Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx
Giza
Last ancient Wonder still standing; plateau west of Cairo.
🇪🇬 Egypt
مصر · EGP · Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Tourist police 126 · as of 2026-08
How the country is laid outQuick orientation — regions & cities▸
Nile is the spine: Mediterranean (Alexandria) → Cairo/Giza → Upper Egypt (Luxor, Aswan) → Red Sea east (Hurghada, Sharm) and Sinai. Fly Cairo–Luxor/Aswan or take the sleeper. Sinai stamp-only entry from Sharm does not cover Cairo/Nile — get a full tourist visa (visa2egypt.gov.eg, ~USD 25–30).
PlacesTop sights with photos & tips▸
Grand Egyptian Museum
Giza
New museum by the pyramids; Ramses II colossus at the door.
Karnak Temple
Luxor
Largest religious complex ever built; 134-column hypostyle hall.
Valley of the Kings
Luxor West Bank
Royal tombs including Tutankhamun KV62.
Abu Simbel
Aswan region
Ramses II colossi; whole temple moved in 1968 above Lake Nasser.
Philae Temple
Agilkia Island
Temple of Isis; boat access.
Khan el-Khalili
Islamic Cairo
14th-century bazaar of spices, lanterns, metalwork.
Siwa Oasis
Western Desert
Salt lakes, Oracle of Amun, Amazigh culture.
Prices (ranges, not quotes)What things cost — realistic ranges▸
| Item | Range | USD | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koshary / ful street meal | 50–100 EGP | ~USD 1–2.1 | 2026-08 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | 300–1500 EGP | ~USD 6–31 | 2026-08 |
| Taameya sandwich | 15–40 EGP | ~USD 0.3–0.8 | 2026-08 |
| Pyramids general entry | 500–700 EGP | ~USD 10–15 | 2026-08 |
| Valley of the Kings | 400–600 EGP | ~USD 8–13 | 2026-08 |
| Hot-air balloon Luxor | 50–120 USD | ~USD 50–120 | 2026-08 |
| Scuba dive Red Sea | 40–100 USD | ~USD 40–100 | 2026-08 |
| Souvenir T-shirt | 100–1000 EGP | ~USD 2–21 | 2026-08 |
| Cairo Metro trip | 10–20 EGP | ~USD 0.2–0.4 | 2026-08 |
HotelsWhere to stay — top picks & nightly prices▸
Marriott Mena House
Giza, at the pyramids
Historic palace gardens with pyramid views.
250–500 USD / night
No public number verified — use official site.
Passport at check-in (police register). 14:00 / 12:00.
Gardens, pyramid-view rooms, pool
Four Seasons Nile Plaza
Garden City, Cairo
Nile views, rooftop pool, spa.
350–700 USD / night
No public number verified — use official site.
Passport required.
Nile view, spa, fine dining
Sofitel Winter Palace
Luxor
Colonial Nile hotel where royalty stayed.
200–400 USD / night
No public number verified — use official site.
Passport. Breakfast often included.
Gardens, Nile views
Sofitel Legend Old Cataract
Aswan
1899 hotel; Agatha Christie wrote here.
300–600 USD / night
No public number verified — use official site.
Passport.
Nile & Elephantine views
Passport mandatory. Alcohol in international hotels only. Baksheesh expected (porters 10–20 EGP). 220V Type C/F.
Transport & delivery appsRide, food & delivery apps locals use▸
| App | Kind | Best for | vs others |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uber Cairo, Alex, Hurghada | ride | Airport and tourists | Pricier than Careem; most familiar |
| Careem Wider incl. Mansoura, Upper Egypt | ride | Cities Uber skips | Uber-owned but separate; more towns |
| inDriver Major cities | ride | Short cheap hops | Cash; needs bargaining |
| Talabat Nationwide | food | Reliability | Vs Elmenus: Talabat is checkout, Elmenus is discovery |
| Elmenus Major cities | food | Finding new kitchens | Weaker logistics than Talabat |
| Swvl / Go Bus Cairo–Alex–Hurghada–Sharm | intercity | Skip taxis between cities | Trains (ENR sleeper) for Luxor/Aswan nights |
SIM / eSIM / internetStay online — SIM & eSIM options▸
Vodafone Egypt
Best incl. Sinai/desert
Tourist Line 20–50 GB ~400–700 EGP / 30d
Airport kiosks after customs; passport photo
Orange Egypt
Strong cities
Holiday Line 15–40 GB ~350–600 EGP / 30d
English at airports
Etisalat by e&
Urban, cheaper data
Visitor Pack 20–50 GB ~300–550 EGP / 30d
Passport required
WE (Telecom Egypt)
State, expanding
Tourist SIM 10–30 GB ~250–500 EGP / 30d
Also the fixed-line company
Airalo / Holafly / Ubigi before you fly. 4G nationwide; 5G Cairo/Alex/resorts rolling 2025–26.
CultureDo's, don'ts & local customs▸
Clothes
Resorts: Western at pool only. Cairo: cover shoulders/knees to reduce hassle. Mosques: scarf + long pants (often provided). Upper Egypt: conservative.
Food
Koshary is the national plate. Ful and taameya (fava falafel) for breakfast. Molokhia, mahshi, fattah. Tea is hospitality. Right hand for food in traditional rooms.
Marriage
Khetba engagement, henna night, mahr in the contract, zaffa drums. Multi-day events.
History
Khufu pyramid c.2560 BC — skilled crews, not slaves. Sphinx nose likely 14th-c. iconoclasm, not Napoleon. Tutankhamun tomb 1922. Abu Simbel cut into 1,000+ blocks in 1968.
Stories
Alexander at Siwa oracle (331 BC). St Catherine’s (565 AD) holds the second-largest early manuscript hoard after the Vatican.
Map
Community translation — verify medical, legal, and visa text.