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Best places to visit in Egypt

Ancient tombs, sunken shipwrecks and sprawling souks – there’s a lot to see and do in Egypt.
Though it might be best known for ancient history, holidays to Egypt set the scene for all kinds of adventures. From river cruises along the Nile, to desert stargazing and diving the hidden shipwrecks of the Red Sea, Egypt is full of first-class thrills. Want to know the best places to visit? Check out our top holiday picks.

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Best for sightseeing – Luxor, Egypt’s open-air museum

Time travelling in Egypt is easy – just look to its iconic pyramids, hand-painted tombs and sacred shrines for inspiration. You can soak up more than 5,000 years of ancient history in Luxor – a city that was once at the heart of the Egyptian empire. In this open-air museum, on the banks of the Nile, neck-craning historic hotspots are everywhere. Pose next to colossal sphinx statues, and tick off once-in-a-lifetime sights like Tutankhamun’s tomb and the Valley of the Kings. Or get the inside scoop from a certified Egyptologist, as you pitstop along the Nile’s towering temples on a TUI river cruise.

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View of the Valley of Kings.

Best for marine life – the Red Sea coast

This north African giant has plenty more than pyramids up its sleeve. Below the surface of the Red Sea, you’ll find an underwater Garden of Eden, where bottlenose dolphins and tropical fish swim along thriving coral reefs. That’s right, these parts are world-class for diving, and you can find superb snorkelling spots all along the coastline. If you’re pitched up in El Gouna or Hurghada, keep your eyes peeled for boat trips to a cluster of castaway islands where pristine beaches are a springboard for underwater fun. Or, if you’re nesting in Sharm El Sheikh, why not plumb to the depths of the nearby Straits of Tiran, where the sea’s splintered ships are a treat for any camera roll.
Coral Reef and fish in the Red Sea.

Best for families - Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh has it all. Boujie beachfront hotels that treat guests like royalty, colourful coral reefs, and miles-upon-miles of golden sand. Whether building sandcastles at the beach, making a splash in warm waters, or leaping into a pick of slide-packed pools, adventure is always on the agenda here. You can wander to a wave pool in minutes when you stay at Coral Sea Water World, and dash between swashbuckling slides. Or, if you’re a cast of thrill seekers, why not whizz around the Sinai Desert’s rolling dunes in a quad bike or 4x4? After dark, you can even call in at a Bedouin Village for stargazing over a traditional meal.
Family having fun on a beach.

Best for chilling out – El Gouna

Turquoise lagoons steal the show in El Gouna – a laidback resort with a cosmopolitan appeal. This seaside hub might not be a name you know (just yet), but you’ll be wowed by the waterways on show. Slow dining and label hunting go hand-in-hand at the glitzy marina. And cocktails are king in the shiny new town. In this luxury locale, the finer things are always at your fingertips and there are endless ways to find your zen.
Aerial view over El Gouna.

Ready to experience Egypt?

Get the lowdown on all the best places to stay and the best things to do while you’re there. Our guide has all the info on everything from the best snorkelling spots in Egypt to the most upscale resorts in the Red Sea Riviera. Plus, find out about our tours to Luxor and TUI river cruises along the mighty Nile.

Check out our destination guide.
TUI Rep standing outside the Mustafa Mosque.

Ready to make the most of Egypt?
 

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For more inspo, find out why Egypt is number for one for diving holidays, and check out the best things to do in Egypt and the best hotels in Egypt.
 

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Author: Jade Scott

Last updated: 02.12.24

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