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Felucca on the Nile, Egypt.

Egypt Travel Guide

The 6 reasons to go to in Egypt

For many visitors to Egypt, it's a dream come true: imagine seeing the pyramids, the Nile and the desert! Though this may be a first visit for some, it will undoubtedly be the first of many other trips to Egypt.
  1. 1
    Encounter a warm and friendly people
  2. 2
    Learn the history of the Copts
  3. 3
    Conquer the desert
  4. 4
    Take a cruise along the Nile
  5. 5
    Go for a dive in the Red Sea
  6. 6
    Discover the mysteries of Ancient Egypt
1. Encounter a warm and friendly people
Egyptians are a warm and welcoming people. They are never out of pleasantries and quips and they place importance on hospitality above all. Most Egyptians will proudly explain that they are descendants of pharaohs and will tell you about the eternal Egypt of Oum Kalsoum and Naghuib Mahfouz over a meal of tasty mezze, flavourful kebabs and a juicy meloukhia (vegetable soup).
2. Learn the history of the Copts
The Copts are the Christians of Egypt and have been present in the country for centuries. They can be found all over Egypt, although today they represent no more than 10% of the population. Their history has been written over the years through contact with the Egyptians, most notably in Misr al Qadima in Cairo, the monasteries of Wasi Natrum in the south of Alexandria and at Saint Catherine in Sinai.
3. Conquer the desert
Much like Lawrence of Arabia, there are undoubtedly those who prefer to explore Egypt's extraordinary eastern desert which extends from the Nile and the Mediterranean to the Sudan and Libya. A sea of sand as far as the eye can see, featuring 5 major oases: Siouah, Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla and Kharga, not to mention the rock formations of the White Desert: an unforgettable landscape dotted with blinding white peaks.
4. Take a cruise along the Nile
The famous Nile starts where the White Nile- whose source is a stream in the hills of Burundi- and the Blue Nile- which comes from the high plateaus of Ethiopia- meet. The Nile is the longest river in the world (6 700 kilometres). One of the best ways to admire this legendary river is on a cruise. It's an experience that is as thrilling as it is romantic, particularly on-board a dahabiya (2 masts) or a felouque.
5. Go for a dive in the Red Sea
The wildlife and flora of the coral reefs are true gems for amateur divers on a sports holiday. A true underwater oasis which owes its beauty to a particularly warm climate. It's home to more than a thousand species of fish, each one different from the next: the angel fish, the parrot fish, the scorpionfish, the clownfish... The coast by the towns of Hourghada and El-Gouna offer a great view of local marine life.
6. Discover the mysteries of Ancient Egypt
Land of history with monuments registered as UNESCO world heritage sites, Egypt attracts millions of visitors seeking to learn about its thousand-year-old past. In the kingdom of the pharaohs, you will marvel at the wealth of archeological sites of Egypt The sphinx of Giza, near Cairo, is a famous example: sculpted from limestone in the image of Pharaoh Khafre, it has aged majestically on the three Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure.

When to go in Egypt?

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The best time of year to visit Egypt is from March to May and September to November, but there are significant changes in climate between the different regions. It's best to avoid Cairo in summer, as the heat there is unbearable, and added to it is the dust, pollution and noise there. On the other hand, then is the best time of year to enjoy the Sinai beaches and the coast of the Red Sea.
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What to see in Egypt?

Top places to discover.

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