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When you think of Egypt, ‘tropical’ isn’t exactly the first word that comes to mind. Desert, maybe. Sandy, sure. But tropical? It’s true though: the Red Sea is the world’s northernmost tropical sea, and Egypt has the soft white sand beaches, warm waters and abundant coral and marine life to prove it. (There’s a reason we’re one of the best diving destinations in the world !) So next time you’re in Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera (that should really be on your to-do list by the way) hop on a boat and check out these stunning, remote tropical islands. They’re not well known, even by locals, so you won’t have to worry about crowds interfering with your ‘#TropicalParadise’ moment. You might also like: 9 Best Egyptian Beach Holiday Destinations 1. Giftun Islands Location: Hurghada These two islands are Giftun El Kabeer (Big Giftun) and Giftun el Sagheer (Little Giftun), but Big Giftun is the one where the real action is at because it’s home to beach havens Mahmya and Orange Bay. These daytime destinations offer beach restaurants, bars and water activities as well as bathrooms and showers for those who’ve spent a long day diving or snorkeling and want to kick back and relax. You might also like: Hurghada, Egypt: A Local's Guide For First-Timers 2. Qulaan Islands Photo credit: Farida Bustani (@faridabustani) Location: Wadi El Gemal National Park Qulaan Islands are an archipelago of four islands in a protected bay in the Wadi El Gemal National Park in Egypt’s Deep South, in the Hamata area. These empty, remote islands are known for their mangrove trees and ecosystem built around the mangroves; marine life flourishes under the trees and it’s a great bird-watching spot. You can take a boat from the Hamata marina and spend a few hours picnicking, swimming and snorkeling on the islands. 3. Pharaoh’s Island Photo credit: Dronestagram Location : Taba Also known as Coral Island due to the adjacent reef, Pharaoh’s Island is in the Gulf of Aqaba and is on the ‘Tentative List’ of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites (for our article on Egypt’s seven World Heritage Sites, head here ). Back in the Middle Ages, the Christian Crusaders built a citadel on the island to protect the route between Cairo and Damascus. It was later taken over by Salah El Din (leader of the Islamic Ayyubid Dynasty) in 1170, and although the citadel passed hands afterwards, it’s still known until today as Salah El Deen’s Castle. Today the island is a popular diving and tourist attraction for Taba visitors. 4. White Island Location: Ras Mohamed National Park Around 10 km from Sharm el Sheikh, in the protected Ras Mohamed marine park, is a white sandbar island called (for obvious reasons) White Island. This plateau is where the waters from the Gulf of Suez meet the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea, and sitting on the island you can see Africa to your left and Asia to your right. It's a great spot for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing and you can easily reach it by boat from Sharm or Ras Mohamed. 5. Tawila Island Location: El Gouna/Hurghada Located 24 km off the coast of El Gouna, Tawila Island is an island popular with kitesurfers and those looking to spend the day on a pristine white sand beach. You need to bring your own food, drinks and equipment (but please make sure to leave the beaches as pristine as you found them!). You can arrange for a boat to take you on a day trip to Tawila and back from El Gouna/Hurghada. 6. Zabargad/St. John’s Island Location: Elba National Park Ever wondered about the stretch of the Red Sea between Marsa Alam and Sudan? It’s known as the Deep South, where the tiny coastal towns/villages of Hamata and Wadi Lahami are, right before you reach the Shalateen and Halayeb protected areas. Thanks to national parks like Elba, this pristine stretch of Red Sea is completely untouched and unspoiled. Zabargad (St. John’s in English) is a group of islands known not only for its diving, but for being geologically unique -- it’s believed to be uplifted mantle. Topaz was also found on the island back in Ptolemaic times. 7. Shadwan Island Photo credit: Kenzie Kashmiri Location: Northeast of El Gouna One of the largest islands in the Red Sea, Shadwan used to be an Egyptian military base and was the target of an Israeli heliborne raid in 1970. Most buildings were demolished except the Shadwan Lighthouse, which was built in 1889, and until today the island remains empty save for divers, fishers and other Red Sea Riviera tourists. You might also like to read: 9 World-Class Beaches in Egypt

Planning a trip to Hurghada or El Gouna any time soon? If yes, then good for you, that’s probably one of the better decisions you’ve made recently. If not, then what are you waiting for? Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation (we have 9 world-class beaches in Egypt ) or something with a bit more activity than just bumming on the beach, the Red Sea coast where Hurghada and El Gouna are located will deliver every single time. The coastal city of Hurghada and its neighboring resort town of El Gouna are about 25 km apart, so it’s an easy trip by car between the two (about a 40 minute drive between the two). The Hurghada airport provides easy access to both, or you can drive/take a bus from Cairo (about a 4 hour drive by car). You might also like: El Gouna, Egypt: A Local's Guide and Hurghada, Egypt: A Local Guide For First-Timers So whether you’re staying in Hurghada or El Gouna, here are 25 fun things to do to get the most out of your trip. 1. World-class diving Both Hurghada and El Gouna have numerous PADI-certified dive centers to choose from, whether you want to learn to dive for the first time or are an old hat at it. While there are great wreck dives for advanced divers, this area is also ideal for beginner divers because most of the reefs are shallow and easily accessible but still crammed full of marine life. Local tip: Hurghada's dive centers are usually more affordable than Gouna's. For more amazing diving destinations in Egypt, head here . 2. Snorkeling If diving is more effort than you’re willing to invest on your vacation, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the awesome marine life. There are plenty boats that will take you out to the best snorkeling spots, and you can even snorkel off your hotel's beach in some spots in Hurghada. 3. Glass bottom boat If you have kids with you or just don’t feel like getting in the water, then a glass bottom boat is ideal for a peek at underwater sea life from a boat. 4. Hop on a catamaran This two-hulled sailboat is great for sunbathing in the middle of the sea and cooling off with a swim after (you just jump off!). The catamarans take a large group of people out at the same time so it always has a fun, party vibe. 5. Rent your own little yacht for the day Yacht trips are both easy and affordable from both the Hurghada and El Gouna marinas and there are lots of tour agencies that can set them up for you. You can bring your own food (although sometimes it's included), drinks and music and leave the harder work to the captain. 6. Take a trip to the Giftun Islands (Mahmya & Orange Bay) If you want to spend the day on white sand beaches with crystal clear water, then hop on a boat and head to Giftun Islands. Both Mahmya and Orange Bay are beach restaurants/bars where you can spend the day in the water and relax with a drink or lunch on their pristine beaches after. Read more at: 7 Red Sea Islands Perfect for a Boat Day Trip 7. Desert safari (ATV & quad off-roading) If you’re all beached out, then venture into Egypt’s Eastern desert on an ATV or quad for what we locals call desert safaris. 8. Hiking and desert trekking If you’re in Hurghada or El Gouna for an extended period of time and are an adventure-seeker, then the Red Sea Mountain Trail might be for you. This 170 km, 10 day hike through the mountains of Egypt’s Eastern desert with a Bedouin guide will show you a side to Egypt you probably wouldn’t be able to see otherwise -- rocky gorges, deep desert sand dunes, prehistoric rock art and long-abandoned Roman towns. If 10 days/170 km is too much for you, you can participate in smaller segments or just do a day trek. 9. Biking If you’re a Cairo local who doesn’t have the opportunity to cycle much, or just someone who loves to hop on a bike, then El Gouna is a great place to do it. Besides actual bike rental shops, El Gouna offers ‘e-bikes’ -- different stations are set up around the time where you can rent out a bike and check it back in at any other station you want. And not just any bikes -- these ones have a little environmentally friendly electric motors if your fitness isn't where you want it to be and you don't feel like huffing and puffing down the streets of Gouna. 10. Good, old-fashioned sunbathing Almost all the hotels in Hurghada and El Gouna have access to a serviced beach, complete with some form of restaurant or beach bar, where you can work on your tan and wile the hours away. 11. Enjoy a shisha on the beach Egyptians love their shisha, and once you try it, it’ll be easy to see why. While many restaurants or cafes in Hurghada and El Gouna offer shisha, it’s a whole other experience to smoke away your stress on the beach. 