Egypt

Egypt concentrates five thousand years of monuments along a narrow strip of the Nile, from the Giza pyramids to the temples of Luxor and Aswan, with Red Sea reefs on the eastern coast. Most itineraries pair Cairo with a Nile cruise. Heat in the south is extreme from June to August.

Cities

Cairo

Cairo is a very large, loud city on the Nile, with medieval Islamic quarters, Coptic churches and the pyramids on its western edge at Giza. The Grand Egyptian Museum near the plateau now holds the main pharaonic collection. Traffic dominates planning, so grouping sites by district saves hours.

Luxor

Luxor stands on the site of ancient Thebes, with temple complexes on the east bank and royal tombs cut into the hills on the west. It is the densest concentration of pharaonic monuments anywhere. Balloon flights at dawn and the Nile ferry between banks are part of the routine here.

When to go

See all seasons

• Spring: Warm with occasional khamsin sand winds.
• Summer: Very hot inland, over 40°C in Luxor and Aswan.
• Autumn: Heat easing, good diving on the Red Sea.

Entry & visas

Entry rules for this country aren't published here yet.

Always confirm entry rules with the official source before you book.