The mere mention of Egypt likely conjures up exotic images of imposing pyramids, a colossal sphinx, and decorated camels ambling across expansive deserts. And yes, that’s certainly a significant part of the majority of people’s travel experiences in Egypt. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that the pyramids and Sahara Desert weren’t the main driving forces behind our trip. While we try our hardest not to be the typical tourists, we’re also not idiots. Those iconic landmarks and highly-visited sites? They’re usually popular for a reason–and it would be downright foolish to skip them.
The pyramids are nothing short of amazing–easily one of the most incredible travel experiences we’ve ever had. Add the camel-ride journey across the Sahara Desert with the pyramids as your ultimate destination, and well you pretty much have the optimal dream trip of a lifetime.
Click here to read all about our adventures visiting the pyramids and traversing the Sahara Desert.
But here’s the thing: there is so much more to Egypt beyond the pyramids. As the cradle of civilization, the nation’s epic history is unrivaled, brimming with massive temples, world-renowned museums, and fascinating ancient sites. The main artery of the country, the mighty Nile River, snakes its way through the land, dotted with a plethora of spectacular pharaonic sites. Bustling cities are bursting with vibrant markets, medieval mosques, and prehistoric antiquities.
Home to one of the most historic and influential civilizations in the world, Egypt is a treasure trove of history, culture, and mystique. This is one of those remarkable places that I hope everyone gets to visit sometime in their lifetime.
Below are the must-sees and must-dos in Egypt beyond the almighty pyramids.
CAIRO
As cities go, Cairo is as crowded, daunting, and lively as they come. Many visitors make a beeline to see the Great Pyramids and Sphinx (rightfully so, of course) but end up missing out on all of the other treasures scattered throughout the sprawling capital city. Don’t be that person. Spend some time in this fascinating city and embrace not just all of its glories, but its inevitable chaos, too.
Below are the highlights of our two days in Cairo.
Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
It’s no surprise that this major souk in the historic center of Islamic Cairo is often regarded as one of the world’s best outdoor markets. Khan el-Khalili is a fascinating labyrinth filled with maze-like streets and alleyways brimming with locals and tourists alike. As with most bazaars, expect to find anything and everything here from hand-made carpets, stained glass lamps, jewelry, pillows, clothing, and so much more.
Gold and copper artifacts and antiques are among many of the popular items that dominate the bazaar.
There are a number of cafes where you can snack on traditional Egyptian food and tea. Expect various individuals here to approach you offering henna tattoos. I, of course, immediately responded with a yes, please.
Because the bazaar is located near the Al Azhar Mosque, no alcohol is served in or around the market. I highly recommend visiting the mosque, the interior is majestic and beautifully ornate, and the courtyard’s open space is peaceful and inviting. See below for information on how to dress and other customs to follow when visiting mosques and while traveling throughout the country.
Spice Market
Regarded as one of the best spice markets in the world, the bazaar’s Spice Market is basically what I consider heaven on Earth. Gorgeous hues of practically every spice under the sun and intense aromatic fragrances wafting throughout the air — seriously, does it get any better than that? I didn’t think so. Many ingredients that are typically expensive elsewhere are relatively cheap here. It’s a great place to stock up on things like saffron and vanilla beans–I paid a fraction of what I would normally pay here in the states.
Felucca Boat Ride On The Nile River
Gliding along the Nile upon a felucca, the traditional sailboat of the river, is a wonderful way to escape the hectic commotion of Cairo and see some of the city’s skyscrapers, waterfront promenades and bridges. Basking in the sunshine and catching the gentle breeze off of the river makes for a peaceful and lovely afternoon.
We took an hour-long sailing trip from Cairo, but they’re also popular in many other cities along the Nile including Aswan and Luxor. Make sure you negotiate and settle on a price with your guide before boarding. For reference, we paid less than $30 USD for the two of us.
Egyptian Museum
One of the most important museums on the planet, The Egyptian Museum houses over 120,000 Egyptian artifacts, making it the largest museum collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world. There is so much to see here, but highlights include the famous Tutankhamun collection with its beautiful gold death mask and sarcophagus and the royal Mummy room.
NILE RIVER CRUISE
In my opinion, the best way to see Egypt is on a Nile River cruise. This is not your typical Royal Caribbean cruise, think more river boat cruise — much much smaller, less time sailing, and plenty of stops for sightseeing. We were extremely satisfied with our eight-day trip with Gate 1 Travel, but there are hundreds of tour operators to choose from.
We got super lucky on our cruise and met some fantastic people–some of who we still keep in touch with and have visited with since our trip nearly ten years ago. We also hit jackpot with our tour guide–easily one of the best guides we’ve ever had. His depth of knowledge and history was absolutely astounding — we learned so much from him. Of course we’ve forgotten mostly everything we learned, but still.
Expect somewhere between mediocre and sometimes above average food while on the cruise and evenings filled with dancing and entertainment. Alcohol is not included in the tour price.
Clearly I took advantage of the dancing part.
