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Modern Egypt is known for being a Muslim country, but what many don’t know is that Ancient Egypt was where one of the oldest Christian faiths in the world took root. According to the New Testament, Egypt was a safe haven for the Holy Family who fled from Jerusalem and King Herold in what is known as ‘The Flight into Egypt’. You can still visit spots up and down Egypt where the Holy Family lived, rested and wandered. From the 1st century AD, early Christianity began to flourish in Egypt and evolve alongside the culture and language of Ancient Egypt, eventually cultivating into the Coptic Orthodox Church, which is still practiced today. Read: Coptic Cairo - A Detailed Local's Guide Some of these ancient monasteries, dating back to the 4th century, are some of the oldest still-standing Christian monasteries in the world. We’ve also included some of our newer but incredibly beautiful Coptic Orthodox and Greek Orthodox monasteries. ICYMI: what exactly is the difference between a church and a monastery? A church is a place of public worship, while a monastery is where a private group of believers (monks) live and dedicate their lives to religion and worship. The Red Monastery Location: Sohag Established: 4th century AD The exact history around this mysterious monastery on the outskirts of Sohag in Upper Egypt is unknown, although it’s considered one of the most famous Coptic monasteries in Egypt. It had fallen into ruin until 2003 when the American Research Center in Egypt undertook a restoration project. According to ARCE: “Nowhere else in Egypt do we know of a monument of the late antique and early Byzantine period whose architectural sculpture is in situ up to the highest level of the building.” Garnering its name from the red burnt brick construction materials on its exterior, the Red Monastery is a neighbor to the White Monastery, built around the same time and worth a visit as well. You can take a virtual tour of the Red Monastery and 21 other awesome sites in Egypt here. St. Simon the Tanner Monastery (Cave Church) Location: Moqattam, Cairo Established: 1975 This awesome cave church (or technically, ‘churches’ -- the St. Simon monastery complex has seven churches) is unlike anything else we have in Egypt. Carved into the Moqattam Hills, the main monastery hall can hold over 20,000 people and was named after the Coptic Saint Simon, who, according to legend, moved the Moqattam mountain in 979 AD as proof of the strength of his beliefs. The cave church was built by the Zabbaleen community of Cairo’s Garbage City, and today is not only a religious spot but an educational center, kindergarten and school for the deaf. St. Catherine’s Monastery Location: Mount Sinai, Sinai Peninsula Established: 6th century AD Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site (for other Egyptian heritage sites, head here), the Orthodox Saint Catherine Monastery is the oldest Christian monastery in the world still used for its original function. According to UNESCO: “Its walls and buildings are of great significance to studies of Byzantine architecture and the Monastery houses outstanding collections of early Christian manuscripts and icons. The rugged mountainous landscape, containing numerous archaeological and religious sites and monuments, forms a perfect backdrop to the Monastery.” St. Catherine's Monastery is at the foot of Mt. Sinai, where it's believed by the Abrahamic religions that Moses found the Burning Bush and received the 10 Commandments. St. Anthony’s Monastery Location: Red Sea mountains, near Zafaraana (before Hurghada) Established: 356 AD St. Anthony was one of the most famous “Desert Fathers”, a group of Christian monks who lived in the Eastern Egyptian desert in the 3rd century. He was roaming the desert when he came across an oasis surrounded by trees, and it was in this spot that he was later buried and his monastery built a few years later. Today St. Anthony’s Monastery is the oldest inhabited Christian monastery in the world and is home to paintings dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries, as well as 1,700 ancient documents. Monastery of St. Paul the Anchorite Location: Red Sea mountains, near Zafaraana (before Hurghada) Established: 4th century AD This monastery was built over the cave where St. Paul the Anchorite lived for 80 years in Egypt’s eastern desert, and is also known as ‘the Monastery of the Tigers’ for unclear reasons; some theorize it’s due to its remote location in the desert, but tigers aren’t exactly known to be prancing up and down Egypt (even in ancient times), but oh well. Bedouin tribes attacked the monastery in 1484, killed the monks and burned down their library. It was rebuilt by Patriarch Gabriel VII, who sent monks from the Syrian Monastery (in the Wadi el Natrun monasteries, below) but it was attacked twice after, causing the monks to flee to St. Anthony’s Monastery and not return. Wadi Natrun Monasteries Location: Wadi Natrun Valley, northwest of Cairo Established: 4th century AD More than 1600 years ago, Saint Macarius of Egypt decided to build his monastery in the Natrun valley, known for its large alkali lakes. This attracted the attention of other Christian monks and hermits, who then decided to settle in Natrun as well, establishing four large early Christian developments. The four Wadi Natrun Coptic monasteries that are still active to this day are: The Monastery of Saint Macarius The Monastery of Saint Bishoy The Paromeos Monastery The Syrian Monastery All of the four can be seen and visited until today free of charge, but leaving a donation is always helpful in preserving these historic sites. Monastery of St. Mena Location: western desert outside of Alexandria Established: 1959 This monastery was built near the ruins of Abu Mena, one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in Egypt. Abu Mena is the remnants of an early Coptic Christian holy city, built over the tomb of the martyr Menas of Alexandria, around 50 km south of modern-day Alexandria. It’s believed that Menas died in either the late 3rd or early 4th century. Not much remains standing in the ancient Christian city today besides the foundation of some of its great buildings. In 1959, then-Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria put down the foundations of a monastery next to the ancient Coptic city ruins, and it has since grown into one of the most famous monasteries in Egypt. Thousands of pilgrims travel to St. Mena’s Monastery yearly for spiritual and physical healing. You might also like: 9 Egyptian Churches, Cathedrals and Monasteries You Need to Visit at Least Once

If you’re planning to go to Siwa Oasis, then our first piece of local advice is – leave all your previous accommodation experiences back at home, because Siwa is completely different than anywhere else you’ve ever been. There are no cookie-cutter hotels, no modern & techy apartments, no IKEA-furnished B&Bs… and that’s a good thing! Siwa is the place you go to get away from it all, and considering it’s literally in the middle of the Great Sand Sea of the Sahara, expecting to find the easy amenities of a Four Seasons (or even a Holiday Inn lol) probably won’t happen. Siwa is all about disconnecting from your daily grind and reconnecting with nature, about preserving local tradition and heritage, and about slow and laidback living. Read more: Where to Go in Egypt - 10 Best Egyptian Destinations & Cities Most accommodation options in Siwa won’t have regular electricity, the rooms won’t be modern, and lots might not even have hot water. Buuuuut they WILL probably give you an unforgettable stay (in a good way!). So without further ado, here are our favorite places to stay in Siwa Oasis. We divided them into budget categories for you to make an easier choice. Cheap: less than $30 a night Affordable: less than $60 a night Moderate to expensive: $60 - $200 a night Very expensive: $300+ a night Cheap Mountain Camp Ali Khaled Underneath Dakrour Mountain is Mountain Camp Ali Khaled, a good budget option if you don’t want to spend too much on accommodation but still want an overall enjoyable experience. Here you have the option of staying in a ‘tent’, which is more of a canvas hut of sorts with two twin mattresses and communal bathrooms, or a bare bones room with its own bathroom. Needless to say, the rooms aren’t fancy in the slightest, but they do have ACs. The cool part about Mountain Camp Ali Khaled is that they have both a natural hot spring and cold spring on the property that you can swim in, and at night they hold bonfires with music, singing and dancing. Local tip: bring insect repellent because the flies can get wild there. Affordable Taghaghien Island Resort Located on an island in Siwa Lake, Taghaghien Island Resort is the place for amazing sunsets and overall outstanding 360 degree views. It’s connected to the shores of Siwa Lake by a 2km road, and is about 13 km from what’s considered downtown Siwa, so it’s pretty secluded. The resort has 30 basic style bungalows (heads up: no ACs), a restaurant & bar and a rooftop to watch the sunsets from above. There’s also a natural cold spring. Local tip: the resort only has electricity from sunset to sunrise, so make sure to charge everything you need while sleeping! Albabenshal Lodge A heritage hotel amidst the ruins of the 13th century Shali Fortress, Albabenshal renovated ancient Siwan homes to create 14 guest rooms connected by fortress alleyways, staying true to the traditional Siwan methods of building. Their main terrace and restaurant have a view of central Shali and the sea of palm trees beyond. Double and triple rooms are available (with private bathrooms), and the rooms are created and designed in authentic Siwan style. Local tip: Because it’s next to the market, it can be noisy during the day, so it’s a good option if you plan to spend most of the day exploring Siwa, but not the best option if you want to disconnect at the lodge during daytime hours. No ACs available for the hotter months. Moderate to Expensive Taziry Taziry, which means ‘full moon’ in Siwan, is a 30 room ecovillage on the shores of Siwa Lake, underneath the Red Mountain. There’s no electricity at night, so they light up the space with candles and oil lamps. There’s a natural swimming pool and a terrace overlooking the lake and mountain. Solar panels are used to provide hot water for the bathrooms, but bear in mind they’re not always consistent. Their restaurant serves Siwan/Amazigh/North African cuisine as prepared by their Moroccan chef. Local tip: because there’s no electricity at night and it gets very dark, a flashlight might be a good idea if you like to walk around. Talist A family-owned ecolodge and farm, Talist is where to go if you want somewhere quiet and away from the bustle of central Siwa. Because they run on solar energy, electricity isn’t always available and there are no power outlets (except for USB sockets) in the rooms; you can charge your phones and other devices at the restaurant. The owners make their meals sourced from their own farm and other local ingredients, so it’s a great place to eat. Talist has 11 bungalows of various sizes, ranging from doubles to family-sized, and a natural pool and terrace overlooking the mountain and lake. Local tip: there are no ACs or heaters. Al Nyhaya Love camping but not the hassle of it? Well then, glamping might just be for you (ICYMI: glamping means ‘glamorous camping’). Al Nyhaya (meaning ‘the end’ in Arabic) is a glamp site in the Great Sand Sea 30 minutes outside of Siwa Oasis. Because it’s in the desert, it’s extremely private and you’ll feel like you're at the ends of the earth (thus the name). The tents are Bell tents which can fit two people easily. They have comfortable mattresses, mosquito netting and double layers to keep you warm during the desert nights and cool during the warm days. There’s also the option of a traditional Bedouin tent. You might think that because it’s glamping, the nightly price tag would be cheap, but nope - this is one of the pricier options on the list! Local tip: this is the place to stay if you want to experience sleeping in the Great Sand Sea but with more amenities, but not a good choice if you care about reaching the rest of Siwa easily. Very Expensive Adrère Amellal This is the place to go if you want a high-end experience in Siwa, but still with that rustic, at-one-with-nature vibe. This hidden-away, primitive and yet still luxurious boutique hotel underneath the White Mountain is an ecolodge with traditional kershif buildings that blend into the landscape. There’s no electricity, so Adrère Amellal comes alive at night with candles and lanterns. Visited by celebrities and royalty, Adrère Amellal is not by any means cheap, but its 5 star service and dining will still have you feeling the luxury even in the most primitive of settings. Read more: 7 Boutique Hotels in Egypt for a More Unique, Personalized Stay You may also like: 10 Most Unforgettable Things to Do in Siwa Oasis

If you’re like us and Thai food is your jam, Cairo at first glance might not seem like the best purveyor. We have Lebanese restaurants by the dozens, Italian restaurants galore, and even a fair share of sushi venues. But Thai? Not so much. But if you have a serious craving for some pad thai, tom yum or Thai curry, then fear not, because we’ve got you covered. The Thai restaurants in Cairo might be limited, but we brought you the very best. 1. Bua Khao (now called Sala Thai) Location: Maadi This place in our humble opinion is the godfather of Thai restaurants in Cairo. It opened over 20 years ago and has been going strong ever since, which is a feat in and of itself in Egypt. They even opened a second branch in the Movenpick in Gouna, so Bua Khao is not here to play! Owned and spearheaded by a Thai family, this award-winning little restaurant is hidden in one of the many midans of Maadi (non-”Maadistas” might need the help of good ol’ Google Maps in tracking down Bua Khao). Note: they changed their name in January 2023 to 'Sala Thai' for some reason, but everything else remains the same. Their menu is large but not too large, with straightforward and sensible dish descriptions instead of the generic “fish soup” menu entries found in many of Cairo’s other Asian restaurants. Beer and wine is served as well. Recommended dishes: the chicken with basil leaves, the sizzling beef with bean sprouts, onions, mushrooms and chili in oyster sauce, the crispy chicken with chili, ginger and garlic and their Tom Ka Gai soup. Their Pad Thai Bua Khao is also excellent. Address: 9 Rd. 151 Intersection of Rd. 100 (off of Midan Horreya) Phone number: 2378 3355 Opening hours: 12:00 pm - 10:30 pm 2. Sabai Sabai Location: Zamalek, Sheikh Zayed, City Stars Another long-term heavy hitter, the original, main branch of Sabai Sabai is hidden in the same shabby building as Metro Market in Zamalek, near Flamenco Hotel. It also opened a small branch in Galleria 40’s Zaitouna Food Hall and City Stars. It’s a real shame that most Cairenes and foreigners haven’t heard about Sabai Sabai -- you’re missing out (except on the horrible Zamalek parking, that is). Staffed by Egyptians but headed by a Thai chef, almost all of Sabai Sabai’s rave reviews mention the authenticity of the food, and their menu even has a few nods to Chinese cuisine (their dim sum is awesome) and Vietnamese. Recommended dishes: beef green curry with Thai eggplant and basil and the Ped Kai Yang -- roasted duck in a “homemade Thai sauce”. Address: 1 El Masry Buildings, Gezira El Wosta street, first floor Phone number: 01024602260 Opening hours: 12:00 pm - midnight 3. Birdcage Location: Garden City The first “fancy” entry on the list, Birdcage has been one of the Semiramis Intercontinental’s flagship restaurants for over a decade now. On the second floor, next to Sabaya the Lebanese restaurant and en route to Pane Vino, the Italian restaurant, you’ll find a quiet, wooden little oasis in the hotel -- that’s Birdcage. The service and ambience is on par with what you’d expect from a 5 star hotel, as is the actual food presentation -- and luckily the food rises to the task as well, which isn’t always the case with Cairo restaurant hotels. But we’ve been going to Birdcage for about 15 years now, so that should be some indication regarding their food. But alas, the food also comes with hotel prices, so keep that in mind. You can find their menu here. Recommended dishes: their spicy shrimp in a pineapple red curry, yellow curry with garden vegetables, and their konafa shrimp marinated in Thai spices Address: Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel, Garden City Phone number: 2798 8000 Opening hours: 12:30 pm - 02:00 am 4. Tao Location: New Cairo Another fancy hotel entry, Tao is the culinary claim to fame of the Thai hotel Dusit Thani in New Cairo, so that should give you some idea of the authenticity of both the chef and restaurant servers. Tao is a 'multi-Asian' restaurant, which means they're not just serving Thai food -- their menu is immense and is full of our favorite Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Indian classics, plus a live teppanyaki station. The Thai section of the menu is massive, with soups, appetizers, a dozen different Thai curries and main courses. And get this - there's even the calorie count of each dish written on the menu! But similar to Birdcage, with hotel restaurants comes hotel prices, so be prepared. You can find their menu here. Recommended dishes: crispy duck with tamarind and lemongrass sauce Address: Dusit Thani Lakeview Hotel, New Cairo Phone number: 2614 0000 Opening hours: 1 pm - 1 am 5. Nile Thai Food Restaurant (yes, that’s its name) Location: Nasr City This next entry is pretty much as far from a hotel restaurant as you can get. This little hole in the wall is in Nasr City, which as we all know is not Cairo’s culinary center, so consider it a hidden gem of sorts. The cooks and servers are a mix of Thai, Indonesian and Malaysian, and the restaurant is a favorite of Asian students at Al Azhar, so you know their expectations of Thai food are going to be high. Nile Thai itself is small and very basic -- expect to pull up a chair and share a plastic tablecloth-covered table with other patrons. The prices are very reasonable and the portions are large, but we warn you: their spicy is *spicy*. And we’re talking legit spicy, not Peking spicy. Their menu comes in English, Arabic, Malay and Thai, and the food item names are pretty basic: “very spicy fried noodle” for example (hey, it got its point across). Recommended dishes: their wide variety of noodles and chicken curries. Address: 4 Abu Haneefa Street, Off Abdullah El Araby Street, 7th District Phone number: 01149681751 Opening hours: 12:30 pm - 10:30 pm 6. Yana Location: New Cairo We’re not huge fans of the Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski in New Cairo, but their Thai restaurant Yana is one of the few reasons we’d make the journey. While the restaurant is predominantly Thai, they have a variety of other Southeast Asian cuisines on their menu -- Malaysian dishes, Chinese dim sum and even Singaporean beef. And similar to the other hotel restaurants on this list, Yana scores high on ambience and low on affordability. Nice pool view, and expect a lot of golden Buddhas. Recommended dishes: their curries are the most Thai dishes on the menu, and besides that, the Singaporean Wagyu beef medallions Address: Royal Maxime Palace Kempinski, New Cairo Phone number: 01097111151 Opening hours: 06:00 pm - 12:00 am 7. Baitong Location: Maadi Rounding up our list is another Maadi Thai restaurant, but with a twist -- Baitong offers home delivery only (and catering as well, actually!). So if you live in Maadi and are craving Thai from the comfort of your couch, then this is the restaurant for you. Baitong, with its manager and chefs all from Thailand, tries to create dishes that remind them of home but using fresh Egyptian-sourced ingredients. They're open every day except Sunday. This is their menu. Recommended dishes: Massaman curry Phone number: 01272405517 Opening hours: 11 am - 9 pm For our favorite restaurants in Cairo for both tourists and locals alike, check us out here. Missing Sequoia? Check out these Nile-side restaurants that you can take your foreign friends now that Sequoia's closed.

