Egypt
Five thousand years of monuments strung along the Nile, with coral reef running down the Red Sea coast.
Icons
Pyramids and temples, the river and the sea.
- Pyramids at the edge of the desertGiza Pyramids and the SphinxWest of Cairo
Close enough to the city that they appear between buildings. Camel and carriage touts are persistent, so agree a price first.
- A temple of stone columnsKarnak TempleLuxor
The great hypostyle hall of massed columns is the set piece. The complex was extended by dynasty after dynasty.
- Tombs hidden inside rockValley of the KingsWest bank, Luxor
Tombs cut deep into the cliffs, grouped in one valley. Some are covered by the standard ticket and others charge separately.
- Colossi moved stone by stoneAbu SimbelNubia, south
Facing submersion by a dam, the temples were cut apart and rebuilt higher up. Trips usually leave before dawn.
- A boat down the riverNile cruiseLuxor to Aswan
Sleeping aboard while moving between sites. It solves transport and accommodation at once.
- Reef down the eastern coastRed SeaHurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh
A completely different kind of trip from the monuments. Known for diving and snorkelling.
World Heritage
Mostly ancient sites, plus one Islamic city.
- Back to the oldest pyramidMemphis and its NecropolisAround Cairo
Giza, Saqqara and Dahshur are inscribed together. The step pyramid stands at Saqqara.
- A city of temples and tombsAncient Thebes with its NecropolisLuxor
Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings form one property. The east bank belonged to the living, the west to the dead.
- Nubian monuments moved to safetyFrom Abu Simbel to PhilaeSouth
Temples relocated by international effort before the Aswan dam flooded them. Philae was moved island and all.
- An old city dense with mosquesHistoric CairoCairo
A quarter of medieval Islamic architecture, running straight into the bazaar. The lanes are narrow and busy.
- A monastery below Mount SinaiSaint Catherine AreaSinai Peninsula
Among the oldest continuously working monasteries in the world. Many climb the mountain before dawn for the sunrise.
Where to go
Cairo in the north, the monuments in the south, the Red Sea apart.
- CairoThe capitalNorth
Museums, pyramids and bazaars together. Traffic is heavy, so allow plenty of time to move.
- LuxorThe centre of the monumentsSouth-central
Temples on one bank, tombs on the other. Balloon flights over the west bank are a common addition.
- AswanThe southern gatewaySouth
Nubian culture and island temples. The jumping-off point for Abu Simbel.
- AlexandriaA Mediterranean cityNorthern coast
A modern library honouring the ancient one, and a long seafront corniche. Cooler than Cairo.
- The Sinai PeninsulaMountains and seaEast
Saint Catherine’s monastery and the Red Sea resorts in one region. Check area-specific safety advice.
When to go
The south in summer is extremely hot.
- WinterNovember to FebruaryNationwide
The best conditions for visiting the monuments. High season, so expect crowds.
- SpringMarch to AprilNationwide
Good temperatures, but this is when sandstorms blow. The wind is called the khamaseen.
- SummerMay to SeptemberNationwide
The south passes forty degrees, which makes outdoor sightseeing hard. Prices fall, though the Red Sea stays busy.
- AutumnOctoberNationwide
The heat breaks and travel becomes comfortable. Just before high season, so prices are still low.
Before you go
Sort the visa, and know a few local conventions.
- EntryVisa on arrival or e-visa requiredNationwide
Korean passports are not visa-free here; obtain an e-visa in advance or a visa on arrival. The conditions change, so check before departure.
- MoneyEgyptian pound, small notes neededNationwide
Tipping is customary, so carry small change. Outside hotels, many places do not take cards.
- DressCover up at sites and mosquesNationwide
Covered shoulders and knees are the safe default. Women should also cover their hair inside a mosque.
- Water and foodStick to bottled waterNationwide
Do not drink the tap water, and be cautious with ice. Pack something for an upset stomach.
- Regional safetySome areas are restrictedInland Sinai, western desert and elsewhere
Travel advice differs sharply by region. Check your government’s notices and stay on permitted routes.
- Emergency numbers122 police, 123 ambulance, 126 tourist policeNationwide
Tourist police are stationed around the major sites and often speak English. Going through your hotel is usually faster.
Opening hours, fares and schedules change from year to year and by season. Check the official guidance for each site and operator before you travel.