Egypt is one of the most popular and most-chosen holiday destinations – not only by lovers of sunbathing and water sports in seaside resorts and lavish all inclusive hotels! In addition to wide, sandy beaches and warm sea, the traveler will also find bustling metropolises full of monumental architecture and colorful markets, countless archaeological sites and known to everyone pyramids, temples, statues and obelisks. Adventurers will also appreciate desert safaris and accommodation in Bedouin villages and evening stories by the fire, under a magically starry sky. In any case, a trip to Egypt will give you great fun and lots of memories and reasons to come back here in the coming years!
Karnak, Egypt
When to go to Egypt?
Let’s look at the world map: Egypt is a very vast country with various locations and different climatic zones. In general, there are two seasons of the year – mild winter and hot summer. Holidays in this country can be planned for most of the year: even in the cooler months, the weather in Egypt is pleasant, the water temperature is quite high, and during the day it will be above 20 degrees. The greatest temperature differences occur inland, where the daily amplitudes are more than 20 ° C between day and night, and in winter the temperature even drops to around 5 ° C. The hottest summer days bring heat reaching almost 50 ° C, in the south – at this time it is best to relax on the Red Sea coast.
Vaccinations before leaving for Egypt
There are no compulsory or absolutely required vaccinations for entry, however – as with almost every trip abroad – standard vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, polio and tetanus are recommended. In Egypt, there is no malarial risk or the need for anti-malaria prophylaxis, but it is worth remembering about the mosquito spray – even harmless ones can effectively make the holiday unpleasant.
Luxor
What to take on a trip to Egypt
In the era of the coronavirus pandemic, all travelers are required to present a negative PCR test for COVID-19, performed no earlier than 72 hours before the planned entry into the country, translated into English or Arabic. The obligation to test does not apply to children under 6 years of age.
After you deal with the necessary formalities, you can start packing your bags. The list of things to take is not that different from the rest of the directions – some of them are just universal. Holidays in Egypt are a huge shot of sun, so first of all, pack a cream with a high UV filter, a hat, hat or other hat and sunglasses. If you plan to actively explore the country, take care of appropriate clothing, comfortable and adapted to weather conditions, and appropriate for visiting temples or other places of religious worship. Although there are no strict religious or moral standards in the country, it is worth remembering to respect local culture, customs and religion. Use holiday clothes on the beach and during your stay at the hotel,
A must see during a vacation in Egypt is to see the pyramids; an equally popular attraction is swimming in the sea and admiring the coral reef. If you plan to spend whole days in the water, you can take your own masks, glasses or fins to help you enjoy every moment in the Red Sea. Since sharp corals also grow on the bottom, be sure to wear appropriate water footwear. When taking your camera or phone underwater, do not forget about a waterproof case. You should find the same sockets as in Poland, so the adapter will not be needed.
Pyramids in Giza
Security in Egypt
It’s hard to give an unequivocal answer to the question about security in Egypt. It is a huge country with regions that are both highly touristic and completely non-touristic and unpopulated. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against trips to some of these regions and recommends organizing holidays by travel agencies. In many places, increased checks can be seen on the streets, in public places and at tourist attractions due to incidental terrorist and religious attacks. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs places Egypt on the list of countries threatened by terrorism, but similar warnings apply to European countries such as Belgium and France. Tourist resorts attracting the greatest number of tourists are described as safe, usually having a designated and protected area. Apart from tourist zones, basic precautions should also be taken – as in any place there may be petty thefts, attempts to extort or fraud. Egypt and Tunisia are the most popular countries in Africa in terms of the number of tourists, in 2019 the number of visitors was estimated at almost 14 million visitors.
Currency in Egypt
The applicable currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP) which is divided into 100 piastres or 1000 millimeter. The most common denominations are the 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 pound banknotes and the pound 1 coin.
It is best to exchange EUR or USD for your local currency. In larger cities, you can easily find ATMs or exchange at sellers. You can even pay in EUR or USD at tourist sites, but always pay attention to the exchange rate. In shops or restaurants, you usually pay by card.
Staying on the topic of finance, keep two points in mind. First of all, always try to haggle! The prices shown are only starting points and the final prices will depend largely on your abilities. Compare prices in neighboring places, think about how much you really want or can spend and try your hand at the difficult art of negotiation. Second, there is an informal custom or even an obligation to tip in Egypt. On the so-called It is worth having some change in your pocket, because you will often have to pay something extra, e.g. for bringing suitcases, to staff, drivers or guides. Bakshish applies not only to tourists, but also to locals, so don’t feel “stuffed into the bottle”. This amount can also provide you with a better place in the restaurant, the waiter’s attention or a larger room, who quit at the last minute. You can also give away small gifts instead of money.
Internet in Egypt
Internet access will certainly be provided in the hotel, but sometimes its quality leaves much to be desired or is additionally payable. After arrival at the airport, you can easily buy disposable SIM cards with a certain amount and number of GB to be used for data transmission. Prices start from as low as $ 3, and by paying around $ 15 you can count on a package above 20 GB. Cards can also be purchased in shopping malls, from street vendors or in hotel shops. The most popular operators are Vodafone and Orange.