Sequoia, Cairo’s hands-down favorite Nile-side restaurant for over a decade shut down in late 2018 (alongside neighboring Left Bank and Mirai) to cries of dismay from local Cairenes. So where should you take your foreign friends if you want that elusive mix of Nile view, drinks, good food and shisha? Obviously no place will tick off all the boxes like Sequoia, but one must make do with what one has, so try out these venues next time you need to wine and dine your foreign friends: 1. La Palmeraie Location: Sofitel Gezirah, Zamalek Cuisine: Moroccan Serves alcohol: yes Serves shisha: yes While Sequoia was on the northernmost tip of Zamalek, the Sofitel Gezirah is on the southernmost tip -- which guarantees even better views, if you can believe it. Sofitel has several restaurants lining the Nile on its outdoor terrace -- Kebabgy (see below), Le Deck, Casa Mia and La Palmeraie. La Palmeraie crosses off all the boxes that Sequoia did -- fantastic view, alcohol, shisha and food. The cuisine is Moroccan as opposed to Egyptian or more generic Middle Eastern, but hey, we have to take what we can get. Pros: on weekend nights they actually have a belly dancer and an Arabic singer, so that’s a huge added plus with the foreign crowd (gets loud though). Cons: it’s in the Sofitel, so it’s expensive. And make sure you take a cab or an Uber to get there, unless you want to pay 200 EGP for parking in the hotel parking lot. 2. Carlo’s Location: Le Pacha 1901 Boat, Zamalek Cuisine: International (Egyptian, Lebanese, Italian, Indian, Japanese) Serves alcohol: yes Serves shisha: yes Food-wise, this place is an excellent choice. Carlo’s has some of the consistently best food in Cairo, which is why it’s one of our forerunners in our 10 Best Restaurants in Cairo list. They have a really good assortment of trademark Egyptian dishes (their roz meammar bel hamam -- a creamy baked rice dish with either pigeon or chicken is a crowd favorite), so your foreign friends will be able to try different kinds of Egyptian dishes and you can rest assured that no one will be suffering from possible food poisoning later. It’s on the outdoor terrace of the Le Pacha 1901 boat, so you get a nice breeze during warm months and it’s covered for the colder ones. Pros: excellent food (better than Sequoia’s) and you can bring your own alcohol bottles for a corkage fee if you don’t want to drink wine or beer. Good quality shisha too. Cons: there’s sadly not much of a Nile view except for very specific tables, even though the boat itself is on the Nile. Also the huge TV screen and other small screens dotting the vicinity takes away a little from the ambience. 3. Pane Vino Location: Semiramis Intercontinental, Garden City Cuisine: Italian Serves alcohol: yes Serves shisha: yes This Italian restaurant in the Semiramis actually has a little-known outdoor terrace that overlooks the Nile, complete with shisha, on the 2nd floor of the hotel so you’re above the cacophony of the Corniche but still close to the water. The menu is full of Italian classics by their resident Italian chef, and they have an extensive wine list from all over the world. They also have TV screens for matches and offer shisha. The indoor section of the restaurant is a bit more upscale-looking, but without shisha. Pros: good food and view. Cons: the crowd there can sometimes be... a tad sketchy. Along the lines of 'lonely' hotel guests looking for a companion for the night. But honestly it's fine, and not even all the time. Also, other possible cons: there are no Egyptian options on the menu if that's what your foreign friends are looking for, and hotel prices (and that includes parking!). 4. Rooftop Zamalek Location: Nile Zamalek Hotel, Zamalek Cuisine: we don’t recommend it Serves alcohol: yes Serves shisha: yes This entry is pretty different from the rest of the list, mainly because it’s a solely a shisha-drinks-and-view destination, NOT a place you’d go for dinner. Like, ever. Rooftop Zamalek has literally *the* best Nile view on the island, although the hotel it’s built on is… well… not the best of anything, and that’s us being kind. If you overlook the shoddy, vaguely creepy hotel, we promise you that your foreign friends will freak out (in a good way) when they see the view on the top, whether during the day or at night (both are equally impressive). Rooftop as a whole is a casual, kick-back-with-a-beer place, and tourists usually love it. Pros: affordable prices and awesome sweeping views of the Nile. Cons: the hotel itself (including the bathrooms) and lack of decent food. Head here for more of the best rooftop bars in Cairo . 5. Crimson Location: Zamalek Cuisine: International Serves alcohol: yes Serves shisha: no Crimson is actually Sequoia’s neighbor, so if you miss Sequoia’s specific view, then head a few buildings down on Abu Feda to Crimson. Crimson is a rooftop restaurant with an open terrace overlooking the Nile, with an impressive bar and beautiful interior design. While it sadly doesn’t have shisha, it does have decent food and great-tasting cocktails (warning though: they are NOT cheap!). If you want to bring your foreign friends to a Nile-side place for breakfast/lunch/dinner and cocktails, and they don’t care too much about shisha, then this is the place for you. Pros: they're open early (8 am) for those who want a daytime destination. Cons: prices! 6. The Roof Kempinski Location: Nile Kempinski, Garden City Cuisine: International (tapas, sushi & sandwiches) Serves alcohol: yes Serves shisha: yes If you and your foreign friends want a more upscale (way more upscale) version of Rooftop Zamalek, then head over to The Roof, on the 11th floor of the Kempinski. Seated next to the hotel’s small pool, you get a bird’s eye view of the Nile while having a shisha and a drink. They also serve food, but it’s more of the light-bite, poolside variety of food -- tapas, sushi, sandwiches and other small plates. Pros: as you can see in the picture, it’s really beautiful. Cons: Non-guests of the hotel can only access the roof after 6 pm. 7. Kebabgy Oriental Grill Location: Sofitel Gezirah, Zamalek Cuisine: Middle Eastern grill Serves alcohol: yes Serves shisha: yes Situated in Sofitel Gezirah’s outdoor terrace (opposite site of La Palmeraie), is Kebabgy, home of lots and lots of meat. This Nile-side restaurant serves up all different kinds of Egyptian and Middle Eastern grilled dishes -- kebab and kofta, grilled lamb, grilled chicken, shish tawouk, shish kebab, grilled pigeon, you name it. They also have a variety of hot and cold mezze. This is definitely more of a eat-til-you-drop destination than Sequoia, but Kebabgy does also serve drinks to chase the grilled meat down with. Pros: it’s a hearty, dig-in kind of restaurant for your carnivorous foreign friends. Cons: you’ll spend the rest of the day smelling like something grilled (the smoke there is pretty potent), and there aren’t many menu options for non-meat lovers. Plus, as usual, it’s expensive. So to wrap this up; although we are still mourning Sequoia (RIP), Cairo still has a few tricks up its sleeve when it comes to wining and dining your foreign friends. You might also like: 12 Local Egyptian Foods You Need To Try

Hurghada, having spent the first hundred years of its life as a sleepy little fishing village on the Red Sea, is now one of the most popular beach and diving destinations in the Middle East -- and for good reason. Hurghada is frequently in TripAdvisor's Top 10 Most Popular Destinations in the World and usually has a whopping amount of entries in Scuba Travel’s World’s Top 100 Dive Sites . So combine the spectacular diving with 360 days of sun and beach weather, and you’ll start to get why Hurghada is such a tourist favorite. Quick Facts The coastal area of Hurghada is divided into Hurghada the city and its surrounding resort towns: El Gouna , Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay Hurghada is on mainland Egypt (ie., not the Sinai peninsula where Sharm el Sheikh is), and is sandwiched between the Red Sea and Egypt’s eastern desert and mountains Hurghada’s main claim to fame besides its fantastic diving are the 5 star, all-inclusive beach resorts, many of which have inhouse water parks for families and tons of activities It’s a four hour flight from most European cities and a 45 minute flight from Cairo (4.5 hour drive) Best Time To Go Hurghada is a year-round destination, but it really depends on your personal preferences. Spring and fall are Hurghada’s ‘high season’ -- it’s when the weather is at its most ideal (beach weather without soaring temperatures), so that’s when you’ll find Hurghada at its busiest. Considering it’s a coastal resort city, summer is a great time to go too obviously, but only if you can handle daily temperatures in the mid-to-high thirties (Celsius) or the nineties (Fahrenheit) and super-strong sun. Lots of Europeans also like to escape below-zero temperatures in winter and hightail it to Hurghada, where it’s sunny daily with highs of mid-twenties Celsius or mid-seventies Fahrenheit. How To Get There If you’re coming from abroad (or even planning to fly domestically), then just fly into Hurghada International Airport (you can buy a visa for $25 on arrival). Once you land, it’s easy to either get an airport taxi from outside the arrivals hall or call a car to pick you up (London Cab or ABC Taxi, more info below). If you’re staying at a hotel, you can also easily arrange pre-arrival for your hotel to send a car to pick you up. If you’re coming from Cairo , then you have one of three options: a) drive, b) take a bus, or c) fly. Driving from Cairo is now a super-smooth trip thanks to the new Galala Road which allows you to bypass the scary two-way twisty mountain roads of Ain el Sokhna. It takes about 4.5 hours from Cairo. If you’re coming by bus , then GoBus offers over 20+ buses daily between Cairo and Hurghada. They offer different types of buses according to what kind of ticket you buy (for example, the Elite Plus bus has individual LCD screens for each seat). You can find more info on: https://go-bus.com/en As for flying, the trip from Cairo to Hurghada takes about an hour. Where To Stay If you check out the accommodation options on a hotel booking website, it’s easy to get overwhelmed because there are SO MANY hotels. So before you choose one, it’s important to understand where exactly your hotel/rental is and the pros/cons of each location. 1. A hotel in Hurghada city Hurghada city proper is home to tons of hotels, varying from budget 2 star hotels to stunning 5 star hotels on the beach. The popular areas to stay in are El Mamsha (a long pedestrian street full of hotels, restaurants and bars) or the coastal Old Sheraton Road, near the Hurghada Marina Boulevard. Then you have a bunch of larger resorts on Hurghada's southern coast stretching all the way down to Sahl Hasheesh, the first main resort town south of Hurghada. Pros: you’re close to the action, restaurants, bars and nightlife. Transportation is easy via Uber or ABC taxi (info below). Cons: the city isn’t as peaceful as a resort town and most of the budget hotels don’t offer the same array of amenities as the big resort hotels. 2. A hotel in a nearby resort town like Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh or Soma Bay Outside of Hurghada proper are several different resort towns: El Gouna (half an hour north by car), Sahl Hasheesh (half an hour south by car), Makadi Bay (45 minutes south by car) and Soma Bay , which is technically in the Safaga area of the Red Sea, but some people still consider it Hurghada (an hour south by car). Pros of staying in a resort town: these resort towns are secluded and pristine, and many of their hotels are all-inclusive; you won’t have to worry about anything while you’re there. Some of the big hotels also have waterparks for the kids and the hotels can arrange all sorts of adult and family activities. Cons of staying in a resort town: Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay don’t offer much outside of the resorts -- you won’t find all the restaurants, bars and local life that you would in Hurghada city, and it’s at least a half hour drive each way if you decide to go into Hurghada city. El Gouna is the exception -- you can find a full detailed guide to what El Gouna has to offer here . Soma Bay also a handful of restaurants and bars in its Marina area, but not as much as Hurghada or El Gouna. Read more: Soma Bay, Egypt - Travel Guide for First-Timers 3. An apartment rental In Hurghada city and El Gouna, you can find lots of different villa and apartment rentals on sites like Airbnb. Pros: Your own space with a kitchen for cooking, plus some of the rentals have their own private pools. Cons: you won’t have hotel staff to arrange trips, transportation or activities for you. How To Get Around (Transportation in Hurghada) Regular cabs If you’re staying in Hurghada city, an easy way to get around is just flag down a passing cab. Chances are, their meter won’t be working, so it’s best to tell the driver where you want to go and agree on the fare before you hop in. Warning though - this will require some negotiating and they'll probably try to rip you off, so if you don't want to be bothered, stick the other options below. London Cab A good, roomy way to get back and forth between the airport and your accommodation, or if you just want something bigger and more reliable than regular cabs. London Cab can be booked in advance via their website or app. ABC Taxi or other chartered taxis If haggling with cab drivers isn’t up your alley and London Cab is too pricey, then ABC Taxi is a great choice. They’re fixed rate taxis based in Hurghada city but you can order them from the airport, El Gouna, Soma Bay or the other resort towns. You can request one right away or book one for later, and their cars arrive quickly. ABC Taxi phone number: +20100 222 8294 There are other chartered taxi companies in Hurghada, but we've personally used ABC Taxi the most and they've never let us down (and this isn't even an ad!) Uber & Careem Yup, Uber and its Middle Eastern counterpart Careem are available in Hurghada (the main city area). Things To Do In Hurghada 1. Diving and snorkeling Like we spoke about above, Red Sea diving is world-renowned. Dive centers in Hurghada are a dime a dozen, affordable and offer PADI courses in a myriad of languages. If you want to experience the Red Sea’s gorgeous reefs and marine life without actually diving, boat trips to great snorkeling spots are easily arranged too, either by the dive centers or your hotel. For more details about the best diving spots, check out our article 7 Best Diving Destinations in Egypt’s Red Sea . 2. Spend the day on fully-serviced beaches The Hurghada area has some of Egypt’s best white sand beaches, with crystal clear calm water. Almost all of the resorts have their own beaches with umbrellas, sunbeds, towels and full service to bring you drinks, food and even shisha (hookah) to where you’re lounging on the beach. You might like: 9 World-Class Beaches in Egypt 3. Boat trips to the islands There are several different islands peppering the coast of Hurghada, and depending on the island you can either snorkel and explore, or spend the whole day at a beach bar/restaurant that offers sunbeds and umbrellas (the most popular being Mahmya on Giftun Island). For more info about the islands, read: 7 Red Sea Islands Perfect For A Boat Day Trip 4. Water sports/activities Aside from diving, snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing, there are a ton of other things you can do in the water. Kitesurfing Windsurfing Water-skiing/wakeboarding Catamaran Parasailing Sailing Fishing Glass bottom boat 5. Water Park & Aquarium If you want something to do that appeals to both kids and adults alike, then try one of Hurghada’s water parks. The most popular is Makadi Water World, which has free entrance for anyone staying in a Jaz Makadi Bay hotel, or you can buy an entrance ticket. There are tons of slides for people of all ages, plus a restaurant/snack bar that offers food and drinks. Another family-friendly activity is going to The Grand Aquarium in Hurghada city. 6. Desert Activities If you’ve had your fill of beach and water-related stuff, fear not, there’s still lots more to do in Hurghada. Egypt’s Eastern Desert and mountains border Hurghada, and your hotel or a local tour company can easily set you up with desert activities: ATV/quad safari Dirt biking Horseback riding Hiking and camping on the Red Sea Trail 7. Explore Hurghada the city If you want to get a feel for the ‘real’ Hurghada, away from the curated resort experience, then the best way to do this is by exploring the city. El Dahar -- the ‘old town’, where a few souks and bazaars are. This is the area where most locals live and it’s very different than the touristic areas; it’s an eye-opening look into the ‘real’ city. Hurghada Marina Boulevard -- the polar opposite of El Dahar, where everything is shiny and new. There’s restaurants, bars and shops galore on the yacht-lined marina. Old Sheraton Road (also known as El Sekala ) -- parallel to the sea, it’s where local life and touristic life melt together. It’s a long busy street filled with budget hotels, dive centers, tour agencies, local shops and bazaars, Hurghada’s best seafood, banks, coffeeshops and cafes, restaurants (both local and touristy) and a mix & match of other things that any of the city’s inhabitants or visitors need. El Mamsha -- a long pedestrian promenade where the bulk of Hurghada’s hotels, restaurants and bars are. 8. Religious Sites -El Mina Mosque -- El Mina translates to ‘the port’, and it’s a fitting name for this mosque built right on the Hurghada Red Sea harbor, with little fishing boats and bigger yachts dotting the water around it. Built over an area of 4,000 meters, this mosque has 25 domes, a large marble courtyard and two towering minarets. The architectural style is eclectic, with nods to different Islamic motifs and designs. You might also like: 10 Most Beautiful Mosques in Egypt -St. Anthony’s Monastery -- St. Anthony was one of the most famous “Desert Fathers”, a group of Christian monks who lived in the Eastern Egyptian desert in the 3rd century. He was roaming the desert when he came across an oasis surrounded by trees, and it was in this spot that he was later buried and his monastery built a few years later. Today St. Anthony’s Monastery is the oldest inhabited Christian monastery in the world and is home to paintings dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries, as well as 1,700 ancient documents. It's about a two hour drive from Hurghada, and close to St. Paul's Monastery, which dates back to the 6th century. You might also like: 9 Egyptian Churches, Cathedrals and Monasteries You Need To Visit At Least Once For more inspiration about activities in Hurghada , read 25 Fun Things To Do In Hurghada & El Gouna . Where To Eat In Hurghada Most visitors to Hurghada end up eating at their hotels, but if you want to try some of Hurghada’s best stand-alone restaurants, we recommend: -Star Fish (fresh seafood on Old Sheraton Road) -Granada (go for the amazing view, also on Old Sheraton Road) -White Elephant (Thai) Local tip: if you're not sure of where you want to eat, head over to either the Hurghada Marina or El Mamsha, where the bulk of restaurants are, and pick one that appeals to you. For quick and easy Egyptian food from the same place where the locals eat: -Koshary El Tahrir (read about koshary in our article 12 Egyptian Foods You Need To Try ). El Gouna also has an amazing collection of restaurants. For more details, read 7 Best Restaurants in El Gouna . Nightlife The most popular clubs in Hurghada city (all of these are on El Mamsha) are: -Little Buddha -Hard Rock Cafe (foam parties, Ladies Nights) -Papas Club For more a more laid-back bar/pub feel: -Caribbean Bar -Granada -Retro Pub You can also head to El Gouna and go to: -The Tap North -Villa Coconut -Aurora Leaving It’s just as straightforward as arriving. If you came by GoBus, then you board your return bus at the same bus stop in Hurghada (el Dahar area) where they dropped you off. If you came by plane and need to go to Hurghada Airport, Uber/Careem or ABC Taxis can take you. You can find more Egypt city guides here: Sharm El Sheikh City Guide El Gouna City Guide Aswan City Guide Soma Bay Guide North Coast Guide

