The wonders of Egypt are endless and a holiday here can feel like travelling back in time, as you discover ancient pharaonic ruins, cruise along the Nile and marvel at the vast pyramids of Giza, the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. Below we’ve compiled a list of our favourite things to do in Egypt, all of which we can weave into your tailor-made itinerary to create the perfect, timeless trip.
Steam Ship Sudan
For a truly unforgettable way of experiencing Egypt, follow in the footsteps of famous novelists and nobles who have navigated the Nile aboard the Steam Ship Sudan, one of the oldest and most authentic cruise ships still operating today. Constructed by the iconic Thomas Cook in the early 1900s, the steamboat combines a classic cruise ship atmosphere with modern comfort, and it was here that Agatha Christie was inspired to write ‘Death on the Nile’. We can plan a range of holidays incorporating a stay onboard the legendary steamer, which we can tailor to create your ideal itinerary.
Pyramids of Giza
Located on the outskirts of Cairo where the city meets the desert, the Pyramids of Giza are the most well-preserved of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and consequently one of the world’s most recognisable attractions. Built a staggering 4,500 years ago as royal tombs for three different pharaohs, the full extent of how they were engineered remains a mystery, so it’s well worth visiting this awe-inspiring archaeological site to marvel at the achievements of ancient Egypt. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is located nearby, and although currently under construction, will certainly be worth a visit when it opens in 2022. It will boast a collection of 100,000 artefacts, including the contents of Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Port of Alexandria
Once home to another of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Alexandria Lighthouse, the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great and was famously home to Cleopatra. Today, it houses the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern interpretation of the famed ancient library, one of the grandest classical institutions. Some other key sites include the Diocletian column, the Roman theatre, the old town, the citadel and the catacombs. The long seafront also makes it a popular summer holiday destination.
The Red Sea
While the pyramids and temples provide plenty to admire above land, below the surface of the Red Sea there is a fascinating underwater world to discover. The coral reefs here are renowned for their extraordinary variety of sea life and there are also a number of intriguing shipwrecks lurking beneath the surface. We can arrange a stay in Hurghada as part of your holiday, where the warm waters make it a great location for diving and snorkelling throughout the year. The famous wreck site of Thistlegorm, a British World War Two cargo ship, can also be accessed from Hurghada and is considered one of the top five wreck dives in the world.
Aswan & Nubia
A perfect place to unwind for a few days, Aswan is one of Egypt’s most tranquil towns and so a visit here is one of our favourite things to do in Egypt . Here you can take the ferry to Elephantine Island, home to an impressive array of ancient ruins, and visit the colourful villages of Nubia, or ride a camel to St Simeon on the East Bank. For another historic activity, there’s the Temple of Philae to visit, which was one of the most important shrines in Egypt and Nubia until 550 AD. A sunset sail around Aswan’s islands aboard a felucca would be the perfect way to round-off a day here.
