Covid-related restrictions would possibly be in place. Please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ recommendation and testing/quarantine needs at your destination before booking.
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From the pyramids of Giza and the temples of Luxor to the amazing beaches and attractive reefs along the Red Sea, Egypt is full of wonders for travelers to explore. But while it has all the ingredients for a wonderful holiday, with plenty of sunshine, a favorable exchange rate, and plenty to see and do, the last decade has been tumultuous.
When Arab Spring protests spread from Tunisia to Egypt in 2011, they sparked violent clashes and the ouster of then-President Hosni Mubarak. Several years of turmoil and political unrest followed. While things have largely calmed down, protests can and do so. And then the crash of Metrojet Flight 9268 over North Sinai in October 2015, which saw flights from the UK to Sharm el-Sheikh suspended until October 2019.
Many holidays in Egypt went smoothly in the following years, but warnings remain in place for certain parts of the country. Here’s what you need to know.
Main photo: A camel in the pyramids of Giza (Getty Images)
There is no notice in place for popular tourist sites like Cairo, cities along the Nile that add Luxor and Aswan, and Red Sea resorts like Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada.
However, the British Foreign Office recently advised opposing everything to the governorate of North Sinai and within 20 km of the Egyptian-Libyan border (except for El Salloum, where it advised opposing everything but the essentials).
It also recommends opposing all those that are still essential for the following spaces: • The northern component of the South Sinai Governorate beyond St. Catherine-Nuweiba Road, between the Suez and Taba junction in the southern component of the South Sinai Governorate, but excluding coastal areas in the western and eastern components of the peninsula
• East of Ismailiyah governorate east of the Suez Canal
• The domain to the west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, however, the Faiyum governorate and the coastal spaces between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh, the Marsa Matruh-Siwa highway and the Siwa city oasis
• The Hala’ib triangle
• Bir Tawil’s trapeze
According to Foreign Minischeck, terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt, and targets may come from destinations popular with tourists. Most attacks take place in the North Sinai region, but may also take place in other portions of the country’s exit.
The threat increases during holidays and holidays, such as Christmas and Ramadan, and manifests itself mainly in places of worship, large public gatherings and places frequented by foreigners. Stay tuned and bring your photo ID.
Egypt is an Islamic country. If attitudes are calmer in resorts, customs can be very different elsewhere and a stricter Ramadan. Drinking alcohol in public, for example, can result in an arrest: alcohol is only allowed in a licensed restaurant or bar. Also be frowned upon.
The possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs can result in lengthy criminal sentences or even the death penalty. However, keep in mind that what might be legal in the UK may not be legal in Egypt. In 2017, for example, a British woman imprisoned for 3 years for bringing painkillers into the country. Tramadol, an opioid painkiller, is a prescription drug in the UK but illegal in Egypt.
Also be aware of what you are photographing. Taking photographs of (strictly prohibited) army installations, embassies, government buildings, churches, and even infrastructure like exercise stations can lead to arrests. If you wish to photograph Egyptian citizens, you must obtain written permission from them; It is not allowed to photograph young people.
It is also forbidden to take or share photographs that are perceived as harmful to the image of the country. Similarly, making strongly negative comments about Egypt or its policies, adding on social media, could result in his arrest.
In terms of road safety, it is better to be alert. Demonstrations are held on a regular basis and foreigners who take part in political activities in the country may be arrested or subjected to other measures.
The Foreign Ministry states: “If you are aware of demonstrations, marches or demonstrations nearby, you deserve to move away from immediate rule, as the environment can be replaced temporarily and without warning. In the past, police used water cannons, tear gas, bird chimneys and live ammunition for the crowd.
In popular places for hikers, visitors may be harassed for cash or to buy things. There is also a threat of robbery and assault, even in taxis. Traveling as part of a guided tour can help reduce the threat. If you are the victim of a crime, contact your local hiker police who can help you make a report.
Egypt no longer has Covid-like restrictions.
To enter Egypt, you will need at least six months validity in your passport. You’ll also want to apply for a tourist visa to make a stopover at most in the country. These can be received online prior to arrival or at the committed internal counters. the airport. This is valid for up to 3 months.
If you are travelling to the resorts of Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba, you can obtain a loose access clearance stamp on arrival for stays of up to 15 days. You’ll want to download a visa if you want to stay longer or stop over elsewhere.
In general, yes. But sexual assaults and harassment have been reported in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises: “Women travelers should be careful when travelling alone, as they could be vulnerable to unwanted attention or harassment. If you travel by minibus, avoid being the last remaining passenger on the bus. Take special care when traveling alone, especially at night, in taxis and minibuses.
This can be problematic. Although homosexuality is not technically illegal in Egypt according to the Foreign Ministry, charges of “debauchery” and “sexual deviance” have been used to prosecute other LGBT people in the past. Another 66 people were arrested in 2017 for debauchery after waving a rainbow flag at a concert in Cairo, for example. Again, attitudes are calmer in tourist areas, but any public display of affection is likely to cause trouble.