Ahmed Samir

Planning to visit the Avenue of Sphinxes in Luxor? Discover the best time to go, what to expect, nearby attractions, and useful tips for your trip.

Discover the best hiking trails in Egypt, from Sinai mountains to desert paths, and enjoy unforgettable adventures through stunning natural landscapes.

Akhenaten ruled Egypt for about 17 years in the 14th century BC, replaced the old gods with the sun disc Aten, built a new capital at Amarna and was erased by his successors. Here are the facts historians agree on, the ones they still debate, and where to see his statues in Egypt.

Egypt works well for families when you mix short ancient sites with water and animals: camel rides at Giza, the GEM Children's Museum, a Nile cruise with a pool, felucca sailing in Aswan and snorkelling in the Red Sea. Our list by place and age, with pacing, safety and season tips.

The best places to shop in Cairo include top markets and malls with clear prices. Discover where to shop, what to buy, and how to save time and money.

The best beaches in Hurghada for snorkeling are Mahmya and Orange Bay on Giftun Island, reached by boat, and the house reefs of Sharm El Naga, Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh on the mainland. Here is how they compare, which suits beginners and families, the best months and how to protect the reef.

Ancient Egyptian art followed the same rules for about 3,000 years: figures drawn on a grid of 18 fists, the most important person largest, colours with fixed meanings. Here are the most interesting facts about it, how to read a tomb or temple scene, and where to see the best pieces in Egypt.

Medinet Habu is the mortuary temple of Ramesses III on Luxor's West Bank, built around 1186 to 1155 BC. Its walls keep some of the best-preserved colours in Egypt and the famous reliefs of the war against the Sea Peoples, and it is far quieter than Karnak. What to see, how long to allow and how to plan the visit.

For Egypt, pack light, breathable clothes that cover shoulders and knees, comfortable closed shoes, strong sun protection, a scarf, and a warm layer for winter evenings and the desert. Leave drones at home. Here is our full packing list by season and by trip type, from the pyramids to a Nile cruise.

The Pyramid of Menkaure, the third and smallest pyramid of Giza, was built for King Menkaure of the 4th Dynasty around 2500 BCE. It stood about 65 metres high, its lower courses were cased in Aswan granite and its decorated chambers can be visited. History, facts, the lost sarcophagus and how to go inside.

The best things to do in Egypt are seeing the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, exploring Luxor's temples and tombs, cruising the Nile to Aswan, visiting Abu Simbel, snorkeling in the Red Sea and spending a night in the desert. 20 attractions and activities, by region, with time needed and tips.

Egypt's main Christian monasteries and historic sites are Coptic Cairo, the four monasteries of Wadi El Natrun, St Anthony and St Paul by the Red Sea, St Catherine's Monastery in Sinai and the Holy Family stations along the Nile. What each is, how far it is from Cairo, and how to plan the visit.