Learn more about the most important cities in Egypt and the most famous tourism centres. Locations which should certainly be included on every trip to the country are Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Luxor and Aswan.
Cairo
If we had a nickname to send to Cairo, it would be Chaos! Car horns blare from seemingly lawless highways, calls to prayer ring from opposing minarets, hawkers attempt from all angles to catch your attention… It’s insanity!
In addition, you also have one of the most polluted cities in the world, with insufficient rain, millions of ancient vehicles and pollution from the urban industry.
So why should you visit, you may ask. It is precisely for this reason: to immerse yourself in one of the largest cities in the world’s amazing hustle and bustle; to see modern architecture in comparison to 4,000-year-old monuments; and to experience everyday life among the many different people living in the city.
The most prominent monuments in Cairo are the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The Egyptian Museum, the Saqqara and Memphis pyramids and the Citadel of Saladin are all well worth a visit.
- Tours, trips and activities in Cairo
Alexandria
Established in 332 BCE by Alexander the Great, Alexandria has been the capital of Egypt for over 1000 years and remains an important manufacturing, economic and tourist hub to this day.
Located in the north of the world, Alexandria is home to Egypt’s largest port city and one of the Mediterranean’s most important towns, with more than five million inhabitants. An significant economic and industrial hub, it is also the most cosmopolitan city in the country and also popular with tourists.
What to see in Alexandria
The city has historically been famous for its iconic lighthouse. The Pharos of Alexandria was a lighthouse built in the 3rd century BCE, and it was one of the longest survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World after almost 2000 years, until being destroyed in the 14th century by earthquakes.
The 15th century defensive castle, known as the Citadel of Qaitbay on the Mediterranean Sea Coast, was built on top of the ruins of the famous lighthouse. Founded by the Sultan of the same name, Fort Quaitbay has been superbly restored, and discerning visitors may be able to spot ancient granite among its walls from the lighthouse.
Other interesting historical monuments of Alexandria include its library, which was home to almost a million documents that were lost under the Roman Empire in its heyday in the 3rd century. Established in the early 2000s, the contemporary centre known as Bibliotheca Alexandrina does well to catch the spirit of the historic centre of education.
Sadly, the ancient ruins of this historically great city are not as evident as in Egypt’s other cities because of both nature and human hands. However, Alexandria is still, because of its beautiful beaches and the fascinating history that can still be felt here, a popular tourist centre – its museums are well worth a visit.
- Tours, trips and activities in Alexandria
Hurghada
Located on the Red Sea coast and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Egypt, Hurghada has beautiful beaches and great diving and snorkelling in crystal-clear waters.
Before Egypt’s 1980s tourism boom, Hurghada was a tiny fishing village. Resorts and tourist attractions soon emerged, as did an international airport with links to several European cities, making it a popular destination for beach holidays.
What to do in Hurghada?
The key tourist draw of Hurghada is its gorgeous sandy beaches and turquoise crystalline waters, and water sports enthusiasts will be a major fan of the many opportunities in the vibrant marine life for diving and snorkelling here.
The desert surroundings of the city offer an excellent environment in peaceful oases for dune surfing, desert safaris, camel rides and sunset meals.
- Tours, trips and activities in Hurghada
Sharm El Sheikh
The coastal town of Sharm El Sheikh has become a renowned tourist destination with beautiful beaches, crystal clear sea and luxurious hotels, from humble beginnings as a tiny fishing village on the Red Sea.
Sharm El Sheikh is a town on the Red Sea coast, situated on the Sinai Peninsula. From humble beginnings as a small fishing village, to a major port and Egyptian naval base, since the 1980s, Sharm, as it is also called, has become a huge tourism hub.
What to do in Sharm El Sheikh?
The popularity of Sharm El Sheikh is primarily due to its glorious year-round climate and stunning natural beaches. The town is a paradise for scuba diving and snorkelling in calm, crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life; there is an aqua park spa, and several hotels have their own water clubs.
Naama Bay, where a variety of international resorts and world-renowned restaurants are located, is the liveliest region of the city. For those who want to party until dawn, this area is also home to much of the city’s nightlife, which includes a branch of the ever-popular Pacha nightclub.
