Home to world famous sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx of Giza, and Nile River, Egypt is the most visited country in Africa. Egypt is also known for the Sahara desert, ancient cities such as Luxor, Aswan, and Alexandria, coastal resort cities such as Hurghada, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Read below to learn more about the country.

The Basics:

• Languages: Arabic is the official language, although many educated citizens learn English and French in school

• Currency: Egyptian Pound, Click here to see the current exchange rate

• Timezone: Eastern European Time (UTC+2)

• Visas: Tourists from several Middle Eastern countries do not require a visa to enter Egypt. For most European countries and select other countries, tourists can obtain an e-visa or visa on arrival

• Driving side: Right

• Tipping: Around 10% is expected at restaurants

Places to Visit and Things to Do:

• Cairo: The capital of Egypt and the largest city of the Arab world, the Cairo area is undoubtably the main reason for tourism to Egypt. Major attractions include the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx of Giza, and the Grand Egyptian Museum

• Nile River Cruise: Taking a cruise along the longest river in Africa is a great way to explore many of the less visited cities and temples south of Cairo. Many Nile River cruises are between 3-7 days in length, and travel between cities such as Luxor and Aswan

• Alexandria: Known mainly for its former marvels such as the Library of Alexandria and Lighthouse of Alexandria, the city is know today for more modern attractions such as the Alexandria National Museum and Bibliotheca Alexandria, which is home to a library, 4 museums, 4 art galleries, a planetarium, and more

• Luxor: Known as the world’s largest open-air musem, Luxor is home to many impressive ancient sites, such as the Valley of the Kings and the temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor

• Hurghada: Located on the Red Sea, Hurghada is a popular beachside resort town which is known for great scuba diving

Travel Tips:

• Explore more of Egypt than just the Cairo area! While Cairo is deservedly the main attraction to most, there are plenty of other great places to explore in Egypt, such as the temples in Luxor, scuba diving in Hurghada, cruising the Nile, or stay at a resort on the Gulf of Aqaba

• Time of year makes a big difference in visiting Egypt. Temperatures can be extremely hot in the summer months, making outdoor activities unbearable. While the winter months are cooler, the crowds are much larger, and haze can be an issue in Cairo

• Always carry cash with you. Many purchases are cash only, and tipping can be a frequent occurrence

• Security checks and the presence of military and police are commonplace in major tourist sites. While their large presence may be more than you are accustomed to, the security checks, military, and police are there to protect the tourists and the major sites. The large majority of tourists report that Egypt is considered a very safe country.