Egypt Holidays

Last updated: August 2026

Egypt holidays offer something no other destination on earth can match: the chance to stand before monuments built 4,500 years ago, cruise the Nile past temples that predate the Roman Empire, and then retreat to a world-class Red Sea resort for a week of warm-water diving and golden beach relaxation — all within a single holiday. Egypt is one of the most layered, surprising and rewarding destinations available to UK travellers on a short-haul flight.

Whether you are drawn to the ancient wonders of Cairo holidays and the Great Pyramid of Giza, the beach resorts of Hurghada holidays and Sharm el-Sheikh holidays, or the temple-lined banks of the Nile at Luxor holidays, this guide covers everything you need to plan an unforgettable Egypt break.

Why Choose Egypt?

Egypt offers a density of world-class attractions that is genuinely unmatched anywhere on the planet. The country contains around one third of all the ancient monuments on earth, concentrated along the Nile valley from Cairo to Abu Simbel in a corridor of temples, tombs, obelisks and statues that took thousands of years to create. No other destination puts so many world-changing historical sites within such a manageable geographic area.

For beach lovers, Egypt’s Red Sea coast is one of the finest dive and snorkel destinations in the world: warm clear water, extraordinary coral reefs, and an abundance of marine life that includes sharks, rays, dolphins, turtles and hundreds of species of reef fish. The resorts of Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and Marsa Alam offer excellent hotel infrastructure alongside this natural marine environment at prices that represent outstanding value compared to comparable Caribbean or Maldives alternatives.

The combination of culture and beach makes Egypt particularly versatile. Many UK visitors choose a split holiday — a few nights in Cairo for the Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum, then a week on the Red Sea coast for beach and diving. Others base themselves on a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, visiting the great temple complexes from the comfort of a floating hotel. Egypt accommodates both approaches and many more.

Ancient Egypt: Pyramids, Temples and the Nile

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one still standing — a fact that tends to make an impression even on visitors who arrive with realistic expectations. Built around 2560 BC for Pharaoh Khufu, the pyramid stands 138 metres tall (originally 147 metres) and was constructed from approximately 2.3 million stone blocks. Standing at its base, the scale becomes overwhelming in a way that no photograph quite captures.

The Valley of the Kings at Luxor contains the tombs of over 60 pharaohs from the New Kingdom period (1539–1075 BC), including the famous tomb of Tutankhamun discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. The painted tomb walls — vivid scenes from the Book of the Dead, preserved for 3,000 years in the dry desert air — are among the most extraordinary artworks in existence. Karnak Temple, a short distance from Luxor, is the largest religious building ever constructed, covering 200 acres and built over 2,000 years by successive pharaohs.

A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan — typically 4 or 7 nights — is one of the great travel experiences of the world. Sailing between the temple complexes of Edfu and Kom Ombo, watching the desert cliffs and palm-fringed banks pass by, and stepping ashore at sites that have changed little since antiquity provides a perspective on Egyptian civilisation that no land-based tour can fully replicate. At the southern end of the cruise, the relocated Abu Simbel temples — carved from solid rock by Ramesses II — are accessible by flight from Aswan and represent perhaps the single most dramatic ancient monument in all of Egypt.

The Red Sea Resorts

Hurghada holidays suit visitors who want a well-developed beach resort with reliable sunshine, good hotel infrastructure and a wide range of watersports and dive operations. The town has grown rapidly since the 1980s and now extends for some 40 kilometres along the Red Sea coast, with its best hotels and beaches concentrated in the Sahl Hasheesh and El Gouna areas to the north and south. The Giftun Islands, a protected marine reserve just offshore, offer some of the finest snorkelling in the Red Sea.

Sharm el-Sheikh holidays focus on the tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba meet in a concentration of dive sites that is considered among the finest in the world. Ras Mohammed National Park, the Thistlegorm wreck and the canyon at Blue Hole Dahab are all within reach. Sharm has a more cosmopolitan and resort-developed feel than Hurghada, with the Naama Bay strip providing good evening entertainment alongside the beach and diving offer.

Marsa Alam holidays offer a quieter and less developed alternative in southern Red Sea Egypt, where the coral reefs are largely unspoilt and the chance of encountering dugongs, whale sharks and dolphins is significantly higher than at the more northerly resorts. Taba holidays provide access to the northern Sinai with proximity to Jordan and Israel for combined regional itineraries.

Culture and Modern Egypt

Cairo holidays reveal the extraordinary meeting point of ancient and contemporary Egypt. The Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square houses the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts, including the complete treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Old Cairo opened in 2021 as a state-of-the-art alternative, housing the royal mummies in a purpose-built hall. Islamic Cairo — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is a medieval labyrinth of mosques, madrasas, caravanserais and the famous Khan el-Khalili bazaar where skilled craftsmen still produce traditional metalwork, textiles and glassware.

Alexandria holidays explore the Greek and Roman heritage of Egypt’s second city, founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina — a modern interpretation of the ancient Library of Alexandria — is an architectural landmark that also houses several museums. The Qaitbay Citadel sits on the site of the ancient Pharos lighthouse (one of the original Seven Wonders) and provides excellent views of the Mediterranean harbour.

