EGYPT
MIDDLE EAST
Climate
Egypt has a hot, dry desert climate with mild winters and scorching summers, marked by very little rainfall except along the Mediterranean coast where winter rain occurs. Temperatures are extreme, with summer highs often over 40°C (104°F) and significant drops at night, especially inland, though coastal areas are moderated by the sea. The climate is generally arid, with humidity low in deserts but higher on the coasts.
Language
Egypt's primary language is Egyptian Arabic, but English has significant prevalence, especially in education, business, tourism, and among the educated, with many signs bilingual and English mandatory in schools, though fluency varies greatly, with higher rates in Cairo and among professionals.
Money
Egypt's currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP or LE), with banknotes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 EGP, featuring historical Islamic and Pharaonic art, while coins are available for smaller amounts like 1 EGP and 50, 25, 10 piastres. Cash is essential for daily transactions, though larger venues accept cards.
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Electricity
Egypt uses Type C (Europlug, two round pins) and Type F (Schuko, two round pins with grounding clips) sockets with standard voltage of 220V with a 50Hz frequency.
CAIRO & LOWER EGYPT
Cairo sits at the heart of Lower Egypt, the northernmost region of Egypt, which consists of the fertile Nile Delta between Upper Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea . Just outside the city rise the legendary Giza Pyramids and the Great Sphinx, among the most recognizable monuments on Earth. Within Cairo, layers of history unfold in the medieval streets of Islamic Cairo, the churches of Coptic Cairo, and world-class collections at the Egyptian Museum and the new Grand Egyptian Museum. Beyond the capital, Nearby, the ancient sites of Saqqara and Memphis reveal earlier chapters of pharaonic history, including the Step Pyramid of Djoser. Lower Egypt extends into the fertile Nile Delta, where smaller cities and villages reflect Egypt’s agricultural heart and everyday rhythms. And to the north, Alexandria offers a Mediterranean contrast, shaped by Greco-Roman heritage.
PLACES TO EXPLORE
LUXOR & NILE VALLEY
Upper Egypt traces the course of the Nile south from Cairo, revealing some of the most concentrated and extraordinary remnants of ancient Egyptian civilization. Luxor is often described as the world’s greatest open-air museum, home to the vast temple complexes of Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, as well as the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings across the Nile. Farther south, Aswan introduces a gentler rhythm, with granite quarries, Nile islands, and Nubian culture shaping its character. Nearby, the monumental temples of Abu Simbel stand as a powerful testament to ancient engineering and devotion. Many travelers experience this region via a Nile River Cruise between Luxor and Aswan, following the same river corridor that sustained Egyptian civilization for millennia. Together, Upper Egypt and the Nile Valley offer an unmatched immersion into Egypt’s ancient religious, political, and architectural legacy.
RED SEA COAST
Egypt’s Red Sea Coast is defined by beach resorts, crystal-clear waters, and some of the world’s most vibrant coral reefs, offering a relaxed counterpoint to the country’s archaeological sites. Resort centers such as Hurghada, El Gouna, Marsa Alam, and Sharm el-Sheikh are known for snorkeling, scuba diving, and easy access to offshore reefs. Accommodations along the coast range from high-end five-star resorts and luxury all-inclusive properties to more understated beachfront hotels, making the region appealing to a wide range of travelers. Protected areas such as Ras Mohammed National Park are located just minutes by boat or a short drive from Sharm el-Sheikh, offering exceptional marine biodiversity and some of the Red Sea’s most celebrated dive and snorkel sites. Easily reached from Cairo or Upper Egypt, the Red Sea Coast is ideal for travelers looking to slow down, enjoy the sea, and experience a more leisure-focused side of Egypt.
SINAI PENINSULA
The Sinai Peninsula offers one of Egypt’s most remote and spiritually significant landscapes, where rugged mountains, desert silence, and sacred history converge. At its core is Mount Sinai, traditionally associated with the story of Moses, and nearby Saint Catherine’s Monastery, one of the world’s oldest functioning Christian monasteries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The peninsula’s dramatic granite peaks, desert valleys, and night skies create a powerful sense of isolation and reflection. Along the Gulf of Aqaba, Dahab serves as a relaxed base, known for its low-key atmosphere and access to the sea without the resort scale of the Red Sea Coast. Sinai appeals to travelers drawn to landscape, spirituality, and a slower, more contemplative journey.
WESTERN DESERT PENINSULA
Egypt’s Western Desert stretches west of the Nile toward Libya, revealing a vast, otherworldly landscape of sand seas, rock formations, and life-sustaining oases. The most accessible and well-known is Siwa Oasis, a remote settlement near the Libyan border known for its salt lakes, palm groves, and deep-rooted Amazigh (Berber) culture, as well as ancient sites like the Temple of the Oracle of Amun. Farther east, oases such as Bahariya Oasis serve as gateways to surreal desert landscapes including the White Desert National Park, famous for its chalk formations sculpted by wind and time. Often explored via guided overland journeys from Cairo, the Western Desert offers a stark, atmospheric contrast to Egypt’s cities and monuments, offering both adventure and remoteness.
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