Giza — Travelrags

Lonely PlanetOct 3, 2026

The Best Things to Eat and Drink in Egypt

Egyptian cuisine reflects the complex and varied cultural history of the nation itself. This is everything you need to know about what to eat and drink.

25 things in this story

Khufu’sRestaurantfamed for imaginative takes on classic Egyptian dishes
Elsewhere
ZööbaRestaurantCairo, Egyptmodern take on traditional Egyptian breakfast
kushariFast foodEgyptmix of brown lentils, rice, pasta and chickpeas
fuulRestaurantEgyptstewed fava beans, spiced with cumin
ta'amiyyaRestaurantEgyptfava bean fritters, tossed with harissa raisin hot sauce
fiteerRestaurantEgyptflaky, layered pastry made with samna
molokhiyyaRestaurantEgyptbright green soup made from broth and finely chopped jute leaves
mahshiFast foodEgyptstuffing of vegetables such as peppers, eggplants, zucchini
karkadaiPlaceEgyptmade from hibiscus flowers
sahlabPlaceEgyptcreamy drink made from milk, sugar and orchid tubers
Om AliRestaurantEgyptEgyptian bread pudding made from puff pastry
basbousaRestaurantEgyptsemolina cake soaked in sugar syrup
aish baladiRestaurantEgyptpita-like bread, favored starch for Egyptian meals
macarona béchamelRestaurantEgyptbaked pasta with ground meat and cheese sauce
shawarmaRestaurantEgyptmeat cooked on a vertical spit
tashaRestaurantEgyptsautéed mixture of garlic and ground coriander
MahrousFast foodCairo, Egyptserves full plates of its famous fuul
El Tabei El DomiatyRestaurantCairo, Egyptdoes a roaring trade in shawarma and ta'amiyya
mashwiyatRestaurantEgyptumbrella term for all sorts of meats grilled over charcoal
koftaRestaurantEgyptminced meat with garlic, spices and parsley
hawashiRestaurantEgyptpita-style sandwich filled with spiced ground beef
aish finoRestaurantAlexandria, Egyptbaguette-like bread for chopped liver
Andrea El MariouteyaRestaurantNew Giza, Egyptfabulous grilled chicken and quail kebabs
Hawawshi El RabieRestaurantCairo, Egyptsample authentic hawashi
Farag Abo KhaledRestaurantAlexandria, Egyptserves the best liver in Egypt

Read the full piece at Lonely Planet →

Lonely PlanetOct 1

Top Tips for Exploring Egypt on a Budget

Don

22 things in this story

Great PyramidSightadditional fee to enter
SphinxPublic artworkview from outside
Pyramids of GizaNeighborhoodentry fee lets you view from outside
Elsewhere
Siwa OasisNeighborhoodSiwa, Egypthub for desert walks and salt pools
NileSightEgyptbudget 3-day no-frills cruises available
Red Sea coastSightEgyptbeach camps available
Valley of the KingsSightLuxor, Egyptstudent discounts available
Grand Egyptian MuseumMuseumCairo, Egypthigh entry fee worth it for treasures
Egyptian MuseumMuseumCairo, Egyptcheaper dose of history
Mt SinaiSightSaint Catherine, Egypt4-5 hour trip to summit
St Katherine's MonasterySightSaint Catherine, Egyptbase for Sinai hikes
Blue HoleAttractionDahab, Egyptaccessible from shore for snorkeling
Shali FortressSightSiwa, Egyptmud-brick ruins to explore
West BankRestaurantLuxor, Egyptdotted with free ruins and monuments
bazaars of CairoMarketCairo, Egyptfree to explore, maze-like alleys
Cairo PassHostelCairo, Egyptaccess to most sites in Cairo and Giza
Luxor PassPlaceLuxor, Egyptaccess to sites on both banks of Nile
kushariFast foodEgyptnoodles, lentils, onions and tomato sauce
Cairo MetroPlaceCairo, Egyptastonishingly low fares
Mwasalat MisrPlaceCairo, Egyptreliable public bus service
Holy Sheet HostelHostelCairo, Egypttraveler favorite in Cairo
Bob Marley Peace HotelHotelLuxor, Egyptfavored by budget travelers in Luxor

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National GeographicSep 22

The Ultimate Guide to Egypt in 15 Experiences

Touring the pyramids and sailing down the Nile are undoubted highlights of any trip to Egypt — but what else should be on your list?

