Egypt Travel Guide

Places to visit in Egypt

Egypt's diversity is part of its appeal. Whether you're exploring the pharaonic monuments of Upper Egypt or relaxing beside the Red Sea, each region offers its own distinct character. Here are the key places to visit across Egypt, including those featured in Newmarket Holidays tours.

Top things to do in Egypt

Egypt's range of experiences is as broad as its history is deep. Below you'll find some of the highlights worth considering when planning your visit. Many activities are included within Newmarket Holidays Egypt tours, while others may be offered as optional excursions during leisure time. Always check individual tour itineraries, as free time varies by departure.

Visit the Pyramids of Giza & the Great Sphinx

Standing before the Pyramids of Giza is one of travel's truly unforgettable experiences. The Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure have stood for over 4,500 years, and the Great Sphinx guards them still. A guided visit brings the history and mysteries of these ancient structures to life in a way that's difficult to replicate independently.
 
Time needed: 3–4 hours to fully explore
Estimated cost: typically included on escorted tours; individual entry from approximately £15–20
Accessibility: terrain is uneven and sandy; limited shade. Early morning visits are recommended. Discuss mobility needs with your tour operator in advance.

Nile River Cruise

A Nile cruise is the centrepiece of many Egypt itineraries, and with good reason. Gliding between Luxor and Aswan, you'll pass riverside villages, ancient temple complexes, and landscapes that have changed remarkably little over centuries. The Newmarket Holidays Cairo, Luxor and Nile Cruise includes seven nights aboard, with a full-board experience and guided visits to Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu's Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, and Aswan.
 
Time needed: 1–7 days depending on the route
Estimated cost: typically included on escorted tours; varies by accommodation standard
Accessibility: modern cruise ships offer step-free access, lifts, and accessible cabins. Discuss specific requirements at booking.

Explore Luxor's Temples: Karnak & Luxor Temple

Karnak Temple Complex is one of the largest religious structures ever built. Its Great Hypostyle Hall – 134 towering columns, each carved with hieroglyphs – is breathtaking in scale. Just a short distance south, Luxor Temple stands on the Nile's east bank, connected to Karnak by the Avenue of Sphinxes and once the site of royal coronations across centuries.
 
Time needed: 4–6 hours, typically split across touring days
Estimated cost: individual entry from approximately £10–15; often included on escorted tours
Accessibility: temple grounds involve considerable walking on uneven surfaces. Shaded areas are limited; comfortable footwear is essential.

Valley of the Kings

Across the Nile from Luxor, the Valley of the Kings contains the elaborately decorated tombs of pharaohs, including the famous burial chamber of Tutankhamun, discovered in 1922. Intricate wall paintings and hieroglyphics cover the chambers, giving vivid insight into ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife.
 
Time needed: 3–4 hours for the full experience
Estimated cost: typically included on escorted tours; individual entry from approximately £15–20
Accessibility: some tombs involve steps and narrow passages. Not all are wheelchair-accessible; discuss options with your guide in advance.

Egyptian Museum & Antiquities

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo houses the world's largest collection of pharaonic artefacts. Tutankhamun's golden death mask is the headline exhibit, but the royal mummies gallery and the sheer breadth of the collection are equally compelling. A guided tour transforms the experience, providing context for objects spanning thousands of years of history.
 
Time needed: 2–3 hours depending on your pace
Estimated cost: individual entry from approximately £15–18
Accessibility: the museum has multiple floors with lifts and ramps available, making most galleries accessible. Some sections involve considerable walking; staff can direct you to key highlights if you prefer a shorter route.

Felucca Sailing on the Nile

A traditional felucca – a wooden sailboat with a distinctive triangular sail – offers one of the most peaceful ways to experience the Nile. Floating gently past riverside villages and ancient sites, with little more than the sound of the water, it's a memorable contrast to the grandeur of temple touring.
 
Time needed: around 1–2 hours
Estimated cost: approximately £15–30 depending on the season; check individual tour itineraries
Accessibility: boarding involves some steps; surfaces can be uneven. Discuss requirements with operators.

Abu Simbel Temples

These colossal temples, carved from a cliffside under Ramesses II, are among Egypt's most spectacular sights. They're not included in the standard itinerary, but Abu Simbel is available as an optional add-on excursion that can be arranged at the time of booking. The temples were famously relocated in the 1960s to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.

Time needed: up to a full day, including travel from Aswan
Estimated cost: individual trips from approximately £60–80
Accessibility: desert terrain and limited facilities. Early morning departures are common. Discuss fitness and mobility needs in advance.

Vegetarian & plant-based dining

Vegetarian travellers will find Egypt a welcoming destination. Egyptian cuisine has a strong vegetarian tradition – many locals eat plant-based meals regularly, and a wide variety of dishes are naturally meat-free or easily adapted.

• Mezze platters, hummus, and ful medames are widely available and universally satisfying
• Vegetable-based stews and bean dishes are common in restaurants and at street food stalls
• Most restaurants readily offer vegetarian mains and sides
• Markets and bazaars offer fresh produce and vegetarian snacks throughout the day
• It's worth asking staff about specific ingredients, particularly in broths and cooking oils, if you have dietary restrictions

Safe street food & drinking water tips

• Bottled water is recommended for visitors throughout Egypt, even in cities where hotel water is generally safe
• Your tour operator will advise on water; bottled water is typically provided or available throughout
• Street food is most enjoyable in Cairo's Khan el-Khalili bazaar and at local markets; stalls with high customer turnover are generally the safest choice
• Fresh juice stalls and local cafes offer a good range of non-alcoholic drinks
• Avoid ice in drinks unless you're confident it's been made with bottled water
• Restaurants catering to tourist groups generally maintain good hygiene standards; escorted tours manage meal logistics throughout

Local dining etiquette

• Meals in Egypt are leisurely and social; don't rush
• In casual eateries, ordering at a counter is common; table service is standard in restaurants
• When sharing communal dishes, eating with the right hand is customary
• Booking ahead is recommended in popular restaurants, especially during peak tourist season (November–January)
• Tipping is customary and appreciated; 10% is typical in restaurants where service isn't included
• Accept tea or coffee when offered – it's a gesture of hospitality, and polite to at least taste it
• Ask before photographing people in bazaars and markets

The best time to visit Egypt

Egypt can be visited year-round, with each season offering its own advantages. When considering the best time to visit Egypt, the key factors are temperature, crowd levels, and the type of experience you're looking for. Rainfall is minimal throughout the year, so weather planning is largely about heat management.

Autumn (September–November)

Autumn is an excellent time to visit Egypt, with temperatures easing from the summer peak and crowds noticeably thinner than in the winter high season. September and October can still be warm – expect 27–38°C – but by November conditions are comfortably warm and well-suited to temple touring. Value is generally good, particularly in September and October.

Spring (March–May)

Spring brings rising temperatures and a pleasant touring climate in March and April (18–35°C). Crowds are lighter than in winter, and value tends to be reasonable. Be aware that the khamsin – a warm, dusty wind – can occasionally occur in spring, though these conditions are typically brief. By May, the heat is building towards summer levels, but the destination remains popular.

Summer (June–August)

Summer is Egypt's hottest season, with temperatures regularly reaching 35–42°C, particularly in southern regions such as Aswan and Abu Simbel. It's the quietest and most affordable time to visit, but the heat requires careful management: early morning starts, shade-seeking in the middle of the day, and regular hydration breaks are essential. For heat-accustomed travellers, or those on a tighter budget, summer can work well.
 
A note on Nile cruises: Nile cruises operate year-round but are most comfortable between October and April, when temperatures are manageable throughout the day.