Egypt is packed with extraordinary sites, from thousand-year-old pyramids to the turquoise beaches of the Red Sea. This guide brings together all the must-see destinations to help you plan the perfect trip, whether you have one week or two.
Cairo & Its Treasures
The Egyptian capital deserves at least 2 to 3 days. Check out our complete guide to visiting Cairo in 2026, explore the brand-new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo and marvel at the famous pyramids of Giza. Nearby, do not miss the historic sites of Memphis and Saqqara, the birthplace of the first pyramids.
Upper Egypt: Luxor & Aswan
The heart of ancient Egypt lies between Luxor and Aswan. See our complete guides to visiting Luxor, the largest open-air museum in the world, and visiting Aswan, the pearl of Nubia. In Luxor, the Valley of the Kings holds the tombs of the pharaohs. In Aswan, the Temple of Philae dedicated to Isis is an architectural jewel.
Farther south, the monumental temples of Abu Simbel are an essential detour, carved into the rock by Ramses II more than 3,000 years ago.
Mediterranean & North Coast
To the north, Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great, offers a fascinating blend of Greco-Roman history and Mediterranean modernity.
Red Sea & Beach Resorts
For beach and diving lovers, Hurghada and the Red Sea offer some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world. Combine culture and relaxation by adding a few beach days after your Nile cruise.
Plan Your Tour
Discover our tour packages combining several destinations, or request a tailor-made free quote.
How Many Days to Plan per Destination?
This is the question our travelers ask us most often, and the answer really depends on your pace. Broadly speaking, you need to allow a minimum amount of time for each area so your trip does not turn into a marathon. Based on our experience as a local agency, here is what we recommend so you can enjoy every stop without rushing.
Cairo: 2 to 3 days minimum. Many travelers underestimate how much the capital has to offer. Between the pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum (count on 3 to 4 hours for the GEM alone), Islamic Cairo and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, two days go by very quickly. If you add Saqqara and Memphis, plan an extra half-day.
Luxor: 2 days ideally. One day for the east bank (Karnak, Luxor Temple), one day for the west bank (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon). If you are on a Nile cruise, these visits are spread out along the itinerary.
Aswan: 1 to 2 days. The Temple of Philae, the High Dam, a felucca ride and, if time allows, a visit to a Nubian village. If you add the Abu Simbel excursion (3.5 hours by road or 45 minutes by plane), count on a full extra day.
Red Sea (Hurghada / Marsa Alam): 2 to 4 days depending on how much downtime you want. This is the perfect moment to unwind after the intensive cultural sightseeing. The all-inclusive hotels offer excellent value, with rates starting at $130 a night in 5-star resorts.
Budget and Entrance Prices in 2026
Honestly, Egypt remains a very affordable destination compared with other historic countries. That said, site entrance prices have risen in recent years, and it is best to budget ahead. Here are the indicative 2026 rates for the main sites:
- Pyramids of Giza (plateau): about 700 EGP (~$13). Entry inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu: an extra 1,000 EGP (~$22).
- Grand Egyptian Museum: $60 (~$60). It is the most expensive ticket in Egypt, but the collection is unmatched.
- Valley of the Kings: 750 EGP (~$14) for 3 tombs. Tutankhamun is extra.
- Karnak Temple: 600 EGP (~$11).
- Temple of Philae: 550 EGP (~$10) + boat to the island (~100 EGP).
- Abu Simbel: 822 EGP (~$16).
In short, for a classic 7 to 10 day tour, plan on $110 to $160 per person just for site entrance fees. As a local agency, we include all entrance tickets in our packages, which spares you the lines and the on-site payments.
Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Tour
After years of organizing trips to Egypt, we have identified the most common traps for American travelers. Here are the mistakes you can easily avoid:
1. Trying to see everything in one week. This is the classic temptation. Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Hurghada, Alexandria, the White Desert... in 7 days. The result: you spend more time on transfers than in front of the monuments. It is better to choose a coherent route and come back for the rest.
2. Overlooking travel times. Egypt is a large country. Cairo to Luxor is a 1-hour flight or a 9-hour train ride. Luxor to Hurghada is 3.5 hours by road across the desert. Abu Simbel from Aswan is 3.5 hours by convoy. Build these durations into your planning.
3. Booking sites separately. Buying each ticket individually on-site is possible but time-consuming. The lines, the cash, the closed counters... An all-inclusive package with a guide saves you precious time.
4. Forgetting the season. Visiting the Valley of the Kings in August in more than 113 F is an ordeal. The best period for Upper Egypt is October to March. For the Red Sea, it is pleasant year-round. For the season-by-season breakdown, see our dedicated guide.
Our Take: The Ideal Route for a First Trip
As a local agency based in Cairo, if we had to recommend a single itinerary for a first taste of Egypt, it would be a 10-day tour combining Cairo (3 nights), the Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan (4 nights) and Hurghada (2 nights). It is the perfect balance of culture, adventure and relaxation.
This format lets you see the must-sees without rushing, enjoy sailing on the Nile (a one-of-a-kind experience) and finish with a few well-earned days of downtime on the Red Sea. Budget: from $1,290 per person in a double room, with domestic flights, accommodation, guided visits and meals included.
For travelers with more time, a 14-day tour lets you add Abu Simbel, Alexandria or a getaway into the White Desert. This is Egypt in depth. See our detailed 7, 10 and 14 day itineraries to find the one that fits you.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the must-see sites in Egypt?
A: The pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Luxor (Valley of the Kings, Karnak), Aswan (Philae), Abu Simbel and Alexandria are the top-priority destinations.
Q: How much time do you need to visit the main destinations?
A: A minimum of 7 days for Cairo + Luxor + Aswan. 10 days to add Abu Simbel and Hurghada. 14 days for a complete tour.
Q: Can you visit Egypt without a guide?
A: It is possible, but an English-speaking Egyptologist guide greatly enriches the experience, especially for the temples and archaeological sites.
Q: Is the Grand Egyptian Museum open in 2026?
A: Yes, the GEM is open to the public. It is the largest archaeological museum in the world, housing more than 100,000 objects including the treasure of Tutankhamun.
Q: Do you need to book site entrances in advance?
A: For most sites, tickets are bought on-site. For the tomb of Nefertari and certain special tombs, booking ahead is recommended.