Which one sounds easier? Building a King Tut-worthy pyramid, or finding the reliable information you need when planning your Egypt journey? Okay, so constructing a pharaoh's tomb is no easy feat, but gathering accurate, honest information before you start your adventure can be an uphill battle. That’s why we’re offering you an oasis amongst your vast desert of open tabs.
Want to know who visits Egypt the most? Keep scrolling. Can’t find out if Egypt is safe for traveling? We’ve got you. By the time you reach the bottom of this page, you’ll be able to confidently embark on a GoWithGuide Egyptian rihla (that’s journey in Arabic, Egypt’s national language).
Egypt, officially known as the Arab Republic of Egypt, is one of the world’s most historically relevant nations, and one of the oldest nations in Africa. Most known for the Pharaonic dynasties that birthed pyramids, temples, and ruins, Egypt's popularity as a tourist destination has only grown over the years with 2019 pulling in 13.1 million tourists.
The pandemic brought tourism to a grinding halt, with the country seeing only 3 million travelers in 2020. However, they bounced back two years later with 13 million visitors in 2022. On top of that, it’s predicted that Egypt will be the 9th most popular travel destination for 2023.
So why is Egypt a popular tourist destination? Let’s find out!
Why We Love Egypt
Ancient Egypt: Lavish tombs, grand structures, and larger-than-life monuments to ancient gods and rulers. That's what everybody wants to see when they visit the foundations of one of the world's largest historic civilizations;
- The Sphinx - Located in the Giza Plateau lies this breathtaking structure that came to life during the 4th Pharaonic dynasty. As various powers conquered Egypt, it endured some abuse, but it still stands as a callback to the lion-like leaders of days gone.
- The Pyramids of Giza - Of course, there's no way you can visit Egypt and miss out on this must-see phenomenon, and yes, it’s even better than the pictures. So how many tourists visit the pyramids of Giza each year? 14.7 million! If you want to be one of them, our Giza Tours include the sphinx, pyramids, and any nearby temples.
- The Abu Simbel Temples - King Ramesses II oversaw the carving of this 98-foot (30-meter) high monument to his power, and it took a whopping 20 years to complete. For more temple fun, talk to your private guide about special occasions such as the solar alignments celebration.
- Luxor’s Temples - Known as the center point for Ancient Egypt’s most revered religious ceremonies, Luxor’s temples, also known as Ipet-resyt, was influenced by several Pharaohs, including Hatshepsut.
Fantastic Food: Spicy, hearty, and full of the region's most distinct flavors, Egyptian cuisine is often overlooked, but once you taste it, it's never forgotten. So what are some popular Egyptian dishes?
- Kushari/Koshary - Get ready for a carbo-loading extravaganza! Chock-full of rice, macaroni, spaghetti, hummus and so much more, this starchy meal is a staple lunch for most Egyptians.
- Shawarma - Popularised in Egypt during the Ottoman empire, Shawarma is a beloved local street snack. The Egyptian version features slim-cut beef, chicken or lamb, tahini sauce, fries, and Egypt's favorite vegetable, onions.
- Kofta & Kebabs - Kebabs (grilled lamb, chicken, or red meat) and Koftas (minced meat) are known throughout the Arab world, and in Egypt, they're often cooked over a coal fire and served alongside soft, freshly baked bread.
- Ta'ameya - This Egyptian spin on classic falafel contains fava beans, coriander, parsley, and cumin and is often topped with toasted sesame seeds and served with soups and meat dishes.
- Hawawshi - Egypt's answer to a meat pie, this savory snack is on most street corners. Filled with minced meat and spices and surrounded by warm pita bread, it's a lightweight sandwich with a lot of flavors.
- Feteer Meshaltet - Time for dessert! This sweet, layered pastry is an Egyptian original, featuring chocolate, coconut, peanuts, and savory elements like ground beef.
