City
Alexandria
Alexandroupoli is a coastal port city on the northern Aegean coast of Greece, where a historic lighthouse, a Byzantine fortress and a waterfront promenade define daily life.
Destinations
Egypt
The Nile, the Sahara, ancient temples, and four millennia of recorded history meet in a country where the smell of fresh bread is never far away.
Egypt occupies the northeast corner of Africa, its habitable land compressed between the Mediterranean and a vast expanse of desert. The Nile runs the length of the country for over 1,500 kilometres, its annual floods having deposited rich silt along its banks for thousands of years. Beyond this narrow green corridor, the Sahara extends in every direction — the sandstone plateaus of the Western Desert, the rocky hills of the Eastern Desert, and the Sinai Peninsula rising toward the Levant.
Landscape and climate
Egypt's climate varies by region. Along the Mediterranean coast, winters are mild and occasionally wet; further south, around Luxor and Aswan, the weather is drier and warmer year-round. From October to April, daytime temperatures in Upper Egypt are comfortable for sightseeing, dropping cool after dark. Summers are intense: Luxor regularly exceeds 40°C in July and August, and the heat can make outdoor activity uncomfortable. If you are travelling in the warmest months, plan for early morning starts, long midday breaks, and shade-seeking in the afternoons. The desert landscapes — whether the dunes around Bahariya or the sandstone cliffs of the Nile's west bank — are exposed and unshaded. Sturdy footwear with good grip is useful; a wide-brimmed hat and high-factor sunscreen are essential.
What you will do
A visit to Egypt means engaging with its ancient past — and the density of sites is remarkable. The temples at Karnak and Luxor, the tombs of the Valley of the Kings, the temples of Abu Simbel, and the pyramids of Giza all lie within reach. Many sites involve walking across uneven stone, often in full sun, and a reasonable level of fitness helps. Early starts are standard practice: they beat the heat and the crowds. A typical day might begin before breakfast with a visit to a temple complex, followed by a felucca crossing of the Nile to explore the west bank, then an afternoon at a museum or market. There is time to sit in a tea house, to walk through the Khan el-Khalili bazaar in Cairo, and to experience the country at a pace that allows for the heat and the scale of what you are seeing.
The food
Egyptian cuisine is hearty and rooted in the country's agricultural history. Street food is central to daily life: fuul, a dish of slow-cooked fava beans seasoned with cumin and lemon, is eaten at breakfast from metal tins on almost every corner, often with aya, a soft Egyptian flatbread. Kushari — a mixture of rice, lentils, pasta, and tomato sauce — is sold from simple counters in Cairo and is a reliable meal at any time of day. Ta'miya, the Egyptian version of falafel made from crushed fava beans rather than chickpeas, is lighter and worth seeking out. In the delta and on the coast, fresh fish appears more frequently on menus. The food is flavoured simply but well: garlic, cumin, coriander, and lemon are common. Tea is sweet and poured continuously. Most restaurants in tourist centres offer a range of cuisines; the simple local eateries tend to be the most characterful, and the food is uniformly inexpensive.
Our trips
Tours in Egypt
Every departure runs, and never with more than eight travellers.
No tours here just yet — tell us where you want to go and we'll build one. See all tours
Where you go
Places we visit in Egypt
City
Cairo
A working district on Istanbul's Golden Horn where Ottoman-era workshops, tea gardens and centuries of layered urban life meet along the water's edge.
Natural wonder
Nile River
The Nile River is not located in Türkiye — it flows through northeastern Africa, primarily Egypt, Sudan, and their neighbors.
On the map
Everywhere we go here
- Alexandria City
- Cairo City
- Giza Pyramids Ancient site
- Luxor Ancient site
- Nile River Natural wonder
Good to know
Learn more about Egypt
-
Best time to visit Egypt
The main tourist season runs from October through April. Summer months bring extreme heat to Upper Egypt — Luxor and Aswan regularly exceed 40°C — while the Mediterranean coast and Red Sea resorts remain more bearable. Winter temperatures of 20–25°C make sightseeing comfortable, though evenings in the desert can feel cold.
Spring brings occasional khamsin dust storms, particularly in March and April. Ramadan shifts roughly two weeks earlier each year, affecting opening hours at mosques and some shops. Check current dates before departure.
Pack light layers and modest clothing for religious sites. Koshari stalls and foul carts are found across Cairo — follow the locals to the busiest ones. Sun protection and water are essential year-round.
-
History and culture
Egypt's ancient civilisations left their mark across the country, but history is not confined to the temples of Luxor or the pyramids of Giza. Roman forts dot the Delta, Coptic churches stand in Upper Egypt, and medieval Islamic architecture fills Cairo's historic quarters. Alexandria retains a Mediterranean character quite unlike anywhere else in the country.
The cooking reflects both geography and season. In the Delta and along the coast, expect more fish and vegetable dishes — molokhia, a soup of jute leaves, is a staple of the Egyptian table. In Upper Egypt, the food is heartier: ful medames (slow-cooked fava beans) at breakfast, koshari (rice, lentils and pasta with tomato sauce) from街头 vendors in Luxor. Taameya — Egypt's take on falafel, made with fava beans rather than chickpeas — is eaten throughout the country.
