Hurghada

Hurghada was supposed to be a brief stopover, but we ended up staying a few nights, and I’m so glad we did! It was our first taste of Egypt, and we had a chance to get accustomed to the local culture and business tactics, especially when it came to the aggressive sales strategies used by shop owners.

While there, we treated ourselves to a full-body Hamman and an unforgettable scuba diving experience where we swam alongside dolphins! Both activities were incredibly affordable—around a quarter of the price we would have paid in Australia. The shopping scene was filled with knock-off goods, and you could find almost anything for a bargain.

Hurghada’s stunning ocean views and budget-friendly activities brought us back the following year, but this time, we ventured to Sharm El Sheikh.

Sharm El Sheikh- A Beach Lover’s Dream

Sharm El Sheikh offered a ton of things to see and do. It’s a popular winter escape for Europeans, with many luxurious resorts lining the coast. We stayed at Dreams Vacation Resort, which was fantastic and had incredible snorkelling right off its private beach.

During our time there, we explored Soho Square, the main mosque, and Naama Bay, each offering its own unique vibe. The shopping was abundant, and we dined on some amazing food. Sharm was sweltering, hitting 40°C each day, but the dry desert heat was manageable, especially with the help of a dip in the ocean or some shade.

Dahab: Laid-back Vibes and Natural Beauty

After Sharm, we spent a few nights in Dahab (Only a couple hours drive), This had a more relaxed vibe with fewer tourists and less of a resort feel. Dahab was all about slowing down and taking it easy. There wasn’t much shopping here, mainly just restaurants and tour companies. We had planned to hike up Mount Sinai, where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments, but unfortunately, we ran out of time.

Cairo & Giza: The Pyramids and Beyond

We were booking things on the fly, so our trip to Cairo happened somewhat spontaneously. We took an overnight tour bus from Hurghada, arriving early in the morning. This tour was a great choice, especially for Cairo, where scams and safety concerns can be a bit overwhelming.

The tour took us to the Egyptian Museum, which even as non-museum enthusiasts, we thoroughly enjoyed. We also took a Nile River cruise with lunch, and of course, visited the iconic Pyramids and the Sphinx.

After our tour ended, we opted to stay for a couple of nights in a hotel overlooking the Pyramids. We stayed at Panorama View Pyramids, which gave us two magical sunsets over these ancient wonders. It was the perfect, budget-friendly way to experience the Pyramids up close and I would recommend this to anyone going to see the pyramids.

One of the most memorable parts of our trip was our visit to Siwa Oasis, near the Libyan border. After a recommendation, we decided to make the 8-hour drive to this remote town, and it was worth every second. Our accommodation was beautiful, with a pool to relax in after the long journey.

Siwa feels like a world of its own, with a distinct culture and its own language. We spent the first afternoon soaking in the views of Fatnas Island, where we enjoyed a stunning sunset surrounded by date palms and a salt lake.

On our second day, we explored the town and learned about Siwa’s unique history. The cave-style homes reminded me of Cappadocia in Turkey. We also swam in the salt flats, floating effortlessly in the mineral-rich waters, much like in the Dead Sea. Afterward, we visited Cleopatra’s Pool for a refreshing dip in fresh water.

That evening, we ventured into the desert for some thrilling dune bashing and sandboarding before camping under the stars. The night ended with a swim in a natural hot spring, capping off our incredible experience in Siwa. I would highly recommend anyone visiting Egypt to add Siwa Oasis to their itinerary—it’s truly an unforgettable place.