Egypt is where bronze sunsets brush ancient stone, and coral gardens bloom just offshore. This 16-day itinerary balances Red Sea downtime with world-class archaeology and lively city life. You’ll start in Hurghada for snorkeling and scuba, move upriver to Luxor’s temples and tombs, and finish in Cairo with the Pyramids of Giza, museums, and atmospheric neighborhoods.

From the Phoenicians and Greeks to the Mamluks and Ottomans, Egypt has been a crossroads of peoples and ideas for millennia. Today you’ll feel that continuity everywhere: in the call to prayer drifting over Luxor’s ruins, in a bowl of koshary at a Cairo street icon, and in a boat skimming over the Red Sea to a sandbank where the water glows electric blue.

Practical notes: The Egyptian pound (EGP) is standard, though USD is often accepted in tourism. Dress modestly in cities and at religious sites; swimwear is fine at beaches/boats. Desert sun is intense—reef-safe sunscreen, hydration, and a hat are your best friends. Always confirm opening hours and ticketing at major sites, and consider local guides for context and smoother logistics.

Hurghada

Hurghada is your gateway to the Red Sea: reefs draped in soft corals, friendly dolphins at Shaab El Erg, and island lagoons so clear they look edited. The town stretches along a long corniche, from the old souk of El Dahar to the modern Hurghada Marina, with day trips to photogenic El Gouna to the north.

Getting there: Fly into Hurghada International (HRG). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times from Europe are 4–5 hours; from the Middle East 2–3 hours; from North America connect via Cairo or Istanbul.

Where to stay: Browse beachfront resorts or central apartments on VRBO Hurghada and a full range of hotels on Hotels.com Hurghada. For easy marina access, look near Sheraton Street or Hurghada Marina; for tranquil lagoons and kitesurfing, consider El Gouna.

Days 1–5: Reefs, islands, and desert light

• Snorkel or dive classic reefs (1–2 days): Join a day boat to Abu Ramada, Giftun reefs, or Careless Reef. Expect $30–50 per person for snorkeling (gear, lunch, hotel pickup), and $70–100 for two-tank certified dives. Look for operations with small groups, nitrox availability, and clear environmental practices.
• Giftun Island sandbanks: Spend a lazy day at Orange Bay or Paradise Island—sweet-spot for swimmers who love shallow turquoise water. Trips typically run 9 am–4 pm, $30–45 including lunch; upgrade to a speedboat for smaller groups and flexible timings.
• Dolphin House (Shaab El Erg): A favorite horseshoe reef where spinner dolphins often cruise. Remember: observe respectfully—no chasing or touching. Combined snorkeling cruises are $40–60.
• Hurghada Marina & El Dahar: Stroll the marina in the evening, then head to El Dahar’s old souk for spices (hibiscus, cumin), dates, and brass lamps. Haggling is expected—start at half the asking price with a smile.
• Eastern Desert sunset by quad or 4×4: A half-day dune ride to a Bedouin camp with tea, starry skies, and a simple grill dinner runs $25–45. Bring sunglasses or a scarf for sand.
• Easy day trip to El Gouna: 30–40 minutes north: wander Abu Tig Marina, kayak the lagoons, or kite at Mangroovy Beach. Great café culture for a slow afternoon.

Eat & drink:

• El Halaka (El Dahar): Pick-your-catch seafood (try grilled seabream with sayadiya rice); locals come for the freshness and fair prices.
• Starfish (Sheraton Street): Classic Hurghada institution—order mixed seafood grill and tahini salads; family-friendly and reliable.
• Moby Dick (near the marina): Comfort food—slow-cooked beef, chicken skewers, and hearty soups after a long dive day.
• Gad (several branches): Beloved Egyptian fast-casual—koshary, ta’ameya (Egyptian falafel), and fresh juices for a quick, tasty lunch.
• Coffee/breakfast: Caffè Moka for espresso and croissants; in El Gouna, Seventh Star does standout pastries and shakshuka.

Luxor

Luxor is an open-air museum, the ancient city of Thebes stretched on both banks of the Nile. Here, pylons rise against palm groves, tombs glow with 3,000-year-old pigments, and dawn balloons float over farms and temples.

Getting there from Hurghada: A direct bus is 4–5 hours (~$10–20), or hire a private car (4 hours, ~$90–150). Flights via Cairo are possible but usually slower door-to-door. Upon arrival, staying on the East Bank is convenient for evenings; the West Bank is peaceful and closer to many tombs.

Where to stay: Compare riverside guesthouses and hotels on VRBO Luxor and Hotels.com Luxor. East Bank = walkable evenings; West Bank = village charm near the tombs.

Days 6–10: Temples, tombs, and Nile evenings

• East Bank essentials: Karnak Temple (arrive at opening, explore the Hypostyle Hall’s forest of columns), Luxor Temple (best at golden hour when the colonnades light up), and the compact Luxor Museum for beautifully curated statuary.
• West Bank deep dive: Valley of the Kings (standard ticket covers 3 tombs; splurge on Seti I or Tutankhamun add-ons), Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, and Medinet Habu (superb reliefs and fewer crowds).
• Hot-air balloon at sunrise: 45–60 minutes over fields and temples (~$80–120). Winds can ground flights, so keep a backup slot.
• Dendera & Abydos day trip: Two lesser-visited masterpieces—Dendera’s vivid ceiling and Abydos’ finely carved reliefs. Full-day private trip 8–10 hours (~$120–180 per car).
• Felucca at sunset: Drift along the Nile for an hour with a gentle breeze and pastel skies (~$10–20 for the boat; bring small notes for tipping).

