info & facts
Egypt has been one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Middle East for many years. The temples in Luxor, located to the south, and the Pyramids of Giza capture the imagination.
100 million
The majority of Egypt's population of over 100 million lives in a narrow strip along the Nile. Since this represents only a small portion of the total land area, most Egyptian cities are densely populated and extremely dynamic.
Although the Egyptian economy has grown enormously in recent years, one-third of the Egyptian population continues to live below the poverty line. The economy is heavily dependent on tourism, and the coronavirus pandemic has caused the country to lose important revenue from this sector. Since 2021, tourism to Egypt has slowly been recovering. To boost tourism, the Egyptian government made the e-visa available to travelers from 78 additional countries.
Climate
Almost all of Egypt has a hot desert climate. It is somewhat cooler along the banks of the Nile and along the coast, but in summer, daytime temperatures almost never fall below 30 degrees Celsius throughout Egypt. Many places regularly reach 40 degrees Celsius, especially in the desert regions. However, temperatures in the desert can cool down quickly at night. Rain is rare in Egypt. Even in autumn and winter, only a few millimeters of precipitation falls. Precipitation is generally higher in the coastal regions than in the interior. For example, Alexandria receives significantly more rain than the south of the country, where sometimes not a drop of rain falls for an entire year. In spring, a dry and extremely hot wind blows across the country from the southwest. This wind, called the khamsin, can cause formidable sandstorms.
Currency in Egypt
The Egyptian pound (EGP) is the official currency in Egypt. One Egyptian pound is worth 100 piastres. One euro is equivalent to 34.00 EGP (July 2023), which allows European travelers to eat and make other purchases relatively inexpensively in Egypt. In principle, you don't need to bring a lot of cash, as it's now possible to pay with a debit or credit card almost everywhere. However, be aware that many banks charge transaction fees for these transactions. It's recommended to check these fees before traveling. In some cases, it may be worthwhile to bring more cash with you to Egypt.
The tourist highlights of Egypt
Egypt has a lot to offer in terms of tourism. The Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza are undoubtedly the country's most famous sights. They are just a stone's throw from Cairo and therefore very easy to visit from the capital. Cairo itself is home to the Egyptian Museum, one of the most famous museums in the world. The famous death mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun is exhibited here, along with thousands of other ancient artifacts. The Egyptian capital is also home to countless other museums, including the Coptic Museum, as well as attractions such as the Cairo Citadel, a castle dating back to the time of the famous Arab general Saladin.
Culture & Society
The majority of the Egyptian population follows the Sunni branch of Islam, which is clearly evident in everyday life. Five times a day, the call to prayer echoes through the city from the minarets, setting the pace of daily life. Many Egyptians pray multiple times a day, including in public places. A second important pillar of Egyptian society is the family. It is customary to gather with a large part of the family every Friday and enjoy a large meal, as Friday is the most important day of the week in Islam. Egyptian cuisine is highly varied and differs significantly from the cuisine of other Arab countries in some aspects. Many dishes are vegetarian and contain pulses. However, chicken and lamb are also eaten extensively. Pork, however, is rarely available, as it is considered unclean in Islam.
How do I get cheap internet in Egypt?
You can purchase these directly in Egypt from a local provider. The largest and best-known mobile phone providers in the country are Vodafone, Orange, and Etisalat. You can often find these local SIM cards directly at the airport or in shopping centers in the cities.
Advantages:
- Thanks to many providers and stores, you have a wide selection of SIM cards.
- Many offers also mean a price range from cheap to expensive.
- Various data packages available.
International roaming for internet in Egypt
With the elimination of roaming charges within the EU, we often don't even think about internet abroad anymore. However, when traveling to destinations outside the European Union, high fees still apply for text messages, calls, and mobile data. You're charged a high price for every megabyte used. This can add up to a significant increase in your mobile phone bill at the end of the month. Popular mobile providers like Telekom, Vodafone, or o2 offer various data packages for international use. However, these are often overpriced, and you only get a few hundred megabytes.