12. Try out a plethora of different restaurants What’s a vacation without eating well? Both Hurghada, and El Gouna especially, have a great range of restaurants to choose from. Whether you want to try local Egyptian fare, fresh seafood or one of the numerous international restaurants, you won’t be starved for choice. Our personal favorites are Zia Amelia (Italian) and Saigon (Vietnamese) in El Gouna. 13. Go karting If you’re in the need for speed, then look no further than Gouna’s go karting track. 14. Fishing Craving fresh seafood, and we mean straight-from-the-sea-thanks-to-you fresh, then hop on one of the numerous fishing boats and go in search of dinner. Hurghada was originally a small fishing village, so you know the fish will be good. 15. Nightlife You tanned, you swam, you ate, now what? Time to hit the bars of course. Hurghada is home to a bunch of different clubs and bars like Little Buddha, and El Gouna is known for Aurora and The Tap South. 16. Kitesurfing If you’re one of those people who itch to get your muscles moving, then kitesurfing might be for you. There are several different kite centers that offer courses for beginners, and you can rent out equipment if you’re already a tried and true kitesurfer. Read more: 7 Best Kitesurfing Spots in Egypt 17. Motor gliding So you walked around (or boated around) and saw most of El Gouna already? Not so fast -- have you seen it from above? Try out what’s known as ‘aerial sightseeing’ from a motor glider. 18. Golf If you’re a seasoned golfer or just someone who wants to putt a few balls, then El Gouna offers two different 18 hole golf courses for golfers of all levels. There’s also golf lessons for those looking to learn or freshen their skills. 19. Sliders Cable Park One of the biggest cable parks in the world, Sliders is open year-round and is a lot of fun for those looking to participate in water sports. 20. Visit the centuries-old monasteries of St. Paul and St. Anthony St. Paul Monastery About 2 hours from Hurghada is Zaafarana, where you'll find the remote monasteries of St. Anthony and St Paul. Founded in 356 AD, St. Anthony’s Monastery is the oldest inhabited Christian monastery in the world and is home to paintings dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries, as well as 1,700 ancient documents. St. Paul's Monastery was also established in the 4th century and is built into the Red Sea Mountains. Both monasteries are open to the public to visit. Read more: 7 Most Beautiful Coptic Orthodox Monasteries in Egypt 21. Day trip to Luxor Want to take a break from the beach and experience Ancient Egypt? Luxor is about a 4.5 hour drive from Hurghada, and lots of tour agencies arrange day trips to and from Luxor from Hurghada. A car or bus will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning and take you to Luxor, where you'll see some of the most astounding remnants of Ancient Egypt like Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (varies according to your itinerary). Read more: 10 Best Things to See & Do in Luxor, Egypt (As Told by Locals!) 22. Visit Hurghada’s Grand Aquarium (or Gouna’s smaller one) Is it one of those rare cloudy days? Don’t waste it in the hotel -- head to Hurghada’s Grand Aquarium to get an up-close-and-personal look at some of the fantastic marine life this area is known for. 23. Go to a water park Whether you're looking for a kid friendly activity during the day or just love water parks yourself, Hurghada has several water park options. The most popular water parks are Jungle Aqua Park, Sindbad Aqua Park and Makadi Water World. They're all in hotels, but you can buy day tickets if you don't want to stay at the hotels themselves. 24. Horseback riding Are you a horse aficionado? Enjoy a horse ride in the Egyptian Eastern desert and a ride on the beach as well. 25. Tennis & squash If you’re looking to work up a sweat, then El Gouna offers both tennis and squash courts year-round. Gouna is even the home of the annual international squash open! You may also like: 8 Best Egyptian Holiday Destinations

We all know that Egypt has tons of visit-worthy natural as well as historical sites ( the pyramids , hello!), and because of that it’s easy for some lesser-known ones to fall through the cracks. But just because they’re lesser-known (or not known at all) doesn’t mean they’re not worth experiencing! So next time you’re interested in learning something new and exploring something off the beaten track, look no further. 1. Djara Cave Location: Western Desert Deep in the desert west of Assiut, between the Bahariya and Farafra oases, is a natural wonder millions of years old, that hardly anyone in Egypt has heard of. We’re talking about the Djara Cave, formed from water coming into contact with the harsh Egyptian desert millennia ago. So many years of chemical activity has left this 30 meter high and 8 meter wide cave full of glittering crystal-like rock formations and stalactites. Photo credit: Ahmad Al Morsy If the natural beauty and history of it isn’t enough, Djara Cave has animal engravings on its wall dating back to the Neolithic period, over 10,000 years ago, suggesting that this now barren, remote area was populated at the time. It’s now classified as the second most important Stone Age settlement in the Western Desert, after the Nabta Playa (below). 2. Minya's City of the Dead (Zawiyyet El-Mayyetin) Photo credit: jennyfaraway.com Location: Minya One of the largest cemeteries in the world is Zawiyyet El-Mayyetin, right outside the small Egyptian city of El Minya -- hence its moniker as Minya's City of the Dead. Not only is it impressive in size, but even more so in architecture: a sea of conical domes stretch down the Nile for 4 kilometers (2.5 miles), hugged between a cliff and the river. Photo credit: jennyfaraway.com The mausolea are made of mud-brick and all are topped with a smooth or stacked dome, and are still used by both Muslims and Coptic Christians until today. This isn't on any tourist trail, so make sure you have a guide to take you. For Ancient Egyptian tombs: 8 Best Ancient Egyptian Tomb Sites in Modern Day Egypt 3. Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa Location: Alexandria This archaeological site in Alexandria is often overlooked by almost everyone, foreign and Egyptian alike, when visiting this ancient coastal city. These catacombs are a rare mix of Egyptian, Greek and Roman cultural references and are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. Dating back to the 2nd century AD, these catacombs are three subterranean levels made out of rock (the deepest level is now totally submerged in water). It was discovered in 1900 when a donkey accidentally fell through the access shaft at ground level (a great discovery, but poor donkey). The second level of the catacombs is described as “eerily alive” due to all the sculptures there. It’s believed that it was originally intended as a tomb for a single family, but bones of other individuals and horses were also found there. For more great sites in Alex: Sightseeing in Alexandria: 15 Best Things To See and Do 4. Colored Canyon Location: Nuweiba This 800 meter canyon is a part of a larger mountain range, and one of the coolest natural wonders you can see when in the Sinai Peninsula. These red-hued rock formations are the product of the Red Sea tides residing gradually millions of years ago and eroding these mountains of limestone and sandstone. You can hike (and sometimes scramble) through the canyon on a dried up riverbed with a Bedouin guide, but it’s not recommended in the summer months due to the scorching sun. The canyon is easily reached from Nuweiba, but you can also arrange trips from Dahab or even Sharm el Sheikh. 5. Crystal clear salt lakes in the desert Location: Siwa Oasis Everyone’s heard about Siwa’s hot and cold natural springs, but for some reason Siwa’s arresting aquamarine salt lake doesn’t get as much talk time. Siwa actually has several salt lakes, which are so salty that they’re known as natural therapy for skin diseases and sinus problems . They’re actually too salty though for any marine life to live in them though, so unfortunately the Siwans can’t use these lakes for fishing. Photo credit: Omar Refaat The lakes vary in size, and some have dried up. But even in the deepest lakes, there’s no real chance of drowning -- the buoyancy is similar to the Dead Sea’s. 6. Nawamis Location: Sinai Did anyone know that we have mysterious prehistoric circular stone tombs deep in the Sinai desert? Because we sure didn’t. These circular structures date back to the Copper Age and Early Bronze Age, so they’re around 5,000 to 6,000 years old -- meaning they’re between 1,500 to 2,500 years older than the Great Pyramids of Giza, and some archaeologists argue that they’re the oldest free standing structures in the world alongside the Megalithic Temples of Malta and the Cairns of Scotland. The Nawamis structures are believed to originally be family tombs, due to the bones, beads and other purported funeral offerings found inside. But they were used afterwards by various different desert groups in the centuries that followed, so it’s hard for archaeologists to be quite sure of Nawamis’ original function. Local tip: the best time to visit Nawamis is in the late afternoon, when the light and shadows play on the structures and their singular doors are illuminated. 