[takeaways] • Egypt is packed with iconic sites — the Great Pyramids and Sphinx, Luxor Temple, and the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum — plus hidden gems like the Siwa Oasis.
• A Nile cruise is one of the easiest ways to take in the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Horus, and more without the desert trek.
• The most comfortable months to visit are March–April and September–November; December–February is coolest but busiest and priciest.
• Haggling is expected at markets like Khan el-Khalili, but keep it respectful and budget accordingly.
• Drones are effectively banned for tourists and will be confiscated without a permit, and tap water should be avoided in favor of bottled water.
• A SIMOVO eSIM for Egypt keeps you connected to maps, bookings, and tour guides wherever your trip takes you. [/takeaways]
When you think of Egypt, chances are you're thinking of pyramids, long stretches of sand, incredible temples, and the majestic Nile. However, there's actually plenty more to the region than you might think. If you're a newbie to the area and want some ideas on things to do in Egypt, you're in the right place.
Several of us here at SIMOVO have visited Egypt lots of times over — and honestly, the appeal never fades! So, we've put our heads together to come up with a quick guide for all new visitors to refer to if they want to make the most of the pyramids, Nile, and more.
Why visit Egypt?
Egypt is a genuinely fascinating country boasting historical tombs, landmarks, and treasures that date back thousands of years. Many see it as a living museum in and of itself!
Beyond the history and the stunning artifacts, however, you'll also find gorgeous beaches, memorable river cruises, and tons of adventures waiting for you across the desert sands. Have you ever gone sandboarding before? What about camping under the stars, or riding a camel or two? In Egypt, you can do all three.
Egypt's culture, too, is genuinely electric — from exploring the bustling bazaars of the capital, Cairo, to enjoying traditional meals at authentic Egyptian restaurants, millions of people come back here time and time again just to fill their senses!
Regardless of why you visit Cairo and beyond, of course, it's always a good idea to download a SIMOVO eSIM for Egypt. Top up the data you'll need before you go, and never worry about having to pay huge mobile data bills when you get home. Just top up on the go via our website and keep control of the mobile data you want and need during your travels.
[esim flag="🇪🇬" label="Egypt" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$20.10" href="/products/egypt" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Stay connected to maps, bookings, and tour guides wherever your Egypt adventure takes you[/esim]
The best things to do in Egypt
The SIMOVO team agrees that you really can't visit Egypt without checking out the Siwa Oasis, the Great Pyramids, and a Nile cruise or two. Of course, you should absolutely build your own Egypt itinerary your own way, but consider the following list a launching pad from which you can get started.
Even if you've visited and enjoyed Egypt in the past, there's a chance you've missed out on a few things — so, let's reveal our top picks.
[numbered title="Visit the Siwa Oasis" pill="Hidden desert gem"]The Siwa Oasis is a corner of Egypt that might not get as much love as the bigger tourist quarters, but deserves just as much love and attention. It packs in gorgeous lakes, old town curiosities, hotsprings, and salt plains — and there's even mountain climbs and temple explorations waiting in store, too. We recommend diving deeper with Quit and Go Travel's guide.[/numbered] [numbered title="Take a hot air balloon over Luxor" pill="Aerial views"]Flying over Luxor is, without a doubt, one of the best ways to explore and enjoy Egypt from a distance. High up in the air via hot air balloon, you'll be able to spy the winding Nile and some of the region's most fascinating temples — and there are plenty of tours and guides available for you to book before you arrive.[/numbered] [numbered title="Cruise down the Nile" pill="Floating history"]You can't visit Egypt without taking a trip down the Nile, surely! For many people, taking a cruise down the grand river offers an effortless way to explore the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Horus, and more besides. You can take it all in at a relaxing, floating pace, meaning there's no need to trudge through the sand or get overwhelmed by tourists. We recommend booking expert-guided tours so you can get fully immersed in the local history.