Egypt Travel Guide
Egypt is a country with an ancient history and a strong national identity, but it’s best experienced by focusing on individual cities rather than approaching it as a single destination. While history connects the country as a whole, Egypt is best experienced city by city, where daily life, food culture, and travel logistics vary significantly.
Travelers get the most value by choosing specific cities and understanding how each one works on its own terms — particularly when it comes to navigating neighborhoods, eating well, and choosing where to stay.
Food & Travel Across Egypt
Egyptian food culture is shaped by geography, tradition, and everyday practicality. What you eat in Cairo is not exactly the same as what you’ll find in Alexandria or Luxor. Ingredients, meal patterns, and dining settings differ depending on location.
In general:
Urban centers emphasize street food and casual local dining
Coastal cities feature more seafood and Mediterranean influences
Traditional dishes are simple, filling, and widely available
Meals are often informal and eaten throughout the day
This variation is why city-specific food guides provide far more value than broad national summaries.
Travel logistics in Egypt vary by city. Large urban centers require thoughtful planning around traffic and location, while smaller destinations are more compact and easier to navigate. Where you stay can significantly affect how smoothly your trip unfolds.
Cities in Egypt
Below you’ll find our city-level guides for Egypt. Each city includes:
A City Guide (what to know and how the city works)
A What to Eat guide (local food, dishes, and markets)
A Where to Stay guide (best areas and accommodation types)
Cairo
Cairo is Egypt’s capital and largest city, with a fast-paced daily rhythm and a food culture centered on street food and neighborhood eateries. Choosing the right area is essential for balancing dining, sightseeing, and transportation.
Alexandria
Alexandria sits along the Mediterranean coast and has a food culture strongly influenced by seafood and regional flavors. Staying near the waterfront or central districts can shape the overall experience.
Luxor
Luxor is more compact and slower-paced, with food and daily life closely tied to tourism and the surrounding Nile region. Where you stay affects proximity to sites, dining options, and river access.
Planning Your Trip to Egypt
Egypt rewards travelers who plan carefully and focus on a small number of cities rather than trying to cover everything at once. By approaching the country city by city, you’ll eat better, stay in more suitable areas, and manage logistics more effectively.
Use the city guides above to plan your trip based on how you want to travel, eat, and stay, rather than relying on broad, country-level overviews.