Our picks in Egypt

Egypt: An Archeological Playground of Ancient Wonders
Between the ancient flowing Nile and the millennia-old Great Pyramids, the past is very much present in Egypt. But the country also caters to visitors with cosmopolitan appetites. Here, you don’t have to choose: you can explore tombs that are thousands of years old, golf on a championship course, and purchase designer clothing all in one day.

Where to Stay
The Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano straddles multiple cultures with aplomb. Situated on the Mediterranean, the lapping sea gives it a European air, but the elegant structure lends a decidedly Middle Eastern feeling. The resort boasts five-star accommodations, an impressive international spa, and dining options that span global cuisine from Japanese to Italian.

A chic new development on the Red Sea Coast, the InterContinental Taba Heights offers three buildings linked by landscaped garden pathways; exceptional suites; and facilities including a championship golf course designed by PGA pros, pools, lavish spa, and an aquatic centre featuring a variety of water sports.

The southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula is home to the Ritz Carlton Sharm El Sheikh, a luxury resort with glorious views of the coastline and desert mountains, seven swimming pools, incredible gourmet cuisine, and a spa that specializes in wellness derived from ancient Egyptian methods.

For more hotels, visit our Cairo Hotels page »

Where to Eat
In Luxor, the Old Winter Palace is the place to go for upscale accommodations and cuisine. The expensive 1886 Restaurant is a Silver Service establishment, so proper attire is required; it’s worth it, though, to dine in opulence that’s unmatched in the city. Between the lavish ambience, distinctive menu, and imported wines, it’s sure to be a meal to remember.

Felfela Restaurant in Hurghada has dazzling sea views and authentic Egyptian cuisine. The delightfully lengthy menu includes mezzas such as hummus, kebabs, and falafel; wood oven-baked meats and fish dishes; and stuffed vegetables. The scenery is equally stunning: a cliff-side location with many different terrace levels to give each diner the best view possible. 

Onboard the Americana Boat in Giza is the gorgeous Fish Market, a restaurant with front-row views of the Nile and a seafood bar to tempt anyone’s taste buds. Hand-select your dinner from a large variety of fish and shellfish, decide on the quantity you desire, and then choose a preparation method—grilled, sautéed, baked, or fried. Then wait for your meal, complete with tasty homemade sauces, to arrive.

Visit the Dining page for more ideas and advice on the best restaurants in Cairo »

Where to go
Like many cities in Egypt, Alexandria is as famous for what it was as what it is today. Named for its legendary founder, Alexander the Great, this city on the Mediterranean teems with ancient sites and has been associated with some of the most famous names in history—Cleopatra and Julius Caesar, for example. Among the great sites is Pompey’s Pillar, the largest memorial pillar in Egypt at 28 metres tall, a remnant of an ancient temple full of Roman and Egyptian artefacts. The ruins of the city’s Roman Amphitheatre, which was once covered by a dome, consist of 13 tiers of seating created from white and grey marble. A more modern addition is the reincarnated Bibliotheca Alexandria. The original Royal Library of Alexandria was founded in the 3rd century BC, but it—and its manuscripts and documents—have been lost to history. The 2003 edition is a striking 11-storey building filled with 8 million books in every language, museums, libraries, galleries, and more.

City of the Dead is exactly what it sounds like—a huge necropolis in Cairo that consists of a honeycomb-like maze of tombs and mausoleums that stretches for miles. Some interesting Islamic architecture can be found there—including a carved dome within the Mosque of Qaitbey in the northern cemetery that many believe to be the finest of its kind in the Muslim world. There’s far less squeamishness among Egyptians about the dead, so the area has become a popular—though illegal—place for some citizens to dwell.

Karnak Temple in Luxor is among the greatest sights in Egypt. The complex is actually a series of three large temples and many smaller temples that were constructed over a 1,300-year period. Thebes (as the city was known in ancient times) rose to incredible glory during the New Kingdom, resulting in this awe-inspiring complex—the largest temple complex ever built. Among the most fascinating of the ruins is the incredible Temple of Amun and the Hypostyle Hall, still regarded as one of the greatest architectural feats in history.

For a comprehensive guide to 'must-see' places in Cairo, visit our Explore page »

Where to shop
One can’t-miss market in Alexandria is the Sook El-Attareen, one of the most popular antiques markets in the entire country. The site itself, which consists of intimate shops and small alleyways, hasn’t changed much in centuries, and the items being offered haven’t either—only now they’re antiques. It’s a great place to find antique furniture, coins, vases, and other specialty goods.

Walk through any Egyptian city, and within minutes you’ll notice the beautiful fabrics worn by the women. If you want to browse among the luscious hues of high-quality fabrics, head to the Wekalat Al-Balah area in Cairo, an entire neighbourhood dedicated to these woven wonders. From palace-like shops to street vendors, it’s both entertaining and fun to find the perfect pattern to take home.

A unique and perhaps useful reminder of your trip to Egypt is the purchase of a musical instrument. The best instruments can be found on Muhammad Ali Street—named for the founder of modern Egypt, rather than the boxer. Most instruments aren’t mass produced; instead, artisans craft instruments for the shop itself. Ouds, guitar-like pieces that date back more than 3,000 years, are a popular here, but be prepared to pay mightily for well-made ones.

Our Shopping page has lots more advice on the best places to shop in Cairo »

What to Do
You’re not likely to make a purchase, but simply going to the Birqash Camel Market outside Cairo is an adventure you’ll remember for a long time. These sometimes-rambunctious creatures appear every Friday at the camel bazaar in the western part of the city, waiting to be sold to the highest bidder. 

For a taste of a tropical paradise while on holiday in Egypt, take in the lush splendour of the Aswan Botanical Garden. Located on Kitchener’s Island in the middle of the Nile, the beautiful garden features more than 30 types of palm trees and tropical plants from all over the world. Not surprisingly, this Eden-like space is a magnet for colourful, exotic birds.

Sharm El Sheikh on the Red Sea is world renowned for its diving, so lovers of the deep blue should make a point to check out the diving there. The Sinai Dive Club at the Hilton Fayrouz Resort gets high marks for safety, hospitality, multilingual instructors, and first-class service. They provide instruction in all Padi courses and offer daily snorkeling and diving expeditions to the Ras Mohamed National Park and the Strait of Tiran.

Check out the Events page for what's coming up over the next couple of months »