Summer months (May to September) bring intense heat, particularly in Upper Egypt, where spring and autumn are more comfortable for sightseeing. Dress conservatively at mosques and churches. During Ramadan, some shops and restaurants close during daylight hours. Arabic is the official language, though English is widely understood in tourist areas.
-
Geography and landscape
Egypt is overwhelmingly desert. The Nile Valley — a green ribbon cutting through ochre emptiness — is where most of the population lives and where nearly all of your time will be spent. To the east lie the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea coast; to the west, the immense Western Desert, part of the Sahara. Upper Egypt stretches south from Aswan, Lower Egypt the delta north of Cairo.
The most comfortable months to travel are October through March, when temperatures allow for sightseeing without battling extreme heat. Summer — particularly in Luxor and Aswan — regularly exceeds 40°C, making outdoor activity draining. Nights in the desert can be surprisingly cold even in winter. Pack layers for early-morning starts on the Nile, sun protection, and loose cotton clothing throughout the year.
-
Eating and drinking
Egyptian food is hearty and often served family-style: bowls of foul (slow-cooked fava beans) and taameya (herbed fava-bean fritters) arrive at the table alongside flat aish baladi bread, pickles and chilli oil. Koshari — rice, lentils, pasta and crispy onions under a tomato sauce — is Cairo's defining street dish, found at counters across the city. In Upper Egypt, molokhia (a silky jute-leaf stew, often with rabbit or lamb) and spiced lamb kebabs are common. Alexandria's cuisine reflects its Mediterranean location: grilled sea bass, stuffed bouri (mullet) and feteer — a layered, buttery pastry that can be savoury or sweet with honey and nuts.
Tea (shai) is drunk strong and sweet throughout the day, often with fresh mint. Turkish-style ahwa (coffee) flavoured with cardamom is the afternoon staple. Fresh sugarcane juice, hibiscus (karkade) and mango juice are sold from street carts in summer. In winter, sahlab — a warm orchid drink with coconut and cinnamon — appears at café counters.
Water is safe when bottled. Street food from busy, popular stalls is generally reliable — high turnover means ingredients are fresh. A small tip on top of the bill is normal where a service charge is not already included.
-
Money, tipping and bargaining
The unit of currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Cards are accepted in most hotels and mid-range restaurants in Cairo and the Nile Valley, though cash remains useful for smaller purchases and in areas outside the main tourist zones. ATMs are widely available in cities, but carry enough cash for the day when visiting temples, markets or smaller towns.
Tipping — called baksheesh — is woven into daily life. Small tips are expected for services that attract no fee elsewhere: carrying bags, holding a door, using public toilets. On your trip, your guide and driver are paid a proper wage by Small Voyage, so any tip is a genuine thank-you rather than a necessity. At restaurants, round up the bill or leave small change. In the souks of Cairo and Luxor, bargaining is expected and part of the culture — offer around half the asking price and move toward a figure that satisfies both sides.
-
Getting around
Domestic flights connect Cairo with Luxor, Aswan, and Sharm el-Sheikh in around an hour. Between Luxor and Aswan, a Nile cruise is the classic option — typically three or four nights with stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo temples. The overnight sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor takes about ten hours and is more comfortable than the name suggests.
In cities, taxis and ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Careem are straightforward for point-to-point journeys. Traffic in Cairo can be slow and chaotic, particularly during morning and evening rush hours. For sites in the desert — such as the White Desert or Sinai — you will travel by 4x4 vehicle with a driver arranged locally.
Summer temperatures in Upper Egypt regularly exceed 40°C, making temple visits uncomfortable. The main touring season runs from November to February, when daytime temperatures are mild and daylight hours are longest.
Before you book
Egypt travel FAQs
-
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
Most visitors to Egypt require a tourist visa. Citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and most European countries can obtain a single-entry visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport, Hurghada, and Sharm el-Sheikh airports, or apply for an e-visa through the official Egyptian immigration portal before departure. The visa on arrival is a sticker placed in your passport; the process is usually straightforward but queues can be long, particularly during peak winter months from November to February.
If your itinerary is confined to the Sinai Peninsula resorts such as Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, or Nuweiba, several nationalities receive a free Sinai-only entry stamp rather than a full tourist visa. This permits movement within Sinai but not travel to Cairo, Luxor, or the Nile Valley. For the current requirements for your specific nationality and passport, check the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or consult your nearest Egyptian embassy before you travel, as rules change.
-
Is Egypt safe to travel in?
Egypt's main tourist areas — Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea resorts — are considered safe for visitors. Tourist police are a visible presence, and the government prioritises security around major sites and hotel districts. Red Sea resort towns such as Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh are straightforward: their economies depend on tourism, and facilities are geared to international visitors.
Avoid the border region with Gaza, the remote western desert near Libya and parts of North Sinai. Before you travel, check your government's current travel advice and ensure your insurance covers medical evacuation.
