Enchanting Egypt is the place to enjoy the holiday of a lifetime in 2024, surrounded by golden sands, crystal-clear waters, blissful sunshine and epic ancient attractions.
This magical getaway on the northeastern corner of Africa, fondly referred to as the Land of the Pharaohs, will wow every visitor with its luxury hotels, vibrant nightlife, rolling deserts, fabulous food, impeccable hospitality and water sports galore. A feast of fun awaits in the Red Sea resorts of Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and El Gouna, while the bustling cities of Cairo and Luxor are treasure troves of architectural wonders from the past. Visit the legendary pyramids of Giza, enjoy a camel ride in the desert, dive to beautiful coral reefs, take a relaxing felucca boat trip on the River Nile or shop for bargains in a traditional souk. Let’s take a closer look at why Egypt is the perfect destination for a holiday brimming with beauty, wonder and mystery.
With pristine sandy shores and warm inviting waters, Egypt is a perfect destination for a wonderful beach holiday. Laze on a comfy cabana atop golden sands, sip cocktails by the pool at your beachfront hotel or venture into the inviting sea for a range of water sports. Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and El Gouna are popular resorts on the sun-drenched Red Sea coast, while other top spots include Makadi Bay, Marsa Alam, Soma Bay and Sahl Hasheesh. Naama Bay, one of the best beaches in Egypt, is home to unspoilt sands and swaying palm trees, Ras Um Sid Beach is a glorious stretch of sand which is fringed by a narrow coral reef and Ras Shetan Beach on the Nuweiba-Taba coastline is a secluded escape for romantic couples. Popular beach activities include pedalos, glass bottomed boat rides, kayaking, snorkelling, banana boat rides and traditional sandcastle-building sessions.
Iconic Attractions
Egypt is a dream come true for history buffs and culture vultures, with its phenomenal landmarks dating back more than 5,000 years. Gaze in awe at the Great Pyramid of Giza near Cairo, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and marvel at the jaw-dropping Great Sphinx of Giza. A visit to the Egyptian Museum in the capital Cairo is highly recommended, with its collection of artefacts, including the golden mask of the boy king Tutankhamun. Descend into the royal burial grounds of pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, take a horse-drawn carriage ride to the ancient temple of Karnak at Luxor, and be wowed by the Luxor Temple complex, built in the 14th century BC. Other breathtaking historical attractions include the Abu Simbel Temples in Aswan, the Valley of the Queens, Saqqara Necropolis, the Temple of Kom Ombo and the Colossi of Memnon.
Water Sports And Diving
Egypt’s spectacular Red Sea resorts are aquatic playgrounds offering a splashing time for all. An impressive choice of water sports include jet-skiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kneeboarding, jetpacking, flyboarding, water-skiing, paragliding and stand-up paddleboarding. The Red Sea is one of the world’s best dive locations, with many PADI-approved dive centres where the experts will take you beneath the waves to discover more than 1,200 species of fish and 250 types of beautiful coral. Snorkelling is also popular, and four spots near to Sharm El Sheikh where you can observe clownfish, angelfish, butterflyfish and other marine life, are Ras Katy, Faraana Reef, Temple Reef and Ras Um Sid. For a more relaxing time you can take to the Nile - the longest river in the world - for a romantic dinner aboard a felucca, an old Egyptian sailboat. Another fabulous option is swimming with dolphins at Dolphina Park in Sharm El Sheikh.
Activities On Land
There’s no shortage of exciting land activities in Egypt to ensure hours of pleasure during your holiday. Walk in the footsteps of Moses at Mount Sinai, enjoy a hot air balloon ride over Luxor, climb inside Khufu’s Great Pyramid or take the little ones to meet the farm animals at KidZoo in Al Khankah. Enthralling activities in Egypt’s Sinai Desert include camel treks, sandboarding, dune-bashing jeep safaris and the chance to spend a night under canvas in a traditional Bedouin camp. Other popular land-based activities include ziplining, rock climbing, horseback riding tours, bungee jumping, mountain biking, caving, golfing, indoor skydiving and karting. There’s also plenty to see and do in the capital Cairo, with its beautiful palaces, mosques, mausoleums, museums, bazaars and nightclubs. Key attractions include Al Azhar Park, Manial Palace, the Citadel, Cairo Tower and Khan Al Khalili, a gigantic medieval-style mall.
