Exotic yet accessible, Egypt is steeped in history yet completely set up for modern tourism. Bring your kids to Egypt on a family holiday and you’ll bring their studies to life. Our Egyptian trips are a far cry from the flop-and-drop, sit-by-the-pool Sharm el-Sheikh holiday. Instead, they’re an action-packed, everyday-is-different adventure. You can be sure that each and every member of the family will be completely absorbed and fascinated.
Some holidays in Egypt with kids feature a seemingly endless list of temples and ruins. However, if you want to keep the children’s attention and interest, it’s important to mix things up. For every attraction where you’ll be wowed by antiquity, add something else that’s ‘of the moment’. This might be a camel trek, a donkey ride, or (our favourite) a relaxing sail down the Nile on a traditional felucca.
Our top 10 activities to do in Egypt with kids
Ancient vs. modern; fast-paced to completely chilled, take your pick from our top 10 Egypt with kids experiences for the perfect combination.
1 – Take a camel ride around the Pyramids at Giza
There’s no better way to take in Egypt’s iconic pyramids than by camel
It’s always rather surreal to come face to face with one of the world’s most iconic structures and this is absolutely true for the Pyramids (and Sphinx) at Giza. Who knew that they are RIGHT NEXT TO CAIRO, the perfect juxtaposition of ancient and modern? Avoid the heat and the crowds by taking a camel ride around these imposing structures. This makes the experience easier and even more authentic. Could there be a more quintessentially Egyptian experience? We doubt it. Check out our Highlights of Egypt itinerary.
2 – Go underground to visit Pharaohs’ burial chambers in Valley of the Kings
See spectacular hieroglyphics in underground burial chambers at the Valley of the Kings
The dusty, steep valley sides give very little hint of the treasures that lie beneath. But, once you’ve descended into the burial chambers at the Valley of the Kings (including that of famous Tutankhamun), you’ll be literally awestruck. The bright colours and spectacular hieroglyphics engraved on the walls of the tombs are astonishing.
Sadly, most of the treasures buried with the Pharaohs have been ransacked over the centuries, first by thieves and later, by archaeologists. However, there’s an on-site museum that brings the history to life. If the kids start to lose interest, we give you our permission to mention the ‘Mummy’s Curse’. Intrepid families can opt to arrive at the Valley of the Kings by donkey.
Check out our example Egypt itineraries, all of which will take you to the Valley of the Kings.
3 – Spend the night sleeping on a felucca
Sail the Nile on a felucca and you can opt to sleep aboard under the stars
Packed as it is with sites and sights, the pace of an Egyptian trip can feel a little hectic. Slow it down with a night spent sailing down the Nile on a ‘felucca’, a traditional wooden boat. This enables you to experience an authentic form of transport that has been unchanged for centuries.
Propelled by the wind and nothing else, you’ll watch Nubian life unfold before you on the river banks, past villages and people tending their fields. Following behind you will be a support boat with toilets and kitchen. At night you’ll moor up alongside the riverbank, sleeping under the stars for the night. When we went, there were a pack of wolves were spotted nearby, a truly magical encounter!
Enjoy a felucca trip and see all of Egypt’s highlights in just over a week.
4 – Be wowed by Karnak, the greatest temple ever built
Feel tiny as you explore the magnificent ruins of Egypt’s temples
If you’re worried that the kids may get temple fatigue whilst seeing Egypt’s many historic attractions, rest assured that of all of the archaeological sites the country boasts, Karnak will wow! The largest religious temple ever built, Karnak covers around 200 acres and whilst most of it is now in ruins, you can still imagine just how phenomenal it must have been in its day. Wander around and try to decipher the hieroglyphs or play hide and seek with younger children in the vast hall of columns. Find out more on our Places to visit in Egypt overview.
5 – Go shopping in a real-life Aladdin’s Cave
Cairo’s souqs are a feast for the senses and great for buying gifts to take home
It’s an easy comparison to make but wandering through Cairo’s most famous bazaar, Khan al Khalili, is like stepping into Aladdin’s Cave. The stalls here are packed from floor to ceiling with shoes, carpets, lights, and lanterns. There are spices, mosaic earthenwares, hookah pipes, and other souvenirs you will wish you had room for. Kids will enjoy practicing their haggling skills with the hawkers, leaving you to walk around quite agog at what’s on offer. It’s a feast for all the senses.
