Egypt
Everything you need to plan a great trip — from the Pyramids of Giza to the Red Sea's coral reefs — without the guesswork.
Egypt rewards 8–10 days: Cairo (3 days) for the Pyramids and museums, Luxor (2–3 days) for the Valley of the Kings and Karnak, and 3–4 days on the Red Sea coast (Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh) for world-class diving and a proper decompression. Best months are October–April, since Upper Egypt's summer heat is genuinely extreme. Most Western nationalities can get an e-Visa online (about $25) or a visa on arrival (about $30 cash) for a single 30-day stay — check the table for your specific passport. Budget from $35/day backpacking, $80–150/day mid-range.
Egypt is one of those destinations that's genuinely hard to overhype — the Pyramids of Giza are 4,500 years old and still standing, the Valley of the Kings is basically an entire ancient civilization's worth of tombs cut into one valley, and almost nobody mentions until they get there that the Red Sea coast has some of the best diving on the planet as a bonus. It rewards travelers who give it real time rather than a rushed layover-style visit.
This guide covers everything: where to go, how many days, when to fly, what it actually costs in USD, and the visa rule for your specific passport — not a generic one-size-fits-all answer. Written to be genuinely useful, and updated through the season.
Destinations
All Destinations ←
Cairo
3–4 nights for the Pyramids, the museums, and the chaos of the old city.
Luxor and the Valley of the Kings
2–3 days, the world's greatest open-air museum of ancient Egypt.
Aswan, Abu Simbel and Philae Temple
2–3 days, Nubian temples, colorful riverside villages, and the calmest stretch of the Nile.
Alexandria
A Mediterranean day trip or overnight — a completely different Egypt from the Nile Valley.
Siwa Oasis
A remote Berber oasis near the Libyan border — palm groves, salt lakes, and real desert silence.
Beaches & Red Sea
All Beaches & Red Sea ←
Egypt's Red Sea Coast: Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh
World-class diving, warm water almost year-round, easy resort infrastructure.
Dahab
Sinai's laid-back diving town — cheaper, slower, and a lot more backpacker than Sharm.
Attractions
All Attractions ←The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
The last surviving ancient wonder of the world — still genuinely overwhelming up close.
The Egyptian Museum and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Two museums, two different collections — here's whether you need both.
The White Desert and Bahariya Oasis
Wind-carved white chalk formations and a night camping under a genuinely dark sky.
Saqqara and the Step Pyramid of Djoser
Egypt's oldest pyramid — older than Giza, and a fraction of the crowds.
Luxor Temple
A stunning example of ancient Egyptian architecture.
Valley of the Kings
The final resting place of Egypt's most powerful pharaohs.
Food
All Food ←
Egyptian Food: What to Eat and What It Costs
Hearty, cheap, and built on lentils, beans, and bold spicing.
Where to Eat in Cairo
From a $2 koshari counter to a candlelit Zamalek institution — real picks, not a generic list.
Practical Info
All Practical Info ←
Egypt Visa & Entry Requirements (2026)
The real answer, broken down by passport — not one generic rule.
Money, Safety & eSIM in Egypt
Cash, cards, an honest safety picture, and staying connected.
Articles & Comparisons
All Articles & Comparisons ←
Best Time to Visit Egypt
October–April for comfort; know what you're signing up for in summer.
Cairo or a Red Sea Beach: How to Plan an Egypt Trip
An honest breakdown — and why 'both' is easier than it sounds.
10 Days in Egypt: The Complete Itinerary
Cairo, the Nile Valley, and a Red Sea finish — the exact structure that actually works.
The Biggest Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make in Egypt
The honest list — what actually trips up first-timers, and how to sidestep it.