23 things in this story

Great Pyramid of GizaSightAncient royal tomb built for King Khufu.
Elsewhere
Colossi of MemnonAttractionLuxor, EgyptStatues standing beneath banana plantations and village streets.
Valley of the KingsSightLuxor, EgyptScorched hills with tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs.
Big Belly Supper ClubRestaurantCairo, EgyptPioneer in transforming venues for community dining.
Dine with DeenuhRestaurantCairo, EgyptServes elevated Egyptian street food.
CachéRestaurantCairo, EgyptMonthly supper club announced via social media.
Dahabiya Nile SailingPlaceCairo, EgyptRevives tradition of travelling on elegant two-sailed vessels.
Grand Egyptian MuseumMuseumCairo, EgyptHouses world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts.
Wissa Wassef Art CentreMuseumCairo, EgyptArtisans create tapestry masterpieces from hand-dyed wool.
Islamic CairoSuburbCairo, EgyptMedieval streets with markets and mosques over a thousand years old.
Khan el-KhaliliNeighborhoodCairo, EgyptLabyrinthine bazaar where traders sell spices and lanterns.
Al-Muizz StreetSightCairo, EgyptOne of the world's finest open-air collections of Islamic architecture.
Al-Azhar MosquePlace of worshipCairo, EgyptAdmire its dazzling marble courtyard.
Bayt al-SuhaymiAttractionCairo, EgyptBeautifully preserved house museum.
Sultan Hassan MosquePlace of worshipCairo, EgyptFamed for its soaring vaulted halls.
Temple of HatshepsutSightLuxor, EgyptStriking terraces stepping into the cliffs.
Valley of the QueensSightLuxor, EgyptDesert tombs spread out across the West Bank.
Manshiyat NaserNeighborhoodCairo, EgyptResidents carved unique religious monuments into limestone cliffs.
St Catherine's MonasterySightSaint Catherine, EgyptSixth-century Christian complex attracting pilgrims.
Mount SinaiTrailSaint Catherine, EgyptWhere Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments.
Philae TempleSightAswan, EgyptIsland sanctuary with last hieroglyphic inscriptions carved.
Luxor's West BankNeighborhoodLuxor, EgyptSee everyday life and ancient history coexist on bicycle.
Al MoudiraHotelLuxor, EgyptOffers pharaonic foot massages.

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National GeographicSep 13

5 Highlights of Egypt's New Grand Egyptian Museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has been more than two decades in the making, a feat of patience that invites comparison with the nearby Great Pyramid of Giza. Its recent unveiling proves, once again, ...

7 things in this story

Grand Egyptian MuseumMuseumHouses the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts.
Statue of Ramesses IISightColossal 3,200-year-old statue, the first object brought to GEM.
Tomb of TutankhamunSightDiscovery ignited worldwide interest in ancient Egyptian history.
Mask of TutankhamunSightKohl-eyed funerary mask crafted in solid gold.
Khufu’s Solar BoatSightCedar wood boat discovered in 1,200 pieces beside the Great Pyramid.
Statue of HatshepsutSightGranite statue of a female pharaoh presenting as male.
Ostraca – Records of Daily LifeSightPottery flakes with graffiti-like inscriptions of daily life.

