Egypt, a land steeped in history and brimming with cultural treasures, often conjures images of the majestic pyramids of Giza, the enchanting Nile River, and the colossal temples of Abu Simbel in Aswan. While these iconic landmarks are undoubtedly must-sees, Egypt offers a plethora of unique experiences that extend far beyond the typical tourist trail.
If you're planning a trip to Egypt, prepare to embark on a journey filled with awe-inspiring wonders and unforgettable experiences. Here are some unique things to do in Egypt:
1. Marvel at the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
A trip to Egypt wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza, including the iconic Sphinx. Built over 4,500 years ago, these pyramids are the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Marvel at the architectural brilliance and the sheer scale of these monumental structures. But they’re not in the middle of the desert like you might picture. The pyramids sit right on the edge of Giza, surrounded by vendors, tourists, and some scams.
2. Explore the Temples of Luxor and Karnak
The temples of Luxor and Karnak in the Nile Valley area are two of the most impressive ancient temples in Egypt. One of the best things about a Nile cruise is that it will allow you to visit a number of temples that you otherwsie probably wouldn’t get to.
3. Cruise the Nile River
A Nile River cruise is one of the best ways to witness the beauty of Egypt's landscapes unfold before your eyes. If you ever visit Egypt, sailing down the Nile at sunset is an absolute must.
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The Nile - On the Banks of the World's Longest River | Free Documentary Nature
4. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Luxor
A truly unique thing to do in Egypt is to take a hot air balloon ride over Luxor’s ancient wonders. As the sun rises, ascend into the sky and marvel at breathtaking views of the Valley of the Kings, Luxor and Karnak temples, and the serene Nile River. Although it may be cool before sunrise, the temperature can quickly rise as the day progresses.
5. Shop at Khan El Khalili Bazaar
Discover a treasure trove of unique Egyptian products at Cairo's Khan El Khalili bazaar. From exquisite textiles to ornate jewelry and aromatic spices, this vibrant market offers a range of authentic goods. Everything is negotiable in Egypt so bring your best bartering skills! One of my favorite things to do in Cairo at night is getting lost in the chaos of Khan El Khalili Bazaar.
6. Visit the Valley of the Kings
A visit to the Valley of the Kings is one of the best things to do in Egypt.
7. Dive in the Red Sea
Egypt has some of the best diving in the world.
8. Immerse Yourself in Nubian Culture
Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Nubia by visiting an authentic Nubian village in Aswan. Experience the vibrant colors, warm hospitality, and traditional artwork that adorn the brightly painted houses. Explore your palate with the local Egyptian foods - Basbousa, Koshari and Ful Wa Ta'ameya are not to be missed.
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9. Explore the Hieroglyphs in Abu Simbel
Immerse yourself in the rich history of ancient Egypt as you explore the hieroglyphs in Abu Simbel.
10. Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
Visit the recently opened Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo, which is home to over 100,000 ancient artifacts from the Pharaonic, Greek, and Roman eras. The complete collection of 5,000 artifacts from Tutankhamun's tomb, displayed together for the first time since their 1922 discovery. If there’s one museum you absolutely need to add to your Cairo bucket list, it’s the Grand Egyptian Museum. Even if museums aren’t usually your thing, the stunning mix of ancient artifacts and modern design-plus the sheer scale-makes this one of the top things to do in Cairo.
11. Day Trip to Alexandria
Alexandria has a totally different vibe from Cairo-laid-back, breezy, and packed with history. Explore the stunning Bibliotheca Alexandrina, wander through the eerie Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, or visit Qaitbay Citadel, built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria.
Spectacular Things to Do in Alexandria
Often, the beautiful seaside town of Alexandria gets over looked. But let me tell you: you shouldn’t overlook it. Here are 7 spectacular things to do in Alexandria Egypt, that you shouldn’t miss.
Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
In case you didn’t know - there are 7 wonders of the Medieval World. Or, alternatively, known as 7 wonders of the Middle Ages. Basically, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa is one of them. This is definitely one of things you should do in Alexandria Egypt because… it is so cool. Kom El Shoqafa, which literally translates to The Mount of Shards, is significantly old. Like, 2nd century ancient. Upon arrival, you go through a ticket booth area and from there it’s a short walk to the entrance to the Catacombs. Then prepare to be amazed as you step inside these crypts that are thousands of years old. It is widely thought that this Catacomb originally started as a family tomb but over the course of hundreds of years became the final resting place for hundreds more.
