Egypt: Tourist & Vacation Guide

Country's codes

International phone code for Egypt: +20

Standard ISO 3166-1:

3 letters: EGY

2 letters (internet domain): .EG

Digital country code: 818

Standard EAN-13 (country barcode): 622

Olympic country code: EGY

FIFA code: EGY

🇪🇬 Egypt Travel Guide

🇪🇬 Egypt blends ancient wonders, Nile life, and Red Sea coasts. From the Pyramids of Giza to Luxor’s temples and the coral reefs of Sinai, it offers a powerful mix of history, desert landscapes, and vibrant city life.

🌍 RegionNorth Africa (Eastern Mediterranean & Nile Valley)

⭐ Famous forPyramids, Nile cruises, Red Sea diving

📅 Best time to visitOctober – April (cooler, ideal for sightseeing)

💰 CurrencyEgyptian Pound (EGP)

  ✨ Why visit Egypt?

  Egypt is one of the world’s great civilizations—home to pharaohs, pyramids, and millennia of history along the Nile. Sail on a felucca, wander through ancient temples, dive in the Red Sea, and experience the energy of Cairo’s bazaars and cafés.

Top Attractions in Egypt

🛕 Pyramids of Giza & the Sphinx

The last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, rising from the desert on Cairo’s edge—iconic, mysterious, and unforgettable.

🏛️ Temples of Luxor & Karnak

Monumental temple complexes on the Nile’s east bank, with towering columns, obelisks, and dramatic evening light shows.

⚓ Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan

A classic journey through Upper Egypt, passing palm‑lined banks, villages, and ancient sites in comfort and style.

🌊 Red Sea Resorts (Hurghada & Sharm El Sheikh)

Crystal‑clear waters, coral reefs, and year‑round sunshine—perfect for diving, snorkeling, and relaxed beach holidays.

Best Places to Visit

🏙️ Cairo – Bustling capital with museums, bazaars, and views of the pyramids.
🏺 Luxor – Open‑air museum with temples and the Valley of the Kings.
⛵ Aswan – Nile-side city with Nubian culture and access to Abu Simbel.
🏖️ Hurghada & Sharm El Sheikh – Red Sea hubs for diving, snorkeling, and resorts.
🏜️ Siwa Oasis – Remote desert oasis with springs, dunes, and Berber heritage.

  💡 Travel Tip: For major sights, start early in the morning to avoid midday heat and crowds—especially at the pyramids and in Luxor.

Things to Do in Egypt

Explore the Egyptian Museum or the Grand Egyptian Museum for treasures of Tutankhamun.
Take a Nile cruise or a traditional felucca ride at sunset.
Dive or snorkel among coral reefs in the Red Sea.
Wander through Khan El Khalili bazaar and try traditional Egyptian coffee or tea.
Climb Mount Sinai for sunrise views over the desert (from Sinai region).

🍽️ Local Experience: Try koshari (lentils, pasta, and chickpeas), ful medames (fava beans), taameya (Egyptian falafel), and finish with basbousa or konafa alongside a mint tea or fresh sugarcane juice.

Travel Tips for Visitors

☀️ Summers are extremely hot, especially in Upper Egypt—light clothing, hats, and hydration are essential.
🚕 Taxis and ride‑hailing apps are common in cities; domestic flights save time on long distances.
💳 Cards are accepted in hotels and larger venues, but carry cash (EGP) for markets and small shops.
🙏 Dress modestly when visiting mosques and traditional neighborhoods; ask before photographing people.

📌 Useful Country Information

Quick Facts

Total area: 390,121 sq mi (1,010,408 sq km)

Population (2023 est.): ~110 million

Capital: Cairo (~10+ million in city, much more in metro)

🇪🇬 Cairo: Capital City Profile

Other major cities: Alexandria, Giza, Shubra El Kheima, Port Said, Suez

Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)

CurrencyRate

National name: Jumhūriyyat Miṣr al-ʿArabiyyah (Arab Republic of Egypt)

Language: Arabic (official); English and French widely used in tourism and business

Ethnicity/race: Egyptians (Arab) majority; Nubians and other minorities

Religions: Muslim majority (mostly Sunni), Christian minority (mainly Coptic Orthodox), other small groups

National Holiday: July 23, Revolution Day.

Background

🇪🇬 Egypt is a transcontinental country linking North Africa and the Middle East, centered on the fertile Nile Valley amid vast deserts. Its ancient civilization produced the pyramids, hieroglyphs, and monumental temples that still define global images of antiquity.
🌍 Modern Egypt emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries as a key regional power, with Cairo becoming a cultural and political hub of the Arab world.
🚢 The Suez Canal, opened in 1869, remains one of the world’s most important maritime routes, connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas.
🏙️ Today, Egypt combines rapid urban growth with deep historical roots, balancing tourism, agriculture, and energy sectors while continuing to develop its infrastructure and new cities.