9 Best Cities to Visit in Egypt
This list of the best cities in Egypt will help you don’t miss out on exploring the remarkable destinations within this historically and culturally rich country.
Ancient buildings, lots of culture, paradisiacal beaches, and affordable prices are what you find in the cities of Egypt. Around 8 million tourists visit the pyramids, museums, and archaeological sites every year. However, Egypt is not just about history.
Of course, we all want to understand what the cities of ancient Egypt were like, but the modern part of the country also has a lot to offer.
I visited Cairo and enjoyed getting to know Egypt and its tourist cities. I explored parts of Egypt that felt like I was walking through ancient Egyptian cities.
I also discovered that the cities to visit in Egypt go far beyond the capital and the pyramids. The landscapes, the Nile River, and paradisiacal beaches are unmissable attractions during your stay in the country. Despite having a troubled political history, today’s Egypt is safe and should be made the most of.
Based on the experience of my trip to Egypt, I have made this list of 9 best cities to visit in Egypt. Let’s Go!
1. Cairo
Cairo is certainly the busiest and among the most popular cities in Egypt. The traffic is chaotic, the city is dusty, and everything can seem confusing at first.
I was scared the first few days in the city, but then I was crossing the street among cars. Believe me, Cairo is worth it. The best way to adapt to Cairo’s fast and confusing pace is to take your own Cairo city tour!
The metro works well, takes you to important places (or at least close to them), and is cheap. Furthermore, app cars work perfectly. It’s also worth exploring the city on foot, but always pay attention and be very careful when crossing streets.
Cairo has several options and offers something for every taste. There is no shortage of culture and history, and the Egyptian Museum is the best example of this. The museum’s collection includes Tutankhamun’s treasures and even royal mummies.
Walking around Cairo, it is possible to observe a mosque that dominates the horizon: the Mosque of Mohamed Ali. It is located in the Saladin Citadel (or Cairo Citadel), where it was the seat of government for almost 700 years. As it is located at a high point in the city, it has an incredible panoramic view of the city.
Visit Coptic Cairo, where synagogues and Catholic churches such as the Hanging Church are located. Another option is Khan el-Khalili, perfect for those who want to learn how to negotiate prices. This giant market is one of the main tourist attractions in Egypt.
In it, you will find scarves, clothes, shishas (as they call the hookah), silver, souvenirs, lamps, and practically everything you can imagine!
Anyone who thinks there is no nightlife in Cairo is mistaken, you just need to find the right place. As it is an Islamic country, drinking is not allowed on the street or in restaurants that can be seen from the street.
So, go to the rooftops if you want to have a beer or a drink! Some are located within the city hotels but are a little more expensive.
2. Giza, One of the Most Popular Cities to Visit in Egypt
Giza is within the region called “Greater Cairo,” where the main attraction among Egypt’s cities is located: the pyramids of Giza. From the center of Cairo, close to the Egyptian Museum, the distance is almost 20km. The best option to get there is by taxi or through travel agencies.
It takes about 30 minutes, and you are already at the entrance to the pyramids. I went to the pyramids with a taxi; it wasn’t expensive, and I got off at the ticket booth. There is the option of public transport. It’s cheaper, but it adds an hour to the journey there.
At the ticket office, you can buy access to the Giza Necropolis complex and tickets to enter the pyramids and Barca Museum. The ticket cost for a Half-Day Tour of the Giza Pyramids & Sphinx will cost you around $34.
Within the complex, there are three large pyramids: Cheops (the largest and most photographed), Chephren, and Mencherinos, the youngest. There is the option of entering the largest or smallest. To enter the Cheops pyramid, the price is approximately $7, and at Miquerinos, $2.
Although they are ancient buildings, the interior is not well preserved, and the experience can be claustrophobic for some people. Check out these tips to save money when visiting the Giza pyramids.
It is still possible to see the sphinx up close and visit the Barca Museum, where the Solar Boat, used by Cheops (the pharaoh responsible for building the Great Pyramid), is on display. The cost to enter the museum is around $2.
3. Alexandria
Famous for its library, Alexandria is the most western and cosmopolitan. In addition to being among the most beautiful cities in Egypt, it has a privileged view of the Mediterranean Sea. From Cairo to Alexandria, just take a train or bus from the Abdel Mouneem Riyad terminal (known as Ramses Milton), as it is close to the hotel with the same name.
It is also possible to arrange a day trip around the city with a travel agency to see the main tourist attractions.
