Best Places to Visit in Egypt

Cairo

One of the largest cities in Africa and the Middle East, the city of Cairo with over 20 million people is bursting at the seams and pulsating with energy. Located in the northeast of the country, the sprawling capital of Egypt is built on the banks of the river Nile in an area which has witnessed the rise and fall of many civilizations through the centuries. This has resulted in the integration of ancient, medieval, and modern traits into all aspects of life here. Churches are built atop Roman ruins and skyscrapers rise behind medieval monuments. The city juxtaposes ancient and new and this makes Cairo a unique place to experience.

With a history and heritage going back to one of the pivotal civilizations in the world, the Egyptian Civilization, Cairo is the hub of culture and politics not just for Egypt but for the region as a whole. Cairo’s stunning Islamic architecture has earned it the nickname ‘the city of a thousand minarets’, and as you wander the backstreets of the atmospheric souks, you are aware that the gentle spice scents and gleaming copper coffee pots have changed little in recent centuries. The main attractions in Cairo are various historical landmarks that dot the area from ancient to more recent times, and Egypt’s signature monuments, the Pyramids of Giza are located a very short drive from Cairo. There are multiple museums displaying artefacts belonging to the ancient Egyptian civilization. There are other attractions such as palaces, historical mosques, citadels, and much more.

Luxor

Located on the Nile River’s east bank in southern Egypt, about 500 kilometers from Cairo, Luxor is the site of ancient Thebes, the capital of the pharaohs during the height of their power from the 16th to 11th centuries B.C. Today Luxor is known as the world's greatest open-air museum, home to some of Egypt's most famous temples, tombs and dozens of pharaonic monuments, including a number of the world’s oldest and intact temples. The Luxor Temple, together with Karnak, the Valley of the Queens, and the Valley of the Kings, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

Aswan & Abu Simbel

Spread out along the banks of the Nile, Aswan is more idyllic than other cities in southern Egypt. The quintessential way to sightsee in Aswan is by taking to the river on a felucca to enjoy its scenic shoreside landscapes and fascinating ancient sites. It has significant archaeological sites like the magnificent Philae temple complex, on Agilika Island near the landmark Aswan Dam. Downriver, Elephantine Island holds the Temple of Khnum from the Third Dynasty. Aswan’s Nubian Museum, an award-winning building with a midsize collection of amazing antiquities is worth a visit.

Once ancient Egypt's gateway to Africa, this is a perfect base for exploring the temples, monuments, and other attractions in the region including the Nubian Monuments’ UNESCO World Heritage Site of Abu Simbel Temples. The mammoth scale of the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Hathor sitting on the banks of Lake Nasser are possibly the most impressive in all of Egypt.

Nile Cruise

Nile Cruises are a great way to experience Egypt and the glories of its ancient civilization, and are part of what most explorers visiting Egypt will experience. Cruising between Aswan and Luxor will give you time to relax and take in the unparalleled beauty of the Nile and the scenery of its Valley while enjoying daily excursions from your Nile Cruise to some of the most impressive Ancient Egyptian temples.

As with all our luxury tour offerings, Easy Tours only uses the very best luxury cruise ships on the Nile. Instead of the group excursions that almost all other travelers cruising the Nile will experience, your Egyptologist Tour Director will be orchestrating all your excursions privately from your luxury cruiser at Aswan and Luxor, including when you stop at Kom Ombo and Edfu.

Red Sea

Egypt’s Red Sea is teeming with a dizzying array of marine life and spectacular coral reefs. Its crystal-clear waters and underwater ecosystem make it globally renowned for some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling opportunities.

This aquatic paradise where golden sands adorn azure waters, with its warm temperatures throughout the year make the Red Sea a much sought-after destination for tourists.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a port city located on the Mediterranean Sea in northern Egypt, founded in 331 BC by Alexander the Great. Queen Cleopatra ruled Egypt from here and it was once one of the most vital cultural centers of the ancient world, rivalling even Athens, Greece.

During the Hellenistic period, it was the site of the Pharos (lighthouse), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and the legendary Library of Alexandria. For many centuries the Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the tallest man-made structures in the world until it was severely damaged by earthquakes between the 11th and 14th century and became an abandoned ruin. In the 15th-century the Fort of Qaitbay (Citadel of Qaitbay) was erected on the exact site and is now a museum. The city has several Greco-Roman landmarks, delightful cafes and a slower, more relaxed, pace than Cairo.