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Ancient Roman Amphitheater
Visiting the remains of the Ancient Roman Amphitheater, baths and villa is a must do thing in Alexandria Egypt. What used to go on here, you may ask? Musical concerts. Theater shows. Artistic Events. This is where the audience would’ve sat as I stood in the center of the Amphitheater singing, checking out the acoustics! My favorite part of this historical landmark was the intricate, beautiful mosaics that are still in tact after hundreds and hundreds of years. Check out the mosaic work at the ancient Roman Amphitheater in Alexandria, thousands of years old! Our guide actually asked me to sing in the center of the amphitheater so we could hear the amazing acoustics that still remain in the space until this day. I graciously obliged and the acoustics are astounding!
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Founded by ‘Alexander the Great,’ the Library of Alexandria was at one time the largest library in the entire world. Additionally, it housed many historical scripts, scrolls and works from some of the greatest thinkers and writers from the ancient world. What’s rather interesting is that apparently no archaeological finds or architectural remains have ever been found or recovered. It’s led some to question… did the Library of Alexandria ever really exist? In any case, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina that stands today is a modern interpretation of what once, established in 2002.
Corniche and Fish Market Marina
One of my favorite meals I had in Egypt was in Alexandria. Our guide took us for a walk in the Corniche, which is Alexandria’s bustling waterfront promenade. This area channels a bit of the Cairo hustle and bustle, but with fresh air in a beautiful seaport setting. There is a lot of traffic, like Cairo, except the traffic here has a gorgeous view of boats floating across the Mediterranean Sea. The waterfront restaurant our guide took us to had a mesmerizing view of the water and delicious traditional Egyptian fare. The popular restaurant along the water’s edge, Fish Market Marina, sits perched above the shoreline. If you take the tour I took, lunch is included in your ticket price, excluding beverages.
Fort Qaitbey
On a small area of land that extends out into Alexandria’s harbor, sits an ancient fortress known as Fort Qaitbey. Named after the sultan that had this magnificent structure built, Fort Qaitbey is not entirely in its original form. As majestic as this medieval fortress is, the real significance of this area is that it is where the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood. Sometimes referred to as the Pharos of Alexandria. The Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. Despite surviving many conflicts and standing tall for hundreds and hundreds of years, a catastrophic earthquake destroyed it. In 1994, divers found the remains of the lighthouse on the sea floor of the Alexandria harbor. There has been mention of turning its remains into an underwater museum. Would you go see this?
Pompey’s Pillar
Out of the fleet of attractions I saw while in Alexandria, I did find Pompey’s Pillar to be a bit underwhelming, albeit pleasant to visit. But when you understand that this towering pillar made of red granite from Aswan is thousands of years old and weights 285 tons, it’s fascinating. Today, the significance of the Pillar is the land it sits on. It marks the site of what was once a grand and elaborate temple. There are still some tunnels that remain for tourist viewing and exploration.
Cleopatra’s Sunken Palace
Remains of Cleopatra’s palace on the bottom of the sea floor in the Mediterranean off the coast of Alexandria. At this time, to see the incredible sunken palace of Cleopatra you must be a certified diver. Despite being a PADI certified advanced open water diver, I wasn’t able to see this extraordinary site. Not a lot of dive companies were operating at the time and I wasn’t able to find a guide to take me. How did Cleopatra’s Palace end up at the bottom of the sea? Similar to the Lighthouse of Alexandria, a disastrous earthquake caused the island it sat on to sink into the ocean, destroying the palace and scattering it throughout the bay. If you’d like to see the remains for yourself, it is only about 10 meters or just a little over 30 feet down in the harbor. But be advised that the waters have been reported to often be murky, cold with limited visibility. Despite this, I consider this to be one of the most unique and interesting things to do in Alexandria Egypt and next time I’m in there, I am in!
