Hidden Gems in Egypt – 8 Places most Tourists miss
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Wanting to explore some lesser known places in Egypt during your next trip? Then listen up and take notes!
I have done an extensive roundtrip through Egypt in January 2024, exploring many popular places but also a whole bunch of less popular places around the country. From empty temples to amazing views and places with an incredible natural beauty without crowds – here is the list of my favourite hidden gems in Egypt.
- Medinet Habou, Luxor
- Dunes viewpoint, Aswan
- Great Pyramid Duo, Cairo
- Ozirea Island, Hurghada
- Local market, Luxor
- Siwa Oasis
- Old town, Cairo
- Bedouin Lodge, Luxor
1. Medinet Habou, Luxor (my favourite hidden gem in Egypt)
After visiting the busy (but amazing) Karnak temple, Valley of the Kings and Mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, I was sooo happy when I entered this temple in the middle of the day and it was almost completely empty!
It’s a gorgeous temple with amazing colourful columns to take photos at, In my opinion even prettier than the Karnak temple. For me the best temple in Egypt. (Out of the ones I´ve visited, of course).
It is also way cheaper than the popular temples and historic sites in the area.
Medinet Habou is located very close to the more popular sites around the Valley of the Kings, but still overlooked by most tourists. Visiting an ancient temple is one of my favourite bucket list experiences in Egypt and this one is a great one to visit!
How to get to Medinet Habou?
This temple, also called “Temple d’Amon” is located very close to the Valley of the Kings and other points of interest in the area.
I suggest hiring a driver for a day to visit all the places you want to go to and also plan a stop at Medinet Habou.
Find the exact Google location HERE.
How much is it to visit this temple in Egypt?
That’s one of the best parts: The entrance fee to this temple is much lower than most of the more popular places in the area.
At the time of visiting (January 2024) the entrance fee was 200 EGP. The ticket office is located about 5 minutes from the temple, your driver will know where to go. Cash and cards accepted here, while at most other ancient sites, only cards are accepted.
Here are sone tours you might be interested in while in Luxor:
2. Dunes viewpoint, Aswan
There are many great photo opportunities along the Nile in Aswan, some more popular than others. Aswan definitely needs to be on your Egypt itinerary, especially for the gorgeous Nile views and colourful Nubian houses.
I accidentally came across the most insane view of the Nile river and Aswan, half way up the majestic dunes on the other side of town.
Yes, it’s quite exhausting to walk up there, but so worth it! Don’t miss this spot!
How to get to this viewpoint in Aswan?
When visiting the Nubian village on the opposite side of Aswan, continue to the right from the boat dock. Pass all the pretty, colourful houses as as well as the market stands and continue even further. Once you are out of the “town area”, there will be less houses and between the steep dunes, there is a kind of way prepared up.
It’s not as steep as the dunes are in most other parts and sandboarding seems to take place here as well. (Assuming from the flags that have been set up there).This is the exact Google location HERE.
How much is it to visit?
Absolutely free!
Where to stay in Aswan?
I personally stayed at a small family-run guest house on Elephantine island, called Nile View Guest House. I enjoyed my stay there a lot, especially the Nile views from the porch.
If I would visit again, I would probably stay at the Kato Dool hotel, with its colourful vibes and unique views of the Nile. Went there for dinner and was blown away by its views and design.
Here are some others to consider for every budget:
Budget-friendly stays & hostels:
Mid-Range hotels:
Luxury lodges & stays:
3. Great Pyramid Duo, Cairo
I have stayed a bunch of really cool stays but WOW, this apartment in Giza blew my mind! Spacious 2 bedroom apartment with a private rooftop and the most insane pyramid views.
I have been to many, many restaurants, cafes and hotels with pyramid views in Giza and this was my favourite pyramid view.
This airbnb is not as popular as other airbnbs (like the one with the bathtub with direct pyramid views) in Giza. This is why I consider it a great hidden gem in Egypt. Check it out HERE.
How to get there?
The Great Pyramid Duo Airbnb is located very close to the entrance to the pyramid complex, just a few minutes from the famous Marriott Mena house. Best to order an UBER from wherever you are in Cairo or Giza, to get here. They can also arrange a pick-up for you upon arrival in Cairo. This is the google location HERE.
How much is it to stay the Great Pyramid Duo?
For what you get, this place is actually really affordable in my opinion. Rates start around 100 USD per night.
4. Ozirea Island, Hurghada
This one is a very new and very pretty place near Hurghada in Egypt. I visited it in January 2026 and it was only in “soft launch” then. It’s got a pretty insane infinity pool with a view and also a bunch of stunning rooms with glass fronts and direct ocean views.
To be honest, when I visited, not everything was quite ready yet and service was still to be improved as well. I think it will be pretty expensive to visit, so might only be worth it once everything is fully finished.
How to get to Ozirea Island?
The only option is to go by boat or yacht. You can message them on Instagram to arrange a visit there.
How much is it to visit?
Prices were not yet 100% figured out when I visited but I found this tour that offers a visit to Ozirea Island. It’s expensive, as expected but you might get a better price when messaging them directly and arrange to be part of a group tour.
5. Local market, Luxor
Luxor is a must stop on your Egypt itinerary but also one of the busiest touristy places in Egypt with many, many Nile cruises stopping here for the day.