Aswan holidays introduce the Nubian culture of Upper Egypt — a more relaxed and colourful atmosphere than the frenetic energy of Cairo, with the Philae Temple (rescued from the Nile by UNESCO engineers and relocated to Agilkia Island), the Aswan High Dam and the classic Nile-side felucca sailing experience. Aswan is the starting or finishing point for most Nile cruises and the gateway to Abu Simbel.

Food and Local Life

Egyptian cuisine is hearty, flavourful and built around simple, honest ingredients. Ful medames — slow-cooked fava beans with olive oil, lemon and cumin — is the national breakfast dish and one of the world’s oldest continuously eaten foods. Kushari, a mix of rice, lentils, pasta and tomato sauce topped with fried onions and a spiced vinegar dressing, is the quintessential Egyptian street food: cheap, filling and available from dedicated kushari restaurants throughout Cairo and the Nile towns.

Fresh bread — typically the flat, pocketed eish baladi — accompanies almost every meal and is baked in communal ovens throughout every neighbourhood. Grilled meats, particularly kofta and kebab, are popular for both lunch and dinner, often accompanied by tahini, salad and pickled vegetables. At the Red Sea resorts, international hotel dining dominates, but venturing into the local town sections of Hurghada or Sharm for Egyptian food is always rewarding and significantly cheaper.

Egyptian tea — strong, sweet, served in small glasses — and fresh-pressed sugarcane juice are the defining drinks of the country. Coffee is Turkish-style in most traditional cafés. Alcohol is available at tourist hotels and restaurants throughout the country, though Egypt is a predominantly Muslim nation and drinking in public outside of licensed premises is not appropriate.

Getting There

Egypt is served by multiple airports. Cairo International Airport (CAI) is the main hub for cultural itineraries. Hurghada International Airport (HRG) and Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport (SSH) serve the main Red Sea resorts. Luxor International Airport (LXR) connects directly to the temple city. Marsa Alam Airport (RMF) serves the southern Red Sea. Flight times from London are approximately 4 hours 30 minutes to the Red Sea resorts and 5 hours to Cairo.

UK carriers including easyJet, Jet2, TUI and Thomas Cook Airlines operate direct routes to Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and Marsa Alam from multiple UK airports. British Airways and EgyptAir serve Cairo from London Heathrow. Internal flights within Egypt connect Cairo to Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel efficiently and are inexpensive when booked locally.

Egypt at a Glance

Book Your Egypt Holiday

Look for ABTA membership, ATOL protection or ABTOT cover — these schemes protect your money if an operator ceases trading before or during your holiday. For a plain-English guide to what each scheme covers, read our holiday protection guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Egypt Holidays

Is Egypt safe for UK tourists?

The main tourist areas of Egypt — Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea resorts — are generally safe for UK visitors and receive millions of tourists annually without serious incident. The Egyptian government maintains a significant security presence around tourist sites and hotels. The FCDO travel advice for Egypt should always be checked before booking and before departure.

The Red Sea resorts of Hurghada and Marsa Alam are considered among the safest tourist areas in Egypt. Sharm el-Sheikh was subject to a UK government flight restriction following the 2015 Metrojet bombing, but this was lifted in 2019. Standard precautions — keeping valuables secure, following local guidance and avoiding political gatherings — apply as they would in any destination.

When is the best time to visit Egypt?

October to April is the best period for visiting Egypt. Temperatures are considerably more manageable than the summer months — Cairo and Luxor can reach 40°C in July and August, which makes sightseeing extremely taxing. The Red Sea is warm year-round for swimming and diving, and the winter months (December–February) offer ideal conditions with temperatures of 20–25°C on the coast.

Spring (March–May) brings the khamsin — hot dusty winds from the Sahara — that can affect sightseeing conditions in Upper Egypt. Summer is the least comfortable time for cultural visits inland but remains viable for pure beach and diving holidays on the coast, where hotel air conditioning and sea breezes compensate for the heat.

Do I need a visa for Egypt?

UK citizens require a visa to enter Egypt. An e-visa can be obtained online before travel through the official Egyptian e-visa portal for a modest fee, which is far simpler than obtaining a visa on arrival. The e-visa covers most tourist purposes and is valid for 30 days from entry. Some package holiday operators include visa assistance as part of their service.

Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the planned date of return to the UK. It is advisable to carry a printed copy of your e-visa confirmation as well as the digital version, as some border officials prefer to see a printed document.

Can I combine beach and sightseeing in one Egypt holiday?

Combining beach and ancient history is one of the most popular Egypt holiday formats and is easily done. The classic approach is to spend 2–3 nights in Cairo visiting the Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum, then fly to Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh for a week on the beach. Internal flights between Cairo and the Red Sea resorts are inexpensive and take under an hour.

Alternatively, a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan (4–7 nights) can be combined with a Red Sea beach extension, or with a Cairo city break. Many UK tour operators offer pre-packaged combined itineraries that include flights, transfers, cruise accommodation and beach hotel in a single booking, which simplifies planning considerably.

Are Egypt holidays financially protected?