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Egypt Travel Guide will provide you with all the facts, basic information, and breathtaking sightseeing about Egypt if you are planning to visit it, which will help you in your journey and make it unforgettable.
Information
Names
Egypt has had numerous names throughout history in different languages. "Kemet," meaning "Black Land," was the most ancient Egyptian name. It refers to the rich, fertile, and dark-coloured soil of the Nile River and the Delta.
The English name "Egypt" was derived from the ancient Greek "Agyptos." Um al-Dunya, which translates as "Mother of the World," is an Arabic expression that Egyptians and others use to state Egypt nowadays.
Location
Egypt is a transcontinental country that stretches from the northeast corner of Africa to the southwest corner of Asia. The Sinai Peninsula of Egypt acts as the land bridge between these two continents. Egypt is located in the northern and eastern hemispheres of the earth. Egypt has land borders with Sudan to the south, Libya to the west, the Gaza Strip to the northeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba border it to the east.
Area
The total area of Egypt is approximately one million square kilometres. However, most of the land is desert, and only 7.7 percent of Egypt is inhabited.
Capital
Cairo is the capital and largest city of Egypt. After receiving orders from Fatimid Caliph El Moez Le Din Allah, Fatimid general Jawhar Al Saqili built the city in 969 A.D. People call Cairo the "City of a Thousand Minarets" because of its numerous mosques and Islamic architecture.
Main cities
Alexandria is the second-largest city in Egypt and its old capital. Luxor and Aswan in Upper Egypt; Sharm Elsheikh, Dahab, and Taba in the Sinai Peninsula; and Hurghada and Marsa Alam are considered the main cities in Egypt.
Flag
The current flag of Egypt consists of red, white, and black horizontal stripes. Red represents the blood of Egyptian martyrs. The white symbolises peace; black stands for the dark period of occupation; and the eagle represents strength and power.
Currency
The Egyptian pound is the official currency of Egypt. Tourist cities such as Luxor, Aswan, Sharm El Sheikh, and Hurghada accept US dollars, British pounds, and euros.
Languages
The official language of Egypt is literary Arabic. However, English is widely spoken, especially among educated people. Italian, French, German, Spanish, and Russian are spoken in tourist cities.
Religions
Islam is the official religion in Egypt. It has the largest Muslim population in the Arab world. Egypt also has the largest Christian population in the Middle East and North Africa.
Climate
Egypt has an arid desert environment, except for a small portion of its Mediterranean coastline. There are only two seasons, and it's always hot and dry. Between May and October, the summer months are swelteringly hot. From November through April, there is a warm, mild winter.
Time zone
Egypt Time is ahead of Spain Time by 1 hour.
Phone code
The phone code of Egypt is +20.
Transportation
There are numerous transportations means in Egypt. People in Cairo frequently use the metro, buses, and taxis. The Egyptian railway is the oldest in Africa and the Middle East. In various parts of Cairo, Alexandria, and small villages, Tuktuks are available.
Electrical voltage
Plugs are the same as those in Europe. The voltage is 220V.
Culture
Egyptian culture is rich, diverse, and unique. The role of religion in shaping Egyptian culture is immense. It is one of the most substantial aspects of their daily life. Many different groups have influenced Egyptian culture over time. Fortunately, many aspects of ancient Egyptian culture have survived into the modern day, including art, architecture, music, and literature.
Arts
The ancient Egyptian civilization was the first to focus on the arts, including architecture, sculpture, painting, pottery, and more. The most famous example of Egyptian art is the Great Pyramid at Giza. This pyramid was built as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu. It took 20 years to build and required an estimated 2 million blocks of stone weighing over 6 million tons. The Egyptians invented the golden ratio. The Egyptians designed statues, obelisks, tombs, and temples following this ratio. Today, people use this ratio in modern architecture, sculpture, furniture design, and even photography.
Literature
Ancient Egyptian literature is one of the oldest and most influential in the world. It is known for its rich storytelling, complex characters, and vivid imagery. It started with oral traditions and was later written down on papyrus. The earliest Egyptian literary work was the Tale of Sinuhe. Naguib Mahfouz was the first Egyptian writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988.
Media
The Egyptian media has a large audience and is influential. Famous TV presenters such as Amr Adeeb and Tamer Amin are well-known in the country and the Arab World. Millions of viewers watch their shows daily.
Cinema
Egyptian cinema is a national treasure. It is the leading country in cinema in the Arab world. It has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. Some of Egypt's most famous actors include Omar Sharif, Nour El Sherif, Yousra, Ahmed Mazhar, Ahmed Zaki, Farid Shawky, Nadia El-Gendy, Inaam Abdulfattah, Faten Hamama, Adel Emam, and many more.
