Egypt Travel Guide: Cairo, the Pyramids, Luxor & the Nile

Cairo is chaotic, loud, and worth pushing through for what's on the edge of the city: the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx are closer to the urban sprawl than most people expect, so go early in the morning to beat both the heat and the crowds gathering by midday.

The Egyptian Museum, along with the newer Grand Egyptian Museum, is worth a full day between the two if you want context on the Tutankhamun collection before or after Giza.

South along the Nile, Luxor holds the temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor Temple, plus the Valley of the Kings on the west bank. Many travelers connect Cairo and Luxor with a short flight, then take a multi-day Nile cruise down to Aswan, a relaxed way to see smaller temple sites along the river without constant re-packing.

Hiring a licensed guide for the major sites is worth the cost since Egypt's history is dense, and the difference between wandering ruins alone and having them explained is significant. Negotiate taxi and felucca prices before getting in, and expect persistent vendors near major sites as a normal part of the experience rather than a red flag.