Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Egypt

A photograph of Egypt
Photograph · kallerna · CC BY-SA 3.0

Egypt covers 1,001,450 km2, and about 99% of its people live on roughly 5.5% of it: the narrow Nile Valley and the Delta. That single line of green sets the trip. Cairo and Giza sit at the head of the Delta, Luxor and Aswan lie far upriver, and what joins them is the water itself or the rail line that follows it. The coasts behave like a separate country - Alexandria on the Mediterranean, Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh on the Red Sea, where people come for coral reefs rather than tombs. Sinai holds Mount Catherine, at 2,642 metres the highest ground in the country.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Arabic
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+20
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Egyptian pound (EGP)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
122 police · 123 ambulance · 180 fire
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and F · 220 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor drinking-water statement was recorded

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Great Sphinx of Giza Great Sphinx of Giza
    02 2 hours

    Great Sphinx of Giza

    أبو الهول

    The Great Sphinx of Giza is a colossal limestone statue depicting a recumbent lion with a human head, situated on the Giza Plateau on the southwestern outskirts of Cairo.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  2. Cairo Citadel Cairo Citadel
    03 45 min

    Cairo Citadel

    قلعة صلاح الدين

    The Cairo Citadel, known locally as Qal'at Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi, is a medieval fortress complex occupying a strategic hilltop in eastern Cairo.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  3. Historic Cairo Historic Cairo
    04 45 min

    Historic Cairo

    Historic Cairo is a UNESCO World Heritage site encompassing one of the world's oldest Islamic cities, founded in the tenth century. It became the new centre of the Islamic world, reaching its golden age in the fourteenth century.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  4. Khan el-Khalili Khan el-Khalili
    05 45 min

    Khan el-Khalili

    خان الخليلي

    Khan el-Khalili is a historic bazaar in Islamic Cairo, one of the oldest commercial centres in the Middle East. Established during the Mamluk period, it occupies a dense network of narrow lanes and alleyways near the Mosque of al-Hussein.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  5. Mosque of Muhammad Ali Mosque of Muhammad Ali
    06 45 min

    Mosque of Muhammad Ali

    مسجد محمد علي

    The Mosque of Muhammad Ali is a nineteenth-century Ottoman mosque situated within the Cairo Citadel complex in Egypt. Commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha, it is constructed largely of alabaster, earning it the popular name the Alabaster Mosque.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  6. Coptic Cairo Coptic Cairo
    07 45 min

    Coptic Cairo

    القاهرة القبطية

    Coptic Cairo is a compact historic quarter in Old Cairo, Egypt. It contains significant religious and archaeological sites spanning multiple eras. The area includes ancient Christian churches, a synagogue, and traces of Roman settlement.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  7. Hanging Church Hanging Church
    08 45 min

    Hanging Church

    الكنيسة المعلقة

    The Hanging Church, locally known as al-Kanīsa al-Muʿallaqa, is the Church of the Virgin Mary in Old Cairo. It was constructed above the gateway of a Roman fortress, giving it its distinctive elevated position.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  8. Bab Zuweila Bab Zuweila
    09 45 min

    Bab Zuweila

    باب زويلة

    Bab Zuweila is the surviving southern gate of the Fatimid-era walls of Cairo, Egypt. Its local name is باب زويلة. The structure stands as a key monument along the old city's principal north-south route.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  9. Al-Hakim Mosque Al-Hakim Mosque
    10 45 min

    Al-Hakim Mosque

    جامع الحاكم بأمر الله

    Al-Hakim Mosque, known locally as مسجد الحاكم بأمر الله, is a major Fatimid-era mosque situated in Cairo, Egypt.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  10. Sharia al Muizz Li Din Allah Sharia al Muizz Li Din Allah
    11 45 min

    Sharia al Muizz Li Din Allah

    Al-Muizz Street is one of Cairo's most significant historic thoroughfares, stretching through the medieval Islamic quarter. The local name is شارع المعز لدين الله الفاطمي.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  11. Qalawun Complex Qalawun Complex
    12 45 min

    Qalawun Complex

    مجموعة السلطان المنصور قلاوون

    The Qalawun Complex is a Mamluk-era hospital, madrasa, and mausoleum ensemble located on al-Muizz Street in Islamic Cairo. Commissioned by Sultan al-Mansur Qalawun, it stands as one of the most significant architectural achievements of the Mamluk period.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  12. مجموعة السلطان الغوري مجموعة السلطان الغوري
    13 45 min

    مجموعة السلطان الغوري

    The Al-Ghuri Complex is a Mamluk-era architectural ensemble in Islamic Cairo, commissioned by Sultan al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghuri, the penultimate Mamluk sultan of Egypt.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  13. Bayt al-Suhaymi Bayt al-Suhaymi
    14 45 min

    Bayt al-Suhaymi

    بيت السحيمي

    Bayt al-Suhaymi is a restored Ottoman-era townhouse located in the historic district of Islamic Cairo. The building exemplifies domestic architecture from the period, offering visitors a counterpoint to the monumental religious structures that dominate the area.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  14. Cairo Tower Cairo Tower
    15 45 min

