If you’ve never been to Egypt, your bucket list really should include a cruise on the Nile, seeing the Pyramids of Giza, and the other archaeological treasures located in Luxor. However, Egypt offers many more memorable exciting experiences including beautiful beaches, pristine coral reefs, and top‑rated resort towns. So, to help you flesh out your list, here are the 25 best things to do in Egypt.
Ready to dive into the 25 best things Egypt has to offer? From towering pyramids to tranquil oases, this guide will walk you through every unforgettable adventure.
25 Best Things to Do in Egypt
1 Visit The Pyramids Of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza stand as one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. The Great Pyramid—also called Khufu’s or Cheops’ Pyramid—dates back nearly five millennia and remains the oldest and largest of the three pyramids that crown the Giza plateau near Cairo.
Originally built as a royal tomb for Pharaoh Khufu and his queens, the Great Pyramid was surrounded by smaller mastabas for family members. Remarkably, it is the sole survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
2 Take A Cruise On The Nile River
Drift lazily along the legendary Nile, passing by ancient temples and tombs. Most cruises sail between Luxor and Aswan, with short stops at Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Esna along the way. Travelers can choose a modern cruise ship, a traditional wooden dahabiya, or a classic Egyptian felucca. While cruise ships are the most popular, the intimate dahabiya offers a romantic vibe, perfect for small groups.
3 Learn Some History In The Grand Egyptian Museum
At the time of writing, the Grand Egyptian Museum is still under construction, though limited tours are available. It is slated to replace the historic Egyptian Museum and will house the world’s largest collection of Egyptian artifacts, including the famed Tutankhamun treasures.
Located in Tahrir Square, Cairo, the museum’s highlights include the Royal Mummies Hall, the golden mask of Tutankhamun, and his dazzling sarcophagus. Plan on spending at least two hours to absorb everything on display.
4 Explore Cairo
Egypt’s bustling capital sits where the desert meets the Nile delta, boasting one of the Islamic world’s largest collections of historic architecture dating from 639 AD through the early 1500s. Must‑see sites include Al‑Rifa’i Mosque, Salah El‑Din Citadel, Al‑Azhar Mosque, and the lively Al‑Muizz li‑Din Allah al‑Fatima Street. Don’t miss the souvenir‑laden Khan el‑Khalili bazaar.
Old Cairo also houses gems such as the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus, Ben Ezra Synagogue, the Mosque of Amr Ibn al‑As, and the Hanging Church, offering a rich tapestry of cultural heritage.
5 See The Step Pyramid Of Djoser
Located in the Saqqara necropolis just outside ancient Memphis, the Step Pyramid of Djoser is celebrated as the world’s earliest stone‑building complex. After fourteen years of meticulous restoration, it reopened to the public on 5 March 2020.
French architect Jean‑Philippe Lauer led the modern excavation and reconstruction, allowing visitors today to descend narrow stairways and wander labyrinthine passageways beneath the iconic step structure.
6 Venture Into The Pyramids In Dahshur
Just outside Cairo, the Dahshur site hosts two of Egypt’s earliest pyramids—the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid. Here, ancient builders refined the art of pyramid construction, with the Red Pyramid being the world’s first true smooth‑sided pyramid.
Exploring these pyramids is a thrilling adventure; visitors must navigate steep, narrow tunnels to reach the interior chambers, offering a more intimate experience than the crowds at Giza.
7 Visit The City Of Alexandria
Perched on the sparkling Mediterranean, Alexandria is Egypt’s second‑largest city and a beloved tourist destination. While a day‑trip from Cairo is possible, spending at least one night lets you fully enjoy highlights such as the Alexandria National Museum, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Corniche promenade, Montazah Palace Gardens, the Serapeum, and the iconic Stanley Bridge.
8 Kick It In Sharm El‑Sheikh
Sharm El‑Sheikh stands as one of Egypt’s most celebrated beach resort towns. When you need a break from ancient ruins, this seaside haven offers scuba diving, Shark’s Bay relaxation, strolls through the rad Ras Mohammed National Park, visits to Naama Bay, and a bustling Old Market for souvenirs.
9 Explore Dahab And Taba
Nestled on the glittering Gulf of Aqaba, Dahab and Taba are tiny resort towns that pack a punch. Once a modest Bedouin fishing village, Dahab now draws windsurfers and divers from around the globe. Seasoned divers may even tackle the infamous Blue Hole, often dubbed the world’s most perilous dive site.
Taba, perched on the Red Sea Riviera just across the border from Israel’s Eilat, buzzes with activity. Recommended pastimes include swimming in Fjord Bay, exploring Salah El‑Din Castle, scuba diving, and a day‑trip to the photogenic Colored Canyon.
10 Hike To The Top Of Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai is a legendary pilgrimage site revered by Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. According to the Old Testament, this is where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Hikers begin at the UNESCO‑listed Saint Catherine’s Monastery, then choose between the arduous Steps of Penitence or the gentler Camel Path, trekking over six kilometres before greeting sunrise atop the summit.
11 Go Scuba Diving In The Red Sea
The Red Sea remains a top‑tier scuba destination, famed for warm waters, crystal‑clear visibility, pristine coral reefs, and a variety of shipwrecks. Whether you’re a novice or seasoned diver, the underwater world here deserves a spot on your adventure list.
12 See Marsa Alam And Hurghada
Marsa Alam, perched on the Red Sea, is gaining fame for its sea‑turtle‑watching opportunities at Abu Dabab Beach, alongside superb scuba diving, snorkeling, and kitesurfing prospects.
Just north of Marsa Alam lies Hurghada, a well‑known winter haven for Europeans. Its upscale resorts line the shoreline, offering kitesurfing, windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and dolphin‑swim encounters. Nearby islands such as Giftun also beckon.
