Egypt's got the lot - ancient pyramids, swish beaches, top diving spots and scorchin' sunshine all year round.
Best Things about Holidays to Egypt
Full of ancient wonders - from pyramids to pharaohs
Set right along the Red Sea with all its colourful marine life
Year-round toastiness that rarely dips below 20°C - perfect for last-minute holidays!
Hotels for every mood - from romantic retreats to fam-friendly havens
Egypt-facts
🤩 Fun fact: cat-lovers will fit right in here, because the Ancient Egyptians were crazy about them - as in, they used to worship their own cat goddess.
🏝️ Best beach: you can't get much better than Naama Bay in Sharm El-Sheikh, decked out with crystal waters for snorkelling, beach sports for a bit of healthy competition, and loads of space for chilling.
🍺 Price of a pint: bargain booze is on the cards (and no, we don't mean the local off license) - a typical pint here ranges from 40 to 60 Egyptian Pounds (that's roughly between £1 - £1.50!)
🏨 Where to Stay in Egypt
Egypt’s got the lot – ancient wonders, beachy escapes and buzzing cities. Whether you're after a history-packed adventure or a classic summer holiday, there’s a spot with your name plastered all over it.
Sharm El Sheikh – sun, sea, and snorkelling are on the menu here. This Red Sea is a hotspot for beach-lovers, with top-tier resorts, vibrant nightlife, and world-class dive sites like Ras Mohammed.
Hurghada – a proper good all-rounder with fam-friendly beaches, buzzing nightlife, and some epic coral reefs - plus loads of swanky hotels for fuss-free All Inclusive holidays.
Dahab – a boho, barefoot beauty - fab for divers, backpackers, and anyone after a relaxed, off-the-beaten-track kind of getaway with crystal-clear waters.
🏨 Our staff's favourite hotel in Egypt:
☀ Rixos Premium Seagate in Sharm El-Sheikh ☀
Trust us when we say that this hotel is AH-MAZING. We stayed for a week and didn't want to leave (but apparently we have work to do - *sigh*). One word to describe this hotel would be: generous. We're talking Ultra All Inclusive as standard, a private beach, TWO spas (one is ladies-only), golf carts that ferry you around the resort (that's how big it is!), and an impressive selection of restaurants included with your board. Put it this way - if we could move in and live there forever, we would. We already tried.
🏖️ What are the best beaches for your Egypt holidays 2025 / 2026?
This is what beach holiday dreams are made of...
Naama Bay, Sharm El Sheikh - the main beach in the resort, known for diving, chilling out and mega beach sports. Bring a snorkel.
Mahmya Island, Hurghada - you can catch a boat from Hurghada to this exotic island escape, offering the best swimming and snorkelling opportunities, as well as gorg sunset views and delish food at the main restaurant, ‘Mahmya’.
Al Nayzak, Marsa Alam - said to be created from a meteorite, this rocky pool is just a short trip away from Marsa Alam, and considered one of the best beaches in the whole of Egypt!
Pssst! Lots of hotels in Egypt offer their own private beaches too, decked out with sun loungers, watersports and even seafront bars.
Looking for a big, beachy break with everything included? Check out our All Inclusive holiday deals to Egypt.
Things to do on your Egypt holidays
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Things to do in Egypt for families
Firstly, look for hotels that have lots of entertainment options. We're talking waterpark hotels, hotels that offer a bucket load of sports, ones with beachfront locations, or impressive kids' clubs that give kids' TV presenters a run for their money. Egypt loves to cater for families, so you're spoiled for choice. And if getting out and about is more your style, you can always take a day trip - whether it's a river cruise down the Nile or a tour of some ancient history, like the Pyramids and tombs.
👩🏼❤️👨🏾 Things to do in Egypt for couples
Egypt is spot-on for couples' breaks, with hotels that'll leave you smitten and restaurants where you can sit and stare into each others' eyes (if that doesn't make you want to vom). Top tip: the sunsets here are stupidly pretty, so if you're wanting to get extra lovey-dovey, then head down for a late afternoon stroll and watch the sun dip behind the horizon. Be prepared for a scorchin' hot, sun-soaked getaway where there'll be lots of rubbing Factor 50 onto each other's backs. Cute.
