EGYPT

Established over 5,000 years ago, Egypt is one of the oldest civilizations of the world, with a culture that has continued to fascinate and inspire people the world over with features such as the pyramids, hieroglyphics and numerous awe-inspiring temples and artifacts. Located in north east Africa, Egypt is bordered by Israel, the Gaza Strip, Libya and Sudan.

EGYPT TRAVEL TIPS

When is the best time to visit?

Egypt is a year-round vacation destination, although the summer months can be particularly hot. You’ll find the best deals on hotels and flights during the summer, if you can take the heat.

The best time to visit Egypt is between October and April, when temperatures are cooler, but still pleasantly warm across the country. Avoid traveling during Ramadan; shops and banks tend to close early, while many cafés and restaurants do not open at all during daylight hours.

Arriving in Cairo

Set on the Nile River, Cairo is the capital of Egypt. The city’s metropolitan area is one of the largest in Africa. Cairo is one of the greatest tourist attractions in Egypt and is full of historical and cultural heritage.

All international flights arrive at Cairo International Airport (CAI). You can obtain a visa on arrivals, which allows you to stay for a maximum of 30 days. You can also apply for an Egypt e-visa online and skip the long lines at the airport.

Getting around the city

Metro is the fastest way of getting around. It’s modern, air-conditioned and efficient. Bus is the cheapest alternative, but it can be very crowded. If you prefer taking a taxi instead, I recommend the old black-and-white taxis. You can also try the new white-and-yellow taxis, but make sure the meter is on.

Cairo is a safe and incredibly lively city, people are friendly and helpful, however, it’s recommendable to have a private tour guide that can help you get around easier and make your visit worthwhile. I had an awesome experience with Memphis Tours. Very knowledgeable and super friendly guides, who can make ancient history come alive.

Is Egypt a safe place to visit?

If you take certain precautions, it will be perfectly safe to travel to Egypt. The country truly needs tourism, now more than ever. People are really nice and friendly to the tourists.

Security is pretty tight in Egypt, so don’t be surprised if you see lots of armed guards or police officers, especially around touristic areas. Make sure you carry some kind of ID with you. Having a photo copy of your passport is also recommended.

Tipping in Egypt

Tipping is common in Egypt, that’s why is better to carry small bills with you. For example, I had a handful of “one dollar” bills and it was very helpful, whether I tipped the taxi driver, the bellhops at the hotel, or the servers at the restaurant.

The local currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). You can change to the local currency at the arrival’s hall at the airport or at any local bank. Check the Currency Converter for accuracy.

Always stay hydrated, however avoid drinking the tap water in Egypt. Bottled water is much safer. Avoid buying food from street vendors.

HOW TO SPEND 4 DAYS IN CAIRO

Cairo, located in the northeast of Egypt, is a city that is rich in history and culture. Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Cairo remains as one of the top destinations. Here I share some of the best things to do in Cairo, based on what I did during my 4-day stay in the Egyptian capital.

Day 1 – The Pyramids of Giza / The Great Sphinx

Day 2 – The Egyptian Museum / Downtown Cairo

Day 3 – Day trip to Alexandria from Cairo

Day 4 – Saqqara & Memphis / Dinner Cruise on the Nile

A sightseeing tour or a private tour is a great way to see Cairo’s highlights without the hassle of finding your way around, dealing with aggressive touts, and having to negotiate prices. Instead, you can relax and enjoy the sights while you learn about the attractions from a qualified Egyptologist.

Some of these tours also include convenient hotel pickup and drop-off, as well as entrance to many of the sites.

CAIRO ITINERARY – Day 1:

Visiting The Great Pyramids of Giza & The Great Sphinx

The Pyramids of Giza

No trip to Egypt is complete without visiting the great pyramids of Giza. Needless to say: it was a dream come true for me. Make sure you plan and book your tour in advance, to avoid unofficial guides that linger around the entrance of the Giza Plateau. To avoid the crowds and the heat, I suggest you go there early. The earlier, the better.

The three great pyramids are: The Pyramid of Menkaure, the Pyramid of Khafre and the Great Pyramid of Khufu. They were all built as a tomb for the Fourth Dynasty pharaoh Khufu, who is believed to have reigned during the 26th century BC. The site also includes several cemeteries and the remains of a workers’ village, as well as the Great Sphinx of Giza.

Tourists can enter inside all three of the great pyramids, for an extra fee of course. Nothing is free in Egypt – in some places they charge you an extra fee, even to take photos.

The standard ticket will only allow you to walk around the whole plateau, visiting the Pyramids and the Sphinx from the outside. You will need an extra ticket to go inside the Pyramids of Khafre and Khufu. Prices varies, depending which package you choose.

