When it comes to a family vacation, Disneyland is not the only place to take your children. A vacation in Egypt can be as much fun as visiting the Mickey and Minnie Mouse place. The colourful history of pyramids, Cleopatra, and tomb robbers captivate people from all over the world – from young to old ages, and kids tend to love the mummies and pharaohs. Plus, Egyptians are warm, friendly people who love children and the government takes the safety of tourists very seriously.
However, a vacation in Egypt in not like visiting a cartoon country. It is a hot and dusty Western place, so planning your itinerary carefully is a must. Many tourists fly in and out of the splendid Cairo but this is a mistake as this can be very tiring for kids. Your focus should be toward spending quality time together as a family and not leaving the country exhausted.
Having an exciting yet relaxing family vacation in Egypt is possible when you keep your visits to the sights short and don't try to see everything, and schedule some downtime every day. Here is our suggestion for a five to seven day visit to Egypt.
Day one – Cairo
In Cairo, you should visit the Giza pyramids and the Sphinx. Instead of choosing to rent a car and drive to the site, it is more convenient to go with a tour, which can be booked from any hotel. You will be amazed with the endless desert panorama, with the city's modern skyline as an incongruous backdrop and your kids will be similarly enhanced with their camel ride around the pyramids.
Khan al-Khalili is the city's largest bazaar. It is a colourful, crowded, and cheerfully noise tangle of twisting alleyways. It is also a fun and safe place for kids.
You will find many restaurants around al-Hussein square which cater to tourists. Renting a sailboat on the Nile is a relaxing way to end the day.
Day two – Cairo
The Gayer-Anderson House is one the best preserved examples of 17th century domestic architecture and it is worth visiting. There are also many beautiful mosques in Cairo and you should make time to visit at least one.
There aren't many places in Cairo where kids can run around freely. The Al-Azhar Park is a place in the middle of historic Cairo where kids can play as well as get a glimpse of local families at leisure.
Three days cruise from Aswan to Luxor
From Cairo, you can take a short flight to Aswan, where you can start a Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor (3-4 days). After 2 days visiting Cairo, you will find the cruise luxuriously relaxing.
The most beautiful places you will find in Luxor, but Aswan also has various sites that are worth visiting. The Nubia Museum, the Unfinished Obelisk, the Philae Temple Complex are all places you should visit in Aswan.
There is so much to see in Luxor – an area where monument overload is totally possible. Must visit places here include the Karnah Museum and The Valley of Kings.
It is important to mention that Egypt is a Muslim country where most women keep their heads, arms, and legs covered while on the street. While young children are allowed to wear what they like, you will feel less conspicuous if you avoid wearing shorts, short skirts and sleeveless tops. Renting a car and driving around Cairo is also not a good idea as the sights are far apart and the Egyptian drivers are not polite. Languages other than Arabic are also not widely spoken.
Having an exciting yet relaxing family vacation in Egypt is possible when you keep your visits to the sights short and don't try to see everything, and schedule some downtime every day. Here is our suggestion for a five to seven day visit to Egypt.
Day one – Cairo
In Cairo, you should visit the Giza pyramids and the Sphinx. Instead of choosing to rent a car and drive to the site, it is more convenient to go with a tour, which can be booked from any hotel. You will be amazed with the endless desert panorama, with the city's modern skyline as an incongruous backdrop and your kids will be similarly enhanced with their camel ride around the pyramids.
Khan al-Khalili is the city's largest bazaar. It is a colourful, crowded, and cheerfully noise tangle of twisting alleyways. It is also a fun and safe place for kids.
You will find many restaurants around al-Hussein square which cater to tourists. Renting a sailboat on the Nile is a relaxing way to end the day.
Day two – Cairo
The Gayer-Anderson House is one the best preserved examples of 17th century domestic architecture and it is worth visiting. There are also many beautiful mosques in Cairo and you should make time to visit at least one.
There aren't many places in Cairo where kids can run around freely. The Al-Azhar Park is a place in the middle of historic Cairo where kids can play as well as get a glimpse of local families at leisure.
Three days cruise from Aswan to Luxor
From Cairo, you can take a short flight to Aswan, where you can start a Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor (3-4 days). After 2 days visiting Cairo, you will find the cruise luxuriously relaxing.
The most beautiful places you will find in Luxor, but Aswan also has various sites that are worth visiting. The Nubia Museum, the Unfinished Obelisk, the Philae Temple Complex are all places you should visit in Aswan.
There is so much to see in Luxor – an area where monument overload is totally possible. Must visit places here include the Karnah Museum and The Valley of Kings.
It is important to mention that Egypt is a Muslim country where most women keep their heads, arms, and legs covered while on the street. While young children are allowed to wear what they like, you will feel less conspicuous if you avoid wearing shorts, short skirts and sleeveless tops. Renting a car and driving around Cairo is also not a good idea as the sights are far apart and the Egyptian drivers are not polite. Languages other than Arabic are also not widely spoken.
