Sun-Drenched Adventures: Discover the Treasures of Egypt on an Unforgettable Holiday!
Egypt is a fascinating destination year-round and still surprisingly affordable to book.
Egypt is a dream destination for families, divers, and snorkelers alike, with countless reefs to explore. Sahara tours offer an unforgettable adventure. Alongside Nile cruises and excursions to Cairo, resort stays on the Red Sea are extremely popular. There are always great Egypt last-minute deals to tempt you into a spontaneous trip to the sun.
Egypt — Land of the Pharaohs
Egypt (nearly three times the size of Germany) is located in north-eastern Africa. The Sinai Peninsula, which belongs to Egypt, is geographically considered part of Asia. Egypt borders the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north-east, the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea to the east, Libya to the west, and Sudan to the south.
Entry Requirements for German Citizens
German citizens require a visa to enter Egypt. The visa is issued for a fee of approximately €23 by the Egyptian Embassy in Berlin and the Consulates General in Frankfurt and Hamburg. It can also be purchased upon arrival in Egypt. Alternatively, you can conveniently apply for your Egypt visa online* through a visa service provider such as iVisa.
German citizens need a passport valid for at least two months beyond the travel dates. A national ID card with equivalent validity is also accepted. A special entry card will be issued, for which you must bring a passport photo. A temporary national ID card is not accepted.
Important: Drug offences — even minor ones — are punished with severe penalties (imprisonment and, in particularly serious cases, the death penalty). Prostitution and adultery are criminal offences. Broadly defined laws protecting morality and religion also mean that homosexuality remains illegal, particularly when openly displayed.
Diarrhoeal illnesses are common in Egypt. Most cases can be prevented by practising proper food and drinking water hygiene. Tap water should not be consumed. Peel or disinfect fruit and vegetables before eating.
All information is provided without guarantee.
What Makes Egypt Special
The lifeblood of Egypt is the Nile. It flows through Egypt for 1,550 km from south to north.
On the Sinai Peninsula rises Jabal Katrina (Mount Catherine), Egypt's highest peak at 2,637 m.
The Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba flank the peninsula from the south. The 161 km Suez Canal (also written as Suez) provides a connection between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Work on the canal began as far back as the 20th century BC.
With approximately 7.8 million inhabitants, Cairo is Egypt's largest city, followed by Alexandria with around 3.9 million and Giza with approximately 2.4 million.
Climate in Egypt
Egypt lies within the North African dry belt, characterised by very little rainfall and significant daily temperature fluctuations.
Average daily maximum temperatures in January range between 20°C and 24°C, with nights that can turn quite cold.
In July, daytime temperatures reach between 31°C and 41°C — yet the intense heat remains bearable thanks to the low humidity of around 30%.
History of Egypt
Egypt can look back on around 5,000 years of history.
In prehistoric times, the banks of the Nile were gradually settled by ever-growing communities.
Hunters and gatherers eventually became settled livestock farmers and arable cultivators.
In Egypt's early period, the Egyptian state took shape around the religious and political figure of the Pharaoh. The Late Period was defined by the dominance of the Assyrians and Persians, interspersed with brief phases of independence.
- Early Dynastic Period: 1st–2nd Dynasty, approx. 3100–2670 BC
- Old Kingdom: 3rd–6th Dynasty, approx. 2670–2150 BC
- First Intermediate Period: 7th–11th Dynasty, approx. 2150–2040 BC
- Middle Kingdom: 11th–13th Dynasty, approx. 2040–1650 BC
- Second Intermediate Period: 14th–17th Dynasty, approx. 1650–1550 BC
- New Kingdom: 18th–20th Dynasty, approx. 1550–1070 BC
- Third Intermediate Period: 21st–25th Dynasty, 1070–664 BC
- Late Period: 26th–31st Dynasty, 664–330 BC
During the Early Dynastic Period and the early Old Kingdom (2707–2216 BC), the Pharaoh held divine status.
A shift occurred in the 5th Dynasty (2504–2347 BC): the Pharaoh was now regarded merely as the son of the gods, only achieving the status of a god after death. Much later, individual pharaohs such as Ramesses II attempted once again to be venerated as gods during their own lifetimes.
Cheops was the second Pharaoh of the ancient Egyptian 4th Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. Very few records of his person and reign (approx. 2620–2580 BC) have survived. He is known primarily through his tomb — the tallest pyramid in the world, the Great Pyramid of Giza — which is counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Chephren was the fourth Pharaoh of the ancient Egyptian 4th Dynasty of the Old Kingdom (approx. 2570–2530 BC). He is known chiefly for the construction of the second pyramid at Giza and for the numerous statues discovered in its surroundings.
The Sphinx is believed to be the work of Chephren, though conclusive evidence for this attribution is lacking. The assumption rests primarily on the fact that the Sphinx and its temple stand immediately adjacent to the valley temple of the Chephren Pyramid. Based on the stylistic representation of the head, however, Rainer Stadelmann believes the monument can be attributed to Cheops.
Modern History:
- At the beginning of the 16th century, Egypt was conquered by the Ottomans.
- In 1517, Egypt was annexed as a province of the Ottoman Empire.
- 1801: withdrawal of the French Egyptian expedition.
- In 1805, a new ruler named Mohammed Ali came to power, establishing a new Egyptian kingdom under official Ottoman suzerainty.
- In 1953, Egypt became an independent Arab Republic.
- In 1967, Israel occupied the Sinai Peninsula during the Six-Day War.
- In 1990/91, Egypt participated alongside the US in the Gulf War.
Travel Warnings & Tips
In North Africa and the countries bordering the Sahara to the south, the threat of Islamist terrorism and criminal attacks on tourists is growing. Travel to remote areas of the Sahara and its fringes that are not adequately secured by effective police or military presence is strongly discouraged.
Tours outside official routes (so-called off-road tourism) and individual travel to remote regions require a permit.
There is an elevated risk of road accidents due to the frequently dangerous driving behaviour of other road users. Night-time journeys between towns are not recommended. Safety standards on the ferries used to cross the Red Sea rarely meet international norms.
When visiting areas outside hotel or holiday complexes, modest clothing that covers the arms and legs is appropriate.