Egypt has captured the imagination of many a writer in its 7,000 year existence -- and whether it be ancient Egypt, colonial Egypt or modern Egypt, can you really blame them? Few other countries in the world have the history, depth and complexity as Egypt, and we’ve compiled some of our favorite novels that take place here, by both Egyptian and non-Egyptian authors alike (this list is English-based, so we made sure that all Arabic and French novels listed below have an English translation available). This list is just the tip of the iceberg (or pyramid?) when it comes to novels about Egypt, and be sure to let us know if we didn’t include one of your favorites. Palace Walk Author: Naguib Mahfouz Takes place in: Cairo, 1917-1919 Summary: we of course had to include a novel by Naguib Mahfouz, an Egyptian legend and a Nobel Laureate in Literature. Palace Walk is the first novel in Mahfouz’s Cairo Trilogy, all translated from Arabic (Palace Walk’s real title is Bein El Qasrein, which translates to ‘between the two palaces’). Palace Walk is an inside look at a middle class Egyptian family during British-occupied Egypt in WWI, and the dynamics and cultural complexities between them. Read more: in the novel, the family lives in the area of El Moez Street, which is still a must-see Cairo attraction until today. Here's our local's guide to Moez Street. In the Eye of the Sun Author: Ahdaf Soueif Takes place in: Egypt and the UK from 1967-1980 Summary: This novel is a beautiful mix of love story, politics both in the Middle East and in interpersonal relationships, and a vivid portrayal of Egypt spanning over 10 years, all told through the story of Asya, a young Egyptian woman and memorable heroine. Egyptian author and journalist Ahdaf Soueif is also known for her novel The Map of Love, another personal favorite of ours. Ramses: The Son of Light Author: Christian Jacq Takes place in: Ancient Egypt during the New Kingdom Summary: This historical fiction novel is actually the first in a 5 book series about the life, love and reign of Ramses II, perhaps the most famous and powerful pharaoh to date. The books are quick reads, and even though they’re translated originally from French, the English translations do the books justice. Expect entertaining portrayals of Ancient Egypt and famous names such as Seti I, Nefertari and Moses. We definitely recommend reading all 5 books. Read more: Ramses II was the pharaoh behind the construction of Abu Simbel, one of the most spectacular Ancient Egyptian temples of all time. Here's a list of the 12 most impressive Anicent Egyptian temples still standing today. Yacoubian Building Author: Alaa El Aswany Takes place in: Cairo, 1990 Summary: Originally an Arabic novel, Yacoubian Building was a smash hit and not only quickly translated into other languages, but made into a movie. The story revolves around the different residents of the old Yacoubian Building in Downtown Cairo, and is described as a “scathing portrayal of modern Egyptian society”. Its incorporation of homosexuality in the story also got a lot of people hot and bothered (and not in a good way) when the book first came out. Death on the Nile Author: Agatha Christie Takes place: mainly on a steamer on the Nile in 1937 Summary: Yup, the world-famous detective novels of Agatha Christie starring Hercule Poirot have their own nod to Egypt in Death on the Nile. Agatha Christie herself stayed at the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan while writing the novel, which is a mystery aboard a period steamer on the Nile. A Woman of Cairo Author: Noel Barber Takes place in: Cairo before and throughout WWII up through the 1952 revolution Summary: Set during the final days of the British occupation in Egypt is a love story between childhood friends and neighbors in Cairo’s aristocratic Garden City; the son of a British diplomat and the daughter of an Egyptian pasha. Their world of midnight picnics at the Pyramids and Nile-side luxury is brought to an abrupt halt when World War II erupts, followed by the uprising of Egyptians against the British occupation. River God Author: Wilbur Smith Takes place in: Ancient Egypt, end of the Middle Kingdom Summary: Set right before and during the invasion of the Hyksos into Ancient Egypt, River God is an adventure novel with a love triangle between the Pharaoh, a lord’s daughter and the soldier she’s in love with -- but the main character is Taita, a eunuch and slave who has to navigate his way not only through the perils of the love triangle but an ancient empire on the brink of falling to foreign invaders. The Alexandria Quartet Author: Lawrence Durrell Takes place in: Alexandria, before and during World War II Summary: The Alexandria Quartet is actually not just one book, but four -- you can either read them separately or all in one go as one really long book. The four books are Justine, Balthazar, Mountolive and Clea; the first 3 books depict the same set of events, but through different perspectives. The fourth novel takes place 6 years later. The novels are all about ‘modern’ love and the melting pot of East and West in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. The writing tends to lean towards being more ‘literary-heavy’ if that makes sense, so if you’re looking for a light read, this might not be for you. Read more: 15 Best Things to See and Do in Alexandria City of Love and Ashes Author: Yusuf Idris Takes place in: Cairo, 1952 Summary: Translated from Arabic, the writing is a bit dry and doesn’t do the novel as much justice as the original Arabic did, but most definitely worth a read anyway. City of Love and Ashes is about Hamza, a young Egyptian revolutionary secretly working with the resistance to revolt against the British occupation and the corrupt monarchy. He meets and falls in love with Fawziya through the cause, and they struggle with their feelings for each other in the midst of a much bigger battle -- the battle for their country. But which is more important? The Golden Goblet Author: Eloise Jarvis McGraw Takes place in: Ancient Egypt, the New Kingdom Summary: This book is touted as a children’s or young adult book, but trust us when we say it’s just as enjoyable for adults. The story revolves around Ranofer, a young orphan boy who tries to rise above his unfortunate circumstances to pursue his simple dream of becoming a goldsmith’s apprentice and leaving his abusive half-brother forever. He accidentally stumbles across one of the worst crimes one can commit in Ancient Egypt, and it’s up to him to do the right thing even if it costs him everything. Read more: 20 Must-See Ancient Egyptian Sites

So obviously none of us ever *intend* to break the law (well…), but when it comes to foreign countries especially, it’s always a smart idea to be on the right side of the legal system. Below are a few things that tourists might not think twice about, but are actually illegal in Egypt. It’s good to always be aware of these things just so you don’t find yourself doing something that gets you into a very unnecessary bind. We’re here to have fun, people!!! 1. Drones Unless you have explicit permission from the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, you unfortunately won’t be able to get those sweet aerial views of the Pyramids that you had your eye on *sad emoji*. It’s a bummer, but oh well. It’s also probably a good idea to leave your drone at home completely (even if you’re heading to another destination before/after Egypt) because there have been numerous reported incidents of drones being seized at Cairo Airport. You might be able to wrangle out of them seizing it, but only after an hour or two of intense questioning, and ain’t nobody got time for that. And while fancy video equipment isn’t illegal, you’ll probably be stopped at Customs for extensive questioning regarding the equipment, so it’s best to just keep your electronic equipment limited and sweet. If you desperately need a drone for whatever reason, you can contact the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority here: info@civilaviation.gov.eg 2. Sharing an apartment or hotel room with an Egyptian of the opposite sex if you’re not married Egyptian regulations require that any Egyptian man or woman sharing a room or apartment with a member of the opposite sex have a marriage certificate. If you’re a foreigner and your partner or friend or whomever you plan to share a room with is foreign too, then you don’t need a marriage certificate and you’re totally fine. Nationality is obviously proven by passport. For example, a hotel in Egypt won’t allow an Egyptian passport-holder and a foreign passport-holder couple to share the same room, but they would allow two foreign passport-holders. You can also share hotel rooms & apartments with Egyptian friends of the same sex without any issue. 3. Photography near military facilities If you’re wandering around with your camera, make sure you keep an eye out for military buildings or sites because photography there is prohibited for national security. If you find yourself accidentally taking pictures near a military facility (in your defense, you probably had no idea that’s what it was), you might find officers come up to you suddenly and demand that you stop shooting/filming. They also might require you to show them the pictures you took and delete them. Usually the problem won’t be escalated beyond that, but make sure you comply with their demands to stop shooting and to delete the pictures taken so that you’re left to continue on your merry way as soon as possible. 4. The rainbow flag In 2017 there was an uproar in Egypt over the raising of the rainbow flag at a music concert. Homosexuality isn’t *technically* illegal in Egypt, but many of the LGBTQ community have been questioned and arrested under “debauchery laws”. Many Egyptians view homosexuality as immoral and a crime, and after the 2017 concert the rainbow flag was banned alongside any media statements that supported homosexuality. This does not mean at all that gay or LGBTQ tourists shouldn’t come to Egypt. It just means that vocally supporting homosexuality or waving the rainbow flag in a public setting isn’t the smartest thing to do. PDA between gay couples in public spaces is also something you should definitely try to avoid. 5. Bringing certain medications into the country There was a recent brouhaha when a British tourist was arrested in Hurghada Airport for bringing in 290 tablets of the painkiller Tramadol. While Tramadol is legal in the UK, it’s banned in Egypt due to the large amount of people who abuse it as a substitute for heroin. If there’s certain prescription medications you *must* bring with you into the country, make sure that a) you don’t bring in a large quantity, just the amount you need, and b) that you have a medical certificate from your doctor. Egypt offers a huge array of medication over the counter so it’s very easy to procure basic meds, painkillers, antibiotics, heart medicine, etc. 6. Drinking on Islamic holidays (except in hotels) During the month of Ramadan and a couple other days of the year (Islamic New Year, for example), the restaurants and bars of the city become dry, meaning it’s illegal for them to serve alcohol to anyone, including foreigners. Even retail shops like Drinkies will be closed for the full month of Ramadan; for the singular days, the ban on alcohol usually lasts for 24 hours, from sunset to sunset. The exception to this is hotels. If you’re a foreign-passport holder, you’re allowed to drink alcohol in hotel restaurants, bars, the lobby, your room, etc. 7. Severely criticizing Egypt publicly or on social media (while you’re in the country) This is a relatively new case so we’re not sure to what extent the government cracks down on public bad-mouthers, but we’ll give you the heads up anyway. In June 2018 a Lebanese tourist was sentenced to 8 years in prison because she posted a Facebook video calling Egypt a “son of a bitch country”. She was arrested at Cairo Airport prior to her flight home. So our advice to you would be, that no matter your *personal* thoughts on the country, keep it cute while you’re on Egyptian soil and then let it rip once you’re back home (but hopefully that won’t be the case!!!) Local recommendation: while the above “illegal things” might make you feel worried or anxious about walking the straight and narrow while in Egypt, there’s really no reason to be worried. 99% of tourists have zero brushes with the law, and officers tend to be understanding towards accidental offenders.

If you’re staying in El Gouna, or just going for the day from Hurghada (they're about 30 minutes apart), there’s good news and bad news when it comes to eating -- the good news is, there are tons of restaurants to choose from in El Gouna. The bad news? There’s tons of restaurants to choose from. If you’re not a local or recurring visitor, it can be hard to discern which eating establishments are worthy of both your stomach and your wallet -- so as locals, let us help you. You might also like: 10 Best Restaurants in Cairo For Locals and Tourists Alike Now, let us proceed: 1. Saigon Location: Abu Tig Marina, El Gouna Cuisine: Vietnamese In our humble opinion, Saigon is the very best restaurant not only in El Gouna, but in the surrounding Hurghada area as well (maybe even, dare we say, all of Egypt!). This restaurant on the marina in Gouna has been open and run for over 15 years by a Vietnamese lady who still heads the kitchen until now. The food is consistently awesome, and even if Vietnamese food isn’t necessarily your jam, their menu is full of of more classic pan-Asian items as well. 2. Zia Amelia Location: Downtown, El Gouna Cuisine: Italian Another El Gouna favorite since it opened over a decade ago, Zia Amelia’s owner hails from Napoli and their menu is bursting at the seams with Italian classics and freshly-made pastas. They have an in-house pizzeria (Forno Di Amelia) as well where you can pick up a pizza to go. The restaurant itself is warm and welcoming, with an inner air-conditioned section for hot days as well as candlelit tables outside for when you want to enjoy the weather. Their staff is always prompt and knowledgeable about the extensive menu as well. PS: if you’re an animal lover like us, there’s also a few cute resident cats that fall asleep randomly on different chairs in the outdoor area. 3. Chicha Location: Downtown El Gouna Cuisine: Latin Right across from Zia Amelia in Downtown Gouna is Chicha, a fun, bohemian-vibed Latin American restaurant offering a wide range of Peruvian, Mexican and Spanish dishes. They pride themselves on taking their inspiration from traditional dishes and giving them their modern spin. The star of Chicha's menu are their tacos, but they also have a wide range of other tapas-style dishes that are made for ordering many of and sharing (or don't share, that's up to you, lol). They also have a bunch of great cocktails. 4. El Bahr Location: Kite Center Road, El Gouna Cuisine: Seafood It would be counterintuitive to be a beach town and not have a great seafood restaurant, so luckily El Bahr is there to lead the charge. Away from the hustle and bustle of Abu Tig Marina and Downtown Gouna, El Bahr is right on the beach (as it should be!), where you'll see the sky peppered with bright kites from the kitesurfers cruising the water on breezy days. As for the menu, besides their appetizers, soups and salads, it's all really about whatever catches your eye from their fresh seafood display. You choose the fish you want, and tell them how you would like it cooked (grilled, fried, salted, in a casserole, etc). They also have fresh shrimp, crab, lobster, calamari, you name it. 5. Sotto Sopra Location: Abu Tig Marina, El Gouna Cuisine: Italian If you’re in Abu Tig Marina, keep your eye out for a cute little outdoor restaurant and bar on the water with pink and white bougainvillea spilling down the front of the restaurant. Sotto Sopra is known for their super thin crust pizza (which you can order in a standard size or by meter/half meter). They also have great gnocchi and risottos. A resident mixologist is there from 7 pm onwards for their signature cocktails (before 7 pm, you can order beer/wine). 6. Chuchichäschtli - Swiss House Location: Downtown, El Gouna Cuisine: Swiss First things first, please don't ask us how to pronounce the restaurant's name. Chuchichäschtli apparently translates into 'kitchen cupboard' in Swiss German, but it's no wonder why everyone else calls it Swiss House (to the extent that it's now the main name over their door!). Unpronounceable names aside, Swiss House has been serving excellent fondue and other classic Swiss comfort dishes for well over a decade now. And they are by bar one of the most popular restaurants come Christmas and winter -- they go all out with the decorations, and who doesn't want to warm their body and soul with some hot melted cheese? Even if fondue isn't your thing (weird choice on your part, but ok), Swiss House also offers seared beef fillet that you cook yourself over a hot stone. Also great for chilly nights. 7. Pier 88 Location: Abu Tig Marina, El Gouna Cuisine: International You can't talk about great restaurants in El Gouna without talking about one of its OGs, Pier 88 (by the way, not only is Pier 88 one of our favorite restaurants in Gouna, but in Cairo too). The original El Gouna restaurant is literally ‘on’ the water in the Abu Tig Marina -- it’s a stationary floating restaurant/bar. They serve great steaks, seafood, pasta, salads and cocktails -- and starting 9 pm on weekends, the music picks up and it becomes a favorite ‘night spot’. Looking for activities to do in Hurghada and El Gouna? Read 25 Fun Things To Do In Hurghada & El Gouna. Want a detailed guide for El Gouna? Read our extensive local's guide right here. You might also like: 8 Best Breakfast Places in El Gouna

It’s an exciting time in Cairo not just for the booming restaurant scene, but for catering experiences as well. Long gone are the days of your standard cookie-cutter catered dinners or events, where each caterer was identical to the next and the food and overall experience was fine but forgettable. Not anymore! Some of Cairo’s best caterers are really pulling out the stops when it comes to not just the diversity and taste of their culinary creations, but also the full experience and ambience as well. They realize that the ideal catering experience is not just about what you eat, but what you see and feel as well. We’re a long way from the stale mini-sandwiches, mediocre buffets and bored-looking servers that we associated with catering when we were growing up in Cairo, that’s for sure! Whether you need a caterer for an unforgettable life event like a wedding, or a more high-octane corporate event, or something small and intimate like a dinner at home or even just a date night, these are the seven best caterers that Cairo has to offer. 1. The Sage Experience If you’re looking for the top award-winning catering service in Cairo, look no further than The Sage Experience. They were the 2023 recipient of the ‘Experiential Dining Business’ award by Egypt’s Entrepreneur Awards (EEA), so it’ll come as no surprise that The Sage Experience is not just about top-notch food, but a world-class 360 dining experience as well. Only the very best for your guests! The Sage Experience was first launched by Amr Barghash and Ahmed El Meligy in 2020 as a way to bring that restaurant dining experience we love and missed during quarantine to your home. The food and ambience provided were such a hit that The Sage Experience soon started expanding from seated dinners at home to catered culinary events of all types and sizes – we’re talking everything from important corporate events, private celebrity dinners (hello, Backstreet Boys!), romantic date nights for two, unforgettable dinner parties, 5,000+ attendee events, you name it! And as their name suggests, when you choose The Sage Experience as your caterer, you’re not just getting food – you’re getting a whole experience that will leave you and your guests buzzing for the foreseeable future. You can check out The Sage Experience’s stunning culinary events here: The Sage Experience Or you can call them directly at: +201156956555 2. The Cookery Co. We love a strong women-led company, and three like-minded Egyptian women banded together in 2016 to establish The Cookery Co., which started off as a simple home catering service for limited numbers but then grew into one of Cairo’s most popular and expansive caterers today. They not only cater, but offer gorgeous tablescapes and grazing stations that are Instagram moments in and of themselves. We’re talking everything from Garden of Eden themed grazing tables to live Mexican taco stations to exquisite seated dinners. You can work with The Cookery Co.’s team to customize every detail of your event, from the menu to the decor to the lighting and seating. They cater everything from corporate events to weddings to even fondue nights! A quick idea of some of the different international menus they offer (and that you can tweak): buffet, finger food, seated dinners, weddings, coffee break, ‘fork & bowl’, Asian nights and kids’ menu. To see their beautiful setups and menus: The Cookery Co. Or you can call them directly at: 01102106568 - 01144200044 3. Avec Karim If you’re looking for a more avant garde, haute gastronomic experience than your standard catering service, look no further than Avec Karim. From weddings to events at places like The Grand Egyptian Museum or Paris Fashion Week to lunches at the Pyramids, Avec Karim can pull it off with high flair. If you’re looking for more private dinners, there is also Privé by Avec Karim. Avec Karim catering is headed by Chef Karim Abdel Rahman, an École Ducasse official partner and ambassador who was culinary-trained abroad in Switzerland and France, and even had the opportunity to work as a chef for Guy Savoy, a 3 Michelin star restaurant in Paris. So if you’re looking for that Michelin star feel for your event in Cairo, look no further than Avec Karim. For more info: Avec Karim and Avec Karim Privé 4. Tamr Jannah If for your event you want something more classic and leaning towards Egyptian and Middle Eastern cuisine, Tamr Jannah has been in the catering business for almost 20 years. Their menus: events, mini events, ‘3azoumas’, family meals, finger foods and frozen foods. For more info and to see their menus: Tamr Jannah 5. Crave Catering Who isn’t familiar with everyone’s comfort food restaurant, Crave? Yup the long-loved restaurant Crave has its own catering arm. They do everything from weddings to corporate catering to beach BBQs and more. For more info: Crave Catering 6. Trés Bon Another old-school beloved restaurant in Cairo, originally opening its doors in Korba in 1994, then expanding into several more branches as well as catering. For more info: Tres Bon or their hotline 19947 7. Sett El Biet If you’re looking for old-school Egyptian and oriental food, and a lot of it, then Sett el Biet is for you. They specialize in buffets filled with the classics like grilled kofta, kobeiba, vine leaves, chicken pane, different types of mahshi, macaroni bechamel, roasted turkey, kabsa and more. For more info: Sett El Biet Happy eating!

