18 Best Places To Visit In Egypt (Including Top Things To Do)

Looking for the best places to visit in Egypt? After several trips, we’ve compiled what we believe are the unmissable sites, including the most magical temples, the most intriguing museums, and the best of local life. 

Egypt is a bucket list destination full of fascinating and exotic places to visit.

From our last visit over 20 years ago to our most recent in 2026, we have never failed to be impressed by the scale of Egypt’s history.

Temples and tombs dating back 4,600 years, inscriptions on temples over 3,000 years old still remarkably in blazing colour, and of course, the only ancient wonder of the world still standing.  

A lot has changed in Egypt since our first visit. The process of visiting the pyramids is now unrecognisable, thanks to a quick, efficient shuttle bus service, and the largest museum dedicated to a single civilisation has opened. 

We have tried to create this guide to highlight the special places that make Egypt a truly remarkable destination. You’ll find major sights, intriguing museums that tell the Egyptian story, and some lesser-known places we loved. 

Cairo

Cairo is often a stopover to see the Pyramids before cruising the Nile, but here are a few standout places we recommend.

1. The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx

The Pyramids of Giza are one of those places everyone should see once. But they aren’t just famous—they’re genuinely impressive when you see them in person.

We were pleasantly surprised to see the site has had something of a makeover since our last visit 20 years ago.

Private cars are no longer permitted inside the Giza Plateau, and a new shuttle bus system has been implemented to get you around the various viewpoints. The buses run regularly and you can get on and off as much as you like.

This means you get hassled far less than you used to when visiting the Pyramids.

There are also some shiny new cafes and clean toilets.

We have more information in our guide to visiting the Pyramids of Giza, including ticket details and recommended tours.

2. Khan El-Khalili Bazaar

Khan el-Khalili is a market in the heart of Islamic Cairo and one of the best places to get a feel for the real city.

The market dates back to the 14^th century, and today it’s a labyrinth of narrow lanes packed with stalls and workshops selling crafts including brass lamps, inlaid boxes and jewellery.

If you have some time in Cairo, we definitely recommend visiting. It gives you a feel of the real Cairo in a place that’s friendly to tourists. You can read more in our Cairo Itinerary.

3. Al-Muizz LI Din Allah

Al-Muizz li-Din Allah Street, stretching north out of the Khan El-Khalili market, is one of the oldest and best streets in Cairo to explore.

This pedestrianised street, often described as an open-air museum, has an amazing collection of medieval mosques, madrassas and mausoleums.

The highlight for us was the Mausoleum and Madrasa of Qalawun, a masterpiece of Islamic design. Read more in our best things to do in Cairo guide.

4. Grand Egyptian Museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum recently opened after a 20-year project.

It should be at the top of your list of places to visit in Egypt because it houses the full collection of treasures found in Tutankhamun’s tomb. 

There’s a large central staircase which divides the space in two; 12 galleries laid out in chronological order are on one side, and the Tutankhamum exhibition is on the other.

You need to book a timed entry GEM. Check times and prices in the below tool.

5. National Egyptian Civilization Museum

The National Egyptian Civilisation Museum is the country’s first museum dedicated to showcasing the complete history of Egyptian Civilisation from prehistoric times to the present day. 

It traces Egyptian civilisations in chronological order through the Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic, Islamic and modern Eras.

We like the wide overview of history the museum provides in a short period, but the highlight was, by far, the Royal Mummies Hall. 

It was fantastic to see the actual mummies of the kings and queens we’d heard so much about, visiting their temples along the Nile. 

Luxor

Luxor is where you’ll find some of the top sights to see in Egypt, all concentrated in one area. The city sits on the site of ancient Thebes and is divided by the Nile into two main areas. Some of the best temples are located around Luxor.

6. Karnak Temple

The temple complex at Karnak is one of the largest religious sites ever built (the largest is Angkor Wat in Cambodia).

The highlight is the Temple of Amun-Ra with its Hypostyle Hall – a massive sanctuary supported by 134 enormous columns.

The 12 columns at the centre stand 69 feet high, and we felt tiny peering up at the beautifully carved and painted images.

We also loved the Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut, the Rams Heads, and the gigantic statues in the Great Court, as well as the views across the Sacred Lake.

7. Luxor Temple 

Luxor Temple stands majestically on the East Bank of the Nile near the centre of Luxor.

The temple is unique because it was continuously used and modified by different civilisations, including the Greeks, Romans, and early Christians, leaving layers of history within its walls.

The highlight is the massive First Pylon gateway flanked by seated colossi of Ramesses II and a single remaining obelisk, whose twin is now in Paris.

Inside, the Colonnade Hall features 14 towering papyrus-bud columns leading to the sun court and inner sanctuaries.

It’s a wonderful sight; we spent around 90 minutes admiring the scale and the stories and history engraved on the walls. 

Luxor Temple is often left off tours of Luxor because there are so many great sights in the area. But, if you have the time, it’s well worth visiting.

8. Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is a remote, rocky valley on the outskirts of Luxor that served as the burial site for pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, Ramses II, and Seti I. 

You can visit several tombs decorated with scenes from ancient religious texts, rendered in vibrant paintings and hieroglyphs that have survived for millennia.

We recommend Ramesses III, Ramesses IV, and Merenptah, which are all included on the standard ticket, plus Seti I, Ramesses V & VI, and Tutankhamun, which are extra.

We have all the details on our guide to visiting the Valley of the Kings.

9.  Medinet Habu

If we had to choose one temple that made the greatest impression on us in Luxor, it would be Medinet Habu.

