10 Best Things to Do in Egypt Beyond the Pyramids

Travel advisor Pam Hughet sits on the stoop of a large green door with yellow boarder wearing a green and white dress
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Pam Hughet

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  • Egypt

  • Arts & Culture

  • Cairo

  • Nature Escapes

  • Outdoors

  • Sightseeing

  • Local Food

Egypt's Great Pyramids in a sandy desert
Curator’s statement

With its ancient history, rich culture and seaside location, seeing the pyramids of Egypt is just the beginning of all the amazing things to do in Egypt. This list of the 10 best things to do in Egypt highlights just a few of the incredible things you’ll see on a private, guided tour of Egypt. Ready to experience these items for yourself? Contact me now to start planning your dream trip to Egypt!

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Where to stay in Egypt

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Marriott Mena House, Cairo

Just outside Cairo, this vast luxury sleep has an ornate style, an 18-hole golf course, heated pool, three international restaurants and direct views of the Pyramids.

Mövenpick Aswan

A riverside sanctuary in Aswan, Egypt, where ancient wonders meet modern comfort, providing an enchanting stay on the banks of the Nile.

Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise Ship

Embark on an unforgettable journey through time along the majestic Nile River, where luxury and ancient wonders converge on this exquisite cruise ship.

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Travel advisor Pam Hughet sits on the stoop of a large green door with yellow boarder wearing a green and white dress

Unlock perks by contacting Pam to book your trip.

Things to do in Egypt

The Nile River at sunset with palm trees on the banks.

Watch the sunset from your Nile River cruise

Watching the sunset while cruising along the Nile River is a magical experience for me. The Nile River between Aswan and Luxor is majestic. Imagine swaying palm trees, flocks of white birds taking flight and smoothly flowing water. Add in a sunset of purples, blues and pinks? Breathtaking. What makes it even better? You experience it all from a luxurious river boat with comfortable rooms and a fantastic crew.

Venture inside the pyramids

One of the questions I’m asked most about visiting Egypt is: “Can we go inside the pyramids?” The answer is, “Yes!” There are several different pyramids you can venture inside, including the Great Pyramid of Giza. You may be interested to find that some of the pyramids do not have a lot of inscriptions inside and the tunnels are fairly narrow. For the adventurous, going inside the pyramids is a great story to share with your family and friends after your trip.

Explore King Tut’s Tomb in the Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings in Luxor is filled with intricate, underground tombs. Among these tombs, you’ll find the famous tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, or King Tut. What’s even more amazing? King Tut’s mummy and sarcophagus are still inside the tomb on display for you to see. It’s a surreal experience to see something in person that you previously only read about in history books, making this one of the best things to do in Egypt.

Journey by boat to a stunning island temple

Egypt has many stunning temples. The incredible Temple of Philae is even more special because of its location on an island. Journey by small boat to the scenic island temple. There, you’ll learn how the temple was moved, piece by piece, from its prior island location to its current island location to avoid flooding from the Nile River dam. It’s a feat of both ancient and modern engineering.

Experience phenomenal diving in the Red Sea

Did you know that Egypt has some of the best diving in the world? On your private tour to Egypt, you can take an optional extension to Hurghada, located on the Red Sea. There, you can experience phenomenal diving. I was amazed by the beautiful colors and variety of sea life during my diving experience. I cannot wait to go back.

Savor lunch with a pyramid view

Get ready for a special treat when your private guide takes you to lunch with a pyramid view! Egypt has some delicious food. Add in a view of the pyramids? Magical! Your private guide knows the best spots for a delicious lunch with fantastic views of the pyramids. This experience is among my favorite of the best things to do in Egypt.

Visit the most well-preserved ancient temple in Egypt

Visiting the Temple of Horus at Edfu is an incredible experience. This is where you’ll see beautifully carved hieroglyphics and huge statues of the falcon-headed Horus. The temple was buried beneath layers of sand and Nile River silt for millennia. This preserved much of the temple’s structure and carvings. It’s an amazing experience.

Wander along the Avenue of the Sphinxes at Luxor

Over 1,000 statues line the Avenue of the Sphinxes between Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. After over seven decades of restoration work, we now have the opportunity to walk along this magnificent avenue. I find it especially beautiful at night, when the statues are bathed in beautiful lighting.

Walk among the towering columns at Karnak

Karnak Temple is breathtaking. This ancient temple features over 100 towering columns. Walk slowly among these columns that stand 10 meters (nearly 33 feet) tall. You’ll be in awe of their size and beautiful hieroglyphics. Some of my favorite images of Egypt feature these stunning columns.

Relax along the stunning Mediterranean Sea in Alexandria

Many visitors miss visiting Alexandria, which was founded by Alexander the Great over two millennia ago. On your private Egypt tour, you can take an optional extension to this beautiful city along the Mediterranean Sea. After exploring Roman ruins, underground catacombs and the impressive citadel, relax at a seaside cafe. Enjoy coffee or tea as you watch the boats glide in and out of the harbor, capping off a phenomenal trip to Egypt.

Are you ready to experience the best things to do in Egypt? Contact me now to start planning your dream trip to Egypt!

Need to Know

Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out Fora advisor Laura Vaughn's guide, Egypt: A Curious Traveler's Odyssey into History and Beauty.

Travel advisor Pam Hughet sits on the stoop of a large green door with yellow boarder wearing a green and white dress

Travel Advisor

Pam Hughet

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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Egypt.