Clean, natural and organically-made cosmetics, skincare and haircare are the best beauty products you can buy for both yourself and the environment as a whole, and Egypt is an ideal place to find just that. Why? Because we’ve been the experts in it for millennia! And today, the best Egyptian natural skincare and beauty brands all imbibe the expertise and the same incredible organic ingredients unique to Egypt that have been used for thousands of years. Cosmetics, perfume and skincare in Ancient Egypt The Ancient Egyptians were some of the very first people to develop, use and appreciate makeup, perfume and skincare on a daily basis – and we’re talking well over 5,000 years ago! And by the way, it wasn’t just women; while these days we’re seeing a rise in men using things like nail polish or ‘guyliner’, cosmetics were in fact used back in Ancient Egypt by both men and women, and across all socio-economic classes. It goes without saying that obviously all their makeup and skincare were made from natural materials, and it wasn’t just for vanity purposes. The Ancient Egyptians used a myriad of different natural products on their faces and skin for protection from the elements, as well as in religious rituals and even daily practical uses. Read more: Ancient Egypt Bucket List: 20 Must-See Ancient Egyptian Sites So all this to say that the concept of natural makeup and skincare is deeply enmeshed in Egyptian culture, waaaay before the big beauty brands (and chemicals galore) made the industry the multi-billion dollar one it is today. So if you’re looking for some great, natural Egyptian products, using many of the same ingredients they did back in Ancient Egypt, these are some of the local Egyptian skincare and beauty brands to check out. Nefertari One of the most popular 100% natural beauty and body care brands in Egypt with dozens of stores peppered over the country, Nefertari started with a small line of natural soaps. It has since blossomed into an array of different products like: creams and lotions, exfoliating scrubs, bath salts, oils, hair care, masks and wraps, foot care, aromatic water, lip and eye products, perfumes and even untreated cotton towels and bed linen. They also have a range called “Pharaonic Line”, with embroidered pharaonic symbols on towels and some of the same beauty products the pharaohs used, like natural kohl. They also have really cute gift baskets for friends who aren’t Egyptian. You can find their whole product line plus where to find them (or online order) at Nefertari’s website. Areej Aromatherapy Areej, meaning beautiful fragrance, began in 2008 as the first natural aromatherapy line in Egypt and the Middle East. Deeply inspired by the natural botanicals grown in the healing Nile soil, Areej Aromatherapy wanted to provide the best therapeutic essential oils to those looking to enhance their physical and emotional wellbeing. Essential oils have been used over millennia to treat not only skin and hair conditions but to help anxiety, depression and even pain. Areej Aromatherapy’s oils were so popular that they expanded into other therapeutic products, as well as beauty and skincare. All of their products use natural, vegan and cruelty-free ingredients that aren’t tested on animals nor harm the environment. You can find their list of stores in Cairo as well as shop their products online on Areej Aromatherapy’s website. Hathor Hathor started a few years back when its founder was looking for high quality, cold-pressed oils for her baby daughter’s skin. Cold-pressing oil is a form of naturally extracting the oil from a seed or fruit using no external heat, which retains the oil’s purity as well as its natural antioxidants, aromas and flavor. Cold-pressed oils are an excellent way to nourish and hydrate skin and hair without any added chemicals. Hathor launched its own cold-pressed oil line for skincare and haircare, then added candles, incense, soaps and hand lotions. You can find Hathor products online on their website or at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square or the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat. Black Lotus Black Lotus has a large collection of natural products for everything ranging from soaps, liquid face washes, shower gels, facial oils, moisturizers, toners, eye cream, eyelash serum, beard oil for men, shampoo, conditioner, hair cream, body lotion, natural sunscreen, footcare cream, scrubs, bath salts, natural deodorants, sprays, and of course a wide range of essential oils. They even have a natural shampoo for your dog! You can order online from their Instagram or you can visit their stores at Arkan in Sheikh Zayed or Point 90 Mall in New Cairo. Mojsoap In the market for absolutely beautiful, 100% natural Egyptian soap? Look no further than Mojsoap. Besides just how fantastic they look and smell, Mojsoaps are suitable for both face and body, and for all skin types. The soaps are milk-based for added vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and creaminess, and they use essential oils for the scent. Their soap line looks like art, with items such as Anti-Ageing Turmeric Bar, Tea Tree Mango Butter Bar and Rose Clay Himalayan Salt Bar. They’re also known for their donkey milk bars, which have tightening, toning and anti-ageing properties. Mojsoap also has gift sets and special lines for the holidays. You can shop Mojsoap products online from their website, or you can find them at the new Grand Egyptian Museum. You may also like: Natural Therapy in Egypt - 7 Types of Healing and Climatic Therapy You Can't Find Elsewhere

While the name ‘City of the Dead’ sounds ominous and conjures up images of graves and zombies, Cairo’s City of the Dead is actually a place of heritage and history – and is a city of the living just as much as it is a city of the dead. Cinematic name though, we have to admit. So what exactly is Cairo’s City of the Dead? The City of the Dead in Cairo (El Qarafa or El Arafa in Arabic) is a 6.4 km (4 mile) stretch of necropolises and cemeteries in the original core of the city, in an area known as Historic Cairo internationally, or Old Cairo (Masr El Adeema in Arabic) to locals. But like we said, City of the Dead isn’t *just* about the dead – residential neighborhoods have been built alongside and throughout the necropolises, with all the regular hustle and bustle of any regular neighborhood. Cairo's City of the Dead is spread into two main cemeteries north and south of the Cairo Citadel, nestled under the Moqattam Hills to the east. So what makes City of the Dead worth visiting? So far what we’ve described sounds just like a bunch of cemeteries with regular neighborhoods interspersed, right? So… why is it worth visiting? Because peppered throughout Cairo’s City of the Dead are some truly beautiful historic mosques, mausoleums and other medieval Islamic architecture. There are remnants dating back to the Arab conquest of Egypt back in the 7th century, and whole buildings still in their entirety dating back to the 12th-15th centuries! Keep in mind that Cairo is a city over 1,000 years old, and the area of Historic Cairo where the City of the Dead is is one of Egypt’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Besides the City of the Dead, Historic Cairo is also home to: Cairo Citadel Moez Street (a famous pedestrian street full of medieval architecture) Khan el Khalili bazaar Coptic Cairo The centuries-old giant mosques of Islamic Cairo, such as Ibn Tulun, Sultan Hassan and Al Rifai mosques Misconceptions about Cairo’s City of the Dead The City of the Dead started to pick up traction as an interesting place to visit originally not because of its history and heritage, but because it began being known in Western media as a place where the extremely poor were forced to live in and around the graves and tombs; ‘tomb dwellers’ basically, living among the dead. And while this is true in some swathes of City of the Dead, it’s not true for all of it. The majority of its population reside in regular (albeit shabby) housing, with shops, supermarkets, post offices, barbers, and the usual trappings of city life. A little history of City of the Dead We don’t want to get too rambly and turn into a Wikipedia page, so we’ll try to be as brief and concise as possible. Ironically, Cairo’s City of the Dead is older than Cairo itself. When the Arabs conquered Egypt, their leader Amr Ibn El-As built their first Muslim capital in Egypt in 642 AD, called Fustat. Fustat is now a neighborhood in Historic Cairo (Cairo was built next to Fustat in 969 AD, and subsequently absorbed Fustat in its growth and expansion). But back when Fustat was first founded in the 7th century, they built a necropolis in the empty desert outside the main city, and thus was the birth of City of the Dead. It continued to grow as the city grew, and became notable because it holds the mosques and mausoleums of some of Prophet Muhammad’s descendants who are believed to have emigrated to Egypt, such as Sayyida Aisha, Sayyida Nafisa and Sayyida Ruqayya. Imam El Shafei, a very important religious scholar in Islam, was buried in the City of the Dead in the 9th century, and the mausoleum later constructed over his tomb (built in 1211 AD) is still one of the highlights there until now – more than 800 years later! The most impressive mosques and mausoleums were built during the Mamluk era, in the medieval centuries spanning 1250 to 1517 AD, giving the City of the Dead's Northern Cemetery the local epithet of ‘Desert of the Mamluks’. The cemeteries and necropolises of City of the Dead aren’t just dedicated to medieval tombs though; many modern Egyptian families still have their own family plots and burials there until now. Problems facing City of the Dead Cairo’s oldest cemetery has been getting a lot of buzz in the news lately, but unfortunately not for the best reasons. Areas of City of the Dead, including graves and tombs, are being cleared and relocated to make room for highways and bridges. The reason behind this is to both ease traffic in the dense area as well as connect Cairo to the new administrative capital (still under the name ‘New Capital’) 45 km to the east. While the government has assured everyone that they’re not doing anything to the heritage mausoleums and medieval tombs, and that they’re only removing and relocating ‘modern’ graves (ie. not over 100 years old) and families will receive compensation, locals aren’t thrilled. You can read more about it here on the New York Times. But never fear! There’s still so much of City of the Dead to see, so don’t let this discourage you! Best way to visit City of the Dead So there’s several different ways of visiting City of the Dead, and we’ll go through them with you one by one: a) On a guided walking tour. This is our recommended way of visiting. There are different organizations that have regular City of the Dead walking tours that you can sign up for. These tours usually meet up at a specified place, then you walk through the neighborhood for a few hours with a knowledgeable guide to explain what you’re seeing and to answer questions. They also take care of the ‘tipping’ of the entrance guards to different mosques and mausoleums (the tipping is for you guys to be actually let in, considering these aren’t ticketed official tourist destinations). Two recommended City of the Dead walking tour organizers: Ma’qad of Sultan Qaitbey (MASQ). MASQ is a cultural center right in the City of the Dead, and they offer regular guided walking tours as well as photography walks through the Northern Cemetery (also known as the Eastern Cemetery, because it was originally east of the city walls). Their guided tours are usually on the weekends from fall through to spring. You can see their next upcoming tour here. Walk Like An Egyptian. A local company that specializes in guided walking tours (along other off-the-beaten-track tours). They have two different walking tours for City of the Dead, one for the Northern Cemetery (similar to MASQ’s), and a separate one for the Southern Cemetery. You can find their schedule and more info on their website here. b) You can visit with a travel agency (either a private tour or in a group). If you’d like to go visit City of the Dead but not worry about meeting points or specific schedules, then you can arrange with a local travel agency to book a tour on whatever dates and times work for you. Simply google ‘Cairo City of the Dead tour’ and several different options will pop up; you can compare prices and reviews to see which tour agency works for you. The benefits of going the tour agency route is that most will pick you up from your hotel and drop you back off, so you don’t have to worry about transportation. And like we said above, you don’t have to stick to a specific schedule if you’re doing a private tour. The con though is that these trips tend to run much more expensive than the guided walking tours mentioned above (and in either case, you’ll be walking). c) You can visit City of the Dead solo. While technically it’s doable to visit the City of the Dead on your own without a guide, we wouldn’t recommend it. For one, the area is crowded and confusing if you don’t know exactly where you’re going, and Google Maps doesn’t always label everything correctly. Secondly, you’d need to be able to speak Arabic to communicate with the gatekeepers of the different mosques and mausoleums to let you in. And even if you are an Arabic-speaking local (or with one), there are no signs or placards or anything to really explain what it is you’re looking at or why it’s important. How to get there If you’re going with a guided walking tour, then they’ll tell you the meeting place in City of the Dead, which most likely will be easily accessible by car. You can then plug in the destination in your Google Maps and either Uber or have a private car take you there. If you’re going with a tour agency, then they will probably arrange for transportation to pick you up from your hotel or accommodation. Best Things To See in City of the Dead The City of the Dead is divided mainly into two large cemeteries, one on the north side of the Cairo Citadel and one on the southern side, aptly named the Northern Cemetery and the Southern Cemetery. Like we mentioned briefly above, the Northern Cemetery is also sometimes called the Eastern Cemetery, due to its being east of the city’s original walls, way before the Cairo Citadel was built. There’s also the smaller Bab El Nasr and Bab el Wazir cemeteries, but most guided tours take place in the North and South Cemeteries. Best things to see in the Northern Cemetery (Eastern Cemetery, ‘Desert of the Mamluks’): Complex of Sultan al-Ashraf Qaitbay (1474 AD) Khanqa of Sultan Farag Ibn Barquq (1389 - 1411 AD) Funerary Complex of Sultan al-Ashraf Barsbay (1432 AD) Mausoleum of Khedive Tawfik, also known as Qubbat Afandina (1894 AD) Mural art and graffiti (modern) Best things to see in the Southern Cemetery: Imam el Shafei Mausoleum and adjacent mosque (1211 AD) Hosh El Basha (the family mausoleum of Muhammad Ali, governor and ruler of 19th century Egypt) (1854 AD) Imam El Layth Bin Saad Mausoleum (first built in 1244 AD, then rebuilt in 1833 AD) Mausoleum of Shajar El-Durr (1250 AD) Local tips Seeing as you’ll be walking around a lot in the sun and none of the sites have ACs for any type of temporary respite, it’s best to visit City of the Dead in the cooler months (November through March) You’ll be walking through a lot of local neighborhoods where the residents tend to be more on the conservative side, so we recommend women not wear anything too revealing or short Most of the mosques you’ll visit don’t require women to cover their hair because they’re not working mosques, but it’s always better to have a scarf or shawl with you just in case You’ll be required to take off your shoes before entering the mosques though, so it’s helpful to be wearing socks/have socks on you so you don’t need to go barefoot There’ll be little kiosks and supermarkets throughout City of the Dead, so don’t worry about getting thirsty – there’s plenty of spots to buy water Wish we could say the same about bathrooms though; we recommend you empty your bladders before your City of the Dead tour, because we can’t guarantee any clean bathrooms :D Other than that, have fun and enjoy the incredibly unique mix of medieval tombs, modern graves and the bustling local life that has grown and evolved all around them. If you find City of the Dead interesting, you’ll also like: El Moez Street: A Detailed Local’s Guide

One of the best things about Egypt is that beach weather doesn’t end in August like the rest of the Northern Hemisphere. If anything, fall is one of the best seasons to vacation in Egypt because it’s warm enough to go to the beach or spend time in the desert, but cool enough that you won’t have to worry about sunstroke or soaring temperatures. Read more: 8 Best Beach Holiday Destinations in Egypt So whether you’re a non-Egyptian who isn’t quite ready to say goodbye to summer yet, or a local who wants to make the most of the best weather of the year, these 12 travel destinations in Egypt have something for everyone. Local tip: beach weather on the Red Sea is great up until mid-December give or take, when it gets a bit chilly. Ras Sudr Ras Sudr (pronounced Ras Sedr) is a small stretch of coast on the Gulf of Suez inlet of the Red Sea, and only recently began to rise in popularity due to its ideal kitesurfing conditions and being only a few hours’ drive from Cairo. It’s still pretty underdeveloped, but you’ll find a handful of beach hotels to stay at, the most notable being Matarma Bay, Fade Hotel at the La Hacienda compound and Bayside. Most people spend their days at the various kite centers (like Soul in La Hacienda and Fly in Green Sudr Resort) which also double up as restaurants/beach bars. Things to do in Ras Sudr in the fall: kitesurf, swim, enjoy a Sinai beach without having to drive too far from Cairo Read: 7 Best Kitesurfing Spots in Egypt Fayoum Fayoum, about an hour and a half from Cairo, has always been known as a great nature retreat and break from the city. Fayoum has a lot of great camping spots, like on sand dunes right on the shore of Magic Lake (named for its changing water color according to time of day), or near Lake Qarun (Fayoum’s oasis, the biggest in Egypt) or close to the Wadi el Rayan waterfalls. Fayoum itself is an ancient city (read more about it at 7 Modern Egyptian Cities More Than 5,000 Years Old) and is an interesting mix of desert, water, greenery, urban and rural life and modern and ancient life. Things to do in Fayoum in the fall: sandboard, explore Tunis Village, visit the Wadi el Rayan Waterfalls, see the ancient whale bones at Wadi El Hitan (Whale Valley), which is one of Egypt’s 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, see the petrified forest, discover Fayoum’s ancient ruins. Sharm el Sheikh Sharm el Sheikh has been a top trending travel destination forever now, and according to Dive Magazine, “Sharm El Sheikh has been, for many years, the favourite Egyptian destination for scuba divers, and has probably contributed more to the European dive business than any other resort in the world.” So it’s safe to say that Sharm El Sheikh is one of the most famous Egyptian Red Sea Riviera destinations internationally, and even if you don't dive, their beach resorts are reason enough to visit. It’s also a good base for trips to the Sinai Mountains, St. Catherine’s Monastery and Ras Mohammed National Park. Things to do in Sharm in the fall: swim, sunbathe, dive, snorkel, go on a boat trip, go on day trips to interesting neighboring spots in Sinai Read more: 12 Best Things To Do in Sharm El Sheikh Dahab This little bohemian town is smaller, quieter and less commercial than its Red Sea Riviera neighbor Sharm el Sheikh, but the diving is just as good. Home to world-renowned dive sites like the Blue Hole, Dahab pulls in its own fair share of tourists, but those who want to experience a more laid-back vacation. The main area of town is its seaside promenade, full of local and quirkily-named restaurants and shops. There are also hostels and budget hotels galore. You can also hike to and camp in nearby Ras Abu Galoum and Blue Lagoon. Similar to Sharm, Dahab is also a popular base for treks into the Sinai Mountains and St. Catherine’s Monastery. Things to do in Dahab in the fall: dive, snorkel, swim, try the seaside restaurants, bars and cafes on the promenade, visit Ras Abu Galoum, go mountain trekking or bouldering, visit neighboring spots in Sinai Siwa Oasis Located in the Western Desert but much closer to the Libyan border is Egypt's most famous (and most remote) oasis, Siwa. Thousands of Egyptians and foreigners alike visit each year to experience Siwa's unique history, heritage and culture (they even have their own language which is closer to Berber than Arabic). And culture aside, Siwa's natural charms alone are worth visiting, from the vibrant greenery at the edge of the Great Sand Sea to their crystal-clear salt lakes and wide expanses of olive and palm trees. Read: 10 Unforgettable Things to Do in Siwa Oasis Read: 7 Best Places to Stay in Siwa Oasis For All Budgets Siwa to a large extent is untouched by modernity and all its tech-y trappings (Siwa was isolated from the rest of Egypt up until the 1980s when a road connecting it to Marsa Matrouh was built), so it's an ideal place to camp and get away from it all. Camping under the Milky Way in the Great Sand Sea is something that you won't be forgetting any time soon! Things to do in Siwa in the fall: visit Shali Fortress, Mountain of the Dead, Cleopatra's Bath, the Temple of the Oracle of Alexander the Great, swim in the hot springs and ride the sand dunes on a desert safari. Siwa is also known for its natural climatic therapy. Ras Shetan/Nuweiba Nestled between mountains and the Red Sea’s Gulf of Aqaba is a strip of coastline called Ras Shetan, between the towns of Nuweiba and Taba on the Sinai peninsula. Both Nuweiba (a little beach town) and Ras Shetan are known for their get-away-from-it-all beach camps, usually run by local Bedouins. The camps are a mix of beach huts or bare-bone chalets, and you’re more than welcome to set up your own tents right on the beach. At night, there’s usually a large campfire where the Bedouins and guests from all over the world talk, play instruments and sing. Nuweiba and Ras Shetan are also a good place to stay if you want to explore the Colored Canyon and Wadi Wishwashi in the nearby Nuweiba mountains. Things to do in Ras Shetan and Nuweiba in the fall: camp on a beach, disconnect, swim, stargaze, enjoy a fire at night, read, play cards, visit Castle Zaman, explore the Nuweiba mountains Luxor If you're interested in Ancient Egypt, then Luxor is the first place to go once summer ends and the heat starts letting up. Modern Luxor stands where the Ancient Egyptian capital of Thebes once was, and is still home to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings and Queens, among dozens of other Ancient Egyptian sites. Read: 10 Best Things to Do in Luxor, Egypt - As Told By Locals Read: 7 Best Restaurants in Luxor, Egypt Things to do in Luxor in the fall: visit the incredible temples and tombs of Ancient Egyptian, take a Nile cruise down to Aswan Marsa Alam If you're looking for some fantastic diving or just a resort holiday that's more secluded than Hurghada or Sharm el Sheikh, then you should definitely visit Marsa Alam (about 4 hours south of Hurghada on a pristine stretch of Red Sea coast). The best time of the year to visit Marsa Alam is the fall (or spring), because it gets blistering hot in the summer and the water is just a tad cold in the winter (Europeans though love Marsa Alam during the winter due to its 365 days of sun, and it's warmer than Hurghada or Sharm). Read more: 10 Best Things to Do in Marsa Alam Accommodation is across the board, from 5 star hotels to sparse beach camps. There’s very little in terms of restaurants and nightlife, so if you’re someone who likes to be on the beach early and call it a night early too, this might be for you. Things to do in Marsa Alam in the fall: dive, snorkel, swim, kitesurf El Gouna El Gouna’s a modern resort town spanning over 10 km of pristine Red Sea coast, with lagoons throughout, and their architecture is inspired by traditional Egyptian homes in the countryside and Upper Egypt. It’s a town equally as popular with Egyptians as it is with tourists. It was the first destination in the Middle East and Africa to receive the Global Green Award, which is given by the UN to cities making substantial efforts, progress and improvements in the field of environmental sustainability. While smaller than Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh, El Gouna has a plethora of hotels, restaurants, bars and activities for both adults and families. Here’s our full, detailed local’s guide for El Gouna. Things to do in El Gouna in the fall: we break it down here - 25 Fun Things to Do in Hurghada and El Gouna Hurghada Hurghada, having spent the first hundred years of its life as a sleepy little fishing village, is now one of the most popular destinations in the world, ranking annually on Trip Advisor. Hurghada is an eclectic mix of 5 star resorts and super budget hotels, Red Sea islands and desert excursions, touristy promenades and dingier local areas… there’s something to see and do no matter your age or interests. Here’s our full, detailed local’s guide for Hurghada. Things to do in Hurghada in the fall: 25 Fun Things to Do in Hurghada and El Gouna Soma Bay A peninsula jutting into the Red Sea, Soma Bay is a luxury beach resort town south of Hurghada and technically part of the Safaga area, although it's an easy 45 minute drive from Hurghada International Airport. Because it’s surrounded by the sea on three sides, Soma Bay is famous for its spectacular beaches and water sports. On one side of Soma Bay you have the open Red Sea for scuba diving and boat trips, and on the other side you have a crystal-clear bay of warm, shallow water, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Soma Bay is home to a handful of 5 star beach resorts, but not nearly as many as Hurghada and Sharm, so it’s a good place to go if you want to avoid the crowds found in other popular Red Sea Riviera destinations. Things to do in Soma Bay in the fall: sunbathe and swim, scuba dive, snorkel, kitesurf, glass bottom boat, go-karting, golf, paintball, horseback riding Aswan Aswan in southern Egypt is a unique mix of Ancient Egypt, rural village, urban city, Nubian heritage, river, desert and modern history. The ancient land of Nubia was directly to the south of Aswan, extending from modern-day southern Egypt into northern Sudan. Nubia became part of Egypt during the New Kingdom, and Nubian heritage and culture is extremely important in Aswan until today. The Nile looks just as clear, blue and wild as it probably did 3,000 years ago; Aswan is hands down where the Nile is at its most stunning in Egypt. Because Aswan isn’t super developed, don’t expect a vast array of accommodation, restaurants and nightlife - go there to sightsee at a relaxed pace and enjoy the Nile and warm fall weather. You can read more in our city guide to Aswan. Things to do in Aswan in the fall: visit Philae Temple, Abu Simbel, explore the Nubian Village, take a Nile felucca You might also like: Where To Go In Egypt - 10 Best Egyptian Cities, Towns & Destinations