Quad cycle trips, go-karting and popular camel rides through the scenic desert that surrounds Sharm El Sheikh are other daytime activities.
- Tours, trips and activities in Sharm El Sheikh
Luxor
Like Thebes, it was the ancient kingdom’s capital; today, Luxor is regarded as the largest open-air museum in the world, home to some of the most prominent temples, tombs and monuments in Egypt.
Luxor has been known throughout its history as Thebes, the great capital of the Egyptian Empire; Waset, meaning “city of the sceptre”; Ta ipet, meaning “the shrine”; the “city of 100 gates” and several other names. The name Luxor comes from the word for ‘palaces’ in Arabic.
It started to gain prominence around 3000 BCE, and eventually became the political, military and religious capital of Ancient Egypt for a period of over 1500 years. Home to a huge number of architectural monuments in the region, it is now an important centre for tourism.
What to see in Luxor
An incomparable number of ancient Egyptian temples are preserved in Luxor. The 3400-year-old Luxor Temple and the Karnak Temple Complex are among its highlights; the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens necropolises, and the huge stone statues known as the Memnoun Colossi.
As a small town, tourists are able to get around Luxor by taxi as easily as by horse-drawn carriage. While the horse-drawn carriage choice is a real pleasure for visitors, hiring a bike can also be a fun way to see the sights of the city – but only recommended during the day, and not during the hottest times of the year!
- Tours, trips and activities in Luxor
Aswan
Located at the Nile’s first cataract, 600 miles (almost 1000 km) south of Cairo, Aswan is Egypt’s southernmost city and was the ancient city’s frontier.
The city of Aswan has been strategically significant in the legendary history of the nation thanks to its position in southern Egypt at the First Cataract of the Nile. It is certainly a city with many stories to tell, home to the ancient Egyptian frontier, the stone quarries from which the world-famous pyramids were furnished and markets in which gold, wood and spices were traded.
What to see in Aswan
Aswan remains a busy commercial and tourism centre to this day, as well as having a fascinating past. One of the reasons for this is its famous dams, which have had a huge influence on the economic and cultural growth of Egypt and are often included in the city’s sightseeing tours.
Aswan is also the site of the ancient stone quarries from which the pyramids, statues, and other monuments were made, and the Unfinished Obelisk, still partly attached to the rock from which it was carved 3500 years ago, is one of the highlights of any trip to the city. The Fatimid Cemetery nearby is home to the remains of a number of domed tombs made from mud bricks in the 9th century.
The city is also home to a variety of museums for those fortunate enough to have a fair amount of time to spend in Aswan, including one devoted to an alternate aspect of Egypt: the Nubian people’s culture and history. If this piques your interest, you should visit Gharb Soheil, better known as the Nubian Village, which is a short boat ride across the Nile not far from Aswan.
Of course, Aswan is home to a number of ancient temples, including the Philae Temple, situated on an island not far from the centre of the city and dedicated to the goddess Isis, as is the case nationwide. The temple complex of Abu Simbel, one of the most famous sites near Aswan, and the reason why many people make the journey to southern Egypt, is, Twin rock temples carved in the 13th century BCE from the mountains!
- Tours, trips and activities in Aswan
In Cairo I believe 3 days are enough. Just make sure you visit Downtown Cairo and Tahrir Square, Khan El Khalili and Muizz Street, The Pyramids of course, the Egyptian Museum, go on a Nile cruise if you want/can, Saladin Citadel, and Cairo Tower. When in Downtown and you want to try a real Egyptian dish, visit Abu Tarek for “Kushari”. For a relaxing time by the Nile, you can sit in Left Bank restaurant in Zamalek district or visit Grand Cafe in Maadi district (my foreign friends just loved those two places!).
that’s such a cool article! so informative. Thank you so much.
Hi! I will visit egypt this week and stay for 10 days I would like to go to beautiful places there. Any suggestion.
Hi! I will visit egypt this week and stay for 10 days I would like to go to beautiful places there. Any suggestion.
I will be on vacation in Egypt in December . looking forward to seeing as much as I can . thankfully I have a local friend that will be by my side