The 5 Best Holiday Destinations in Egypt – Discover the Top Vacation Spots in Egypt

Cairo; Luxor; Sharm El Sheikh; Hurghada, and Aswan are the most popular holiday destinations in Egypt. Most tourists begin their Egypt trip in Cairo, before heading to places like Luxor which is renowned for its ancient temples, tombs and ruins.

While Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan are best known for their ancient Egyptian monuments and Nile River cruises, other popular vacation spots in Egypt like Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada are famous for their pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, and lively nightlife scenes.

1. Cairo – The Vibrant Egyptian Capital

Cairo is the capital of Egypt, and one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The city is notorious for its congested roads and its overall chaotic nature. It is also famous for another reason: the legendary Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx.

Besides the famous pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, there are also many other famous tourist attractions in Cairo that lure visitors to this bustling city. The Great Step Pyramid at Saqqara, and the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid at Dashur are also just a short drive from the city center.

Most tourists enter Egypt via Cairo, and choose to spend a few days in the city before moving on to other parts of the country, making the Cairo one of the most visited holiday destinations in Egypt.

Whether you love Cairo or hate Cairo, it is undeniably a fascinating city, and one with so much to offer visitors. From mouthwatering cuisine to world-class museums and ancient monuments that date back to the time of the pharaohs, Cairo is surely worth visiting. Experience the best of Cairo with high quality Egypt tour packages or create your own custom Egypt tour here.

2. Luxor – The World’s Biggest Open-Air Museum

Luxor is one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities. The original city, once known as Thebes, was the capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom era. Today, Luxor is one of the most visited holiday destinations in Egypt, and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Some of the most famous Luxor tourist attractions include Karnak Temple; Luxor Temple; the Valley of Kings, and the splendid mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut. The Valley of Kings is also home to one of the world’s most coveted tourist attractions, the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Luxor is well geared up for tourism, and in terms of ancient monuments, it is one the best destinations in Egypt. Nowhere else in Egypt, will you find a higher concentration of ancient tombs, temples and ruins.

Most good quality Nile cruise packages will include a guided tour of some of the top Luxor attractions like Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and etc. However, to get the most out of a trip to Luxor, private guided Egypt day tours are recommended. Alternatively, you can create a customized tour here.

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3. Sharm El Sheikh – Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera

Sharm El Sheikh is located on the southern tip of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, on the Red Sea coast. It is a major center for tourism, and is considered by many to be one the best holiday destinations in Egypt.

Sharm El Sheikh is best known for its beautiful protected beaches; its year-round good weather, and its spectacular coral reefs. The area is home to more than 250 coral reefs and thousands of fish species, making it one of the best vacation spots in Egypt for SCUBA divers and snorkeling enthusiasts.

Besides its pristine beaches and crystal clear waters, Sharm El Sheikh is also well-known for its vibrant nightlife scene that includes many cafes, bars and nightclubs. This has resulted in Sharm El Sheikh becoming a popular destination for people of all ages.

As from 2012, the citizens of numerous countries have been able to visit Sharm El Sheikh for up to 14 days without a visa. However, without a visa, visitors are prohibited from traveling outside the Sinai Peninsula. This includes boat trips for SCUBA diving, snorkeling, or for visiting the nearby islands.

While many people choose to spend their entire vacation at Sharm, there are also many who prefer to visit other popular holiday destinations in Egypt before heading to Sharm El Sheikh for a few days. If you are ready to explore Egypt, you can book one of our epic Egypt tour packages today, or you can customize your Egypt tour here.

4. Hurghada – A Holiday Gem on the Red Sea Coast

Hurghada is the capital city of the Red Sea Governorate in Egypt. It is a major tourism center and one of the most popular holiday destinations in Egypt among domestic travelers and foreign travelers alike. The city has seen a significant transformation since the 1980s.

Hurghada has become a world famous SCUBA diving destination, attracting recreational divers from all around the world. It is also one of the best vacation spots in Egypt for other water related activities such as kitesurfing, windsurfing, sailing and deep sea fishing.

Besides watersports, there are also lots of other tourist attractions in Hurghada, including things like quad biking adventures and camel trekking to the nearby Red Sea Mountains. Visitors can also explore the area by way of professionally guided day tours.

Whether you want to spend your time lazing around on the beach; diving or snorkeling in the Red Sea, or playing rounds of golf, Hurghada will not disappoint you. Hurghada is one of the most fun holiday destinations in Egypt, regardless of your age.

Egypt Tours Plus offers several premium quality Egypt tour packages that include a few days in Hurghada. You can also create a customized tour here.

5. Aswan – A Thriving Desert City

Aswan is a city in southern Egypt, located on the east bank of the Nile River. It has served as a strategic, and also a commercial gateway ever since ancient Egyptian times. Today, Aswan is one of the top 5 holiday destinations in Egypt.

Like Luxor, Aswan is a desert city, and one of the driest desert cities in the world. Despite this, it has been a successful and prominent city since antiquity. It is a major center for tourism, and also plays a big role in the Nile cruise industry.

Aswan is a major hub Nile River cruises. Nearly all Nile cruises either begin or end in Aswan. The most famous monument in Aswan is the ancient Philae Temple which was completed in around 690 AD. However, there are also many other tourist attractions in Aswan.

Apart from its own attractions, Aswan is also a popular starting point for Egypt day tours to a number of other ancient monuments, including the magnificent rock-cut temples of pharaoh Ramses the Great at Abu Simbel.

Discover the delights of Aswan and beyond with one of our 5-Star Nile River cruises or you can create a customized Egypt tour here.

 

Design Your Custom Egypt Tour

Explore Egypt your way by selecting only the attractions you want to visit

CREATE YOUR DREAM TRIP

Last Updated on October 21, 2024