The new library in Alexandria is a modern building designed to be the perfect place to study. Its main study room is 20,000 m² and has the capacity to house 8 million books on its shelves.
In contrast to the modern nature of the building, inside the library, it is possible to visit the Manuscript Museum, where several important manuscripts in history are on display, including the oldest in the world. Another place to visit in the city is the Qaitbay Fortress.
In addition to being built where the famous Alexandria lighthouse once stood, it has a wonderful view of the Mediterranean Sea, and the construction takes you on a journey through time.
4. Port Said
Further north in Egypt, another interesting Egyptian city is Port Said. The main attraction is, of course, the Suez Canal. The city has a unique style, and its residents are both Egyptians and foreigners who came from Mediterranean countries.
In addition to the city itself, you can explore the Military Museum, the El Nasr Museum of Modern Art, and some curious places, such as the replica of Central Perk, a cafe from the Friends series.
If you want to take a trip back in time, stroll along Or El-Gomhoreya Street. To satisfy your hunger, the Pizza Pino restaurant is highly recommended for its fast service and delicious food.
You can get to Port Said by bus, car or train. The train, in this case, has stops along the way, totaling around four hours of travel. By bus or car, it is a two-hour journey from Cairo.
5. Luxor
Down the Nile River is the city of Luxor, one of the best cities to visit in Egypt. It is filled with antiquities and surrounded by a wonderful landscape. Just take a train from the Egyptian State Railway, the national train company. The journey starts at the same place as Alexandria, the Abdel Mouneem Riyad terminal.
But now the train heads south. As the journey is long, around nine hours, I suggest you take the night train. There is a first and second-class option. In the first class, the seats are more comfortable, and the services are better. However, I made this trip in second class.
The food served was pleasant, and the seats reclined well and had good legroom. Honestly, I expected something much worse. Arriving in the city, the train station is well located. Depending on the location of the accommodation, you can walk.
If this is not the case, taxis are close to the station. Another option, faster and cheaper, is the minibus. That’s the one I took. Just tell the driver where you’re going, and he’ll let you know if you’re en route.
In Luxor, I enjoyed a four-day Nile cruise to Aswan, a really cool possibility for those who want to continue the journey along the Nile River to Aswan. Another option is to stay in one of the luxurious or simpler hotels, as well as hostels and vacation rentals that work well.
From Luxor, you can visit the Valley of the Kings, where the tomb of Tutankhamun, the famous Egyptian pharaoh, is located. Another activity is a visit to the Karnak temple, one of the grandest buildings in Egypt.
6. Aswan
Egypt is a very cheap country to visit, but the Nile River Cruise was an activity that surprised me financially. The cost of a cruise leaving Luxor and going to Aswan for four days (3 nights) was, at the time, less than $500!
On the cruise, juices, coffee, lunch, and dinner were available. Only alcoholic drinks were not allowed. But this was easy to buy in the more touristy part of the cities. For me, it’s the best option to go from Luxor to Aswan; it’s comfortable, and the scenery on the way is incredible.
It is also possible to go down by train; the journey takes three hours. If you are coming directly from Cairo, the night train is the best option, as the journey lasts approximately 12 hours. This train also departs from the Abdel Mouneem Riyad terminal.
In my experience on the cruise, there was a stop along the way at Edfu Temple and Kom Ombo Temple. The first has relevant information about language, myths, and religion. The second temple is unique, as it is dedicated to two gods at the same time.
Edfu is exactly halfway between Luxor and Aswan, so travel time from the two cities is two hours by car. Kom Ombo is further south. From Aswan, the journey is an hour by car. Departing from Luxor, it takes 3h30 to reach Kom Ombo. It is possible to hire agencies to make these routes.
Being one of the famous cities to visit in Egypt, there are a lot of ancient structures and activities to enjoy. A cool trip is to rent a felucca, a typical Egyptian boat, and take a ride on the Nile River at dusk.
It is still possible to go to Nubian Village. It is a beautiful, colorful village with some shops to buy souvenirs. On the way, the boat can make a strategic stop to jump into the Nile River. Believe me, depending on the temperature of the day, the Nile water will be perfect to cool you down. It took me a while to work up the courage, but jumping out of the boat into the Nile River was one of my best things to do in Egypt.
Aswan is not only a pleasant city, but it is one of the closest points to my favorite attraction in Egypt: the Abu-Simbel complex.