If you have time, I suggest you visit all three Pyramids and have a camel ride as well. Be wary of the first offer. In Egypt you must bargain for everything. Don’t jump to the first offer. Camel ride owners always tend to ask for a higher price, if you act like you’re not interested and walk away, they will bargain with you, lowering their offer.

I believe 100EGP for a camel ride around the Pyramids is well worth it. In addition, the guide will take some awesome pictures of you on the camel with the Pyramids in the background.

The Great Sphinx of Giza

The Great Sphinx of Giza is a limestone statue of a reclining sphinx, a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human. Facing directly from West to East, it stands on the Giza Plateau on the west bank of the Nile. Cut from the bedrock in the 4th dynasty, it is one of the largest and oldest statues in the world.

CAIRO ITINERARY – Day 2:

Visit The Egyptian Museum / Explore Downtown Cairo

The Egyptian Museum

Located right next to the famous Tahrir Square, The Egyptian Museum of Cairo is home to an extensive collection of Egyptian artifacts and rare pharaonic antiquities. With over 120,000 items on exhibition, the museum displays a rare collection of 5,000 years of art which is considered the largest and most precious collection of Egyptian art in the world.

Here are some of the top artifacts you’ve got to see on your visit to the Egyptian Museum:

• The Mask of Tutankhamun, which is one of the most famous works of art in the world;

• The Grave Mask of King Amenemope, which is made of pure gold; The Narmer Palette, which dates back to the 31st century BC, and holds some of the earliest hieroglyphic engravings that have ever been found;

• The Mummy Mask of Psusennes I, which is gold and well preserved. It is considered as “one of the masterpieces of the treasures of Tanis”;

• The Statue of Khufu, who was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the first dynasty and builder of the greatest pyramid of Giza;

• The Statue of Khafra, who was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the 4th dynasty, son of Khufu, and the builder of pyramid of Khafra at Giza;

• The Statue of Menkaure, who was the grandson of Khufu and the builder of the smallest pyramid in Giza. He ruled in the 4th dynasty;

• The statue of Akhenaton, who was an ancient Egyptian king of 18th dynasty. He ruled for over 17 years.

• The Mummy of Hatshepsut, who was the first female ruler of ancient Egypt to reign as a male with the full authority of pharaoh.

• There is a large collection of Egyptian jewelry on display in the museum. Most of the jewelry found on display in the museum were found on the mummy of Tutankhamen himself.

After you finished visiting the museum, head out in the garden, where you can find many busts and statutes of famous Egyptologists.

Downtown Cairo

Downtown Cairo was designed by some prestigious French architects, hence the European architectural style found in many of the buildings and streets throughout Cairo. In addition to hosting the Egyptian Museum, Downtown is the convenient location of many smaller hotels, retail outlets, travel agencies and restaurants. Its central location makes it a natural “jumping off point” for exploration of the city.

Cairo’s three metro lines converge in downtown. The Sadat Metro station is at Midan Tahrir, right beside the Egyptian Museum. This is at the south end of downtown, a 10-minute easy walk to the center of the district. Downtown can also be accessed through two other stations, Mohamed Naguib and Gamal Abdel Nasser.

A visit to the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha is recommended. Situated on the summit of the Salah El Din Citadel, this Ottoman mosque was built in the first half of the 19th century, and it’s the largest and most visible mosque in Cairo. This mosque, along with the citadel, is one of the landmarks and tourist attractions of Cairo.

Then head to Islamic Cairo. Along with the Pyramids of Giza, Islamic Cairo is one of my favorite part of the Egyptian capital. Walk through this historic district, on some beautiful narrow streets and alleys, you can explore numerous mosques, markets and mansions, blending with the locals.

Islamic Cairo is unique from many historic districts in that it is still very much a living part of the city. It is quite a large area, so visiting it by yourself it can be a daunting task. If you have chance, book a walking tour and get familiarized with the rich history and hidden treasures of this part of the city.

Shop at the old Khan El Khalili Bazaar. The market dates back as far as the 14th century – it is loud, crowded, colorful, and exciting. You can find almost anything here: from rare spices to perfumes with mixing scents of essential oils.

There are antique shops full of interesting pieces, as well as fabric shops and carpet vendors. Plenty of restaurants and cafés throughout the market, including Al Fishawy, which is the oldest café in Cairo.

Even if you are not looking to buy, taking a walk through the winding alleys of this labyrinthine district, you are sure to find something that will catch your eye. This market is a must see while in Cairo.

CAIRO ITINERARY – Day 3:

Day trip to the beautiful city of Alexandria from Cairo

The City of Alexandria

Founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria was one of the ancient world’s centers of learning. Today, Egypt’s second city combines Mediterranean charm with a wealth of Greek and Roman ruins. With one day in Alexandria, you can take in the city’s essential ancient sights, savor delicious seafood, stroll royal gardens, and more.