Eat & drink:

• Sofra Restaurant & Café (East Bank): Upper Egyptian classics—molokhia, pigeon, and lamb shanks—served in a period townhouse with antique tiles.
• Al-Sahaby Lane (near Luxor Temple): Rooftop views and tajines; great spot after a Luxor Temple dusk visit.
• The Lantern Room (East Bank): Cozy evening choice with grills, casseroles, and attentive service—ideal after a big sightseeing day.
• Wenkie’s German Bakery (West Bank): Excellent coffee, breads, and cakes; perfect pre-tomb fuel.

Cairo

Cairo hums with energy—horns, vendors, the Nile’s slow gleam at sunset. It’s a city of layers: Pharaonic marvels in Giza, Mamluk minarets in Islamic Cairo, and Belle Époque cafés downtown. You’ll end your journey here, connecting the stories you’ve collected along the way.

Getting there from Luxor: A 1-hour flight is simplest ($50–120; search on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com). There are also overnight trains and buses, but flights save time and energy.

Where to stay: Look in Downtown for walkable culture, Zamalek for leafy island vibes, or Giza for pyramid-facing rooms. Start your search on VRBO Cairo and Hotels.com Cairo.

Days 11–16: Pyramids, old quarters, and modern tastes

• Giza Plateau: Visit the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure, and the Sphinx. Go early; camel or horse rides are optional (agree price first). Consider adding the Solar Boat Museum exhibits now housed in Giza. Entry fees vary; budget ~$15–40 depending on options.
• Museums: The Egyptian Museum (Tahrir) still houses thousands of antiquities; some collections are transitioning to the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza—check current displays on arrival.
• Islamic Cairo: Wander Khan el-Khalili bazaar, step into Al-Azhar Mosque, and admire the monumental pair of Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa’i. Late afternoon light is gorgeous on carved stone and towering doors.
• Coptic Cairo: The Hanging Church, Saint Sergius and Bacchus, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue tell older stories in a compact, contemplative quarter.
• Nile evening: Take a short felucca ride near Zamalek or opt for a dinner cruise with live music. Cap the night with mint tea or sahlab at a riverside café.
• Modern Cairo detours: Zamalek’s galleries and cafés, Garden City’s architecture walks, or a day trip to Saqqara for the Step Pyramid and vivid Old Kingdom tomb reliefs.

Eat & drink:

• Abou Tarek (Downtown): The koshary benchmark—layers of pasta, rice, lentils, chickpeas, and a tangy tomato sauce. Order extra dakka (garlic-vinegar).
• Zooba (multiple branches): Colorful take on Egyptian street food—ta’ameya with herb-green centers, hawawshi, and roasted eggplant dips.
• Kebdet El Prince (Imbaba): Cairo’s cult favorite for sizzling liver, kofta, and tagines; go early or expect a wait.
• Fasahet Somaya (Downtown): Tiny, soulful home-style cooking; menu changes daily—think molokhia, okra, and roasted chicken. Arrive at opening.
• Cafés: Sufi Bookstore Café (Zamalek) for quiet reads and cardamom coffee; 30 North for specialty espresso and beans.

Logistics, timing, and practical tips

• Suggested pacing: Hurghada (5 days) → Luxor (5 days) → Cairo (6 days). Departures usually mean early check-outs; build in buffers.
• Domestic travel costs: Hurghada–Luxor bus (~$10–20, 4–5h); private car (~$90–150); Luxor–Cairo flight (~$50–120, 1h). Search air options on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.
• Guides & tickets: Hiring licensed guides at major sites unlocks context and helps with ticketing (e.g., special tombs in Luxor). Carry small notes for gratuities.
• What to pack: Reef-safe sunscreen, rash guard for snorkeling, scarf for sun and sand, comfortable walking shoes, reusable water bottle, light layers for cool desert nights.
• Etiquette & safety: Ask before photographing people, especially in markets. Alcohol is available in many restaurants and hotels (less so on local streets). Use hotel safes for passports; carry a copy.

Suggested 16-day block outline

• Days 1–5 (Hurghada): Island/snorkel/dive days, marina evenings, desert sunset ride, optional El Gouna café afternoon.
• Days 6–10 (Luxor): East Bank temples, West Bank valleys and mortuary temples, hot-air balloon, felucca, Dendera/Abydos excursion.
• Days 11–16 (Cairo): Giza Plateau and Saqqara, Egyptian Museum, Islamic and Coptic Cairo, Nile evening, modern café-hopping and shopping, departure.

This Egypt journey gives you three distinct moods: coral-blue mornings in Hurghada, ochre-hued history in Luxor, and big-city buzz in Cairo. With time to linger, you’ll leave with sun, stories, and a deeper sense of the Nile’s timeless rhythm.