    Cairo Tower

    برج القاهرة

    Cairo Tower is a free-standing concrete tower located on Gezira Island in the Nile River. Constructed during the 1960s, it serves as Cairo's principal dedicated urban viewpoint.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  15. Abdeen Palace Museum Abdeen Palace Museum
    16 45 min

    Abdeen Palace Museum

    قصر عابدين

    Abdeen Palace Museum is a former royal palace in central Cairo, now converted into a museum complex.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  16. Qasr El Nil Bridge Qasr El Nil Bridge
    17 45 min

    Qasr El Nil Bridge

    كوبري قصر النيل

    Qasr El Nil Bridge is a historic Nile crossing in downtown Cairo, locally known as كوبري قصر النيل. The bridge is distinguished by its four bronze lion statues at each entrance, which have become emblematic of the structure.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  17. Pyramid of Teti Pyramid of Teti
    18 45 min

    Pyramid of Teti

    هرم تتى

    The Pyramid of Teti is a Sixth Dynasty royal pyramid at Saqqara, Egypt. It belongs to Pharaoh Teti, first ruler of that dynasty, who reigned during the Old Kingdom period.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  18. Al-Aqmar Mosque Al-Aqmar Mosque
    19 45 min

    Al-Aqmar Mosque

    جامع الأقمر

    Al-Aqmar Mosque is a small Fatimid-era mosque located on al-Muizz Street in Cairo's historic Islamic quarter. Built during the Fatimid caliphate, it represents an important example of medieval Islamic architecture in Egypt.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  19. Bab Al-Fotuh Bab Al-Fotuh
    20 45 min

    Bab Al-Fotuh

    باب الفتوح

    Bab al-Futuh is a massive northern gate in Cairo's medieval fortification system, built during the Fatimid period. The name translates to Gate of Conquests.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  20. Memphis Memphis
    21 45 min

    Memphis

    منف

    Memphis is an ancient Egyptian capital and UNESCO World Heritage site near modern Mit Rahina. Founded around 3100 BCE, it served as political and religious center for the Old Kingdom.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  21. Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque
    22 45 min

    Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque

    جامع الناصر محمد بن قلاوون

    Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque is a Mamluk-era hypostyle mosque located within the Cairo Citadel complex. Commissioned by Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun, it represents a significant example of early 14th-century Islamic architecture in Egypt.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  22. El-Fustat El-Fustat
    23 45 min

    El-Fustat

    الفسطاط

    El-Fustat, known locally as الفسطاط, represents the foundational Islamic settlement that preceded modern Cairo. Established in the mid-seventh century following the Muslim conquest of Egypt, it served as the country's first Islamic capital.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  23. Aisha Fahmy Palace Aisha Fahmy Palace
    24 45 min

    Aisha Fahmy Palace

    قصر عائشة فهمي

    Aisha Fahmy Palace is a restored early twentieth-century residential palace located in Zamalek on Gezira Island, Cairo. The building represents a significant example of Cairo's riverside residential architecture from this period, situated along the Nile.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  24. 2011 Egyptian revolution 2011 Egyptian revolution
    25 45 min

    2011 Egyptian revolution

    موقع ميلاد الثورة المصرية 2011

    The 2011 Egyptian Revolution site marks a pivotal location in Egypt's modern political history. This place commemorates the mass uprising that began on 25 January 2011, leading to significant political change.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  25. Heliopolis Heliopolis
    26 45 min

    Heliopolis

    أون

    Heliopolis is an ancient Egyptian archaeological site located in northeastern Cairo, once among the most significant religious centers of pharaonic Egypt. Dedicated to the sun god Ra, it was known in Egyptian as Iunu or On.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  26. Pyramid of Djoser
    27 45 min

    Pyramid of Djoser

    مجمع هرم زوسر

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  27. Baron Empain Palace Baron Empain Palace
    28 45 min

    Baron Empain Palace

    قصر بارون أمبان

    Baron Empain Palace, known locally as قصر البارون, is a flamboyant Heliopolis landmark and Cairo's most distinctive early twentieth-century private palace. The building stands as a remarkable architectural statement in the suburb of Heliopolis, northeast of central Cairo.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  28. Madrassa of Al-Nasir Muhammad
    30 45 min

    Madrassa of Al-Nasir Muhammad

    مدرسة السلطان الناصر محمد بن قلاوون

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  29. The Pharaonic Village
    31 45 min

    The Pharaonic Village

    القرية الفرعونية

    The Pharaonic Village is a living-history attraction situated on an island in the Nile at Cairo. It presents recreated scenes and tableaux from ancient Egyptian life, employing costumed performers and reconstructed environments.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  30. Mereruka Mereruka
    33 45 min

    Mereruka

    مصطبة مريروكا

    The Mastaba of Mereruka is a large Old Kingdom tomb at Saqqara, Egypt. Mereruka served as vizier under Pharaoh Teti of the Sixth Dynasty.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  31. Mastaba of Kagemni Mastaba of Kagemni
    35 45 min