6 – Come face to face with a Mummy
Squeamish? Look away now!! See real mummies as well as the royal death masks in the Egyptian Museum
There are over 120,000 artifacts stored in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The kids will be greatly relieved to hear that not all are on display! What you can see, though, will wow the whole family and is a must on any trip to Egypt with kids. Chief among the attractions are the incredible treasures from King Tutankhamun’s tomb, exquisite gold and turquoise masks, and sarcophagi that lay beneath the ground for centuries. The Royal Mummy Room is also a highlight, with 11 mummies on display including the great pharaoh Ramses. A new ‘Grand museum of Egypt’ is currently under construction near the pyramids at Giza and promises to be even bigger and better! Watch this space.
7 – Enjoy a traditional dinner with a local family on the West Bank
Egyptian cuisine has a familiar feel and is generally popular with the kids
When travelling to Egypt with kids, many families are pleasantly surprised by Egyptian cuisine. With both African and Arabian influences, the dishes will be more familiar than you might expect. Falafel, hummus, kebabs, and fattoush salads are all recognisable favourites and popular with children. There’s even a lasagne made out of macaroni and bechamel. At Luxor, you’ll enjoy lunch with one of the west bank local families, who’ll not only cook for you but take you on a (very short) guided tour of their home. Make sure you’re hungry beforehand: it’s delicious!
8 – Be awestruck by the twin temples of Abu Simbel
Built by Ramesses II, Abu Simbel is considered the grandest and most beautiful of Egypt’s temples
If you’d like to know what it feels like to be the size of an insect, standing next to the mighty statues at Abu Simbel, located on the western shores of Lake Nasser, will give you some idea. Actually twin temples, it’s the Great Temple of Ramesses II which is the best known (and the one with the huge rock relief statues representing Ramesses II, with smaller statues of his wife, Nefertari, and his children at his feet). To the right, you’ll find the smaller temple of Hathor and Nefertari. Abu Simbel is staggering both in size and ambition and it’s well worth the short flight (or much longer road trip) from Aswan to see them. Check out this great kid-friendly resource courtesy of National Geographic Kids.
9 – Hang out in a desert oasis
Feeling intrepid? Then head out into the Western Desert to the historic Siwa Oasis, a haven of palm trees and natural springs
If you want to do something few other intrepid families get to experience in Egypt then a visit to the historic Siwa Oasis is a must. Travelling deep into the Western Desert you’ll find a haven of palm trees, natural springs and mud-brick buildings to explore. In one of the most isolated areas in the country, Siwa’s history dates back some 10,000 years when traders came to exchange goods and the faithful consulted the great Oracle. Today, the oasis is home to just over 30,000 people, mainly Berbers. As well as visiting Shali Fortress, the Temple of Amun (home to the oracle), the Siwa Museum, and bathing in Cleopatra’s Pool, you can head out on desert excursions to the salt lake in Shiatta or the freshwater lake at Bir Wahed. See our Active Egypt example itinerary for details.
10 – Take a balloon trip at dawn
Take a balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings for a sunrise the family will never forget
The Valley of the Kings and its exquisitely decorated royal burial chambers is one of the most fascinating sites in Egypt. Whilst you’ll explore the underground tombs by foot, including Tutankhamun’s burial chamber, just as exciting is getting a bird’s eye view by taking a sunrise balloon ride over them. Taking off from the opposite bank of the Nile in Luxor, you’ll not just see the city, Karnak and Luxor temples, but also the entire valley in what is an unforgettable experience for the whole family. For more fabulous photos by our customers, see our Photos of Egypt collection.
More about holidaying in Egypt with kids
Want to know more about our Egypt trips? Do take a look at our Egypt Family Holidays section and our sample itineraries, Highlights of Egypt and Active Egypt. As neighbours, Egypt is a great place to combine with Jordan, as our Egypt and Jordan Highlights itinerary shows.
For the best family travel advice, please do ring us on 01728 752751 or send a message via our contact page.
Liddy Pleasants, MD Stubborn Mule Travel
We always love to hear about your experiences holidaying in Egypt with kids, so do send us your reviews and photos. Thank you.