Egypt Holidays

From visiting spectacular landmarks you’ll never forget to glorious beaches you’ll never want to leave, here are a few Egypt highlights:

• Visit world-famous historical sites: Towering over the desert landscape, be in awe of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Cairo. The pyramids are one of the 7 wonders of the world and a popular wish-list experience.
• Discover the underwater world: Snorkel over coral reefs or scuba dive in some of the world’s diving hotspots. There’s marine life in abundance, from colourful fish to dolphins.
• Laze on the beaches: With soft, golden sands and crystal-clear waters, Egypt’s beaches are a dreamy location for relaxing in the sun. Some of the shores have wide strips of shallow waters, perfect for little paddlers, and there’s a whole range of water sports out to sea.
• Ride across the desert: Drift across the dunes on a quad bike, taking in the scenic desert landscape of sand and rugged mountains.
• Hike to the top of Mount Sinai: Join an overnight tour group to see the most incredible sunrise from the top of a mountain.

Egypt is a history-lovers paradise, with temples, pyramids and monuments scattered across the land of the pharaohs.

• Explore intricate tombs: Located on the bank of the River Nile, explore the extravagant tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens – the final resting place of ancient Egyptian rulers.
• Look up to the Sphinx: Among the world’s largest sculptures is the Great Sphinx of Giza. According to the most common theory, it was built for Pharaoh Khafre around 2600 BC.
• Visit impressive museums in Cairo: Discover an astounding collection of ancient artefacts in The Egyptian Museum, such as treasures, jewellery and mummies. Afterwards, spend time at the Museum of Islamic Art looking at masterpieces from three continents.
• Marvel at the wonders of Luxor Temple: One of Egypt's largest open-air museums, you can walk amongst mighty columns and through stunning courtyards at Luxor Temple. Just outside, be wowed by the newly excavated Avenue of the Sphinxes. Age-old Karnak Temple is a 15-minute drive away.
• Take a day trip to St Catherine’s Monastery: Visit this 6th-century monastery, thought to be the site of the Old Testament’s story of the Ten Commandments. The UNESCO-listed building also houses a museum.

From lavish resorts to majestic cities and desert sunsets, Egypt overflows with romantic vibes, making it a good choice for couples holidays.

• Cruise down the Nile: These nautical excursions are full of romance and a great way to see the sights in style. Many cruises start in Luxor, with Egyptologists to guide you through the region.
• Visit famous dive sites: For diving couples, Tiran Island and Ras Mohammed National Park feature world-famous underwater scenes of coral reefs, exotic fish and manta rays. You’ll find fantastic resorts with PADI dive centres at Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Hurghada and Marsa Alam.
• Book a hotel overlooking a lagoon: The holiday town of El Gouna is custom-made for a sophisticated escape from the world, built around sparkling lagoons connected by canals. Enjoy boutiques, restaurants, and nightclubs with views of luxury yachts on the marina.
• Find charm in Aswan: Resting on the shores of the Nile, Aswan is a charming city blessed with an abundance of palm trees, tropical gardens and mesmerising sites. Visit peaceful Nubian villages and shop in the colourful souk.
• Take a hot air balloon ride over Luxor: Book a flight in the early hours to watch the sunrise over the city of Luxor. Get a new perspective on famous monuments and discover more about Egypt’s fascinating history and culture.

Bring history lessons of Tutankhamun and the famous pharaohs to life, play on soft sands and discover unique activities for all ages on family beach holidays to Egypt.

• Go all inclusive: The Red Sea resorts are idyllic bases for family getaways. In Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, you have everything you need, including sandy beaches, aqua parks and stand-out hotels. Take the stress out of the holiday with an all inclusive package deal.
• Splash about in a waterpark: Cool off from Egypt’s heat by spending the day at one of the waterparks. Makadi Bay Water World has 50 slides to enjoy and play areas for little ones.
• Take a traditional sailboat trip on the mighty River Nile: A felucca offers a slow, peaceful ride, perfect for soaking up the sights and snapping memorable family photos.
• See the Pyramids of Giza by night: Book the seasonal sound and light show. The kids will be mesmerised by the lasers and visual projections on the famous icons. You’ll learn about ancient Egypt and its beginning in the most beautiful setting.
• Try something new: Head to Sliders Cable Park in El Gouna to give wakeboarding a go. The floating aqua park is great family fun with a trampoline, balance beams and slides into the lake. Catch your breath afterwards with a cold drink in the pool club.