13 Visit The Valley Of The Kings
The Valley of the Kings is a world‑renowned archaeological treasure trove, serving as the royal burial ground for over sixty Egyptian pharaohs from 1539 BC to 1075 BC. Each tomb is lavishly decorated, offering a glimpse into ancient funerary art.
Only a handful of tombs are open to the public; a standard ticket grants entry to eight chambers, three of which you can explore. To see the tombs of Tutankhamun, Seti I, or Ramesses V and VI, an additional fee applies.
14 Venture Into The Tomb Of Nefertari
Journey to the Valley of the Queens, the designated burial ground for pharaohs’ wives. While most tombs are modest, the burial chamber of Queen Nefertari stands out for its vivid colors and intricate detail, making it one of Egypt’s most spectacular interiors.
15 See The Mortuary Temple Of Queen Hatshepsut
Queen Hatshepsut ruled Egypt for over two decades, earning her place as one of the world’s most influential female leaders. Her mortuary temple, perched on the cliffs of Deir el‑Bahri, is hailed as a masterpiece of architecture, featuring grand colonnades that narrate her divine birth, her expedition to the fabled land of Punt, and more.
The temple’s three colonnades—Birth, Punt, and the later Anubis and Hathor chapels—together tell a story of divine legitimacy and prosperous trade, cementing Hatshepsut’s legacy.
16 Check Out The Mortuary Temple Of Ramesses III
Located at Medinet Habu on Luxor’s West Bank, the mortuary temple of Ramesses III is a sprawling complex dedicated to the pharaoh. Its courtyards, peristyle halls, and towering pylons showcase vivid reliefs depicting the triumph over the Sea Peoples during Ramesses III’s reign, echoing the architectural grandeur of the nearby Ramesseum.
17 Be Amazed By The Karnak Temple Complex
Karnak Temple is a magnet for visitors worldwide, second only to the Giza pyramids in popularity. In fact, it rivals Cambodia’s Angkor Wat as the planet’s largest temple complex.
Over two centuries, nearly thirty pharaohs added chapels, obelisks, and towering pylons. Wander the avenue of ram‑headed sphinxes, explore the Hypostyle Hall, study the richly carved reliefs, and admire the obelisks of Hatshepsut and Thutmose I.
18 Explore Luxor Temple
Luxor Temple bears a striking resemblance to nearby Karnak, though it served a distinct purpose. Constructed around 1400 BC by Ramesses II and Amenhotep III, the temple likely hosted the coronation ceremonies of numerous Egyptian monarchs.
19 Journey To Abydos And Dendera
A day trip from Luxor can whisk you to two of Egypt’s most impeccably preserved temple sites. Abydos houses the striking Seti I Temple, while Dendera showcases the vibrant Hathor Temple, famed for its colorful hypostyle hall and intricately painted ceiling. Though the journey requires several hours of driving, tourists are few even at peak season.
Both sites offer a deep dive into ancient religious architecture, with Abydos emphasizing royal devotion and Dendera highlighting artistic splendor.
20 See The Temple Of Horus
Edfu’s temple is dedicated to Horus, the falcon‑headed god, and dates from the Ptolemaic era (237‑57 BC). Despite its age, the structure remains in superb condition, with the first pylon nearly flawless. Travelers can visit via a road trip between Aswan and Luxor or as part of a Nile cruise itinerary, gaining insight into ancient construction techniques.
21 Visit The Temple Of Kom Ombo
Kom Ombo’s temple is a unique double‑dedicated site, honoring both Horus, the falcon god, and Sobek, the crocodile deity. Sobek oversaw fertility along the Nile, while Horus protected the sky and the sun. The temple can be visited en route from Aswan to Luxor, on a cruise, or via a day‑trip.
22 Travel To The Twin Temples
Abu Simbel boasts a pair of twin temples perched on the banks of Lake Nasser, built by Ramesses II over 3,000 years ago. After the Aswan High Dam flooded the original site, the entire complex was painstakingly dismantled, lifted to higher ground, and reassembled.
Travelers can reach the monuments via a day‑trip from Cairo or Aswan; driving is cheaper but slower, while flying saves time at a higher cost.
23 Take In The Sights At The Philae Temple
The Philae Temple stands as one of Egypt’s best‑preserved Ptolemaic temples, erected between 332 BC and 30 BC. Roughly two‑thirds of the surviving structures date from this era.
Dedicated primarily to Isis, the sanctuary also honored Hathor and Osiris. After the Old Aswan Dam submerged the original island in 1902, the temple complex was carefully dismantled and reassembled on neighboring Agilkia Island in the 1960s.
24 Brave The White Desert
The White Desert, a national park nestled deep in Egypt’s Western Sahara, dazzles visitors with alien‑like limestone formations that have been sculpted by wind and sand. Reaching this otherworldly landscape requires a 4×4 vehicle and a lengthy drive from Cairo.
Most travelers join guided tours that also venture to the nearby Black Desert and the Bahariya Oasis, ensuring a full desert‑adventure experience.
25 Venture To The Oases In The Western Desert
Escape the bustle of temples and cities by venturing into Egypt’s Western Desert, where a series of verdant oases await. The Bahariya Oasis offers modest ancient sites and often serves as a gateway to the White Desert.
Further afield, the Fayoum Oasis lies south of Cairo beside the Nile, while the remote Siwa Oasis near the Libyan border sits 560 km from the capital. Don’t miss the waterfalls and man‑made lakes of Wadi El Rayan or the fossil‑rich Valley of the Whales, home to ancient whale and shark skeletons.