What are the best places to visit in Egypt? Start with the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then Islamic Cairo, Luxor’s temples and the Valley of the Kings, Aswan and Abu Simbel, a Nile cruise between them, and the Red Sea at Dahab, Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh. With more time, add Alexandria, Siwa Oasis, the White Desert and Mount Sinai. This guide lists the 15 places that belong on a first or second trip, what each is best for, how long to give it and links to our complete guide for every one.
Planning a trip? See our Egypt travel guide, our Egypt itinerary and the best time to visit Egypt.
Egypt’s best places at a glance
| Place | Best for | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Pyramids of Giza | The last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World | Half a day |
| Grand Egyptian Museum | Tutankhamun’s treasures, all in one place | Half a day |
| Islamic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili | Medieval mosques, bazaars and street food | One day |
| Saqqara and Dahshur | The oldest pyramids, with few crowds | Half a day |
| Luxor: Karnak and Luxor Temple | The greatest temples of ancient Egypt | One day |
| Valley of the Kings | Painted royal tombs on Luxor’s West Bank | Half a day |
| Aswan | Feluccas, Nubian villages and Philae Temple | Two days |
| Abu Simbel | Ramesses II’s colossal rock temples | Day trip from Aswan |
| A Nile cruise | Temples between Luxor and Aswan, at river pace | 3–4 nights |
| Dahab | Snorkeling, diving and a relaxed Bedouin coast | 3+ days |
| Mount Sinai | A sunrise climb and Saint Catherine’s Monastery | One night |
| Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh | Red Sea resorts, reefs and boat trips | 3+ days |
| Alexandria | The Mediterranean city of Cleopatra and the Library | 1–2 days |
| Siwa Oasis | Salt lakes, springs and the Oracle of Amun | 2–3 days |
| The White Desert | Chalk rock formations and a night under the stars | 1–2 nights |
Cairo and Giza
Cairo is where almost every trip begins, and it holds enough for four or five days.
- The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing. Go early, walk around the plateau to the panoramic viewpoint and see the Sphinx below. Read our Pyramids of Giza guide.
- The Grand Egyptian Museum. The huge new museum beside the pyramids displays the complete treasures of Tutankhamun for the first time, along with a colossal statue of Ramesses II in its atrium. Read our Grand Egyptian Museum guide.
- Islamic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili. Al-Muizz Street, Al-Azhar Mosque, the Citadel and the great bazaar, at their best in the evening. Read our guides to things to do in Cairo and Khan el-Khalili.
- Saqqara and Dahshur. The Step Pyramid of Djoser, painted tombs and the Bent and Red Pyramids, south of Cairo and far quieter than Giza. Read our Saqqara and Dahshur guide.
Luxor, Aswan and the Nile
Upper Egypt is where ancient Egypt feels most alive. Most travelers fly or take the overnight train from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan and sail between them.
- Karnak and Luxor Temple. Karnak’s Great Hypostyle Hall is a forest of giant columns; Luxor Temple is magical when lit at night. Read our guides to things to do in Luxor and Karnak and Luxor Temple.
- The Valley of the Kings. Royal tombs cut into the hills of the West Bank, their walls still bright with paint, including Tutankhamun’s tomb. Add the Temple of Hatshepsut and a sunrise balloon flight. Read our Valley of the Kings guide.
- Aswan. The most relaxing place on the Nile: felucca sailing at sunset, Philae Temple on its island, colorful Nubian villages and the spice market.
- Abu Simbel. The two rock-cut temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari near the Sudanese border, moved block by block in the 1960s to save them from Lake Nasser. Read our Abu Simbel and Aswan guide.
- A Nile cruise. Three or four nights between Luxor and Aswan, stopping at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo. Read our Nile cruise guide.
The Red Sea and Sinai
After the temples, most visitors head for the coast: some of the world’s best coral reefs are a short flight from Cairo.
- Dahab. A laid-back town on the Gulf of Aqaba, with the Blue Hole, the Blue Lagoon, desert canyons and reefs right off the beach. Read our guide to things to do in Dahab.
