From pyramids that have stood for thousands of years to the turquoise shallows of the Red Sea, Egypt is packed with remarkable places. Here we gather every unmissable destination in one place so you can shape the ideal holiday, whether you have one week or two.
Cairo & Its Treasures
The Egyptian capital deserves at least 2 to 3 days of visit. Discover our complete guide to visit Cairo in 2026, explore the all new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo and admire the famous pyramids of Giza. Nearby, don't miss the historic sites of Memphis and Saqqara, cradle of the first pyramids.
Upper Egypt: Luxor & Aswan
Between Luxor and Aswan beats the heart of Pharaonic Egypt. We have written full guides to visiting Luxor, often called the world's largest open-air museum, and to visiting Aswan, the pearl of Nubia. Luxor's west bank holds the Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs were laid to rest; at Aswan, the temple of Philae, built for Isis, is an architectural jewel.
Push on south and the colossal temples of Abu Simbel reward the detour: Ramesses II had them cut straight into the cliff more than 3,000 years ago.
Mediterranean & North Coast
Up on the coast, Alexandria, the city Alexander the Great founded, mixes Greco-Roman heritage with the bustle of a modern Mediterranean port.
Red Sea & Resorts
If sun and diving are on your list, Hurghada and the Red Sea have coral reefs to rival any on the planet. Tack a few days on the coast onto the end of your Nile cruise and you get culture and rest in one trip.
Plan Your Tour
Discover our tourist packages combining several destinations, or request a free quote tailor-made.
How much time to expect per destination?
No question reaches us more often, and the honest answer is that it depends on how fast you like to travel. Each region needs a certain minimum or the holiday turns into a race against the clock. Drawing on our years as an agency based in Egypt, these are the allowances we suggest so that every stage can be enjoyed at an easy pace.
Cairo: 2 to 3 days minimum. Many travelers underestimate the wealth of the capital. Between the pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum (allow 3 to 4 hours just for the GEM), Islamic Cairo and the Khan el-Khalili souk, two days pass very quickly. If you add Saqqara and Memphis, allow an extra half-day.
Luxor: give it 2 days if you can. Devote one to the east bank (Karnak and Luxor temple) and the other to the west bank (the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, the Colossi of Memnon). On a Nile cruise these stops are simply spaced out along the itinerary.
Aswan: 1 to 2 days. The temple of Philae, the High Dam, a felucca ride and, if time permits, a visit to the Nubian village. If you add the excursion to Abu Simbel (3h30 drive or 45 min by plane), count on an extra full day.
Red Sea (Hurghada / Marsa Alam): 2 to 4 days depending on your desire for relaxation. It's the ideal time to unwind after intensive cultural visits. All-inclusive hotels offer excellent value for money, with rates starting from £90 per night in 5-star hotels.
Budget and Entrance Prices in 2026
In truth, Egypt remains a very affordable destination compared to other historical countries. That said, site entry prices have increased in recent years, and it is best to plan your budget in advance. Here are the indicative prices in 2026 for the main sites:
- Pyramids of Giza (plateau): approximately 700 EGP (~£11). Entry into Kheops: supplement of 1,000 EGP (~£20).
- Grand Egyptian Museum: $60 (~£40). It is the most expensive banknote in Egypt, but the collection is second to none.
- Valley of the Kings: 750 EGP (~£11) for 3 graves. Tutankhamun extra.
- Karnak Temple: 600 EGP (~£9).
- Philae temple: 550 EGP (~£8.5), plus the boat across (~100 EGP).
- Abu Simbel: 822 EGP (~£12).
In short, for a classic 7 to 10 day tour, plan on between £80 and £120 per person just for site entrances. As a local agency, we include all entries in our packages, saving you the hassle of dealing with queues and payments on site.
Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Tour
Years of arranging Egypt holidays have shown us where British travellers most often go wrong. These slips are simple to sidestep:
1. Trying to do it all in a single week. Everyone is tempted. Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Hurghada, Alexandria and the White Desert squeezed into 7 days means more hours in minibuses and departure lounges than in front of the monuments. Pick a route that hangs together and save the remainder for a second visit.
2. Neglecting travel times. Egypt is a big country. Cairo-Luxor is 1 hour by flight or 9 hours by train. Luxor-Hurghada is a 3.5 hour drive through the desert. Abu Simbel from Aswan is 3h30 in convoy. Integrate these durations into your schedule.
3. Booking each site on your own. Buying tickets at every gate is possible but eats into the day: queues, change, shut kiosks. A guided package with entries included hands those hours back.
4. Forgetting the season. Visiting the Valley of the Kings in August with temperatures over 45 degrees is a challenge. The best time for Upper Egypt is from October to March. For the Red Sea, it is pleasant all year round. For the detail by season, consult our dedicated guide.
Our Opinion: The Ideal Circuit for a First Trip
Asked to name a single route for a first visit, our Cairo-based team would point to 10 days built around Cairo (3 nights), a Luxor to Aswan cruise on the Nile (4 nights) and Hurghada (2 nights). It strikes the right balance between monuments, adventure and time to unwind.
This format allows you to visit the must-sees without rushing, to enjoy navigation on the Nile (a unique experience in the world) and to end with a few days of well-deserved relaxation on the banks of the Red Sea. Budget: from £920 per person in a double room, internal flights, accommodation, guided tours and meals included.
For travelers with more time, a 14-day tour allows you to add Abu Simbel, Alexandria or a getaway to the White Desert. This is Egypt in depth. Check out our detailed itineraries 7, 10 and 14 days to find the one that suits you.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which Egyptian sights should nobody miss?
A: Put Giza's pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Luxor (Karnak and the Valley of the Kings), Aswan (Philae), Abu Simbel and Alexandria at the top of the list.
Q: How long does it take to visit major destinations?
A: Allow at least 7 days to cover Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. With 10 you can fit in Abu Simbel and Hurghada, and 14 lets you see the whole country.
Q: Is a guide necessary for Egypt?
A: It’s possible, but a English-speaking Egyptologist guide considerably enriches the experience, especially for temples and archaeological sites.
Q: Has the Grand Egyptian Museum opened yet, as of 2026?
A: It has. The GEM now welcomes visitors and ranks as the biggest archaeological museum anywhere, with over 100,000 pieces on show, Tutankhamun's treasures among them.
Q: Do I need to reserve site entrances in advance?
A: For most sites, tickets can be purchased on site. For the tomb of Nefertari and some special tombs, reservation is recommended.