Alexandria’s home to tons of restaurants (or cafes posing as restaurants if you want to get technical), but which places make the cut if you’re in the city for only a few days? If you’re in the market for good food and not necessarily a sea view (although two of the below have views), then stick to this list of locally-tried and locally-loved restaurants in Alexandria -- it has everything from popular favorites to hidden gems. You might also like: Sightseeing in Alexandria: 15 Best Things To See and Do 1. Greek Club (White and Blue Restaurant) Specialty: Greek and seafood Greek Club is by far one of the most well-known restaurants in Alexandria, and for good reason -- the view over the Alexandrian harbor is second to none. Its real name is the White and Blue Restaurant, but locals refer it to as the Greek Club. Its menu is a mix of seafood and a few choice Greek dishes, and they serve beer and wine to enjoy alongside the view. Reservations recommended for the outdoor terrace on weekends. Keep in mind it’s on the pricey side though. Address: Bahary, right next to Qaitbey Citadel 2. Mohamed Ahmed Specialty: fuul and falafel Mohamed Ahmed has been serving up some of Alex’s favorite fuul and falafel for over 60 years, since 1957 (not sure what we’re talking about? Check out 12 Local Egyptian Foods You Need To Try). They also serve great egg dishes and cheese served in a variety of ways. Their restaurant is small and bare bones but gets the job done. Local tip: they're open 24/7, so it's never too early or too late to get your Mohamed Ahmed fix. Address: 17 Shokour St., off Saad Zaghloul St. 3. El Lol Specialty: seafood This place brings a whole new meaning to the word ‘fresh’. It’s a little family-run seafood shack on the beach where you can watch the fishermen bring in their haul of the day which will then be cooked and prepared for you while you sit looking out over the water. Because it’s not a ‘professional restaurant’, you might wait a little more than you’re used to for your food, but with a sea view like that, with a lighthouse in the background, what are you in a rush for? This place is on the outskirts of Alexandria, in the El Max area. Address: next to El Fanar, El Max 4. Chez Gaby Specialty: Italian A cozy taverna-style restaurant off of Fouad street, Chez Gaby au Ritrovo has been open since 1979 and they serve pizza, pasta and other Italian classics. They also serve wine and beer to enjoy with your meal. It’s a family-run business and you’ll find pizzas named after different family members and close family friends, which adds to its homey charm. They're closed on Mondays. Address: off of Fouad Street, close to the Alexandria Opera House 5. Farag Abou Khaled Specialty: Alexandrian liver This place has two branches: the original branch is where you go for the more authentic street food experience, but keep in mind it's neither fancy nor sparkling clean -- you’ll basically be eating on haphazard tables and chairs on the sidewalk. Their newer branch is two blocks away and bigger/cleaner, but short on charm. But in either case, if liver, especially Alexandrian liver, is your jam then definitely don’t miss Farag Abou Khaled. They serve liver, kidney, makhasi (not sure how to translate that one into English), brain, tongue and an assortment of other meats either in a sandwich, grilled or on a platter. Address: 32 El Sayed Mohamed Karim Street, El Gomrok 6. Teatro Eskendria Speciality: homemade Egyptian food Teatro is not only a restaurant and cafe that serves up classic Egyptian favorites, from breakfast to feteer to tagens to casseroles, but it's also a cultural center and art space. Owned by a group of artists, you can find Teatro in an Italian-built building dating back to 1928. Besides being a dining destination, Teatro also houses a gallery and bookshop, and hosts exhibitions, live performances, film screenings and children's activities. Address: 25 Fouad Street, El Raml Station 7. Negro Specialty: seafood While the restaurant's name is an unfortunate choice, deciding to eat there is not. This place has been open since 1987 but only recently have people outside of Alexandrian locals started to recognize it for the hidden gem it is. Don't expect a menu or an array of seafood to choose from -- here the chefs cook their own specials of the day based on the fresh catch they have on hand. You'll usually be served a salad, seafood soup and a few surprise seafood dishes, followed by fruit salad for dessert. The restaurant itself is small (only a smattering of tables) and dimly-lit at night with candles. Opening hours: 5 pm - 3 am Address: 33 Amin Khairat el Ghandour, Sidi Bishr You might also like: Where To Stay In Alexandria: 7 Best Hotels In The Mediterranean City

If we're all being honest here, who among us doesn't truly appreciate a 5-star luxury hotel? Very few of us, we imagine. And if you're planning a trip to Cairo, then you're in luck because Cairo has a plethora of 5-star luxury hotels, which are not only a great experience in and of themselves, but also a very welcome calm oasis from the hustle and bustle and chaos of Cairo's streets. And there's more good news: compared to the US and Europe, these high-end hotels in Cairo are definitely more affordable. So if you’ve always wanted to have the 5-star hotel experience but found it just too damn expensive (we hear you) then Cairo just might be the place where you can indulge cheaper than you would anywhere else. We compiled a list of our 7 favorite luxury hotels in Cairo based on which places produce the most bang for your buck, whether it comes to experience, location, view, restaurants, etc. Here they are in no particular order: 1. Sofitel Gezirah Location: Zamalek Sofitel Gezirah is one of our favorite hotels in Cairo for several reasons. First off, it’s an actual tower smack on the tip of an island in the middle of the Nile, so there’s no such thing as a bad view there. No looking out at the side of a brick building for you. Secondly, most of their restaurants are literally on the water -- all you need to do is reach down from your dinner table and stick your hand in the river (not sure if you would want to, though). Local tip: Their Moroccan restaurant has live Arabic music and a belly-dancer on weekend nights, so have a drink and a shisha next to the Nile and get ready for some entertainment. What we love: how everything is on the water, including their infinity pool, plus their location (close to Zamalek nightlife and the Cairo Museum simultaneously). 2. Four Seasons Nile Plaza Location: Garden City We don’t know about you, but whenever we think of Four Seasons, we feel all fancy. Four Seasons Nile Plaza is everything you’d expect of 5-star hotel -- great restaurants, shopping (they have a department store called Beymen), Nile views, awesome service, etc. If you always wanted to have the Four Seasons experience, Cairo is a good place to start. Local tip: there’s also another Four Seasons in Cairo called the Four Seasons First Residence (in Giza), but Four Seasons Nile Plaza is the clear winner in our eyes. What we love: their restaurants are all worth their salt. 3. Semiramis Intercontinental Location: Garden City The Semiramis is one of Cairo’s older hotels, and despite being a tad more dated than the others on this list, we still love it. The hotel overlooks the Nile on one side and Tahrir Square on the other (it’s basically sitting on Tahrir Square, so the location is awesome). It’s also a five minute walk to Cairo Museum. What we love: their rooftop pool and their restaurant Pane Vino, which has an outdoor terrace so you can eat outdoors with a shisha. Their Thai restaurant Bird Cage is pretty legit too. 4. Marriott Mena House Location: Pyramids You guys real talk, this hotel has *the* best view of the Giza pyramids of all hotels in the area. We also aren’t big fans other hotels in the Pyramids area but that’s a different story for a different day. It's also very close to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Who wouldn’t want to swim with an ancient wonder of the world in the background? We’ll wait. What we love: the Mena House started out as a royal lodge for the Khedive Ismail for when he or his guests wanted to rest after hunting in the desert or spending time at the Pyramids. It was then sold to a British couple in 1869 and turned into a hotel in 1887. It also has a lot of modern history: it was the setting for peace conferences between then-presidents Sadat, Jimmy Carter and Prime Minister Begin. You can’t pay for that kind of history, folks! (Or actually, yes you can). 5. Kempinski Nile Hotel Location: Garden City Kempinski, while not an actual boutique hotel, has a cute boutique-y feel to it compared to the other heavy-hitters on this list. It too is situated right on the river Nile in Garden City, close to Tahrir Square and the Cairo Museum. What we love: their rooftop pool, while small, has an awesome view. Their Turkish restaurant Osmanly is also a crowd favorite. 6. Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino Location: Zamalek A former palace, this now-hotel has the most stunning interiors and original architecture of any hotel in the city. Quick history run-through, because this hotel has a lot of it: the Cairo Marriott used to be the Palace el Gezirah, built by Khedive Ismail in 1869 (yup, same year he built his royal lodge, the now Marriott Mena House). This palace was a “guest palace” for the Suez Canal inauguration celebrations, and later on housed names you might recognize like Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III. For a deeper look at the hotel’s history, check out 11 Historical Hotels in Egypt that You Can Still Stay At. What we love: besides the architecture and history, the Marriott’s gardens are a great place to kick back with a drink and people-watch. 7. St. Regis Cairo Location: Corniche El Nil The newest hotel on this list (having opened its doors in 2019), St. Regis is a great option if you like your luxury hotels shiny and new. The St. Regis is right on the Nile and about a five minute drive from the Cairo Museum at Tahrir Square in Downtown Cairo. St. Regis Cairo is known for their upscale restaurants with spectacular Nile views, such as the J&G Steakhouse, La Zisa (Italian), Tianma (Singaporean) and Sirocco (Mediterranean). What we love: it's truly 5 star luxury and service across the board at the St Regis Cairo. You might also like: Where To Stay in Alexandria, Egypt: 7 Best Hotels In The Mediterranean City

Looking for a place to sip a coffee and work, but far, far away from your desk? Or maybe you want to read a book and decompress by yourself - even better. Zamalek in general is an ideal neighborhood for just that; most of its cafes are small and cozy and away from the hustle and bustle of the usual crowds. Below we put together a list of our favorite Zamalek cafes: some shine because of their aesthetics, others because of their food and/or coffee, and some because they allow you to be outdoors and still relax, which is no easy feat in Cairo. Note: Zamalek is home to other big coffee shop chains like Beano’s, Starbucks and Costa Coffee, but for our list we stuck to our favorite less-franchisey cafes. So next time you’re on the island with your laptop or your book and not sure where to go, head to one of these chill cafes. Granita Opening hours: 7 am - 10 pm Nestled next to the All Saints Cathedral in Zamalek is Granita, a "concept cafeteria" that's a nod to the 'grand cafes' of Egypt back in the 1930s and 1940s - think Groppi and other vintage cosmopolitan cafes. They have both an indoor and outdoor area perfect for sunny brunches, work meetings and or just enjoying a coffee and pastry solo. They offer breakfast, sandwiches, salads, pienirli (Greek pizzas), appetizers, main plates and homemade desserts. For more info: Granita Cake Cafe Opening hours: 8 am - 11 pm Cake Cafe has now become a Cairo phenomenon, with multiple branches in Sheikh Zayed, 6 October, New Cairo and even Hacienda on the North Coast. But it all started in Zamalek in 2013 when a tiny cafe with a few sidewalk tables opened next to Gezira Club - the start of Cake Cafe. Fast forward almost 10 years later and it’s still a Zamalek favorite for those looking for a spot to have coffee, dessert, work, or even bring their dog (more dog-friendly spots, please!). Besides the cakes and desserts they’re named for, they also have breakfast, sandwiches, flatbread and pizzas & pasta. For more info: Cake Cafe Holm Cafe Opening hours: 8 am - 11 pm Close by to Cake Cafe but even smaller, is Holm, which touts itself as your “neighborhood potluck cafe” (we’re not particularly sure what that means). Holm has one little outdoor table, and inside there’s comfy couches and chairs to work or sip your coffee as well. Their menu has baked goods, desserts, sandwiches, salads and of course coffee and juices galore. Its second floor is particularly pleasant, with windows overlooking trees and flowers (and the occasional passing car, this is still Cairo after all). For more info: Holm Cafe L’Aroma Opening hours: 9 am - 1 am Ah, the OG of Zamalek cafes to work in. We don’t remember exactly how long L’Aroma has been around for exactly, but it’s definitely the oldest on this list. For years L’Aroma has served up coffee and a workspace for all the companies and media agencies in its vicinity. It’s comfortable and spaced out enough that you can have a meeting or be on a call without feeling like you’re announcing everything on a megaphone to the coffee shop at large. L’Aroma has also gained in popularity since its inception, with a citywide presence now outside of Zamalek. For more info: L’Aroma Antique Khana Opening hours: 9 am - 1 am Tucked away from sight on the second floor of a residential building, Antique Khana is a hidden gem in Zamalek unless you’re one of the wise ones in the know (and if you are, come work with us lol). It’s a beautifully decorated cafe/restaurant with a nod to all that is nostalgic and vintage. It’s run by a family that loves music, books, antiques and the good ol’ days, and it reflects in Antique Khana. Besides their coffee and drink menu, they have a wide range of breakfast, lunch and dinner options - everything from pasta to salmon teriyaki. For more info: Antique Khana 30 North Opening hours: 8 am - midnight This is a good option for all those who are looking to sit outdoors without having to battle it out for the limited outdoor seating at places like Cake Cafe or Holm. 30 North is in the Iconia courtyard (the building that used to be the AUC dorms), and ¾ of it is open air (with a small indoor section as well). In the winter they provide heaters for the outside area. Besides 30 North’s own menu (which excels especially in coffee and breakfast), adjacent in the courtyard is Chicken & Ribs and Butcher’s Burger, alongside Stavola gelato. Local tip: not all the outdoor tables have electric outlet access, so make sure your laptop is charged or try to nab a table next to an outlet. For more info: 30 North Amor Perfecto Opening hours: 7:30 am - 11:30 am This one is for all the coffee aficionados out there. Amor Perfecto is a branch of a Colombian specialty coffee shop based in Bogota that has been winning awards since 1997, and they’ve started to spread globally. They especially pride themselves on their baristas who will help you pick your cup of specialty joe based on your personal coffee preferences. The specialty coffee there is definitely the star of the show, and you can buy the coffee beans as well. Don’t go if you’re hungry though; they have a few desserts to go alongside the coffee but not much beyond that. For more info: Amor Perfecto Sip Opening hours: 8 am - 11 pm This cafe hails all the way from Lebanon, and is known for their specialty coffee. Sip’s Zamalek branch is close to the Marriott (that area seems to be good real estate for cafes), and has not only outdoor seating but also great indoor aesthetics. Besides your standard coffee menu, Sip has a range of house blends and they also sell coffee by the 200gm bag (with beans from Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Ethiopia). You can also buy a bag of their house blend. Their food menu has the expected cafe fare of breakfast, sandwiches, salads and desserts. For more info: Sip You might also like: 7 Best Nile View Restaurants in Cairo