- Mount Sinai. Climb through the night to watch sunrise from the summit, then visit Saint Catherine’s Monastery at the foot of the mountain. Read our Mount Sinai guide.
- Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. The big Red Sea resorts, with boat trips to Giftun Island and Ras Mohammed National Park, desert safaris and day trips to Luxor. Read our guides to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.
Alexandria and the desert
Alexandria and the Western Desert are the best places to visit in Egypt for a second trip, or for anyone who wants fewer crowds.
- Alexandria. Egypt’s Mediterranean city, founded by Alexander the Great: the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Qaitbay Citadel on the site of the ancient lighthouse, the catacombs and seafood on the Corniche. Read our guide to things to do in Alexandria.
- Siwa Oasis. Near the Libyan border, with mud-brick ruins, salt lakes you can float in, hot springs and the temple where Alexander consulted the Oracle of Amun. Read our Siwa Oasis guide.
- The White Desert. A national park of wind-carved chalk formations, best seen on an overnight camping trip from Cairo via the Black Desert and Bahariya Oasis. Read our White Desert guide.
How to choose
The right mix depends on how long you have and what kind of trip you want.
| If you have | Go to |
|---|---|
| 4–5 days | Cairo and Giza, plus Luxor by flight or overnight train |
| 7–8 days | Cairo, then a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, with Abu Simbel |
| 10–14 days | Add the Red Sea (Dahab or Hurghada) or Alexandria and the White Desert |
| A second trip | Siwa, the White Desert, Mount Sinai and Saqqara |
For day-by-day routes, see our Egypt itinerary. For when to go, see the best time to visit Egypt, and for safety and entry, read is Egypt safe? and our Egypt visa guide.
Travel with a local guide
Simsem’s local hosts across Egypt run small-group and private experiences at all of these places:
Ultimate Giza Pyramids Tour – Sphinx, Camels & Egyptian Culture
The pyramids and the Sphinx with a local guide from Giza, with time on a camel and a taste of Egyptian daily life.
Islamic Cairo Tour: Khan el-Khalili Bazaar & Old Cairo Walk
The mosques, gates and alleys of historic Cairo and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar with a local guide.
Private Valley of the Kings Tour in Luxor – West Bank Highlights
The royal tombs and the great temples of Luxor’s West Bank with a local guide in Luxor.
4-Day Nile Cruise: Aswan to Luxor with Guided Tours
Sail from Aswan to Luxor with guided visits to the temples along the Nile.
Blue Hole Dahab Tour: Abu Galoum & Blue Lagoon Snorkeling
A day on the Red Sea coast north of Dahab, snorkeling the Blue Hole and visiting the Abu Galoum reserve and Blue Lagoon.
White Desert, Djara Cave & Desert Camping
Two days and a night in the Western Desert with Sameh Muhammed, with a night under the stars.
Meet every host on our local guides in Egypt page.
FAQ
What is the number one place to visit in Egypt?
The Pyramids of Giza, the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. Combine them with the Grand Egyptian Museum next door.
What are the top 10 places to visit in Egypt?
The Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo, Saqqara, Karnak and Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Aswan, Abu Simbel, a Nile cruise and Dahab.
Is it better to visit Luxor or Aswan?
Do both if you can. Luxor has more monuments; Aswan is more relaxing, with Philae Temple, Nubian villages and Abu Simbel nearby. A Nile cruise links the two.
How many days do you need in Egypt?
Seven to ten days covers Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel. Two weeks lets you add the Red Sea, Alexandria or the desert.
What is the most beautiful place in Egypt?
Many travelers pick Aswan at sunset, the White Desert at night or the reefs of the Red Sea. For monuments, Abu Simbel and Karnak are hard to beat.
What places in Egypt are less crowded?
Saqqara and Dahshur, Siwa Oasis, the White Desert and Alexandria see far fewer visitors than Giza and Luxor.
Sources
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Egypt
- Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — Egyptian monuments
- Visit Egypt — official tourism website
- Wikimedia Commons — photographs credited in each caption
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