Stretching alongside the Red Sea Riviera and the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt’s beautiful beaches are the perfect spot to spend lazy days.

• Makadi Bay: A short drive from Hurghada’s buzzing centre, picturesque Makadi Bay is on the Red Sea Coast with its golden beach and clear waters. The range of hotels steps from the sands are perfect for all inclusive holidays.
• Naama Bay: A natural, soft-sand beach, Naama Bay is the tourist hub of Sharm El Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula. There are tons of water sports to enjoy out to sea and you’ve got easy access to the city’s lively restaurants, bars and clubs nearby.
• Al Nayzak Beach: Close to the coastal town of Marsa Alam, Al Nayzak features a unique, natural rock pool that the locals call the ‘Shooting Star’. It’s believed to have been formed by a meteor.
• Soma Bay: The purpose-built resort of Soma Bay is an exclusive destination, where the sands are flanked by 5-star hotels, spas and a golf course. Many of the hotels feature private beaches and diving centres.
• Agiba Beach: With a backdrop of scenic cliffs and dazzling turquoise waters lapping on the shore, Agiba Beach is quite something. The nearby city of Marsa Matrouh is also home to Cleopatra’s Beach, where it’s believed the queen herself swam.

Egypt is a world-renowned diving destination, and there are huge protected areas for the landscapes and creatures beneath the waves.

• Hurghada: The resort favourite is also a top destination for snorkellers and beginner divers as many of the reefs are shallow and sheltered, yet still teeming with sea life.
• Ras Mohammed National Park: This protected area is home to an array of underwater creatures, and the seabed is littered with some intriguing shipwrecks, such as the famous Thistlegorm wreck.
• Ras Abu Galum: The gorgeous beach is within a protected area near Dahab, but people also come here for scuba diving, where you can see turtles and manta rays in the clear waters. Also in Dahab, Lighthouse reef is a beautiful spot for beginners.
• Ras Um Sid: The shallow coral reef at Ras Um Sid, Sharm El Sheikh, is perfect for snorkellers who can reach it from the shore. Float above the colourful reefs looking for pretty fish and marine life.
• Marsa Abu Dabbab: Based within the up-and-coming resort of Marsa Alam, this location is known for its population of friendly Dugong. They are regularly spotted on dives, along with majestic sea turtles.

A relaxed café culture, nightclubs, belly dancing and vibrant beach resorts make up Egypt’s eclectic nightlife scene. Here are a few of our favourites:

• Laid-back spots: Cafés feature heavily for after-dark socialising. Sip on locally brewed tea, sample shisha and chill out with live music in Cairo’s cosy venues.
• Nautical nights out: Dinner cruises on the Nile offer spectacular views of the twinkling skyline, scrumptious buffets and live entertainment such as whirling dervish dancing.
• Capital carousing: Cairo’s Zamalek neighbourhood is home to the Opera House. After a show, you’re in the right spot to club-hop around the city’s top venues.
• Seaside celebrations: If you love a good dose of partying with your beach holidays, base yourself in Sharm El Sheikh. Pubs, bars and nightclubs are mainly clustered in the areas of Naama Bay and Soho Square.
• Belly dancing: From restaurants to 5-star hotels and nightclubs, chances are you’ll come across a belly dancing show. Cairo is considered the birthplace of the modern version of the art.

Egyptian food culture is rich and varied with spices, fresh vegetables, seafood and meat. Here are some dishes to try yourself:

• Mezze: Start your dining experience with delectable Mezze. Small plates include salads, baba ganoush, hummus and duqqa.
• Meats: Koftas and kebabs are popular at restaurants and street food stalls. The tasty mince balls and flame-grilled chunks of lamb and chicken are generally served with bread, salad and tahini.
• Falafel: An all-time favourite street food is falafel, and Egypt is a frontrunner in producing the world’s most delicious version. Instead of ground chickpeas, Egyptians use dried fava beans.
• Seafood: Coastal seafood menus offer a huge array of fresh options. Choose from staples like squid, mullet, sea bass, bluefish and prawns.
• Foodie experiences: Cairo’s food scene continues to rise on the world stage. From shawarma sandwiches on the street to global fine-dining restaurants in luxury hotels, there’s something to tempt everyone’s taste buds.