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Lonely PlanetJul 28

A Guide To The Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza

After over two decades of planning and construction, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo is now open to visitors. Here

14 things in this story

Grand Egyptian MuseumMuseumWorld's largest archaeological museum complex dedicated to one civilization.
Pyramids of GizaNeighborhoodFrom tipping, timings and the most accessible entry points, here's how to get the most out of a visit to Cairo's…
Khufu’s Boats MuseumMuseumHouses two of the world's oldest wooden boats.
Atef WassefPlaceFamily-owned silversmiths selling in-house designed jewelry.
ZoobaRestaurant
30 NorthRestaurant
Bitter SweetRestaurant
Beano’s CaféRestaurant
Ratio’s BakeryRestaurant
StarbucksCafé
DolatoIce cream shop
LaduréeCafé
Mandarine KoueiderRestaurant
Elsewhere
National Museum of Egyptian CivilizationMuseumCairo, EgyptDisplays royal mummies in its Mummies Hall.

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Lonely PlanetJul 27

The best times to visit Egypt

With tombs, pyramids and towering temples, Egypt brings out the explorer in all of us. This handy month-by-month guide shows the best time to visit Egypt.

6 sights in this story

Giza's PyramidsSightpopular winter destination for visitors
Elsewhere
NileSightEgyptcruising is popular in winter
Western DesertSightEgyptdate harvest in full swing during shoulder season
White DesertSightEgyptgood for camping in April
SinaiSightEgyptpopular for outdoor adventures in winter
Red Sea coastSightEgyptgood for learning to dive in winter

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Condé Nast TravelerNov 3, 2025

Inside the Long-Awaited Opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum

After several phases of launch, Giza's newest landmark can now be explored in full.

19 things in this story

Grand Egyptian MuseumMuseumworld’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization
Pyramids of GizaNeighborhoodmuseum is a "fourth pyramid" in its own right
Great SphinxPublic artworkorchestra performed at its foot
Abu SimbelSightIt is located on the western bank of Lake Nasser, about 230 km (140 mi) southwest of Aswan.
Fatma SaidPlaceoperatic soprano who performed at the GEM
Amira and Mariam AbouzahraPlaceviolin duo who performed at the GEM
Ramses II statuePublic artwork36-foot-high statue in main atrium
Tutankhamun GalleryMuseumdisplays over 5,900 artifacts in its entirety
Egyptian MuseumMuseumformer display location for Tutankhamun artifacts
King KhufuPlacecommissioned the Great Pyramid of Giza
Great Pyramid of GizaSightcommissioned by King Khufu
Hatshepsut TempleSight
Luxor TempleSight
Philae TempleSight
St. George ChurchPlace of worship
Saladin CitadelSight
Al Muizz StreetNeighborhood
Khufu solar boatsSight
Tutankhamun collectionMuseum

Read the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →

Smithsonian MagazineAug 22, 2025

A Sweeping Transformation Is Underway as the Grand Egyptian Museum Prepares to Officially Open and the Giza Plateau Braces for a Record-Breaking Influx of Visitors

The Egyptian government is making changes to enhance the visitor experience around the pyramids, but are these modifications threatening the livelihoods of local communities rooted in generations-old tourism practices?

15 things in this story

Mena House HotelHotelde facto entrance to Giza pyramids plateau
Giza PlateauSightIt forms the northernmost part of the 160 km2…
Great PyramidSightIt is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only wonder that has remained largely intact.
SphinxPublic artworklocated on the Giza Plateau
Grand Egyptian MuseumMuseumworld's largest archaeological museum
Giza pyramids plateauSightarea undergoing a revamp
PyramidsSightthree pyramids on the Giza Plateau
King KhufuPlacecommissioned the largest Giza pyramid
Ramses IIPublic artworkcolossal statue at museum entrance
King TutankhamunSightflagship collection of 5,340 items
Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)Museum
Great GateSight
Egyptian Tour Guides SyndicatePlace
Orascom Pyramids EntertainmentPlace
Great Gate on Al-Faiyoum Desert RoadSight

Read the full piece at Smithsonian Magazine →