Firstly, it’s in excellent condition, with some of the paintings still in their original colours. Secondly, it’s weirdly omitted from most tours of Luxor, so there was hardly anyone else there.

Imposing columns with deeply carved reliefs depict Ramesses III defeating his enemies, and the walls in the first court show battles in remarkable detail.

As you explore further inside, the artistry is even more dramatic, ending with a double-columned portico beautifully decorated and still in vibrant colour.

This is one place not to miss in Egypt.

10. Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut is a masterpiece of ancient architecture. Its three colonnaded terraces are built into a massive cliff face in a rocky wilderness on the West Bank of the Nile.

The location is dramatic, and we definitely recommend adding it to your Egypt itinerary. 

The uppermost level has 26 statues of Queen Hatshepsut, each 5.2m high. Behind which lies a portico showing the coronation of Hatshepsut as king of Upper and Lower Egypt, leading to the inner shrines.

Aswan

Aswan has a more relaxed pace than Cairo or Luxor, and it has some truly interesting attractions. Most cruises start or end there, and we recommend spending at least an extra day to visit some of the main sights. 

11. Philae Temple

Dedicated to the goddess Isis, the Philae Temple is located on an island and accessible only by boat.

It is one of the most beautifully preserved places to see in Egypt, with a mix of Egyptian, Ptolemaic, and Roman ruins spanning the 4^th century BCE to the 2nd century CE.

The main temple at the site, The Temple of Isis, has beautiful colonnaded courtyards and sanctuaries, with intricate reliefs and hieroglyphs covering the walls.

The riverside location makes it a unique temple in Egypt.

12. Unfinished Obelisk

The tallest obelisk in Egypt is the Queen Hatshepsut obelisk at Karnak, which we mentioned above.

This obelisk is 30 metres high. A pair was planned for the same site, which was to be 42 metres high. 

This pair is now the unfinished Obelisk in Aswan. Unfortunately, while they were carving it from the rock, cracks appeared, and the project had to be abandoned. 

This unfinished obelisk still lies in the quarry at Aswan, where you can get a true appreciation of how enormous it was going to be.

It’s not the most dramatic sight in Egypt, but it’s really interesting to see the scale of these ancient building projects.

13. Nubian Villages

Approximately 100,000 Nubians were forcibly displaced when the Aswan High Dam was completed in 1970.

The land they received was dry and infertile, so they relocated further downstream to Aswan, where they established themselves on the west bank.

You can visit one of the Nubian villages from Aswan, exploring their colourful homes, shops and cafes.

It’s a wonderful thing to do in Egypt, where you’re both giving money to locals and appreciating this friendly, colourful culture. 

14. Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel is one of the most spectacular places to see in Egypt.

 The Great Temple features four colossal 20-meter-high statues of Ramses II carved directly into the mountainside. The smaller temple next door was built for his wife, Nefertari.

This site is remarkable because in the 1960s, the entire complex was divided into blocks and moved to higher ground to protect it from Lake Nasser’s rising waters. 

Abu Simbel is about 300km south of Aswan and takes about 2 hours to look around. From Aswan, it’s a 3-hour drive or a 45-minute plane ride. 

On the Nile

A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan (or vice versa) is one of the most enjoyable and popular things to do in Egypt. Here are some of the places you’ll want to stop and see on your cruise.

15. Edfu Temple

Edfu Temple was buried under sand and silt for centuries, which helped to protect it. As a result, it remains one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. 

The towering main entrance conceals a large courtyard, huge columns and inner sanctuaries. The walls are covered with detailed reliefs and hieroglyphic inscriptions describing a famous conflict between Horus and Seth.

We recommend Edfu because it’s one of the most complete examples of ancient Egyptian architecture, and we loved it.

16. Kom Ombo Temple

Kom Ombo Temple is unique because it is dedicated to two gods (Sobek and Horus), and it essentially features two of everything in perfectly symmetrical architecture.

The temple overlooks the Nile and features beautiful reliefs depicting medical instruments, calendars, and religious scenes. There’s also a small crocodile museum nearby displaying mummified crocodiles that were sacred to Sobek. 

It’s not as well preserved as Edfu, but the dual structure and riverside location make it a beautiful and interesting place to visit.

The Red Sea Coast

When you need a break from temples and tombs, Egypt’s Red Sea coast has some of the world’s finest diving and snorkelling.

17. Hurghada

Hurghada is another option on the Red Sea with good diving and easy access from Cairo. Originally a small fishing village, it has transformed into one of Egypt’s most popular beach destinations.

This is where you’re more likely to see Egyptians holidaying, rather than Sharm el-Sheikh, which is more focused on international tourists.

It’s more sprawling, less polished and feels a lot more like a real Egyptian city.

18. Sharm El-Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh is a popular resort city located on the southern tip of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Red Sea.

It’s one of Egypt’s premier tourist destinations, known primarily as a beach and diving resort.

There are luxury resorts, hotels, and beaches along Naama Bay and Sharks Bay that offer all-inclusive packages. 

It’s sunny and warm all year round, making it perfect as a winter sun destination. 

More Egypt Guides

• How to plan a 7- or 10-day Egypt itinerary.
• The best places to visit in Egypt.
• Essential tips for visiting Egypt: what to know before you travel.
• Nile Cruise ship vs Dahabiya: which is the best experience?
• The best things to do in Cairo (including the Pyramids).
• Plan your trip with our 2- or 3-day itinerary for Cairo.
• All you need to know about visiting the Valley of the Kings.
• What to do in Aswan, Egypt’s southern escape.
• See the best and other great things to do in Luxor.
• Your complete guide to visiting the Pyramids of Giza.