Travel Treat: We can all agree that food is the best part of discovering a new country. So if you’re a foodie looking for a taste of Authentic Egyptian cuisine, an Egypt food tour is the best place to start.
Desert Adventures: Yes, we love Egypt's desert! Nearly 95% of the country's terrain is desert land. Rolling dunes, flatlands, and caravans of camels color the way. We've got several curated desert adventures, so if you're feeling spoilt for choice, check out some of our top activities;
- 3-Day Egypt Touring Extravaganza - Touch down in Cairo and spend 3 days soaking in the sights and sounds of the capital city, Alexandria, and the Giza Plateau
- Explore The West Bank of Luxor - Tour the mortuary temple of Egyptian royals like Queen Hatshepsut and learn about the tomb of nobles in one of Egypt's oldest desert locations.
- Desert Day Tour - From the Sakkara pyramids to the Sphinx, spend the day taking memorable photos, riding camels, and learning all about ancient Egyptian living.
- Al Fayyum Oasis Day Tour - Enjoy breakfast at the soothing Al Fayyum oasis, then discover the Wadi El Hitan, a UNESCO world heritage site dedicated to the preservation of whale fossils.
- Bahariya Oasis & White Desert Tour - Spend two days and one night exploring the mysterious white desert, the palm tree oasis, and unique chalkstone structures molded by nature.
Who Else Loves Egypt?
Okay, so you’ve got Egyptian pyramids dancing in your eyes, and you can almost feel the cool Nile breeze on your skin. Well, you’re in good company. Tourism is big business here. So what percentage of Egypt’s economy is tourism? Well, the industry accounts for 12% of the nation’s GDP, and according to the Central Bank of Egypt, tourism revenues were just over 13 billion dollars in 2019.
So who else has Egypt on their bucket list? The results might surprise you.
- Germany - 2.5 million German residents flocked to the sunny nation for business and leisure.
- Ukraine - Coming in second is Ukraine, with 1.5 million recorded tourists for 2019.
- Saudi Arabia - Nearly 1.4 million Saudi Arabians frequented Egypt to visit family and engage in trade and tourism.
- Libya - 766,000 Libyans crossed their shared border with Egypt
- Sudan - 752,000
Stunned to see only one Western country in the top five? We hear you. In truth, western governments have been hesitant to encourage travel in this region for several reasons, which we'll get into later.
Okay, so you're mentally geared up for your tour, so when is the best time to go? Let's figure that out.
Tourism Trends Through The Year: Book the best tour time with this quick travel trends breakdown.
- December-February: Get ready for large crowds at popular tourist sites like the Pyramids, The Grand Egyptian Museum, and The Sphinx. This is Egypt's peak tourism season, thanks to the warm but pleasant weather.
- March-May: This is the best time to visit the country if you want moderately hot weather without the large crowds from the winter touring season.
- June-August: Take it from us. Unless you're physically prepared to endure uncomfortable heat, you don't want to be in Egypt at this time. It's HOT. Seriously. Most tourist activity slows down to a grinding halt and you'd have a hard time exploring open-air museums like the pyramids in this weather.
- September-November: The tourist season kicks off with social events such as;
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- The Abu Simbel Sun Festival - A celebration of Rameses II’s reign with a spectacular natural lights show held twice a year (February & October).
- The Cairo Jazz Festival - Clear your calendar for over a week of celebrating Egypt’s booming jazz scene. Hundreds of musicians from around the world will perform, and additional activities for kids and workshops for adults adds to the fun.
- The El Gouna Film Festival - Though this festival is young (founded in 2017), it’s become a strong representation of cinema within the region, and the venue is architecturally stunning.
Travel Truth: Is tourism in Egypt increasing? Yes! Over 4 million tourists flocked to Egypt within the first 6 months of 2022. With that said, this progress comes with some disadvantages. So what are the negative impacts of tourism in Egypt?