Delicious Cuisine
Egypt has a rich culinary history stretching back more than 3,000 years. Start your day with Shakshouka, a popular breakfast dish featuring poached eggs, peppers, tomatoes, olive oil, nutmeg, paprika, garlic and cumin. The country's national dish Koshari includes layers of rice, lentils, chickpeas, garlic and macaroni topped with caramelised onions. Mahshi is a scrumptious dish consisting of vegetables stuffed with ground beef and rice, while Fattah is a much-loved meal from ancient times made of crispy bread, meat, rice and a flavoursome tomato sauce. Umm Ali is a delightful hot dessert served since the 13th century and consisting of puff pastry, sugar, nuts, milk, raisins and coconut, while the national drink Shai (tea) is served everywhere, from cafes and restaurants to souvenir shops and street carts. Gourmet cuisine awaits in many of Egypt’s 5-star hotels, which boast superb fine dining destinations for guests to enjoy.
Best time to visit
There's an abundance of rejuvenating sunshine in Egypt, with fantastic weather all-year-round making it a great choice for a summer getaway or an escape from the chill and dark nights of winter in the UK. May to October are the hottest months, with the mercury ranging from the high 20s to 40°C in July. This is a great year for anyone wanting a lazy time, soaking up the sun on the glorious beaches next to the inviting warm waters of the Red Sea. Temperatures fall between November and April, when they still average above 20°C during the day, which makes conditions perfect for exploring Egypt's incredible outdoor attractions, including the pyramids at Giza and the Valley of the Kings. This wonderful destination experiences very little rainfall, with less than 80 millimetres of precipitation annually in most of the country.
“There’s never a dull moment in this awe-inspiring destination, where there’s something to wow every type of holidaymaker, from romantic couples yearning for beach relaxation to culture fiends wanting to explore famous ancient landmarks.
“Egypt’s luxurious 5-star all-inclusive hotels are truly impressive, with excellent leisure amenities, private sandy beaches, lagoon swimming pools, top-class restaurants and packed programmes of live entertainment.
“Water sports enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice with the range of activities in the Red Sea, while camel rides, buggy safaris and sandboarding are among the delights which await in the vast desert landscapes.
“With its superb outdoor activities, crystal-clear waters, fantastic food and wonderful year-round sunshine, Egypt really is the perfect place to create magical memories that will last a lifetime.
Travel expert recommendation
Jasmine Palace Resort & Spa
It’s sun-drenched bliss all the way at this sensational 5-star resort, set in a fabulous beachfront location on the Red Sea. Endless thrills await little ones on the slides at the aqua park, while pools, a spa, gym, kids club and playground are among the other wonderful features. Fun-filled evening entertainment can also be expected, as well as delightful rooms and suites, and a choice of sensational restaurants offering culinary delights from near and far.
Treat the whole family to a fun-packed escape full of water park adventures and excitement at this phenomenal 5-star resort. Glistening swimming pools, a beautiful private beach, fabulous kids club and extensive wellness amenities all await, as well as activities galore on land and in the sea. You’ll also find a spectrum of dining venues, with dishes to please the pickiest of eaters, and feel right at home in the well-equipped rooms and suites.
Feed your craving for golden sand, turquoise waters and glorious sunshine with a stay at this sublime 5-star getaway sat beside the Red Sea. Here you can split your days between the beach and the pool, as well as being able to take advantage of excellent features such as an aqua park, water sports, a spa, a gym and an array of other superb activities. You’ll be able to rest easy in charming accommodation and dine in style at a choice of enticing restaurants.