Egypt, a land of ancient wonders and modern marvels, offers a treasure trove of historical, cultural, and natural attractions. From the iconic pyramids to the serene beaches of the Red Sea, Egypt’s diverse landscapes and rich heritage provide endless opportunities for exploration. Here are the top 30 tourist places in Egypt, each with its unique specialties, ideal visiting times, and nearby attractions, restaurants, and hotels.
1. Pyramids of Giza
Tourism Specialty: Ancient pyramids and the Sphinx
Locality: Giza
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Solar Boat Museum, Pyramid of Djoser
Nearby Restaurants: Felfela, El Hadaba
Nearby Hotels: Marriott Mena House, Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa
2. Egyptian Museum
Tourism Specialty: Extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts
Locality: Cairo
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Tahrir Square, Cairo Tower
Nearby Restaurants: Abou Tarek, Fasahet Somaya
Nearby Hotels: Kempinski Nile Hotel, The Nile Ritz-Carlton
3. Karnak Temple
Tourism Specialty: Vast ancient temple complex
Locality: Luxor
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings
Nearby Restaurants: Sofra, Al-Sahaby Lane
Nearby Hotels: Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa, Steigenberger Nile Palace
4. Valley of the Kings
Tourism Specialty: Tombs of ancient pharaohs
Locality: Luxor
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon
Nearby Restaurants: El Hussein, Tutankhamun
Nearby Hotels: Winter Palace Luxor, Pavillon Winter Luxor
5. Abu Simbel Temples
Tourism Specialty: Massive rock-cut temples
Locality: Aswan
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Philae Temple, Aswan High Dam
Nearby Restaurants: Nubian House, El Dokka
Nearby Hotels: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, Movenpick Resort Aswan
6. Temple of Philae
Tourism Specialty: Ancient temple complex dedicated to Isis
Locality: Aswan
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Unfinished Obelisk, Nubian Museum
Nearby Restaurants: The Terrace, Panorama Restaurant
Nearby Hotels: Basma Hotel Aswan, Pyramisa Isis Island Aswan
7. Luxor Temple
Tourism Specialty: Large ancient Egyptian temple complex
Locality: Luxor
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Karnak Temple, Luxor Museum
Nearby Restaurants: Al-Sahaby Lane, Gerda’s Garden
Nearby Hotels: Sonesta St. George Hotel, Steigenberger Resort Achti
8. Saqqara
Tourism Specialty: Step Pyramid of Djoser and ancient tombs
Locality: Saqqara, near Cairo
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Memphis, Dahshur
Nearby Restaurants: Saqqara Palm Club, Andrea El Mariouteya
Nearby Hotels: Movenpick Hotel & Casino Cairo-Media City, Swiss Inn Pyramids Golf Resort
9. Cairo Citadel
Tourism Specialty: Historic fortress with museums and mosques
Locality: Cairo
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Al-Azhar Park, Sultan Hassan Mosque
Nearby Restaurants: Citadel View Restaurant, Al Khal Egyptian Restaurant
Nearby Hotels: Conrad Cairo, Fairmont Nile City
10. Aswan Botanical Garden
Tourism Specialty: Island garden with exotic plants
Locality: Aswan
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Kitchener’s Island, Elephantine Island
Nearby Restaurants: Makani, Nubian Dreams
Nearby Hotels: Nubian Village Hotel, Tolip Aswan Hotel
11. Alexandria Library (Bibliotheca Alexandrina)
Tourism Specialty: Modern library and cultural center
Locality: Alexandria
Best Time to Visit: March to June, September to November
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Alexandria National Museum, Citadel of Qaitbay
Nearby Restaurants: Fish Market, Balbaa Village
Nearby Hotels: Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria, Steigenberger Cecil Hotel
12. Siwa Oasis
Tourism Specialty: Desert oasis with hot springs and ruins
Locality: Siwa
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Cleopatra’s Bath, Mountain of the Dead
Nearby Restaurants: Abdu’s Restaurant, Kenooz Siwa
Nearby Hotels: Adrere Amellal, Siwa Shali Resort
13. Mount Sinai
Tourism Specialty: Sacred mountain and St. Catherine’s Monastery
Locality: Sinai Peninsula
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: St. Catherine’s Monastery, Moses’ Spring
Nearby Restaurants: St. Catherine’s Guesthouse, Al-Fakhar
Nearby Hotels: Daniela Village St. Katherine, Morgenland Village
14. Nile River Cruise
Tourism Specialty: Scenic cruises between Luxor and Aswan
Locality: Luxor to Aswan
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple
Nearby Restaurants: Cruise dining options vary
Nearby Hotels: Cruise accommodation varies
15. Red Sea Riviera (Sharm El-Sheikh)