The two temples built are dedicated to Ramses II and his favorite wife, Nefertari. The curious thing is that that gigantic structure carved out of stone was not originally there. With the construction of the Aswan Dam in the 1960s, they were transferred so that they would not be submerged. The best time to visit the temple is in the morning, and from Aswan, the drive takes three hours. In other words, you need to wake up early, get in the car, and head to the entrance of the complex.
In the complex, there are a variety of restaurants, but they are expensive. Even though I went by car, there was also the option of taking a flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel. Flights leave at around 7 a.m. and with a limited number per week.
7. Dahab
This is definitely one of the best cities to visit in Egypt. Dahab looks like an inland city, only bathed by the Red Sea. With its stone streets, little shops, and restaurants scattered along the seafront, the city is pleasing and worth spending a day or two exploring its charms.
Bus is the cheapest option to get to Dahab, and the most recommended companies are Go Bus and Blue Bus. They leave early in the morning, between midnight and one in the morning, and the trip lasts around seven hours.
On this trip, it is important to highlight that there are some stops, one for rest and between three and five for checking luggage and passports. This part can be intimidating, as they are soldiers who enter the bus and look at passports and may even open suitcases.
In the end, it’s just an annoying part of the trip of having to get off the bus a few times to have it checked. This tour can also be done through travel agencies.
Arriving in Dahab, the station is well located, and it is not difficult to get to the hotels. Hotel options range from the cheapest to luxurious resorts.
One thing that won’t happen in Dahab is getting bored. You have the option of kiteboarding and windsurfing, diving, horse riding, or camel riding along the beach.
One of the coolest activities is diving in the Blue Hole. In addition, there are some nice restaurants to drink juice and try Egyptian cuisine, admiring the Red Sea.
You can also trek to Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Tablets of the Law, according to the Bible. It’s beautiful to see the sunset from above. I went on a quad bike, a really cool adventure.
You can rent quadricycles in stores around the city. Furthermore, it is possible to have dinner with the Bedouins and watch a traditional performance.
8. Sharm El Sheikh, Another of the Best Cities to Visit in Egypt
Another hidden paradise in Egypt, known as the jewel of the Red Sea, this Egyptian city has luxurious resorts and is a great option for those who want to relax on the beach without spending a lot.
Access to Sharm el Sheikh is easier than Dahab. The journey from Cairo can be done by bus (a seven-hour journey) and by plane (two hours).
The main attractions of this city are underwater, being considered a paradise for divers from all over the world. In addition, you can enjoy the relaxing facilities at Naama Bay and the more luxurious Shark’s Bay.
It is also possible to visit another part of Mount Sinai and pay a visit to the Santa Catarina monastery. Sharm el Sheikh is close to Dahab, so it could be a good option to take a day trip around the region.
9. Hurghada
Finally, I recommend you complete the list of the cities to visit in Egypt with Hurghada. In this city, you can enjoy paradisiacal beaches, but the city is a little bigger, offering more entertainment. It has two water parks, a great option for anyone traveling with children or wanting to revive their inner child.
In addition to being a famous diving spot, you can take jeep or quad bike tours through the desert and even enjoy a Bedouin dinner in the desert. The nightlife here is so lively that it is possible to go on a pub crawl around the city, something not very common in Egypt.
To relax and eat, a stroll through Hurghada Marina is a great option. There are several restaurants with a privileged view of the sea. Speaking of the sea, to enjoy the blue waters of the Red Sea, you can take some boat trips to nearby islands, such as the Giftun Islands.
In addition to the beaches and desert, this city in Egypt has a giant mosque known as the Great Mosque of Hurghada; it lives up to its name with its imposing construction. Another option is the Coptic Church of Hurghada. After these tours, it is interesting to visit the city’s commercial area to buy souvenirs.
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Itinerary Through the Cities of Egypt
Despite highlighting the best cities to visit in Egypt, many other places, such as deserts and oases, can be explored throughout the country. In all cities, enjoy the local cuisine. Trying koshary, a delicacy with two types of pasta, rice, lentils, chickpeas, and tomato sauce to finish.
You need a minimum of one week to make a visit to Egypt worth it. Depending on the time you have available in the country, you can explore all the cities mentioned here and much more.
If it’s a quick trip and your focus is on the country’s culture and history, the cities that are most worth it are Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan. It’s possible to do them all in a week if you don’t mind the rush.
If you want to relax and have contact with the country’s nature, the Nile River cruise brings the best of both worlds. Also, beach cities such as Dahab, Sharm el Sheikh, or Hurghada are recommended for exploring the Red Sea and for divers.