🤑 Things to do in Egypt on a budget
Exploring Egypt without burning a hole in your wallet? It's absolutely doable! First up, the iconic Pyramids of Giza – you don’t have to spend big bucks to marvel at one of the Seven Wonders of the World (no biggie). Grab a general entry ticket for a decent price and you can soak in the magic of these ancient giants. For something equally jaw-dropping but much cheaper (or even free!), head to Khan El Khalili market in Cairo. It’s an explosion of colours, scents, and sounds that'll transport you straight into the heart of Egypt’s culture. Pro tip: Egyptian street food is super cheap, so grab a delish falafel wrap for next to nothing and keep exploring!
🍽️ Things to do in Egypt for foodies
Speaking of delish food, Egypt’s culinary scene will knock your Crocs off. If you’re in Cairo, make sure you try koshari, Egypt’s national dish. It’s a carb-fuelled masterpiece of rice, lentils, pasta, and chickpeas, topped with crispy onions and a tangy tomato sauce. For the seafood-lovers, a trip to Alexandria is a must. You’ll find some of the freshest seafood right on the Mediterranean coast, often served grilled with lemon and garlic. And don't leave without tasting ful medames – a proper Egyptian brekkie of slow-cooked fava beans, usually paired with bread, eggs, and a dash of olive oil. It's a proper belly-warmer, and it’s so good you’ll want to have it at every meal!
🏄🏻♀️ Things to do in Egypt for thrill-seekers
Egypt is absolutely bursting with adrenaline-packed jollies. Fancy hurtling across the sand dunes? Hop on a quad bike or dune buggy and bosh your way through the Sahara desert. For something seriously boujee, how about soaring above Luxor at sunrise in a swanky hot air balloon, soaking in those iconic temples from a bird's-eye view? And water-lovers: scuba diving or snorkelling in the Red Sea is a must-do, with coral reefs and shipwrecks that’ll have your Instagram absolutely sizzling. Or, if you're feeling proper brave, sign up for a Nile white-water rafting trip!
Other Egypt Holidays
If you like to know how much your holiday will cost, upfront, or if you're the kind of person who likes to spend a sunny day with an ice-cream in each hand then check our pages for All Inclusive Egypt, or All Inclusive Hurghada, & All Inclusive Sharm El Sheikh. Or if you're the kind of person that, even though the Pyramids have survived for over four thousand years, you just can't wait ANY LONGER to see them then check our Last Minute Egypt deals
🚗 Getting around Egypt
🚕 Taxis
Taxis are everywhere – from the bustling streets of Cairo to the sleepy coastal towns. There are two types of taxis: white taxis with meters (more modern) and older black-and-white ones where you’ll need to dust off your haggling skills (best to agree a price beforehand). It’s also a good idea to have some cash on hand, as most won’t take card.
🚌 Microbuses
These bad boys are basically shared minibuses that zip around cities and between towns, usually for a bargain price. There are no fixed stops – you just flag one down and hop off wherever you need to. It’s a bit of a wild ride (think fast-paced, no-nonsense travel), but if you want cheap and cheerful, these are a winner. Top tip: make sure you’ve got some small notes on you, because they usually don't have change.
🚆 Trains
Egypt’s train network is one of the best ways to travel between major cities like Cairo, Alexandria, and Luxor. The trains are comfortable with various classes, from budget-friendly to boujee first-class. You can even take the sleeper trains for those long-haul journeys where getting some shut-eye is high up the priority list. Tickets are easy to buy at the station, but it's a good idea to book in advance if you're planning a busier route or a First Class ride. You can do this either online or at the ticket office.
Why book Egypt with On The Beach?
Booking your Egypt holiday with On the Beach means you're getting brilliant value without the stress—we're talking super-low deposits from just £30pp so you can secure your spot in the sun without emptying your wallet, plus flexible payment plans that let you spread the cost until four weeks before you fly. All our flight-inclusive package holidays are fully ATOL protected, which means if anything goes wrong with us or our suppliers, you'll get home safely and get your money back—proper peace of mind! Your hotel and transfer money goes straight into an independent trust account (not spent on running our business like most competitors), so we can sort refunds quickly if needed. Plus, you get to build your own perfect holiday by mixing and matching flights, hotels, and transfers to suit your budget and style. With over 1.5 million happy holidaymakers every year and tons of brilliant reviews on Trustpilot, you know you're in safe hands—we're the beach holiday specialists, and we're dead good at what we do!
