10 EPIC Things To Do in Egypt

Egypt had been on my mind ever since I was in school and I first learnt about the pyramids and ancient pharaohs. As a kid, I dreamt of cruising down the Nile and seeing all of the epic sites that have sat on these river banks for millenia.

Now that I think about it, Egypt might be one of the few countries in the world that is on most travellers’ bucket lists. And it makes a lot of sense.

I knew I’d be blown away by the pyramids, I was sure I’d love riding through the desert, but I never thought I’d experience one of the most intense atmospheres at any football match I’ve ever been to (yes, I’m a football nerd ok), or enjoy some of the best snorkelling I ever had around the coral reefs of the Red Sea.

Egypt is a big, beautiful mix of experiences that will blow your mind, and in this post I want to show you 10 epic activities you simply must do in the Land of the Pharaohs.

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10 Top Things to Do in Egypt

If you’re planning a backpacking trip through Egypt, don’t let the guidebooks fool you: this country has a lot more going on than its greatest hits.

Beyond the ancient temples and chaotic cities, you’ve got desert adventures, coral reefs, buzzing markets, laid-back beach towns… Egypt offers the kind of travel experiences that keep backpackers hooked for weeks.

But, of course, we can start with the basics 😉

1. Watch Sunrise Over the Pyramids of Giza

Laying eyes on the pyramids of Giza for the first time was an incredible experience. It is one of those sites that you’ve seen in pictures and film so much that it really feels like you’re witnessing a true icon.

I arrived just after sunrise, with the early light painting soft honey colours over the limestone giants and casting long, golden shadows across the desert. I was surprised that even though it was just after 6 am, there were plenty of people milling about.

I then spent a bit of time wandering the plateau on foot, which I recommend doing before it gets too hot. Just be ready for the camel ride offers; you’ll get good at saying no to those long before you leave Egypt.

A cheeky little trick you can do is to book a place with a pyramid view in Giza so you can roll out of bed into an epic sunrise view instead of doing the painful morning drive from Cairo at 5 am.

2. Sail the Nile on a Traditional Felucca

Gliding along the Nile on a wooden felucca is one of the most relaxing things I had the pleasure of doing in Egypt.

These traditional sailboats have been used for centuries to fish and transport goods to villages along the riverbank, so you get a real sense of how travellers once experienced the country.

An experience like this will cost you $10 to $15 USD from a local guide in Luxor, tea onboard included, but I also hopped on a sunset felucca in Aswan and enjoyed the experience more (less hassle and ended up being matched with other fellow backpackers).

It’s easier and often cheaper to book these on the spot, but if you’re the type that would rather arrange it beforehand, you can also book a felucca trip online.

3. Wander the Markets of Khan el-Khalili in Cairo

If you want to dive straight into Egyptian culture, there is no better place to do so than at Cairo’s legendary Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. We’ve all seen it on TV, but nothing quite prepares you for the assault on your senses that happens when you walk through its warren of narrow alleys.

Lantern shops glowing with coloured glass, spice stalls showcasing fragrant pyramids of cumin and saffron, and vendors calling out (or screaming) deals as you wander past. Everyone fights for your attention here.

Khan el-Khalili is confusing, chaotic, and often extremely loud, but it’s also one of those places you just can’t leave town without visiting.

Note: as is the case with most places in Northern Africa, haggling is a way of life in Egypt. If you want to brush up, we’ve got an article all about haggling tips!

4. Explore the Ancient Temples of Luxor

Luxor holds some of the most impressive sights in all of Egypt. 

Walking through Karnak Temple is a surreal experience and possibly one of my favourites in the region. The towering stone columns you can see in the image above are just INSANE! The city is also home to Luxor Temple and the famous Valley of the Kings. The latter is where pharaohs like Tutankhamun were buried.

If you’re interested in ancient history, this is easily gonna be your favourite portion of the trip. Try to visit the temples as early in the morning as possible to avoid the midday heat and the crowds (as early as the opening time, really).

5. Snorkel the Coral Reefs of the Red Sea

By the time you get tired of ancient ruins, you’re gonna want a refreshing body of water you can jump into, so I suggest booking some time in the Red Sea during your trip. The coral reefs are astounding, filled with colour and extraordinary marine life, so it’s great for snorkelling.

There are plenty of towns you can base yourself in, but I suggest Marsa Alam as it’s a little quieter and less of a resort-filled location than many cities along this coast. If you need help planning, we’ve got an article covering the best places to stay in Egypt.

6. Discover the White Desert’s Surreal Landscapes

The White Desert doesn’t look like anything I’ve ever seen before in my life. It’s a long stretch of desert where wind-carved chalk formations rise out of the sand like giant sculptures, forming a collection of sights that are so odd you’re probably gonna think you’ve reached a different planet.