- Noise Pollution
- Water Pollution
- The Strain on Local Resources
- Tourism Dependence
That last part might have you asking, is Egypt a good place to visit right now? The answer is yes. Despite the effects of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, this country is slowly getting on its feet, and tourism and good reports on the country will only quicken the process. Egypt can be as safe as any other tourist destination if you plan. So let's do that, shall we?
Exploring Egypt: Where To Go
There’s a whole lot to see once you’re in the land of Pharaohs. Let’s look at some of the most popular destinations.
- Cairo - Welcome to Cairo, Egypt’s capital and the most populated metro area in the Middle Eastern Region with over 20 million people. You'll love Cairo if you're looking for;
- Museums - The Egyptian Museum is right at the historical Tahrir Square. You can also tour the Museum of Islamic Art and the Palace Museum.
- Pyramids - The Giza Pyramids are a mere 15 kilometers from the Cairo City Center.
- Architecture - Marvel at the architectural feats of the city's most famous mosques and Coptic structures.
- Luxor- Known as one of the world's most extensive and historically significant open-air museums, Luxor presents one marvel after the next. You'll love Luxor if you're into;
- Temples - Hatshepsut's reign is cemented in history, with this grand temple depicting her glorious 20-year reign as a rare female Pharaoh.
- Gigantic Structures - The sheer size of the structures in the Valley of Kings is both intimidating and awe-inspiring.
- Alexandria - Named after the infamous global conqueror Alexander The Great, this city has deep roots in Greco-Roman culture, with tales of Cleopatra and Ancient Pharaonic matriarchies enchanting most tourists. You’ll love Alexandria if you’re into;
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- Seaside Views - Gaze upon the Mediterranean Sea or explore the Alexandra coast via boat.
- Catacombs - The 2nd Century C.E. structures are even better up close and personal. Pay specific attention to the Kom el Shoqafa tombs
- Roman Relics - The Roman Amphitheater instantly transports you to the ancient, powerful nation known for conquering half the world.
Travel Treat: Why not dedicate an entire day to exploring this magnificent pearl of the ancient Egyptian world? Sail the sea and take your time soaking in rich historical sites like the Royal Library of Alexandria with a full-day private Alexandria tour.
- Aswan - Cairo might be the capital, but Aswan is an important element of Egyptian living thanks to the revolutionary Aswan dam. You’ll love Aswan if you’re into;
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- Laid Back Energy - Aswan isn't as loud and busy as Egypt's most populated cities, so if you're looking for a low-key trip, start here.
- Sailing - Spend a few hours along the Nile in a Felucca, the region's traditional sailboat.
Travel Truth: Though Cairo is a friendly city with hospitable locals, tensions from the 2011 Egypt Revolution have led to a more stressful atmosphere for locals. So what are the major problems in Cairo?
- Unemployment
- Tension with Local Authority
- Weakened Infrastructure
- Poverty in downtown Cairo
This might leave you wondering, how safe is Cairo for tourists? That depends on where you go when you travel and who you're with. We can't stress the importance of a local private guide who knows the ins and outs of a complex city like Cairo. For a list of do's, don't, and safety tips, keep reading.
Life In Egypt: What To Expect from the Land of Pharaohs
You won’t get to live like a Pharoah, but life in modern Egypt can be just as fun if you keep these daily details in mind;
Getting Around
Cairo, Alexandria, and most Egyptian cities are a confusing mix of fast taxis, motorbikes, and buses, so here's how tourists can tackle their commute;
- A Private Car - This cannot be recommended enough. Renting a private car while in Egypt will remove the haggling and unfair charges from local taxis. It will also protect you from ill-minded drivers and uncomfortable public transport situations, especially for women.
- Uber - A great option if you need a quick ride, just make sure the driver is rated 4 stars and above.
- Motorbike -These can be quite fast, but keep your belongings close as some pickpockets have been known to snatch bags. Also, make sure you negotiate the price beforehand.
- Bus - This is good for those with a large group or a guide, otherwise buses for foreigners can be confusing.