Most people who visit Aswan in Upper Egypt do it as part of an all-inclusive Luxor & Aswan Nile cruise, with a guide hustling you along from point A to point B: see this, look at that, take a picture, tip the guard, on to the next. And while it’s admittedly relaxing to let someone else do all the planning and organizing and transporting you from here to there, seeing the town on your own allows you to spend more time doing what really interests you, and skipping what doesn’t particularly float your boat (felucca in this case. Sorry, Egyptian dad joke). So if you’re interested in exploring Aswan on your own time, here are the best things to see and do: 1. Philae Philae is a temple complex on the Nile island of Agilkia, built during Ptolemaic times and finished during the Roman conquest. It’s known for being the last place where hieroglyphs were written, and the last place where the Ancient Egyptian religion was practiced. Christianity became present in Philae starting the 4th century, where it first was practiced alongside the Ancient Egyptian religion and then solely. Today you can see both the original Ancient Egyptian temples and the temples that were converted into churches. Another interesting fact about Philae is that it wasn’t always chilling on Agilkia Island -- it was actually dismantled, moved and reassembled by UNESCO to save it from the flooding of the Nile from 1960 to 1980 due to the Aswan High Dam. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside Abu Simbel, below. For more UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Egypt, head here. 2. Abu Simbel Speak of the devil. Abu Simbel, like Philae, was relocated and saved from the Nile. And when you see the ginormity of the monument, the fact they were able to do that is almost as awe-inspiring as the monuments themselves. Abu Simbel is actually two massive temples -- the one you see in all the pictures is the Great Temple dedicated to the gods and Ramses II, and the Small Temple is dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Nefertari, the Great Wife of Ramses II. The Abu Simbel temples are known to be some of the most beautiful temples in Egypt. Before you get too excited though, there’s some bad news. Abu Simbel is actually quite a ways from central Aswan, about a 3 hour car ride, and you can’t attempt it by yourself because security forces don’t want tourists driving lost in the remote southern desert. Have either your hotel or a tour agency arrange a car and driver for you. Read more: 12 Most Impressive Ancient Egyptian Temples Still Standing Today 3. Nubian Village What makes Aswan different from the rest of Egypt is its strong Nubian culture, which is apparent in the architecture, art and even the language of Aswan natives (they speak a mix of Arabic and Nubian that even other Egyptians can’t understand). The Nubian Village in Aswan is a beautiful place to walk around and see the symbolically painted houses and murals -- and it’s also a market of sorts, with handcraft shops and vendors galore. You can find everything from handwoven scarves to local spices to handmade jewelry. Local note: please don’t give money to anyone who wants to show you live crocodiles or let you hold baby ones, because they’re kept in really horrible conditions. Please support the Nubian Village in other ways, like by buying their handicrafts. 4. Nubian Museum So you got the look and feel of the Nubian Village (and probably a lot of souvenirs), but how about actually learning about the history and culture? Nubians hail from southern Egypt and northern Sudan, and their history is as old as Ancient Egypt’s. The preservation of Nubian culture is extremely important, because the heartland of Nubia was destroyed due to the flooding of the Nile. The museum tells the story of Nubia from its start as a prehistoric Nile Valley civilization, through the pharaonic era and introduction of Christianity and Islam to Egypt, up to the building of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s. For more important museums in Egypt, head here. 5. Day Trip to Lake Nasser South of the Aswan High Dam is Lake Nasser, one of the largest manmade lakes in the world, created after the dam was built. This massive reservoir is home to more wildlife than villages, so it’s easy to forget that anyone else exists when you’re in the middle of the enormity of the lake. There are cruises that take you around the lake, or you can arrange a day trip through your hotel or tour agency. If you’re the DIY type, you can also arrange with a local boatman in Aswan to take you down for a day in a motorboat. Lake Nasser is dotted with ancient monuments around its shoreline, and fishing is allowed in parts of the lake (you can fish from both the shore and your boat). Nile Perch is a type of prized fish found in Lake Nasser, and the lake is also one of the last safe havens for the Nile crocodile. 6. Temple of Kalabsha Speaking of Lake Nasser, one of its most famous monuments is the Temple of Kalabsha. It was originally built during Roman times, around 30 BC, over an earlier sanctuary built by Amonhotep II. Kalabsha was built as a shrine to Mandulis (Merul), an ancient Nubian sun god. When Christianity made its way to Aswan, the temple was converted to a church. Kalabsha is the second biggest monument after Abu Simbel to be moved from its original location to save it from the Nile flooding after the dam’s construction. 7. The Old Cataract Hotel This world-famous hotel was built in 1899 by Thomas Cook and Sons, after the Cairo-Aswan railway was built in 1898 and there was a sudden influx of visitors and and not enough hotels. They bought nine feddans from the government and hired architect Henri Favarger, the same architect who designed the famous Mena House in Cairo. It was an instant hit and quickly garnered a lot of famous guests over the years, including Tsar Nicholas II, Winston Churchill and Princess Diana. It became literally the stuff of ‘legends’ as its current name suggests, when Agatha Christie used it as the backdrop for her famous novel, Death on the Nile. The 1978 movie they made out of the book was shot there too (so was the famous Egyptian TV series ‘Grand Hotel’). It’s now known as the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel, and you can reserve a spot in their Nile-side restaurants to have a drink or meal. For more historical hotels in Egypt you can stay at until today, head here. 8. Unfinished Obelisk The Unfinished Obelisk is the largest obelisk built in Ancient Egypt, and if it had been completed it would’ve reached 42 meters (around 137 feet), which is one third larger than any other existing obelisk. Commissioned by the female pharaoh Hatshepsut, it was carved out of bedrock in a stone quarry, but cracks appeared in the granite during its construction, leading to its abandonment. You can still see it in its original quarry, giving interesting insight into the stone-working techniques of the Ancient Egyptians. 9. Qubbet el Hawa (Tombs of the Nobles) A necropolis of tombs spanning the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms, belonging to Ancient Egyptian officials and nobles. The tombs are on varying levels of a hilltop, with a domed tomb of an Islamic sheikh on the very top. It’s still an active excavation site, so who knows what else will be found there in the future. The tombs which are allowed public access rotate, but the most celebrated tombs there belong to Harkhuf, Sarenput II and Sabni. Reaching the top of the hill is a bit of a trek, but it’s also home to some of the very best views in Aswan. You might also like: 8 Best Ancient Egyptian Tomb Sites in Modern Egypt 10. Elephantine Island This island used to be the Ancient Egyptian city of Abu, which translated to ‘elephant’. The first temple built on the island was around 3,200 BC (around 5,200 years ago), and it was a temple for Satet, a goddess personified as the Nile inundation. Elephantine was also known in the Ancient Egyptian religion as being the home of Khnum, the ram god who watched over and controlled the Nile waters. Around 3,500 years ago Elephantine became a fort that marked the southern border of Egypt. Today Elephantine Island is home to some ruins, but most people enjoy seeing the Nubian homes there and Animalia, a Nubian home turned museum and B&B. 11. Botanical gardens on Kitchener’s Island British Lord Kitchener (1850-1916) was gifted this small Nile island as thanks for his military prowess in Sudan. He built a house and turned the whole island into a botanical garden, importing plants from as far as Malaysia and India. He was fluent in Arabic and is said to have preferred the company of the Egyptians over the British. The island is called Geziret el Nabatat in Arabic (‘island of the plants’). You can enjoy walking through the exotic trees and plants (closed on Fridays). 12. Day trip to Kom Ombo and Edfu It’s customary to see the temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu on Luxor-Aswan cruises (the temples are on the Nile between the two cities), but just because you skipped the cruise doesn’t mean you have to skip seeing two of Egypt’s most impressive temples. Granted, it’s a long drive (an hour to Kom Ombo and then another 2 hours to Edfu) but it’s definitely worth it. Kom Ombo is an unusual double temple built in the Ptolemaic times, and 300 crocodile mummies were found there (in the adjacent Crocodile Museum). The Temple of Horus at Edfu is also a Ptolemaic shrine, and one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt -- it’s nearly intact. You might also like: 10 Best Things to Do in Luxor, Egypt - As Told By Locals

Visiting Egypt and looking for more memorable accommodation instead of just your everyday generic hotel chain? Well you’re in luck, because throughout the various cities and travel destinations in Egypt, there are a handful of beautiful boutique hotels that are all about providing thoughtful, unique experiences, whether through their architecture and interior design, their service or just their overall mission and ethos. That being said, here are some of the best boutique hotels in Egypt in our humble opinion: Lazib Inn Resort & Spa Location: Fayoum Lazib Inn is an eight-suite boutique hotel on a green hilltop overlooking Fayoum’s Lake Qarun, built in the Fayoumi architectural style. Because the rooms are so limited, the hotel has an intimate and home-like feel to it. They have a full-service spa as well as an outdoor pool and jacuzzi. Tunis Village, the main sightseeing area of Fayoum, is right outside of the hotel and they can also arrange trips into the desert to see Wadi el Hitan, Wadi el Rayan and other great sites in the Fayoum area. For more details and booking: http://lazibinn.com/ La Maison Bleue Location: El Gouna La Maison Bleue is designed after 19th century Mediterranean mansions, influenced by architecture in Italy, Turkey, Syria and North Africa and furnished with European pieces from the past 3 centuries. This adult-only luxury hotel has only suites and super premium suites, making it a favorite of couples and celebrities looking for privacy. It has an outdoor pool (heated in the winter months), full spa and a private beach right on a Red Sea lagoon. It’s just steps away from Abu Tig Marina, and you can read our full local’s guide to El Gouna here. For more details and booking: https://lamaison-bleue.com/ Al Tarfa Desert Sanctuary Location: Dakhla Oasis This boutique hotel on the edge of Gilf el Kebir and the Great Sand Sea in Egypt’s Western Desert is so remote that the only way of reaching it is by small plane, arranged by the Al Tarfa team. The sanctuary itself has only 20 rooms and suites, so privacy is guaranteed on this spacious private reserve, amongst date and acacia tree orchards. You can relax in the garden or at the pool, surrounded by Dakhla Oasis’ rare mix of greenery, desert and mountains. Whether you’re there to just relax or to explore this mysterious and isolated place, the Al Tarfa team will set it up for you from A to Z. For more details and booking: https://altarfa.net/ BenBen Hotel Location: Aswan Located on Heissa Island surrounded by the Nile in Aswan, this boutique hotel and ecolodge has views of not only Philae Temple, but the Aswan High Dam as well. The hotel as 24 rooms, each with an outdoor jacuzzi. Yep, you read that right! The hotel is built in the eco-friendly Nubian style, with strong focus on its natural surroundings and best ecological practices. Besides their own restaurant and leisure activities, the hotel can also arrange different Aswan excursions for you. For more details and booking: their website Villa Belle Époque Location: Cairo Hidden away in the green (yes, green) suburb of Maadi, you’ll find a refurbished colonial villa dating back to the 1920s. This villa is now the boutique hotel Villa Belle Époque, with each of its rooms named after a different Egyptian city and designed accordingly with local art and vintage pieces. On the grounds of the villa there’s also a pool and patio surrounded by lemon, olive, mango and guava trees. They also have the Acacia restaurant, where you can enjoy international fare made out of fresh Egyptian ingredients. For more details and booking: Villa Belle Époque FB page Adrère Amellal Location: Siwa Oasis This hidden-away, primitive and yet still luxurious boutique hotel is an ecolodge out in the remote Siwa Oasis, with earth buildings that blend into the landscape. There’s no electricity, so Adrère Amellal comes alive at night with candles and lanterns. This is the place to go if you want to totally disconnect from it all and feel at one with nature -- all elements of this hotel are made from local and natural materials, including the actual buildings themselves. Read more: 10 Unforgettable Things To Do In Siwa Oasis Visited by celebrities and royalty, Adrère Amellal is not by any means cheap, but its 5 star service and dining will still have you feeling the luxury even in the most primitive of settings. For more details and booking: https://www.adrereamellal.com Al Moudira Location: Luxor Lots of guests refer to this boutique hotel on the West Bank of Luxor as an ‘oasis’ after spending the day exploring ancient Egyptian desert tombs and temples in the soaring Luxor temperatures. Set in a more green rural setting than the rest of central Luxor, Al Moudira has a pool, jacuzzi, terrace and grounds that you can enjoy away from the hustle and bustle. Each of their rooms are individually designed, and everything ties together to give the look and feel of an Arabesque palace, with different nods throughout to ancient Egyptian art. For more details and booking: Al Moudira’s Booking.com listing You might also like: 11 Historical Hotels in Egypt You Can Still Stay At Today

Zamalek is by far one of the most popular Cairo neighborhoods when it comes to eating, drinking and being merry; locals, expats and tourists alike are regularly found kicking back in the Nile island’s numerous restaurants and bars. That being said, there are some great restaurants flying under the radar in Zamalek; hidden gems of sorts frequented usually only by the people who live nearby and who are in the know. We were of two minds actually before writing this --why expose our hidden gems, they’re great hidden!-- but then we realized that’d be selfish of us, plus in covid-19 times, our favorite spots need all the support they can get. So let’s hop right into it before we change our minds: O’s Pasta This tiny little pasta place is very easy to miss unless you’re specifically looking for it. Located across from Abou el Sid off of 26th July Street (super convenient if you’re staying at the Cairo Marriott in Zamalek), this little place offers up around 20 different pasta dishes, ranging from southeast Asian inspired to local Red Sea seafood pasta, as well as a few soups, salads and antipasti. The pasta is all fresh and homemade, and the sauces are made right in front you. Alcohol is not served. O Pasta’s menu. Local tip: try their lemon bar for dessert Makino Cairo has some decent sushi, some ‘okay?’ sushi and not much else by way of Japanese food. The exception to that is the little-known Makino, found in the Hilton Zamalek. Makino is very well known with Japanese expats living in Cairo, but remains a hidden gem to Egyptian locals and tourists. Their kitchen is staffed by Japanese chefs who not only serve up authentic sushi, sashimi, makimono, daily bento, udon and ramen, but also occasionally give an Egyptian twist -- molokheya cold noodle anyone? Alcohol is served. Makino’s menu (keep in mind though they have daily, weekly and monthly specials which might not be on the menu). Local tip: They’re closed daily from 3 pm to 6 pm, so head there either for lunch starting 12:30 pm, or dinner from 6 pm on to 10:30 pm. Sapori di Carlo Translating to ‘Carlo’s flavors’ in Italian, the Carlo in question would be Chef Carlo Adib, who had his own Michelin-recognized Italian restaurant in Paris. Sapori di Carlo is a hidden gem due to its small size (it can take only up to 20 people), so most people cruise right past it on Mohammed Mazhar without even seeing it. They mainly focus on Neapolitan pizza, with their pizza oven being the star and focal point of the restaurant, but also have a handful of pasta and bruschetta dishes. Alcohol isn’t served. Sapori di Carlo’s menu. Local tip: if you’re in the mood for Neapolitan pizza but too lazy to actually leave your house to procure it, Sapori di Carlo delivers. La Trattoria This restaurant is a Zamalek classic and it always puzzles us that so many locals don’t know about it. To be fair, their guests are so loyal that they don’t really need to advertise or market themselves but here we are doing it for them anyway! La Trattoria is upscale but without being pretentious or stuffy ('casual fine dining' is how they describe themselves), and has built its intensely loyal fanbase on its warm ambience, consistently good quality Italian fare, wine and attentive service. La Trattoria’s menu. Local tip: the restaurant is almost invisible from the street with no obvious signage; it’s right next to the Mit Rihan gallery on Maraashly Street and has a large wooden door. Don Corleone When we say ‘hidden’ gem, we weren’t kidding when it comes to Don Corleone -- they’re delivery and take-away only. Yup, unless you’re somehow in the know, this pizzeria has probably escaped your attention, which is a shame -- they do some awesome thin crust pizzas, plus different focaccias. A great alternative for when you’re in the mood for pizza but don’t want to feel like death after (looking at you, Pizza Hut). Don Corleone’s menu. Sabai Sabai Another long-term Zamalek heavy hitter, Sabai Sabai is a Thai restaurant hidden in the same shabby building as Metro Market in Zamalek, near Flamenco Hotel. It’s a real shame that most Cairenes and foreigners haven’t heard about Sabai Sabai -- you’re missing out (except on the horrible parking, that is). Staffed by Egyptians but headed by a Thai chef, almost all of Sabai Sabai’s rave reviews mention the authenticity of the food, and their menu even has a few nods to Chinese cuisine (their dim sum is awesome) and Vietnamese. Alcohol is served. Sabai Sabai’s menu. You might also like: Thai in Cairo: 7 Best Thai Restaurants in the City Granita Nestled next to the All Saints Cathedral in Zamalek is the newly-opened Granita, a "concept cafeteria" that's a nod to the 'grand cafes' of Egypt back in the 1930s and 1940s - think Groppi and other vintage cosmopolitan cafes. They have both an indoor and outdoor area perfect for sunny brunches, work meetings and or just enjoying a coffee and pastry solo. They offer breakfast, sandwiches, salads, pienirli (Greek pizzas), appetizers, main plates and homemade desserts. You might also like: 7 Best Bars, Pubs & Restobars in Zamalek

Whether it’s for Valentine’s Day, an anniversary or just any regular day of the week (the best option, in our opinion!), sometimes it’s nice to have dinner and a drink with your partner far away from the usual Cairo chaos of most restaurants. Cairo has thousands of places to eat, and most are crowded, loud and brightly-lit – not exactly the ambiance you’re going for if you’re on a date. And while we still love some of those chaotic restaurants (Kebda el Prince, anyone?), today we’re focusing on where to go if you’re looking for good food, wine AND a great date vibe. So without further ado: 1. Sachi Location: Heliopolis, Sheikh Zayed While we love the terrace of Sachi Park St. in Sheikh Zayed, honestly either of Sachi’s two branches (the original being in Heliopolis) would make a great date spot. They deliver upscale Mediterranean fusion and sushi in gorgeous dimly-lit interiors. For more info and to reserve: Sachi Read: Nightlife in Heliopolis - 10 Best Restaurants, Bars & Pubs 2. Crimson Location: Zamalek If you want your date spot to incorporate a view, then look no further than Crimson, which has one of the best sweeping Nile views in the city. It’s equally as nice for a day date as it is for a night one - and they even serve breakfast! Make sure you snag one of the tables right at the end of the terrace. For more info and to reserve: Crimson Read: 7 Best Bars, Restobars & Pubs in Zamalek 3. Estro Location: Maadi This Italian rooftop restaurant & bar in Maadi is the perfect place to go during the day right before sunset - if you’re lucky and the skies are clear, you can actually see in the distance not only the Pyramids of Giza, but the Saqqara AND Dahshur Pyramids too! For more info and reservations: Estro Read: 12 Chill Places in Maadi for Dinner & Drinks 4. Kazoku Location: New Cairo This Japanese-inspired restaurant and bar in the Swan Lake Compound of New Cairo is brought to you by the same restaurateurs that brought us Sachi. This indoor/outdoor restaurant is known for its sushi and creative cocktails. For more info and reservations: Kazoku Read: 9 Best Restaurant & Bars for Dinner and Drinks in New Cairo 5. Villa Belle Epoque Location: Maadi This converted villa-turned-boutique hotel is hidden down one of Maadi’s little leafy streets, making it the perfect spot for a date away from crowds. Villa Belle Epoque’s restaurant serves its meals next to their small pool, surrounded by trees and flowers. For more info and reservations: Villa Belle Epoque 6. Izakaya Location: 6 October City Cairo’s first Nikkei restaurant (Japanese-Peruvian fusion) is a great date spot for nights when the weather is warm enough to sit outdoors in their wooden terrace lit up by fairy lights. Avoid weekend nights though if you’re looking for a quieter vibe. For more info and reservations: Izakaya 7. Pier 88 Location: Zamalek This Nile view restaurant & bar is not only one of our Cairo favorites, but Gouna favorites too. They also have a branch in 6 October, but our favorite is the Zamalek one - it's a great spot for day date or weeknights (not Tuesday though!). Tuesday and weekends get loud and more dancey, so keep that in mind unless that's the vibe you're looking for. Try to score a table on their outdoor deck if you can! For more info and reservations: Pier 88 You may also like: 7 Best Nile View Restaurants in Cairo

