ride, it will surely be worth it. Siwa’s town is built around an ancient 1200’s mud fortress which was just recently restored. You can easily get lost in the crumbling maze of passageways and gaze out to views of architecture carved into the mountainside like something out of Star Wars.
Siwa is a natural oasis in the desert with thousands of miles of pure nothingness of desert extending in every direction around it. There are hundreds of natural hot springs, many of which you can bathe in. Siwa is perhaps best known for its salt lakes, where many people visit to swim in lakes after they are mined.
Well, there you have it: the BEST places to visit in Egypt! Which places will you go to first?
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.