Visiting Egypt’s most popular attractions: tips from our local partner

If you’re dreaming of Egypt, chances are your heart’s already set on its most popular sites – the larger-than-life Pyramids, the incredible cacophony of Cairo and its Egyptian Museum, the cinematic temples of Karnak and Luxor… We always recommend digging deeper and looking for lesser-known alternatives to explore, where possible – but with a bit of careful planning and consideration, bringing your childhood dreams to life and visiting those iconic sites can easily become a reality, too. We chat to one of our local experts, Somaya, for her tips and advice on how to visit Egypt’s top attractions, in ways that respect the local culture and communities and will help you make the very most of your trip.

Would you say overtourism has impacted popular attractions in Egypt, such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum?

In my opinion, overtourism doesn’t necessarily have a negative impact on the major sites in Egypt themselves – especially the Pyramids, as they span a huge area which can welcome a large number of tourists. However, one problem I’ve noticed is that the animals involved are overwhelmed with all the rides around the Pyramids, especially the horses and camels, and I do feel sorry for them.

How are the local communities responding to high tourism demands?

Locals encourage increasing numbers of tourists all the time! Egyptians are famous for their hospitality and generosity, and are also aware of the national income advantages their country gains from tourism growth. I don’t think we have any negative feedback from the locals, but we do however have opportunities to work on creating smoother experiences for travellers.

For my part, I’d just recommend that visitors take time organising their trip, with dedicated slots throughout the day at each site you’d like to tour. For example, at the Egyptian Museum, if the maximum capacity is just 150 visitors and the visit takes approximately two hours, you’d want to plan ahead to guarantee your visit and not be disappointed. As a tour operator, we can develop online booking systems so visitors can book online and print their ticket, saving time and avoiding long queues.

What are the best times of year to visit Egypt’s top attractions to avoid the crowds? Are there specific times of day that are less crowded?

The main peak season in Egypt starts in October and ends in April. It’s less crowded to visit in the first half of December, and throughout the month of January. As for the best times of day, 6-8am (very early in the morning) is generally less crowded; at some spots you can visit by night to enjoy a less busy experience, such as the Karnak complex and Luxor Temple (between 6-8pm).

Can you recommend any off-the-beaten-track attractions that still offer a rich cultural experience?

Fayoum (or Faiyum) Oasis in the western desert: this village has millions of years of history, and is home to Bedouin locals with their own different kinds of food and lifestyles. It was once the bottom of the ocean – that’s why you’ll find many skeletons of whales at the nearby Valley of the Whales, in the Faiyum Governorate.

In Cairo specifically, what are some underrated experiences that tourists often overlook?

The main underrated spots in Cairo are Al Mo’ez Street and the Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Most tourists think the latter is only for shopping, but it’s much more than that: it’s one of the oldest streets in Cairo, full of old mosques whose history goes back hundreds of years, to when Egypt was under Turkish rule. Each mosque bears the name of the Turkish sultan who built it, such as the Sultan Barquq complex – home to a mosque, mausoleum, school for free education, and hospital with no fees or costs for patients (a type of charity in Islamic culture).

Do you have any tips for planning a smooth visit to Egypt’s top attractions?

Plan at least two months in advance, particularly if your trip will be taken during the peak periods. If you’re hoping to visit in the last 10 days of December or in February, you’ll need to plan at least six months in advance!

Are there any local customs or etiquette visitors should be aware of when visiting Egypt and particular major sites?

• Guests must take off their shoes before entering all mosques, and ladies must cover their hair with a scarf as well as wear a long dress or skirt. Mosques will always provide ladies with a scarf and long skirt to use during the visit, but it’s important for both men and women to consider wearing shoes that are easy to put on and take off!
• If you’ve travelled to other Arabic countries before, please make sure not to repeat any Arabic words you learned there to Egyptian locals: some words have different meanings from one Arabic country to another due to differing accents and cultures, and may have a negative meaning in Egypt.
• Make sure to avoid playing music or listening to songs when you are passing by any mosque, especially if azan (calling for the prayer) is taking place.
• Couples should avoid long hugs and any sort of touching in public; this is permitted on Nile cruises and at hotels and resorts, however. LGBTQ couples should try to avoid showing any form of affection in public, since Egypt is very conservative and the locals are not familiar with such practices.
• If a man meets an Egyptian woman for the first time, it’s better to shake hands rather than hug; the latter is completely unacceptable in Arabic and Egyptian societies, especially for Muslims. This behaviour can be completely misunderstood by locals and might cause problems.

Make it happen

Has Somaya inspired you to plan a trip to explore Egypt’s top attractions? Get in touch today and you’ll soon be putting together the vacation of a lifetime…