Sharm El Sheikh has been THE international beach destination darling of Europeans, Middle Easterners and domestic Egyptian tourists for decades now, and for very good reason. It has year-round warm weather, azure water, soft sand beaches, a plethora of hotels and resorts and some of the most spectacular diving in the world (according to international divers, we’re not being biased!). Recently other Red Sea beach towns like Hurghada, El Gouna and Marsa Alam have been giving Sharm El Sheikh (or Sharm as we locals call it) a run for their money in popularity, but Sharm remains the OG of the Red Sea beach resort scene. Read more: Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera - Where To Stay Go to Sharm if you want: affordable resort luxury. Sharm El Sheikh is very much an all-inclusive hotel package destination – this is where to go if you want to stay at affordable but still 5 star luxury beach resorts, with everything you need for a great beach vacation all within your hotel. Don’t go to Sharm if you want: a backpacker’s type of beach holiday or anything off the beaten track. Up the Sinai coast of Sharm El Sheikh is the bohemian beach town of Dahab, which is far more suited for that kind of trip. Nuweiba and Ras Shitan also are home to dozens of camps right on the beach. Quick Facts About Sharm El Sheikh Sharm is on the tip of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula where the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba meet the waters of the Gulf of Suez in the Red Sea, leading to its wildly diverse marine life Sharm El Sheikh used to be a fishing village before it was turned into a port due to its strategic naval positioning. Israel invaded and occupied the Sinai Peninsula, including Sharm, from 1967 to 1982. When Egypt reclaimed it in 1982, it was deemed the ‘City of Peace’ and development ensued to make it an international tourist destination Best Time To Go To Sharm Sharm El Sheikh is a year-round destination, but its ‘high season’ is the spring and fall, with average daily temperatures of 25-30 degrees Celsius and cloudless skies – aka, ideal beach weather. From June to August it’s significantly hotter, with temperatures reaching the mid to high 30s Celsius. If you love the sun and heat, then summer is a good time to go because you’ll find more affordable deals and less crowds than the high season. Even in the winter, Europeans and Brits still escape to Sharm to enjoy the sun and warmth. From December to February, the daytime temperature averages around the early 20s Celsius, and even if the sea might be too cold for you, lots of resorts have heated pools, so you can still enjoy swimming. How To Get There 1. Flying (recommended): Sharm El Sheikh has an international airport which receives dozens of international and domestic flights a day. Sharm is around a 4.5 hour flight from many European cities and around 5.5 hours from British cities, and there are tons of budget flights with really cheap airfare or combo airfare/hotel packages. If you want to fly domestically, most flights within Egypt going to Sharm el Sheikh will originate from Cairo or at least transit there. There’s only a weekly direct flight between Sharm and Luxor, and there are no direct flights between Hurghada/Sharm or Aswan/Sharm. You’ll have to transit in Cairo. A direct flight between Cairo and Sharm is around an hour. 2. By Car: No matter where you are in Egypt, your hotel or anyone in the know can arrange to hire a private car and driver to take you to Sharm El Sheikh. The drive from Cairo is around 6 hours. 3. By Bus: Several different bus companies serve Sharm, most originating from Cairo. The most popular are Go Bus, Superjet and East Delta. They’re air-conditioned buses and the trip averages around 8 hours. Important local tip: if you’re entering Sharm (or the Sinai peninsula as a whole) via car or bus, then make sure you have proper ID on you because there are A LOT of security checks on the road. They’ll ask to look at your passport and ask where you’re going, and might search your car and bags. Make sure that any alcohol bottles you have are unopened and that you have a receipt for them (to prove they’re not bought from the Egyptian black market). In general, flying into Sharm is much easier just because you skip the hassle of the Sinai road security checks which can take a long time, adding hours to your overall journey. Once you’re actually in the city of Sharm (where the airport is), getting around is much easier. Is there a ferry between Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh? No, there’s currently no ferry available for travelers between Hurghada and Sharm, even if you find confusingly vague information online. Do You Need A Visa For Sharm El Sheikh? If you’re flying directly into Sharm El Sheikh (ie., Sharm is your entry point into Egypt), and if you're not staying in the Sinai peninsula for more than 15 days, then you don’t need to buy an entry visa at the airport. You'll get something called a 'Sinai Stamp' for free on your passport -- emphasis on the 'free' part, don't believe anyone at the airport who says they'll get you a stamp for the "low price" of a couple of euro - this is a scam, just ignore them and go straight to an airport official. If you plan to go to Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada, or any other Egyptian destination outside of the Sinai peninsula, or plan to stay longer than 15 days, you’ll need to get the visa. It’s $25 upon arrival. Where To Stay In Sharm El Sheikh Which hotel in Sharm should I choose? Sharm has really boomed as a beach destination since 1982 – there are now over 350 hotels! Choosing a hotel out of so many can feel overwhelming, but it’s really just about your personal preferences. There’s everything from adult-only hotels to hotels created specifically for families with kids; all-inclusive hotels (all meals and drinks included), to more budget stays; hotels right on the beach, and others that need a shuttle to bring you to the beach, etc. You get the idea – there’s everything lol. Lots of people come to Sharm via preset flight/hotel packages provided by different travel agencies, whether in Egypt or their home country. But if you’re more of an independent traveler, then we recommend making a list of things that are important for you during your Sharm trip and then searching for hotels that match your criteria on the usual online hotel booking sites. Example: heated pools, in-house diving centers, or specific facilities/amenities. A little research goes a long way and can really make a difference – and of course, make sure to read guest reviews and the fine print! You can also find cheap flights on sites like Skyscanner and the likes, so you don’t need to depend on a travel agency. Which area in Sharm is best to stay in? For the most part, Sharm is divided into 3 main areas: Nabq, Naama Bay and Hadaba (also known as Ras Um El Sid or Old Sharm). Nabq is northeast of Sharm Airport and is the quietest, with long stretches of beachfront luxury resorts (not to be confused with the Nabq Protectorate, which is next to the neighborhood of Nabq in Sharm but protected from development). Between Nabq and Naama Bay are Knights Bay, Sharks Bay, and Coral Bay, also home to lots of 5 star resorts like the Four Seasons. Between Coral Bay and Naama Bay is Soho Square, a nightlife spot run by Savoy Hotels. Naama Bay used to be known as ‘central Sharm’ because of its myriad hotels and promenade of shisha cafes, shops, restaurants and bars. While the hotels are still beautiful and act as an oasis from the hustle and bustle outside, and the beaches are very easy to wade into with minimal coral, the promenade itself has seen better days and the shopkeepers and touts can be obnoxious. Hadaba (Ras Um El Sid) is what’s considered Old Sharm (the first part of the city to be developed), and is home to the Old Market and Al Sahaba Mosque. Local tip: Honestly, it doesn’t really matter which area of Sharm you stay in, considering as they all have beachfront hotels where you’ll be spending the majority of your time. Your choice of hotel is more important than your choice of area. How To Get Around Sharm Unfortunately there’s no Uber (or Careem, the Middle East version), so you’re stuck with taxis. Most of the cabs in Sharm won’t have a running meter, so it’s important you tell the driver where you’re going and negotiate a price before climbing in. They can easily ask for astronomical prices, so make sure to haggle (unless you feel comfortable paying what they’re asking for). You can also arrange with your hotel to get you a private car & driver, but that’s obviously more expensive than a cab. Is Sharm safe? And is Sharm safe for solo women travelers? Yes, it’s safe! So much so that extremely important international conferences (like the recent COP27) are held there, with politicians, dignitaries and VIPs all staying in the city. Sharm had a rough few years after the 2011 revolution because it’s such a tourist hub, but the good news is that Sharm is now one of the safest cities in Egypt because of all the ensuing security measures. Like we mentioned above, driving to Sharm from Cairo is a hassle because of all the security checkpoints on the roads, where they search everything from cars to bags. So while annoying, it’s a good problem to have. Sharm itself is a walled city, with heavily monitored entrance and exit points – so basically anyone who’s in Sharm has to have a reason to be! All hotels and resorts have their own security as well obviously, and all public areas are under tight surveillance by the Tourist Police (both in uniform and plainclothes). If you’re a solo woman, you’ll hopefully feel 100% safe enjoying your resort – everyone there wears normal swim and beachwear, so don’t feel like you have to cover up at your hotel. Even when you’re in public places, the attire is much more relaxed than in cities like Cairo or Alexandria. What COULD possibly be annoying to women travelers (well, to everyone really but especially women) is how pushy and annoying the shopkeepers and touts can be about selling you their wares or ushering you into their cafes/restaurants. Just say no firmly and politely and keep it moving; they’re obnoxious but harmless. Things To Do In Sharm El Sheikh We wrote a long article about the 12 best things to do in Sharm El Sheikh, so all the meaty info is there. But if you want a quick spoiler of the top things people love: scuba diving, snorkeling, boat trips and relaxing on serviced beaches. Where To Go Out In Sharm El Sheikh If you decided to take a break from your hotel and see what else is going in Sharm, then the main places you’ll probably be heading are the following: 1. Soho Square Soho Square has restaurants, bars, cafes, shisha, ice skating, kids’ arcade, bowling, culturama, tennis and squash. It’s clean and organized and run by the Savoy Hotel group, so not chaotic like Naama Bay or the Old Market. Soho Square’s restaurants: L’Entrecote (steakhouse), Zen (Chinese), Akuna Matata (international fusion), Teppanyaki (Japanese), Luxor (Egyptian), Bombay (Indian), Mai Thai, Sushi Lounge, Koutouki (Greek) and Mandarin Bistro. Soho Square’s bars: Ice Bar, Crystal Lounge, Oxygen Bar, Queen Vic British Pub, Mandarin Bar, El Kahwa and Kitano Top Bar. Local tip: some of the restaurants/bars have a dress code of no shorts and flip-flops for men. 2. Naama Bay Naama Bay has restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes, shisha, fast food, shops and casinos. It’s a bit chaotic and shopkeepers can be pushy, but it can still be fun. If you’re looking for quick fast food on the go, here you’ll find McDonald’s, KFC and Pizza Hut. Some of Naama Bay’s restaurants: Peking (Chinese), Abou El Sid (Egyptian), TGI Friday’s, Pomodoro, Tandoori, Hard Rock Cafe Some of Naama Bay’s bars: Camel Bar & Rooftop, Tavern Bar, Bus Stop, Pirates Bar, Blue Stone Pub Some of Naama Bay’s clubs: Pacha, Little Buddha, Space 3. Hadaba/Old Sharm Besides souvenir shopping (and haggling) in the Old Market, if you want to go to a beach bar for the day, then Old Sharm has El Fanar Beach (with Farsha Lounge overlooking it, which happens to be one of the most beautiful spots in Sharm and home to one of the best views in all of Egypt!). El Fanar Beach and Terrazzina Beach also have frequent beach parties. If you’re looking for some great old school restaurants, there’s Sinai Star (best seafood in Sharm), El Masrien (Egyptian classics) and Fares (also seafood). These places aren’t exactly ambient but the food is great. Read more: 12 Local Egyptian Foods You Have To Try At Least Once Tipping Egypt has a strong tipping culture, especially in the service industry. There’s no set percentage or number that works across the board, it’s really up to you and what you feel comfortable with (knowing that tips are always greatly appreciated because wages are so low in Egypt!) A couple of local tips about tips (heh heh): It’s always best to tip in the local currency of EGP If you have to tip in foreign currency, please make sure it’s dollars/euros/sterling because it’s harder to exchange lesser-used currencies If tipping in foreign currency, please give actual bills and not coins because foreign exchange bureaus won’t accept coins – so it’s like you tipped them nothing in the end Usual people to tip: servers, hotel staff (especially cleaning crew – if you don’t see them before you check out, leaving some money in your room for them is appreciated), tour guides or boat crew (anyone who took you on an excursion of sorts) Who you don’t need to tip: taxi drivers (they’re probably ripping you off to begin with), anyone who demands a tip but has provided no service (while this sounds illogical, it does happen) Leaving Basically the same way you came, lol. Your hotel can arrange an airport transfer for you or you can take a taxi (to the airport or bus terminal, whichever way you’re leaving). We hope this first-timers guide to Sharm El Sheikh was useful – and that it’ll lead to your second, third and tenth trip to Sharm! For more city guides: Hurghada City Guide El Gouna City Guide Aswan City Guide

Founded over 2,000 years ago, Alexandria is an even older city than Cairo, which is what makes this seaside city so special; it’s an ancient modern city (yes this is an oxymoron, but it’s true). Read: Sightseeing in Alexandria: 15 Best Things To See and Do And while obviously Alexandria’s hotels today aren’t ancient, many are significant in modern Egyptian history, which adds an extra element of intrigue to what would otherwise be a regular hotel stay. Here are our favorite Alex hotels: Steigenberger Cecil Star rating: 4 stars Founded in 1929, the Cecil Hotel was originally a ‘romantic’ colonial-style hotel opened by a Jewish French-Egyptian family, the Metzgers. It was extremely popular in its heyday and hosted everyone from Umm Kalthoum to Josephine Baker and Al Capone. During World War II, it was used as headquarters for British Intelligence. Now managed by the international hotel chain Steigenberger, the Cecil has an enviable location near the Alexandrian harbor and is walking distance from the National Museum of Alexandria and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Steigenberger Cecil's website. Four Seasons Alexandria at San Stefano Star rating: 5 stars If you’re looking for seaside luxury in Alexandria, then the Four Seasons is the place for you. Besides the awesome sea views, they have a private sandy beach for people who want to experience swimming in the Mediterranean. Like you’d expect from a Four Seasons, they have an outdoor infinity pool and an indoor heated pool for the colder months (Alexandria, unlike the rest of Egypt, is known for its rain in winter). They also have a two-storey spa and nine different restaurants and bars. Four Seasons Alexandria's website. Paradise Inn Le Metropole Star rating: 4 stars Even though the hotel Le Metropole was built in 1902 by Greek and Italian architects, the history regarding the piece of land where the hotel was built is *much* older. Like, around 2,000 years older! Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt who probably needs no introduction, built the Caesareum of Alexandria, a temple to honor her lover Julius Caesar. After her suicide, Roman emperor Augustus turned the Caesareum into his own cult temple, and brought over two obelisks from Heliopolis to adorn the exterior. Even though it was Augustus who had brought them over, they became known as ‘Cleopatra’s Needles’. The hotel that was built where the obelisks once stood is none other than Le Metropole, and instead of the Caesareum, there’s now a statue of Saad Zaghloul, a nationalist leader. The hotel today is dated but still carries a lot of its original turn of the 20th century charm, as well as original paintings and antiques. They have a rooftop restaurant with awesome sea views. Paradise Inn Le Metropole's website. Hilton Alexandria Corniche Star rating: 5 stars Like its name suggests, the Hilton Alexandria Corniche is right on the famous Alexandria coastal street. Similar to the Four Seasons, it has its own private beach ideal for summer months. Besides the beach, it has a rooftop view with great sea views, plus five different restaurants. Its location is also ideally central and walkable to several different attractions like the National Museum. Hilton Alexandria Corniche's website. Paradise Inn Windsor Palace Star rating: 4 stars Founded in 1906, the Windsor Palace was in quite the enviable location back 100 years ago -- it was close to the Ramleh train station and Alexandria’s old port harbor, as well as the shopping district and seaside promenades. Since it was right on the Mediterranean Sea, it was definitely more of a ‘resort hotel’ back in the day than it is now. Like Le Metropole, the current hotel that stands today has seen much better days, but holds on to its original paintings, antiques and choice furnishings, to give modern guests a feel of what the hotel was like back in its golden days. They’re also known for their rooftop restaurant and bar with panoramic sea views. Paradise Inn Windsor Palace's website. Hilton Alexandria Green Plaza Star rating: 5 stars Our second Hilton entry on the list. More of a business hotel than a resort one, the Hilton Alexandria Green Plaza was voted ‘Egypt’s Leading Conference Hotel’, so it’s a good choice if you’re in town on business. They have an outdoor and indoor pool, seven restaurants and bars, and are adjacent to a large mall with over 300 stores plus a cinema. Hilton Alexandria Green Plaza's website. Helnan Palestine Star rating: 5 stars This hotel, located in the former royal palace grounds of El Montaza, was built in 6 months in 1964 under orders from President Gamal Abdel Nasser. He wanted to build a hotel specifically to house all the Arab royalty, heads of state and dignitaries who were flying to Alexandria to attend the second ever Arab League Summit, and needless to say, he wanted to provide the very best in luxury, comfort and views; he handpicked the location of the hotel himself. It was at this summit that they formally approved the establishment of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (hence the name of the hotel). For the 2002 opening of the new Library of Alexandria, or Bibliotheca Alexandrina, presidents, royalty and celebrities flew in to attend and stayed at the Helnan Palestine, including Jacques Chirac, Sofia the Queen of Spain, and Rania the Queen of Jordan. Helnan Palestine's website. You might also like: 7 Must-Try Restaurants in Alexandria

Aside from Cairo and maybe Luxor, Sharm el Sheikh is one of the most famous destinations in Egypt, and has been for decades – and it has nothing to do with the Pyramids or Ancient Egypt, but is all about that idyllic beach life. Sharm el Sheikh on Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula (or just Sharm as we locals call it) is mainly known for its year-round warm Red Sea beaches and spectacular diving and snorkeling. While in years past it was known to be a nightlife hub, it’s now more of a resort destination – we’re talking dozens upon dozens of all-inclusive, fully-serviced beach resorts and hotels where you can kick back and enjoy that Egyptian sun and sea, even when it’s freezing back in your hometown. (Local tip: if you’re looking for a Red Sea destination that has a bit more action outside the resorts than Sharm, then check out Hurghada or El Gouna). But don’t think Sharm being a resort destination means you’re just going to be sitting by some pool the whole time, no sir! Sharm el Sheikh is packed full of things to do, and here are some of the best things to do in Sharm: 1. Experience some of the best scuba diving in the world. And that’s not us being biased. PADI, the world-renowned scuba diving experts, released their annual 10 best dive sites in the world and Sharm el Sheikh and its adjacent Ras Mohamed National Park constantly rank high on the list. Sharm’s Red Sea diving offers everything from wreck dives to shark dives to an insane abundance of vibrant marine life. Read more: 7 Best Diving Spots in Egypt’s Red Sea For Divers of All Levels 2. Snorkel year-round in Sharm’s warm waters. If diving is too time intensive or maybe the concept makes you wary, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on seeing Sharm’s gorgeous aquatic offerings. Boats can easily take you to the best snorkeling spots, where you end up seeing almost as much as divers do (you might even be able to see and swim with a dolphin or turtle if lucky). There are also a ton of easily-accessible shore reefs, and lots of resorts have jetties from the beach that you can walk along until you reach the deeper waters where an abundance of fish are. Even when the water in the winter is a tad too cold for bathing suits, just rent a wetsuit from your resort’s activities hub and you’ll be good to go. 3. Boat trip to White Island. Around 10 km from Sharm el Sheikh, in the protected Ras Mohamed marine park we mentioned above, is a white sandbar island called (for obvious reasons) White Island. This plateau is where the waters from the Gulf of Suez meet the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea, and sitting on the island you can see Africa to your left and Asia to your right. It's a great spot for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing and you can easily reach it by boat from Sharm or Ras Mohamed. Read more: 7 Red Sea Islands in Egypt Perfect For a Boat Day Trip 4. Relax at serviced beaches. Sometimes a beach holiday is just that - a holiday, meant for not moving from your sun lounger with the exception of getting up to cool off every now and then in the sea or pool. Sharm is chock-full of resorts that have fully serviced beaches, meaning everything from umbrellas, towels, food, drinks and entertainment is brought right to you while you recline on the beach. Read more: 9 Best Egyptian Beach Holiday Destinations 5. Enjoy your resort’s activities and amenities. Besides just relaxing by the beach or pool, the great thing about Sharm El Sheikh’s resorts and hotels is that they usually have a plethora of different activities and facilities for you to try; everything from water parks to spas to various sports to daytime excursions. There’s also a lot of great activities for kids and animation teams to keep the vibe lively. 6. Day trip or camping in Ras Mohamed National Park. Like we mentioned above, Ras Mohamed National Park is adjacent to Sharm el Sheikh and is a natural protectorate with spectacular diving and snorkeling. You can either spend the day there or stay at a camp on the beach in the park’s designated camping area. Read more: Camping in Egypt - 8 Beautiful and Remote Places to Camp 7. Al Sahaba Mosque If you’re interested in seeing a different side of Sharm el Sheikh besides the beach and resort life, then check out Al Sahaba Mosque at the Old Market. This mosque looks like something straight out of One Thousand and One Nights, both inside and out. It’s open to visitors but women have to be relatively covered to enter (no beachwear or skimpy outfits). If you’re not interested in going inside, it’s also beautiful at night when it’s lit up from the exterior. Read more: 10 Most Beautiful Mosques in Egypt 8. Heavenly Cathedral If Al Sahaba is Sharm’s most beautiful mosque, then the Heavenly Cathedral is Sharm’s most stunning church. While it’s not as impressive from the outside as the Sahaba Mosque, its interior is a different story. Its frescoes, murals and artwork led it to be considered one of the most beautiful churches in the world upon its completion in 2010. Read more: 9 Egyptian Churches, Cathedrals & Monasteries You Need to Visit At Least Once 9. Go on a desert safari If you’re itching for some desert adventure, then a desert safari is the best way to do it. You have the option for going dirt biking in the desert, driving a quad/ATV or even camel riding if you want to go old school. Your hotel can arrange it for you, but if you find their prices too steep, there are a ton of travel companies in Sharm that offer all sorts of different desert safaris. 10. Day trip to St. Catherine’s Monastery About 2.5 hours from Sharm el Sheikh is St. Catherine’s Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai, or as called in Egyptian Arabic, “Gebel Moussa” (Moses’ Mountain). It’s here that the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), believe that Moses encountered the Burning Bush and received the 10 Commandments. St. Catherine’s Monastery was founded in the 6th century and is the oldest Christian monastery in the world still used for its original function. It’s open to visitors 5 days a week. And if you’re feeling adventurous, St. Catherine’s is also the starting point of a 4 km hike you can do up to the summit of Mt. Moses (guides needed). Read more: 7 Most Beautiful Coptic Orthodox Monasteries in Egypt 11. Evening activities & nightlife at Soho Square Bored of your resort at night? Then head over to Soho Square, where you’ll find a plethora of restaurants, bars, cafes and activities like bowling, ice skating (yep, in Sharm of all places lol), a kids arcade and a dancing fountain. Local tip: The promenade in Naama Bay (about 15 minutes from Soho Square) used to be a really popular nightlife spot in Sharm el Sheikh (and to be fair, is still home to myriad restaurants, shisha cafes and bars), but has become more shady as of late, with shop hawkers and restaurant touts hassling people to sit at their venue or buy from their store. It's worth checking out at least once if you're interested, but overall Naama Bay isn't as pleasant as Soho Square (where everyone leaves you alone lol). 12. Have a drink at Farsha You know how some places are simply screaming for an Instagram moment? Well Farsha Mountain Lodge (also known as Farsha Cafe) is one of those places. This restaurant/bar/cafe sits on a cliff overlooking the Faraana Reef Beach in the Ras Um Sid area of Sharm, and the aesthetics plus the view are simply spectacular and not like anything else you’d see elsewhere in the world. Read more: 12 Places to Go for the Most Beautiful Views in Egypt You may also like: 10 Best Things to Do in Marsa Alam, Egypt