7. Ancient hieroglyphic graffiti at Wadi Hammamat Location: near Qoseir Ever seen pharaonic graffiti? The ancient stone quarries of Wadi Hammamat were used by ancient Egyptian engineers and artisans to build monuments, temples and sculptures, and ancient hieroglyphic graffiti from those who would work the quarries can still be seen until present day. There’s also graffiti from the travellers who regularly passed through, due to its popularity as a caravan stop (the Romans had set up watchtowers and wells along the route from the Eastern Desert to Qoseir ). Wadi Hammamat would later be smack dab in the middle of an integral trade route between Arab merchants and Egyptians, and part of the famous Silk Road trade with the Han Dynasty in China. 8. The medieval Islamic town of El Qasr Location: Dakhla Oasis Not many know that on the outskirts of the Dakhla Oasis in the western Egyptian desert is a deserted, yet intact, Islamic town that dates back to around the 11th or 12th century, during Ayyubid rule. It’s believed though to be built on the remnants of any even older Roman camp. It actually isn’t *totally* deserted -- it’s estimated that there’s about 700 inhabitants in this otherwise abandoned town, but if they leave, they are not permitted to return, and no new buildings are allowed to be built there so as to safeguard the intact old town as it is. The empty covered streets, mosques, madrassas and Quranic calligraphy on the buildings still stand today, and some are open to visitors. 9. El Bagawat, one of the oldest Christian cemeteries in the world Location: Kharga Oasis The necropolis of El Bagawat in the western desert oasis of Kharga is actually prehistoric -- before it was a Christian cemetery, it was a burial ground for non-Christians. Once Christianity was introduced to Egypt, it became a Coptic cemetery from the 3rd to the 7th century AD. It’s considered one of the oldest and best-preserved Christian cemeteries in the world. El Bagawat is home to a very large number of mud brick tombs in the shape of chapel domes. The walls of the tombs are etched with Coptic frescoes, biblical stories and paintings of saints. 10. Nabta Playa Photo credit: Paul Robinson Location: 100 km west of Abu Simbel In Egypt’s deep south, there are the remnants of what some consider to be Egypt’s Stonehenge, but 1,000 years older -- around 8,000 years old in total. Today, west of Abu Simbel is pure desert, but around 130,000 - 70,000 years ago the area of Nabta Playa was a savannah rich in vegetation and wildlife, centered around a basin with a large lake. It’s in this basin that the cromlech (a circle of standing stones) of Nabta Playa was later built, and is evidence of a human presence that predates the Nile Valley human population who would later build the Ancient Egyptian civilization. Nabta Playa recreation at the Aswan Museum The Nabta Playa cromlech is comprised of 30 stones arranged in a circle, with six stones in the middle. While its exact purpose is still a mystery, there’s a theory that it was made to be an astronomical observatory of sorts, a type of ancient calendar. You May Also Like: Top 10 Things to Do in Cairo, Egypt

Did you know that Egypt is actually one of the most important countries in the world when it comes to the very beginning of the Christian faith? And has some of the oldest churches and monasteries in the world? As in, more than 1,000 years old - and some even older than 1,500 years! Read more : 7 Most Beautiful Coptic Orthodox Monasteries in Egypt It’s believed that Egypt is where Jesus and the Holy Family fled from Judea and took cover; they traveled, worked and rested in different spots throughout Egypt in what is known as ‘The Flight into Egypt’. Egypt is also where some of the world’s earliest churches and monasteries were built, and Coptic Cairo is a stronghold for early Christianity in Egypt ( read more: Coptic Cairo - A Detailed Local’s Guide) . Let’s take a look at some of the oldest churches in Egypt - and guess what, you can still visit them! 1. Abu Serga (Saints Sergius and Bacchus) - 4th century AD Location: Cairo The Abu Serga church is believed to be built on the spot where the Holy Family (Joseph, Mary, and infant Jesus Christ) stopped and rested towards the end of their journey to Egypt. The spot is now the crypt of the church, 10 meters deep. It’s also believed that they might have lived here while Joseph was working at the Babylon fortress in what is now modern-day Coptic Cairo -- the fortress’ enclosure today includes the Coptic Museum and a few churches, like the previously mentioned Hanging Church and Mar Girgis. Abu Serga is also of importance because it’s where many patriarchs of the Coptic Church were elected, the first being Patriarch Isaac in in 681 AD. 2. St. Paul’s Monastery - 4th century AD Location: Red Sea mountains, near Zafaraana (before Hurghada) This monastery was built over the cave where St. Paul the Anchorite lived for 80 years in Egypt’s eastern desert, and is also known as ‘the Monastery of the Tigers’ for unclear reasons; some theorize it’s due to its remote location in the desert, but tigers aren’t exactly known to be prancing up and down Egypt (even in ancient times), but oh well. Bedouin tribes attacked the monastery in 1484, killed the monks and burned down their library. It was rebuilt by Patriarch Gabriel VII, who sent monks from the Syrian Monastery (in the Wadi el Natrun monasteries, below) but it was attacked twice after, causing the monks to flee to St. Anthony’s Monastery and not return. 3. St. Anthony’s Monastery - 4th century AD Location: Red Sea mountains, near Zafaraana (before Hurghada) St. Anthony was one of the most famous “Desert Fathers”, a group of Christian monks who lived in the Eastern Egyptian desert in the 3rd century. He was roaming the desert when he came across an oasis surrounded by trees, and it was in this spot that he was later buried and his monastery built a few years later. Today St. Anthony’s Monastery is the oldest inhabited Christian monastery in the world and is home to paintings dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries, as well as 1,700 ancient documents. 4. Red Monastery - 4th century AD Location: Sohag The exact history around this mysterious monastery on the outskirts of Sohag in Upper Egypt is unknown, although it’s considered one of the most famous Coptic monasteries in Egypt. It had fallen into ruin until 2003 when the American Research Center in Egypt undertook a restoration project. According to ARCE: “Nowhere else in Egypt do we know of a monument of the late antique and early Byzantine period whose architectural sculpture is in situ up to the highest level of the building.” Garnering its name from the red burnt brick construction materials on its exterior, the Red Monastery is a neighbor to the White Monastery, built around the same time and worth a visit as well. You can take a virtual tour of the Red Monastery and 21 other awesome sites in Egypt here . 5. Church of St. Barbara - 5th century AD Loca Cairo The Church of St. Barbara the Martyr is another extremely old church in Coptic Cairo, that was complete with priceless relics that exist until today (although many of them have been moved to the Coptic Museum). Although the church itself has been rebuilt and restored several times, items from the original church are believed to date back to the 5th or even 4th century. 6. St. Catherine’s Monastery - 6th century AD Location: Sinai Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site (for other Egyptian heritage sites, head here ), the Orthodox Saint Catherine Monastery is the oldest Christian monastery in the world still used for its original function. According to UNESCO: “Its walls and buildings are of great significance to studies of Byzantine architecture and the Monastery houses outstanding collections of early Christian manuscripts and icons. The rugged mountainous landscape, containing numerous archaeological and religious sites and monuments, forms a perfect backdrop to the Monastery.” St. Catherine's Monastery is at the foot of Mt. Sinai , where it's believed by the Abrahamic religions that Moses found the Burning Bush and received the 10 Commandments. 7. Hanging Church - 7th century AD Location: Cairo One of the most famous churches in Egypt, The Hanging Church is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Historic Cairo . It got the name of ‘Hanging Church’ (or ‘Suspended Church’ in Arabic, ‘El Moallaqa’) because of its location above a Roman fortress gatehouse. When it was first built the pillars of the gatehouse would have been easily seen, creating the ‘hanging’ effect of the church, but now are buried due to the rise of the ground over the past 1300 years. The church is believed to be the first basilica style church built in Egypt, and houses 110 icons, most made of ebony and some inlaid with ivory, the oldest and holiest dating back to the 8th century. You may also like: 9 Egyptian Churches, Cathedrals & Monasteries You Need To Visit At Least Once

Ah, the 90s in Cairo. The good ol’ days of escalope pane in the club and when McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Chili’s were all sparkly and new. While some food icons of the 90s have since died out in Cairo, you might be surprised to find out that a lot of our favorite restaurants from 20+ years ago are actually still alive and kicking. Are they still good? Well, that’s up for you to decide. But in case you feel like taking your stomach for a walk down memory lane, here are some of Cairo’s 90s classics that are still open until today. Read more: Vintage Cairo - 17 of the Oldest Restaurants, Bars & Cafes in the City Disclaimer: in the list below we only included the restaurants that are *homegrown*, before you start asking where KFC’s at. 1. Cortigiano Founded: 1993 Everyone’s favorite restaurant to go to with their parents from back in the day is not only still operational, but also opening new branches. Right now they’re currently in Dokki (this branch is the real OG), City Stars, Maadi, Helio, Nasr City and New Cairo. Cortigiano’s FB page is here . 2. La Casetta Founded: 1985 Who doesn’t remember La Casetta’s pizza? Forget Chicago deep dish, La Casetta’s deep dish was a whole other heavy-as-hell-but-worth-it story. Their current branches are in Dokki, Heliopolis and Nasr City. La Casetta’s FB page is here . 3. Felfela Founded: 1959 Felfela might be a 90s favorite, but that doesn’t mean it opened in the 90s. It’s now over 50 years old and still going strong *knock on wood and all that*. While our 90s favorite Felfelas were the Haram branch (the Felfela Village) and the famous Downtown branch, today you can also find Felfela in Moqattam and there’s also Felfela Express. Their website is here . 4. Andrea Mariouteya Founded: 1958 The Andrea Mariouteya of the 90s should not at all be confused with the cheap knock-off Andreas of today, like the one on the Maadi Corniche. The original classic might be known for the ‘Mariouteya’ in its name, but its new home is now in New Giza. Andrea Mariouteya’s FB page is here . 5. Swiss Restaurants (Le Chantilly, La Chesa, Le Chalet, Le Chateau) Founded: 1976 Ah, the good ol’ Swiss Restaurant group, delivering happiness in steak and cheese form throughout the 90s. Le Chantilly was the darling of the Heliopolis crowd, La Chesa was a Downtown staple, and Le Chalet and Le Chateau were the go-tos for familial outings for those living on the west side of Cairo (and I say familial because we millennials couldn’t really afford going without our parents). The Swiss Restaurants’ FB page is here . 6. Peking Founded: 1962 Did you know that Peking was established in 1962? Sure, it seems like it’s been around forever, but not 50 years forever! Our favorite 90s Chinese restaurant is still going strong, albeit with a lot more competition than back in the day. Their vegetable spring rolls will always have an oily but fond place in our heart though, because those are ~memories~. Peking’s FB page is here . 7. Didos Aldente Founded: 1993 Do you guys remember when Didos opened in Zamalek and a large plate of Arrabbiata pasta was for 7 EGP? *Sob* the good old days indeed. Didos’ FB page is here . 8. Pizza King When you think of Pizza King, one thing and one thing only probably comes to mind: buy one get one free. While it definitely wasn’t the best pizza (Pizza Hut and Domino’s were our 90s heroes), their BOGO offer made it our number one choice when we were a lot of mouths to feed with little funds. Pizza King’s FB page is here . 9. Maison Thomas Founded: 1922 Wait hold up, did any of you know that Maison Thomas is almost 100 years old?! We sure didn’t, and were shocked to say the least when we read their founding date on their FB page. Listen, no matter how many new and shiny pizza spots open in Cairo, Thomas will always be one of our first loves. Maison Thomas’ FB page is here . 10. Lucille’s Founded: 1995 Back in the day before Road 9 in Maadi was the commercial sh*tshow it is now, it used to be a quiet, tree-lined street with only a few restaurants to its name. Lucille’s was one of them -- but actually, its original name was Lucille’s Mermaid Columbus, but they dropped the second part of its name partly due to confusion with the Italian restaurant Mermaid (below), also found on Road 9 in the 90s. And lo and behold, Lucille’s is no longer just a Maadi landmark -- they now have another branch in New Cairo. Lucille’s FB page is here . 11. Mo’men Founded: 1988 Before fast food sandwich places in Cairo were a dime a dozen, there was Mo’men. What started as just one Mo’men restaurant run by three brothers back in the late 80s now has over a dozen branches which serve over 9.5 million customers a year. Mo’men’s FB page is here . 12. Semsema Founded: 1980 Long live the shawerma in a “kaizer” roll. Most people now just order from Semsema, but back in the day you couldn’t find a spot to park in front of it from the moment it opened its doors up until 2 am. Semsema’s FB page is here . 13. Bon Appetit Founded: 1983 All hail the Champion (the sandwich, that is). It was the OG fried chicken sandwich. Bon Appetit’s FB page is here . 14. Rossini Founded: 1993 If you grew up in Heliopolis in the 90s, then you’ll probably remember Rossini as the fancy Italian/seafood restaurant and piano bar for older people dressed up and sipping wine. The good news is that Rossini has just revamped itself and stepped into the 21st century with an awesome new bar and contemporary interior design. Rossini's FB page is here . 15. My Queen Founded: 1984 What started off as almost a food truck of sorts in Gameat el Dawal with extremely sketchy hygiene but a pretty good chicken madghoot sandwich has now become an actual chain with numerous branches. My Queen's FB page is here . 16. Cook Door Founded: 1988 The Super Crunchy Chicken, Viagra sandwich and Friskies fries were good back then and they’re still good now. Cook Door's FB page is here . 17. Wimpy Founded: 1970s (the Egypt branch) Wimpy was a fast food favorite throughout the 80s and 90s in Egypt until it abruptly shut down in 1998 for reasons unknown. Fast forward more than 20 years later to 2021, and to the nation's collective joy, Wimpy comes back with a vengeance (plus a new look & and even an app!). They now have branches all over Cairo, and their burgers and chicken sandwiches are good enough to compete with the big boys dominating the fast food scene (you know who we're talking about). And yes yes, technically Wimpy is not *really* Egyptian (it was founded in the US and now its headquarters are in South Africa) but it's Egyptian in our hearts and minds. Wimpy's FB page is here . 18. El Tabei El Domyati Founded: 1926 Alongside Maison Thomas, El Tabei remains a generational Cairo food institution. It was founded almost 100 years ago, and started serving the falafel/taameya we love so much back in 1939. El Tabei' FB page is here . 19. Chicken Tikka Founded: 1972 Chicken Tikka might be an Americana restaurant, thus Kuwaiti owned, but Chicken Tikka’s very first branch in the world opened right here in Cairo in 1972, so we can’t help but consider it homegrown. Plus, the puri bread. Come on now. That stuff ran in the veins of Egyptians back in the 90s. Chicken Tikka's FB page is here . 20. Abou Shakra Founded: 1947 Another loooong time classic, Abou Shakra was a family destination back in the 90s for whenever we wanted something fresh off the grill (and wanted our parents pay for it). Abou Shakra’s FB page is here . 21. Abou Haidar Just like Semsema has the hearts and souls of shawerma lovers on the west side of Cairo, Abou Haidar was and still is a cult shawerma classic in Korba. Abou Haidar’s FB page is here . You might also like: 14 Egyptian Dessert Shops and Patisseries More Than 50 Years Old

Because Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country, most non-Egyptians are unaware that Egypt has some of the oldest and most historically significant churches , cathedrals and monasteries in this part of the world. You don’t need to be Egyptian or even Christian to appreciate the history of these centuries-old places of worship, or the beauty of the more modern ones. While many of these churches can be found in Coptic Cairo (here's our full guide to Coptic Cairo ), some are in more… remote places (Sinai mountains, anyone?). But whatever the destination, each of these churches, cathedrals and monasteries should be visited at least once. 1. The “Cave Church” - Monastery of St. Simon the Tanner Location: Moqattam, Cairo Established: 1975 This awesome cave church (or technically, ‘churches’ -- the St. Simon monastery complex has seven churches) is unlike anything else we have in Egypt. Carved into the Moqattam Hills, the main monastery hall can hold over 20,000 people and was named after the Coptic Saint Simon, who, according to legend, moved the Moqattam mountain in 979 AD as proof of the strength of his beliefs. The cave church was built by the Zabbaleen community of Cairo’s Garbage City, and today is not only a religious spot but an educational center, kindergarten and school for the deaf. 2. St. Catherine’s Monastery Location: Mount Sinai, Sinai Peninsula Established: 6th century AD Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site (for other Egyptian heritage sites, head here ), the Orthodox Saint Catherine Monastery is the oldest Christian monastery in the world still used for its original function. Interior of St. Catherine's According to UNESCO: “Its walls and buildings are of great significance to studies of Byzantine architecture and the Monastery houses outstanding collections of early Christian manuscripts and icons. The rugged mountainous landscape, containing numerous archaeological and religious sites and monuments, forms a perfect backdrop to the Monastery.” St. Catherine's Monastery is at the foot of Mt. Sinai , where it's believed by the Abrahamic religions that Moses found the Burning Bush and received the 10 Commandments. 3. Wadi Natrun Monasteries Location: Wadi Natrun Valley, northwest of Cairo Established: 4th century AD More than 1600 years ago, Saint Macarius of Egypt decided to build his monastery in the Natrun valley, known for its large alkali lakes. This attracted the attention of other Christian monks and hermits, who then decided to settle in Natrun as well, establishing four large early Christian developments. The four Wadi Natrun Coptic monasteries that are still active to this day are: The Monastery of Saint Macarius The Monastery of Saint Bishoy The Paromeos Monastery The Syrian Monastery All of the four can be seen and visited until today free of charge, but leaving a donation is always helpful in preserving these historic sites. 4. The Heavenly Cathedral Location: Sharm el Sheikh Established: 2010 This modern church was considered by some one of the most beautiful in the world upon its completion over ten years ago, and is now an unexpected must-see for many Sharm el Sheikh visitors. The exterior is simple, but the interior took a team of 19 people two years to create. There are frescoes and murals, and the walls depict Biblical scenes such as The Creation and Exodus, and on the ceiling there’s St. John’s vision of The Apocalypse. 5. The “Hanging Church” - Coptic Church of St. Virgin Mary Location: Coptic Cairo Established: 690 AD One of the most famous churches in Egypt, The Hanging Church is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Historic Cairo . It got the name of ‘Hanging Church’ (or ‘Suspended Church’ in Arabic, ‘El Moallaqa’) because of its location above a Roman fortress gatehouse. When it was first built the pillars of the gatehouse would have been easily seen, creating the ‘hanging’ effect of the church, but now are buried due to the rise of the ground over the past 1300 years. The church is believed to be the first basilica style church built in Egypt, and houses 110 icons, most made of ebony and some inlaid with ivory, the oldest and holiest dating back to the 8th century. 6. Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral Location: Alexandria Established: the current cathedral is recent, but it’s said to stand on the site of a church built by St. Mark himself in 60 AD. This cathedral is of importance to Coptic Christians because it’s the historical seat of the Pope of Alexandria, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church. St. Mark the Evangelist was the author of the second Gospel and arrived in Alexandria in 60 AD, when he built his church (where the current cathedral now stands). In his seven year stint in Alexandria, he converted many to Christianity and is considered the founder of the Church of Alexandria and the first Bishop of Alexandria. He was buried under the church he founded. The current cathedral was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times since the death of St. Mark. 7. St. Anthony’s Monastery Location: Red Sea mountains, near Hurghada Established: 356 AD St. Anthony was one of the most famous “Desert Fathers”, a group of Christian monks who lived in the Eastern Egyptian desert in the 3rd century. He was roaming the desert when he came across an oasis surrounded by trees, and it was in this spot that he was later buried and his monastery built a few years later. Today St. Anthony’s Monastery is the oldest inhabited Christian monastery in the world and is home to paintings dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries, as well as 1,700 ancient documents. 8. Church of St. George (Mar Girgis) Location: Coptic Cairo Established: 10th century One of the few round churches built in Egypt, St. George’s is built on top of an ancient Roman Tower that connects to the monastery below. The interior of the church is known for its stained glass and rich woodwork. St. George’s is one of the only still-active churches in the Coptic Cairo area, and is considered the principle Greek Orthodox church in Egypt. Visitors of all religions are welcome any time, except to the monastery, which is closed to the public. 9. Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church (Abu Serga) Location: Coptic Cairo Established: 4th century The Abu Serga church is believed to be built on the spot where the Holy Family (Joseph, Mary, and infant Jesus Christ) stopped and rested towards the end of their journey to Egypt. The spot is now the crypt of the church, 10 meters deep. It’s also believed that they might have lived here while Joseph was working at the Babylon fortress in what is now modern-day Coptic Cairo -- the fortress’ enclosure today includes the Coptic Museum and a few churches, like the previously mentioned Hanging Church and Mar Girgis. Abu Serga is also of importance because it’s where many patriarchs of the Coptic Church were elected, the first being Patriarch Isaac in in 681 AD. Want more beautiful religious sites in Egypt? Check out the 10 most beautiful mosques in Egypt .

While the name ‘City of the Dead’ sounds ominous and conjures up images of graves and zombies, Cairo’s City of the Dead is actually a place of heritage and history – and is a city of the living just as much as it is a city of the dead. Cinematic name though, we have to admit. So what exactly is Cairo’s City of the Dead? The City of the Dead in Cairo ( El Qarafa or El Arafa in Arabic) is a 6.4 km (4 mile) stretch of necropolises and cemeteries in the original core of the city, in an area known as Historic Cairo internationally, or Old Cairo ( Masr El Adeema in Arabic) to locals. But like we said, City of the Dead isn’t *just* about the dead – residential neighborhoods have been built alongside and throughout the necropolises, with all the regular hustle and bustle of any regular neighborhood. Cairo's City of the Dead is spread into two main cemeteries north and south of the Cairo Citadel, nestled under the Moqattam Hills to the east. So what makes City of the Dead worth visiting? So far what we’ve described sounds just like a bunch of cemeteries with regular neighborhoods interspersed, right? So… why is it worth visiting? Because peppered throughout Cairo’s City of the Dead are some truly beautiful historic mosques, mausoleums and other medieval Islamic architecture. There are remnants dating back to the Arab conquest of Egypt back in the 7th century, and whole buildings still in their entirety dating back to the 12th-15th centuries! Keep in mind that Cairo is a city over 1,000 years old, and the area of Historic Cairo where the City of the Dead is is one of Egypt’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites . Besides the City of the Dead, Historic Cairo is also home to: Cairo Citadel Moez Street (a famous pedestrian street full of medieval architecture) Khan el Khalili bazaar Coptic Cairo The centuries-old giant mosques of Islamic Cairo, such as Ibn Tulun, Sultan Hassan and Al Rifai mosques Misconceptions about Cairo’s City of the Dead The City of the Dead started to pick up traction as an interesting place to visit originally not because of its history and heritage, but because it began being known in Western media as a place where the extremely poor were forced to live in and around the graves and tombs; ‘tomb dwellers’ basically, living among the dead. And while this is true in some swathes of City of the Dead, it’s not true for all of it. The majority of its population reside in regular (albeit shabby) housing, with shops, supermarkets, post offices, barbers, and the usual trappings of city life. A little history of City of the Dead We don’t want to get too rambly and turn into a Wikipedia page, so we’ll try to be as brief and concise as possible. Cairo's City of the Dead as depicted by F. Perlberg in 1890 Ironically, Cairo’s City of the Dead is older than Cairo itself. When the Arabs conquered Egypt, their leader Amr Ibn El-As built their first Muslim capital in Egypt in 642 AD, called Fustat. Fustat is now a neighborhood in Historic Cairo (Cairo was built next to Fustat in 969 AD, and subsequently absorbed Fustat in its growth and expansion). But back when Fustat was first founded in the 7th century, they built a necropolis in the empty desert outside the main city, and thus was