Tourist Attractions & Monuments Egypt

Timetable

Most tourist sites open between 9am and 4pm continuously, sometimes opening earlier around 7am and closing a little later, but rarely after 6pm. Some have night-time options.

To be booked

Depending on the site and the region, some are only accessible with a reservation, others are not. Find out in advance, as some sites can only be visited by appointment.

Please note that on some sites in Upper Egypt (particularly around Aswan), you can no longer pay for entry to tourist sites in cash, but simply by credit card.

Budget & Tips

Egypt relies heavily on its cultural tourism, and while you can eat and stay without breaking the bank, you'll need to budget for visits. Expect to pay between 60 and 400 LE for access to the major sites. Certain days should be avoided when planning visits, notably public holidays such as the end of Ramadan, Eid el-Kebir, Cham al-Nessim and October 6. Fridays should also be avoided if you want to visit sites such as the Giza or Saqqarah pyramids, the Egyptian Museum or the Nile ledges. The locals take advantage of these days to flock to these sites and public places, and you won't fully appreciate them.

Entrance fees to the tourist sites listed in this guide are subject to change, particularly due to inflation, which is particularly high in Egypt.

Main events

Egypt is not a country of festivals or recurring events, except for a few fairs and biennials. The international film festival at the end of the year, however, allows you to see Egyptian novelties and meet some of the actors. Of course, religious holidays are important, especially the month of Ramadan, during which the nights are extremely joyful and where all the cultural centres, the opera house and the restored houses of Islamic Cairo host many concerts. It is then better to have a weekly newspaper in French or English to make your choice.

Guided tours

They are advisable and even necessary for certain regions. Recommended to learn more about the sites and, incidentally, to discourage the many touts! Necessary, especially in certain parts of the desert which are only accessible in the presence of a guide. To find a guide, you can rely on the Egyptian Travel Agents Association, which lists the main Egyptian tourist agencies, of which there are over 2,500 throughout the country. Its website, https://www.etaa-egypt.org, lists the names and contact details of agencies validated by the association: a guarantee of confidence if you're organizing your own trip. Approved by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, EETA or ETTA is certainly the most informed about current legislation and rates.

Tourist traps

Or the impression it gives that here the baksheesh is more than a tip, it is rather an informal economy in a country where wages are very low. The political and economic crisis has greatly increased poverty, and baksheesh has unfortunately become more a necessity for everyone than a game for some. It is also another way of "practicing" almsgiving by giving a pen, a piece of candy, a small note to someone who has only his eyes to offer and his hand to hold out.