Located just 111 miles away from Cairo, the beautiful city of Alexandria is a popular tourist destination, is also a must see while in Egypt. The Hellenistic Alexandria was best known for the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; its Great Library (the largest in the ancient world); and the Necropolis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.

Book a private tour to enjoy this amazing day trip to Alexandria (just 2 hours and ½ driving distance from Cairo). I’ve booked my trip through Memphis Tours. Hotel pick-ups / drop-offs are also included.

Roaming the Ruins: Pompey’s Pillar & the Catacombs

The first stop in Alexandria is Pompey’s Pillar. It was constructed in honor of Emperor Diocletian at the end of the 4th century. Originally from the temple of the Serapis, it was once a magnificent structure rivaling the Soma and the Caesarean. This Pillar is the largest ancient monoliths of its type constructed outside the imperial capitals of Rome.

The next stop is a visit to the Catacombs of Kom Al-Shuqafa, which are the largest Roman Cemetery consisting of three levels cut in the rock. This extensive complex of impressively decorated tombs dates from the Roman Era and are considered as one of the “Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages”.

This historical archaeological site contains many graves, including a mass grave of animal and human remains that is attributed to a mass execution carried out in Alexandria by the Roman Emperor Caracalla in 215 AD. Many of the features of these catacombs merge Roman, Greek and Egyptian cultural points.

Seaside Strolls: Visiting the Citadel and the Lighthouse

Then proceed to see the beautiful Qaitbay Citadel, which is situated on the eastern side of the northern tip of Pharaohs Island. The Citadel of Qaitbay is a 15th-century defensive fortress located on the Mediterranean Sea coast.

The peninsula leading to the citadel is also a popular area with fishermen and families alike. It is usually crowded with a pleasant crowd enjoying the sea views, restaurants and ice cream shops that line the street up to the fortress.

The Citadel was erected on the exact site of the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria, also called the Pharaohs of Alexandria, for many centuries it was one of the tallest man-made structures in the world until the Eiffel Tower was erected in 1889. The Lighthouse was used, as sun by day and fire by night, to make sure that sailors could safely navigate the dangerous waters. The lighthouse continued to function until the time of the Arab conquest.

Before driving back to Cairo: Visit the Great Library

Visit the Great Library of Alexandria, also called “Bibliotheca Alexandrina”. The Library was founded in the 3rd century BC, shortly after the founding of the city as a new capital of Egypt by Alexander the Great. It is considered one of the greatest accomplishments in the legacy of ancient Alexandria.

The Library of Alexandria was a marvel of the ancient world, a place for arts, literature, philosophy and science. Books and scrolls filled with knowledge of many ancient civilizations found their way from across the land into the walls of this magnificent center of learning.

The library has shelf space for over eight million books. The complex also houses four museums; four art galleries, a planetarium and other exhibitions.

CAIRO ITINERARY – Day 4:

Visit Saqqara & Memphis / Enjoy a Dinner Cruise on the Nile

Saqqara Necropolis

Located just 40 km southwest from Cairo, is the ancient Necropolis Saqqara. Saqqara is best known for the Step Pyramid, the oldest known pyramids ever built in Egypt. It was built in the 27th century BC during the 3rd Dynasty by the great architect Imhotep. The grand pyramid and its surrounding mortuary complex were unique and revolutionary in its time.

The entire site of the Saqqara Necropolis is one of the largest burial sites in all of Egypt, certainly worth a visit to anyone interested in the history of the pyramids.

The Ancient City of Memphis

Located to the south of the Nile River Valley, Memphis was one of the oldest and most important cities in ancient Egypt. It was the seat of power for the pharaohs of over eight dynasties, it was the first capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom.

The ruins of the ancient capital now it’s an open museum, boasting several impressive artifacts and an array of statues that have been uncovered in the past century, including the enormous statue of king Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great, one of the most celebrated and powerful pharaohs.

Sandstorm in Cairo

Sandstorms, also called dust storms, are caused by strong winds blowing over loose soil or sand and picking up so much of that material that visibility is greatly reduced. It rarely occurs more than once a week and last for just a few hours at a time.

I have experienced a sandstorm on my last day in Egypt; the city turned orange, the sky was yellow, and winds reached over 30 mph.

Dinner Cruise on the Nile

To conclude your Egypt trip, what can be more relaxing and entertaining then experiencing the romance of Cairo by night on the Nile River.

You can enjoy a relaxing night by booking the “Cairo Nile Dinner Cruise”. Admire the shining lights of Cairo, as you cruise down the Nile River while savoring an open buffet dinner. Watch belly dancers as they perform to classic Arabic songs, along with Al-Tannoura, an Egyptian folklore show.

I believe this is a fabulous way to end your vacation in Cairo. I hope my travel tips and my 4-day itinerary helped you somewhat to plan your next trip to this beautiful country that is not only rich in history, but also rich in its scenery and has a unique culture.