Famous for its ancient civilisation, Egypt has a magnetic appeal. With such a colourful history, Egypt’s archaeological wonders have drawn travellers to the country for centuries. What is mind blowing is the age of Egypt’s civilisation – the pyramids are known to be at least 4000 years old and the mystery surrounding how they came to be adds an aura of mystery to them that enchants all who glance upon their greatness. The Great Pyramid of Giza, built as the tomb for Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu, is the only original ancient wonder of the world that is still standing. 

It is a shame that Egypt’s tourism has been adversely affected by recent terrorist attacks and conflicts at the border near the Gaza Strip. Nevertheless, it is a sad but potent fact that travellers should check foreign office advice regarding the safety of areas they intend to visit, prior to departing. 

Things to do in Egypt

Unless you’ve handed in your notice and have taken off to the land of pyramids with a year or so to travel at your whim, you’re going to have to be ruthless about choosing what you see as you can’t possibly squeeze it into one or two weeks. To do that would be merely ticking off a checklist without taking time to dwell upon the treasures before you and to appreciate the great history of what lies behind them. In which case you may as well stay at home and read the guidebook! 

So, where to start? Well that all depends upon what in particular tantalises your taste buds as your itinerary could vary so hugely. You have the awful task of choosing between pulsating cities teeming with life, ancient pyramids, temples, monasteries and the Valley of the Kings. Then there is the river Nile with its magnificent vistas and the desert interior with all the mysteries it holds within. Not forgetting of course that you can appreciate the country all the way from top (Mount Sinai) to the bottom (diving in the Red Sea), with so much in between! Consider some of the following highlights and then mix it all up with your own discoveries.... 

Cairo

It has been said before of other cities but Egypt really is one of those places that bombards all your senses – you will smell aromas from the moment you step off the plane – incense and exotic perfumes, spices, the fruity smells of hubbly bubbly, but also those dank, polluted smells that loom over many major cities – nevertheless, all contribute towards the scintillating unfolding story of Egypt. 

As for many of the Middle Eastern capital cities, Cairo is a city of marked contrast, a complex personality with many faces that makes it a deeply fascinating place to get to know. It is a busy city, a city that never quite slips into slumber for there is always something going on somewhere, even into the early hours of the morning as late night party revellers continue their debauchery on the feluccas gliding through the still waters of the evening Nile, with neon lights shining like beacons. An hour or so after the partygoers retire, others in the city arise to the sweet melodies of the prayer bells and shortly afterwards you can lay awake and listen to the chorus of holy lamentations seemingly sung in unison throughout the city walls. 

The modern face of Cairo can be seen in the golden arches of MacDonalds and the reflections of daily life in the towering office buildings and luxury hotels, in the blaring Western music coming from shop doorways, in the streams of busy traffic, in the hip young things wearing Prada jeans and designer trainers. All of these juxtapose interestingly with the mediaeval Cairo, the Coptic churches, Islamic mosques and minarets, fortified gates and the narrow twisting alleyways of old city streets. Ancient and modern appear to co-exist respectfully side by side. 

Walk through the city souks, covered over with draped fabric to protect vendors and bargain hunters from the harsh sunlight and listen to the good natured banter of shop owners and customers haggling over spices and metal ware and embroidered kaftans. Sit outside a coffee house amidst a throng of slipper footed men smoking fruit flavoured sheeshas through long pipes, as they chat with friends about this and that. A gentle introduction to the flavour of city life in Cairo. 

Journey to the outskirts of Cairo however and see the cityscape come to a grinding halt without warning. Here the desert starts, the vastness spreading out before you in an endless carpet of dust. Prepare to be humbled by the sights you are about to see. Centuries old family mausoleums with intricate carvings and, of course, the most infamous sight of all, the Great Pyramid of Giza. There are actually three main pyramids, each one being a tomb to a different king of Egypt and all guarded by the iconic Sphinx, known in Arabic as ‘The Father of Terror’. The Sphinx mesmerizes thousands of visitors every year and the scale of this enormous sculpture never ceases to surprise. Any perception you might have had about the pyramids and the sphinx will be blown away when you are awestruck by the sheer size and splendour of them. Did you know that the Great Pyramid stands approximately 430 metres high and is made up of over 2.3 million blocks weighing in at an average of over 2 tons per block? Incredible!

Luxor and the Valley of the Kings

The town of Luxor is synonymous with the ancient temples of Karnak and the Theban Necropolis, which includes the Valley of the Kings. 

Hidden in the depths of the desert hillsides are the tombs of Egypt’s greatest Pharoahs. Legend has it that on his death the king’s soul must pass through the 12 gates of the underworld in the 12 hours of night, past snakes and other evil creatures sent to challenge him and block his path. Only in passing through all the gates will the king make his way to heaven. The tombs are covered in ancient prayer carvings designed to help the king succeed. 

