The gift of the Nile — a civilization 5,000 years old, the last Wonder of the Ancient World still standing, pharaonic temples along the Nile's banks, and a Red Sea coast world-renowned for diving.
- Capital
- Cairo
- Population
- 107,271,260
- Area
- 1,001,450 km²
- Languages
- Arabic
- Currency
- Egyptian Pound (EGP)
- GDP
- $347,342M
Good to know
Driving side
Right
National dish
Ful medames, kushari
Annual visitors
13,026,000 (2019)
Safety
Low (1.31/100k)
Big Mac
$2.65
Avg temp
23.1°C
Religion
Islam
Coast
Coastal
☎ Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180
Travel guide
Egypt (Arabic: مصر màSr) is known for its world-famous pyramids, mummies, temples, art, churches, mosques, bustling cities, friendly people, and hieroglyphics, Egypt is considered a cradle of civilisation and has one of the longest histories of any country in the world. Egypt may perhaps have the oldest tourist industry in the world; Egypt has been visited by millions of people since ancient times. There is a lot to do for the foreign traveller in Egypt. Apart from visiting and seeing the temples and artefacts of ancient Egypt, there is also much to see within each city. In fact, each city in Egypt has its own charm of things to see with its own history, culture, activities, and people who often differ in nature from people of other parts of Egypt.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Egypt
Best time to visit
October–April is the best period to avoid intense heat. Nile Cruise season runs October–May. Red Sea diving is excellent year-round. Cairo can be visited any time but summer (June–August) is extremely hot. Ramadan affects restaurant hours.
Visa
Most nationalities including US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia can obtain a Visa on Arrival at Cairo airport (USD 25) or apply for an e-Visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg before travel.
Highlights
The Great Pyramid, the only Wonder that still exists, stood as the world’s tallest human-made structure for nearly 4,000 years. Erected around 2560 B.C.E. on the west bank of the Nile River, the Great Pyramid served as the tomb of the fourth-century pharaoh Khufu (Cheops). It is the largest of the three Pyramids at Giza.
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (7)
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Major cities
Cairo
The city of a thousand minarets — the Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili bazaar, and the mighty Nile.
Luxor
The world's greatest open-air museum — Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, and Nile cruise departure point.
Alexandria
Egypt's Mediterranean city of Cleopatra's legacy, the New Library of Alexandria, and a cosmopolitan old cafe culture.
Aswan
The gateway to Nubia — Philae Temple, Abu Simbel day trip, and the most relaxed city on the Nile.
Hurghada
Egypt's Red Sea resort city, with world-class diving and snorkeling in the coral-rich Red Sea.
Sharm El Sheikh
Sinai's resort city with Ras Mohammed National Park, legendary diving, and access to Saint Catherine's Monastery.