8 Exciting Things to do in Egypt

Written by Ella Cawthorne Last updated December 3rd 202403/12/24

Egypt is a much-loved holiday destination and with so much to see and do it can be hard to cram everything into one holiday. Each resort centre offers something exciting for tourists whether that be uncovering history, immersing yourself in local culture or discovering beneath the surface.

Here’s a snapshot of some of our favourite things to do when visiting Egypt…

Snorkelling and Scuba Diving

One of the main attractions to the Red Sea area and particularly Sharm El Sheikh is the diving opportunities. When staying in Sharm, there are a whole host of diving and snorkelling excursions that are available to book and enjoy.

For an extra special experience, why not try the VIP Snorkeling Cruise to Tiran Island from Sharm El Sheikh? This excursion takes you to three diving spots so you’re able to enjoy exploring a range of different underwater species and habitats. Also included in your excursion is a BBQ with your fellow divers! You can relax and refuel while sharing stories with each other of the exciting sights you’ve seen. More than 200 species of coral and over 1,000 species of fish can be found at the National Park and there’s even the possibility to even see sharks, manta rays, and barracudas in the deeper waters.

You can also enjoy a spot of snorkelling at nearby Sharks Bay, which is around a 20-minute drive north of Naama Bay. From the minute you dip your toes in the shallow water you can spot fish swimming close to the shore. Many of the hotels along the beach have floating jetties, so you’re able to view the beautiful fish all while keeping dry. Despite the name, you won’t find any sharks here, but you will have the chance to see parrotfish, puffer fish and stingrays.

Luxor Temples

The Luxor Temple is a large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the Nile River, in the area of Luxor. The temple has been altered over the years by many different pharaohs – including the infamous pharaoh, Tutankhamun.

The Temple Complex of Karnak is a fascinating sight and has the Great Temple of Amun, the Temple of Khons, and the Festival Temple of Tuthmosis III, as well as surrounding minor temples and sanctuaries, within its precincts. The complex represents building activity over thousands of years and has become the most important of Egypt’s temples during the New Kingdom.

You can find the Temple of Deir el-Bahri, Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple, on the west bank of the Nile. The complex is filled with fascinating statues, relics, inscriptions and representation of Queen Hatshepsut shows her with a beard and a short apron to demonstrate that she possessed all the authority of a king!

El Dahar Market

El Dahar, the old town in the north of Hurghada City, is where all the locals shop. It’s a great place to bag yourself a bargain or find some perfect gifts to take home for your family. A top tip is don’t stick to the main streets – by venturing through the back streets you can find much better deals.

Think perfume, jewellery, shisha pipes, even fake designer gear – everything is up for grabs here. At markets, haggling is very common, so make sure you have your Bargain Hunt hat on and be prepared to negotiate yourself a good deal. If you’re wondering what an acceptable price is, you can take a look in the fixed-price stores on Hurghada Marine Boulevard.

Kitesurfing

Kitesurfing is a popular spot in Egypt thanks to its consistent winds and smooth waters. Dahab is famous for its colourful reefs and blue waters making it one of the best kitesurfing spots in Egypt. Dahab has more than 240 days of wind, and is home to lots of kitesurfing schools so is a great place for beginners to learn the ropes!

Hurghada is another of Egypt’s great kitesurfing spots. The beach resort is already well known for other watersports thanks to great weather all year long and its glossy waters, and kitesurfing makes a nice addition to the line up.

El Gouna can be found about 20km away from Hurghada and is a modern resort town surrounded by luxurious houses and cosy apartments. This area has large shallow lagoons and consistent winds all year round which is why so many people gather here to take to the waves. El Gouna also hosts an annual kitesurfing league bringing together some of the best global kitesurfing professionals to show off their moves.

River Nile

The River Nile needs no introduction – at 6,693km long, it’s the longest in the world! Visiting the Nile is definitely a bucket list experience and taking a trip to Luxor is a great way to take in the river in all its glory. When staying in towns and cities close to the river, there’s plenty of opportunities to explore the Nile. Excursions are available to book for Nile cruises starting at a couple of nights long up to more than a week.

Cruise tours can also be combined with other activities including hot air balloon rides which will give you an amazing view of the waters from up above!

Exploring the Desert

For the adventurers out there, there’s nothing more exciting than zipping through the Sahara on a 4×4 or quad bike. That can be a reality when you visit Hurghada! This excursion is the ultimate desert experience and you can enjoy quad biking, a 4×4 tour and even a camel ride for an all-out Egyptian experience.

Guests are also treated to a delicious meal, as well as a presentation on Bedouin life and performances by belly dancers, folklorists, and Tanura dancers. This experience is a full day event, so make sure to bring everything you could need throughout the day like plenty of water and sunscreen.

If a full day tour is too much, then half day tours are the way to go! This quad bike morning tour with camel ride and tea in Hurghada is a three hour experience which certainly doesn’t lack in adrenaline. When exploring the desert on a quad, make sure to bring along sunglasses for eye protection and a scarf to wrap around your head and shoulders to protect yourself from the beaming rays.

Valley of Camels

Wadi El Gemal, otherwise known as the Valley of Camels, is an extensive area of desert and coastal water lying 45 km to the south of Marsa Alam that has been declared a national park. The park is rich in wildlife and vegetation and also has historic sites dating back to before the Roman era.

A wadi is a dry desert river valley, which only floods when occasionally the desert experiences a heavy rainfall. However, some water filters down into the surrounding mountains and experienced locals know how to access it through springs and wells.

If you’ve never ridden a camel before or are a little nervous, it’s recommended you give it a go beforehand on some of the beach-based camel rides. Another alternative for people who are more nervous is the option of a camel-pulled wagon which will take you safely through the wadis and sand dunes stopping off so you can see the wildlife or so that you can taste the local food such as bread baked on a fire in the sand or camel cheese.

During your camel ride you will have the chance to spot the dorcas gazelle, a special species which are adept at desert survival, being able to absorb moisture from the vegetation they eat.

The Great Pyramid of Giza

A blog about Egypt’s best attractions wouldn’t be complete without mentioning The Great Pyramid of Giza! Though Cairo is a bit of a distance from Egypt’s popular resort centres like Sharm El Sheikh, there are many excursions that help to make the journey a little easier.

When staying in Sharm El Sheikh, you can book this excursion which includes internal flights to Cairo, saving yourself a long bus journey! This tour is stress free as your transport and activities are already arranged for you. You’ll discover the beauty, history and culture that fills the city and check out its many incredible monuments.

The Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the treasure-laden Cairo Museum are all on this tour’s itinerary and are sure to give you a perfect overview of Cairo’s culture. A wealth of history, culture and atmosphere wait for you as you set out to discover Egypt’s most prized possessions.