Why 2021 is The Year to Visit Egypt?

When you hear Egypt, what comes to mind? You’re probably thinking of Pyramids, Mummies, Pharaoh, Cleopatra, Nefertiti, and so on. That’s what Hollywood did to us. While Hollywood has depicted Egypt’s rich ancient history and culture, there is still much more to discover.

Egypt is one of the oldest in the world, but there is so much to do and see that a first-time visitor may become overwhelmed. The country is like a goldmine of history and culture because it is home to the world’s oldest and most preeminent civilizations. Egypt was named the most visited country in Africa in 2019, with a whopping 13 million international tourist arrivals.

From Cairo’s pyramids of Giza to Luxor’s Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings, the country is home to a wide range of legendary, historical sites. The country fascinates and opens minds to something new and unique, and it’s without a doubt what visiting at least once in a lifetime.

Wondering where to begin your next world adventure? Check out the reasons why you should visit Egypt;

It’s budget-friendly

A trip to Egypt would not put a hole in your pocket because virtually all the essentials you need to have a good time are cheap! Yep, you read that correctly, like really cheap. Taxi fares in Egypt are the cheapest in the world!

Are you worried about food? Fear not. Your pocket is very much covered. You can savour the vast array of Egyptian cuisine at pretty cheap rates. With Egypt as your next destination, more is guaranteed with less. Who doesn’t like a bargain?

Explore the largest city in the Arab World

Dubbed the largest city in the Arab World, Cairo attracts a huge number of visitors every year. If you love history, you will love this city. Its chronology covers just about all of human civilization, making it one of the most exciting cities in the world, with its old city, archaeological sites, and modern skyscrapers. Those interested in learning about Egypt’s history and experiencing its culture firsthand should add Cairo to their itinerary.

It has so much to offer, such as Old Cairo, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza, and Midan Tahrir, the Paris of the Nile. If you enjoy shopping, the bustling souk showcases Arab tradition with a diverse range of shops where you can pick up some treasures. Before you leave the city, don’t forget to stop by one of the traditional coffee shops for a soothing cup of coffee.

Experience the wonder of the Grand Egyptian museum

The Grand Egyptian museum located just outside Cairo is a combination of the rich ancient culture of Egypt with an ultramodern structural touch which would be home to lots of ancient artefacts of Egypt. A unique feature would be the complete set of the famous King Tut artefacts. It is a magnificent structure that sits majestically on an expanse of land estimated at 480,000 square meters on the Giza plateau.

The Grand Egyptian museum is still under construction as COVID-19 delayed completion, but it is scheduled to be open to tourists by the last quarter of the year. When it is opened, it will be the largest and most spectacular archaeological museum in the world.

Soak in history at the ancient museums

A must-see is the Karnak temple complex in Luxor, known as the biggest open-air museum in the world. It is Egypt’s largest gathering of temple ruins where the magnificent temple of Amun-Ra sits pretty.

Take a tour to the world-famous Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which displays some of the oldest relics in the world. You can also visit the Nubian Museum in Aswan, home to antiquities of ancient Nubia.

Live the beach life

Clean, sunny beaches? Yes, please! Egypt is blessed with the Mediterranean sea and the Red sea.  This makes it a country with beautiful beaches and resorts where you can get your groove on all year round. Besides, what is a holiday without bringing out the bikini and beach shorts anyway?

Sharm el-Sheikh, one of the beautiful resort beach towns strung across the long expanse of the Red Sea Coastline, has some of the country’s most amazing beaches. Some of the country’s beaches include Na’ama Bay, Ras Um Sid, El Fanar, and Terrazzina Beach. Most of the time, the sea waters around Sharm are cool and calm. Divers have a wealth of experience exploring the underwater in search of coral reefs. Water activities such as parasailing, canoeing, windsurfing, and parasailing are available.

Cruise on the Nile

Taking a cruise while you are on holiday is always a classic. The Luxor to Aswan cruise on the river Nile is the perfect cruise you need. Think about this; a cruise that allows you to enjoy the sweet cool breeze that comes with gliding on the water while making stops to dock at the site of ancient monuments to soak in the richness of ancient history. Cool right? Egypt is your plug.

Take a dip in the sea

If scuba diving is your groove, then look no further; Egypt has got you covered. With the Red Sea being one of the best diving sites in the world with beautiful coral reefs and a vast array of marine life, you are sure to feed your eyes to your heart’s content.

Go kitesurfing

Places like Dahab, Hurghada, Safaga, Ras Sedr, and Zaafarana are cities that have kitesurfing sites that you can visit whether you are a pro or a beginner. There are also kitesurfing camps where you can take classes from beginner to advanced level.

Enjoy the Egyptian Sahara

Want an unforgettable desert experience? Explore the Sahara Desert of Egypt and discover its beauty and tranquillity. The name Sahara comes from the Arabic word ṣaḥrā, which means “desert.”

If you have always wanted to ride a camelback or go quad biking, perhaps you want to camp and enjoy the Saharan stars with friends; the desert land of Egypt is the right place. The Sahara adventure will take you to exciting locations where Bedouin still live and mystical sands turn black, white, and red. Don’t miss out on the beautiful oasis and spend the night camping under the desert stars.

Stay in one of the authentic Egyptian ecolodges

If your reason for travelling is to eat well and relax far away from the noise and disturbance of the city, then Egypt’s ecolodges are perfect for you. You can choose from several ecolodges, ranging from those located in the desert to those by the Red or Sand sea.

Visit the sunken city of Alexandria

You are wondering if the sunken city of Alexandria is real. You should take a trip to Egypt and see for yourself the underwater archaeological museum of Alexandria located on the shores of the eastern Harbor of Abukir bay, where the remains of the ancient civilization of Egypt lie sleeping. Feast your eyes on the sunken remains of Cleopatra’s palace, the royal ships, and the rest of the sunken city.

Perfect weather no matter the time 

Egypt is one of those countries that won the weather lottery. There is literarily no bad time to visit. You can mark your date for any month of the year. Although there is a lot of influx of tourists during winter, which is October to April, because the weather is cooler, the visit to the Sahara is more fun and less exhausting as the Sahara sands are more friendly. If you want to avoid the crowd, you can visit during summer from May to September. The weather in summer can be slightly hot, but it is nothing you can’t handle.

Visit the almighty Pyramid of Giza

Saving the best for last, let’s talk about the Great Pyramid of Giza, also known as the Khufu Pyramid because King Khufu built it. This 4500-year-old structure that sits majestically on the Giza plateau is a wonder to behold.

There are two other pyramids not too far from Khufu Pyramid; the Khafre Pyramid and the Menkaure Pyramid built by king Khafre (the son of King Khufu) and kind Menkaure, respectively.

These other two pyramids are enormous in their rights but cannot compete with the massive Pyramid of Gaza. Visiting Egypt without seeing the Pyramid would be a sin and a grave injustice to yourself.