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Weather in Egypt
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Summer in Egypt is not for the faint-hearted, with temperatures often venturing into the 30s and even 40s Celsius. It's a sun-worshipper's paradise - just remember to pack your SPF 50!
Winter, on the other hand, is like a warm British spring. With temperatures hovering around the mid-teens to low 20s Celsius, it's the perfect time to explore Egypt's ancient wonders or take a leisurely cruise down the Nile.
And spring or autumn? They’re like a perfectly brewed cup of Egyptian tea - warm, comforting, and just right.
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Reviews
Over 1.5 million happy customers find their perfect beach break with On the Beach every year. Here's what some of them have to say!
FAQs
How long does it take to fly to Egypt?
How long does it take to fly to Egypt?
It takes about six hours to fly to Egypt from the UK - load up your Netflix and binge some downloaded faves.
What’s the time difference between the UK and Egypt?
What’s the time difference between the UK and Egypt?
Egypt is one hour ahead of the time in the UK - hard to believe, but it means jet lag isn't gonna catch you out. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
What currency do they use in Egypt?
What currency do they use in Egypt?
The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound.
What language do they speak in Egypt?
What language do they speak in Egypt?
The official language spoken in Egypt is Arabic.
How much should I tip in Egypt?
How much should I tip in Egypt?
Tipping (called "baksheesh") is a massive part of Egyptian culture and genuinely expected—service workers rely on tips as a proper chunk of their income, so budget around 10-15% of your total trip cost for gratuities. Always tip in Egyptian pounds rather than foreign coins if you can! If someone offers unsolicited help (like carrying your bags without asking), a firm but polite "la shukran" (no thank you) is fine, but if they've already helped, a small tip is a nice gesture. Bottom line? When in doubt in Egypt, tip!
Is Egypt safe for tourists?
Is Egypt safe for tourists?
Egypt is generally safe for tourists, especially in the main resort areas like Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada, Marsa Alam, and the major tourist sites in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. Millions of holidaymakers visit Egypt every year without any issues! The Egyptian government takes tourism seriously and you'll spot tourist police at major attractions. That said, it's worth staying street-smart—stick to reputable tour operators, use licensed taxis or your hotel's transport, avoid walking alone at night in quieter areas, and be aware of common tourist scams (like overly persistent vendors or "free" gifts that turn into money demands). Women might experience some street harassment, so modest clothing covering shoulders and knees helps. Overall, if you book with proper tour companies, stay in tourist areas, and use common sense, you'll have a brilliant holiday!
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
Yes, British or European passport holders need a visa for Egypt. But here's the good news—if you're just coming for a week-long holiday to Sharm el Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba, the visa is completely free and you'll get it as an entry stamp when you arrive at the airport! This free entry lets you stay up to 15 days, as long as you stick to those Red Sea resort areas and don't venture into mainland Egypt.
Planning to explore the Pyramids, cruise the Nile, stay in Hurghada, or stay longer than 15 days? No worries—you'll need a proper tourist visa, which you can get in two easy ways: buy one on arrival at the airport for $25 USD (cash only—they prefer dollars but may accept pounds or euros), or apply for an e-visa online at least 7 days before you travel, which can help you skip the queues. Both options give you 30 days to explore the whole country. Just make sure your passport has at least 6 months validity from your return date, otherwise you might be turned away at the border!
When's the best time to visit Egypt?
When's the best time to visit Egypt?
October to April is brilliant for Egypt—you're looking at sunny days with temperatures around 20-26°C, perfect for exploring the Pyramids and temples without melting in the heat! Winter (November-February) is peak season with the most comfortable weather, though it can get a bit chilly in the evenings, so pack a light jacket. Fancy avoiding the crowds? March-April and September-October are proper sweet spots—lovely weather, fewer tourists, and better hotel deals. Summer (May-September) gets scorching hot (we're talking 40°C+), but it's brilliant for Red Sea diving with calm waters and crystal-clear visibility, plus you'll find the cheapest prices and practically no queues at the major sites. If you're planning to visit the Pyramids or cruise the Nile, definitely aim for the cooler months when you can actually enjoy being outside all day!
