# Things to do in Egypt: best places to visit > Egypt's big sights: the Giza pyramids, the Egyptian Museum and the Citadel in Cairo, Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, and Qaitbay Citadel and the Bibliotheca in Alexandria. Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh are for the Red Sea; from Sharm you can reach Mount Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery. Web page: https://yesgo.io/egypt ## Cities - [Cairo](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Hurghada](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Sharm El Sheikh](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Luxor](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Alexandria](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria.md): 10 places with the YesGo score ## Itineraries across the country - [7 days in Egypt: an itinerary by city](https://yesgo.io/egypt/in-7-days.md): Alexandria's Qaitbay Citadel, the Giza pyramids, Saqqara and Islamic Cairo, both banks of the Nile at Luxor, and the Red Sea at the end — with travel times. ## Top places across the country - [Luxor Temple](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/luxor-temple.md), Luxor: YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · EGP 500, students EGP 250. Luxor Temple is the riverside temple of Amun in the centre of Luxor, begun around 1400 BC by Amenhotep III and expanded by Ramesses II… - [Saint Catherine's Monastery](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/saint-catherines-monastery.md), Sharm El Sheikh: YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free entry, museum extra. St Catherine's Monastery is a working 6th-century Greek Orthodox monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai, about three hours' drive from Sharm… - [Memphis](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/ancient-memphis.md), Cairo: YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · EGP 200, students EGP 100. Memphis, the first capital of united Egypt, survives as an open-air museum in the village of Mit Rahina, 20 km south of Cairo. The… - [El Mina Mosque](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/el-mina-mosque.md), Hurghada: YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free, between prayers. El Mina Mosque is Hurghada's best-known mosque, opened in 2012 beside the fishing harbour, with two white minarets of about 40 metres and… - [Citadel of Qaitbay](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/qaitbay-citadel.md), Alexandria: YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 200 EGP, students 100 EGP. The Citadel of Qaitbay is a Mamluk sea fort built in 1477–1479 on the spot where the Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood, partly from its… - [Karnak Temple](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/karnak-temple.md), Luxor: YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h 30 min · EGP 600, students EGP 300. Karnak is the vast temple city of Amun-Re, 2.5 km north of central Luxor on the Nile's East Bank, built and rebuilt over 1,500 years… - [Mount Sinai](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/mount-sinai.md), Sharm El Sheikh: YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Tour from Sharm ≈ US$30–80. Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa, 2,285 m) is the biblical peak three hours' drive from Sharm El Sheikh, climbed at night for sunrise. Expect 12–16… - [Egyptian Museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/egyptian-museum.md), Cairo: YesGo score 47/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · EGP 550, students EGP 275. The Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square, opened in 1902, is Cairo's original antiquities museum. Tutankhamun has moved to the Grand Egyptian… - [Hurghada Fish Market](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-fish-market.md), Hurghada: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free entry; seafood sold by weight. Hurghada Fish Market is the working market on the fishing harbour, across the road from El Mina Mosque. Entry is free: you pay for seafood… - [Bibliotheca Alexandrina](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/bibliotheca-alexandrina.md), Alexandria: YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · 150 EGP, 300 EGP with museums. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a vast reading room under a tilted glass disc on Alexandria's seafront, with antiquities and manuscripts… - [Colossi of Memnon](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/colossi-of-memnon.md), Luxor: YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 20 min · Free, no ticket. The Colossi of Memnon are two seated statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, about 18 m tall, beside the main road on Luxor's West Bank — all… - [Heavenly Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/heavenly-cathedral.md), Sharm El Sheikh: YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free; donations welcome. The Heavenly Cathedral (Al Samaeyin) is Sharm El Sheikh’s Coptic Orthodox cathedral, opened in 2010, with every wall and ceiling covered… - [Al-Azhar Mosque](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/al-azhar-mosque.md), Cairo: YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free. Al-Azhar is a working 10th-century mosque in Islamic Cairo and the cradle of the famous Al-Azhar University. Entry is free — no ticket… - [Hurghada Marina](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-marina.md), Hurghada: YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free. Hurghada Marina is a gated yacht harbour and promenade in Sakkala, the town's favourite evening stroll and the departure point for many… - [Alexandria Corniche](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/alexandria-corniche.md), Alexandria: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free. The