I’ve strolled through the touristy bazar in Luxor and even though it was not very busy that day, I was hassled from every single salesman there.
I walked in some other direction and actually accidentally ended up at the local market, where there is no tourists and nobody is hassling you.
I had a great time just strolling through the busy streets and watching the locals doing their shopping. Even though you can’t buy the typical souvenirs here, you can get everything from fruit & vegetables to street food, spices and household items etc. Prices here are, of course, way cheaper than at the touristy markets.
How to get to the local market in Luxor?
The local market is very centrally located in Luxor. If you are visiting the Luxor temple or touristy bazar, it’s just a short stroll to get to the local market. This is the exact Google location HERE.
Where to stay in Luxor?
You might either visit Luxor as part of your Nile cruise or just stay a couple of nights in the area – I recommend at least 2-3 nights.
Here are some hotel options for every budget:
Budget-friendly stays & hostels:
Mid-range stays & hotels:
- Bedouin Lodge (also one of my favourite hidden gems in Egypt further down in this article)
- Casa Loko Guest House
Luxury stays & hotels:
6. Siwa Oasis
The Siwa Oasis is one of my favourite places in Egypt. One of the main attractions there are the salt lakes and floating in them is one of the best bucket list experiences in Egypt.
But apart from the salt lakes, there is so much more to do in Siwa. From ancient fortresses to hot springs and desert experiences. Getting there is a pain but once you are there, it’s such an amazing experience. Super friendly locals, not as pushy as in other parts of Egypt, less tourists and so much to see and do!
I highly recommend adding the Siwa Oasis to your Egypt itinerary!
If you want to learn more about this place in Egypt, check out my detailed Siwa Oasis guide.
How to get to the Siwa Oasis?
This is where things get tricky. There are a few different options, but generally getting here isn’t very easy or quick.
The most common option is to go by minibus from Cairo. The drive takes about 8 hours and (by the time of writing this in 2024) costs about 360 EGP. The company I used was “Siwa bus”. Busses typically leave late in the evening from Cairo and arrive to Siwa in the early morning.
Another option is to take the regular bus (Go Bus) to Marsa Matruh and after a stop, continue onwards to Siwa with another bus. Personally, due to the needed change of bus in Marsa Matruh as well as quite bad reviews about cleanliness and comfort of these busses, I would definitely choose the minibus over the regular bus. Check out my Siwa Oasis guide for more details on how to get to and around the Siwa Oasis.
Where to stay in Siwa?
There are a bunch of options, suitable for all budgets. Compared to bigger cities, there are not so many luxury options here, which I consider a good thing.
I personally stayed at Seliyaa Siwa Inn Hotel, which is a great and unique place to stay at an affordable rate.
Here are some other options to stay in Siwa for every budget:
Budget-friendly stays & hostels:
Mid-Range hotels:
Luxury lodges & stays:
7. Old town Cairo
Most tourists visit the Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum and maybe the Khan El Kalili market, but most skip Cairo old town.
But this hidden gem in Egypt is SO photgenic with many cute cafes with lanterns all over, stunning mosques and an authentic local vibe. I first wasn’t 100% sure, if it was safe to visit in the evening by myself but turns out it felt perfectly safe. There are many people around at any time of the day, everything is open til late and the photo opportunities are just insane. Also, nobodly hassled me here, nobody stared at me – it was just totally normal to walk around there by myself.
My favourite place was this cafe HERE.
Totally recommend visiting Cairo old town and strolling through the beautiful streets, even if you are a solo female traveler, like me.
How to get to Cairo old town?
The old town of Cairo is very centrally located and in walking distance from the famous Khan El Khalili market. However, Cairo is huge and if you are a bit further away, the easiest option might be to take an UBER, which is affordable and safe in Egypt.
Find the Google location of the old town HERE. Make sure to also explore the surrounding streets and get lost!
Where to stay in Cairo old town?
While I personally preferred to stay in Giza with views of the pyramids while in Cairo, here are some options to stay in or around the old town for easier access:
Budget-friendly hostel:
Mid-Range hotel:
Luxury hotel:
Search more stay in and around Cairo here:
8. Bedouin Lodge, Luxor
When I was looking for a hotel to stay at, I was mainly just looking to book a cheap place with decent reviews, so I ended up here. The accommodation is simple, but in a super cool and authentic bedouin style and especially their outdoor area is something very special. What is amazing as well, is their food-to-table dining. My meals here were my favourite during my entire trip! The Bedouin Lodge is conveniently located on the West Bank, very close to the Valley of the Kings and other points of interest. If you are looking for a really cool and affordable place to stay, I can highly recommend this place. Check them out HERE.
How to get to the Bedouin Lodge?
As mentioned above, the lodge is located on the West Bank. If you are arriving to Luxor by train or bus, you will be dropped off on the East Bank. From there you take the public ferry (leaving every few minutes for 10 EGP) and when you arrive to the West Bank, you can either hire a tuk tuk, taxi or join a minibus.
It is also possible to walk, but takes about 20-30 minutes from the ferry.
How much is it so stay at the Bedouin Lodge?
Quite affordable, starting at about 50 USD per room/night.
I hope this blog post with the best hidden gems in Egypt was inspiring and you will pay some of these places a visit during your trip!
Check out my other Egypt blog posts to help you plan your trip:
