Egypt between the stops
Road trips & self-drive
Classic routes include Cairo to Alexandria by the desert road, the Red Sea coast road south from Hurghada to Marsa Alam, the Nile Valley through Middle Egypt, and the Western Desert oasis loop from Bahariya to Kharga. Long distances, desert stretches and permit checkpoints make planning essential.
Ideas to start with
- Cairo – Wadi El Natrun – Alexandria
- The Red Sea coast road
- The Western Desert oasis loop
- Middle Egypt's Holy Family stations
Travel responsibly
- Avoid driving remote roads after dark; carry water, fuel and a charged phone.
- Check whether a route needs a permit or a convoy before you set out.
Places
- AlexandriaMediterranean city of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Qaitbay Citadel and Graeco-Roman catacombs.
© Argenberg · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons - Wadi El Natrun monasteriesDesert monasteries at the heart of Coptic monastic life, a station on the Holy Family route.
© Berthold Werner · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons - Fayoum & Wadi El RayanLakes, waterfalls and desert protected areas within easy reach of Cairo.
© Ibrahim El-Mezayen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons - Siwa OasisRemote oasis of salt lakes, palm groves and the Oracle of Amun.
© ولاء · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons - White DesertProtected area of chalk formations, known for overnight camping.
© Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons - Red Sea coastCoral reefs, resort towns and marine protected areas from Hurghada to the far south.
© Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons - Marsa AlamThe quiet southern Red Sea, known for turtles, dolphins and Wadi el-Gemal.
© Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons - Deir al-MuharraqMonastery near Al-Qusiya held in tradition as the longest stay of the Holy Family.
© Roland Unger · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons - Luxor (ancient Thebes)The New Kingdom capital: Karnak and Luxor Temple on the east bank, the royal tombs on the west.
© Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 13Climate actionIntegrate climate measures into planning — for travel, through lower-carbon transport choices and resilient coastal and heritage sites.
- SDG 8Decent work and economic growthTarget 8.9: devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
Editorial overview. Opening hours, prices, permits and access rules change: confirm them with the responsible authority or a licensed operator before you travel.