Top 12 Things to Do in Egypt

Visit key sites in Egypt on a camel. From pyramids to beaches and markets, this mode of transport is an adventure all its own.

The most famous experience is to be had near the famous Pyramids of Giza. Visitors have the option of a short ride near the pyramids or a longer journey around the Giza plateau.

Immerse yourself in Bedouin life in Hurghada with a camel ride in the desert or watch the sunset from the back of a camel in Sharm-el Sheikh. Depart from Dahab and ride along the shores of the Red Sea at the gulf of Aqaba, your destination the incredible Blue Hole snorkeling site.

Best Places for Camel Rides: Pyramids of Giza Cairo • Hurghada • Shark el Sheikh • Dahab

Learn more: 10 Best Places to Visit in Egypt

The traditional wooden sailing boats travel gently along the river while guests dine on Egyptian cuisine served by a friendly team.

Al fresco dining is a great way to enjoy a meal and doing it surrounded by magnificent scenery is a real treat. Take your outdoor dining experience one step further and enjoy lunch on the Nile in a felucca.

Take in the sights and sounds from the shoreline in major cities and countryside havens, a unique experience that, when accentuated by food, becomes an unforgettable journey for the senses.

Best Places for Felucca Rides: Cairo • Aswan • Luxor

Learn more: The Best Way to Travel Around Egypt

Shopping in Egypt is mesmerizing, with bustling bazaars in key cities full of riotous color and a bustling ambiance.

Vendor after vendor display trinkets and gorgeous lamps, tea sets and souvenirs that depict that elaborate history spanning thousands of years, each an artifact worth haggling over.

Even if you are not a shopper, visiting the marketplaces around Egypt demonstrates the true hustle and energy of daily life in the shadow of the past with the shops, the goods on display, and the interaction with the vendors speaking to a larger tradition.

Best Places to Visit for Shopping: Cairo • Aswan • Sharm El Sheikh • Luxor • Alexandria

Scuba diving and snorkeling are two of the best-kept secrets in Egypt, unveiling some of the world’s most prized destinations along the Red and Mediterranean seas.

The sensational reef systems in the Red Sea immerse you in a world of colorful fish, vibrant coral, and a unique vertical cavern. The Mediterranean possesses historic shipwrecks and treasures connected to ancient cities.

Whether you are interested in seeing hammerhead sharks or hints of Cleopatra’s Alexandria, scuba and snorkeling are emblematic of Egypt’s draw.

Best Places to Visit for Snorkeling and Scuba Diving: Sharm el Sheikh • Hurghada • Dahab • Ras Mohamed National Park • Marsa Alam • Alexandria Eastern Harbor

Learn more: Best Time to Visit Egypt

The beaches in Egypt are more than sun-drenched escapes. Instead, they combine the luxuries of lazy days on golden sands with the heritage of an ancient culture.

Rugged and rolling desert terrain meets soaring mountains along the Sinai Peninsula for fabulous views over the water. Spend your days relaxing or take part in the many water sports on offer.

The coastlines of the Red and Mediterranean teem with resorts and coastal wonders, the great weather making them a perfect choice for those visitors looking to end their historical adventure with a beach getaway.

Best Places to Visit for a Beach Getaway: Naama Bay, Sharm el Sheikh • Dahab Lagoon • El Gouna • Mamoura Beach, Alexandria • Marsa Matruh

Try your hand at creating mouthwatering delights during an Egyptian cooking class.

Learn to make familiar dishes like mashed fava beans or specialties like mish, a cheese fermented with milk and seasoning. This contrasts the elements of typical Nubian dishes that incorporate accessible, local ingredients with aromatic results.

This hands-on experience is fun and informative, offering the ideal break between visiting tombs and temples that can inspire your taste buds while immersing you in a different perspective of local heritage.

Best Places to Visit for Cooking Classes: Cairo • Luxor • Awan

The grandeur of ancient temples and the captivating landscape seem even more spectacular from above, and a hot-air balloon ride is the ultimate way to experience it all.

Spend a half hour in the skies soaring over Luxor's West Bank, taking in the famous Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and the impressive Hatshepsut Temple.

Enjoy a breathtaking sunset and let the Colossi of Memnon seemingly rise up to meet you as you head back to the ground.

Best Place to Visit for a Hot Air Balloon Ride: Luxor

One way to enjoy the highlights of Luxor and Aswan is on a Nile Cruise. Whether you sail up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor or follow the currents north from Luxor to Aswan, embarking on a cruise is charming.

Stopping along the banks of the Nile, pay visits to key temples and tombs such as Kom Ombo and Philae, and marvel at the engineering of the Esna Lock and the splendor of Aswan Dam and Abu Simbel.

Watch life go by on the shores as villagers and animals seem to move at a slow yet purposeful pace. Enjoy some downtime with an onboard spa treatment and enjoy a Nubian dinner show.

Best Places to Enjoy a Nile Cruise: Luxor • Aswan

Viewing colorful species among flora and fauna contrasts the winged creatures set in stone throughout temples and museums.

Take a scenic ride in a felucca around the Cataract Islands to see many local species with a qualified guide who will introduce you to the birds’ habits and habitats.

See egrets, malachite kingfishers, and the Nile valley sunbird, among many others, on a tranquil and fulfilling day out.

Best Place to Go Birdwatching: Aswan

Standing in front of a sunset-lit temple or watching the sun set over the Valley of the Kings are among the most spectacular sights visitors to Egypt can experience.

While the focus of any trip to Egypt is on the temples, tombs, and ancient cities, the country’s diverse landscape and colossal structures make seeing them at sunset simply enchanting.

From the glistening waters of the Nile to dramatic desert sands, the mountains, cities, and sites of Egypt exude romance at sunset. Stand on the deck of your Nile cruise boat and witness the surrounding landscape transform as daylight fades.

Best Places to Capture Breathtaking Sunsets: Nile River • Giza • Aswan • Luxor • Hurghada • Alexandria

Embrace the ultimate local experience when you share a dinner with a Nubian family in Aswan. Get a feel for daily life by strolling the Nile River’s Elephantine Island with locals, gain an understanding for their history and traditions, and learn why the people of Aswan are known for their friendliness and hospitality.

Your walk through the streets and neighborhoods will bring you to your hosts’ home, where a delicious dinner will be waiting for you, with specialties like tajin and mashi.

This visit immerses visitors into Nubian culture, a unique experience not to be missed.

Best Place to Share Dinner with a Nubian Family: Aswan

Discover the wonder, legends, and sheer magnificence of Egypt, a country whose cultural wealth runs deep as one of the oldest civilizations of the Mediterranean.

The legends of pharaohs, the Sphinx, temples, and pyramids continue to capture the imaginations of people from all over the world and many of these attractions are on display in museums.

From Coptic Christians and Muslim culture to the foundations of ancient kingdoms, heritage lies at your feet as you step through the halls of time with a qualified Egyptologist.

Best Place to Visit for Cultural History: Cairo

Egypt is an oasis that embraces the wonders of temples and tombs, the glistening beauty of the Nile, and immense beauty of the Red Sea, contrasted by the desert’s sparse splendor. Whether you prefer the thrill of viewing landmarks from above or spending a day on an island of birds, perhaps exploring sites on the back of a camel or simply lazing on the beach, Egypt has myriad things to do.

To find out more about Egypt’s exciting destinations and how you could spend your time, explore our sample itineraries with our Egypt Tours & Vacation Packages. Our Egypt Travel Guide also has helpful tips on where to go and more when planning your perfect trip.