Corniche is Alexandria's seafront road, running about 17 km from the Citadel of Qaitbay east to Montaza. It is free and open around… - [Valley of the Kings](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/valley-of-the-kings.md), Luxor: YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · EGP 750, Tutankhamun extra. The Valley of the Kings is the New Kingdom royal burial ground on Luxor's West Bank, with more than 60 rock-cut tombs. A foreign adult… - [Naama Bay](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/naama-bay.md), Sharm El Sheikh: YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free (promenade). Naama Bay is Sharm El Sheikh's original resort centre: a sheltered sandy bay with a pedestrian promenade of cafés, shops and dive centres… - [Cairo Citadel and Muhammad Ali Mosque](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/cairo-citadel.md), Cairo: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · 550 EGP, students 275 EGP. The Cairo Citadel is Saladin’s medieval fortress on a hill above the old city, home to the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the Mamluk… - [El Dahar Old Town](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/el-dahar-old-town.md), Hurghada: YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free. El Dahar is Hurghada's old downtown, north of the port: a noisy local souk selling clothes, spices and souvenirs, with street cafés and… - [Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria/abu-al-abbas-mosque.md), Alexandria: YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free, between prayer times. Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque is Alexandria’s landmark mosque and the shrine of a 13th-century Andalusian Sufi saint, in Anfoushi about 1… - [Temple of Hatshepsut](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor/hatshepsut-temple.md), Luxor: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · EGP 440, students EGP 220. The Temple of Hatshepsut is the terraced mortuary temple of Egypt's female pharaoh, built in the 15th century BC at Deir el-Bahari on… - [Al Sahaba Mosque](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/al-sahaba-mosque.md), Sharm El Sheikh: YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free. The Al Sahaba Mosque is the twin-minaret landmark of Old Sharm, opened in 2017 and floodlit after dark. Entry is free, and non-Muslims may… - [Giza Pyramids](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/giza-pyramids.md), Cairo: YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · EGP 700, Great Pyramid inside extra. The pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx on the Giza Plateau, on Cairo's western edge. Plateau entry for foreign… - [Sahl Hasheesh](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/sahl-hasheesh.md), Hurghada: YesGo score 28/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free. Sahl Hasheesh is a purpose-built resort bay 18 km south of Hurghada airport, 25–35 minutes by taxi from the centre. There's no ticket: the… ## Egypt travel guide Before you go: Cairo, Luxor and the Red Sea, visa and currency, getting around, weather and sea by month, local rules. ## Trip essentials - Visa: Depends on your passport — e-visa or visa on arrival - Currency: Egyptian pound (EGP); dollars at resorts - First trip: Cairo 2–3 days, Luxor 2, then the Red Sea - When to go: October–April for sights; spring and autumn for the sea - Seas: Red Sea all year, the Mediterranean in summer - Summer: Red Sea ≈ 35°, Luxor ≈ 40° - Nile cruise: Luxor–Aswan in 3–4 days - Water: Drink bottled water only - Tipping: Small tips (baksheesh) almost everywhere - Time zone: UTC+2, UTC+3 in summer ## Key facts - **7** — UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from the Giza pyramids to Abu Simbel (source: UNESCO World Heritage List) - **≈ 4,500 years** — age of the Great Pyramid — the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World (source: Wikipedia, “Great Pyramid of Giza”) - **≈ 6,650 km** — length of the Nile, one of the two longest rivers in the world (source: Wikipedia, “Nile”) - **2** — seas: the Red Sea to the east and the Mediterranean to the north (source: Wikipedia, “Egypt”) ## Best places to visit in Egypt The best places to visit in Egypt on a first trip are Cairo for the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, Luxor for Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, and the Red Sea — Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh — for reefs and beaches. Alexandria adds the Mediterranean and Greco-Roman history. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above. | City | Why go | Days | | --- | --- | --- | | [Cairo](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo) | Pyramids, Grand Museum | 2–3 days | | [Luxor](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor) | Karnak, Valley of the Kings | 2 days | | [Hurghada](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada) | Beaches, islands, near Luxor | 5–10 days | | [Sharm El Sheikh](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh) | Reefs, Ras Mohammed, Sinai | 5–10 days | | [Alexandria](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria) | Qaitbay, Bibliotheca, catacombs | 1–2 days | Ready trips across the country are above on this page. ## Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh is the big Red Sea choice. Hurghada has sandy beaches, a real town and Luxor four hours away; Sharm has reefs right off the hotels, Ras Mohammed and Mount Sinai, and is a little warmer and calmer in winter. | | Hurghada | Sharm El Sheikh | | --- | --- | --- | | **Beaches** | Sand, gentle entry | Reefs, pontoons | | **Snorkelling** | Islands by boat | From the shore | | **Winter** | Windier, ≈ 21–22° | Warmer, ≈ 22–23° | | **History nearby** | Luxor ≈ 4 h | Mount Sinai ≈ 3 h | ## Egypt visa and currency Egypt visa rules depend on