Spending an Extended Amount of Time in Egypt

Are you thinking about going to Egypt for an extended period of time? There’s a lot to see and do in the country, especially for those who have never travelled to the Middle East, and you simply can’t do it all within a few weeks. Egypt is full of history and amazing sites such as the Sphinx and the pyramids, but there’s more to the country than that. Here are a few things you should do if you decide to take an extended trip to Egypt.

Try All the Various Dishes

Egypt has some amazing food, and you have to try it all. While you might be familiar with things like lamb kebabs and dolma, you may have never tried baba ghanoush, which is an eggplant spread, or mahshi hamam, a small roasted pigeon that has been stuffed with a variety of herbs. You’ll be surprised by the variety of rich dishes you’ll find in Egypt in addition to the usual fast-food restaurants. Yes, Egypt has McDonalds and other chains, but you’ll find many locally-owned restaurants and cafes as well. If you don’t at least try some local cuisine while you’re there, you’re missing out on a large part of the culture.

Look for Rental Properties

There are many different options when it comes to Egypt real estate, including some amazing rental properties. If you’re going to be staying in the country for longer than a few weeks, a hotel can quickly become more expensive than you’d like. Instead of spending the money on a small space, why not rent an apartment, villa, or home for your stay? You can take advantage of the larger space and save on travel expenses. This is a great option if you are traveling with several other people or if your entire family is spending a summer in Egypt.

Visit the Beach

When most people think of Egypt, they think of the desert, and few would ever guess that there’s an amazing beach in the country. However, many scuba divers know about one of Egypt’s hidden secrets: Sharm El-Sheikh, a city on the Red Sea that is one of the world’s top destinations for diving. This gorgeous beach rivals any found in the Caribbean and offers just about anything you would find on a beach, including trips out on the water in glass-bottomed boats.

Shop at the Local Markets

While you can get everything you need in the modern grocery stores you’ll find in Cairo and most other cities in Egypt, the real fun is in shopping at the open-air markets you’ll find around the country. The Khan al-Khalili is the most famous of these. Located in Cairo, it’s one of the biggest markets in the area, and you’ll find many different unique treasures here in addition to your basic daily products. Many of the booth operators expect you to haggle with them, too, so you can often get a very good deal if you’re a tough negotiator.