the birth of City of the Dead. It continued to grow as the city grew, and became notable because it holds the mosques and mausoleums of some of Prophet Muhammad’s descendants who are believed to have emigrated to Egypt, such as Sayyida Aisha, Sayyida Nafisa and Sayyida Ruqayya. Imam El Shafei, a very important religious scholar in Islam, was buried in the City of the Dead in the 9th century, and the mausoleum later constructed over his tomb (built in 1211 AD) is still one of the highlights there until now – more than 800 years later! Imam El Shafei Mausoleum in City of the Dead The most impressive mosques and mausoleums were built during the Mamluk era, in the medieval centuries spanning 1250 to 1517 AD, giving the City of the Dead's Northern Cemetery the local epithet of ‘Desert of the Mamluks’. The Khanqa of Sultan Faraj Ibn Barqouq in City of the Dead's Northern Cemetery The cemeteries and necropolises of City of the Dead aren’t just dedicated to medieval tombs though; many modern Egyptian families still have their own family plots and burials there until now. Problems facing City of the Dead Cairo’s oldest cemetery has been getting a lot of buzz in the news lately, but unfortunately not for the best reasons. Areas of City of the Dead, including graves and tombs, are being cleared and relocated to make room for highways and bridges. The reason behind this is to both ease traffic in the dense area as well as connect Cairo to the new administrative capital (still under the name ‘New Capital’) 45 km to the east. While the government has assured everyone that they’re not doing anything to the heritage mausoleums and medieval tombs, and that they’re only removing and relocating ‘modern’ graves (ie. not over 100 years old) and families will receive compensation, locals aren’t thrilled. You can read more about it here on the New York Times. But never fear! There’s still so much of City of the Dead to see, so don’t let this discourage you! Best way to visit City of the Dead Local kids play in the alleys that wind around the Funerary Complex of Qaitbay. Photo credit: Christopher Wilton-Steer So there’s several different ways of visiting City of the Dead, and we’ll go through them with you one by one: a) On a guided walking tour. This is our recommended way of visiting. There are different organizations that have regular City of the Dead walking tours that you can sign up for. These tours usually meet up at a specified place, then you walk through the neighborhood for a few hours with a knowledgeable guide to explain what you’re seeing and to answer questions. They also take care of the ‘tipping’ of the entrance guards to different mosques and mausoleums (the tipping is for you guys to be actually let in, considering these aren’t ticketed official tourist destinations). On walking tour with 'Walk Like An Egyptian' inside the Khanqa of Sultan Farag Ibn Barquq in the City of the Dead Two recommended City of the Dead walking tour organizers: Ma’qad of Sultan Qaitbey (MASQ) . MASQ is a cultural center right in the City of the Dead, and they offer regular guided walking tours as well as photography walks through the Northern Cemetery (also known as the Eastern Cemetery, because it was originally east of the city walls). Their guided tours are usually on the weekends from fall through to spring. You can see their next upcoming tour here. Walk Like An Egyptian. A local company that specializes in guided walking tours (along other off-the-beaten-track tours). They have two different walking tours for City of the Dead, one for the Northern Cemetery (similar to MASQ’s), and a separate one for the Southern Cemetery. You can find their schedule and more info on their website here . b) You can visit with a travel agency (either a private tour or in a group). If you’d like to go visit City of the Dead but not worry about meeting points or specific schedules, then you can arrange with a local travel agency to book a tour on whatever dates and times work for you. Simply google ‘Cairo City of the Dead tour’ and several different options will pop up; you can compare prices and reviews to see which tour agency works for you. The benefits of going the tour agency route is that most will pick you up from your hotel and drop you back off, so you don’t have to worry about transportation. And like we said above, you don’t have to stick to a specific schedule if you’re doing a private tour. The con though is that these trips tend to run much more expensive than the guided walking tours mentioned above (and in either case, you’ll be walking). c) You can visit City of the Dead solo. While technically it’s doable to visit the City of the Dead on your own without a guide, we wouldn’t recommend it. For one, the area is crowded and confusing if you don’t know exactly where you’re going, and Google Maps doesn’t always label everything correctly. Secondly, you’d need to be able to speak Arabic to communicate with the gatekeepers of the different mosques and mausoleums to let you in. And even if you are an Arabic-speaking local (or with one), there are no signs or placards or anything to really explain what it is you’re looking at or why it’s important. How to get there If you’re going with a guided walking tour, then they’ll tell you the meeting place in City of the Dead, which most likely will be easily accessible by car. You can then plug in the destination in your Google Maps and either Uber or have a private car take you there. If you’re going with a tour agency, then they will probably arrange for transportation to pick you up from your hotel or accommodation. Best Things To See in City of the Dead Hosh El Basha The City of the Dead is divided mainly into two large cemeteries, one on the north side of the Cairo Citadel and one on the southern side, aptly named the Northern Cemetery and the Southern Cemetery. Like we mentioned briefly above, the Northern Cemetery is also sometimes called the Eastern Cemetery, due to its being east of the city’s original walls, way before the Cairo Citadel was built. There’s also the smaller Bab El Nasr and Bab el Wazir cemeteries, but most guided tours take place in the North and South Cemeteries. Mausoleum of Khedive Tawfik (Qubbat Afandina) Best things to see in the Northern Cemetery (Eastern Cemetery, ‘Desert of the Mamluks’): Complex of Sultan al-Ashraf Qaitbay (1474 AD) Khanqa of Sultan Farag Ibn Barquq (1389 - 1411 AD) Funerary Complex of Sultan al-Ashraf Barsbay (1432 AD) Mausoleum of Khedive Tawfik, also known as Qubbat Afandina (1894 AD) Mural art and graffiti (modern) Best things to see in the Southern Cemetery: Imam el Shafei Mausoleum and adjacent mosque (1211 AD) Hosh El Basha (the family mausoleum of Muhammad Ali, governor and ruler of 19th century Egypt) (1854 AD) Imam El Layth Bin Saad Mausoleum (first built in 1244 AD, then rebuilt in 1833 AD) Mausoleum of Shajar El-Durr (1250 AD) Local tips Seeing as you’ll be walking around a lot in the sun and none of the sites have ACs for any type of temporary respite, it’s best to visit City of the Dead in the cooler months (November through March) You’ll be walking through a lot of local neighborhoods where the residents tend to be more on the conservative side, so we recommend women not wear anything too revealing or short Most of the mosques you’ll visit don’t require women to cover their hair because they’re not working mosques, but it’s always better to have a scarf or shawl with you just in case You’ll be required to take off your shoes before entering the mosques though, so it’s helpful to be wearing socks/have socks on you so you don’t need to go barefoot There’ll be little kiosks and supermarkets throughout City of the Dead, so don’t worry about getting thirsty – there’s plenty of spots to buy water Wish we could say the same about bathrooms though; we recommend you empty your bladders before your City of the Dead tour, because we can’t guarantee any clean bathrooms :D Other than that, have fun and enjoy the incredibly unique mix of medieval tombs, modern graves and the bustling local life that has grown and evolved all around them. If you find City of the Dead interesting, you’ll also like: El Moez Street: A Detailed Local’s Guide