- Walk - if you’ve got a guide with you, venturing into central Cairo won’t be as intimidating.
The Weather
Egypt is a mix of several deserts, including The Sahara, The Sinai Desert, and the Eastern Desert, so expect a lot of sunshine, and little to no rain. So with that in mind, you want to time your Egypt trip according to what you're looking for and what kind of weather you’ll want to experience. For extra help, check out our Weather chart.
Annual Average Weather Quick Facts
Cairo
- Temperature Highs - 28.2°C (82.7°F)
- Temperature Lows -17.3°C (63.1°F)
- Sunshine Hours - 9.5 hrs
- Average Rainfall- 55 mm (2.2 inches)
Alexandria
- Temperature Highs - 25.3°C (77.5°F)
- Temperature Lows - 16.6°C (61.8°F)
- Sunshine Hours - 9.1 hrs
- Average Rainfall - 235 mm (9.3 inches), 32 days
Luxor
- Temperature Highs - 33.7°C (92.6°F)
- Temperature Lows - 17.4°C (63.3°F)
- Sunshine Hours - 9.5 hrs
- Average Rainfall - 0mm (0 inches)
Do’s & Don’ts
What To Avoid: Red Flags For Travelers
We can't move on in good faith without addressing what's at the forefront of most minds when considering a trip to Egypt. Safety. So is Egypt safe for traveling? Yes, but there's a catch.
Both The UK Government and U.S. Embassy have issued red zones to avoid while traveling due to terrorist activity. Luckily, none of those zones conflict with the marvelous places we've mentioned in this article. Still, there are some common tourist traps you should avoid ;
- “I’m an Egyptologyst, I Swear”: Most experts on Ancient Egyptian history are within museums and sites, in uniform or with badges, so anyone offering to educate you on Egypt’s alluring history for “free” is someone you should respond to with a “no thanks”.
- Papyrus Lies: This goes for any vendor offering to take you to where the “real” papyrus and gold souvenirs are. Instead, you’ll find yourself in a stall with an elaborate display of goods and pressure to buy something that’s a fake or not worth the cost.
- Pickpockets & Bag Snatchers: They’re the one thing most countries have in common, so keep an eye on your stuff and watch how you use your phone in public settings.
Special Note on Egypt For Women Tourists
Touring Egypt can be difficult if you're not aware of the cultural differences. Though it won't get rid of negative cultural practices towards women, dressing can be a great way to blend with locals. So what should a female tourist wear in Egypt? Loose and comfortable clothing. Keeping the weather in mind, loose blouses, shirts that cover the shoulders and flowy skirts below the knees are the most common clothing.
Here are some things you might experience as a female traveler;
- Staring - Regardless of your clothing, you'll likely feel some discomfort from men constantly staring at you.
- Catcalling/verbal harassment - This occurs mostly with young women. Uncomfortable comments will arise, mostly from young men, but ignoring them is the best option.
- Public Transport Harassment - Riding public cars and buses solo isn’t a good idea for solo women travelers, so we recommend hiring a private car. Alternatively, you can try the women-only buses in Cairo.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve got the knowledge, Egypt seems that much closer doesn’t it? You can see Alexandrian sunsets in your future. There's just one thing. Your dreams of nights spent camping in the desert and mornings spent scouring the open-air markets for souvenirs keep getting interrupted by pesky reminders that you've got to book everything. That's where we come in.
Let our Egypt private tour guides do the heavy lifting. That means no time spent;
- Haggling prices with local vendors
- Calling several locations to secure tickets for museums, festivals, and monuments
- Planning transportation to and from each monument or site
- Worrying about which locations are safe for you and your travel group
- Getting confused about local customs
- Uncomfortable social situations
Now that you’ve done the responsible thing, it’s time for some fun! Your Egypt tours await, so let us make your dream trip a reality.
P.S. Looking to travel with companions? The more, the merrier! Share this post with your friends and get them just as excited about touring Egypt as you are.