How many days to spend in Egypt
21.07.2023 - 07:29
/ roughguides.com
The majesty of the Nile Valley’s monuments. The markets, mosques and madrassas of Islamic Cairo. Ancient rock art, and out-of-this-world reefs. There are plenty of reasons tourists are attracted to Egypt’s epic wonders. But such diversity raises a tricky question. Namely, how many days to spend in Egypt? Planning is paramount, which is where this guide comes into play — read on for itinerary suggestions covering different length stays.
First things first. Before you can determine how many days to spend in Egypt, you’ll want to have a budget in mind, and decide what you most want from your visit to Egypt.
For example, some visitors come purely to enjoy Egypt’s best beaches and dive experiences. Others want to focus entirely on Egypt’s ancient attractions, like Luxor and other treasures of the Nile Valley.
With that in mind, you’ll want to research the historic sites and attractions you most want to see. And, if you fancy mixing it up, you'll need to factor in transfer times.
Top tip: read up on the best things to do in Egypt to help you plan your trip. Or, to take a whole lot of hassle out of planning, talk to our Egypt travel experts.
Wondering how many days to spend in Egypt Try to factor in Luxor's Valley of the Kings © Shutterstock
Planning to visit Egypt for seven days? Be assured you can see a whole lot of top attractions in a week.
If culture is top of your travel priorities, your best bet is to base yourself in Cairo to access a richness of ancient treasures. In the city itself, don’t miss visiting the esteemed Egyptian Museum.
Top tip: discover how to spend 24 hours in Cairo.
Cairo also offers easy access to incredible day trips, among them the Pyramids of Giza, and the show-stopping Sphinx.
You can also escape Cairo’s intensity by taking an immersive day-trip to Alexandria. With a string of beaches, modern Alexandria has a laid-back vibe, with the Mediterranean Sea and maritime influences on show.
Though Alexandria was an important centre of Hellenistic civilisation and the capital of Ptolemaic, Roman and Byzantine Egypt, little remains from those eras. But in good news for history buffs, the Alexandria National Museum, set in an Italianate villa, reveals the city’s history.
As part of your 7-day trip, you could also explore the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the Citadel of Fort Qaitbey, and the Library of Alexandria. Fancy some retail therapy? Don’t miss Khan el-Khalili Bazaar.
During a week-long visit, you can also take a trip on the Nile, with plenty of short cruise trips available.
You could also arrange to visit the awe-inspiring oasis at Faiyum (also spelt Fayoum), some 62 miles southwest of Cairo.
Here Lake Qarun serves scenic beauty, with Kom Aushim, located past the eastern tip of the lake,