When you think of Egypt, you probably picture… sand. Like, lots of it. And while there is indeed a lot of sand (we’re a desert nation, after all), what we locals know and are eager to share with visitors are all the different (and aesthetically pleasing) sides of Egypt there are. Whether you favor sea views, cityscapes, river scenes or stark desert beauty, we’ve put together a list of the most stunning (and Instagram-able) views in the country. 1. Castle Zaman (Taba/Nuweiba) Perched on a cliff midway between the Sinai towns of Taba and Nuweiba, overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba, is this restaurant and day-use spot. Castle Zaman is famous for its slow-cooked “castle food” -- platters of meat, seafood and fresh vegetables cooked for hours with local spices, dates and figs. Guests can pass the time by swimming in their pool overlooking the sea or by exploring the castle. Read more about Taba and Nuweiba here: Egypt's Red Sea Riviera: Where To Stay 2. Farsha Mountain Lounge (Sharm El Sheikh) Farsha is a mountain lounge, restaurant and bar in the Red Sea town of Sharm el Sheikh, serving up both comfortable seating in a colorful Bedouin style and spectacular views. The vibe is chill, different than Sharm’s usual party scene, and guests can kick back with a local beer and shisha while enjoying the warm sea breeze. 3. Marriott Mena House (Cairo) With the best pyramids view of any hotel in Egypt, the Mena House started out as a royal lodge for the Khedive Ismail for when he or his guests wanted to rest after hunting in the desert or spending time at the pyramids. It was then sold to a British couple in 1869 and turned into a hotel in 1887. You can read more in our article 11 Historical Hotels in Egypt You Can Still Stay At Today . Today you can enjoy your breakfast or take a swim in the pool with the Pyramids of Giza as a very, *very* distinct backdrop. For a list of Cairo's best hotels that are deemed tried and true by locals, head here . And this is our detailed local's guide about everything you need to know before visiting the Pyramids of Giza. 4. Agiba Beach (Marsa Matrouh) While the whole of the North coast in Egypt offers awesome Mediterranean Sea views and white sand beaches, one of the most distinctly memorable spots is Agiba Beach near the coastal town of Marsa Matrouh. Agiba translates to ‘a wonder’ in Arabic, and this little cove is accessible only through a sandy path down from the clifftop. For more breathtaking beaches, read our article 9 World-Class Beaches in Egypt . 5. Hot Air Balloon (Luxor) This one might be a little unexpected, but it’s absolutely legit -- the best way to see the ancient city of Thebes and its necropolis (now modern-day Luxor), is from above. In the early morning hours, you can gently float over the ancient city and see where the Nile’s blues and greens fade into the desert, and the open-air temple complexes like Luxor Temple and Karnak. Read: 12 Most Impressive Ancient Egyptian Temples Still Standing Today 6. Sofitel Gezirah (Cairo) This hotel has the happy real estate of the tip of the island of Zamalek in Cairo, surrounded by the Nile. The pool and a handful of their restaurants are all right on the water, framed by Cairo’s sprawling cityscape. It’s especially beautiful at night with all the lights reflecting on the water (also get ready for some pimped out passing feluccas and their upbeat Arabic music. 7. Mt. Sinai Summit (Sinai Peninsula) If you’re into hiking, then the trek up to the summit of Mount Sinai (known as ‘Gebel Moussa’ in Arabic) is a must. Actually, even if you aren’t into hiking, you have the option of climbing the mountain old-school on the back of a camel. Mount Sinai is considered holy by the Abrahamic religions, because it’s where it’s believed that Moses encountered the Burning Bush and received the Tablets of Law. Even for non-believers, Mount Sinai is known as being a spiritual and cleansing spot. For more camping spots in Egypt, head here . 8. Old Cataract Hotel (Aswan) Across from Elephantine Island on the Nile, this 19th century Victorian palace is now a hotel with some of the best views Aswan has to offer. The juxtaposition between the Victorian architecture and the ancient river and sand dunes of Aswan is definitely worth a visit, and has been visited by notable names from Princess Diana to Winston Churchill. Our full local's city guide to Aswan is here . 9. Dahab Promenade (Dahab) Photo credit: Stephen De Bond The small Red Sea town of Dahab is known as divers’ paradise, pulling in people from all over the world who are interested in diving and snorkeling. The town has adopted a bohemian, laid-back vibe with a melting-pot of different nationalities and languages, who all share the joint interest of sea and sun. Dahab’s promenade is comprised of a series of open-air, seaside restaurants, bars and cafes, all with stunning views of the Red Sea and Sinai mountains. 10. White Desert (Farafra) Photo credit: Dany Eid Photography Egypt’s Western desert at Farafra is a pristine, stark wilderness where you can camp, do Jeep safaris, sandboard, immerse yourself in natural hot springs and see the Milky Way and an infinite amount of stars at night. The massive white chalk formations in the White Desert are some of the coolest natural wonders in Egypt (and very “gram-able”). Here are some other of the best places to camp in Egypt. 11. Stanley Bridge (Alexandria) This iconic bridge in the ancient seaside city of Alexandria overlooks the Mediterranean Sea on one side and a small beach on the other, and in front and back is Alexandria’s cityscape and Corniche. While it’s not the most peaceful or quiet of spots -- cars will be zipping past -- we recommend taking a walk down the bridge either early Friday morning or late at night for some of the best views Alexandria has to offer. Read: 2 Day Itinerary for Alexandria, Egypt 12. Mahmya (Hurghada) This Red Sea island is about an hour’s boat ride from the Hurghada port, and has one of the clearest water beaches in Egypt. Boats are easily rented from the port, and on the island itself is a restaurant, private beach and bar -- a great day trip if you’re in Hurghada. For more tropical islands in Egypt, head here. You might also like: 7 Restaurants with the Best Views of the Pyramids of Giza

The past couple of years have been... a lot, to say the least. But there's no use crying over covid-spilled milk, and things are definitely taking a turn for the better. Not only is Egypt completely open again, but we've been making headlines as one of THE countries to visit in 2022. Headlines where? Oh here are just a few: Recently TripAdvisor not only named Cairo as their #2 Trending Destination in the World for 2022, but Hurghada in their Top 10 Most Popular Destinations in the World for 2022! And that's besides Egypt having secured 13 spots, yes 13, in Scuba Travel’s World’s Top 100 Dive Sites in 2022. Oh and let's not forget Egypt being on the list for Lonely Planet's Top 10 Countries in 2022. So as you can see, it's been pretty much agreed across the board that Egypt is the place to see in 2022, for myriad reasons. And let us locals add 22 of our own personal reasons to the list! 1. It’s very affordable for tourists. If you're coming from abroad, you might notice right away that certain things are WAY cheaper in Egypt than back home. For example, an Uber from the airport to Downtown Cairo will cost you around $10 - for an hour long ride! And a stay in a five star hotel in Egypt is going to run you *considerably* less than what a stay in a five star hotel in Europe for example will run you. Hot air balloon in Luxor? That'll set you back less than $50. You get the idea! Read: Cairo on a Budget: 10 Cheap Ways to Enjoy the City Read: Cairo Sightseeing For Free: 10 Awesome Sites That Don't Cost Anything To Visit 2. Year-round sunny beaches. Home to both the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, Egypt has beaches that can easily compete with some of the best in the world. Even in winter months, it’s never too cold to sit on the Red Sea’s white sand beaches and soak up the sun. Read: 9 World-Class Beaches in Egypt Read: 7 Tropical Islands You Won't Believe Are In Egypt 3. Our world-famous museums. The Grand Egyptian Museum will be hopefully be opening its doors in late 2022; when opened, it'll be the biggest archaeological museum in the world. It’ll also be home to the full Tutankhamun collection, with pieces on public display for the first time ever. But don't let the delay get you down -- you can check out our other world-famous museums, like Cairo Museum in Midan Tahrir -- the museum’s collections exceed over 120,000 pieces, from the pre-historic era to the Roman-Greco period. Or the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, with its Royal Mummy Gallery. There's also Karnak Temple in Luxor, which is considered the biggest open-air museum in the world. Read: 9 Museums In Cairo You Need To Visit At Least Once Read: 7 Important Egyptian Museums To Truly Understand Egypt's History 4. Natural treatments and climatic physiotherapy. The secret is out: Egypt is one of the best destinations in the world when it comes to therapeutic tourism -- those seeking natural treatment for various ailments, or seeking physical and spiritual cleansing. Egypt is home to more than 1,300 natural springs, and their clay and minerals help treat bone, skin and digestive diseases. The 365 days of sunshine and dry climate in places like Aswan help respiratory and rheumatoid diseases. The sea and treatments like ‘sand baths’ are proven to help with skin diseases like psoriasis. Read: Natural Therapy in Egypt - 7 Types of Natural Healing and Climatic Therapy You Can't Find Elsewhere 5. The last standing Ancient Wonder of the World. The Great Pyramid of Giza (known as either Khufu or Cheops) is literally the last existing Ancient Wonder of the World. At around 4500 years old, it’s kind of crazy that you can get so up and close to it, but indeed you can. Its surrounding pyramids and Sphinx are no less impressive, and it’s truly worth being on every single human’s bucket list. Read: Visiting the Pyramids of Giza - A Local's Guide to Everything You Need to Know 6. A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. When was the last time you went on a cruise? Or better yet, when was the last time you went on a cruise that had regular stops to dock and see thousands-of-years-old monuments, tombs and artifacts? These five star, luxury cruises range from 3 to 5 nights, and are both affordable and an awesome option for all ages and families with young kids. You’ll sail down the river in Ancient Upper Egypt and see sights like the Luxor Temple (the world’s largest outdoor museum), Karnak Temple and Philae Temple (the last place where the Ancient Egyptian religion was practiced). 