On the streets, the same commonsense applies as in any major city: watch your belongings in bazaars and crowded transport hubs. Dress modestly when visiting mosques and conservative neighbourhoods.
-
What should I wear, and what do I need for religious sites?
Egypt's heat demands practicality. In summer (roughly May to September), temperatures in Cairo and the Nile Valley regularly exceed 35°C, and the Red Sea coast offers little relief. Loose, light cotton in pale colours reflects heat better than dark fabric. A wide-brimmed hat and high-factor sunscreen are essential — the sun is unforgiving in Upper Egypt and the desert regions.
At mosques, the rule is simple: cover your shoulders and knees. You will need to remove your shoes before entering. Women should carry a scarf to hand — useful both in mosques and at Coptic churches, where photography rules vary by season and site. Temples have no strict dress requirement, but you will find conservative dress more comfortable when tour groups are larger in the November-to-March season.
Pack in layers: mornings are cool, afternoons stifling. Comfortable walking shoes with good grip are more practical than fashion footwear on uneven stone at sites like Abydos or Karnak.
-
Can I drink the tap water?
Tap water in Egypt is treated at source, but the mineral content — sulphur in parts of the Nile Valley, noticeable chlorine in cities — gives it a taste that most visitors find off-putting, and it can cause mild stomach adjustment even over a short stay. In Cairo and Alexandria, municipal supplies are generally consistent; further south around Luxor and especially in Upper Egypt and the oases, quality becomes less reliable.
Tourist hotels and restaurants serve filtered or bottled water, so tea, coffee and cooked meals are safe. Ice in such establishments is fine. Most visitors keep a reusable bottle and refill it from sealed large-format water containers rather than directly from taps. On felucca crossings and desert excursions, water is brought by boat or truck and is safe to drink. Bottled water is inexpensive and sold at every kiosk and corner shop, and most people drink it throughout their stay without thinking much about it.
-
Is tipping expected?
Tipping in Egypt is woven into daily life. You will encounter requests for baksheesh — a small tip — in situations that would not occur elsewhere: a bathroom attendant who hands you paper, a guard who points out a detail at a temple, a waiter who brings tea to your table on a felucca. At restaurants, check whether a service charge appears on your bill. If it does not, ten to fifteen percent is the norm. If it does, adding a little more is still appreciated.
In markets and shops, tipping is not expected, though if you buy something and the seller was generous with their time, rounding up the change is a kind gesture. On a Small Voyage trip, your guide and driver are paid properly by us, so any tip you give is a genuine thank-you rather than something the person relies on. Carry small Egyptian pound notes for the everyday baksheesh of a few pounds, and perhaps a slightly larger amount for your guide at the end of your time together.
-
What are internet and mobile coverage like?
Mobile coverage is solid in Cairo, Alexandria and along the main Nile corridor through Luxor and Aswan. You will pick up a signal in most tourist areas and hotels. The further you travel into the Western Desert or into more remote parts of Upper Egypt, the less reliable it becomes — some sites near the oases and deep in the Sahara have little or no service at all.
WiFi is standard in most mid-range and up hotels in the main tourist zones, though connection speeds can be sluggish. A local SIM card is the more reliable option and is straightforward to arrange: you will need your passport and an unlocked phone. The main providers are Vodafone, Etisalat and Orange, with packages available for data and calls.
Rules around SIM card registration can shift, so check the current requirements with your embassy or the foreign travel section of your government's advice before you go.
-
How much walking do your Egypt trips involve?
Walking in Egypt is concentrated at the archaeological sites, and the terrain is uneven — loose gravel in the desert, worn stone at temples, and steep, narrow descents into tombs such as those in the Valley of the Kings. Comfortable, sturdy footwear with good grip is essential rather than anything fashionable.
Summer temperatures make midday walking uncomfortable, so most site visits in July and August begin early, before 8 am, when light is softer and the air still bearable. The cooler months from November through February allow more flexibility, with walks continuing into late afternoon.
A typical day involves two to three hours of gentle to moderate walking, spread across site visits and occasional strolls through towns such as Luxor or Aswan. Between locations, travel is by air or private vehicle.
-
What is it actually like travelling in a group of eight?
The group is small enough to split and reform without ceremony. Eight people board a hired minibus — everyone gets a window seat and the luggage fits without Tetris — and travel together from Cairo through Upper Egypt, along the Nile, or into Sinai depending on the departure. At each site your leader explains what you're looking at before you wander independently. You drift through a tomb corridor, reconvene at the gate, and move on.
Meals are arranged in advance at local restaurants and simple hotels. Breakfast might be ful and tamiya beside a harbour. Lunch could be koshari from a street cart or molokhia at a table overlooking the Nile. You eat together and the bill is handled centrally.
Egypt's seasons shape the practicalities. Between October and March, you walk comfortably at most hours. Summer departures (June to August) start sites early and rest through the heat of the afternoon. Your leader will advise on what to expect and how to dress.
Something we have not answered? Ask us directly