Egyptian cuisine
Holidays in Egypt are a real treat for lovers of culinary experiences! The rich cuisine draws on Arab, Turkish, Greek or Jewish influences, which makes it very colorful, diverse, aromatic and, most importantly, tasty.
Arabic tea
The basis of the cuisine is rice, beans, local broad beans and chickpeas. Along with vegetable additives, they create countless humuses, pastes and sauces added to vegetables or meat, heavily seasoned with parsley, mint, ginger, coriander or turmeric. You won’t find pork on the tables, but your taste buds will be delighted with the beef, mutton and poultry, often straight from the grill, stuffed with vegetables and poured with aromatic sauce. You will definitely have the opportunity to try the traditional kebab made of various types of meat, kofta – a small meat shashlik or meatball with lots of aromatic spices or the popular koshari – a mixture of rice, lentils and pasta with a spicy tomato-based sauce. For those looking for culinary curiosities, we can recommend the stuffed pigeon.
For dessert, try sweet pudding with pistachios, baked goods with honey and almonds, coconut and dried fruit, or shortbread cookies. You will also get coffee and tea at every turn, often very strong and sweet, with aromatic spices. Bon Appetit!
What’s worth seeing in Egypt?
Cairo – the capital of Egypt, the largest city in the country and in all of Africa, and the largest center of Islamic civilization. It is a modern metropolis with over 20 million inhabitants and 24 hours a day, a commercial, industrial and financial center. Its history dates back over 3000 BC, and the most important remains are the archaeological sites, the Giza pyramids (including the pyramid of Cheops and the statue of the Sphinx in front of the pyramid of Khafre) and the Saqqara with the pyramid of Djoser. While in Cairo, you must visit the Egyptian Museum, Al Azhar Mosque and Park, Alabaster Mosque, Cairo Tower and countless markets and bazaars.
Old Cairo
Alexandria – the city founded by Alexander the Great was one of the most important centers of culture and science in the ancient world. Here the worlds of Europe, Africa and the Middle East met. In the past, it dazzled with the majesty of royal palaces, the monumental lighthouse on Faros or the building of the Alexandrian Library, now it is the second largest city in Egypt and the most important seaport, hereinafter referred to as the scientific and cultural capital of the country. Even though hundreds of years have passed, the climate is closer to European cities on the Mediterranean than to Cairo. Currently, the biggest attractions are the National Museum, the New Library in operation since 2002, the seaside Fort Qaitbey and the Corniche promenade. The memory of the past is preserved in the catacombs, the Roman amphitheater and the Italian-style presidential palace.
Alexandria
Aswan – the most important city in the hot south of the country. Its current history is related to the creation of the Great Dam on the Nile. The destination of tourists coming here are the archaeological sites of Abu Simbel and the temples on the island of Philae (they had to be moved during the construction of the dam), and a special attraction – a cruise on the Nile. South of Aswan stretches Lake Nasser bordering Sudan, in the city itself you can admire the historic buildings, and on the islands located on the Nile – Nubian villages and ancient ruins.
Aswan – Abu-Simbel Temple
Luxor – a city on the Nile located in the central part of the country, on the territory of the ancient capital – Thebes. For millennia, Egypt’s rulers have built numerous temples, palaces and tombs here. The most interesting place is the Luxor Temple, located 3 km from Karnak, where the most famous building is the one dedicated to the most important of gods – Amon Ra. On the other side of the Nile stretched Western Thebes, where the burial place of former rulers is located – the Valley of the Kings with the tombs of Ramses the Great or Tutankhamen. Nearby is the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, which are the only remnants of a larger complex of buildings.
Luxor
Hurghada and the Red Sea coast– one of the most popular Egyptian resorts guarantees great weather all year round and provides plenty of attractions for the whole family. Formerly Hurghada was a small fishing village, now it attracts tourists with beautiful beaches, warm water of the Red Sea and fantastic conditions for water sports, in particular snorkeling and diving – it is an opportunity to admire the wonderful world of the coral reef. In the evenings, when tourists leave the beaches, city life begins, numerous restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and discos open up. There is an international airport on the outskirts of the city, servicing direct flights from Poland, while in the south, along the Red Sea coast, there are smaller resorts, such as Safaga or Marsa Alam.
Hurghada
Sinai Peninsula – An equally popular resort is Sharm el Sheikh, where there are the most beautiful coral reefs in the country. As in other places, you can count on excellent weather and a very extensive tourist base, offering many possibilities depending on your wallet. An important place that attracts tourists is also the biblical Mount Sinai, where Moses was to receive the 10 commandments. At the foot there is the Christian monastery of St. Catherine, from where numerous trekking and walking trails start to the very top (2285 m above sea level) and the surrounding peaks. The entire area has been entered on the UNESCO heritage list.
Sinai Peninsula – Saint Catherine’s Monastery
