Choose from 103 Fun Things to Do in Egypt
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Luxor Safaga Cruise Port
Located on Egypt's Red Sea coast, the port of Safaga has a small but lively tourism industry, primarily centered on scuba diving and surfing. For most cruise passengers, the port will serve as an entry way to visit Luxor several hours away. It is also a port for ferries to and from Saudi Arabia, just across the Red Sea.
How to get to Luxor
Luxor is about a three and a half hour drive from Safaga, so you will likely visit as part of an organized shore excursion, often one that includes an overnight stay in Luxor. If you prefer to go independently, a taxi may run as much as $100 each way and must be arranged in advance. Either way, you will travel as part of a police-escorted convoy through the desert to Luxor.
One Day in Luxor
Most shore excursions will include Luxor's three must-see sights: Luxor Temple, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. Visiting all three will easily fill up your entire day.
Located in the heart of the city on the east bank of the Nile, Luxor Temple was built by pharaohs Amenhotep III and Ramses II in the 14th and 13th centuries B.C. Entering the temple, you will pass between two enormous seated statues of Ramses II on your way to the courts of the two pharaohs. Don't miss the chapel of Alexander the Great toward the back of the temple, which includes images of Alexander as an Egyptian pharaoh.
Egypt's second most visited tourist site, Karnak is a vast complex covering 2 square kilometers, making it the largest ancient religious site in the world. The primary temple, the Temple of Amun, is the largest religious structure ever built "“ St. Peter's, Notre Dame and Milan Cathedrals would all fit inside. You will likely feel overwhelmed as you enter the complex through the massive Hypostyle Hall, lined with 134 columns, the largest of which are 21 meters tall and over 3 meters in diameter. Spend an hour or two at the complex exploring the array of smaller temples, sanctuaries and shrines.
The Valley of the Kings is located on the west bank of the Nile and contains the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs and nobles from the 16th to 11th centuries B.C. Many of the tombs were opened and robbed in ancient times, but extensive hieroglyphics and colorful frescoes remain in some, giving visitors an idea of how they may have looked centuries ago. An entry ticket to the Valley of the Kings generally allows you to enter three tombs of your choice, although they are not all open at the same time. Visiting the tomb of King Tutankhamun costs extra. No cameras are allowed inside the tombs, a rule that is enforced very strictly.
If you are staying in Luxor overnight, try a felucca ride on the Nile just before sunset and then head back to Karnak for an evening sound and light show. Alternatively, you might try your hand at bargaining in the market before returning to Luxor Temple to see it lit up at night.
How to get to Luxor
Luxor is about a three and a half hour drive from Safaga, so you will likely visit as part of an organized shore excursion, often one that includes an overnight stay in Luxor. If you prefer to go independently, a taxi may run as much as $100 each way and must be arranged in advance. Either way, you will travel as part of a police-escorted convoy through the desert to Luxor.
One Day in Luxor
Most shore excursions will include Luxor's three must-see sights: Luxor Temple, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. Visiting all three will easily fill up your entire day.
Located in the heart of the city on the east bank of the Nile, Luxor Temple was built by pharaohs Amenhotep III and Ramses II in the 14th and 13th centuries B.C. Entering the temple, you will pass between two enormous seated statues of Ramses II on your way to the courts of the two pharaohs. Don't miss the chapel of Alexander the Great toward the back of the temple, which includes images of Alexander as an Egyptian pharaoh.
Egypt's second most visited tourist site, Karnak is a vast complex covering 2 square kilometers, making it the largest ancient religious site in the world. The primary temple, the Temple of Amun, is the largest religious structure ever built "“ St. Peter's, Notre Dame and Milan Cathedrals would all fit inside. You will likely feel overwhelmed as you enter the complex through the massive Hypostyle Hall, lined with 134 columns, the largest of which are 21 meters tall and over 3 meters in diameter. Spend an hour or two at the complex exploring the array of smaller temples, sanctuaries and shrines.
The Valley of the Kings is located on the west bank of the Nile and contains the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs and nobles from the 16th to 11th centuries B.C. Many of the tombs were opened and robbed in ancient times, but extensive hieroglyphics and colorful frescoes remain in some, giving visitors an idea of how they may have looked centuries ago. An entry ticket to the Valley of the Kings generally allows you to enter three tombs of your choice, although they are not all open at the same time. Visiting the tomb of King Tutankhamun costs extra. No cameras are allowed inside the tombs, a rule that is enforced very strictly.