Music
Music was a significant part of life in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians used music to honour the gods, help with daily work, and entertain people during festivals. Amr Diab, Mohamed Mounir, Tamer Hosny, and Mohamed Hamaki are the most popular singers in Egypt.
Festivals
Feasts are a significant part of Egyptian culture. Various religious feasts in Egypt take place throughout the year. The primary feasts in Egypt are Christmas, Easter, Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Mawlid al-Nabi.
Cuisine
Generally, Egyptian cuisine depends on legumes, carbs, and oil. Koshari, Ful medames, Falafel, Shawarma, and Kebab are the most popular foods in Egypt.
Sports
Football is the primary sport in Egypt. Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Pyramids are the most popular football clubs. The Egyptian national team is known as the pharaohs.
Regions
Egypt is a country with a diverse landscape, made up of different geographic regions. These regions are the Nile Valley, the Delta, the Western Desert, the Eastern Desert, and the Sinai Peninsula.
The Nile Valley
The Nile Valley is the longest river valley in the world, stretching over 4,000 miles from Sudan to Egypt. The valley is home to some of Egypt's most iconic landmarks, including the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
The Nile Delta
The Nile Delta is where the Nile River meets the Mediterranean Sea. It covers an area of about 160 miles and is home to more than 20 million people. The Delta is a vital agricultural region for Egypt. The annual flooding of the Nile River makes it incredibly fertile.
The Western Desert
The Western Desert is the largest geographic region in Egypt. It covers more than two-thirds of the total area of Egypt. It stretches from Libya to Sudan and includes Egypt's famed oasis towns like Siwa and Bahariya. The desert is largely uninhabited except for a few Bedouin tribes that have made their homes in the oasis towns.
The Eastern Desert
The Eastern Desert borders Sudan and Saudi Arabia and occupies about one-fourth of the total area of Egypt. This desert was once part of ancient Egypt. People gradually abandoned it as they moved to settlements closer to the Nile River over time. Today, it is home to a small population of Bedouins who live in scattered oasis villages across the desert landscape.
The Sinai Peninsula
The Sinai Peninsula is located between Africa and Asia and bridges them together via a land bridge known as the Isthmus of Suez. It consists of two governorates: North Sinai and South Sinai. The Sinai Peninsula is one of the world's most fascinating travel destinations. Sharm Elsheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, and Taba are the principal cities in Sinai.
Cities
FQAs
Egypt is generally a safe destination, except for North Sinai Governorate. Police forces are almost everywhere to ensure the safety of tourists. The Egyptian people are generous and friendly to tourists.
If you are visiting Egypt, your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive and have one blank page.
For most nationalities, including Spanish, you can get a visa before you travel from the official e-visa portal or your nearest Egyptian consulate. Tourist visas granted using the portal are only valid for three months.
You can obtain a visa upon arrival at approved bank kiosks in the airport arrival halls before proceeding to the immigration counters. The visa fee is $25, payable in US dollars, though you may also be able to pay in euros or pounds sterling. Visas issued on arrival are only valid for 30 days.
If you travel to Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, and Taba for up to 15 days, you will receive a free entry permission stamp upon arrival. You must obtain a visa if you intend to travel out of these areas or stay longer than 15 days.
If you have travelled to one of the South Sinai cities and entered without a visa and your plans have changed, you can normally purchase a visa at Sharm El Sheikh airport to allow you to travel elsewhere.
For further information and inquiries, contact the Egyptian Consulate in Madrid.
Egyptian pounds are the official currency in Egypt. Euros, US dollars, and British pounds are accepted in tourist cities. There’s a limit of 5,000 Egyptian pounds that you are allowed to bring in or take out of Egypt. There is no limit to the amount of hard currency you may bring in, but sums that exceed USD 10,000 or the equivalent in other currencies should be declared on arrival.
In general, you can visit Egypt anytime during the year, but the best time is during the winter, from October to April.
Tourists are required to dress modestly in Egypt. Women should wear long skirts or trousers and cover their arms, while men should wear long trousers and shirts that cover their shoulders.
In tourist cities, such as Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, wearing shorts and sleeveless tops is acceptable.
When visiting a mosque as a tourist, you must remove your shoes and walk in socks. Women must cover their shoulders and wear a veil.
Yes, visiting Egypt during Ramadan is a unique experience. The Ramadan lantern is a very famous and traditional decoration in Egypt during the holy month. These lanterns are usually hung on mosques and houses.
Tourism in Egypt doesn't affect during Ramadan. All the tourist sites are open, but the opening hours may be affected. Hotels and resorts serve alcohol to their guests as usual. Nightclubs will be closed because of the religious restrictions on alcohol consumption.