Tourism Specialty: Beach resorts and diving spots
Locality: Sharm El-Sheikh
Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Ras Mohammed National Park, Naama Bay
Nearby Restaurants: El Masrien, Camel Bar & Rooftop
Nearby Hotels: Rixos Sharm El Sheikh, Sultan Gardens Resort
16. Red Sea Riviera (Hurghada)
Tourism Specialty: Beach resorts and water sports
Locality: Hurghada
Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Giftun Islands, Makadi Water World
Nearby Restaurants: The Grill, Starfish Seafood Restaurant
Nearby Hotels: Steigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel, Jaz Aquamarine Resort
17. Dahab
Tourism Specialty: Relaxed beach town and diving sites
Locality: Sinai Peninsula
Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Blue Hole, Ras Abu Galum
Nearby Restaurants: Ali Baba Restaurant, Shark Restaurant
Nearby Hotels: Le Méridien Dahab Resort, Tirana Dahab Resort
18. White Desert National Park
Tourism Specialty: Unique white chalk formations
Locality: Farafra Oasis
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Black Desert, Crystal Mountain
Nearby Restaurants: Local campsites offer meals
Nearby Hotels: Campsites and eco-lodges
19. Al-Azhar Park
Tourism Specialty: Landscaped gardens with city views
Locality: Cairo
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Islamic Cairo, Al-Azhar Mosque
Nearby Restaurants: Citadel View Restaurant, Studio Misr
Nearby Hotels: Le Riad Hotel de Charme, Al Moudira Hotel
20. Memphis and Saqqara
Tourism Specialty: Ancient capital and step pyramid
Locality: Near Cairo
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Dahshur Pyramids, Mit Rahina Museum
Nearby Restaurants: Andrea El Mariouteya, Cleopatra Restaurant
Nearby Hotels: Hilton Pyramids Golf, Swiss Inn Pyramids Golf Resort
21. Temple of Edfu
Tourism Specialty: Well-preserved temple dedicated to Horus
Locality: Edfu
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Kom Ombo Temple, Nile River
Nearby Restaurants: Local eateries in Edfu
Nearby Hotels: Cruise accommodations for Nile cruises
22. Temple of Kom Ombo
Tourism Specialty: Unique double temple
Locality: Kom Ombo
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Edfu Temple, Nile River
Nearby Restaurants: Local eateries in Kom Ombo
Nearby Hotels: Cruise accommodations for Nile cruises
23. Dendera Temple Complex
Tourism Specialty: Temple dedicated to Hathor
Locality: Qena
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Abydos, Luxor
Nearby Restaurants: Local eateries in Qena
Nearby Hotels: Hotels in Luxor
24. Fayoum Oasis
Tourism Specialty: Oasis with lakes, waterfalls, and ruins
Locality: Fayoum
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Wadi El Rayan, Lake Qarun
Nearby Restaurants: Tunis Village eateries, Sobek Cafe
Nearby Hotels: Helnan Auberge Fayoum, Zad El Mosafer Ecolodge
25. Saint Catherine’s Monastery
Tourism Specialty: Ancient monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai
Locality: Sinai Peninsula
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Mount Sinai, Moses’ Spring
Nearby Restaurants: Monastery Guesthouse, Local eateries
Nearby Hotels: St. Catherine Plaza, Catherine Plaza Hotel
26. Abydos Temple
Tourism Specialty: Temple of Seti I and ancient ruins
Locality: Sohag
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Dendera, Luxor
Nearby Restaurants: Local eateries in Sohag
Nearby Hotels: Hotels in Luxor
27. Wadi El Rayan
Tourism Specialty: Waterfalls and natural reserves
Locality: Fayoum
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Fayoum Oasis, Lake Qarun
Nearby Restaurants: Tunis Village eateries, Local cafes
Nearby Hotels: Helnan Auberge Fayoum, Sobek Lodge
28. El Gouna
Tourism Specialty: Modern resort town on the Red Sea
Locality: Near Hurghada
Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Mangroovy Beach, Abu Tig Marina
Nearby Restaurants: La Scala, Zia Amelia
Nearby Hotels: Sheraton Miramar Resort, Movenpick Resort & Spa El Gouna
29. Taba
Tourism Specialty: Border town with beach resorts
Locality: Sinai Peninsula
Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Taba Heights, Pharaoh’s Island
Nearby Restaurants: Nelson Restaurant, Castle Zaman
Nearby Hotels: Taba Hotel & Nelson Village, Movenpick Resort Taba
30. Islamic Cairo
Tourism Specialty: Historic mosques, madrasas, and bazaars
Locality: Cairo
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Khan el-Khalili, Al-Azhar Mosque
Nearby Restaurants: Naguib Mahfouz Cafe, El Fishawi
Nearby Hotels: Le Riad Hotel de Charme, Al Moudira Hotel
These destinations offer a glimpse into Egypt’s rich history and vibrant culture, providing unforgettable experiences for every traveler.