There’s an increasingly popular worldwide trend in gift-giving: buying someone an experience, instead of a thing. Meaning basically you buy someone an actual activity that you can either do together or they can do themselves, instead of, oh I don’t know, a mug for example. The great thing about experience gifts is that they’re perfect for those people who already seem to have everything, or someone who prefers to ‘do’ instead of ‘have’. So that special person that you want to gift an experience to -- what do they enjoy? Are they athletic? A foodie? Someone who loves art or history? Wherever their interests may lie, Cairo offers an array of fun experiences all across the board. We pulled together some of our most recommended experiences, based on factors like ease of logistics (no lengthy travel/overnight stay needed), price (nothing ridiculously expensive) and the overall fun factor. So instead of dropping a money bomb on some inanimate object that they may or may not secretly hate, try creating a memory with some of Cairo’s best experiences. 1. Rent a private yacht to cruise the Nile A good experience gift for: Someone who likes romantic or chill settings Someone who likes privacy and getting away from it all Everybody knows about feluccas, but you can really ramp up the experience by renting out your own private Nile yacht for as many hours as you want. The M/Y Christina yacht has been in business since 1992, and their staff knows exactly how to provide great service. Christina gives you the option of bringing your own food and drinks (they provide plates, cutlery, glasses and even ice), or can do catering for you. They have a great sound system where you can hook up your own music as well. As for seating, you have the whole yacht at your disposal -- front deck, back deck and inner saloon if it gets too chilly. They also have two different bathrooms (is anything worse than having a boat trip ruined because of your bladder?!). The yacht takes anything from one person to 25 (covid 19 edit: currently only up to 15 people because of the 50% capacity rule), so it’s up to you if you want to gift someone a more private, one-on-one cruise or something where you can invite friends. To reserve: M/Y Christina Yacht 2. A snow day at Ski Egypt A good experience gift for: Someone who likes to be active Someone who likes doing new things Ski Egypt is Africa’s first ski resort with the world’s largest indoor snow park, and buying someone a one-day ticket or even a set of skiing lessons is a great option for someone who’s either never experienced snow, or alternately, has experienced it and misses it. Activities you can do at Ski Egypt: skiing for both beginners and more advanced skiers, snowboarding, tube runs, bobsledding, zorb balls and ice caves. For more information: Ski Egypt 3. Gianaclis Vineyard and Wine Tasting Tour A good experience gift for: A wine lover Someone interested in the history and heritage of Egyptian winemaking If you thought you or your wine-loving friend needed to go all the way to Napa Valley or Bordeaux to take a walk through vineyards and sample different wines with complementing cuisine, you were luckily wrong. Gianaclis Vineyards is almost 130 years old, and where many local Egyptian wines are made until today (Ayam, Leila, Cape Bay, Omar Khayyam, Grand Marquis, Chateau De Granville and Valmont). Gianaclis offers private tours and wine tasting sessions; they’ll pick you up in central Cairo in a VIP luxury bus, so you don’t have to worry about driving and can just sit back and relax. Once at the vineyard, a wine consultant will take you through a guided vineyard tour that culminates in a wine tasting and light lunch. For prices and reservation: Gianaclis Egypt 4. “Walk Like An Egyptian” Walking Tour A good experience gift for: A non-Egyptian friend interested in getting to know Cairo An Egyptian local who’d love to learn more about the hidden gems of Cairo There’s so much interesting history in Cairo that we locals just waltz by daily without even noticing slash knowing -- and some non-Egyptians don’t even know that there’s waaaay more to see in Cairo than just the pyramids, museum and Nile. If you have a person in your life who loves Egyptian history, art and architecture, then booking a private tour or a group walking tour with Walk Like An Egyptian might be right up their alley. These highly-recommended tour guides offer all sorts of cool walking tours in Cairo, and you can request private tours to the sights of your choice as well. They also offer outside-of-Cairo tours (even to lesser-visited destinations like Rasheed and Minya) and take care of everything from transportation to accommodation. For pricing, booking and more details: Walk Like An Egyptian 5. Kayak on the Nile with the Nile Kayak Club A good experience gift for: Someone who enjoys sports and being outdoors Someone who has good physical fitness You don’t need to be part of a rowing team to try kayaking down the Nile -- the Nile Kayak Club offers weekend kayaking sessions in Cairo, ranging from a 1 hour introductory course around Dahab Island near Maadi, or a 3 hour “Cairo Crossing” ride for the more advanced. If you have someone in your life who likes being active and trying new things, then book them a session and see them paddle off into the sunset. Nile Kayak Club also arranges kayaking trips between Luxor and Aswan for the hardcore kayakers. For more information and pricing: Nile Kayak Club 6. A Farm Picnic at Sara’s Organic Food Farm A good experience gift for: Someone who enjoys being out in nature Someone who believes in the farm-to-plate movement and eating clean Sara’s Organic Food is an organic, pesticide-free range of seasonal fruit and vegetables found in Cairo’s high-end retail markets, and they make the farm-to-plate concept quite literal with their monthly open-air picnics and harvest festivals on the farm. All you need to do is book a place in the upcoming picnic, and you’re guaranteed a full, stress-free day on a scenic farm. They provide vegetarian snacks, daily picks from the field, freshly baked bread and dips, and you can bring any food you need to complete your picnic. They also have sporadic dinners and brunches with guest chefs. To book a spot or for more info: Sara's Organic Food 7. A Day Trip of Sandboarding, BBQ and Safari in Fayoum A good experience gift for: Someone who likes adventure activities Someone who likes mini-trips The Sandboarding Cairo Club regularly arranges day trips from Cairo to Fayoum for a day of sandboarding, safari and BBQ. They take care of transportation (the group meets in Dokki and moves from there) and all other logistics. The program includes: -Transportation via 4x4 vehicles -Visiting Wadi El-Rayan waterfalls -Safari -Sandboarding at the Magic Lake -BBQ lunch -Campfire & roasted marshmallows -Unlimited water & soft drinks -All tickets and permits For booking and more info: Sandboarding Cairo Club 8. Downtown Food Tour with Bellies En-Route A good experience gift for: Foodies Visitors to Egypt who want to experience authentic Egyptian food Whether the person you want to gift is an Egyptian food aficionado or an adventurous Egyptian food virgin, this Downtown food tour is guaranteed to hit the spot. Bellies En-Route’s seven stop food tour through Downtown Cairo avoids tourist traps and intertwines different aspects of Egyptian history and culture as well. You can book a spot in an upcoming tour (available any day except for Friday), with a maximum group of 6 people. You can also book a private tour. Price Includes: Food/beverages at all 7+ stops (veg. option available) A local, English speaking tour guide telling you about the stories of the food and landmarks of Downtown Unlimited mineral (bottled) water Generous tipping of waiters at all the restaurants Non-alcoholic drink at the last stop A list of all the foods is sent 48 hours after the tour ends A guarantee that your belly will be full! Price Excludes: Tipping your guide Any alcoholic drinks Transportation to and from the meeting point Any food/beverages not already part of the route For booking and more info: Bellies En-Route You might also like: 7 Extreme Adventure Experiences in Egypt For Adrenaline Junkies

Aswan in southern Egypt is a unique mix of Ancient Egypt, rural village, urban city, Nubian heritage, river, desert and modern history. If it sounds like a strange mix, it is -- but it works. It’s kind of hard to explain unless you’ve been there (hopefully soon), but we’ll try our best. But first, a quick history Aswan used to be known as Swenett and later Syene in ancient Egypt, and because the ancient Egyptians oriented themselves around the Nile, which flows from the south to the north, the southern city of Swenett was considered where Egypt ‘began’ geographically. The reason the Egyptians chose Aswan’s spot in particular as a border for Egypt is because it’s just above the first Nile cataract -- a natural obstruction of sorts in the river due to shallow depths. Once past the first cataract where Aswan is, it’s smooth sailing straight down to the Mediterranean Sea. Swenett was used as a military outpost to protect Egypt from the south, as well as a commercial trade center. The ancient land of Nubia was directly to the south of Aswan, extending from modern-day southern Egypt into northern Sudan. Nubia became part of Egypt during the New Kingdom, and Nubian heritage and culture is extremely important in Aswan until today. Aswan now Modern-day Aswan is a quirky mix of developed town (nowhere near as developed as Cairo though) and village life. The Nile looks just as clear, blue and wild as it probably did 3,000 years ago; Aswan is hands down where the Nile is at its most stunning in Egypt. Because Aswan isn’t super developed, don’t expect a vast array of accommodation, restaurants and nightlife. A local tip: credit cards aren’t widely used -- cash is the name of the game here. Transportation is a hodge-podge of negotiating with cab drivers and boatmen, but more about that below. Also, if you’ve spent any time elsewhere in Egypt, you might be acquainted with ‘Egyptian time’, where things go a tad slower than normal. ‘Nubian time’ in Aswan is even more laid-back -- people take their sweet time and are very go-with-the-flow, so take that as you will lol. Accept it and adjust your expectations accordingly, and your trip (and blood pressure) will be much smoother. Quick facts about Aswan Aswan’s main industry is tourism, with thousands of both Egyptian and foreign tourists visiting per year to see the ancient Egyptian monuments, Nubian architecture and Nile at its most beautiful. Aswan is one of the sunniest, driest cities in the world -- which leads to soaring temperatures, but the climate is also known for being a natural remedy for a variety of different lung diseases as well as rheumatism. Egypt’s famous Nile cruises run between Aswan and the city of Luxor to its north. You can start the cruise from either of the two cities, so most people visit both Luxor and Aswan in the same trip. Aswan is home to two dams, the Low Dam which was built in 1902, and the High Dam which was finished in 1970. These dams were built with the purpose of controlling seasonal Nile flooding, and the reservoir Lake Nasser was created behind the High Dam. Best Time To Go Like we said, Aswan is one of the sunniest, driest cities on earth, and it’s normal for several years to pass by without seeing any rainfall. It has the hottest summers in the country alongside Luxor (we’re talking an average of 40+ celsius/105+ fahrenheit), so while summer might be the cheapest season to go, it’s definitely not the most comfortable. Winter is Aswan’s high season, with temperatures a warm 20 something celsius/70 something fahrenheit during the day, and a bit cooler at night. Late fall and early spring are also good times if you don’t mind a lot of sun. You can read more reasons why Egypt is great in winter here. How To Get There Here are your options: Flying. There are daily flights from Cairo to Aswan, around an hour and 20 minutes. You can arrange with your accommodation in Aswan to send you a car to pick you up from the airport, or you can take an overpriced taxi. Flying is by far the quickest way of getting to Aswan. Train. You need to *really* have patience for this one. You can take a train from Cairo to Aswan, which is about a short (lol) 12 hour ride. There are sleeper compartments though for an added price, and we guess it’s an adventure of sorts? You can read the Business Insider’s detailed account of the Cairo-Aswan sleeper train ride here, which we personally enjoyed. Cruise from Luxor. At the moment there are no cruises from Cairo down to Aswan, so if you want to sweep up to the city in style on the Nile, then your only option is to do it from Luxor. By car. Unless you’re driving in from Luxor (3-4 hours) or Marsa Alam on the Red Sea (5 hours), don’t bother trying to make the drive unless you have a looooooot of time on your hands. Important note: for security reasons, non-Egyptians might not be allowed access to certain roads via car unless granted pre-approved security access (tour buses, etc.) Where To Stay As we said above, Aswan isn’t as developed accommodation-wise as Cairo or the Red Sea resort towns, but never fear, there are still options for all budgets: A luxury hotel. There are only a couple of them in Aswan, and by far, the most iconic and well-known one is the Old Cataract Hotel (now the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract). This 5 star hotel has been an international hotspot since it opened over 120 years ago; you can read more about it and other historic hotels in Egypt here. We warn you though, it isn’t cheap! A Nubian guesthouse is a really popular form of accommodation in Aswan. Usually found in the Gharb Soheil area of Aswan where the Nubian Village is, these basic but comfortable guesthouses on the Nile have simple and beautiful Nubian architecture and serve traditional Nubian and Egyptian food. They’re not luxurious in the slightest and are situated a bit of a distance from central Aswan which can be a tad annoying, but they’re definitely an experience you shouldn’t miss out on, even if for just a night. A budget hotel. Aswan has a handful, and they’re kind of meh. If we were you, stick to either a luxury hotel like the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract or the Movenpick Aswan, or one of the Nubian guesthouses. We compiled our seven favorite places here: 7 Best Places To Stay in Aswan, Egypt Getting Around Not going to lie, getting around Aswan can be a pain. There’s no easily accessible and reliable form of public transportation, taxis don’t have meters, and while there is Careem (the Egyptian version of Uber), you're not always guaranteed to find a ride. Plus, a lot of Aswan’s sites are dotted around different spots on the Nile, which needs a boat. So what to do, what to do? Here are your options: Don’t bother your head about it and just let your hotel take care of it. No matter where you’re staying in Aswan or how much of a budget place it is, someone there (whether it be the reception desk, reservations manager, or just a random person who seems to be in charge) will be able to easily arrange cars, drivers and boats for you in a matter of minutes for a fixed rate. It’s common practice in Aswan and the hotels/guesthouses get a piece of the pie, so feel free to use the service without worrying that you’re being annoying. Just tell your hotel where you’d like to go (or your itinerary for the day) and they’ll arrange all transportation needed and will tell you how much it’ll cost prior to going so you don’t need to worry about haggling with anyone. Warning though: the Sofitel Old Cataract’s transportation prices are notoriously expensive, so just a heads up if you’re staying there. Strike a deal with a local driver to be your main transportation for the duration of the trip. If you like doing things without a hotel as your middleman, you can arrange for your own transportation with any of the locals. Instead of figuring out how you’re going to get from Point A to Point B every time you want to go somewhere, you can arrange an on-call car and driver for the whole trip. This is as easy as flagging down a cab and asking for their day rates, or going to a restaurant, shop or cafe and asking any of the people working there if they can recommend a car and driver for you. Trust us, they’ll know a million. Compare whatever prices the locals give you with what the hotel gave you (they should be cheaper), and feel free to bargain, bargain, bargain. Also make sure to agree on a detailed daily itinerary and price, and pay at the end of the day (a tip at the end is always appreciated). Taxis. The cabs in Aswan aren’t metered, so make sure you tell the driver where you’re going and agree on the fare before you hop in -- and again, bargaining is the name of the game. As for boats, the Temple of Philae has regular boat service from the Philae Marina, and there’s a regular ferry to Elephantine Island. More recreational boating -- a felucca for example, or taking a motorboat instead of a taxi -- is another negotiable affair between you and the boatmen whom you’ll find Nile-side throughout the city. Things to Do in Aswan There’s all different kinds of activities and sights in Aswan, and we broke them down here: 12 Most Interesting Things To See and Do in Aswan. To summarize though: Ancient Egyptian monuments: Philae Temple Complex, Abu Simbel, Temple of Kalabsha, Unfinished Obelisk Nubian heritage & culture: Nubian Village and Nubian Museum Nile islands: Elephantine Island, Kitchener’s Island Day trip to Kom Ombo and Edfu Nile activities: sailing, kayaking Nile cruise to Luxor or Lake Nasser Natural therapy/climate therapy like sand baths or Nile mud masks Getting to Abu Simbel While everyone considers Abu Simbel to be in Aswan (and technically it is in the Aswan governorate), it’s a good 3-4 hours by car/bus from Aswan the city. Abu Simbel is on the shore of Lake Nasser, past the Aswan High Dam, and you have three options of how to get there: Part of a tour, so via tour bus By private car and driver, which you can arrange through your hotel As part of an Aswan-Lake Nasser cruise, usually 3 days long The road to Abu Simbel is only open from 5 am to 5 pm for security reasons, so most buses and cars set out from Aswan around 4 am to be on the Aswan-Abu Simbel road by 5 am. To try to avoid the crowds, you can leave a little later from Aswan (8 am for example) but it might cut into the amount of time you spend at the temple because again, all cars and buses have to be back in Aswan by 5 pm before the road closes. Read more: 12 Most Impressive Ancient Egyptian Temples Still Standing Today Where To Eat Aswan definitely isn’t the culinary capital of Egypt, because most of Aswan’s visitors come as part of an all-inclusive cruise -- they eat all their meals on the cruise ship. The ones who aren’t part of a cruise usually stick to their hotel’s fare, and to be fair, it’s not a bad idea, because most restaurants in Aswan are ‘touristic’, ie. subpar food and jacked up prices. That being said, there are a few places to get a good meal in Aswan, and honestly sometimes the view takes the whole experience up an extra notch automatically. Some of our favorite restaurants: King Jamaica Restaurant & Cafes Solaih at Eco Nubia on Bigeh Island 1902 in the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract (you have to be dressed up though, they’re very strict about that and make sure you reserve in advance) The restaurant at Kato Dool, the Nubian guesthouse in Gharb Soheil Bars/Nightlife We’re being pretty fast and loose with the word ‘nightlife’ in Aswan, mainly because… well, there really isn’t any. Once the day’s activities are over, most people are either back on their cruise ships or decompressing and/or socializing at their hotel/guesthouse. If it’s alcohol you’re looking for, most hotels will serve at their bars/restaurants. Outside of hotels, you’ll find a couple establishments on the Aswan Corniche, mainly Emy Cafeteria & Restaurant and the rooftop of Bob Marley Guesthouse. They’re both on the Nile and a nice place to have a drink but nothing fancy in the slightest. Leaving Leaving Aswan is just as straightforward as arriving -- either have your hotel arrange a ride to the airport/train station or arrange a pick-up from a local taxi driver. We hope you enjoy everything that Aswan has to offer! More local city guides you might like: Hurghada City Guide El Gouna City Guide