Egypt: Top 5 Destinations

Warm and romantic, the Land of the Pharaohs is an increasingly popular travel destination. Linking Africa and the Middle East, Egypt was visited by approximately 415,000 British nationals visited Egypt in 2018.

As a destination for business and leisure, Egypt is growing in popularity. In fact, tourism has grown 51% in recent years. People visit Egypt for the incredible landscapes, in a breathtakingly beautiful holiday destination that’s exotic and steeped in history.

If you’re planning to visit Egypt, here are some stunning places to stay.

1. Giza

The Pyramids of Giza are by far the most famous landmarks in Egypt. Stay in Giza, Egypt’s third-largest city, to have the best access to the Pyramids. In fact, you can take a minibus straight to them from Giza’s subway station.

Seeing the Pyramids up close will take your breath away. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only remaining landmark of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Alone, that one Pyramid is built from more than 2.3 million blocks that were transported hundreds of miles. An amazing feat, the results of which you can see with your own eyes.

You can ride a camel in the shadow of the Pyramids, visit on your own, or join an organised tour to share the experience with others

2. Abu Simbel

The village of Abu Simbel is a wonderful place to stay. See the ancient rock temples on the banks of Lake Nasser, in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Hathor and Nefertari are incredibly impressive up close, and were originally carved out of a mountainside.

The temples of Abu Simbel were lost under the sand for hundreds of years. Rediscovered in the early 1800s, they’re now a part of the stunning landscape in this hot desert climate.

3. Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh is a popular Egyptian holiday destination, located on the Red Sea coast. You’ll struggle to find a more stunning destination for hot weather holidays, than here in the City of Peace.

Sharm El Sheikh’s stunning scenery extends past the land, to some of the most awe-inspiring underwater reefs. In fact, this is one of the world’s most popular places for scuba diving and snorkelling holidays. In Sharm El Sheikh, white sands give way to crystal blue waters, with palm trees for shelter.

Take time, when visiting, to enjoy an incredible sunset.

4. Luxor

Once known as Thebes, Luxor is an ancient city in southern Egypt with many stunning sights to see. Near the Valley of the Kings, Luxor has been described as the world’s greatest ‘open air museum’. It’s earned this title because of the many incredible historic landmarks, including the Luxor Temple and the Abu Haggag Mosque.

Visitors to Luxor can walk amongst the ruins at the Karnak Temple, and The Ramesseum, amongst many other ancient buildings. The Tombs of the Nobles and the towering Colossi of Memnon add to the beauty of Luxor. Here, modern life blends beautifully with ancient Egyptian history.

5. Alexandria

Egypt’s second-largest city, Alexandria is another particularly stunning place to stay. Despite being a thriving economic centre home to more than 5.2 million people, it remains an incredibly beautiful destination on the Mediterranean Sea.

Alexandria’s Kom El Shoqafa catacombs offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those that wish to tour them. However, the landmarks above land are just as beautiful. In Alexandria, you’ll find exquisite Islamic mosques and beautiful palaces, all with stories to tell.

A stay in any of the above destinations will give you an insight into two very distinct elements of Egyptian culture. This is a destination where ancient historic monuments have been maintained, even as cities have grown and developed. As a result, a visit to Egypt offers modern-day comfort with some of the most amazing sights to see.

Visitors to Egypt will be amazed by how much of the country’s distant history is maintained. Yet it’s not just history that makes Egypt such a popular place to stay. With high temperatures, beautiful beaches and the clearest of seas, it’s also everything you’d want from a world-class tourist destination.