Arguably one of the most significant archaeological finds of all time was the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the early 1930s. You can visit the tomb in the Valley of the Kings, although the actual treasures that were buried alongside him are now housed in a museum. What is unique about King Tutankhamun’s tomb is that it is the only one that still contains the actual mummified body of the ruler inside. 

Diving

After days of eye goggling sights and ancient goodies, a good way to switch off the brain from the retention of all that fascinating history is to head to the dive resorts down by the Red Sea. Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh are the most popular dive hangouts. You can pick up great value dive packages from any good tour operator, often throwing in a bargain air fare from Europe. However, most resorts will let you use their facilities as a day visitor for a small fee. It won’t be difficult for you to find tuition if you are a beginner diver, there are dive tutors based all along the coast. There are also numerous ‘liveaboard’ operators that offer several day dive packages where you live aboard the boat and spend the day diving in different areas and then socialising in the evening.
The underwater world is something to behold in the Red Sea, due to an amazingly rich eco system of coral reefs that attract a kaleidoscope of technicoloured sea life. The Red Sea is rated as being one of the world’s premier dive locations and you can bet that you won’t have it all to yourself if you stick to the well known dive sites. Not that you will be disappointed as there is more than enough of the Red Sea to go around and if you venture further south of the main resorts you can find barely touched reefs, deep sea islands, coral gardens , underwater pillars and even sunken cities! 

Desert

The Western Desert Oases have been accessible for some time, unlike its Eastern counterparts which remain somewhat of a mystery to tourists. Safaris are commonplace and you should have no problems in arranging a desert safari at short notice. A popular trip is the ‘Great Desert Circuit’ which travels through the 4 inner oases - combine intriguing white sands with palm grove littered oases and hot springs for a desert trip a little different from the norm. 

Not so far afield, you can visit ancient desert ruins and monasteries. 

Nile Cruise

Taking a cruise down the Nile is an absolute must. The Nile is waterway through a slice of Egyptian life. An evocative way to travel is on an old style Felucca sailing boat, where you will watch in awe as you glide past villages fringed with date palms and you can be transported to what seems like an age where little has changed from centuries ago as you watch goat herders move slowly with their flock, sugar cane harvesters bundling the day’s hoard onto the back of a donkey, men fishing in the waters, women sweeping dusty doorsteps - village life in a time that seems to have stood still. It is in vast contrast to life in the cities. Finish up by watching the burning sun set slowly behind the hills - a Nile cruise will undoubtedly be a highlight of your trip.

Alexandria

Egypt’s second largest city is Alexandria, a coastal city with a string of beaches and a very different feel to Cairo. This Mediterranean port city was founded by Alexander the Great, from whom it gets its name. 

Alexandria has a laid back feel. The hub of life can be found on the cornice, where young and old alike hang out in the warm evening breezes chatting with friends, taking an evening stroll, watching street performers or just sipping coffee on cushions on the ground outside of the cafes partaking in the timeless art of people watching. 

Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai is located on the Sinai Peninsula and is of significance as being the place where Moses allegedly received the Ten Commandments from God. It is possible to climb to the summit of Mount Sinai in approximately 3 hours or more, depending upon which route you take. 

Beneath Mount Sinai is St Catherine’s Monastery, another revered site due to claims that it houses the site where the burning bush appeared to Moses. 

Belly dancing

Egyptian belly dancing has been traced back thousands of years and has been said by some to have originated from fertility dances. This type of dance is still popular today in Egypt and watching the entrancing gyrations and rhythmic movements of the body is to partake in one of Egypt’s oldest musical cultures. Fine performances can be found in the larger cities at clubs frequented by those in the know, just ask around. 

Getting there and around

There are several international airports in Egypt, the main one being Cairo which receives the largest number of international passengers. It is however possible to obtain a return into and out of one of the smaller airports at Aswan, Alexandria, Hurghada, Luxor, Sharm el Sheikh, or Marsa Alam. A couple of these are very popular with tour agents offering package holidays to the dive resorts. 

If you are already travelling through the Middle East or Africa it is possible to enter Egypt by bus from Israel or by ferry from Jordan, Kuwait or Saudi Arabia. 

Once in Egypt, there is an excellent public transport system and it is fun to travel by varying methods of bus, train and boat. Or you could really get a taste of local life by taking donkeys and camels! Minibuses and taxis are popular, although the minibuses are not for the fainthearted as the drivers normally wait until the bus is bursting at the seams before setting off on his way. Still, it is a good way to get to know the locals! 

As in most Middle Eastern countries, hiring a private vehicle is always an option, though you’ll be taking your life into your own hands as drivers in Egypt are not known for their pristine safety records! 

If you are really pushed for time, you could take domestic flights between the larger cities.