If you are staying in Luxor overnight, try a felucca ride on the Nile just before sunset and then head back to Karnak for an evening sound and light show. Alternatively, you might try your hand at bargaining in the market before returning to Luxor Temple to see it lit up at night.
Port Information
There aren't really any tourist facilities at the port and the town of Safaga is 1.5 miles away. If you have traveler's checks, you should change them onboard your ship. The currency is the Egyptian pound, but many souvenir shops will accept dollars or credit cards. Arabic is the official language in Egypt, but most involved in the tourism industry speak some English.
Address: Egypt
From $ 38
Sharm el Sheikh Cruise Port
Sharm el Sheikh lies on the tip of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulfs of Aqaba and Suez meet the Red Sea. Rapidly growing in popularity with tourists, it is one of the most extraordinary diving destinations in the world. In addition to cruise ships, the port welcomes private yachts and sailboats and regular ferries to and from Aqaba and Hurghada.
How to get to Sharm el Sheikh
The port is located on the southern side of town, about 4 kilometers from Old Sharm and 10 kilometers from the tourist hotspot Na'ama Bay. No public transportation connects the port with the city and taxis may not always be available, so the best option to get into town may be a shore excursion or other transportation offered by your cruise ship.
One Day in Sharm el Sheikh
Diving is the primary attraction in Sharm el Sheikh, but there is plenty to occupy the non-diver. Possible activities include snorkeling, horseback riding, quad bike riding, parasailing and camel trekking. Just south of the city you will find the Ras Mohammed National Park, which is a wildlife haven known to have some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world.
You might also consider a day trip to Mount Sinai and the Monastery of St. Catherine. The mountain is thought to be where Moses received the Ten Commandments and hiking to the top (about 2-3 hours) will reward you with incredible views across Sinai.
For a more relaxing experience in Sharm el Sheikh, you might just spend the day around town, checking out the Bedouin handicraft markets or relaxing on the beach.
How to get to Sharm el Sheikh
The port is located on the southern side of town, about 4 kilometers from Old Sharm and 10 kilometers from the tourist hotspot Na'ama Bay. No public transportation connects the port with the city and taxis may not always be available, so the best option to get into town may be a shore excursion or other transportation offered by your cruise ship.
One Day in Sharm el Sheikh
Diving is the primary attraction in Sharm el Sheikh, but there is plenty to occupy the non-diver. Possible activities include snorkeling, horseback riding, quad bike riding, parasailing and camel trekking. Just south of the city you will find the Ras Mohammed National Park, which is a wildlife haven known to have some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world.
You might also consider a day trip to Mount Sinai and the Monastery of St. Catherine. The mountain is thought to be where Moses received the Ten Commandments and hiking to the top (about 2-3 hours) will reward you with incredible views across Sinai.
For a more relaxing experience in Sharm el Sheikh, you might just spend the day around town, checking out the Bedouin handicraft markets or relaxing on the beach.
Port Information
There are no exchange facilities, ATMs, phones or internet access at the port. While the official currency is the Egyptian pound, most tourist stores will readily accept US dollars and possibly British pounds and Euros as well. The official language is Arabic and while English may be spoken by many in the tourism industry, it is not common among taxi drivers.
Address: Egypt
From $ 53
Lake Nasser
Named after the Egyptian President who started the process, Lake Nasser is a result of the construction of the Aswan High Dam which effectively modernised Egypt, doubling its electic supply and significantly increasing the amount of agricultural land. Between 1958 and 1970, the Nile River was dammed, causing much controversy, and forming Lake Nasser (83% of which is in Egypt, the rest lying in Sudan and called Lake Nubia). The lake is 340 miles (550 km) long, and 22 miles (35 km) across at its widest point.
The lake covers the entire area which once housed Nubain villages containing hundreds of thousands of people. They were relocated to new areas and the Sudanese port and railway town of Wadi Halfa rebuilt. Today ferries cross the lake from Aswan to Wadi Halfa and this is the only connection between the two countries: there is no paved road link. The alternative is to fly. The lake is popular for Nile perch fishing and boating.
Practical Info
Lake Nasser stretches south from the Aswan High Dam. The best way to see it is by boat, perhaps travelling over a few days from Aswan to Abu Simbel. Alternately hire a felucca boat and sail the traditional way.
Address: Aswan, Egypt
Admission: Free
From $ 30