This is a guest post by Mina from Someday I’ll be There
I have heard countless times people asking what is there to do in Egypt? What does Egypt have to offer for this or that kind of traveler?
And even worse, I have heard (or read comments of) people talking about Egypt saying it has nothing to offer but the pyramids in Giza and other old monuments in Luxor and Aswan.
I would like to change this perspective.
As an Egyptian who is into travel myself, I know that people in general have different tastes, and each traveler is specifically looking for a different kind of thing in the places they visit! Not everyone is a history buff that wants to see only the pyramids and Egypt is so much more.
So here you go,
Five Things Egypt Has to Offer Different Travel Tastes
1. Amazing Beaches of Egypt
Who said that all of Egypt is considered to be a close-minded country where you can’t possibly even wear shorts?
I would like to invite you to Hurghada , Sharm el Sheikh and other places in Sinai (like Dahab, Taba and Nuweiba)
If you’ve ever been to any of those beach getaways in Egypt you would know that, not only it is allowed to wear your favorite bikini to the beach (yes in Egypt!), but they also have amazing waters for you swim in wearing them.
You’ll find amazing aquatic life, coral reefs and colorful fish; many amazing diving and snorkeling spots, and more centers offering day trips to those amazing diving and scuba diving spots, for next to nothing!
2. Relaxation in Egypt
Are you looking for that relaxed getaway where you can lay back all day and do nothing without being hassled and just enjoy the moment?
Not all of Egypt is as loud and crowded as Cairo.
I would like to introduce you to the relaxed (and more hippie towns) of Egypt: Siwa and Dahab. With both of them totally opposite to each other, you will find the place that meets your taste!
Relaxation in Siwa in Fetnas Gardens by the salty lake
Siwa, the oasis that is literally in the middle of nowhere, lies alone in the middle of the desert at the borders of the Great Sand Sea, and at least 500 Km from any civilized city.
At Siwa you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the culture of the Amazigh people, the nomadic tribes that have always lived the Great Sahara.
Dahab, on the other end of Egypt, is a small relaxed hippie town on the shores of the Red Sea. Relax, enjoy the beautiful view, go for a swim and more!
Dahab also has the advantage of being so close to many other destinations in Sinai.
The best that comes to mind is the day trip you can take to St. Katherine city, where the St. Katherine monastery lies in the middle of the Sinai Mountains and is also where Moses talked to god on top of Mount Sinai.
Close to Dahab is Nuweiba, full of beach camps that are made only for relaxation…my favorite is in a place called Ras Shitan (translated to Devil’s Head!)
3. Adventure in Egypt
Adrenaline. I hear you. This is my personal favorite. And Egypt is not short on that side either!
Sand drifting in the Great Sand Sea
Many adventurous things come to my mind, but the top would be the desert safaris from Siwa, or from the other oases in the middle of the Western Desert of Egypt.
Lots of sand, lots of high dunes – just being in a car with a good desert driver gives you LOADS of adrenaline!
Water Adventures/Sports in Sharm el Sheikh – Banana Boat
Water adventure? How about diving?
There are AMAZING diving places all along the Red Sea on the Eastern side of Egypt. With Dahab and Sharm el Sheikh being on top of the list of diving spots, there are many undiscovered places along that shore!
Other adventures would include hiking in the mountainous National Park of St Katherine in Sinai, Mountain Climbing in Sinai, as well as sand surfing in the Western Desert.
Wind surfing and water surfing are also growing day by day in Egypt!
4. Historical Experiences in Egypt
Panoramic view of the Pyramids in Cairo
You knew it’s coming, it just can’t be ignored! Egypt for the historians’ Mecca! With temples, monuments and buildings standing for 5,000 years, you can’t beat that.
I am not by any chance a professional Egyptologist, but it doesn’t take that to enjoy the fact that you’re seeing the Pyramids for example. It doesn’t take a professional to appreciate King Tut’s golden tomb.
5. Amazing and Diverse Egyptian Culture
Travel around Egypt for a while and you’ll notice the differences between Egyptians.
While it might seem like most Egyptians have so much in common, if you take it to the extremes from Alexandria to Nubia, you’ll notice a huge difference in the cultures and traditions of these places!
The people of Egypt are very kind and hospitable, especially outside the touristic places; you’ll see people genuinely happy to help you and trying their best to make sure you’re having a good day! This can also specially be witnessed in the less civilized cities or towns, like Siwa for example!
View of mountainous St. Katherine from above Mt. Sinai
Bio: Mina Mahrous is an Egyptian young guy who is trying to follow his dreams of travelling and witnessing the world rather than the conventional dictated future for people his age in Egypt. Mina blogs about Egypt, his dreams and travel as seen from a Middle Eastern/Egyptian eye. Follow Mina on his blog Someday I’ll be There or become a fan on facebook to follow along the adventure that is still in the making!
Still having second thoughts about visiting Egypt? What is your taste and how is it not met in Egypt? 😉
This is great! I really want to visit Egypt but keep being told that it’s dangerous, dirty etc. I’m glad you’re setting everyone straight! Climbing Mt Sinai sounds incredible. Do you think Eid Al Adha is a good time to visit?
Hey Velvet, It is not as dangerous as the news make it look like! Actually with just the normal common sense, avoiding the protests for example if there were any, then you shall be fine!
Eid Al Adha is not the best time to visit because then all Egyptians and other Arabs too have vacations, so it gets really crowded! Unless it is the only time you can have vacation too then I would recommend try another week
I’m not aware of what other sites to visit and things to do in Egypt. The main reason I want to visit Egypt is because of their history and culture. But I am happy to read your post and would definitely consider your list.
There is so much in Egypt, definitely culture and history are the two main things, but there are also stuff to satisfy every taste 😉
One of the things I wished I didn’t miss out on while in Egypt is the white desert. Looking forward to going back to Egypt! Great guest post!
The Red Sea Riviera is an impressive destination with a wealth of leisure activities on hand, historical sites and natural wonders within easy reach. Plus, from northern Sinai, you can hop on a ferry to Aqaba to visit Petra (Jordan), from Sharm El Sheikh hop on a short flight for a day trip to Cairo or Luxor. Or you can always take refuge in a spa…
Egypt is great. If you are the first time there you have to do a nilecruise in combination with recreation at the red sea… that’s amazing and relaxing!