your passport: many nationalities can buy an e-visa online or a visa on arrival, and visitors staying only in South Sinai may get a free 15-day Sinai stamp. The currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP); cards work in hotels and at major sites, cash is king elsewhere. - **ATMs** — in cities and resorts; exchange at banks rather than the airport. - **Dollars and euros** — accepted by hotels, tours and resort markets. - **Baksheesh** — small tips for porters, housekeeping and guides. - **Bargaining** — expected at markets; first prices run high. ## Getting around Egypt Domestic flights link Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea resorts in about an hour. Buses and tours run from Hurghada to Luxor and Cairo, trains connect Cairo with Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan, and Nile cruises sail between Luxor and Aswan. - **Flights** — Cairo to Hurghada, Sharm, Luxor or Aswan ≈ 1 h. - **Trains** — Cairo–Alexandria ≈ 2.5 h; Cairo–Luxor sleeper ≈ 10 h. - **Buses** — Hurghada–Luxor ≈ 4 h, Hurghada–Cairo ≈ 5–6 h. - **Nile cruise** — Luxor to Aswan in 3–4 days. ## Egypt weather by month The best time to visit Egypt is October to April for the pyramids and temples, when Cairo and Luxor are 19–29 °C. For the Red Sea, autumn and spring are ideal: ≈ 24–32 °C by day and 22–27 °C water. Summer is hot — ≈ 35 °C on the coast and about 40 °C in Luxor. Below is Hurghada. - **January in Hurghada**: day ≈ 21°C, night ≈ 11°C, sea ≈ 23°C, rainy days: 0. About 21°, sea ≈ 23°, windy. - **February in Hurghada**: day ≈ 22°C, night ≈ 12°C, sea ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 0. The coolest month. - **March in Hurghada** (best time): day ≈ 24°C, night ≈ 15°C, sea ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 0. About 24°, warming up. - **April in Hurghada** (best time): day ≈ 28°C, night ≈ 18°C, sea ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 0. About 28° — a great time. - **May in Hurghada** (best time): day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 22°C, sea ≈ 26°C, rainy days: 0. About 32°, warm sea. - **June in Hurghada**: day ≈ 34°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 0. Hot, ≈ 34°. - **July in Hurghada**: day ≈ 35°C, night ≈ 26°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 0. Heat ≈ 35°, dry. - **August in Hurghada**: day ≈ 35°C, night ≈ 27°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 0. Warmest sea ≈ 29°. - **September in Hurghada**: day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 0. About 33°. - **October in Hurghada** (best time): day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 22°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 0. About 30° — the best month. - **November in Hurghada** (best time): day ≈ 26°C, night ≈ 17°C, sea ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 0. About 26°, sea ≈ 25°. - **December in Hurghada**: day ≈ 22°C, night ≈ 13°C, sea ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 0. About 22°, fresh evenings. Each city has its own weather: Sharm El Sheikh is warmer in winter, Luxor passes 40° in summer, and Alexandria gets winter rain. ## Egypt travel tips and rules Egypt travel tips: normal clothes at resorts and beaches, shoulders and knees covered in cities and mosques. Drink only bottled water and never touch coral or turtles. Don’t photograph military sites or people without asking. - **Mosques** — headscarf for women, shoes off at the door. - **Coral** — collecting or exporting it is banned and checked at customs. - **Drones** — not allowed without a permit. - **Safety** — the main tourist areas are generally considered safe; check your government’s travel advice before you go. ## Tips - Reach the pyramids and the Valley of the Kings at opening time — less heat, fewer groups. - Pack reef shoes for the Red Sea from day one. - Keep small notes for baksheesh — change is often scarce. ## Questions ### Do I need a visa for Egypt? It depends on your passport: many nationalities can get an e-visa online or a visa on arrival; a free Sinai stamp may cover South Sinai only. Check the official rules for your passport. ### What are the best places to visit in Egypt? Cairo and Giza for the pyramids, Luxor for Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, Aswan and Abu Simbel in the south, and the Red Sea for diving. ### When is the best time to visit Egypt? October to April for sightseeing; for a Red Sea beach holiday, October–November and March–May. ### What is the weather like in Egypt in December? Cairo and Luxor are about 21–24 °C by day; the Red Sea is ≈ 22–23 °C with the sea near 24 °C — cool evenings everywhere. ### What currency is used in Egypt? The Egyptian pound (EGP). Resorts also take US dollars and euros; cards work in hotels and at major sites. ### Is Egypt safe for tourists? The main tourist areas are generally considered safe, with visible tourist police. Check your government’s current travel advice, especially for border regions. ### Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh — which is better? Hurghada for sandy beaches and easy trips to Luxor; Sharm for reefs off the hotels, Ras Mohammed and a warmer winter. ### Is a Nile cruise worth it? Yes, for seeing Edfu, Kom Ombo and the Nile banks between Luxor and Aswan without packing and unpacking; most cruises take 3–4 days. ### How many days do you need in Egypt? About 10 days: 2–3 in Cairo, 2 in Luxor, optionally Aswan, and a few days on the Red Sea. ### Can you swim in the Red Sea in winter? Yes — the water stays around 22–24 °C; Sharm El Sheikh is the warmest in winter. ## Sources - UNESCO World Heritage List — sites in Egypt - Wikipedia, “Egypt”; “Nile”; “Great Pyramid of Giza”; Hurghada climate (1991–2020 normals) - Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities - Egypt e-Visa — official portal Facts checked: 09.11.2026 --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.