7. Camping in the Sahara Desert. Egypt’s Western desert is a pristine, stark wilderness where you can camp, do Jeep safaris, sandboard, immerse yourself in natural hot springs and see the Milky Way and an infinite amount of stars at night. White chalk formations like in the White Desert area of the Egyptian Sahara are some of the coolest natural wonders (and very “gram-able”). Read: Camping in Egypt: 7 Beautiful and Remote Places To Camp 8. Disconnecting from the world at an Egyptian ecolodge. If peace of mind is your end goal, then Egypt’s ecolodges are what you should be looking into for 2022. Whether you choose an ecolodge at a desert oasis, or next to the Red Sea, or at the very edge of the Great Sand Sea, you’re guaranteed to disconnect from your super plugged-in world; many of these places don’t even have electricity. Perfect for those who want to disconnect, eat fresh, get back in tune with nature and leave as small a carbon footprint as possible. 9. Scuba diving in some of the world’s very best dive spots. Egypt's Red Sea scored a total of 13 spots in Scuba Travel’s World’s Top 100 Dive Sites in 2022 - what more can we say? Notable Egyptian dive sites mentioned: Shark Reef, Daedalus Reef, Little Brother, Thistlegorm and Blue Hole. Read: 7 Best Diving Destinations in Egypt’s Red Sea for Divers of All Levels 10. Religious significance for the three Abrahamic religions -- Islam, Christianity and Judaism. While the Ancient Egyptian religion is what usually takes center stage when people think of Egypt, the country is of extreme significance to the Abrahamic religions as well. In Egypt you can climb to the summit of Mount Sinai, where it’s believed that Moses encountered the Burning Bush and received the 10 Commandments. You can also follow the journey of the Holy Family (Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Joseph) from the Sinai peninsula into mainland Egypt and back again. If you’re interested in more modern historical religious sites, Islamic and Coptic Cairo are home to centuries-old mosques, churches, and the Ben Ezra synagogue. Read: 9 Egyptian Churches, Cathedrals and Monasteries You Need to Visit at Least Once Read: 10 Most Beautiful Mosques in Egypt 11. Ancient whale fossils in the desert, anyone? Wadi el Hitan (Whale Valley) in Fayoum, Egypt, is home to something very strange and very cool -- whale fossils, but not your average whale; these whales had hind legs. According to UNESCO (Wadi el Hitan is an official UNESCO Heritage Site): “These fossils represent one of the major stories of evolution: the emergence of the whale as an ocean-going mammal from a previous life as a land-based animal. This is the most important site in the world for the demonstration of this stage of evolution.” Read: 7 Egyptian UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Which Ones You MUST See 12. Medical and dental tourism. If you need tests done, dental work or a medical consultation and don’t feel like going through thousands of dollars and weeks of waiting for an appointment in your home country, then Egypt is a great alternative. The medical sector in Egypt has excellent doctors, and the vast majority speak English so you don’t have to worry about the language barrier. You can get an appointment with a dentist or specialized doctor of your choice in just a matter of days, and the consultation will cost you between 300-600 EGP ($19-$38), and the follow-up is free. Blood tests and other scanning are similarly affordable. 13. Kitesurfing. Kitesurfing is the world’s fastest-growing water sport, and not many know that Egypt is a treasure trove for both beginner and advanced kitesurfers alike. According to Kitesurfing Holidays, Egypt has 3 different placings in the 10 best spots in the world to learn to kitesurf (Soma Bay, Hamata and El Gouna). Our local tip is to add to those places Ras Sedr and Dahab, also on the Red Sea. Read: 7 Extreme Adventure Experiences in Egypt for Adrenaline Junkies 14. 10,000 year old rock art. If you thought the pharaohs’ tombs were about as Ancient as Egypt’s history gets, think again. In the caves of the Gilf Kebir plateau in the remote Southwest Egyptian Sahara desert, Neolithic cliff paintings (pictographs) and rock carvings (petroglyphs) were found, depicting the daily life of those who dwelled there around 10,000 years ago. The most famous of those caves are the Cave of the Swimmers and the Cave of the Beasts. 15. That boat life. We already talked about 5 star Nile cruises, but what about the rest of what Egypt has to offer when it comes to boating? Whether it’s something easy and quick, like an hour’s sail in of the famous Nile feluccas (little sailboats popular in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan), or a fishing boat in the Red Sea, or a glass-bottom boat (awesome family alternative to snorkeling), or even powerboats that you can rent out for reasonable prices in Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh, the options of enjoying Egypt from the water are endless. Read: 25 Fun Things To Do In Hurghada and El Gouna 16. The crazy beauty of the remaining temples, monuments, tombs and artifacts of the Ancient Egyptian civilization. This, like the Pyramids, is really kind of a no-brainer. The fact that you can literally walk into temples and tombs thousands of years old, and see the original art and hieroglyphics is really kind of mind-boggling. Sites like the Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, Dendera, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Abu Simbel, Temple of Hatshepsut, Philae Temple and many others are always *so* much more interesting than anything you might have ever read about them. Read: Ancient Egypt Bucket List: 20 Must-See Ancient Egyptian Sites 17. The ability to have a super diverse vacation, all in relatively easy reach of each other, in the same country. Whether you’re looking for a beach vacation, a journey into ancient history, a diving adventure, a mental, physical and emotional retreat, a city jaunt or a commune with nature, Egypt delivers all, in just a few short days. It’s not all sand and pyramids --although that would be pretty cool too-- which is what a lot of visitors fail to realize, and thus cheat themselves out of some of the best beaches in the world or some amazing retreats. 18. The views, oh, the views. We're just going to leave this here. Read: 12 Places To Go For The Most Beautiful Views in Egypt 19. Egyptian food <3 Egyptian cuisine might not be super widespread internationally, but for us Egyptians, it's a national treasure. Our famous fuul, taameya (Egyptian falafel) and koshary are all cheap, nutritious and even vegan-friendly. And if you're a meat lover, our grills just can't be beat. Read: 12 Local Egyptian Foods You Need To Try 20. Egypt is a great winter destination. It’s a million degrees below zero, and you don’t think you’ll ever see a not-gray sky again. This is where Egypt comes in -- even in the dead of winter, the sun is always shining and the skies are always blue. Read: 7 Reasons Why Winter Is Actually One Of The Best Times To Go To Egypt 21. Egypt's historical hotels. With certain hotels over 150 years old (and still serving up 5 star luxury), in Egypt you don't just SEE history, you can also choose to sleep in it. These hotels range from khedival palaces in Cairo to nods to Alexandria's seaside belle epoque to Agatha's Nile-side inspiration down in Aswan - in Egypt you don't need to stay at another cookie-cutter hotel. Read: 11 Historical Hotels in Egypt You Can Still Stay At Today 22. Moez Street and Khan el Khalili. A lot gets said about Ancient Egypt, but what about Medieval Egypt? Take a walk down Moez Street and its adjacent bazaar Khan el Khalili in the evening and you'll feel like you're in A Thousands and One Nights - with a large dash of modern Egypt, that is. This fascinating area dates back to 14th century AD and is one of our very favorite places in all of Cairo. Also the best place to souvenir shop! Read: El Moez Street in Old Cairo - A Detailed Local's Guide Read: Khan el Khalili - An Egyptian Local's Guide So there you have it, 22 reasons why Egypt should most definitely be on your list of places to visit in 2022. And don't forget to check out our locally-created itineraries -- they're full of details and insider information that you won't find elsewhere on the internet; it's like having your own local friend in Egypt who'll steer you in the right direction. Happy travels!