The 6 Best Destinations to Explore in Egypt: A First-Timer’s Guide

The Historic Nile Valley: Journey Through Antiquity

These three cities are the heart of ancient Egypt, located along the fertile banks of the Nile River. They are essential stops on any list of the best Egypt destinations.

1. Cairo: The Heart of Modern Egypt

Best for: Iconic History, Urban Energy, and Incomparable Museums

As the sprawling, chaotic, and vibrant capital of Egypt, Cairo is the gateway to your adventure. It’s a megalopolis where towering minarets share the skyline with modern skyscrapers. It is the essential starting point to understand Egypt’s millennia-spanning story, from the pharaohs to the present day, making it an unmissable first stop on any tour of the best Egypt destinations.

Must-See Highlights:

• The Pyramids of Giza: The main event. Stand in awe before the Great Pyramid, the Sphinx, and the surrounding plateau. No picture can prepare you for the scale of this last surviving wonder of the ancient world.
• The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM): This long-awaited, state-of-the-art museum (or the classic Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, depending on the GEM’s status) holds the world’s largest collection of pharaonic artifacts, including the complete treasure of King Tutankhamun.
• Khan el-Khalili: Get lost in this 14th-century bazaar. It’s a labyrinth of narrow alleys filled with the scent of spices, the glimmer of lanterns, and the bustle of shoppers and artisans.
• Islamic Cairo: Explore historic mosques like the Mosque of Muhammad Ali (inside the Citadel of Saladin) for panoramic views of the entire city.

Pro-Tip: Hire an Egyptologist guide for your first day in Cairo. They are essential for navigating the Giza complex and the museum, providing context that brings the stones and statues to life.

2. Luxor: The World’s Greatest Open-Air Museum

Best for: Temples, Tombs, and Unbelievable Ancient Grandeur

If Cairo is Egypt’s present, Luxor is its glorious past. Built on the site of the ancient capital of Thebes, this city is a living museum, densely packed with more temples and tombs than anywhere else in the country, solidifying its place as one of the best Egypt destinations. It’s divided by the Nile into two parts:

Must-See Highlights:

The East Bank (City of the Living):

• Karnak Temple: An unimaginably vast temple complex built over 2,000 years. Its Great Hypostyle Hall, with 134 massive, hieroglyph-covered columns, is one of the most breathtaking sights in the world.
• Luxor Temple: Located in the heart of the city, this temple is stunning at sunset and night, when its columns and statues are dramatically illuminated.

The West Bank (City of the Dead):

• Valley of the Kings: The secretive burial ground for the pharaohs of the New Kingdom. You can descend into the tombs themselves, decorated with vibrant paintings to guide the kings to the afterlife. Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered here.
• Temple of Hatshepsut: A stunning, three-tiered mortuary temple built into the side of a cliff by one of Egypt’s most powerful female pharaohs.

Pro-Tip: A sunrise hot air balloon ride over the West Bank is a truly unforgettable experience. Floating over the Valley of the Kings and the temples as the sun lights up the desert is a memory that will last a lifetime.

3. Aswan: The Serene Southern Frontier

Best for: Nile Scenery, Nubian Culture, and Relaxation

Further south, the Nile slows down, and so does the pace of life. Aswan is Egypt’s most tranquil city, where the desert’s golden dunes meet the river’s blue waters, dotted with emerald islands. It’s the perfect place to relax after the sensory overload of Cairo and Luxor and to explore the unique history of the Nubian people. Its unique blend of culture and serenity makes it one of the best Egypt destinations.

Must-See Highlights:

• Philae Temple: A beautiful, graceful temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. It was famously relocated, piece by piece, to its current island home to save it from the rising waters of the Aswan High Dam.
• Sail on a Felucca: The quintessential Aswan experience. Take a traditional wooden sailboat out on the Nile at sunset, gliding silently around Kitchener’s Island (the Botanical Garden) and past the Tombs of the Nobles.
• Nubian Village: Take a short boat ride to a brightly-painted Nubian village, where you can sip hibiscus tea, meet friendly locals, and learn about their distinct culture and history.
• Abu Simbel (Day Trip): While it’s a 3-hour drive south, the two massive rock-cut temples built by Ramesses II are a non-negotiable part of any trip to Aswan. Their sheer scale and the story of their relocation are astounding.