Egypt is one of the world's great travel destinations — the Pyramids of Giza are the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, the Valley of the Kings at Luxor contains the tombs of the pharaohs, a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan passes some of the finest ancient monuments on earth, and the Red Sea resorts of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh offer world-class diving and snorkelling.
Top Egypt Highlights to Visit
Handpicked destinations for the ultimate egypt highlights experience
Luxor — Valley of the Kings
The world's greatest concentration of ancient monuments — the pharaohs' burial ground
Luxor is the world's greatest open-air museum — the ancient city of Thebes, capital of Egypt for much of the New Kingdom (1550–1070 BC), contains the most extraordinary concentration of ancient monuments on earth. The Valley of the Kings (where Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered in 1922), the Valley of the Queens, the Temple of Karnak (the largest ancient religious complex ever built), the Luxor Temple, and the mortuary temples of Hatshepsut and Ramesses III make Luxor an unmissable destination for anyone interested in ancient history.
Highlights
- The Valley of the Kings — tombs of Tutankhamun, Ramesses II, and 60+ pharaohs
- Karnak Temple — the largest ancient religious complex ever built
- The Temple of Hatshepsut — the most beautiful mortuary temple in Egypt
- The Luxor Temple — illuminated at night, one of the world's great sights
- Hot air balloon over the Valley of the Kings at sunrise
Things to Do
- Enter Tutankhamun's tomb
- Walk through Karnak Temple complex
- Take a hot air balloon at sunrise
- Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut
- Take a felucca on the Nile at sunset
Practical Info
Best Time to Visit
October–April (cooler temperatures)
Recommended Duration
2–3 days
Typical Cost
Valley of the Kings entry EGP 450; Karnak EGP 450
Travel Tips
- ·Fly to Luxor direct from London (5.5 hours) or via Cairo
- ·Visit the Valley of the Kings early morning — it gets very hot by midday
- ·Hire a licensed guide — the history is extraordinary
- ·Combine with a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan (3–4 days)
Nearby Attractions
Red Sea Coast
World-class diving and snorkelling in the world's most biodiverse sea
Egypt's Red Sea coast is one of the world's premier diving and snorkelling destinations — the Red Sea has some of the highest marine biodiversity on earth, with over 1,200 fish species, 1,000 invertebrate species, and 200 coral species. The SS Thistlegorm — a WWII wreck sunk in 1941 — is one of the world's top wreck dives. The reefs of Ras Mohammed National Park, the Blue Hole at Dahab, and the coral gardens of Sharm el-Sheikh's Naama Bay are world-class. The resorts of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh also offer excellent all-inclusive beach holidays.
Highlights
- World-class diving — over 1,200 fish species and 200 coral species
- The SS Thistlegorm — one of the world's top wreck dives
- Ras Mohammed National Park — the finest reef diving in the Red Sea
- The Blue Hole at Dahab — a famous (and challenging) dive site
- Excellent all-inclusive beach resorts
Things to Do
- Dive the SS Thistlegorm wreck
- Snorkel at Ras Mohammed
- Dive the Blue Hole at Dahab
- Take a glass-bottom boat trip
- Day trip to Luxor or Cairo from Sharm el-Sheikh
Practical Info
Best Time to Visit
Year-round; March–May and September–November for diving
Recommended Duration
7–14 days
Typical Cost
All-inclusive resorts from £500/week; diving from US$40/dive
Travel Tips
- ·Fly direct from London to Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh (5–5.5 hours)
- ·All-inclusive resorts are the best value
- ·The Red Sea is warm year-round (22–28°C)
- ·Combine with Cairo and Luxor for a complete Egypt trip
Nearby Attractions
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