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As a top tourist destination for 2023, Egypt offers a wealth of fascinating attractions; iconic landmarks; a vibrant culture and history; and more, to tempt travellers with. However, many of us are hesitant about visiting the country due to safety concerns.
While some parts of Egypt can pose a risk to tourists, there are various parts of the country that tourists can – and do – visit in safety, every year. And, as long as you’re mindful about where you go, what you do, and who you get caught up with, it’s entirely possible to holiday in Egypt in safety.
Why is Egypt such a popular destination?
Egypt is a popular destination for tourists worldwide, due largely to its iconic pyramids – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. From relishing the hustle and bustle of Cairo to embarking on a cruise of the Nile River, marvelling at ancient monuments, and sampling the exotic local cuisine, you’ll be amazed at the sheer variety of attractions and activities on a luxury tour of Jordan and Egypt.
What are the most interesting facts about Egypt?
One of the most interesting facts about Egypt is that, not only is it home to the pyramids and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but it’s also home to three deserts, and seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the likes of historic Cairo, the Saint Catherine area, and Abu Mena.
As such, Egypt has a captivating historical and cultural story just waiting to be told.
Is Egypt safe to visit in 2023?
The terrorism rate in Egypt is generally quite low, so you needn’t worry too much about getting stranded in the country due to unforeseen attacks. Most tourists don’t need to be concerned about coming to any harm while in the country, either.
Of course, however, you will need to be on guard for pick-pockets at all times. Depending on where in Egypt you’ll be travelling to, you may also wish to avoid visiting locations prone to religious conflicts. In addition, aim to be street-wise and use your common sense at all times, such as by avoiding taking dimly lit, remote walking routes home late at night; leaving large sums of cash and your passport in a locked hotel safe rather than carrying them on your person; and keeping a record of local emergency services numbers with you at all times.
Before you book a trip to Egypt, be sure to research which tourist locations have previously experienced terrorist attacks. This way, if you’re concerned about traveling to unsafe areas, you can avoid these particular destinations.
Where are the safest tourist destinations in Egypt?
Here are some of the safest tourist destinations you can visit while in Egypt:
1. Cairo
The capital city of Cairo is one of the safest locations in Egypt, largely in thanks to its high tourist inflow, well-developed infrastructure and high levels of security. The Pyramid of Giza is located in this city, drawing thousands of visitors here every year.
Cairo’s museums are another big pull factor for tourists and, in particular, a top attraction for history lovers. Similarly, the open-air bazaar, Khan el-Khalili, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.
2. Alexandria
One of the biggest cities in Egypt, Alexandria is the county’s major seaport and industrial centre, located in northern Egypt, on the Mediterranean coast. Notably, it’s also home to another of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the Lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos) – as well as the Great Library (the largest in the ancient world, with a copy of every single book published globally) and the Necropolis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.
If you’re the kind of traveller who loves nothing more than getting stuck into a good book while on holiday, Alexandria is the destination for you.
3. Luxor
Located on the east bank of the Nile River, in the ancient city of Thebes, Luxor was the original capital city of Egypt’s New Kingdom.
Discover more about the city’s culture and history by visiting the ancient temples, or admire Luxor’s natural beauty from its many scenic hills and valleys. You can visit ancient temples to learn more about the country’s culture.
The city is commonly referred to as the world’s largest open-air museum, due to the many different ancient buildings, landmark and monuments that can be found here.
4. Aswan
Egypt’s southernmost city, Aswan is small in comparison to other big Egyptian cities. As such, it offers a more relaxed, less crowded environment than you’ll find elsewhere in the country. There’s no need to worry about high noise levels, or traffic pollution; this is somewhere you can go to really get away from it all.
The city’s most popular attractions include its gorgeous granite cliffs and the Nubian Museum (also known as the International Museum of Nubia) where you can learn about the fascinating archaeological history of Aswan, and enjoy a unique perspective on the Nile River.
5. Sharm El Sheik
Despite slight increases in terrorism in recent years, Sharm El Sheikh (or ‘Sharm’) remains one of the safest, most well-known resort cities in the Red Sea. In particular, the region is praised for its beautiful, scenic beaches, natural coral reefs and pleasant climate.
Based on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, the region has its very own airport, making it easily accessible for tourists.
Sharm El Sheik offers a diverse range of outdoor activities for tourists to enjoy, from relaxing experiences like sun-bathing, to more exhilarating pastimes like snorkelling and scuba diving.
How to get a tourist visa for Egypt
Obtaining a tourist visa to visit Egypt is relatively easy, provided that you have all the necessary documentation, including a valid passport. While you can apply directly for you visa through the Egyptian authorities, some people prefer to hire an online service provider to complete and submit an application on their behalf.
While it can cost more to go via a third-party, the advantage of doing so is that you can minimise any delays or potential hold-ups caused by omitting necessary information, or by making any errors in your application. Usually, it takes around five days to process the application, so it’s best to aim to get things right first-time, especially if you’re due to travel in the near future. In any case, however, it’s advised that you allow at least ten days in which for your visa application to be processed.
Once your application has been processed and accepted, you’ll be emailed your official visa documentation, enabling you to print the documents in advance of your trip.
If you’re travelling at extremely short notice, or you’ve forgotten to complete a visa application in advance of travel, you can also get a visa upon arrival at an Egyptian airport. This will last for 30 days, enabling you to enter Egypt more than once during this timeframe. You may also be able to apply for a multi-visit visa, if you plan to visit the country more than once in a given period of time.
So, if a trip to Egypt is on your 2023 travel bucket list, hopefully, you’ll now be feeling far more clued up on which parts of Egypt are safest for tourists to visit, in addition to what kind of documentation you’ll need to enter the country, and how to go about obtaining it. Now, all that’s left to do is get booking your trip and planning your itinerary!
Will you be visiting Egypt in 2023? Where will you be visiting, and do you feel confident that you’ll be safe and secure during your trip?
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