Egypt is a land of contrasts, ancient and modern, green and barren. Beneath the surface throbs a pulsing Arab state that celebrates its heritage while embracing contemporary life.

Egypt’s history is one of the oldest and most evocative of any country in the world. Who can fail to be captivated by the lives of pharaohs like Tutankhamun who ruled for just ten years but is, arguably, the most famous of all the ancient Egyptian kings?

Today, the most popular places to visit are not only the monuments of the Nile Valley and the souks, mosques and madrassas of Islamic Cairo, but also fantastic coral reefs and tropical fish, dunes, ancient fortresses, and monasteries found in the Red Sea region.

Many of Millington Travel‘s consultants have visited Egypt, some have headed for Cairo and the Nile, others to the resorts of Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Taba. With a wealth of personal experience, we are well placed to be able to help you plan your perfect trip.

Our Top Ten things to see & do in Egypt

1. Pyramids of Giza. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid dates back to 2550BC
2. Cairo. It’s bustling and busy in ancient Cairo. Egypt’s fascinating capital of bazaars and mosques.
3. River Nile Cruise. The quintessential Nile experience. They generally last between three and seven days.
4. Luxor Temples. The Temple of Karnak and Luxor Temple are both iconic. Why not view the land of the Pharaohs in a hot-air balloon?
5. Abu Simbel Temples. Dedicated to the Pharaoh Ramses II and his queen Nefertari, the two temples stand on the shores looking out over Lake Nasser.
6. Valley of the Kings. No pyramids here, but incredible tombs instead, including the tomb of Tutankhamun.
7. Aswan. Feluccas (wooden boats) drifting along the river at sunset is one of Egypt’s most enduring sights.
8. Mount Sinai. Witness the sunrise across the desert landscape. If a three-hour trek sounds too ambitious, stay overnight at St Catherine Monastery, hire a camel and walk down in leisure
9. Diving in the Red Sea. Teeming with a colourful marine life, the crystal waters are landscaped with coral and dramatic drop-offs.
10. Snorkelling in Sharm El Sheikh. Don’t fancy diving? Simply wade out with a mask or snorkel and the fish will come to you.

When to go?

Egypt is a huge country with plenty of variety in its climate; when it’s chilly and wet in Alexandria, it can be ravishingly hot in Aswan. The best time to visit most sights, including the pyramids and the Valley of the Kings, or diving in the Red Sea, is from February to April and October to November. During these months the heat reminds you that it’s the ‘Land of the Sun’, but not too hot to be enjoyable. At this time, the skies and sea are a perfect blue.