Top 10 Things to Do in Egypt

From the Pyramids of Giza to the Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel temples, and the relics of Luxor, there is so much history to discover across Egypt in unique ways.

Luxury Egypt tours differ from the way you can experience these treasured highlights, whether on the back of a camel or horse while riding through the desert, or touring the sites privately after hours.

Immerse yourself in Bedouin life in Hurghada or watch the sunset in Sharm-el Sheikh between your historical exploration of the famous and hidden treasures of Ancient Egypt.

Best Ancient Sites to Visit: Pyramids of Giza • The Valley of the Kings • Abu Simbel Temples • Luxor Temple • Edfu Temple • Saqqara Necropolis

The traditional wooden sailing boats, feluccas, travel gently along the river while guests dine on Egyptian cuisine served by a friendly team.

Al fresco dining is a great way to enjoy a meal and doing it surrounded by magnificent scenery is a real treat. Take your outdoor dining experience one step further and enjoy lunch on the Nile in a felucca.

Take in the sights and sounds from the shoreline in major cities and countryside havens, or set sail for a unique experience that, when accentuated by food, becomes an unforgettable journey for the senses and is one of the best ways to get around Egypt.

Best Places for Felucca Rides: Cairo • Aswan • Luxor

Shopping in Egypt is mesmerizing, with bustling bazaars in key cities full of riotous color and a bustling ambiance.

Vendor after vendor displays trinkets and gorgeous lamps, tea sets, and souvenirs that depict an elaborate history spanning thousands of years, each an artifact worth haggling over.

Even if you are not a shopper, visiting the marketplaces around Egypt demonstrates the true hustle and energy of daily life in the shadow of the past, with the shops, goods on display, and the interactions with vendors speaking to a larger tradition.

Best Places for Shopping: Cairo • Aswan • Sharm El Sheikh • Luxor • Alexandria

Scuba diving and snorkeling are two of the best-kept secrets in Egypt, unveiling some of the world’s most prized destinations along the Red and Mediterranean seas.

The sensational reef systems in the former immerse you in a world of colorful fish, vibrant coral, and a unique vertical cavern. The Mediterranean possesses historic shipwrecks and treasures connected to ancient cities, inviting you to also explore Egypt’s best beaches on a family vacation or for your honeymoon.

Whether you are interested in seeing hammerhead sharks or hints of Cleopatra’s Alexandria, scuba diving, snorkeling, and other water sports along the coastline are emblematic of Egypt’s draw.

Best Places for Water Sports and Beaches: Sharm el Sheikh • Hurghada • Dahab • Ras Mohamed National Park • Marsa Alam • Alexandria Eastern Harbor

Try your hand at creating mouthwatering delights during an Egyptian cooking class, after which you may tuck into your delicacies with a Nubian family in Aswan.

Learn to make familiar dishes like mashed fava beans or specialties like mish, a cheese fermented with milk and seasoning. This contrasts the elements of typical Nubian dishes that incorporate accessible, local ingredients, with aromatic results.

This hands-on experience is fun and informative, offering the ideal break between visiting tombs and temples. It’s sure to inspire your taste buds, while immersing you in a different perspective of local heritage.

Best Places for Cooking Classes: Cairo • Luxor • Awan

The grandeur of ancient temples and the captivating landscape seem even more spectacular from above, and a hot-air balloon ride is the ultimate way to experience it all.

Spend a half hour in the skies soaring over Luxor's west bank, taking in the famous Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and the impressive Hatshepsut Temple.

Enjoy a breathtaking sunset and let the Colossi of Memnon seemingly rise up to meet you as you head back to the ground.

Best Place for a Hot-Air Balloon Ride: Luxor

One way to enjoy the highlights of Luxor and Aswan, two of Egypt’s top places to visit, is on a Nile Cruise. Whether you sail up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor or follow the currents north from Luxor to Aswan, a cruise is charming.

Stopping along the banks of the Nile, pay visits to key temples and tombs such as Kom Ombo and Philae, and marvel at the engineering of the Esna Lock and the splendor of the Aswan Dam and Abu Simbel.

Watch life go by on the shores as villagers and animals seem to move at a slow yet purposeful pace. Enjoy some downtime with an onboard spa treatment and delight in a Nubian dinner show.

Best Places for a Nile Cruise: Luxor • Aswan

Viewing colorful species among flora and fauna contrasts the winged creatures set in stone throughout temples and museums.

Take a scenic ride with an experienced guide in a felucca around the Cataract Islands to see many local species.

See egrets, malachite kingfishers, and the Nile Valley sunbird, among many others, on a tranquil and fulfilling day out during the best time to visit Egypt for birdwatching.

Best Place for Birdwatching: Aswan

Standing in front of a sunset-lit temple or watching the sun set over the Valley of the Kings are among the most spectacular sights visitors to Egypt can experience.

While the focus of any trip to the country is on the temples, tombs, and ancient cities, Egypt’s diverse landscape and colossal structures make seeing them at sunset simply enchanting.

From the glistening waters of the Nile to dramatic desert sands, the mountains, cities, and sites of Egypt exude romance at sunset. Stand on the deck of your Nile cruise boat and witness the surrounding landscape transform as daylight fades.

Best Places for Breathtaking Sunsets: Nile River • Giza • Aswan • Luxor • Hurghada • Alexandria

Discover the wonder, legends, and sheer magnificence of Egypt, a country whose cultural wealth runs deep as one of the oldest civilizations of the Mediterranean, when visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum.

The legends of pharaohs, the Sphinx, temples, and pyramids continue to capture the imaginations of people from all over the world, and many of these attractions are on display in the museum, one of the many reasons to visit Egypt on vacation.

From Coptic Christian and Muslim culture to the foundations of ancient kingdoms, heritage lies at your feet as you step through the halls of time with a qualified Egyptologist.

Best Place for Cultural History: Cairo

Egypt is an oasis that embraces the wonders of temples and tombs, and the beauty of the Nile and the Red Sea, contrasted by the desert’s sparse splendor. Whether you prefer the thrill of viewing landmarks from above or spending a day on an island of birds, perhaps exploring sites on the back of a camel or simply lazing on the beach, Egypt has myriad things to do.

To find out more about Egypt’s exciting destinations and how you could spend your time, explore featured itineraries in our Egypt tours. Our Egypt travel guide also has helpful tips on where to go and more when planning your perfect trip.