12. Explore Cairo
With over 20 million people, I knew there had to be more to see and do. If you’re wondering what to do in Cairo, I’ve got your back! This guide covers everything-from must-see landmarks in Egypt to hidden gems most tourists miss, plus the best day trips from Cairo.
Non-Touristy Things to Do in Cairo
- Visit the Giza Pyramids
- Explore the Newly Open Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
- Go Shopping in Khan El Khalili
- Discover the History of Coptic Cairo
- Visit the Muhammad Ali Mosque in Islamic Cairo
- Relax at Al-Azhar Park
- Join a Cairo Food Tour
- Experience a Nile Cruise
- Visit the City of the Dead
- Discover the Art of Papyrus Making
- Explore Cairo Tower in Zamalek
- Explore New Cairo
- Visit Garbage City and the Cave Church
Unique Day Trips from Cairo
- Cairo to Alexandria Day Trip
- Saqqara, Dahshur, and Memphis
- White Desert & Black Desert
- Whale Valley (Wadi Al-Hitan)
13. Explore the White Desert & Black Desert
Looking for fun outdoor activities in Cairo? It’s about 4-5 hours from Cairo, so many travelers turn this into an overnight camping trip with sandboarding, a bonfire, and a stunning desert sunrise. But if you’re up for an adventure, you can squeeze it into a (very long) day trip from Cairo.
14. Visit Whale Valley (Wadi Al-Hitan)
Wadi Al-Hitan, or Whale Valley, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can see fossils of ancient whales that lived here millions of years ago, back when this whole region was covered by ocean. It takes about three hours from Cairo to get there, and you’ll need a 4×4 to navigate the terrain.
15. Siwa Oasis
Siwa is one of Egypt’s most off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Travel Tips & Resources to Help You Plan an Epic Trip!
Firstly, like anywhere else in Egypt, I absolutely recommend having a guide and a driver. Unlike many destinations, Egypt is not an easy place to get around. There is lots of traffic, potential for getting ripped off, a language barrier in certain instances and not enough context for attractions without a guide. If you take the tour I took, you will have a professional driver, English speaking Egyptologist tour guide and it includes an Egyptian lunch (no beverages). All of the sites listed above will be visited sans Cleopatra’s Sunken Palace.
Tip: I recommend reviewing all the sites that will be visited and deciding which attractions you are the most interested in. Due to this being a day tour (although a long day, indeed), you’ll want to make sure you have enough time at the places you’re passionate about.
Will Alexandria make your itinerary?
- Going - I’ve subscribed to Going (formerly, beloved, Scott’s Cheap Flights) for awhile now and it’s an amazing resource for finding… did you guess cheap flights? Yes, you can set your preferences from airports to flight class and get destination deals right to your inbox. It’s fab! I use the Premium paid version, but they have a FREE version too. So what are you waiting for?! Let’s get Going!
- Booking.com - the majority, if not almost all of my stays are booked on Booking.com. It’s a reliable site to book and manage your reservations. It’s a great way to find boutique stays and unique accommodations at the best rates!
- Expedia - If I am looking for a flight to a specific destination for specific dates, I find myself booking many flights on Expedia. It’s user friendly and straight forward.
- Viator - most of the activities, tours and excursions I book for my trips are booked through Viator. Whether you’re seeking a guide for the day, a group tour, a cooking class, Viator has you covered!
- Get Your Guide - this is another great marketplace to find tours, excursions and activities to book for your upcoming trip.
Plan to Travel Egypt?
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance.
- Arabic Phrasebook - Most people in Egypt who are connected with the tourism industry speak good English, but learning some Arabic never goes a miss, especially if you want to ensure you’re paying the best prices!
- Good Camera - Egypt is one of those ultimate bucket list destinations and travelling here with a good camera will help you preserve the memories. I highly recommend the mirrorless Sony A6000.
- Sun Hat - Egypt is hot and dry, really like hot and really dry. When you’re walking around temples and other sights you’ll be exposed to the sun for long periods of time, so making sure you pack a sunhat for adequate protection is key.
- Amazon Audible - Travel in Egypt can often involve long train or bus journeys, so having something to listen to while you enjoy the scenery is a must!
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