Galabeya Party
Yes, the Galabeya Party is kitschy and corny, and it totally caters to tourists. But it’s also super fun and pretty much a must-do tradition on most Nile River cruises. Most people (like us) buy their garb from the boat’s gift shop and then of course proceed to wear it to dinner and the subsequent party, which is filled with a mixture of American and Arabian music, cheesy performances, and a whole lot of awkward dancing. Did I mention how fun this was? This was easily was one of our favorite nights of the cruise.
So many sick dance moves during this trip.
Probably my favorite photo of the post.
ASWAN
Located along the Nile River, the southern city of Aswan is more serene and charming than many other cities in Egypt. Aswan is home to many important archaeological sites like the Philae temple complex near the landmark Aswan Dam. Aswan is significantly historic and was known to be the ancient Egyptians’ gateway to Africa. This is an obligatory stop along nearly every Nile cruise.
EDFU
Located on the west bank of the Nile River, the city of Edfu houses the iconic Temple of Horus, one of the most impressive and well-preserved temples in all of Egypt. Regarded as one of the best surviving pylons among temples in in the country, it’s adorned with battle scenes, representing King Ptolemy VIII striking his enemies before the god Horus.
Immediately upon disembarking your cruise boat, you are led to a horse-drawn carriage, transporting you directly to Edfu.
The symbol for Horus (god of the sun) was the head or body of a falcon.
T making friends everywhere we go.
KOM OMBO
The grand and impressive temple of Kom Ombo is just steps away from the Nile and is dedicated to Horus, the Sky God, and Sobek, the Crocodile God.
The temple is well-preserved and the wall hieroglyphics show medical instruments and cures, including the mind-blowing fact that they knew about sterilization. Simply amazing!
KARNAK
I don’t know if I’m bold enough to say that Karnak impressed me more than the pyramids; that is one strong declaration that I’m not entirely ready to commit to. But I will say that Karnak is nothing short of remarkable, one of the most impressive sites we have visited. Ever.
Located near Luxor, the archeological wonder of Karnak is one of the most important and visited sites in all of Egypt. The vast complex houses a number of temples, pylons, chapels, and other magnificent structures. The grand avenue of sphinxes, massive pillars, towing columns and obelisks, and overall palatial feel of this impressive complex blew us away.
The sheer size and scale of Karnak is astonishing. The unparalleled ingenuity of the Egyptians is nothing short of mind-blowing. Expect to spend several hours here.
The evening Karnak Sound and Light Show is simultaneously dramatic and entertaining. We were captivated by the booming sound effects and illuminated ruins during the one-hour presentation, as the narrated show provided a completely different perspective and additional fascinating information to our daytime tour. Highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance.
VALLEY OF THE KINGS
Located on the west bank of the Nile, The Valley of the Kings has been the site of royal burials since around 2100 BC, housing 63 incredible royal tombs.
I know I’m being redundant by repeatedly saying how amazing these sites are, but they are. The intricate detail and size of the tombs are simply outstanding–there’s just no other way to put it.
TRAVEL TIPS TO NOTE
Whether you like it or not, it should come as no surprise that Egypt is a male-dominated and highly religious nation, and there are certain customs that western travelers, particularly women, should be aware of.
*Women are expected to dress more conservatively than in the Western world. Bring a pair or two of long pants, a long skirt, a few scarves/pashminas, and some shoulder-covering tops. While I definitely wore sleeveless tops and skirts during our trip, I made sure to cover up when entering various temples and mosques. It’s a good idea to carry a scarf with you at all times. I had purchased a few scarves during our precursor trip to Turkey the year before and to this day, these two scarves remain some of the best items I’ve ever purchased while traveling.
*We traveled to Egypt in March, which was a fantastic time to visit. The days are warm, but by no means uncomfortable. Evenings near and in the dessert can be cool–pack plenty of layers.
*Female travelers, if you are traveling with a male companion, be ready for locals to look to them for constant approval. Even when aboard our cruise, every time I ordered an alcoholic beverage, our server, regardless of male or female, would look to T before taking my order. The only two other predominantly Muslim nations we’ve traveled to other than Egypt have been Turkey and Indonesia, and that never happened in either country. Egypt is much more conservative than I had initially thought. No need to be alarmed, just be aware, prepared, and know that at times, you may be a little annoyed.
*Not strictly Egypt-related, but because you’ll most likely be spending some time in the desert, make sure to bring a water bottle (please try to refrain from purchasing plastic bottles to ensure that you are being an environmentally-conscious traveler), sunscreen, lip balm, and hat.
*Carry small bills to tip guides and any drivers. Also, have cash available–not everywhere accepts credit cards, especially many of the stalls found in bazaars and other markets.
*Finally, whenever traveling abroad, remember to have an open mind, bring an extra amount of patience, and remember that YOU are the foreigner, not the other way around. It’s your responsibility to assimilate and be mindful of local traditions and customs; don’t expect locals to accommodate and acquiesce to your needs.
I promise your trip will be so much better and enjoyable if you do!
Happy Traveling, All!
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