    Mastaba of Kagemni

    مصطبة كاجيمنى

    The Mastaba of Kagemni is a large tomb at Saqqara, the ancient Egyptian necropolis northwest of Cairo. Kagemni served as vizier under Pharaoh Teti of the Sixth Dynasty.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  32. Salihiyya Madrasa
    36 45 min

    Salihiyya Madrasa

    مدرسة وقبة الصالح نجم الدين أيوب

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  33. Wikalet Al-Ghuri
    37 45 min

    Wikalet Al-Ghuri

    وكالة السلطان الغورى

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  34. Church of St. George
    39 45 min

    Church of St. George

    كنيسة القديس جورج

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  35. Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church
    43 45 min

    Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church

    كنيسة المغارة والشهيدين سرجيوس وواخس

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  36. Bab al-Nasr
    45 45 min

    Bab al-Nasr

    باب النصر

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  37. Headless Pyramid
    46 45 min

    Headless Pyramid

    الهرم مقطوع الرأس

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  38. Leontopolis
    47 45 min

    Leontopolis

    ليونتوبوليس

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  39. Al-Gawhara Palace
    49 45 min

    Al-Gawhara Palace

    قصر الجوهرة

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  40. Juyushi Mosque
    51 45 min

    Juyushi Mosque

    مسجد الجيوشى

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  41. Sakakini Palace
    55 45 min

    Sakakini Palace

    قصر السكاكيني

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  42. 6th of October Panorama
    58 45 min

    6th of October Panorama

    بانوراما حرب أوكتوبر

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  43. Madrasa of al-Zahir Baibars
    61 45 min

    Madrasa of al-Zahir Baibars

    بقايا مدرسة بيبرس البندقداري

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  44. Koubbeh Palace
    62 45 min

    Koubbeh Palace

    قصر القبة

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  45. SAK S 3
    63 45 min

    SAK S 3

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  46. Wikala of Qaytbay
    65 45 min

    Wikala of Qaytbay

    وكالة قايتباي

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  47. 11007
    70 45 min

    11007

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  48. 2013 Egyptian coup d'état
    71 45 min

    2013 Egyptian coup d'état

    موقع الانقلاب المصري عام 2013

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  49. 26
    72 45 min

    26

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  50. 5ma
    74 45 min

    5ma

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  51. 7ay l 10
    75 45 min

    7ay l 10

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  52. 9002
    76 45 min

    9002

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  53. Abdul Moneim Riad
    77 45 min

    Abdul Moneim Riad

    عبد المنعم رياض

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  54. Al Ablaq Palace
    79 45 min

    Al Ablaq Palace

    قصر الأبلق

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  55. Alameer
    80 45 min

    Alameer

    نفق الامير

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  56. Al-Mouqatam Tower
    86 45 min

    Al-Mouqatam Tower

    برج المقطم

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  57. Al-Quarafa Gate
    87 45 min

    Al-Quarafa Gate

    برج القرافة

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  58. Al-Saleheya School
    88 45 min

    Al-Saleheya School

    المدرسة الصالحية

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  59. Al-Tahera Palace
    89 45 min

    Al-Tahera Palace

    قصر الطاهرة

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  60. Anubieion
    90 45 min

    Anubieion

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  61. Anwar Sadat
    91 45 min

    Anwar Sadat

    ضريح أنور السادات

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  62. ashraf
    92 45 min

    ashraf

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  63. Bab al-Azab
    95 45 min

    Bab al-Azab

    باب العزب

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  64. Bab Al-Mahrouq
    96 45 min

    Bab Al-Mahrouq

    باب المحروق

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  65. Bastat al Anqabiyah
    98 45 min

    Bastat al Anqabiyah

    بسطة العنقابية

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  66. Bayt Yakan
    99 45 min

    Bayt Yakan

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo
  67. Burg Al-Elwa
    100 45 min

    Burg Al-Elwa

    برج العلوة

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Cairo

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Egypt be?

Eight to twelve days can combine Cairo and Giza with one Nile corridor, Red Sea stay or desert extension. Moving between these regions takes substantial time, so a short visit should not attempt all three.

What entry documents are needed for Egypt?

Egypt’s official e-Visa portal states which passports can apply online and which travellers need another consular process. Confirm eligibility, passport conditions and permitted stay on that service before departure.

What is the best way to travel around Egypt?

Cairo is the main air hub, with domestic flights linking Luxor, Aswan and Red Sea airports. The Cairo–Luxor–Aswan rail corridor and organised road transfers serve other common routes, but schedules and boarding points need direct confirmation.

When is a practical time to visit Egypt?

October to April avoids the most intense summer heat on many archaeological routes. Red Sea plans and desert nights have different conditions, so temperatures at the actual destination matter more than Cairo’s calendar alone.

What money and payment basics apply in Egypt?

Egyptian pounds (EGP) are the recorded currency. This file does not record current cash availability, card acceptance or exchange fees; establish the price and currency with the provider before paying.

What practical safety details should I save for Egypt?

Egypt’s numbers are 122 for police, 123 for ambulance and 180 for fire. Type C and F sockets supply 220 V; tap-water safety is Not recorded and must be checked locally.