Country guide · Egypt
Best places to visit in Egypt
4 destinations compared, so you can choose where to spend your time.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wael El Sisi, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
For a first trip to Egypt, start with Cairo: The Pyramids of Giza, medieval minarets and life on the Nile. For beaches, look at Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. Cairo is the least expensive of the destinations in this guide.
Key facts
- Destinations in this guide
- 4
- Best months overall
- October–May
- Start with
- Cairo
- Least expensive here
- Cairo
4 places to visit in Egypt
Best: March–May and October–November · 7 days
Hurghada
Red Sea reefs, island boat trips and resort bays on Egypt's mainland coast
Best: October–March · 4 days
Luxor
Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and sunrise balloons over ancient Thebes
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Best: March–May and October–November · 7 days
Sharm El Sheikh
Red Sea coral reefs, Ras Mohammed and year-round sun at the tip of Sinai
Compare the destinations
| Destination | Known for | Best time | Ideal stay | Mid-range per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx | October–March | 4 days | $70–$150 |
| Hurghada | Red Sea diving and Giftun Islands | March–May and October–November | 7 days | $90–$180 |
| Luxor | Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings | October–March | 4 days | $80–$170 |
| Sharm El Sheikh | Coral reefs and Scuba diving | March–May and October–November | 7 days | $100–$200 |
When to visit Egypt
Across these destinations the most reliable months are October–May. Timing still varies by place: Cairo is best in October–March; Hurghada is best in March–May and October–November; Luxor is best in October–March.
Signature dishes across Egypt
| Destination | Try first | Also try |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo | Koshari | Ful medames and Ta'ameya |
| Hurghada | Grilled Red Sea fish | Sayadeya and Koshari |
| Luxor | Ful medames | Ta'ameya and Koshari |
| Sharm El Sheikh | Grilled Red Sea fish | Sayadeya and Bedouin tea |
Events through the year in Egypt
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Cairo: Coptic Christmas (7 January); Hurghada: Coptic Christmas (7 January) |
| February | Cairo: Cairo International Book Fair continues (usually into early February) |
| March | Luxor: Luxor African Film Festival (usually late winter or early spring) |
| April | Cairo: Sham el-Nessim — spring festival on the Monday after Coptic Easter (usually April); Sharm El Sheikh: Sinai Liberation Day public holiday (25 April) |
| October | Hurghada: El Gouna Film Festival (in recent years usually October); Sharm El Sheikh: Armed Forces Day public holiday (6 October) |
| November | Cairo: Cairo International Film Festival (usually November) |
| December | Cairo: New Year's Eve parties at Nile-side hotels (31 December); Hurghada: Christmas and New Year holiday peak (late December) |
How far apart they are
| From | To | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo | Hurghada | 399 km |
| Cairo | Luxor | 504 km |
| Cairo | Sharm El Sheikh | 383 km |
| Hurghada | Luxor | 210 km |
| Hurghada | Sharm El Sheikh | 89 km |
| Luxor | Sharm El Sheikh | 299 km |
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I go on my first trip to Egypt?
Cairo: Cairo is one of Africa's largest cities, sprawling along the Nile where the river valley meets the delta. On its western edge the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum hold the legacy of the pharaohs, while…
+When is the best time to visit Egypt?
Generally October–May, though it varies by region.