22 days in Egypt Itinerary

More than 20 million people call Cairo their home and, as soon as you set foot in the sprawling metropolis, it's evident they make it crowded and chaotic, but also exuberant and charming.

Venture out of the city with trips to Saqqara (Sakkara) Pyramids (in Saqqara) and Giza (Great Sphinx & Pyramids of Giza). Next up on the itinerary: examine the collection at The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, look for gifts at Nomad Gallery - Zamalek Main Branch, head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Mosque of Sultan Al-Ashraf Barsbay.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Cairo holiday planner.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Cairo is an approximately 6.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Riyadh to Cairo, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Riyadh in May, with highs in Cairo at 38°C and lows at 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Tue) to allow time to fly to Hurghada.

Originally a small fishing town on the Red Sea coast, Hurghada developed into Egypt's premier beach destination thanks to its year-round sunny weather and world-class dive sites.

Spend the 9th (Tue) among aquatic life with a scuba or snorkeling tour. Next up on the itinerary: see exotic creatures in open habitats at a safari tour, head off the coast to Mahmya Island, test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, and pause for some serene contemplation at Coptic Cathedral of Saint Shenouda.

Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Hurghada using our trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Cairo to Hurghada takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in Hurghada when traveling from Cairo in May, with lows around 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 12th (Fri) to allow time for the car ride to Luxor.

A monumental number of archaeological relics from ancient Egypt remain evident in Luxor, the former capital of the New Kingdom.

Spend the 14th (Sun) floating through the air with a balloon tour. And it doesn't end there: steep yourself in history at Temple of Karnak, stroll the grounds of Valley of the Kings, explore the ancient world of Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari, and take in the exciting artwork at Luxor Art Gallery.

For traveler tips, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Luxor day trip planning app.

You can drive from Hurghada to Luxor in 4.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Hurghada in May: highs in Luxor hover around 45°C, while lows dip to 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Mon) so you can drive to Aswan.

Plan an Aswan holiday and treat yourself to ancient wonders of the past along the Nile River.

Kick off your visit on the 16th (Tue): step off the mainland to explore Elephantine Island, then contemplate the long history of Philae Temple, and then pause for some serene contemplation at Archangel Michael’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral.

For maps, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Aswan road trip planning website.

You can drive from Luxor to Aswan in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. In May in Aswan, expect temperatures between 47°C during the day and 29°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Tue) early enough to fly to Abu Simbel.

On the 17th (Wed), steep yourself in history at Abu Simbel Temple Complex.

To see photos, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Abu Simbel holiday planner.

You can fly from Aswan to Abu Simbel in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In May, plan for daily highs up to 46°C, and evening lows to 28°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Thu) so you can travel to Alexandria.

Known for its turbulent and eventful past, the port city of Alexandria retains a historic charm and atmosphere, boasting thousands of years of Egypt's cultural heritage.

On the 18th (Thu), take in nature's colorful creations at Montazah Gardens.

For traveler tips, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Alexandria trip maker website.

Traveling by combination of flight and bus from Abu Simbel to Alexandria takes 8.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. While traveling from Abu Simbel, expect colder days and slightly colder nights in Alexandria, ranging from highs of 32°C to lows of 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 19th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to El Alamein.

On the 19th (Fri), explore the different monuments and memorials at El Alamein War Cemetery.

To find reviews, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the El Alamein journey planner.

You can drive from Alexandria to El Alamein in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a train. In May, daytime highs in El Alamein are 32°C, while nighttime lows are 20°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Siwa.

Kick off your visit on the 21st (Sun): see the interesting displays at The Traditional Siwa House and then steep yourself in history at Shali Fortress.

To find traveler tips, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Siwa travel itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from El Alamein to Siwa takes 6.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Sharm El Sheikh.

An enviable location on the southern end of the Sinai Peninsula and year-round warm weather boost tourism in Sharm El Sheikh and make it one of Egypt's premier travel destinations.

Change things up with a short trip to Scuba & Snorkeling in Dahab (about 1h 15 min away). Spend the 22nd (Mon) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. Next up on the itinerary: wander the streets of Na'ama Bay, browse for treasures at St Catherine Shop, take in the architecture and atmosphere at The Heavenly Cathedral, and kick back and relax at Ras Um Sid.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Sharm El Sheikh trip planner.

You can do a combination of taxi and flight from Siwa to Sharm El Sheikh in 11 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In May, daily temperatures in Sharm El Sheikh can reach 40°C, while at night they dip to 29°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Fri) to allow time to fly back home.