[/numbered] [numbered title="Tour the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx" pill="Iconic must-see"]Seriously — when you first think of visiting Egypt, you probably think about the incredible Sphinx and the world-famous pyramids. Dating back millennia, the Great Pyramids are among the most fascinating and enduring pieces of human engineering still standing. The Sphinx, too, remains immensely mysterious — how were these incredible structures built without modern engineering? You'll get to find out what the experts know, again, with a guided tour. Don't head home without photos![/numbered] [numbered title="Luxor Temple" pill="Pharaoh's legacy"]There are scores of stunning temples across Egypt, but Luxor makes our list thanks to its relatively unique focus on celebrating pharaohs. The colossal structure looks absolutely magnificent after dark, but in the daytime, you'll be able to explore and learn more about ancient Egyptian spirituality and the power of the pharaohs going back thousands of years.[/numbered] [numbered title="Go shopping at the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar" pill="Haggle and shop"]You can't visit Cairo without taking a shopping trip to the world-famous Khan el-Khalili Bazaar! It's here where you'll be able to purchase perfumes, essences, jewelry, lanterns, leather goods, textiles and more. And, yes, you're safe to haggle, so don't just take a price tag at face value. Make sure to carry some Egyptian Pounds with you and to negotiate sellers down from the initial requested price.[/numbered] [numbered title="Explore the Grand Egyptian Museum" pill="World-class artifacts"]While Egypt itself is a fantastic living museum, the Grand Egyptian Museum itself is a fantastic day out if you'd like to know more about ancient artifacts unearthed across the pyramids. For example, why not take a closer look at the complete Tutankhamun Collection, brought together in a single space? It's also a green-certified museum, comprising twelve individual galleries.[/numbered]
When is the best time to visit Egypt?
Egypt is, as you'd expect, hot for much of the year — for the most comfortable weather, we recommend visiting between March and April, or between September and November. It's also during this time that peak tourism tends to drop away a little, meaning you can expect smaller crowds and more reasonable pricing across the board. Visiting during peak season, December through February, offers the coolest weather, but the biggest crowds and prices.
Travel tips for Egypt
Let's close up our guide with some must-know tips for exploring Egypt, whether for the first time or your 50th.
[tip title="Haggle respectfully at markets"]Bargaining at markets, as mentioned, is a must in Egypt, and it's expected. However, do balance this with some respect — don't undercut sellers massively, and be prepared for there to be some back-and-forth. If you pay tag price on everything you find, too, you'll soon burn through your budget![/tip] [tip title="Dress conservatively, especially at temples and mosques"]Always dress respectfully and conservatively, particularly paying attention to knees and shoulders. This is a given if you're exploring temples and sacred spaces. Women should wear headscarves when visiting mosques, and everyone must remove shoes.[/tip] [warning]If you're thinking of bringing a drone to Egypt, think again! Drones are banned here, meaning unless you have a permit, your kit will be confiscated at the border.[/warning] [tip title="Pack a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen"]No matter when you travel, always wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and plenty of high-SPF sun protection.[/tip] [tip title="Stick to Uber over renting a car in Cairo"]Renting cars in cities like Cairo can prove tricky due to complex traffic. Stick to hailing cabs through Uber, and try to get a cab with air conditioning (you'll be grateful for it!).[/tip] [warning]Don't drink tap water or use it to brush teeth — make sure you use bottled water if you can't be sure the H2O is purified.[/warning] [faq] [q]What are the best things to do in Egypt?[/q] [a]The Great Pyramids and Sphinx, a Nile cruise, Luxor Temple, the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Siwa Oasis, and the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar are among the top picks.[/a] [q]When is the best time to visit Egypt?[/q] [a]March–April and September–November offer the most comfortable weather; December–February is coolest but also the busiest and most expensive.[/a] [q]Can I bring a drone to Egypt?[/q] [a]Not without a permit — tourists are rarely granted one, and drones are typically confiscated at the border without it.[/a] [q]Is tap water safe to drink in Egypt?[/q] [a]No — stick to bottled water, including for brushing your teeth, unless you're certain it's been purified.[/a] [q]Is it okay to haggle at markets in Egypt?[/q] [a]Yes — bargaining is expected at markets like Khan el-Khalili, though it's best done respectfully rather than aggressively.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇪🇬" label="Egypt" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$20.10" href="/products/egypt" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Get connected before you touch down in Egypt[/esim]
