Things to do in 

Egypt

Find alternative things to do and authentic activities in Egypt by drifting toward slower, local moments across Cairo, the Nile Valley, far-flung oases, and the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts.

Cultural experiences: In Islamic Cairo near Al-Azhar, try a short brass-hammering or calligraphy workshop in Darb Al-Ahmar, a quick hop from Downtown Cairo. In Fustat by Old Cairo, spin a pottery wheel at the Fustat Traditional Crafts Center, easy for families and first-timers. On Luxor’s West Bank in Al-Qurna, walk a date grove with a farmer and taste fresh palm syrup, a relaxed option for seniors. In Aswan, share a home-cooked Nubian lunch on Elephantine Island, just a short boat ride from the Corniche, a simple, warm experience couples love. In Alexandria’s Attarine district, browse old bookbinders and antique stalls, 15 minutes from the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, then linger over coffee like a local.

Day trip ideas: From Cairo, head 1 hour south to Dahshur to climb inside the Red Pyramid and see the Bent Pyramid with fewer crowds, or go 2 hours to Fayoum for Tunis Village pottery and the Wadi El Rayan waterfalls. From Luxor, go 1.5 hours north to Dendera in Qena for vivid temple ceilings, or 2.5 hours to Abydos for carved reliefs that reward patient travelers. From Aswan, drive 40 minutes to Kalabsha Temple near the High Dam, then boat to Sehel Island for lively Nubian villages. From Alexandria, ride 1.5 hours to Rosetta (Rashid) to explore Ottoman houses and a riverside corniche along the Nile Delta.

Explore Egypt's regions: In Cairo and Giza, follow artisans through Al-Muizz Street and take a twilight felucca from Maadi, 20 minutes from Tahrir Square. Along the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, slow down in villages and, for luxury travelers, charter a private dahabiya from Esna to Kom Ombo. On the Red Sea at Hurghada and El Gouna, try a relaxed boat day to Abu Ramada reefs, with glass-bottom options that suit kids and seniors. In the Western Desert at Siwa, float in salt lakes near Taghaghien Island and learn palm weaving in town, an overnight flight or 9-hour drive from Cairo. In Sinai at Dahab and Saint Catherine, split time between shore walks by the Blue Lagoon and steady-paced monastery trails, reachable via Sharm El Sheikh.

Travel tip: Plan 9–12 days for Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and a Fayoum or Red Sea add-on; stretch to 14–16 days if you’ll include Siwa or Sinai, as distances are wide and roads take time.

More places to see in Egypt

Beyond Cairo, plan time for river towns, desert oases, and quiet coastlines where daily life sets the pace. You’ll get close to craft, cuisine, and landscapes that feel very different from the capital.

Luxor: Cross the Nile early and walk the cool paths of the Valley of the Kings before the heat builds, then step into the artisans’ world at Deir el-Medina where painted tombs sit beside the old village. As dusk settles, wander through Luxor Temple when the columns glow and the corniche fills with families out for the evening.

Aswan: Take a late-afternoon boat to Philae Temple, watching the stone turn warm as the sun drops behind the islands. After sunset, drift through Aswan Souq for spices and scarves, then sip mint tea by the river on Elephantine Island while feluccas slide past.

Siwa Oasis: Cycle shaded lanes to the crumbled walls of the Shali Fortress in the morning, then cool off with a slow soak at Cleopatra’s Spring. Toward evening, ride out to Fatnas Island for dates and a wide, calm view of salt lakes and dunes.

Dahab: Spend the day in the water at Lighthouse Reef or along the Blue Hole, where clear shallows make for easy snorkeling. After dark, follow the promenade for grilled fish and Bedouin tea in Asala, with the sound of waves just beyond the lamps.

Seasonal activities

Spring: Count on warm days and cooler evenings, with green fields along the Nile and desert sites still comfortable to explore. Watch for khamsin winds in March and April, then slip into lantern‑lit Ramadan nights when streets glow and sweets appear after sunset, a relaxed rhythm that works well for families and unhurried travellers.

Summer: Expect intense heat inland, especially around Luxor and Aswan, so plan temple visits at dawn and museum time midday. Head to the Red Sea for steady breezes and bathtub‑warm water, an easy choice for couples and families who want snorkelling, shaded pools and slow afternoons.

Fall: Temperatures ease and skies clear, a sweet spot to cruise the Nile, roam Giza at golden hour and wander oasis gardens during the date harvest. Birdlife gathers along the Delta and Red Sea lagoons, and the manageable pace suits seniors and culture lovers who prefer long, lightly scheduled days.

Winter: Cool, sunny weather frames Upper Egypt beautifully, with crisp mornings at Karnak and Kom Ombo and cosy evenings on the river. Expect cooler days in Cairo, occasional showers in Alexandria and pleasantly warm Red Sea beaches, a festive period that draws holidaymakers and off‑season luxury seekers.

Across the year, catch Sham El Nessim in spring when locals picnic by the water, experience Ramadan evenings with music, fanoos lanterns and late‑night treats, and time a visit to Abu Simbel for the twice‑yearly sun festival when the temple’s inner sanctuary lights up. Culture fans can look for D‑CAF’s contemporary performances in Cairo in spring, Sufi moulids with drums and chanting, and the Cairo International Book Fair in winter for a window onto modern Arabic literature.