Why Egypt should be on your luxury travel bucket list

Whether you want to sail down the Nile on a felucca, explore ancient monuments and temples, browse the museums of Cairo, or go trekking in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt’s unique topography and heritage offers you a little of everything, making it a must on every bucket list. Linking Northeast Africa with the Middle East, the civilisation dates back to the time of the pharaohs. There are few aspects of the eras gone by that are as intriguing as the history of ancient Egypt. And today, millennia-old monuments sit along the fertile Nile River Valley, including the colossal Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx as well as Luxor’s hieroglyph-lined Karnak Temple and the necropolis of the Valley of the Kings with over 60 tombs. The capital, Cairo, is home to Ottoman landmarks like the Muhammad Ali Mosque and Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities.

Beyond these architectural wonders, there’s Egypt’s natural side, as well. With soaring mountains, vast deserts and coral-rich seas, the landscapes and wildlife here are every bit as enticing and mysterious as the legends of pharaoh Tutankhamun. Evidently, Egypt gives us what no other country can: the chance to see up close, in situ, the astonishing creative impulses of the world’s longest surviving ancient civilisation. And also celebrated is the country’s unique cuisine—largely dependent on vegetables, fruits and legumes from the rich Nile Valley and Delta—and complex culture that fascinates the world. 

Travel back in time 

If it’s your first time visiting the country, you’ll want to concentrate on the historic must-sees. They are scattered across the length and breadth of Egypt, but mostly on the narrow band along the banks of the Nile.

The Pyramids of Giza make an ideal first stop on a tour of Egypt’s almost unfathomable timeline of history. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the majestic monuments have intrigued historians for centuries. They sit on the edge of Cairo, where the dizzying duality of the ancient and urban sets the scene for your time exploring the capital city. There truly is nothing else like this in the world. The three most prominent and famous pyramids are the Great Pyramid (made for pharaoh Khufu), the pyramid of Khafre (son of Khufu) and the pyramid of Menkaure (son of Khafre). Their vastness and sandy surroundings transport you back in time.

Just close by is another wonder of the world, the Great Sphinx of Giza. Made out of a single piece of limestone and carved into a statue, it’s considered to be the embodiment of antiquity and mystery. The gigantic statue takes the shape of the mythical creature with the body of a recumbent lion and the head of a human, adorned with a royal headdress to represent wisdom and power. It was built during the rule of the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, under the reign of pharaoh Khafre.

The curious case of the capital 

In Cairo, the past smashes up against the present like no place else. The city is known for its museums that are packed with artefacts and pieces of ancient history. In fact, the newly constructed Grand Egyptian Museum (slated to open in July) is billed as the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilisation. With 12 main galleries, the Grand Staircase and the Children’s Museum, the place holds more than 50,000 artefacts dating as far back as 700,000 BCE, up until the 4th century AD.

Then there’s the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, the first museum in the Arab world that focuses on the very first civilisation in history. Its exceptional collection also includes the royal mummies.

The Egyptian Museum is known for its collection of the treasures of King Tutankhamun, including his iconic golden death mask, which is made of solid gold and weighs 9 kg, besides jewellery, chariots, furniture and weapons.

All the museums and their curios aside, there’s no better way to complete your visit of the city than with a stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza. Located in the heart of the capital and on the banks of the Nile, the property opens the door to discovering Egypt’s 5,000-year-old ancient mysteries. Their hospitality is unmatched, built on the Four Seasons DNA of being understated and luxe in every aspect.

The hotel’s river-facing rooms offer breathtaking views of the world’s longest river, the pyramids in the distance as well as Cairo’s skyline from the private in-room terrace. The property can also arrange for a sail on a traditional felucca, so guests can soak in the sunset from the Nile. On the culinary side, one is spoiled for choice at the 10 acclaimed restaurants here that serve various cuisines. They can also pamper themselves with the Egyptian beauty secrets at the spa.

Market marvels 

When in Cairo, head to the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, one of the oldest and best preserved medieval Arab souks. It’s where Cairo most lives up to its reputation as a city of frenetic streets and an explosion of smells and colours that, for centuries, has been the commercial centre of the country.

Here, one can find anything and everything they would want to take home from Egypt, from souvenirs and trinkets to carpets, incense and spices. Known as the market of a thousand and one shops, the 1,000-year-old “Grand Bazaar” is a fascinating place to observe how life transpires in Egypt, a meeting point of cultures. In fact, the expansive market, in Islamic Cairo, was built in 1382 as a caravanserai, a kind of inn and rest area for merchants and their camels.

A resort town escape 

A five hour drive from Cairo will take you to Sharm El Sheikh, a true hidden gem in the vast deserts of Egypt. Known for its sheltered sandy beaches, clear waters and coral reefs, the resort town lies between the desert of the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea. Here, cascading down the hillside from the desert to the sea is the Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, which welcomes you to an Arabian fairytale with year-round sun, sleek, modern accommodations, over 3,000 palm trees and panoramic sea views.

Limestone cliffs embrace a kilometre of private beachfront, with crystal-clear waters and access to a protected marine reserve. This 10-year-old hillside, Moorish-style resort— replete with towers, arabesques and moucharabiehs— overlooks the Sinai Peninsula and resembles how one would picture the Garden of Eden.

Brick villas arranged in clusters reveal rooms in browns and creams; most come with balconies facing the Red Sea. The spacious rooms and oversized suites, with modern design or traditional Arabian décor, offer the ultimate comforts of luxury.
One can enjoy a Bedouin-style breakfast specially laid out in the open around the beach, savour Middle Eastern cuisine at the Arabesque, or enjoy some authentic Italian at Il Frantoio. Pamper yourself with a coffee-and-milk scrub at the spa at the property, which is also a perfect destination for a dream wedding—the majestic sea in the backdrop would make for a picturesque location.

And if there’s one thing synonymous with Egypt, it’s the Nile River. Call it the lifeline of the country or the backbone, there’s no Egypt without the Nile. With the Sahara covering 94 percent of the country, most of the population lives within a few miles of the water source. There was a time when nearly every facet of life in Egypt was dictated by the Nile’s rise and fall—most temples had a nilometer, a structure like a deep well, to measure the water level; the higher the level of the river water, the more the citizens would owe. Today, one of the best ways to explore the country is on a cruise ship, journeying down the waterway that sustained ancient Egypt and supports the modern nation.

This article first appeared in the print edition of Brides Today, January-March 2025. 

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