Egypt is an amazing and, in my opinion, country underestimated by most tourists. And all because tour operators offer travelers an exclusively beach holiday, leaving everything else out of the equation, “optional.”
And meanwhile, Egypt, without exaggeration, is the cradle of Western civilization, because the ancient Greeks, and after them the Romans, drew inspiration from the cultural achievements of ancient Egypt.
I would begin my acquaintance with the country first in a historical context, while I still have the strength to wander in the heat among the ruins. And after that, having collected impressions, I would go to the beach to wash off the ancient dust of civilizations that have sunk into oblivion and enjoy the bright colors of the Red Sea.
How to get to Cairo
A plane ticket for a direct regular flight from Moscow will cost about 25,000 rubles* per person round trip.
What to see in Cairo
Getting to know the country begins from the capital – Cairo. This is where you fly in, and here is the main brand of Egyptian tourism – Great Pyramid Complex of Giza. This is the only surviving Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Built during the reign of the Fourth Dynasty pharaohs of the Old Kingdom era, the majestic man-made mountains visibly prove the level of architecture and engineering the Egyptians achieved four and a half thousand years ago.
This is not just the main attraction of Egypt, in my opinion, it is the greatest in the world. Everyone should see this and there is no point in describing it. Only when you are close to the pyramids can you realize their real scale. Previously, it was a royal necropolis, but now Giza is a suburb of Cairo, it is almost close to the resting place of the pharaohs, the Great Sphinx literally looks at the city lying at its feet.
Cairo itself is also extremely interesting. This is the largest metropolis in Africa. Seething, colorful, diverse in its appearance. Be sure to visit the Egyptian National Museum – the first for which a building was specially built. Previously, valuable objects and exhibits were located in palaces and mansions, for one reason or another, converted into museum exhibitions.
Be sure to take a boat ride on the Nile and enjoy the views of the city from the water. Look at the fishermen, the TV tower resembling a lotus stem, the ruins of the ancient city and the skyscrapers of the modern one.
After visiting Cairo, you will have a choice: go south to Hurghada, or east to the Sinai Peninsula. I will describe the advantages of each option.
Trip to the Sinai Peninsula
At first glance, this route seems the most attractive. Its shore is surrounded by a fringing reef, and you can dive into this “God’s Aquarium” with a mask without leaving the hotel premises. The largest and most popular resort on the peninsula is Sharm el-Sheikh. The infrastructure here is well developed, and it is suitable for tourists who love active recreation, vibrant nightlife, parties and discos.
The resorts located north of Sharm are a completely different matter. It is worth mentioning the diving Mecca – Dahab, near which there are several remarkable shipwrecks, as well as the world famous hole in the reef – the Blue Hole, which will impress even the most experienced diver. In Dahab you can buy any diving equipment, learn scuba diving and find organizers of diving tours. And thanks to the successful wind rose, this place is loved by kiters and windsurfers. So the town has a special atmosphere of a hangout for outdoor enthusiasts.
A completely different vibe in resorts far from Sharm: Nuweibe and Taba. Here life flows smoothly and measuredly, tourists relax in luxury hotels designed for family vacations. The reason why some people come to Taba is its walking distance to the border with Israel and Jordan.
You can literally walk to Israel, and you will be transported to Jordan by ferry. So, if you are a tourist who loves historical sites, You can easily organize tours to any of these countries. And you can enjoy the narrow streets of biblical Jerusalem, feel like an unsinkable creature in the exceptionally salty waters of the Dead Sea, or stroll among the majestic tombs in the capital of the Nabatean kingdom – Petre. My material about Jordan can be read at the link.
And also the Sinai Peninsula is the very place where Moses led the Jews through the desert. So there are a lot of pilgrimage attractions here, among which the main one is the monastery of St. Catherine, an ancient Christian monastery. On its territory is the Burning Bush, from which God spoke with Moses.
South of Egypt
Photo: Andrej Privizer/shutterstock.com
If you go to Hurghada and the adjacent resorts (Safaga – in the south or El Gouna – in the north), then you will get wonderful beaches, a beautiful sea with a sandy entrance and a large selection of hotels for a pleasant family holiday.
The main attractions of this region are the towns of Karnak and Luxor, on the territory of which Thebes, the capital of the New Kingdom, was previously located. It was here that the legendary Akhenaten and Ramses II ruled. The Avenue of the Sphinxes and the majestic temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor are located here.
Israel and Jordan are not so close from here, but sophisticated travelers can go to see the Aswan Dam, a majestic project of Soviet engineers, as well as the stunning monuments of Abu Simbel.
How to get to Sharm El Sheikh
Concerning accommodation and movement: from Cairo to Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada you can travel by public transport, rented car or fly by plane. I would prefer the second and third options, since traveling on local buses is quite long and tiring.
For example, a plane ticket from Cairo to Sharm el-Sheikh costs about 10 000 rubles* round trip.
Where to stay in Sharm El Sheikh
I would prefer to wash away the road dust into the sea and enjoy the beauty of life in Taba. I recommend the Movenpick Taba Resort & Spa, price starts from 9800 rubles* per night per person.
How to get to Hurghada
A flight to Hurghada from the capital of Egypt also costs about 10,000 rubles* round trip.
Where to stay in Hurghada
There are many accommodation options in this region. Here, for example, is an excellent hotel for relaxation after a busy trip:
Arabia Azur Resort – from 6900 rubles* per night per person.
*Prices valid at time of publication
