Egypt. The land of towering pyramids, the imposing Sphinx and the vast metropolis of Cairo. Each year, millions of travellers from all over the world travel to Egypt. Although the coronavirus temporarily threw a spanner in the works, Egypt is once again eager to open its borders and revitalise the tourist industry. The most popular resorts are welcoming international travellers again, provided they have valid visas. But travelling to this beautiful country means more than just packing your luggage. Here are 7 essential tips to make your trip as pleasant as possible.

Pay attention in traffic

Traffic in Egypt, and specifically around the capital of Cairo, can quickly become overwhelming for tourists. The only place in the world where traffic is even busier than in Cairo is in South-East Asia. Both residents and tourists almost exclusively use cars to move around the city, leading to long traffic jams and very irritated drivers. This means loud honking and even louder shouting. Traffic rules are not observed very closely there. The best tip is therefore: be patient. Getting places might take a bit longer, but your credit card will thank you for not getting into any accidents.

Summer can be unbearable

For those who want to spend their holidays in the UK, summer is the perfect time: the sun shines and catering establishments welcome tourists with open arms. In Egypt, however, the opposite is true. During the summer, temperatures can reach over 40 degrees Celsius. In addition, most of the popular sights, such as the pyramids, have little or no shade. You’ll be left to fry in the scorching sun. The best time to visit Egypt is therefore outside the summer months. The country offers wonderful winter holidays as well.

Enjoy the delicious Egyptian cuisine

Egyptian cuisine is both delicious and varied. A combination of vegetables, herbs and lentils provides the unique Egyptian flavour. Special attention is paid to Kushaari (rice, macaroni and lentils in spiced tomato and garlic sauce), Aish Baladi (farmhouse bread with mezze), and the widely known Baklava. A trip to Egypt is not complete if you haven’t tasted the local dishes.

Arrange your visa!

This might seem obvious, but each year tourists miss their holiday because they forgot to apply for a visa for Egypt. When applying for a visa, most people tend to think of visiting the embassy, and long conversations with an embassy employee. Fortunately, Egypt has made applying for a visa a lot easier for British travellers. They can simply apply online for an Egypt e-visa from behind their computer. No need to visit the embassy any longer! The Egypt visa will be sent by e-mail after approval, after which it can be printed and carried with your passport.

Egypt does not close during Ramadan

Since it is an Islamic country, one might think that during Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims, Egypt would come to a complete standstill. After all, the majority of its inhabitants are not allowed to eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. Yet the vast majority of facilities, including catering establishments, remain open. Egypt is aware of the importance of tourism for the country, and that not all visitors from abroad are Muslims. Therefore, visiting Egypt during Ramadan is not a problem. Everything is open as normal, and you can enjoy a normal holiday as you would outside of Ramadan.

One pound will get you far

One of the reasons why Egypt is so popular among European travellers is its very favourable exchange rate: 1 pound sterling is worth almost 18 Egyptian pounds. A train journey costs about 11 cents, and for 20 cents you can get a very tasty falafel. For Europeans, Egypt is one of the cheapest countries in the world. On the other hand, the Egyptians who travel to Europe generally have to pay more than they are used to back home.

Egypt is safe

And finally, Egypt is a safe country. Since the terrorist attacks years ago, this remains a question often asked by travellers. This is understandable, but these attacks were an exception. In general, Egypt is a very safe country for tourists. In part because the government is aware that tourism is a crucial part of the Egyptian economy, every effort possible is being made to ensure that the country is as safe as possible for foreigners. The most famous sights and resorts are well protected, and the risk of attacks is low. However, it is advised to watch out for smaller forms of crime, such as pickpockets.