I don’t think you can do this trip independently, so the best way is to book a tour. I suggest doing an overnight one so you can camp under the stars and watch the sky explode with stars. I booked mine through Dahab Hostel in Cairo, and it was cheaper than anything I could find online.

If you don’t think you’ve got the time to do this, my suggestion is that you rethink your itinerary entirely to fit it in. I went because a mate told me it was the “one thing I shouldn’t skip” in Egypt, and I now pass this tip to you too!

7. Watch a Football Match

Chants thundered throughout the stadium. Drums pound constantly. And the noise when the home team scored their first goal was deafening. For 90 minutes, the adrenaline flowed through my body at a rate of knots, and I could hardly hear anyone around me speak.

The biggest club in the country is Al Ahly SC, who have won the Egyptian Premier League 44 times. I took the opportunity to see them play at their home in Cairo against Al Mokawloon, the team where Salah, the country’s biggest hero, started his professional career.

If you love football, you’ll definitely want to watch a match while you’re here. The experience is intense and even better if you rope a few other people in from the place you’re staying in Cairo.

8. Ride a Camel Through the Sahara

Ok, so riding a camel through the desert might sound like a cliché. But honestly, it’s still one of the things one must do while in Egypt.

It took me a bit of time to get stable. But once I did, it felt pretty magical to slowly move across the sand dunes as the desert stretched out endlessly around me.

I paid around US $20 for a short ride because other travellers told me that longer rides got uncomfortable after a while. Judging by the way my backside felt after, I would say they would be right.

9. Climb Mount Sinai

Set within the Sinai Peninsula, this 2,285-meter-high granite mountain is said by Abrahamic religions to be the biblical site where Moses received the Ten Commandments. It is one of Egypt’s most revered sites.

As you can imagine, Mount Sinai is a major pilgrimage destination, so it pays to go there early and see the 6th-century monastery at its base and the mosque and chapel at its summit without the crowds.

The climb itself isn’t too difficult, although the final steps can be steep. However, when the sun finally appears over the desert mountains, you’ll be glad you made the effort.

This is best organised via Sharm El Sheikh. You can also climb at night so you can catch the sunrise at the top, but for this, I highly recommend you don’t go alone and join a group tour instead.

10. Experience Cairo’s Street Food Scene

No trip to Egypt, and especially Cairo, would be complete without trying the local food. In my mind, one of the most fun things to do in Egypt at the end of the day is simply going out on a street food mission.

The food scene here is excellent: there are plenty of stalls, cafes, and restaurants selling all manner of culinary delights everywhere. You can let your nose guide you on where to go. Luckily for me, my hostel here in Cairo was perfectly positioned for exploring the local food.

Something you have to try is koshari, which is the national dish. It is a delicious mix of rice, lentils (brown or green), macaroni, and chickpeas, topped with a spiced tomato sauce, garlic vinegar (da’a), and crispy fried onions. Talk about a carb overdose!

Other things to eat include Ful Medames (mashed fava beans), Ta’meya (fava bean falafel), and Hawawshi (spiced meat-stuffed bread).

How to Get Around Egypt

Part of the adventure of travelling to Egypt is to make your way around the country. Thankfully, there are plenty of transport options, but it pays to know the best for each specific situation.

For those wanting to cover long distances, intercity buses are one of the cheapest and easiest ways to move between places like Cairo, Luxor, and Hurghada. I used Go Bus, and it was always easy to book, and the buses were pretty decent. For reference, a bus from Cairo to Luxor will set you back around $15.

I will say, though, depending on the time you have, it can pay off to fly these longer distances. I was happy I chose to fly back to Cairo from the south rather than taking the bus again. I paid around $40 more, but it took me 10h less. Do look for EgyptAir deals for the Luxor/Aswan to Cairo routes.

As far as moving within cities goes, Uber and taxis are widely available and quite affordable, especially in places like Cairo and Alexandria. The public transportation system generally works well, too, for those who want to feel a little more adventurous.

If you wanna hire a car, it’s possible too, just bear in mind that road transit is not always the easiest to figure out across the country, and some areas are closed off due to safety reasons. Check out more information on our safety guide for Egypt.

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance to Egypt

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

FAQs on Things to Do in Egypt

My key takeaways on the best things to do in Egypt

Egypt is one of those destinations that stays with you long after the trip ends. Sure, the pyramids are incredible, and the temples are mind-blowing, but the moments I remember most often are the small ones.

Don’t rush out your itinerary, and you will leave this country with sweet memories that go beyond seeing its main attractions. The afternoons are spent drinking tea with locals, watching the sun over the Nile and chatting with other curious travellers.

If there’s one piece of advice I’d give, it’s to stay flexible. Some of the best things in Egypt happen when you wander a little, talk to people, and follow unexpected invitations.